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?