Gandhi's message

I cannot be the Mahatma. As much as i try to be, i do not have the capability to come close to the Mahatma's shadow. But, if he was alive today, he might encounter a varied range of opinions about the plight of his country and of his fellow countrymen.

Many people blame the Mahatma for the partition of the coutry into India and Pakistan. It is from this subsequent point in history that all political, economic and social dynamic has evolved in the sub continent. The social and economic aspect is something which is considered in this post.

In the view of the terror attacks, a particular community comes into the spotlight. When politicians play their game of power with the sensitivities of communal tensions, the social fabric is strained. Now, with the increasing frequency of terror attacks and the political games that are played in the aftermath, the Mahatma would have been worried. When it comes to the aspect of self defence and freedom of movement, this generation chooses the extreme end of arming itself and taking the law into their own hands.

Mahatma Gandhi would have always wanted the people to be united in the time of strife. But, in this aspect, the Mahatma would have had to die a thousand times over. When people kill other people without the slightest hint of rationality, it then throws apart the Mahatma's humanistic values.

On the economic front, the Mahatma would have been perplexed with what has transpired in the age of globalization. The economic overturns that the country has gone through would have made Bapu happy, yet he would have not appreciated the fast pacedness of life. If looked at from the social perspective, Bapu would have been disoriented at the lack of family bonding and the emergence of a nuclear family.

He would have been shattered at the plight of the countryside of India. The farmer's suicide on a regular basis, the sheer neglect of modern India towards the countryside and the ever increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots would have hurt Bapu very badly. The economic scenario of the country would have been too much for Bapu to handle, because the social ramnifications have been a little grave on hindsight.

On 2nd October, it was 60 years ever since Bapu was assasinated. He is now reduced to a historical myth in textbooks. In the modern time, a phenomenon called Gandhigiri has been epitomized, which make his values and his outlook relevant. But, it still falls short of acknowledging the true message that Bapu had. Now, with an atmosphere of terror, he unfortunately fades away into obscurity. If ever a nation wanted to prove their appreciation to Bapu, they must fight terrorism with the saje way as how Bapu did. Only then will his soul rest in peace.

Terror implications and religion

Terror has always fed on the aspect of religion. When a terror attack takes place, the names are found out and then indirectly or directly, society attaches that person as the face of that particular religion. Whenever terrorist attacks have taken place the world over post 9/11, we witness the factor of Islamic terrorism and muslim terrorists highlighted many times over.

The bigotry of the middle ages continues in a new style in modern times. Islam is in the forefront this time. Many call these times as a battle between the west and Islam, as portrayed by Samuel Hunttington's 'Clash of Civilizations' theory. However, the problem goes deeper than that. The problem of terror in todays dynamics is rooted deeply in religion and the key factor of interpretation.

Religion has always made people wanting to go back to the fundamentals. In the due process, many people interpret the laws written in several books in their strictest form, thus resulting in a conservative and orthodox mindset in society. This phenomenon is present in all religions, but unfortunately, the religion most under scrutiny is Islam. The dynamics of religious interpretations results in some irrational thoughts of heaven and hell. If a bit of rationality can be applied, which now depends upon how people interpret rationality, the sense of heaven and hell is in our own minds.

The essence of going back to the fundamentals may be the application of mind over the matter. If a person interprets the laws of religion with the surrounding times, then fanaticism can be avoided. Swami Vivekanand, in one of his speeches in Chicago, had mentioned that Fanaticism was the major factor which can pollute religions and divide people. It must be noted that this is my interpretation of his speech.

Fanaticism comes about due to desperation. When economic and social factors always go against individuals, then they fall back to their religion and begin to interpret the path of God in the strictest form. The brainwashing apparently comes up in this possible process, but it could be even more. The unfairness prevailing in the socio-economic scenario can be interpreted as being solely attached to one community, thus resulting in terror activities as legitimate to make known the demands.

Many media outlets have spoken about the alienation of the muslim community in view of the terror attacks that have hit India for the past month or so. The brainwashing apparently becomes the perverted nature of the inequalities in the socio-economic system of the state.

Terror has always fed on religion. The solution to curb terror could be Egalitarianism, but it is a long and lengthy process. The lines of tolerance are growing thinner, while the walls of prejudice are becoming stronger. The world will go through another phase of bloodshed. It is indeed symbolic that the irrationality called Bloodshed is linked to the ultimate irrationality called Religion. The implications are indeed grave, because there is a solution, but it is curtailed by the lengthiness of time.

More Attacks and A Wednesday

The past month has witnessed terror attacks at an alarmingly frequent rate in India. First it was Bangalore, Ahmedabad and then Delhi. Now, the past week has witnessed another spate of attacks in Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The demand for harsher laws to curb terror has been growing. Films have been produced wherein the terrorist menace is now being curbed by the actions of an armed common citizenry. The time that has been witnessed now is a mixture of necessity and irrationality, havoc and prejudice and more importantly, we are far from a solution.

Media can go indepth and report the situation. The analysis by several of their chosen sources and news consultants can give the common man an idea of the situation at hand, but not go into the roots of how the problem comes up. Lots of times whenver a particular terrorist attack comes up, one communuity is targetted and they have to be apologetic in front of millions. These recent terror attacks have exposed the angered psyche of ordinary citizens. 'A Wednesday' is abrilliant film, which showcases the anger that common citizens have over the inability of the police and the government to prevent terrorist attacks.

The dialogues spoken by the stupid common man in the film illustrate his frustrations about the troubled times and its several complications. It highlights the inability and questions the common man's 'return to normal policy'. The film blends perfectly with the scenario that is facing India and about the strength of the social fabric in the aftermath of an attack. Some news outlets were reporting the ignorance of certain instituitions and people regarding the source of the terror attacks.

The problem addressed in 'A Wednesday' is relevant but unfortunately superficial. If the citizenry is armed, as in the case of Selwa Judum in Chattisgarh against the Naxals, it could give rise to either of the three possibilities. Anarchy, more bloodshed or curbing of the menace. If the last one is achieved with responsible means, then an armed citizenry is worth having. But, terrorism feeds upon the inequalities of state policy and lack of communuity support.

Prejudice and misconceptions are two weapons with which terror thrives. The citizenry may have a duty like that of the nstupid common man in the film, but it is only as a last resort. The most prominent thing that a citizen can do, and I maintain it, is the elimination of prejudice and ensuring fair and balanced education to al stratas of society in order to eliminate misconception. Brainwashing is done when all other means in front of the common man have been extinguished. Thus, if ordinary people can help their fwllow citizens in eliminating misonceptions and prejudice, then terror can be defeated.

The next part explores the furthur implication of terror with regards to religion.

India's Katrina

We all thought that July 26 2005 was a watershed day in India. On that day, Mumbai witnessed flooding after 944 mm of rain. But, the floods in Bihar have overshadowed the disaster which struck on July 26 in Mumbai. Most of northern Bihar which borders Nepal, is virtually underwater. It takes us back to the flooding which occured in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in the year 2005. Now, the floods in Bihar have similar overtones with the disaster that struck New Orleans.

Most parts of the state were underwater, due to the Leeves bursting and the water gushing through the Leeves during the initial storm surge. In Bihar, the Kosi river burst its banks, leading to the waters flooding the entire northern part. In one report on a news channel, the measured the Kosi river to be 32 kilometres in width after the flood. There was no wall to even protect the villages as the waters rose in the initial floods. Now, like New Orleans, the treath of disease and epidemics is raging. At the same time, we have also witnessed the criminal negligence by the Bihar government and the surrounding politics made by the opposition and other parties.

The ordinary villagers continue to live in conditions where ordinary people may not live. But, they have lost everything, and thus they hope that relief and normalcy of some kind awaits them. But, for most of them, they have lost everything, and it will take more than donations from the rest of the country to ensure that life returns back to normal in Northern Bihar.

Now, the future is far from reassuring. Many experts have now warned that due to the floods caused by the river Kosi, the lands which were engulfed in the floods would become barren and unproductive for growth. This would be a big disaster for agricultural production, thus ensuring that India's agriculture suffers in the long run. With high inflation and high food prices, the floods have only made the situation worse for ordinary people, not only in Bihar, but in other parts of the country. The tragedy is that this problem cannot be seen on the surface, but it is like a slow creeper that chokes the life out of the citizenry in the coming time.

Global warming is an issue, and safety along rivers that cause destruction in the rains is also a big issue. oSome experts have warned that a similar fate can strike Jhansi because of the Chambal river, in case of heavy rains as witnessed in Bihar. Will the government and citizen groups look up on this threat and take measures. If India needs a kickstart to their disaster management plans, then this is the starting point. No longer shall a country wait for a disaster to happen and then suggest remedies. It is time for India to ensure that disaster management and other safety precautions are taken so that situations like those in Bihar do not arise again.

The country has seen another effect of tampering with nature. It is now about time that we respect nature and ensure such kind of things are stopped, so that they dont arise again. For the moment, the author can only helplessly side with the victims, but cannot feel their pain, because i am in the comfort of a chair and trying to create awareness. Actions have to be take on these words, only then can people and their surroundings can be saved.

Change, Change, Change

This concept is what runs the world. This concept is sought after by people to uplift them. This concept is the talking point of the politicians, and it is the tool by which generations aspire to achieve. Change for the good is something sought after, cause it leads to the opening and exploring of new avenues. Barack Obama has kick started it, by stressing upon change as the focus in his presidential aspirations. But, it is easy to talk about change, but to implement it and take the first step is very difficult.

Change comes about after a generation of prejudice over lot of things. Social, economic and political prejudice all sum up the need for change among society and its people. The prejudices of all the three factors combine to wreck havoc in society, and with the distrust created on the account of terrorism, change becomes essential. This period of 2000 till now has resulted in so many issues that a Barack Obama has to come up and talk about change.

It is another matter to begin the process of change. I guess for this, people have to change from within. If people demand change, then it is upto them to change their mindset. For all that is present, people will say that 'They want change'. But, as a nameless philosopher said, "The only thing that changes is change itself". I guess change is the factor by which people can have their basic necessities satisfied, only difference being that this satisfaction is prolonged.

July 26: 3 years on

This was the day Mumbai suburbs Sunk!!!! The common expression would be that Mumbai city drowned, but in fact, the city had witnessed only 57 mm of rain on that day. The suburbs of Mumbai meanwhile received a whopping 944 mm of rain in less than one hour. The deluge paralyzed the suburbs for close to 10-15 days. The outer suburbs were cut off for nearly a month before normalcy returned. This deluge left a scar for some time on the resilient Mumbai people. It came to such an extent that whenever a heavy shower came upon the place, the people recounted the frustrations they faced on that day.

The floods of July 26 showed the city the damage that it inflicted on itself when they tampered with the environment. The cutting of the mangrove trees, the choking of the Mithi river with sewage, garbage and chemicals all pointed out that this could have been a possibility if something happened. On July 26th 2005, something big did happen. The floods also showed the haphazard development policies on reclaimed land. Majority of Mumbai of today is reclaimed land.

The deluge showed the people that if development is not held accountable to nature, devastation is imminent. Unless and until we develop in methods which causes the environment no harm, the city will be a safer place. But, it is easy to say that typing on the computer. All along when i have finished the typing, a million tonnes of sewage and garbage will have been dumped. A building will have gotten erected for more people to stay, and immigrants in the millions will have already flocked to Mumbai in search of dreams.

There seems to be no control, which is why anything new to happen in Mumbai is very hard. With so many people looking to the city for their dreams and economic prosperity, such disasters will only be shaken off and forgotten. If something like this happens again, Mumbai will just shrug it off, which is unfortunately or fortunately the way the city functions. Maybe, the environment will have to undergo this silent ignorance and then die a death. A July 26 will keep on happening, but unfortunately, people just do not care

More blasts, more strains, more polarization

26 blasts in the space of 2 days have rocked India. The country has witnessed several incidents over the last 2 years. The peak possibly has reached in the 17 blasts which shook Ahmadabad recently. The calls for strict anti-terrorism law is being called for, and in the case of India, the social fabric falls under severe strain. Society is now starting to get polarized, and the suspicion falls squarely on one community.

If one has observed terror incidents over the last 8 years, starting from 9/11, it has always followed a pattern. The aim of chaos, followed by panic and collapse, is the common aim of terrorists. But, what is worrying is that politicians and media alike have tried to concertize something which is vague. Since, terrorists do not have a label, it is hard to isolate and deal with them.

Any attempt to concertize terrorists and their activists has inevitably led to more destruction. The case of Afghanistan and to some extent Sri Lanka have demonstrated that terrorists come harder if the state cracks down heavily. In the case of Sri Lanka, the terrorists are in a group called the LTTE, so it is a war between a group and the state. In the case of India, it is a vague battle, with no clear battle lines drawn.

The battle line is history, where-in the state has created problems for which it is facing a backlash.Gujarat fell victim to the Godhra riots, a state sponsored program which resulted in the deaths of thousands. In the case of Bangalore, it is not known why it is the target except that it is the IT capital of India.

We only know one thing. In India, blasts are done to physically and mentally rupture the diverse social fabric of which the nation is build on. These blasts indeed chip away at the foundation, but in the case of India, the base is quiet strong because majority condemn the attacks on ordinary people. But, if this continues, then it wont be long before riots cause the fabric to break.

The two facedness of Democracy!

The government won the trust vote, and so early elections have been stalled. But, what was witnessed in parliament on that Tuesday sent disturbing and mixed signals. There were media reports that some MPs were allegedly bribed to sidetrack the ruling coalition in the confidence motion. The fact that bribes were alleged, and even the opposition went on an alleged smear campaign about this sends out dangerous signals for democracy.

However, the common word used in both is alleged. The fact is that the UPA, the ruling coalition won the trust vote and thus, the Indo-US Nuclear deal will possibly pass through in the coming months. It will be interesting as to how media covers this incident, because the print media may frame the issue in a different way, as have broadcasters.

The recent events in parliament have shown, that the term national and democracy have to be revisited. At one point, you have ordinary people who are pre-occupied with other pressing problems who dont know what is the fuss about. On the other, you have people who will allege a lot of things either to grab power or retain power. The fact is that politics, as of today, is disconnected from the ordinary citizen, and that may make the nation disconnected from Democracy.

7/11: two years on

On this day, India suffered another terrorist attack. This was aimed at the heart of Mumbai city. Seven Bombs went of on trains, leading to the death of 183 people and injuring more than 700. Mumbai suffered the same fate as Madrid and New York. Terrorism even today continues to wreck havoc in nations. Some states are doing something about it, while others are hoping that terrorism stays away from their lands. However, there is an undercurrent sweeping across that terrorism is almost crumbling, because it aleniated people of various social fabrics. The terrorists are being blamed, but at the same time, power hungry and imperial governments have also been targetted, notably in the post 9/11 scenario.

But, in the case of India, there are only more unsolved questions. Who is behind the attack, and why have they done it? No one has any idea, only hypothesis of who can possibly do it. The old nemesis of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Jihad, a bangladeshi group have been reported to be behind the attacks of 7/11 in Mumbai. However, the authorities are far from solving the issue, let alone having a concrete determination.

At this time of opinionating, one must cast their eyes on the citizens who lost their loved ones and also whose lives changed for the worse. It is easy for bloggers like me to sit back and analyze this from a detached point of view. However, when human beings, who have lived in the same city or nation as us get killed, it is very difficult to outline their plight and the life they are living after this incident. It is from this point, i feel, that media must depart from tradition and take the sides of the citizens, because it is they whom the media ultimately must serve.

The media priorities, in 2008, is more of the power elite staying in power and getting a deal passed in the backdrop of "national interest". However, what constitutes the national has been totally forgotten. Even this blogger admits from the heart that this post should have been written 10 days ago. However, i can only extend a heartfelt sorry to the citizens for not highlighting their plight.

Two years on, the perception about terrorism is changing, in that it is now sidelined. But, for the victim who have suffered this atrocity, this blogger can only salute their spirit and ensure that the citizens of a country remain safe. It is easier said than done, but sometimes words which convey care and feeling might help.

The gutter economics of politics

What one would do to stay in power! That is the exclamation that citizens who are concerned with the political process in India will be asking. The withdrawal of the Left parties from the Congress coalition over the Indo-US Nuclear deal has led to the same situations that have made politics a gutter by majority of civilians.

Even if I agree for the sake of arguement that power should be held at all costs, it does not shun or hide the monetary costs to save power. A value of 25 crore rupees (approximately 9 million dollars) is being spent for each MP to vote against the ruling coaltion. The current drive to register MP's against the congress coalition is due to the floor test in the Lok Sabha, which has come about because of the loss of majority in the house.

A representation based on money power only. When its said that money is the root cause of most evil, this case stands right on top. The source for me in this blog for this post comes from a professional newsman blog on ibnlive.com. His tone was one of disgust, and I as a common citizen share the same feeling.

The whole thing, if looked at from a common man's perspective and through the media, looked like a circus. The jostling for positions in this chaos would inadvertently lead to this kind of situation. However, I wanna know what the Citizen is doing in this case.

On the one hand, I see hunger and images of lack of treatement for children in one part of Madhya Pradesh, while I see political parties dish out 25 crore rupees for just sticking on to power. One fraction of those 25 crore rupees can give healthcare to thousands in the remotest parts of the country. The fraction of those 25 crores can help improve infrastructure to bearable levels. These politicians are lucky, because the citizenry is again bearing them all and moving on with life.

The case of two Indias is being seen clearly here. On the one hand, politicians waste money in trying to remain on the seat, while some parts of India languish in hunger and darkness. The citizenry must awake, otherwise the anger, once spilt over on the streets, may usher in anarchy seen never before in the country. The gutter economics has gone on for a long time, and in this age, it is about time that India makes an identity for itself as one of enlightenment and egalitarianism, rather than a corrupt and fragmented country.

She Broke my heart

My best friend, you have broken my heart.
My best friend, you have deserted me.
My best friend, you have thrown me out without consideration,
My best friend, you have broken my heart.

Over a trip we all went for fun and good times,
each of us having a different thought.
The demands of yours were fulfilled, and so were mine,
but beneath us something was bothering you and me.

One day it came out in the open,
and the fault was entirely mine.
The mind wandered, but you behaved cruelly.
At that time, I knew that my heart was broken.

Coming back home, You and me never spoke or saw each other.
We parted our separate ways, without a hug or a handshake.
It is been a long time, but you continue to be arrogant.
My best friend, you have broken my heart.

I cannot even hate you, but i no longer love you.
Your behavior shows that you took me for a ride,
but i am assured that it is human mind.
My best friend, you have broken my heart.

I now stand and think what might have been,
but the time has now come for me to go away.
I shall not see you ever again, and thus bid you goodbye,
Goodbye, Best friend, you Broke my heart.

The question of strikes

The question of who owns the land has always been a contentious issue in the world. It has divided societies, and on a more extreme level, has pitted nations against each other. More of the extreme is available in today's world, with the Israeli-Palestinian issue none more so. Now, the allocation of land in Jammu and Kashmir to a religious trust has led to protests and counter strikes by both hindus and muslims. Muslims protested in Kashmir, while the VHP and the Bajrang Dal issued a nationwide strike.

Once again, I am not going to focus on the issue as such. I believe focusing on that will lead to attaching some kind of value judgment. But, even if i focus on any one of those aspects, it is bound to lead to some value attachment. My focus is on the very common trend that happens in volatile issues. The Strikes that have been called all over the country is something which has to be talked on. The reason being that it has never achieved anything, on top of which it has affected the normal functioning of the country.

There have been thousands of issues, and most of the times it is observable that a strike has been called for. From my perspective, a strike is meant to express what the people think about the issue. It is meant to demonstrate that this issue can harm the setup of the state and society, and hence the citizens have no part in the issue. The method of passive protest is often bought out through these strikes.

However, there have been several instances where people just do not care. Some enjoy the day at home, others are engaged in their own material enjoyments, while the whole issue is stagnated by the strike and ultimately forgotten in society. If a strike is done to sidetrack an issue, it works perfectly. But, as the solution to a problem, it will never be effective. People do NOT care, and strikes ensure that citizens run away from the problem rather than confronting them.

The damage that follows during strikes due to sporadic violences can also be damaging. Some political goons or so called moral police can take the law in their hands and ensure that society remains tense. Moral police could include religious fanatics and nationalists, and there have been instances where violence has sidetracked the real issue on hand.

Strikes are part of a bygone era. Their implementation in the modern age may not hold value, as demonstrated by citizen apathy and sidetracking of several vital social problems. Strikes are framed in a negative way by the media, and thus they fall further in grace in the eyes of the public. There has to be some other way of expression, so that the issue is not sidetracked.

The problem of coalitions

There are two scenarios. One of them is through a film, and another is in a real life situation. The film can be disregarded, because they intend to be deliberate and distortional. But, in 2008, in India, the problem of coalition politics has to be addressed. Coalition politics, in many ways, stagnate the process of democracy. The Indo-US Nuclear deal has revealed the problem of coalition politics.

I do not intend to look at the advantages and disadvantages of the deal. This post must not be interpreted as a call for totalitarian dictatorships. Totalitarian dictatorships impede on freedom, but i am only focusing on the problem of coalitions, who either represent a thriving democracy or function in ways that stagnate democracy.

The bickering between the Congress and the left has threatened early elections. These kind of stagnations ensures that voter apathy remains. The media, instead of bringing out the issue and explaining clearly to the public about the nuances of the nuclear deal, are instead focusing on the dispute between the Congress government in the center and their allies.

On top of that, politics has once again been shown as a place of power bickering. As recent as 2007, a party in Uttar Pradesh called the SP was brought down by the congress party over certain issues. Today, for the congress to maintain power at the center, it refers to that same party as allies. They say that politics is full of strange bedfellows, and this situation proves it.

Coalition governments in this case are stagnating the democratic process. Citizens in this case are practicing apathy and their focus is elsewhere. The deal is too complicated, and the media is also obsessed with other issues. This puts issues under national interest and security under less priority. The problem with the media has been the focus on the political battle of egos and power, not on the original issue.

It may perhaps be time for the media to bring the issue out in the open and have a transparent discussion with the public. People who matter have to be cross examined, and certain media outlets have to pursue it vigilantly and aggressively. Most media outlets broadcast one hour of in-depth question answer sessions on issues. It has to focus more than an hour, or necessarily a day, to make people aware about the issue, so that people know what it is all about.

The problem of the coalition highlights the problem of people itself. No two people can agree upon anything. This is the case unfortunately with national security. Coalitions represent the depth and diversity of democracy, but in this case, it is proving to be a stumbling block for the whole democratic process.

Things seen, but nothing done 2

As mentioned in the previous post, the truth is out there. But yet, no one is managing to do anything about it. If the truth was exposed, then wrong things like War and killing of civilians might not have taken place. In most religions, it is mentioned that killing innocent human beings is sinful, yet there are a lot of instances where killing is mentioned. The context could be domination or aggression by fellow man on others.

Regardless, the truth may need some re-definition in today's time. The world is made up of multiple ideas, multiple cultures and to a massive extent covered in zones of Grey. These zones are the conflict that man faces in the broader society in economic, moral and materialistic terms. An example of the economic terms could be the rich poor divisions in several countries. The poor may want to be on an equal footing with other sections of the society, but is constrained by either poor economic resources or government apathy.

Moral Grey zones could be the lack of justice and enforcing of the law. Societies with a high crime rate is either an expression of lack of values in society or disparity on the economic front. Crime arises when there is desire for a particular thing and it remains unfulfilled. It is compounded when people create a dead end in their minds. The factor of desperateness gives rise to crime, and further erodes morality in society.

Materialism is the concept of judging life on material aspects of consumption and money. Temptation is used in excess to change people's real desire. Money is used as the tempting tool by which ambitions of the heart get crushed.

When all these things are around, how can individuals arrive at a truth? The nature of truth is such that it needs a black and white scenario to be determined. When truth is exposed, people start to have an innate fear of outraging the majority, because the majority find comfort in truths that appeal to their immediate and innermost fears. The trend in the world of today is clear. Things are seen, but it is interpreted in a different way, and suited for personal convenience. Truth is a bitter pill to swallow, and the problem with majority of society is that now people do not want to swallow. They want to have something sweet and satisfying, thus enjoying the grey zones present in materialism, economy and morality.

Things seen, but nothing done

Sometimes when the truth comes out into the open, action is taken. However, the times now are so Grey that the very nature of truth is disputed. Because of this, we cannot figure out who is right and who is wrong. In that scenario, priorities are vague among institutions like the media. The case of 9/11: Seeking the truth is a classic case of priorities being vague in the case of media. Who would they want to back and who would be in scrutiny?

9/11 is a classic example. If somebody perceives a fact different from the official version, they are ridiculed. Now, there are some cracks appearing, but the damage has already been done. On the basis of this event, the US has indulged in disastrous campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many call it a lie and a fabrication, but I rather would not want to go into that.

The factor of fact and truth has to be explored and re-defined in today's time. Multiple facts and Multiple truths give you multiple realities and lies. What can be the concrete arrival to truth and justification in politics and terror? This will be explored in the next post.

Demonstration of people power

If change has to be the motto of society, then ordinary people have to express themselves. Change cannot be in the hands of a few who wield power, but a collective expression of desire from ordinary individuals. The examples of people powere were demonstrated in the collapse of communism in the eastern block in 1989. Now, the recent example of Nepal gives people an indication of the demand for change.

India can take a leaf out of Nepal's books. We may argue that there is no autocratic rule in India. Unlike the communist dictatorships and economic stagnation of Eastern Europe, there is plenty to cheer about in India. Economy is thriving, the country is establishing itself in the global arena. But, there is the growing inequality in economic and societal terms that pulls back India.

All the while when we are portraying our growth on the outside, we are disintegrating on the inside. It is not a rapid disintegration, which is why people can work towards change, but at the same time, if this slow disintegration is not stopped, then we could face irreversible damage in social and economic terms. At the same time, the mindset will be more pertaining to the status quo, rather than to change.

Nepal fought monarchy and aristocracy, India needs to fight an inherent battle with the bureaucracy and vested interests of elitists in social, political and economic fields. Industrialization and modernity are inherent, but only if it convinces the citizen that ordinary people are not affected. It is then the job of the media to highlight a pros and cons aspect of the situation, regardless of commercial pressures.

This is easier said than done. Commercialism is such that the same thing benefits one person but does not benefit the other. In such fragmentation, it becomes imperative that honesty and vigilance is exercised by the media in particular and the citizen. If the need for change and moral outrage is great, then it is a natural reaction that people will come out on the streets. Barack Obama, the possible US president, is talking about change, but it remains to be seen if he manages to bring change to the US.

Change should be all encompassing, meaning a ratio of 70:30. It is a lenient ratio, considering in India that 70 percent is rural. But, at the same time, if change brings about egalitarianism, as was the perceived result in the Eastern Bloc, then change it shall be. But, people have to show themselves, because then change is not possible. The phantom public, as mentioned by Lippmann, is seriously not desired for change.

Easy Money

The ambition of people today is to make fast and easy money. Although there are millions of ordinary people who work hard and earn money, we see another million earning money in an easy way. The easy way being through illegal and possibly immoral ways. These include drug trafficking, arms trafficking and human trafficking.

There are others on the list, which i would not like to mention. The reason being that there are Grey areas in which these terms fall into. The question of morality or immorality is deliberated. However, the above three terms have no Grey areas, only black and nothing else.

Drugs have been the cause of mayhem in society. Laws are taken for granted, and in the 70's in particular, there were the drug wars in Latin America which spilled over into the streets of the US. Miami was under the grip of the drug wars, and even today, the Colombian conflict, involving the Colombian government and the FARC Guerrillas, is all about stopping the drug supply. Afghanistan is another hot-spot for drug wars. The money generated from selling these drugs in the market are used pre-dominantly to fund terrorist activities. Drugs have led to conflict, to loss of life and destruction of society, yet no one can stop the drug peddlers from minting millions of dollars of money.

Human trafficking is an evil, where illegal immigrants are promised dreams, but land up in a nightmare. The case of the Coyotes in the US and other instances of human trafficking in all parts of the world for various purposes is indeed a despicable act. The common thing linking drug and human trafficking is the human determination to make easy and fast money. In the case of human trafficking, the victims dream of big things. They allow themselves to be blinded by people who offer dreams. Many of these cases involve people who have no education or knowledge, and thus the problem persists. No knowledge, but the need for money is persistent.

But, the greater evil among the two mentioned is off Arms trafficking. The biggest evil, of which states are guilty, is off demand for arms. The amount of money generated by Arms Manufacturers is enough to wipe out poverty in at least a dozen or so countries. If developed nations can shun arms deals and trade, the money saved can be used in providing better health care and treating the poor. The US and other nations of the west have poor health care systems, with the problem of inflation in today's world. If wars are not conducted and weapons not purchased, then these problems may not exist.

Arms companies and manufacturers have to be destroyed, because they have caused the biggest insecurity to the human race. Arms have always crippled nations, and bought about the demise of sovereignty and societies. Individuals will not be corrupted if they have the presence and thought of arms in their mind. The desire for easy money is responsible for all the three evils manifesting together in most societies.

Weapons have to be destroyed, drugs have to be liquidated and then humans who subject humans to injustice have to be thrown out of society. IF arms are destroyed, then drugs should be the next target. With the destruction of these two, society can dream of equality financially. Nations will respect freedom of other nations, hence preventing the specter for wars. As far as human trafficking is concerned, human beings are not perfect. This can only be curbed, not eliminated, as the human mind itself is perverse.

The impact of photos

"Pictures speak a thousand words"; this cliched but effective statement has been on the back of every media personnel for years. For writers, pictures can spell the end of their careers. I came across this feeling today, when i viewed my friends photographs on a recent trip. The pictures were indeed mind-boggling, one which makes you question the effectiveness of words.

The only thing that goes for writers is that texts are a form of conversation, giving shape to certain sets of ideas, while a photo can be prone to multiple of interpretations. Of course, in several of her photos, it is the obvious of what it is trying to signify, but there are millions which are not so lucky.

At the end of the day, it is up to people to choose what appeals them aesthetically. I am clear in my mission statement of not using photographs, because they may morph the ideas that i may want to convey. In this case, i gladly would play second fiddle to the photographs. They give you a sense of the true beauty that exists, because beauty is abstract, conveyed brilliantly by photographs.

For people to view these photos, just go to this URL http://www.orkut.com/Album.aspx?uid=13290525912740128313&aid=1212448512

Suppressed Cultures

In this era of globalization, there is an emphasis on the homogeneity of cultures. But, we are also witnessing the emergence of certain unknown cultures. For these cultures, globalization can prove to be a double edged sword. One of the unique cultures that I came across today was the Hazaras. These people have been part of Afghanistan for the past 1000 years, but their plight only came to be known during the persecution by the Taliban. The destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in 2000, along with their persecution, made us aware of their presence.

They are now creating a niche identity for themselves. They have put out several stuff on the web, and have outlined their history and future adequately. One such website is www.hazara.net, which gives us an idea of their culture and their history. Once flourishing, once persecuted, warfare at intermittent intervals and now the re-establishment of their identity following the end of the Taliban, life has come full circle for the Hazaras.

In some ways, the Hazaras are like the Tibet of China. The difference being that unlike China, the Tibetans were not subject to the threat of extermination. But, they are facing the same problem. The state, under the guise of globalization and homogeneity, is suppressing their identities and imposing their own form of cultural hegemony. In the case of Tibet, the hegemony is forced, while in the case of the hazaras, it may be indirect or slow to take off.

The sociology, on the surface, seems to be that cultures that have suffered persecution, dont open up so fast. While the case may differ with respect to the hazaras and the Tibetans, the key here is whether the people want it. Globalization may not be all rosy, with the backdrop of global conflict. But, with technology and knowledge, it may open them up with ways to improve lives.

The Hazaras and the Tibetans are only one among the millions of suppressed cultures all over the world. The Amazon tribes may be almost wiped out, due to sheer brute power of the economy. The Red Indians, along with the Inuit of northern Canada, are on their last legs and may not last beyond the first half of the 21st century. Globalization is a good thing, but there is the other side where identities are blurred. This blurring leads to a loss of identity, and thus the uniqueness of culture and of man vanishes.

The phenomenon of Gandhiism

Mahatma Gandhi was a phenomenal man. His achievements speak volumes of his achievement. It is even more remarkable that he achieved what he could by two simple philosophies of life. Non-violence and Truth. These two terms made him the Man among the millions that were there. In previous posts, i had argued about Bhagat Singh being a revolutionary which the youth idealizes nowadays. But, in the back of man's mind, there is still a Gandhi who tugs at our heart. He just asks us to face life and its difficulties by using these two methods of Truth and non-violence.

In more ways like one, Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh represent the two forms of Cricket. While Gandhi represented Test Cricket, Bhagat Singh represented T20 Cricket. The comparison is crude, but appropriate. Test Cricket calls for application and concentration of a player's skill at a high point most of the time. T20 cricket is all about flash, energy and playing only for the moment. Tests end in draws, while T20 guarantees results. It was perhaps this philosophy which separated Gandhiji from Bhagat Singh.

Bhagat Singh's philosophy and actions is now being portrayed as achieving results. It has no doubt achieved awareness that societies cannot be divided along caste, religious and cultural lines. His aim of egalitarianism was appealing when combined with violence and fear. But, the dynamics of violence is such that man can use it to destroy the system. It should not have been expected from Bhagat Singh, but it can be only be speculated.

The British were thrown out fortunately, but one wonders how a violent upheaval may have shaped the India of today? Egalitarianism is like any other ideology, good on paper but very very difficult to achieve. Bhagat Singh's upheaval of a system would have possibly resulted in chaos, if one looks at hindsight at events after independence nationally and globally. Mahatma Gandhi focused on the intrinsics of man, not of the state and society. His simple notion of first individuals must improve, only then can the state improve. The conscience has to be clean, only then can the human body be healthy. Such could be the comparison of Gandhi's philosophy.

As the world lives on a fast pace today, Gandhi is instantly dismissive. The US has painted the world white and black, thus making man suspicious towards fellow man. Fast pace combined with suspicion makes Gandhi's philosophy of Truth and non-violence dismissive. The mental makeup of the people today is violence is rationalized to make the whole of society perfect. Truth is subjective, meaning there are multiple truths. The Mahatma's sayings have always targeted the conscience of man, arguing that man is complex and that he has to strife from within to achieve good things.

Nowadays, Truth and non-violence goes against the makeup of democratic or autocratic states. Without these, a state is perceived to be vulnerable. Men like Gandhi are dismissed as fools, and that truth and non-violence are only myths good for speaking. I guess it is up to individuals to learn the hard way, after this experience will they be patient enough to fight and strive for truth and non-violence. This moment is taken to remember a simple man, who had extraordinary thoughts and who even for me is a hero.

Osama did not do 9/11?

The statement above is only a speculation, not a theory. For years now, we have been bombarded with the images of the planes crashing into the towers and into the pentagon during 9/11. Osama Bin Laden did it, that is what the Bush administration said. He used that as a pretext to bombard Afghanistan and Iraq. Now, the basis upon which this whole missions were organized has been questioned. Iraq exposed it, and some people are now openly saying that 9/11 was an INSIDE JOB.

A documentary titled 'Loose Change' has given out systematic and detailed facts about the events. By the method of Science, logic and common sense, he has given out an impression that 9/11 was an inside job. The planes, the concept of 19 Hijackers ploughing planes into the WTC and the Pentagon all have been dismissed. But, before jumping the gun, it is nowadays dangerous to even speculate. The media have thoroughly managed to brainwash the fact that Islamic terrorists carried out 9/11, and there is no other alternative truth.

This alternative truth portrayed in loose change can be dismissed instantly as Propaganda. No one in American Society and in the world media would acknowledge that 9/11 could have been an inside job. A person, who advocates this alternative truth, is dismissed as a traitor or a terrorist. By watching and recounting those events, it does give you a sense that the whole thing was deliberate. The events that occurred after this incident seemed planned. The administration was hell-bent in pursuing its 'colonial' agenda.

Loose change, the documentary, only shows us the alternative reality. It is up to individuals to base their judgments and conduct their behavior towards cultures and religions. It can be a lesson for administrations and governments that pre-emption should not be an option. Pre-emption leads to social and world destruction, and films like Loose Change should be viewed as a tool for fighting against Pre-emptive action by a power hungry government.

Reaching out to the mass: The interpersonal way

In the previous post, i explained about the pros and the cons of the media when utilized by the masses. This section explores the pros and the cons of interpersonally going at the grassroots and involving the mass. Not much has been written and researched about this. It is a phenomenon that has been explored now, and I believe this holds a lot of promise, especially when considering the constraints under which media operates.

Interpersonal method of communication involves organizing the mass on a particular issue. The determination of the issue is important. Step by step tackling of the issue is of utmost importance. In the case of the mass in India today, the factor of economic equality can be the platform. This has to be addressed at the rural level, in order for the country to be stabilized.

The educated elite must be crystal clear in communicating this factor to the masses. They have to be made aware that basic resources are the right to every individual. Focusing on proper and continuous food, clothing, money, water, electricity and other utilities, we have to begin with this campaign. At the same time, it must be made aware that the campaign would involve tremendous hurdles, notably in the minds of the people as well as the rigidness within the system. It needs a firm resolve and confidence in our facts. A firm resolve ensures that we are never weakened, confidence is self explanatory, but they will all achieve results if managed within proper guidelines or frameworks.

We must take time out to address the plight of the masses. The further we allow this division to widen, class wars will be imminent. The economic scenario is at a tightrope, and this will widen the schism between the rich and the poor in India. An egalitarian society lacks the glamor and the shine of a developed economy with its acknowledged class differences. But, everybody feels secure, and their needs are satisfied. It will not be busy, but it is not wrong to dream either. It is about time that we believe that this CAN be a thing, rather than it SHOULD be.

The platform for the masses

In my previous posts, i had mentioned that the rallying point for the masses, for an establishment of an egalitarian society, has to be the economy. This post explores the platform through which it can reach the urban elite. The elite, along with the economic and political interests, have to get the message. The message of mass neglect as well as elite preferences will result in greater polarization between urban and rural India.

The media and inter-personal communication at a macro level are the two platforms. There may be several, but they are either vague or not beneficial to the cause of mass equality. The media is the ideal platform, because they have the capability to reach and bridge diverse social identities. They can create revolutions, make citizens aware of their duties and at the same time inform them of their functions and duties in a democracy through information.

But, this is not an ideal world. In today's media, it has been constrained by elite and commercial interests. Serious issues, regarding political and societal discrepancies, are shunned for gossip, sex and violence. Tabloid news, notably on TV and newspapers, are prominent because the people seem to prefer it. Politics, which is already being dismissed as the gutter, will now be in danger of being ignored. Along with the rising economic gap, the plight of the mass is secondary, in contrast to elite decisions.

Even if an elite suffers a cold, he/she will get hours of air time and news page. If one of the mass, notably farmers, rural dwellers and small scale rural businessman get airtime, it is only for a short time and confined to the sides. Their plight is not understood by the urban elite, and thus they face ignorance. This is not to mention that there are instances where media highlights the plight and brings about social awareness of an issue concerning the mass. But, they are very few and far in between.

Alternate media and any kind of media exist only to make a profit. The worst part of this mission statement is that they risk ignoring serious issues most of the times. The masses may need to utilize this platform cleverly, because any wrong step could result in their plight being dismissed as propaganda. The media is only one part, but there involves a very different communication process in dealing with the masses. This section represents a communication method that has to be revolutionized in this coming decades. Few have tried it, and they are effective.

The challenge will be for ordinary individuals to be aware and publicly debate the wrongs in society, without prejudice. It is essential that the platform for public speaking, yet at the same time, being inter-personal. The masses need to be organized on this channel, so that they can be organized, and can prepare the way for an egalitarian system which encompasses all their rights. The next post looks at that.

Economy:The Rallying point for the masses: Part 3

The start of an egalitarian society begins from the bottom. A vertical system of wealth management has resulted in massive differences between the Urban elite and the rural class. The middle class continue to be rich, ineffective but at the same time raising awareness. It is this crossroads which has to be smoothened, because this is leading to stagnation in trying to figure out the economic disparity facing Indian Society.

But, to launch a basic awareness drive about the disparity, a platform has to be launched. The new situation is what can be the platform? Can it be the media, due to its power to reach millions? Can it be a niche communication method, meaning interaction at every level without much attention?

Logic could point to the first platform. The media have been potent in some kind of activism. Recent trials in the judicial system had a big hand of the media, in raising awareness of the issue. But, this involved personal instances. There have been only 3-4 instances of media raising awareness of an issue, what happens to the other 1,99,99,99,997 people? (This figure is meant to be 1.1 billion, hope it is right. Mistakes are regretted)

The media are constrained by the factors of time and space. They have commercial and money making audiences to fulfill. This issue, which involves awareness and content of very serious nature, will not be absorbed by audiences. The dynamics of the audience mind and time are such that the public is now dumb. Dumbing down of the media has ensured that serious issues are always on the side and not in front of people's eyes and minds. Any media that goes against the commercial route, ensures survival. Information of this kind will not work in the media, because this won't be focused by the media.

The second aspect involves citizen groups and personal communication of the highest number. The economic plight of rural India can be dealt with by interpersonal communication and awareness among the citizens. The problem in this case is lack of interest. The people of this generation do not care about the plight of individuals who are far away from them in both thought and time. The basic issue that has to be identified here is that citizens are drifting away from the mass, and political gimmicks like Caste and religion are making it concrete.

The focus of the next post will have to be the medium through which the message of the economic inequality can be addressed. The basic issue is the economy, now comes the way to propagate it. This is the most difficult of the lot, because it is interwoven with social tendency, nature of the people and most potent of all vested interests of big time power seekers.

Economy:The Rallying point for the masses: Part 2

In the previous posts, i had focused upon the economic upheaval that was required to have a goal of a population on a semi-equal footing. The reason why I chose semi-equal is because complete resource distribution is just not possible in any system. The demands of the people are more, but resources will never always support demand. Artificial demands and supply can be speculated, but that will lead to people getting false hopes about life.

I believe that the farmers still form the backbone of India. When food is concerned, no nation can progress if there is no food resources. The case of Farmer suicides should be an indication that they have to be desperately taken care of. But, political neglect, along with citizen apathy, may have resulted in farmers losing hope from their own people and from the people in power. The weight of money and the sense of loss just crushes their ability to raise their voice. It is at this point where government and bureaucratic middlemen need to be eliminated. By eliminating these hurdles, a system can create direct supply and demand.

Direct demand and supply ensures that there is no artificiality in price determination. The Capitalistic system functions on the basis of speculation, creating artificial pricing systems. It is this speculation that increases the wealth gap. The power of taxation, borne by the ordinary folk, is not accountable in a rigid system. A recent conversation with my friend suggested to me that taxation cannot be made accountable because the government system itself is corrupt.

The problem with the citizenry is that they are unaware of where exactly to begin the process of accountability. Even this author has to determine the rallying point. The rallying point could be the farmer suicides, but the problem there is the distinct out of touch reality of the citizens. Lack of Infrastructure is a matter of convenience, sidetracked the moment some patchwork is initiated.

The rallying point will have to be the farmers itself at the local level. Starting off with the backbone, the level of agitation and awareness must be spread, so that citizens of various strata demand accountability and proper economic measures. This needs string resolve and mobilization capable of a leader. Ordinary people have remained silent for a long time on many issues, and it is about time that this era brings about demand for the better.

The surface has been scratched. The next post may deal with possible alternatives, approved by the majority and compromising with the minority.

Economy: Rallying point for the masses

In my previous post, i gave out suggestions regarding several rallying points for the masses. Here, I plan to outline some of them. Some of these theories may not be based on ground realities, but they are nevertheless a highlight of the problem that could be persisting. This looks at the factor of economics, the one reason alone why the masses have not been empowered. The dynamics of Capitalism as well as historical societal orientation has ensured that the masses remain separated from the elite layer.

Capitalism, Communism, Socialism and for that matter all ideologies in this world have come about due to inequality of economic systems. The main aim was the creation of an egalitarian societies. In spite of all these ideologies, practicality is different from theory. Why is this deficiency evident? The fact could be that theory is not flexible in the face of practicality. Theory does not take into account the diversity of people's demands and needs. It is almost impossible to fully gauge the magnitude of people's demands, because the people themselves are demanding by nature.

The masses have to be given right direction, but the first step comes in the acknowledgment of the truth of this matter. Egalitarianism is a Utopia, because of the functioning of Ideology and its dynamics. The real point of the matter is that the attempt on Egalitarianism is itself going away from reality. Practical thinking suggests that deficiencies will remain, but it can only be reduced, not eliminated.

The masses have to acknowledge that absolute power leads to disaster. The Bolshevik revolution could be an inspiration, but with absolute power and centralization, the whole system collapsed and it turned into something which was different than theory. History, in spite of its one-sidedness, has shown that absolutism has led to the downfall of many nations and systems. It is this period which offers introspection and not repeat history.

The economy is one such thing. Goals for the mass orientation should be basic food, clothing, shelter and basic security. Security in this sense not conflict, but a surety of knowing about their future as well as the next meal. It is up to the masses to ensure their future, and it can only be done through painful propagation of facts at the grassroots. In India, that is first area (Taluka), the district (Zilla), then state and finally the nation. The economic base has logically got to be the farmers and the small scale merchants who drive the economy.

The demands should be looked at by the authorities in the taluka and zilla in a meticulous manner. By honestly assessing the demands, supply should be determined. Creation of a transparent and easy system is essential, so that time and money is saved. The elimination of the middlemen and brokers will ensure that the money goes directly from supplier to customer. It is the excess of brokers which puts farmers and other merchants at a loss, due to the rigidity of the system.

This will be dealt with more in detail in the next post. Economics, unfortunately will be the determining factor for the next 100 years. Any drastic events may change that, but economics will be the focus for the next few posts.

The Rallying point for the masses

Ever since i started knowing about Bhagat Singh, i am obsessed with the factor of the masses. There is one statement recorded in history, that the masses themselves are so powerful that they can challenge the status quo if given the right direction. The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia was an example of the masses overthrowing the Tsar and establishing Bolshevik rule over Russia for 85 years.

In India, the problem right now in the 21st century is one of perplexity. We really dont know what is the problem because we are facing the problem of extremes. There is extreme wealth concentration in the cities, but at the same time there is lack of infrastructure and resources. All of us acknowledge corruption but refuse to do anything about it. Terrorism is a problem, but some tend to use that as a tool to divide societies on religious grounds. The cliche of rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer seems to be happening in India. But, this will all depend upon which side of the fence are the citizens sitting.

All this will be dismissive of people who are rich and are happy in their bubble of Apathy. Some may blind this over as elitist confidence. The elites would concentrate all their capital and portray a rosy picture of the country. The poor would not even get one square meal in the rural areas, and pleasures that people in the city enjoy would be a far cry for them. The middle class will continue to remain hypocritical, acknowledging that something has to be done, but they wont dirty their hands in doing it.

Economics over-rides the basis of Ideology. Socialism and Communism failed because they did not generate money and they did not manage people well. Capitalism does that effectively, but it brings sufferings which affects the moral psyche of an individual. Under the guise of freedom, people do not know what is right and what is wrong. Capitalism promotes the feeling among people that things which benefit them only monetary wise will be done. Nothing else matters anymore.

In this age of perplexity and rigid mindset, what can be the rallying point for the masses to promote an egalitarian society? The answers will be phased out, taking first the people and then economics in the subsequent posts which follow. It is about time this is analyzed because it is now or never. It should be noted cautiously that it is a simplistic analysis, not a meticulous theoretical one. I can write only through the eyes of a common man, and not anyone else.

Bhagat Singh: Terrorist, Martyr or Hero???

This is a very inflammable topic. It is at this point where value judgment takes over factual stuff. In reality, fact is a euphemism in this case, because it has to do with History. History is such that people comment what has been done and propose alternatives that could HAVE been implemented. History by its nature is one-sided, belonging to the victor, but open to multiple interpretations.

This is the case of a freedom fighter named Bhagat Singh. He can be interpreted in these ways, but i am trying to avoid value judgment. According to the British, a terrorist. According to the Congress Party and Mr. Mahatma Gandhi, an extremist. Among the masses, a hero and a revolutionary. The problem is that we dont know whether he was all of them or just one of those personalities. There can be no denying the fact that he was a freedom fighter, who was way ahead of his times. At the age of 23, he formulated ideas and visions that were to be true in 30-40 years post independence in India.

He wanted to establish a socialist state, by which every person in India would have a fair share of food, water, shelter and clothing. He would abolish castocratic societies as well as eliminating differences between Hindu and Muslim. His own set of ideals would have resulted in an Ideal India which many dream, but could it have been reality was anyone's guess.

After his death, we got independence, but at a terrible price. India was split into India and Pakistan, which the British hastily drew up. A mixed economy was formed, backed up by a very rigid bureaucratic system, in which no one benefited. Today, although we are termed one of the fastest growing, we are plagued with inequality. Rural India is suffering from agriculture collapse, while Urban India is coping with infrastructure problems. The wealth seems to be concentrated in the cities, but it has not trickled to the rest of the country.

India has become Corporate in a way. The British may have left, and we are left with an acceptable cultural imperialism from the west. India is India, but in a way it is probably suffering from an Identity crisis. Bhagat Singh, if alive today, would have lamented the developments, for the rich have gotten richer and poorer have gotten poorer. The Brain drain from India still continues, if a youth for equality member has to be believed. Indians spend 5 billion rupees to send their children or loved ones abroad.

As for many supporters of Bhagat Singh who label Mr. Gandhi a traitor who ruined India, i would just like to say this could be true or it could be unfortunate. True because he may have not made enough efforts to save Bhagat Singh. In order to establish himself as a power base, he appeased the British and probably send them to the gallows. A film about Bhagat Singh shows this angle. I am only speculating because it is dangerous to believe everything in a film. But, i blame the people of India for losing their conscience in starting the riots which led to partition.

Mr Gandhi is blamed, but i blame the people who started this riot, as well as the British. The conscience of India died that day, and we became the British. Bhagat Singh unfortunately falls into multiple interpretations, but he was ahead of his times probably. Today, a leader and thinker like him is missing. People today have become hedonistic and apathic. This will make things hard for this generation, as the older generation have set about a mindset which makes the young fall back if the task is daunting.

A terrorist, a Martyr or a hero, it is all non-determinable. People just dont care, because we have taken our freedom for granted. We all salute Bhagat Singh and Mr Gandhi to some extent, but we now have to make their dream come true to a little extent, because we are probably degenerating into something which the freedom fighters never wanted. The new young generation has to ensure that. They must ensure that India is India, a unique country where things CAN be possible.

The problem of Drinking

Alcohol consumption is a big problem facing societies all over the world. Organizations and laws have been drafted that intend to curb this menace. The reasons are very clear, and the following link should be an indication of the menace drinking can cause to locations. This is Manchester Piccadilly, a bustling center in Manchester. It hosted a football match final between a Scottish club Rangers and Russian club Zenit St.Petersburg. Below is the link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7403492.stm

The reasons are obviously evident from the pictures. Not only does the city get thrashed up, but people go out of control while drinking. They themselves become a nuisance, indulging in vulgar language, creating embarrassing scenes and causing riots. In this case in Manchester, riots did occur, leaving several policeman injured. There have been several instances of Driving under Influence (DUI) in the US and also in the UK. The problem is that alcohol is so much into the culture of the west that to do away with it will also be of no good.

Several attempts to ban alcohol were done in thew 1920's in the US. The era of Prohibition, in which illicit alcohol was outlawed, notably Whiskey, did not bring about much success. In fact, it was due to Prohibition that gang wars and gang leaders like Al Capone came into existence. There apparently is now organizations that counsel people on curbing alcohol content. Alcoholics Anonymous is an organization doing just that. But, the number of people that consume alcohol are huge, and in conservative societies, people risk getting ostracized if they consume alcohol.

The problem is that alcohol is so much considered part of good times that it is impossible to do away with it. In India, there is an ad. "Kingfisher: The King of good times". There is a saying, "Alcohol, unless consumed in moderation, is the father of all vices". The problem is that very few consume in moderation, the majority tend to go into the extreme end of consumption. This is a problem, and Manchester faced it two days ago. Meanwhile, many will still go to the pub and drink, as it is part of good times. Alcohol makes them too intoxicated to even think of the consequences, such is the danger of this phenomenon.

Another attack, another introspection

The target of the terror attack is Jaipur, India. The Pink city is known for its peaceful way of living, a tourist destination, a blend of people of various cultures, a mix of modernity and conservative. The intention was to sow communal discord, which is the intention of terror attacks in India. The blame game has begun, and it has assumed a political tone with political parties blaming each other. But, this again expresses the need for citizen vigilance. It also brings up the question of addressing the country's deficient intelligence apparatus.

From Kargil till Jaipur, the problem of the country's deficient intelligence system has been sparsely highlighted. The need for modern intelligence and surveillance has been called for by terror analysts. The terror attacks in the UK on 7/7, following 9/11, has updated its intelligence mechanism to ensure that terror attacks dont occur regularity, as is the case with India.

The problem is highlighted by the lack of concrete knowledge of when and where the terror attacks will take place. It is one thing to point fingers at the time of the attack, but it is a totally different thing to predict the future. The bottom-line is no one can predict terror attacks. The fact of the matter is terror just happens for the moment, and it can be curbed or prevented at the very moment by vigilance.

The intelligence can do only so much, and so can we. Knowing this limitation, it is best if we remain vigilant. Vigilance depends upon chance, and it is through this that terror can be prevented. No amount of mourning is enough for the people who lost their lives in Jaipur, or for that matter any terror attack. However, the truth is that if introspected, vigilance is our best defense against terror and a strong mind against prejudice.

Films of awareness and greed

People only speculate that the media is dumbing down. But, they can confidently say that the film industry has dumbed down. This was already the case for Hollywood, but now this effect is dragging down the quality of Indian cinema. The quality of films nowadays, has deteriorated. Themes, which are so trivial and dumb in nature, is now the formula utilized by Bollywood and Hollywood to sell the masses.

Two films, that are serious and have social implications for people, have not been reviewed properly. Under the guise of technicalities, story structure and other factors, certain films have been dismissed by these critics and by lots of people. It could be even symbolic that both the films begin with a U. U, Me and Hum as well as Undertrial are the two films that have escaped our knowledge, and one which needs a fresh review in the turmoil of today.

U, me and Hum deals with the acute problem of Alzheimer's. A touching tale about the plight of a woman who suffers from Alzheimer's and how her husband stands by her in turmoil. In times of today, when people abandon others due to diseases or other flaws, this film stands out as reminding us that relationships are strong. If someone suffers a disease, he/she should be cared for. The trend that is observed, although quiet few, is that people are left alone when such diseases occur.

Old people suffer the most from this. The sense of abandonment as well as alienation from loved ones on account of this disease makes them outcasts for no fault of theirs. This film should be watched by people who genuinely care.

Under trial is the case of honesty being destroyed by the greed bought by money. If someone cannot sustain a family honestly, then most of the activities indulged in by other members may be unlawful. Sociologists and several analysts have often stated that the root cause for prostitution is poverty. This problem has been addressed only sparingly. This film deals with the problems that a person faces due to poverty, and the circumstances that bring upon him hatred.

Society dismisses him as a monster, and the media go about spicing it up, while the Judiciary gets bogged down by its own machinations. All of this is a perfect blend of the loss of humanity. Society has to shatter the factor of pre-emptivity, in order to base it on fairness. If society alienates people on account of alleged wrongdoing, then society will indeed be in turmoil.

Films of awareness and greed fall into the trap of melodramatic ism, thus it is dismissive instantly. But, the theme of this is such that they cant be dismissed. It is after all, people who are at the heart of this film. Ordinary people need to know, because it could be their life.

Inequality Premier League (IPL)

This should have been the meaning of the current Indian Premiere league in India. When one looks at the amount of money invested in this league, one is saddened by this spectacle. This league is the symbol for the inequalities through which India is going through. But, i guess, since it is entertainment and glamor, it will be sidetracked like a lot of other issues.

The power of entertainment and glamor is evident here. Since, media's obsession with celebrities combines quiet well with people's own intrinsic gossip demands, the premier league fits their demand perfectly. For people not knowing what the IPL is, it is a cricket event formatted on the lines of football's English premiere league. Players from all over the world have been drafted for this league, promoting Cricket's new format, 20-20.

On the other hand, we have a sport like Hockey that has won us accolades abroad. I will admit that i have seen very few matches of hockey, but having read its history and its dominance, i cannot stand this slow and unnoticed death of this sport. If 6 crores can be invested in one player, why cant that same amount go into rebuilding and re modifying the infrastructure of hockey? If something is invested in one sport, then something should be invested in the other. This is the real motto of healthy capitalist competition.

But, the unfortunate thing here is, one sport is being invested in heavily, leading to the other getting killed off. Hockey is not followed by the youth, and attempts by broadcasters have led to minimum appeal and lack of sponsors. If someone does sponsor it, they suffer losses. The end result of all that has been no competitive league to encourage youngsters, no up gradation of infrastructure and not qualifying for the Beijing Olympics.

Unfair practices are shunned by ordinary people in their lives, but the generation today is unaware of the unfairness that is happening right in front of their eyes. The rich-poor divide is evident. But, in order to shun value judgment and fairness, i can add is the short time of the event. Can the media highlight the plight of the other sports on a regular basis? If this event lasts for 60 days, can the media show reports of how other sports are suffering in India?

Entertainment has always been important, but not at the cost of competition. The IPL vs Hockey is like a Goliath against nobody. It will take a lot for hockey to be David, but the unfortunate thing is it will still loose out.

The Anti-Rich crusade

This is not a call for a class war. For generations, in Capitalistic societies, the rich and have always dominated the poor. The rich have wielded the clout, and they control every aspect of society. The rich have a tendency for vested interests, and this puts aspirations of others in the docks. The rich are responsible for inequality and social unrest, but it is the poor's apathy and helplessness which makes it unacceptable.

The influence of the rich is such that we are now seeing it in all forms. In polarized capitalist societies like India, the poor, a majority, tend to be marginalized. The rich occupy all aspects and mindsets. Everywhere you see, majority of the films are on rich aspirations, the economy is at an elitist level. The current sporting trends is the IPL (Indian Premiere league), which is a money making machine and no guarantee of talent.

In culture, economy and sports, the rich are dominating, which is a natural order of life. No one cares about the poor, and why should they? It is an accepted mindset that the poor should be kept poor, so that a status quo is not disturbed. There is no concrete method of equal distribution of resources. There are various methods of alienating the poor, because of the clout that the rich wield.

Certain films can show ways of how to fight inequality. Certain politicians can lead the crusade against inequality. Media can create awareness on such issues of inequality. But, for majority of citizens, this will not be an issue. Everyday issues of instant materialistic demands makes them ineffective to fight inequality. Hedonism and materialism are dominant, while only few fools can think about fighting inequality.

A common man's fantasy

A common man has a very simple taste. His perception of many things is quiet different than many people. Now, a common man is detached from the thinking that urban elites indulge in. Urban elites are the symbol of consumerism, materialism as well as 'superior'. However, in comes Capitalism, and through its most creative medium, advertising, brings the common man to the level of the elite.

The ads about Air Deccan, some time ago, pitted a common man's fantasy to fly in a plane. Now, due to the multiple interpretations of ads, it is very difficult to pinpoint the exact motive. One of the angles was indeed of common individuals rising to the level of the elite. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Indeed, convenient travel is a birthright of every individual who can afford it.

But, i cant think but imagine that Advertising is also cleverly fooling the people. There are moments when on the surface, the costs are cheap, but there are a lot of hidden costs. There are only certain circumstances in which the air-fare is cheap. The next set of problems arise when people decide to want more, and thrash the services of the flight. Lots of cases have been reported where people thrash the service the flight offers.

Advertising, in this case, proves that it only increases the greed of the common man. When he gets a service, the demands start to rise and the greed also rises simultaneously. Capitalism and advertising serves to increase greed, which disrupts the mental outlook that the common man may have, and he begins to think what he is not. The path provided by advertising between the ordinary and the prosperous will serve as a test case for sociologists and psychologists in this century. This case will be dealt with at length, because it is immense and also with no other alternative.

What about the other side?

From the time my colleague criticized me about my writing on the Tibet issue, i have been obsessed with the multiple perspectives that can be possible on any story. I have often wondered as to how it would be if all sides are considered. The conclusion that can be derived is that lack of space, time and understanding all stand in a way of being well-informed.

Watching an edition of Inside Africa on CNN today, I was marveled that somebody at least showed the other side of a continent. Africa has always been in the news due to conflict, famine, floods, droughts, AIDS, tribal warfare and other negative stories. But, today, we saw an Africa which is real in our subconsciousness. The Africa with a thriving culture, great films focusing on their themes and also the trend setters in African society.

Africa is also like any other continent. For far too long, the whole world has seen Africa as a depressing place. Even today, if we ask any person about the first impression that he gets on hearing Africa, he would blurt out conflict and tribalism. Now, only few media outlets are focusing on the Africa that is real and possibly one which is rich and unique.

Ignore the fact that it was done by CNN. They may focus intensely on the problems in Darfur, Zimbabwe, Central Africa and various issues, but we can at least be satisfied that it is willing to show the other side of Africa as well. The expectations for other media to pursue the same line could be problematic, but somewhere, they are trying to give the world the other perspective.

The flame simmers, for now!

The Quota verdict has now set in, and the Indian public and the media are scrambling ways to deal with this new change. For outsiders, the Quota verdict is the increase in the number of seats in educational institutes for the less privileged classes. There are two issues which can be highlighted. The very concept of change and reform has had a rethink and also a layman's understanding of Public Opinion.

People and the media have always called upon change. Reform of any kind which benefits the greater populace is always welcome. But, the hidden thought could be that the people themselves may wind up not opening to change. Change, as a term, is so vague that people tend to dismiss it quickly. The status quo makes the people beneficiaries in a system, and the overhaul makes them resistant to the would-be benefits in a new system.

Public Opinion has been the odd man out in Democracies. Lots of times, issues and laws have been raised by governments which have challenged the status quo. The issue of Social justics and positive discrimination are a case in point. In areas of education and work, this may lead to turbulences which can test the democratic foundations of the state or degenerate it.

Changes in the social scenario and changes in the economic front are always hard to comprehend. In this case, it would be better to trust the policy makers at the top. They are brave enough to do something which ordinary citizens are not raising. But, the solution is tainted if the politicians play dirty tricks or do not take into account the pros and the cons within the system. The reservation issue is like that in some way. The outcome is desirable, but it seems the government is fiddling with the system, threatening its collapse.

The bottomline now is that the fire has been set, and the flames will continue to simmer for a long time, as it involves people of all strata. Since it is has been bought out in the open, the people are left with two choices. Either destroy the system by bringing it to a halt or help the government in promoting a utopia called equality.

The basis of value judgement

The world wants to make sense of events by attaching a certain value to it. Things are either good or bad, and it is this determination which brings about change in the world. However, is value judgment essential? Nowadays, classifying everything as good or bad exposes its own problems. George.W.Bush has tried it, and the whole world is in a dangerous state at the moment. We are just not able to understand that many things are a shade of gray nowadays.

I have used this blog as a method of expressing opinion in a balanced way. But, I feel that I have misinterpreted the meaning of balanced. By giving out opinions, i have fallen into the trap of value judgment. Giving two sides is alright, but giving out many sides, such that the pre-conceived notions are shattered is a real challenge. The media of today are guilty of not giving many perspectives. The public is guilty of apathy as well as lack of seriousness.

Two events have really made the need for the removal of value judgment essential. The protests of the Chinese crackdown in Tibet and the Quota judgment are the starting point from which value judgment could be sidelined. The facts are situational, because these two issues are very hard to pinpoint.

Tibet, as mentioned in previous posts by majority of media, is the peg upon which the world is wanting to hate China. But, if one has to look at it from a Chinese viewpoint, this is a simple aberration. If looked at hindsight, the independence of Tibet may be counter-productive to its own development. If independence is ever achieved, then its viability and sustainability comes into question. The issue will always remain that the world remains unknown of Tibet's real aspirations. The world has gobbled up the propaganda of the west, and is jumping into protests without knowing the true picture.

But, Independence and its issues are such that our mind allows pre-conceived notions to establish our frame of thinking. The emotions that it generates leads to absolute polarization, and this thought can be put out also in the Quota debate that is threatening to polarize India.

The Supreme court verdict on backward class reservation is out. The basic issue of Merit versus Caste has always being a constant talking point in Indian society, and today it is a divisive force threatening to bring about disruption. Now, on this issue, it is instinctive that the media take sides. The magnitude of lives being affected of generations, as well as the thought of revamping the system, is daunting. But, the court's verdict could be the tonic of social justice that the country needs. It is always the question of how this is framed. For the media and several peer groups, the question of merit vs caste will be the framework. For students, it is for versus against reservation. For detached and ordinary individuals, it is change versus turmoil.

Issues by nature are sometimes intent on bringing out pre-conceived notions among the public. Tibet and the Quota system are several of the many which are there in the world. If the media claim that by painting everything good or bad is making the public aware, then they are truly mistaken. This has made the public isolated from the world, and has made them vulnerable.

Tibet and the Quota verdict are watersheds from which the world must know that no issue in this world is black and white. Everything is painted in shades of gray, and that every issue has multiple perspectives. The problem, with the advent of technology, is that people want to make quick decisions, and the media, for more advertising money, complies with not covering all perspectives. The 21st century should now usher in the 'Principles of Multi-Perspectives', not "Principles of Objectivity'.

The Grey Zone

The Olympic torch disruption has thrown up several obstacles to China. Paris, London and other cities where the torch is due to be relayed are facing massive protests and promises of disruption. While the Chinese are worried about the present and the future, everybody's wondering whats next.

However, ordinary people as well as journalists have overlooked certain basic facts. The tendency to paint everything black and white, overlooking the other side, have become predominant of media coverage of certain issues. The background is also interesting. If the Olympics were not held, then these protests would be dismissed as mere disturbances. Instead, the occasion of the Olympic torch relay has given protesters their 15 seconds of fame.

The media, especially the Chinese print media, have written columns, which bear resemblance to Joseph Goebbels propaganda speeches. This has shown the problem with authoritarian one party states, as well as the factor of world apathy. The Chinese government can now do it freely, because of their economic clout. It is mainly due to economics, and the timidity of other nations, that these actions can be done. All these efforts will not hinder the Olympics being held spectacularly.

China has done a lot of this, and it has gotten away with it. The fact is China is economically interconnected with the world and other nations have huge economic interest and investments. This means that any nation will think twice about speaking out against China. This was witnessed in Myanmar, where no nation spoke out, and the same will happen for Tibet.

If a person watches Chinese media, then it is here that they enter the gray zone. It is from this point that the lines of right and wrong blur. It is from here that the situation assumes vagueness rather than concreteness. The media, and primarily, the people of the world, are responsible for whats happening in Tibet.

This does not mean that China is right. It is once again using its muscle power brutally. But, the world is guilty because its policies are dictated by economics, not by human suffering. The media is also guilty, because it allows Parachute Journalism to be practiced. This practice is the main reason why the world does not care. People's apathy in the globe has changed the media for the worse.

They will be even guiltier, because once the Olympics are done, Tibet will be forgotten. This situation is like a gigantic tidal wave. The protests are the build up to the wave, a volatile situation which could erupt in the coming months is the peak and it will all be forgotten by the time the Olympics are done and dusted.

The whole world is watching

A promising future, a ruined present, but still full of hope. This sums up the plight of Zimbabwe of today. When it was born from the ashes of Rhodesia, it was the bright light of Africa. Now, that light has been shattered by a proud tyrant. But, there is a slim chance that the light could be lit, if the elections currently are any indication. We could see the end of tyranny in Zimbabwe, but nothing is sure till the end.

Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe ever sicne its birth, has systematically destroyed the foundations of it. Using the past as a weapon as well as to consolidate his power, he has destroyed the promise that Zimbabwe once held. A thriving bread basket, a net exporter of food and minerals, it now has nothing. It only has one thing to boast, a record inflation touching five digits or unofficially six digits. A loaf of bread is worth a years salary for ordinary zimbabweans.

What went wrong? Everything. Mao Zedong once exclaimed that, "In order for (China) to save itself, it needs to destroy itself". Mugabe, being an admirer of Mao, took it to the word. He was perhaps too caught up with Zimbabwe's past, and was too proud of his accomplishments of freeing blacks from white Rhodesian rulers. A freedom fighter, a hero, slowly turned into a villain, when it came to going back to the fundamentals as well as absolute power.

It began with the economy, and it has spread to every fibre of Zimbabwean life. In minerals, it is managing to sustain itself, although barely. In food, it has gone from bad to worse, and the value of its currency is now plummeted so low that the great depression is pale in comparison. The media is under the government, and in sports, notably cricket, it has being nothing short of a tragedy.

Zimbabwe were world beaters in Cricket, although not consistently. They have natural talent, and I as a cricket fan was always tense, because they would be so unpredictable. But, come 2000, when Mugabe's awry economic policies were implemented, many of the white players left the team in protest for the death of democracy. In 2003, a famous incident of a black cricketer, named Henry Olonga, wore an arm-band in the world cup in South Africa. He retired from Cricket, and now lives in exile in the UK.

Leaving Cricket aside, i am stil amazed at the positivity and resillience of ordinary Zimbabweans. Any other group of people would have indulged in anarchy or violence of destructive proportions. But, Mugabe's suppression has even blocked that option out. People are looking to this election for hope, and one that will end the turmoil that Mugabe has unleashed.

Thw whole world is watching, but only the people of Zimbabwe have the right to rid the wrong in their country. A glimmer of hope comes only once in a lifetime, and it is only now that the people can rid the wrong on their own. As someone who cares for Zimbabwe, although i am not one, I hope this election brings Zimbabwe the right results.

The stupid media and the Stupid Indian

The heading must not be interpreted as insulting to Indians. This is an imagination of certain events that have put us in the bad light. I have to recollect certain random events, because the enormity is such that it can neither be fulfilled by time or space.

The media is absolutely stupid. Tabloidization and commercialization are the dominant trends of the day. The media is not the watchdog, but the hound-dog, which is not serious at all. One day, the media scandalizes a particular individual, the media labels a person a traitor and on some occasions the media hounds that person until he faces public humiliation. Personal incidences are bought out in full public view, and this reinforces the hypocracy that is morality. In another instance, the media highlights the plight of an old woman being beaten up by ignorant villagers, alleging she is a witch. Nothing is done, only accumulation of airtime and paper because it is a 'scoop'.

The public in India are absolutely stupid. Take for example a particular incidence of a hockey match final. India versus Pakistan, and the captain misses a crucial penalty, and Pakistan win the match. The captain happens to be a muslim, and the media allege foul play. The public, being stupid as it is, humiliates him to such an extent that he is stripped of his nationality. Riots, terrorism and other forms of violence are avenues to vent out public stupidity. The social fabric is being destroyed instantly, due to the stupidity of the people.

However, this is not true in most cases. The above two cases are just a imaginary situation, which can be worked upon only by film-makers. The public is not really stupid, but this scenario can be real if apathy is rampant. The public has to be vigilant, and the media HAS to shun several aspects of commercialization. If it follows the profit motive, then the Indian media will go through a recession phase like the US.

The media and the public in India is not stupid, but if things go out of control, then they shall be considered stupid. It will be considered because it was of their own making.

Children Truths in the adult world

Adults and Children live in a different world altogether. The Adult is a pragmatic, realistic and serious individual; while the child is a dreamer, innocent, unaware and creative in his mindset. Over time, this transforms and perspectives start to govern life. Creativity is replaced with practicality, and so the adult never understands the child in most cases.

This concerns two things. One is a video and another is a text. This is the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK_TnmNJqao. It talks about unity, and the theme is still relevant today if one looks at it in hindsight. People can dismiss it as a propaganda machine for socialism, but the underlying truth is that unity is very much desired in this world today. This world, which is being painted in shades of black and white, needs such simple messages of unity. The conclusion of this video, in my opinion, is that the adults need to learn from children about unity, as they are unaware of the pragmatic differences that may arise in adulthood.

The textual part relates to a lesson that I learnt in the 3rd grade of school. It focused on the Bunch of Sticks. If one stick is separated, then it can be easily broken. But, if anybody tries to break a large bunch of sticks, then it is impossible. Even Spartacus, in his rebellion against the romans, focused on that principle.

The principle is constrained by the factor of diversity, but it is no excuse. Diversity is only in the essence or soul, not in the physical entity which is human beings. Democracy and freedom are guaranteed by this simple principle. Yet, if it is simple, why is freedom at a premium in many parts of the world? The fact could be that dynamics of power, combined with a 'rational and economic' approach, tends to put this under severe stress. Materialism and power cloud this simple logic, and thus we are witnessing undemocratic behavior in most parts of the world.

The best time of our life is childhood. Without parental or societal pressure, it is equivalent to paradise. The children are free from the prejudices and practical rationality that is so present among adults. But, this demanding world and its prejudices is such that people HAVE to change. Change is not always good, especially if weighed in economic and material worlds. The innocence of children is the truth that is being destroyed in the realistic world of the adult. The adult world truly SUCKS!!!!!!!