Naxalism or Maosim

I suspect Binayak Sen knows much more than we do. Fortunately or otherwise I do not  know enough to sit in judgment of this doctor’s actions. I am happy his deeds/misdeeds have started a much needed National debate on Maoists (Naxalites).

I recall my close shave with Naxalism.

I did 11 years at school.  I never tried to reason why the Anglo Indian Board did not have 10 or 12 years of schooling as did all other boards in the late 1960s. In the event that extra year in my school in Kannur, on the west coast in North Malabar in North Kerala, exposed me to Naxalism from close quarters.

On 22nd November 1968, a group of about 300 armed guerrillas made an unsuccessful attempt to attack the Thalassery police station.  (Thalassery is a town 10 miles from Kannur. This police station is bang on the main road from Kannur leading to my then home in Calicut. I was a boarder in Kannur.) The members of the unsuccessful group fled and went into hiding.  But within 48 hours, another group of revolutionaries, armed with country-made guns and bombs, attacked the police station at Pulpally (about 30 miles or so from Thalassery) in Wyanad. One police wireless operator was killed and many policemen including the sub-Inspector of police got injured in the attack.

The stunning specialty in that attack was its leader, a 19 year old woman, Ajitha. For good measure, before withdrawing from the scene of mayhem, she left her right palm impression in blood on the inner wall of the police station. Another notable fact was the assailants did not carry a single regulation weapon.

In 1968 these were unprecedented incidents which did create turmoil in the already restless populace in the Malabar.  That was my first exposure to the Naxalite movement. Ajitha was captured in 1969 in Wynad. As a revolutionary and later political prisoner this young woman's name has been recorded for posterity in her state.

The Naxalite movement never really took off in Kerala.

The notion then among a large section of the public in Malabar was that a Naxalite is one who likes his/her country more than the rest of us, and is hence more concerned than the rest of us when people suffer. Then the economy of Kerala, which then had not started getting remittances from the Middle East, was tottering.

During her time in prison, mostly under solitary confinement, Ajitha’s feminist sensibilities were slowly coming to the fore.  Ajitha served close to 8 years before being released by the state. She became a neighbour of my school mate, Sunderesan, in Calicut where I met her for about 10 minutes in 1979.  She seemed a soft spoken and normal human being. Ajitha, married and later got involved in activities for social uplift of women in Kerala.

A successor to the failed Naxalite movement in Kerala was the ‘Wynad Samskarika Vedi (Wynad Cultural Forum)' which blossomed to Janakiya Samskarika Vedi (Democratic Cultural Forum). The forum positioned itself as a movement involved in establishing its own cultural sphere of thoughts and ethics against the prevailing (thought to be) bourgeois ethos. Aligned to the left, it failed to clearly separate the cultural push from the political assaults. Consequently this movement also petered out. During my many holidays in my town in the 70s and 80s I had met a few of these activists who staged street plays professing their cause. 

I feel I saw the Naxalite movement in its purest form. It was not surprising then, given our state of the economy at that time and remnants of a feudal system ( my family has lost some leased out farmlands in central Kerala to the land reforms act of the Left Government of the state in the mid 60s) still in vogue a large section of the people probably were Naxal sympathizers. In Kerala the proximity of the common man to then Naxalites like Ajitha helped both sides to see reason before the situation worsened.

In my own pursuit of life, I lost track of this movement largely because it had failed in my state – and I thought if it had failed in Kerala it cannot succeed anywhere. I am probably right and wrong. Wrong because the movement by another name (Maoists) seems to be creating ripples in many parts of our country; right because the proponents fight for a debauched cause and by seeking external help the movement has become anti National.

Incidentally, Wynad, the cradle of the failed naxalite movement in Kerala is now a relatively new and prosperous district which is also a much sought after holiday destination both by domestic and international tourists.

What You See Is (NOT) What You Get (WYSIWYG)

WYSIWYG definitely revolutionised computing as we see it today.  WYSIWYG is a system, in the computing world, where you are able to see almost exactly what you will finally get in a display, print, web page or any other output, even as you edit.  

It is never so in real life; like you can never always tell when you are getting your money’s worth! So it is with love and any other give or take situation – looks can deceive; right?  

As a corollary there can never be utopia. Not for a minute am I suggesting we accept anything less. Never give up the idea of utopia - constantly work for one. In the Indian context the nearest to utopia is the mythical ramrajya which at best is a make believe state.  Because in ramrajya an innocent woman suffered almost all through her wedded life and finally had to take her own life leaving behind two sub-adolescent children who she had raised as a single parent without a known source of income. There is nothing ideal in this world. This is not philosophy but a simple truth – and as always truth should never come as a surprise. You can only strive for what you believe is ideal but can never achieve it. 

 But striving for utopia is important. Self criticism is an essential ingredient of improvement. Let us not allow the bad to cast a shadow over the good

Chalta hai, Chalega and Jugaad

There are three specialties to India and Indians that are both a bane and a boon; the chalega and chalta hai attitudes and the uncanny knack for jugaad; of these three chalega is more a boon, chalta hai is a bane and jugaad is both a boon and a bane. We will do well to research these strong idiosyncrasies of us Indians and develop them positively rather than look elsewhere for improving the system.

Chalta hai

The characteristic collective psyche, chalta hai, is a certain carefree and flexible approach to life. The chalta hai mindset is a pervading trend showing disdain for rules that I suspect is shackling the Nation’s progress politically, economically and in every which way there is.


Through liberal use of the phrase chalta hai has acquired meanings for instances other than circumventing rules. Whenever accepted norms or courtesies are overlooked, when one just does not put in that extra bit and accepts everything as it exists and whenever it is convenient in a circumstance, it is chalta hai.

Chalta hai stops us from going the extra mile. So what if our legislators are elected by only about a fourth of India’s population – chalta hai. The big fat Indian wedding is a myth. In the end everything does not fall in place – it is just that whatever happens, chalta hai.  And this attitude of taking things casually peters down to even our day to day interactions as many feel the chalta hai attitude works for them – so the young think chalta hai is how it should be – and this dangerous legacy is handed down generations.

What is required is a National character that draws out the best from people and does not encourage 'chalta hai' in its present form. We have to get over that it is chalta hai to throw garbage over the boundary wall into the neighbour’s compound

Chalega

I distinguish chalega from chalta hai this way; while chalta hai is a submission, chalega is a challenge.
Immigrant Indians spanned out across the globe since early twentieth century in search of a livelihood. Their biggest skill set was a chalega attitude. In the distant lands the early Indian settlers, settled for the minimum to earn maximum. Chalega was the dominant factor in that adjustment. The harsh environment and some subhuman treatment were par for the course – chalega. For those who sought their fortune in the deserts of Gulf during the 80-90 decades, cramped dwellings and one meal a day were fine – chalega. The money they sent back boosted domestic economy.

Black tea is just as fine if the milk curdles – chalega.
 
 Jugaad

Jugaad, ( a name first coined for a ‘home made’ vehicle in the Punjab) literally means an arrangement or a work around, necessitated by a lack of resources. Jugaad is anathema to purists and practitioners of the highly rated Japanese or other structured methods of product development. During the latter decades of twentieth century, Jugaad has invaded territories other than engineering. According to Swaminathan Ankalesaria Iyer, 81% businessmen in India say the main reason for their success is jugaad, the ability to find innovative ways around prohibitive rules and institutions.  He says that “this is the key finding of a survey of 4,000 businessmen by YouGov, a top online survey organisation, and the Legatum Institute, an independent think tank. The survey represents the subjective view of Indian entrepreneurs, but has a ring of truth.”  There are proponents and opponents of jugaad. But jugaad has gained so much power that you can find it in the management jargon of highly rated B schools; some related terms are frugal engineering and frugal innovation. I know of a recent book singing paeans of jugaad probably on the way to becoming a bestseller (Rise and Rise of Jugaad by Virender Kapoor - available in Hindi also).

Jugaad is not an innovation, but it definitely is an inspiration on how to create products using technology that meets the price value equation. The same equation applies to anywhere and anything where Jugaad is applied. Jugaad is not the end but a means - a very efficient means.

Each and every individual has to be conscious and contribute to building a national character for a better and secured nation. We are at the cross roads in progress and inclusive growth. Here is an opportunity to show India really is a great nation - Jugaad chalega NOT chalta hai. 

Here is some cheer!

I met the MLA I elected, in his office on Saturday last week. It was very refreshing, to say the least.

There is a dying lake down the road from my house; one of the many neglected water bodies in my metro Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), the city of lakes. Some of the residents on either flank of the road teamed up with other littoral residents and decided to approach the elected representative and request him to restore the lake. I was part of this delegation.

The meeting was arranged for 10.30 AM. Expecting delays, “politicians do not keep appointed timings” - so thinking, I had rescheduled all my meetings for late afternoon on that day. As a good measure I carried packed lunch too – you can never tell about these politicians, I presumed.

Most of us reached his office by 10.20 AM. You see we thought if we are late he may use that as an excuse to deny us a meeting. We removed our shoes outside and entered the plush office complex in our socks and were soon ushered into the meeting room. It was a well appointed place. Rows of chairs moulded in steel, ergonomically designed and painted in a shade of blue -very comfortable. It was 10.30 AM by the time we settled down. On dot, in walked my MLA all of 32 years, dressed in jeans and a bush shirt, carrying a blackberry and a Nokia E72.  All of us were not in yet!!! The MLA was in and we were not!!! He graciously understood the travails of Bengaluru traffic and with a smile told us he will be back the minute our last woman was in and left.

Immediately we were all served some hot tea. Extra chairs were laid out for the additional participants. In five minutes the MLA called in our spokesperson, who he later addressed by his first name all through the proceedings, and reviewed the agenda points. On our ‘all in’ signal he returned with the smile still in place. Also in attendance was one of his staff, the concerned tehsildar and the corporation official – impressive.

The MLA had on his finger tips the progress on all matters we raised with him.  He gave us copies of documents showing progress on say, the survey order for the lake which is the first step for restoration. He specified milestones and introduced his staff who will constantly follow up on the projects. We, the people, could any time check progress with him. He promised to bring the CM to the lake in ten days because such a visit will give added impetus to our efforts.

He attended to a couple of personal grievances also with positive outlook. He met with each one individually and cracked a few good jokes. The whole atmosphere was energetic. 

In the end I was told by those I accompanied that this guy was a go getter and had already done much for the constituency including reclaiming another big lake.

There is yet redemption.

Religious sentiments cannot be hurt

Hurting religious sentiment is a misnomer.  Psychologically sentiment is an abnormal condition. While there can be a condition of religious sentiment, being abnormal it can not be hurt but only aggravated.  Sentimentality is an emotional state disproportionate to the situation, and thus replaces extreme and generally unthinking feeling for normal ethical and intellectual judgment

Being critical of religion and religious practices is a must for an evolving society to free itself from archaic practices of the medieval era. Instead of shying away, discussions on religions and methods should be encouraged in a thinking (wo)man.

A discussion need not be derogatory of individuals or groups. It is after prolonged discussions and consideration of differing opinions the Pope has now allowed the use of condoms – under certain circumstances. The change is a result of objecting to a belief in the first instance.

In India I am afraid there are no public debates on religion because the politicians are afraid; the government is afraid; the media is afraid; the people are afraid; those that are not afraid are dissuaded by those who are afraid. Of course there are also those with vested interests who want to perpetuate ignorance. They are into exploitation and take shelter behind ‘religious sentiments’. The result is the proliferation of Nityanandas. Opinions on religion and beliefs have to be expressed. We do not have a right to debate the practices of an individual where only (s)he is involved. We definitely have a right to discuss what is practiced in public – because it affects society at large.

Let us not be afraid to debate.

The Central Lobby.

As with every evolution the action of lobbying has transformed into something which it originally was not – much like the governments who indulge in everything but governance!

The first lobby I became very familiar with was, of course, the famous Central Lobby in my Squadron at the National Defence Academy (NDA). The Central Lobby was the happening place during the first two and a half years of the minimum three years we spend at the NDA.  Dividing the years into terms of half year each, those would be the first five terms of stay there. The sixth termers never partook of the fare in the Central Lobby.

True to its calling, the Central Lobby was the area just inside the entrance of the large building of the Squadron housing the cadets. Being one of the two large areas inside the building, here is where over 100 or so inmates congregated for anything from a simple muster through lectures on morality (ML) to some physical activities. The other large space was the Squadron anteroom (also carries a dictionary meaning ‘lobby’). Unlike the Central Lobby the anteroom was a place only for recreation and fun.

In my time while we enjoyed our bit in the ante room, the Central Lobby routines were more pain than pleasure. The one thing in common was all that happened at either of the places was in full public view.

Wikipedia attributes the origin of the term lobbying to certain activities in lobbies of large buildings. To quote "the BBC holds that "lobbying" comes from the gathering of Members of Parliament and peers in the hallways (or lobbies) of Houses of parliament  before and after parliamentary debates (before the debate is put to vote perhaps).  One story states that the term originated at the Willard hotel in Washington, DC, where it was used by Ulysses Grant to describe the political influencers who frequented the hotel's lobby to access Grant—who was often there to enjoy a cigar and brandy.”  Ulysses G. was the 18^th President of the US (1869–1877) as well as a military commander during the civil war and post-war reconstruction periods.  

By definition a lobbyist(s) is a person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest group. The evolution of the term implies that lobbying should happen out in the open spaces, whether done by an individual or a group.  

Lobbying by itself is a pure form of putting across a point of view to the powers that be in a template and language they understand - by a group or an individual on behalf of a group. But taking ‘lobbying’ to the bedroom (The famous Q. “Are you sleeping”? Ans. “No yaar”), and mixing the act with ‘quid pro quo’ or a plain bribe is, in the least, an insult to lobbying.

I hear the word influencers some times and that, I feel is an apt name for these wheeler dealers. The people who now try to influence and  get their bidding, stopping at nothing including coercion and blackmail, are all being clubbed under ‘lobbyists’. This is unfair.

To me lobbyists are those who function from the Central Lobby or the Anteroom in full public view.  Every other influencer is a wheeler dealer or vice versa.

In Passing …..

~gate has been given many dimensions in the media.  Violation of privacy is an issue and Ratan Tata is tackling that.  The other hues given to it on prime time television and related media are lobbying, influencing, corruption, values, probity of media, “reliable sources” of the media, quid pro quo between politicians, media and others.  In all the discussions and dissections one dimension is ignored by one and all;

Are the protagonists, PROs and reporters, just blowing some hot air?  Barkha Dutt has said it more than once that she just talked but did not do!!!

Applying simple logic we find that each will be taken seriously only to an extent by her/his own boss, not at all by the other’s boss, and decision makers will never know of these conversations!  So why do they talk the way we hear them on these “~tapes”?  I suspect, only to posture and impress one another– some reality show this – move aside Big Boss and Pamela Anderson.

Wikileaks

The powers that be (except of the USA), they say are unaware of all that has been ‘exposed’ in the cablegate (CG). Yes, sure leaders of some countries who can’t see beyond their medium size noses are naïve and so unaware. I do not think the Indian leaders or the Indian press are naïve by any standard.

 We have all used ‘names’ to describe someone sometime. The connotative meaning of words is often exploited to describe a person. Such use only shows up the user’s bare repertoire of words. Indians are well known for leaking anywhere anytime. That is an example of use or misuse of the word ‘leak’ itself! Connotation refers to the associations that are connected to a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that word. So we have friends who are snakes. Here the connotations for the word snake could include evil or danger. What is the big deal if Putin was referred to as Batman and Medvedze was Robin in a private repartee?

Having a voluptuous blond or brunette hanging on your arms is a sure shot topic for banter for even a diplomat. So what is the big deal in talking about Gaddafi and his nurse in the same breath? 

There is no free lunch. A leader is not worth his iodised salt if he does not act for his led.  It is only a simpleton who will assume that there is no quid pro quo in international dealings. More over wikileaked missives are at best work in progress. Taking an analogy from golf how many times have we said ‘good shot’ while we wished it was a fluke and the opponent fluffs his next shot? So thinking is one thing, saying is another thing and doing is yet another thing.

Foremost in every leader’s international dealings will be the interest of her country. Every diplomat is a leader representing his country. Why do we say somebody is being diplomatic? That is right he does not want to hurt you and so he deftly handles his reply. When we know that private ‘diplomatic’ missives will be different from public diplomatic postures, why are we surprised by wikileaks?  

Or Are we?

In defence of Basking In Reflected Glory

For it isn't your father, your
mother, or wife,
  Whose judgment of you -
you must pass,
  The fellow whose verdict
counts most in your life,
  Is the guy staring back in the
glass.

This is from Kipling's "The man in the glass”

So, what is it with reflections?

This centuries old phenomenon of Basking In Reflected Glory (BIRGing) is a widely practiced impression management technique to foster self esteem and sometimes for material gains.

The moon is a ‘shining’ example of BIRG.  Moon is seen only because it reflects sunlight. Moon is romanticised across demography and geography. Paeans have been written on moon light. On the contrary only a few worship the Sun and most want to stay away from sunlight. 

The BIRG phenomenon pervades our every day activities too.

Do those who Bask In Reflected Glory (also BIRG differentiated by context) also contribute?

The moon does contribute in some ways. The moon has its own calendar predating that of the Sun; hence and also because of its mere presence, it has a great say in astrology – at least in the Indian context. Depending on its proximity to Earth we experience high and low tides. When closer to the Earth the moon afflicts the brain or mind as referred to by such words as, lunatic, loony et al. Yet, would we romanticise the moon without the moon light?

When a world cup is won the Nation takes to the streets in joy feeling pride in the achievement of our sportspersons. After a big win everyone, albeit with no contribution from them, identifies with the winner – emblazoned tee shirts are out, baseball caps with logos adorn proud heads and there is an air of celebration. Sales of products of the winning team rocket till another team wins next year.

(In this context CORFing has to be mentioned too. Veru briefly CORFing means Cutting Off Reflected Failure. CORFing is done in various ways.  It could be like after winning it is ‘we won’; after losing it is ‘they lost’. ).

BIRGing is present in many other ways too. One could be ‘famous’ for being the daughter of a famous mother. It is very common to use relationships with better known personalities to further one’s cause – this is what is often referred to as dropping names. Names may be dropped even if the ‘reflection’ is faint or non existent. There is an old Chinese story that illustrates this refection. A tiger who had caught a fox in a forest was about to make a meal of it. For self preservation the Fox came up with an idea. Suddenly it declared to the tiger “You mustn't eat me. I am sent by the Gods to rule this forest. By devouring me, you will violate the command of the Gods. If you don't believe me, just follow me to see whether the animals are afraid of me." The tiger agreed, and followed the fox as it walked around the forest. All animals in the way ran away on seeing the duo. The tiger thought they were afraid of the fox, so he let it go.

Then there is Reflected Glory Marketing (RGM). When a brand does not afford a direct appeal to something a potential customer cares passionately about is invoked to attract attention. The potential customer is drawn into a conversation on that subject rather than on the drab product. When selling a health it may make more sense to talk about fitness and a great body first and then explain what this drink can do to maintain such a body. RGM is used to build relationships with customers. 

Reflections are used for reproduction in the world of flora too!  Although not usually ranked among the most charming of earth's creatures, bats nonetheless comprise one of the important groups of animals that can pollinate plants. Though bats mostly use olfaction to locate flowers, there is one flower (Vine flower) which by using a small concave ‘sound mirror’ reflects the bats’ ultrasonic echolocation right back to them, thus showing the animals its exact location. This mirror is formed from a single modified petal, the vexillum, which is raised when a flower is fully mature and ready to spring its pollen load indicating the presence of copious nectar.

Use of reflective paint to increase energy efficiency of homes and commercial buildings is a recent phenomenon. The move can reduce energy bills, because structures use less air conditioning when they absorb fewer of the sun's rays.

BIRGing, after all has benefits.

A Nation: hostage to democracy!

This is not about a political party. It is about people who are helpless in spite of freedom. It is about a Nation held hostage. When a Government is elected democratically, they have a responsibility towards the electorate. Collective autocracy by the legislature is abhor-able. By definition, all elected representatives are part of the government whichever bench they occupy in the Parliament. The people of India are hostage to those very same representatives elected to lead them. What a travesty of justice.

Why can not Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) be applicable to the legislature? By any standards transacting business by the august body of a democratically elected parliament is not a non essential activity. Legislators are behaving like hooligans inside the revered precincts of the parliament without any shame. The approach of “if only you do this you can do that” is blackmail. Simply an act violating the law. We the people of India want our legislature to be more responsible.

Legislators have to uphold the value system. The argument that I did a  wrong because my predecessors did the same is absolutely despicable. If there is use of office and status for partisan gains, it is immoral and no law is required to castigate the guilty.  One reason why the armed forces are swift in dispensing justice is there are sections in the Army Act dealing with ‘unbecoming conduct’ and ‘breach of trust’.

Forget the media who take you to the cleaners at the drop of a speck of dirt, even if the wind had carried it on to you. But government appointed bodies like the CAG and Lok Ayukta are different – the moment they reveal mal practice the affected run for cover behind enquiry commissions and other committees; then there is a long and winded legal system for ‘protecting’ the protagonists. So wither the value system? Where are the ‘teachings’ of the holy scriptures and other legacies, in which we collectively take pride and tom-tom as the famous mother of all cultures – the Indian culture? If I am wrong pray tell me what is Indian culture? Surely Indian culture is not just wearing a sari and not celebrating Halloween.

Only a few days ago the Nation was gaga on the visit by President Obama. India almost became a super power overnight. Today it seems to be just a pipe dream. It will remain a dream if we Indians do not wake up right now; wake up before it is too late. Wake up before our economic potential is blunted by partisan behaviour of the pillars of democracy – Legislature, Executive, Judiciary and Media. The world is shrinking. Interdependency of Nations is a given for growth. Among closed economies China is now open and already a world player. Cuba is slowly coming out of the shell. North Korea is an aberration and nobody knows whether there is an economy there! In such a scenario our leaders have a finger on the self destruct button.

Instead of focusing on development and all inclusive growth, already in our grasp, the powers that be are playing a game of one-up-manship. In the first instance a responsible media has to expose this nexus of political parties who ignore the people of a democracy. We have now to channelise the resources and energies of the Nation towards accelerated progress, even if it is to catch up with China. For the present – only to accentuate the critical nature of the situation - I will unequivocally declare that the one party rule of China is better than Indian democracy.

Will our leaders grow out of their clichéd statements and political games? I say to them grow out of the teens and become a woman.

I am the Lord, I am the scam

I am the Supreme. I am never born, I never die. In my pure and ominous presence I am corruption. I control people, society and governments. I manifest in different forms to proliferate evil whenever the world tends to become honest. I have been in this world since inception; my appearances can be felt even in the great epics of India and Greece, not to discount my role in the kingdoms of the great Egyptian Pharaohs.   I take many avatars. Some are explicit some implicit.

For instance one of my manifestations is in the form of rebate, to lure unsuspecting customers to buy inferior goods. Like a leech, I attach myself to some FMCG products and call myself ‘free’. In the education field I am known as donation. In India the locals some time call me ‘Bakshish’; urudu for tips. The very uninitiated in the English language refer to me as ‘something’.

The sophisticated know my manifestation as greasing the palm. I appear where some favours are solicited by the undeserving, from people in power. Whereas the giver refers to me as bribe (as an unwanted outgo) the taker refers to me as fees (a must income) for facilitating a transaction.

Often more than two people are involved in invoking my presence. Here I manifest myself as SCAM. I am referred with various adjectives like minor, major, phenomenal or the circumstance such as CWG, Adarsh, and 2G. In some countries I am also known as something-gate, like Watergate, irangate et al.

When the number of people involved in my worship are many, some times I am not able to give my affections proportionally to all. So I become vulnerable to exposure by these dissatisfied lot. They are the whistle blowers. It beats me why they are called that and not just whistlers. I have powers beyond me, that though I do not like journalists using me to ‘trap’ sometimes innocent officials, I can not restrain them.

I can send people to jail, mar reputations and bring down democratically elected Governments. It is in my favour that the value systems are almost extinct; and a few like Naryanmurthy who try to foist them are looked down in pity by the majority. There are also many archaic and complicated rules and regulations behind which I often disappear. When I am dug out against my wishes, I am conveniently buried in the lengthy judicial system. I am here there and everywhere. I am the Lord. I am the all powerful engulfing womankind. There is no power in this world or beyond that can find me and destroy me. Soon I will overtake your soul and for survival you will be forced to embrace me.

Kashmir problem? Which Kashmir?

The ‘Kashmir problem’ is not complicated. Unfortunately a solution now is made out to be complex. The diagnosis is simple and known. The therapy is also known.  Any doctor will tell you that for any therapy the cooperation of the patient is a must. Probably that is the missing element here as by his own indiscretion the patient is not in control of himself.

Pakistan was conceived illogically from 'hatred' and the 'British handled' Indian Independence. The people (read Quaide Aazam Jinnah … et al) who fought for the creation of Pakistan surely never intended it to become what it is now. Immediately on partition the control of Pakistan was taken over by its army with economic backing from wealthy feudal lords (read Bhuttos, Shariffs… et al). Once the feudal lords and the army tasted power they would never let it go (75% of Pakistan business is controlled by its army).The Pakistan army became all powerful and to their consternation found, once hatred is taken out of the equation between Pakistan and India, Pakistan will cease to exist in its present form.  

Hence the ‘problem’ persists; which is NOT Kashmir as much as it is that cultivated HATRED, so very essential for the existence of Pakistan as required by the Pakistan army and a small section of its people.  Kashmir is just a ready made medium. 

 With peaceful borders between the countries the two Nations will be somewhat like England and Scotland. Mind you, there is no love lost between those two Nations but Scotland has to forever live in the shadow of England. Pakistan army does not want to lose control of that country and cede de facto dominance of its economy, society, entertainment et al … to India, with or without Kashmir.

Along the way, the Pakistan army, desperate for sustenance, brought in other players like China, US, Jihadis, militants and terrorists (initially unintentionally but subsequently acquiesced).

 Now that the problem being cultivated hatred, what is the solution?  

 Money is a great leveler! We see that in the every day scams. So if the USA, China and India become indispensable to each other mutually for economic growth, all else will fade away.

Of words and deeds

Much has been spoken and written on President Obama’s recent visit to India. Let me too say my piece. Here it is…in the lighter vein.

Recent visit by Barack Obama, President of the USA and Michelle Obama, the first lady, has caused a flutter in India, US and some other parts of the world for varied reasons. Every player and spectator had their own individual agenda. For India and US it was all about money and power.

For the TV news channels it was a four day reality show where most of the participants did not have to be paid. Each word the leaders spoke, each step (pun intended) Michelle took and each ‘indication’ received from the ‘sources’ of television news channels were analysed by a relay of panels of experts. Obviously the favourite lines of the various anchors were ‘why he did what he did’ or ‘why he did not do what he did not?’ That, I suppose is what is meant by analysis.

So, for most of first two days it was why he did not utter ‘Pak’ – the perennial obsession with some of us Indians and the Indian media. Would, not uttering the “P” word during the visit, have made any difference to what actions will be taken by various players? What ever were to happen would have happened any way. We kept at it, the media put pressure and, like it or not, to the world the word “Pak” in a way dominated the visit. The Pakistan press, as is wont to, largely opposed the US support for India’s permanent seat in the UNSC – and expectedly mentioned nothing about anything else. There is an old Arabian proverb that goes “When you have spoken the word, it reigns over you. When it is unspoken you reign over it”.

When all was said the experts were on the lines of “No man means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous”. --Henry B. Adam.

It was fun alright.

So what about this that I have said; well it could be “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” – Plato

The Media in India – judges itself by ideals and only others by their acts!!!

The unbridled ventilating and sickening catch phrases on television news channels and print media, is really a matter of concern. I had referred to this earlier too in this forum. Decades ago we had Ms. Amita Malik reviewing television in print media. These days print media carry commentaries only on the soaps. I suspect there are vested interests in many television news channels. Of course a few have a say both on air and in print affording cross promotion!

As one of the pillars of democracy, most sections of our media are irresponsible and throw probity to winds to catch eye balls/readership and improve bottom lines all around. Is rampant competition also playing spoilsport?

Till today I am unaware who this ‘our sources’ or in many instances what is/are the interests of ‘our sources’ in leaking ‘info’ to the media. Simply, are the ‘our sources’ being paid to leak news. If so, is it par for the course?

Reporters should only report events. Tickers should only display events. Interpretations should be left to the public and analysts. News editors should not consider themselves any better in interpreting events, than the person next door. Else the public will be swayed by wrong interpretations. And when it is the turn of spokespersons and ‘experts’ to interpret and comment they are invariably drawn into discussing personalities and the subject is given the skip. What a tragedy in a vibrant democracy!!!

The motto “Service before Self” for the success of a democracy is observed by the pillars of Indian democracy , including the media, only in its violation by placing self before service.

Come on Indian media show some maturity and class, and not crass, in reporting.

Values vs Methods

The demeanor of Army Chief Gen VK Singh, in his forced interaction with the media is passable. There was no unwanted hype or bravado.  It was all plain speak. I would think the Tiwaris and Prasads from the political firmament have a thing or two to learn from this.

The General talked about institutions, procedures, appointments and responsibilities. He did not attack personalities as is the wont with omnipresent spokespersons of political parties – all shit and no bull. It was obvious, the way the General spoke that he was meaning business – no quarters given and no quarters taken. He is bound to follow his words with action. There is some recovery job to be done by the defence forces.

As citizens of India we have to think beyond ‘Adrash’ – in all manners. The underlying malaise of ‘what is in it for me’ type of corruption in the legislature, executive, judiciary (?) and the media (?) is pulling down our Nation. A collective failure of these pillars of democracy will pave the way for a revolution of the French type. Some of us may wonder whether such a revolution can take place in the twenty-first century and that too in a country as large as India. I feel yes; there can be a large scale revolution after the core values handed down traditionally; the methods could be different from traditional revolutions.

All great events which repeat in the course of time, reflect the vibrancy of the age and bears the imprint of those who perpetrate change.  Over ages, perceptions and approach to events change.  The core values and permanent truths never change. The problem today is of reconciliation of democracy and the Indian polity in a world growing smaller by the day. No more can we insulate India from rest of the world; especially as the largest and yet divergent democracy ever.

In these times in India, there seem to be two obsessions - Pak terror and scams. Pak terror is a dead horse; instead of flogging it let us get another one - handle it in our own forceful ways – (executing convicted terrorist Afzal Guru is one of them). The other is we live from one scam to another giving credence to the contention, that there are quite a few in the cupboard and each one is taken out to eclipse the previous one – like ‘Adarsh’ scam eclipses CWG scam (in scope of complicity rather than size). Corruption is now so deep rooted that we do not know the depth of complicity.

It is time we reconstruct our known value systems and adapt our methods to hold that up. 

We once again expect our defence forces to lead the way.

We the people of India, at our individual levels also, have to act to bring about this change.

Glorious India

It is said that unless you dream you will under achieve; today’s dream will be tomorrow’s reality. Also it is only when you dream you know what to do. Mine is a huge dream.

Here is an extract …

SUNDRY   TIMES

Special correspondent

Washington

19 June, 2011

While addressing the United Nations assembly on India’s entry as a permanent member in the Security Council, Prime Minister Singh, announced that the state of J&K is historically and legally integral to the polity of India. He added that a sovereign state never negotiated its territory.

The shock and awe that ensued was perceptible in the Assembly. The statement was received with deafening silence.  Are we seeing a new and resurgent India ready to lead the world through the twenty first century? – may have been the thought pervading the minds of many present.

To the discerning, developments within India over the last few months were indicative of the rising stock of India.

Actually it had all started just prior to President Obama’s visit to India post Diwali last year.

First it was the ousted Pakistan President Mushraf who admitted to training terrorists to act against India. Then it was the former premier of Britain Tony B. saying that the West should have years ago listened to India in regard to terrorists and terrorism.  The world finally woke up to the fact that India has to be heard.

Listening and asking were the only items on the agenda of Barack Obama during the visit, the longest by a serving President of the USA. Even on the first day of the visit it became clear that the USA wanted to take from India rather than give something. The world had begun to realize that while the infrastructure was in China, business and business acumen was in India. You needed the latter more for infusing life in an economy in the short term.

So the USA wanted India to create more jobs in that country. Ban on export of dual use items to India was quietly given the burial. Nuclear business with the USA was assured and a tacit understanding was reached between the countries for a permanent seat for India in the Security Council.

Besides, the USA had not missed India’s stand on up-valuing the Yuan expressed during the G20 meet in Korea just prior to the Presidential visit. India was about the only country that supported China to resist the pressure from other Nations to upgrade the value of Yuan. While all these countries looked at exports into China, India was seeing imports from China of infrastructure projects. In return India inc would set shop(s) in China to boost its economy. The world did not miss the bonhomie and camaraderie between the two great powers.  China was aware that in the ensuing year India will surpass its economy to be the number two in the world.

It is well known that in the beginning of the year Narayana Murthy of Infosys and Bill Gates of Microsoft merged their philanthropic efforts. It is rumored that a conglomerate (in the form of a SPV) to be formed by Infosys, TCS and Wipro coming together, is planning to buy out 66.6% stake in Microsoft.

Internally, India was dealing with situations with an iron glove.  The original team of three interlocutors in Kashmir was increased to eleven to include three Generals who commanded troops in the valley. Well known poet and activist Javed Akhtar and the Shahi Imam of Juma Masjid, Delhi, were also included in the team. The secessionist Hurriyat leaders were given an option to participate in the impending General elections in J&K or face sedition charges. They chose the former.

It was only in December 2010 Afzal Guru, a terrorist convicted of masterminding an attack on the Indian parliament was hanged to death and in February this year the lone terrorist Ajmal Kasab, who was convicted in the 26/11 massacre of the innocents in Mumbai was executed after all due process of law.

There has since been a marked reduction in the number of militants infiltrating from Pakistan.

In late January this year the Government had brought in an ordinance banning religious and extremist groups directly or indirectly participating in politics. The factions of Muslim league in Kerala and at National levels have dissolved and joined their respective coalition partners. On the verge of being banned, RSS dissolved itself and merged with the mainstream BJP.

In a compromise, before the honourable Supreme Court, involving all affected parties, the disputed land at Ayodhya was taken over by a trust comprising representatives of all faiths of the world. A university for study of spiritualism is coming up in the twenty odd acres there, with additional land being given to the trust by the UP government.

In Karnataka, status quo remains. Yeddiyurappa’s government continues. It was agreed that that ` 4.5K million earmarked by various political parties for bribing dissident MLAs be donated to the corpus raised for restoration of all water bodies in Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka.

Similarly, ` 27K million recovered from the CWG scam is being spend by the Delhi government on cleaning up the Yamuna and rehabilitation of slums in the NCR. Part of the fund is also earmarked for promotion of Olympic sports, after India won a record 71 medals in the 2010 Asiad. This was followed by a resounding thrashing of Australia in the just concluded Cricket world cup. Along with Vekatesh Prasad as the bowling coach, Cricket Australia is in negotiations with Mohinder Amarnath as the senior coach and Robin Singh as the fielding coach.

It is apt to mention here that Kapil Sibal, the HRD minister in Singh’s cabinet, has in the pipe line a revamp of the country’s education system, to ensure that at the end of 15 years of learning we get a product that is employable. It was only recently the CII and FICCI concluded after a protracted study, that the problem within the country was of unemployability and not unemployment.

Notwithstanding the big strides made by India on the economic and political fronts, the Union Government of India be impressed upon to maintain an adequate and motivated defence force equipped with the state of the art weaponry and also establish a potent defence related manufacturing base (industry) in the country with the aim of ensuring that India remains a Super Power for a long time to come.

The curious case of the head scarf

I am almost completely bald. When I am asked the reason for my clean pate, I narrate this story. There was a time when the flock of hair on my head was the envy of many. A decade ago one night God appeared in my dreams.  He said “Vish, It is time”. I was aghast. I pleaded “God, I am young with two children yet to find their feet in this difficult world. Give me a few more years.” God assured me that it was not my life he wanted. He continued “Vish, your head has become too heavy for your shoulders. So, I give you the option; you can have what is either inside or on the outside.” That is it; since then I have lost most of the hair on my head.

On a recent holiday by the sea I was pictured hugging the waves covering my head with my kerchief.  A friend asked me why I did that. I then realised it was an unconscious effort to cover my bald pate and assume I looked younger.

Over centuries people wore headgear for various purposes. The army has worn it as part of the uniform dress code. A helmet is worn for protection. Among the other many reasons is just vanity. Some times the head is required to be covered inside a place of worship. While in the North the ladies necessarily have to cover their hair inside a temple, in South India it is considered sacrilegious.

How important is a headdress? I for one did never gave it any thought but wore it occasionally as required. But these days headgear and head scarf are international headlines.  It seems Barack Obama, the President of the USA, during his imminent sojourn in India will not visit Amritsar contrary to an original plan. Having to cover his head while visiting a place of worship has been cited, in some circles, as a reason, for the skip.  A frivolous reason one would have thought. Surely, Obama has worn different headgear on various occasions before. Why not once more?

Well it seems he has a problem. The report is that 10 to 30% (varying reports) of resident Americans in the USA think Obama is not Obama. Not surprising I would say. A decade or so ago there was a report that a newly elected President of the USA, thought that Pakistan and India were involved in a civil war, a la America in the nineteenth century. So it is par for the course in the USA, if a few Americans think that Obama is or will become somebody else (sans beard) if he wore a headdress. No headgear for the President - what with elections to the Senate just around the corner.

Can I believe this to be just a ridiculous game being played by Obama’s detractors? What if he wears a head dress of a native Indian chief or a bolero hat? His predecessor George B. surely would have worn the Texan hat.

I guess Indian polity is after all on the ascent.

‘Cabin Cupboard’ and Five S.

Have a place for everything and have everything in its place – I learned this quite early in life.

Coming as a boarder from a Jesuit run school, it was not such a cultural shock when I joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in the middle of my teens. I reached there carrying the only black steel trunk I was allowed with contents according to a printed list received along with the call letter.  The pleasant shock was each of us cadets was given a separate independent room called cabin. Keeping the inter services nature of NDA, cabins were in squadrons and squadrons formed part of battalions. Oh! At last a room of my own – we were in dormitories at the school. However the joy of moving into the cabin would be brief as I was to soon learn.

In the cabin there was a cot aligned to a far corner with stands for fixing a mosquito net. In the corner across from the cot was a study table with a chair in front. The study table had a top drawer and a bottom cupboard on one side. As you entered the cabin, immediately on the left was the dresser, the rear aligned with the wall and a mirror fixed on top and to the rear. The dresser had drawers and a wardrobe for hanging clothes. From the corner adjacent to the wardrobe, two racks, one a foot and the other about five feet from the ground and each three feet in length were fixed to the wall perpendicular to the entrance. The entry from the corridor was the exit also.

Every cabin was similar and every cadet – that is how we were known in the NDA - was moving into his cabin with exactly similar belongings. In addition at the NDA we were issued with similar kit and clothing.

The rules were set.

Everything we ‘owned’ while in NDA had a place and at all times we were to ensure that everything was in its place! The black trunk went under the bed with the civies (private clothes) and all other private things not required to be used in NDA during the term, locked and to be opened only for mid term holidays or the term break.

After these items were sorted out into the trunk, the daily use items were laid out in places earmarked for them; on the dresser, place for items of personal hygiene was on the right near corner, cosmetics on the left near corner and so on. The kit bag had a corner near the racks; shoes were placed on the bottom rack and field equipments on the upper rack. These items, when not in use, were never to be seen anywhere other than in their designated places.

The folds in the blankets, the set up of the field kits, the exact location of the toothpaste et al were standardized and we were supposed to always remember them.

It was imperative that the cabin be always maintained without a speck of dust literally. Inspections termed ‘cabin cupboard’ (short for ‘cabin cupboard inspection’) were carried out periodically. Nevertheless anybody could walk into the cabin anytime, put a finger anywhere. Hell waited for you if some dust was dug out.

The cabin door was to be left open whenever I was in it. The window and the venation blinds were to be closed whenever I left the cabin. The french windows were to be open only during study time.

Soon the whole set up became part of the routine and to this day we ‘cadets’ feel that there was no better home than our cabins at the NDA.

We moved on and decades later I left the Army and took up a second career as an entrepreneur in the industry.  There I was introduced to something called Five S. They said that about three decades or so ago, some westerners researched the secret for consistent excellent quality of Japanese products in the market. It seems they came across a unique concept followed in Japanese manufacturing processes. The Five S concept was explained to me as follows:

-       SEIRI –          Organisation/Sort out

-       SEITON –      Orderliness/Systemize

-       SEISO –        The Cleaning/Shining

-       SEIKETSU – Standardise

-       SHITSUKE -  Sustain/Discipline

I was also given loads of presentations and literature on the subject. Statistics of ‘before’ and ‘after’ in many multinationals were cited. I was told that if I were to succeed this was the only way.

The National Defence Academy along with its cabins was commissioned on 07 December 1954. Since then all cadets while in NDA and ever after have lived life Five Star.

Action – better than speech

“Well done is better than well said” - Benjamin Franklin

In an earlier piece I had said that in any situation, if the intention of interpreters is the same the differences are complementary. The contrary is also true. If the intention of the perpetrators is different their actions seemingly coordinated will work at cross purposes.

Let us take the case of the absurd game being played in my backyard, in Bangalore. A democratically elected Government in Karnataka, a couple of years back enjoyed the support of just enough legislators to stay afloat. They poached some from the opposition to strengthen their legislator party.  Subsequently along the way some legislators purportedly lending their purse to the party – so that they can illegally ‘mine’ more – wanted a CM’s favourite out of the cabinet. This blue eyed legislator was wielding such powers that the money bags felt threatened and they forced the CM to remove her from the cabinet. Months later the CM reshuffles his cabinet and re-inducts the removed favourite. Now a few elected representatives who did not get a cabinet berth, revolt as they felt sidelined – in this game a hand of some opposition parties have also been cited. The game is still on with involvement of the Governor and the honourable courts also thrown in. The media on its part follows this ‘game’ stroke by stroke as is done for an international cricket match or a Indo-Pak hockey encounter. Now, where do the legislators have time for governance for which they were elected in the first place? While they were all elected to govern, governance, obviously, is not their intention.

On the wider canvass similar scenarios play out at the National level too. It is the same in world politics. Do not for a minute assume that the US, Russia or any ‘ally’ are less self serving than our humble politician. Whether it is J&K, Ayodhya, Afghanistan or Iraq the common question from those involved is ‘What is in it for me?’

When the US attacked Iraq or Afghanistan, the primary motive was not the welfare of the Iraqis or Afghans. In Iraq it was the oil and in Afghanistan it is control of central Asia. If terrorist activities are almost nix in main land USA, it is not because of their actions in Iraq or Afghanistan; it is because of tightened internal security.

How strange that most of us more often than not get taken in by what is said than what is done.

India is a young Nation. Just 64 years old. It has a unique character which is incomparable. We have to give it time to mature and the process is in place. Like wine, anything to mature has to go through a process of hardship (crushing of grapes), upheaval (stirring) and evolution (undisturbed storage).  It is then that it gets better with age. India should develop its own character. Along the way there is bound to be some collateral damage and suffering. We must learn from history and act to minimize these adverse effects.

The key is to appropriately educate as many Indians as possible. The idea is to make everybody employable. Say only properly educated Kashmiri will know what is best for him; only a prpoerly educated tribal of Central and East India and will know what is best for them. Until then the less educated will continue to be exploited.

For this it is imperative for the intention of all involved be the same.