Pappu Will Not Vote S@#l@

Candle light vigils, evening marches on weekdays, extempore speeches on what's wrong with Indian political system is best done by the famous argumentative, educated Indian and taking it a step further, by the resilient Bombayite.

Bombay is a cosmopolitan. It reflects the character not of a city but the class of people, the likes of which live all across India. Educated, seemingly informed and for sure with strong opinions about everything, almost. This is the class which seemed to have woken up on 26/11. But nay, Christmas to May is too long for memories to last.

This is a class of people which is most equipped to "make a difference" with just a little more effort - effort on educating with history and politics to begin with, effort to go out and vote in order to become involved instead of remaining a bystander. Unfortunately, they didn't vote still.

To their credit, however, it was way too hot. Didn't the EC know it? But then some may say it is hot even for a lowly paid cop making a mess of traffic in the afternoon while we honk sitting inside our air-conditioned cars. Well, they don’t pay as much tax, now do they? Similarly, a babu is supposed to work hard in powerless offices; a farmer is supposed to plough; a soldier should continue to soldier on. Our taxes pay their salary while they don’t pay as much tax.

Unrelated but taxes reminds me of Bombayites’ asking for better infrastructure because they pay maximum taxes. Wonder where they earn so much from to be able to pay so much in tax alone? Wasn’t East India Company the biggest tax payer to the King of England?

"Boot" Power

The pen was for sure mightier than the sword, until audio visual media arrived that is. The power of this audio visual media is more patent now than ever before, especially in India, whether it were the high profile murder cases or chasing those accused of the reprehensible anti-Sikh riots. The catalyst for the latter being a shoe, the power of which was, to my knowledge, first highlighted by Amitabh Bachchan in Suhaag. But that was a slipper I think.
The Congress leadership, including the Prime Minister, having apologised many times over went on to err in judgement by fielding two who have long been accused of perpetrating the riots. Did they forget the old adage - "perception is reality"? Or are they oblivious to the pain so many have carried over so many years while most of the perpetrators roam around scot free. Maybe, maybe not. A welcome step, however, that they have corrected that error. But that's not the issue.
The issue is whether the moral high ground is important in politics or not.
Hate speeches are in fad today. They are no longer limited to religion but stretch even to threatening the Indian state to garner a few votes. Inaction against such is what needs to change.
Onus, as much on people who need to stop falling prey to a herd mentality, is also on the "mightier than the pen" media. Media needs to ensure that when they play such speeches over and over again, instead of pandering to people, it does so in a manner that the message goes out that such people are unacceptable to be representatives.
This has to be the media's responsibility till such time that the political stage is declared out of bounds of not just those who have been convicted by a court of law but also those who have been guilty, or perceived to be guilty even of moral turpitude.
As for the self styled torch bearers of Indian culture or any others who play on the political stage, they need to draw a leaf out of Ramayana. Even Sita decided to leave the kingdom because it is a King's duty to be on the moral high ground - always, at any cost. This, however, could be just my interpretation.
All this until the people start booting the deviant out of power using the vote and not the boot.

Religion and Politics - A Potent Mix

I believe it will take nothing less than a divine intervention, for people to wake up to the fact that mixing religion with politics leads to a dead end. Holocausts and terrorism, Islamic as it is referred to in these times, are an evidence of that.

How many of us are today affected by any economic, political or administrative choices made by rulers of medieval ages? But many still bear the cross of the religious choice, deeds or misdeeds of rulers of the past. Not many would have guessed what Babar did a thousand years ago would continue to haunt a progressing nation in the twentieth century.

But we still haven't learnt. And once we mix religion with politics, there is no agency capable of handling the demon thus created. Irrespective of how pathetic the rhetoric, Varun Gandhi continues to be a proud candidate who might just end up becoming a Parliamentarian.

Can we say that constituents made a mistake? No. That is a weakness in a democratic setup, with toothless laws. Two faced politicians and a polarised society is what our children will inherit, unless we correct it now. And the time is now.

Or God will have to come and teach Her believers that public display of religion might just be more dangerous than the public display of affection.

Thank God I am an Atheist!!

Born and brought up in an urban environment, but with very strong agrarian roots, life had its means to confuse me. My rural connect introduced me to a little complicate but a very well entrenched caste system. As if that was not enough, there was the fact that the paternal and maternal sides were strong Arya Samajis and Sikhs respectively and I was studying in a school where the daily prayer was to “Our Father, who art in Heaven”. Rich and poor was way too simple compared to this quagmire.
Muslim or Christian would merely describe which holiday would be celebrated by whom and at which place. Jews is what we came to know when we first studied Shakespeare.
“Eh vi data Teri dataar” (This too O’Lord is your gift) a Sikh phrase moves me still, in happiness as much as in sadness. But am not a Sikh since I cut my hair.
I’ve found “Bismillah ur Rahman ur Rahim” (In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful) to be moving, musical and echoing humility but muslims would still call me a kafir since I may see God in lesser polluted mountains and rivers. Even if they did not categorise me kafir, I’d still be lost on who is the true follower of Prophet, the one who was killed at Karbala or those who killed him.
As were the Christians divided into Roman Catholics and Protestants, as I travelled down south much later, I was surprised to see that Shivites (followers of Lord Shiva) and Vaishnavites (followers of Lord Vishnu) riot quite often. Since I am fond of both the Gods, I do not belong to either.
My belief today resides in “koi Sikh koi Jat Maratha, koi Gurkha koi Madrasi..” as much as in Baba Bulle Shah’s couplet “Masjid dhaade mandir dhaade, Dhaade jo hai dhainda. Ik kise da dil na dhaavin, Rab dilan vichch rehnda”.
God was discovered by mankind a few ages ago. Religion, I believe, was invented. Nuclear energy was discovered, the bomb invented. In both the cases, I may like the discoveries but abhor the inventions.
Thank God I am an atheist.

And my humble submission to the politicians, who claim that they never forgot Lord Ram or never gave up the Temple issue, please let Lord Ram be, before he gives up on those who’ve been using His name.
Sat Sri Akal.
Om. Amen. Amin... They don’t sound too different.

Unprecedented Imagination - Need of the Hour

Since industrialization, modern world has witnessed the cyclicality of economies many times over. The slowdowns which these bring in are termed as recession or depression depending on the pace at which economies grow or shrink. Most of these we have either been a witness to or have studied. Randomly speaking these range from the great depression of 20s to the last witnessed dotcom bubble burst and now the one which is going on currently. Each of these lasted for an average 2 years. Yet each of these are but a harbinger of economic growth. Each of these also impacted the social, political and demographic structure of society.

Capitalism came out of all these unscathed and with larger number of believers. Often supported by governemnt spending or governments urging people to spend. Communism which people read and quote today, might not be a better choice even this time. Soviet Union broke down and accepted capitalism. Soviet Union is also an example of the fact that communism is nothing short of state funding economic growth while people continue to live in recessionary environment, and in the end both the state and people emerge poorer. China is the sole surviving communist country which has been delivering economic growth. How it tackles this dowturn - socially, demographically and politically is yet to be seen.

What we are witnessing now is unprecedented. Unprecedented because never before have we witnessed a simultaneous downturn of both Wall Street and Main Street, the metaphors for financial markets and indurtial production, that too this sharply.

Never before has the world been under so much of social strife or fundamentalism or terrorism (are the two different?), and these are likely to be fed by weakening economies.

Never before was Mother Earth under peril from warming or pollution and under urgent need for repair. A shift of government focus to economic repair does not augur well.

Never before has financial system implode the way it has now. Collapse, in fact, is the right word. The largest FIs are either no more or have shrunk to less than 10% in valuations. Governments across the world have either been bailing out these haloed institutions or guaranteeing them. And if some economists are to be believed the worst is yet to come.

Governments have been doing their level best by spending and investing. Businesses too have been reassessing and realigning strategies, cutting costs and downsizing. These have been standard reactions to all earlier downturns.

But these are humbling times and unprecedented. And in times like these especially in todays connected and communicating world gloom breeds gloom, often faster. Such times demand unprecedented imagination on part of governments, people and businesses.

In the name of God

Secular country, I suppose, allows people to go politicking also in the name of God.

Unsecular, or fundamentalist as some may call it, countries go doing politicking only in the name of God.

So what's the difference, some may ask.

What's the difference between radical Afghanistan which doesn't allow girls to go to school and today's Mangalore. I do have Manglorean friends, am sure they aren't proud of what happened there recently.

But even when one looks deep into some of the most radical nations or religions, its impossible to recall any political front in the name of God, except in India and Hindus. Bajrang Dal, Shri Ram Sena are some I can recall. And the events that are associated with them would be putting the Gods to shame.

Shouldn't it be banned? Using HER or HIS name to form a political front? Irrespective of whether we the people are secular, or radical or even pseudo secular.

Difference there is though between a radical nation and mine that is India. I can go out and vote for a candidate independent of his or her religious beliefs. Its for us to ensure that this difference delivers value.

Time For Schadenfreude Is Passe

To feel pleased to see someone else succeed, takes divinity. Lesser mortals are often courageous enough to empathise. Its devilish, inhuman however to draw pleasure out of someone else's failure. Yet, we see more and more people display schadenfreude, especially in the modern era. But that era is passe. The sooner we wake up to it the sooner will we truly be able to "make a difference".

In this era of communication and connectivity, globalised so to speak, whether it is economically or socially or even politically, our fortunes or even our misfortunes are related to those of the rest of the world. Especially those of our neighbours, peers, colleagues, even competition.

We have been witness to the fact that a bank failing in one part of the world can lead to financial tremors and similar failures across the globe. Job losses, financial losses, valuation losses, economic contrction is a harsh truth. Especially the scale at which it is happening is unprecedented. Unprecedented because maybe there were never so many humans on mother Earth - Crowded. Borrowing the phrase from Friedman's latest book which adds a few more dimensions to describe today's world - Hot and Crowded. Hot, because the environment is geting warmer. Crowded, merely because there were never so many humans. Flat and interconnected is what he had elaborated in the first. He should have added religion as another dimension.

As it was with competition, as it is with peers, similarly with neighbours, we are so interconnected that for happiness's sake, schadenfreude has to be lost as a word as well as a feeling. In Pakistan's stability and success lies safety and economic growth for India.

New Year - Renewed Resolve

A very Happy and prosperous New Year to all, for happiness and prosperity imbibes the spirit of a safe, secure and a growing nation and even the neighbourhood.

Renewed resolve to stay aware - of politics as well;

Renewed resolve to influence - there are still loads of people who can but dont;

Renewed resolve to be influenced - for new knowledge may be hitting hard against existing prejudices or un-informed biases (ill informed too, some may be);

Renewed resolve to not be swayed - for then there is no difference between oneness and being part of a mob.

And there is a very fine line between being open to be influenced and to being swayed - resolve to recognise that.

Renewed resolve - for that's what a citizen can least do.

Satisfying a Politician

What a relief that Mr. AR Antulay is now satisfied on how Late Hemant Karkare became a martyr.

Yet another instance of a parliamentarian belittling our confidence. Another politician stooping low to indulge in vote bank politics. Its funny that these people dare pull a fast one on "we the people" and use a death of one of the most courageous and intelligent police officer.

Does he really have the privilege to speculate in public? Shouldn't these "esteemed" politicians especially a Union minister be far more cautious about what they indulge in public, unless the governement has failed to satisfy them? Truly, I think such instances should be causes for defamation, as these acts are nothing short of defaming the intelligence of voters and of the nation.

"All doubts in this respect have been clarified", says Mr. Antulay. Well, is he doubting that there was a terror attack in Mumbai? Or does he believe that it was one huge Bollywood set? Or he only sees through the vote lens and believes he will please some voters by speculating on a soldiers martyrdom?

Unfortunately, we the people get swayed by conspiracy theories. This might sway some as well. But such make believes especially when politicians indulge in it irresponsibly, should be delat with - swiftly.

He is satisifed.

But I am not. Hopefully, neither are "we the people". Especially the ones in his constituency.

Terror and Laws

Knowing that India has a strong anti terror law, where they can deny bail, use statements made in police presence as evidence and charge someone for terrorist activities, would Ajmal Amir Kasab, or any of his associates, have refrained from committing the act?

Even without such laws, Hyderabad police could wrongly detain 21 muslim youths for almost a year and torture them. Those people have since been released and compensated. Imagine if POTA were in place. Would a cop have the courage to say these are wrong detention or would they have rather continued detention under POTA or a TADA.

Less than 2%, I think, has been the conviction rate under POTA or TADA. Quite a few are still behind bars after several years. And imagine giving the powers to state and state police the power to arrest, interrogate, take statement and basis that statement, convict someone for offences as foul as terrorist acts. Can we as a nation even handle such power when even the simplest are abused by those in charge? Can we afford to have a police officer with such sweeping powers? Not even a metro can afford it where there is awareness and media presence. Rest of India can definitely not.

Its not about the law - it clearly does not act as a deterrant as most of those who commit these offfences are suicidal. Its about the enforcement agencies - low on education, and understanding (they arrested the Noida doctor for daughters murder claiming illegitimate relations because they used to exchange mails??), training (are they equipped to handle latest weapons, or even aim and fire, investigate?), motivation (over worked, under paid) and free of influence (political masters - Corporator, MLA or any other small time politician can influence their promotion or posting).

The need is to reform policing and make the police force answerable to people and not the politicians at least not the state level politicians. Train and compensate them better. Equip them with better technology. Separate policing and investigation. National Investigation Agency seems to answer two of these - an investigation agency and not answerable to state government.

Police reforms remain an issue still. The sooner they're taken up the better for the nation.