One of the few welcome offshoots from the twin dangers of globalization and liberalization is the conclusive confirmation of an earlier feeling that everything in this world is related to one another. No species, no nation and no individual can survive or succeed in isolation. All are related and it is becoming more so as the world is progressing in time. Modern technology, way of thinking and way of living are converging on same or similar lines. All recent developments on renewed efforts to combat global warming with true sincerity (usually absent among most of the signatories on any UN resolution) is an example of this new found optimism. Now it is more important to identify other such global issues and tackle them in a united and determined manner.
The three major issues that should have caught the immediate attention of any world body today were (1) Global Warming (2) Religious Conversion and (3) Growing Income Disparity. It is a bit saddening that only the first one has come into the limelight now. The other two are equally, if not more, important. All three factors have direct or indirect impact on our everyday lives and sooner they are tackled the better. It took almost one decade and few Katrinas for the ‘world policeman’ to realize and accept the dangers associated with global warming. But we may not be as lucky in the case of other two. There are vested interests in the establishments who want organized religious conversion to proceed unfettered and income disparity worldwide to widen. They have their own shortsighted agenda that is dependent on the success of such negative processes.
Silent Terrorism
Terrorism and Security are two of the most widely discussed issues everywhere. Confronting terrorism post factum is like treating symptoms and not the disease. If the world leaders have any sincerity of purpose they should realize the futility in spending billions to fight terrorism rather than spending a fraction of it to tackle the reasons that give birth to terrorists. Granted that religious terrorism is the gravest, providing a level playing field for all religions is the most logical solution. All individuals must be freed from the clutches of religious clergy who are indulging in organized efforts to increase their numbers. In one way or other the key to power is always determined by the number of people who can be influenced. Dedicated and salaried clergy of organized religions are increasing their numbers by harvesting souls by might and lure. What is happening in India today is exactly this and the pilot plot is unfolding in the state of Kerala.
In real terms the net result of any form of religious conversion is generation of suspicion, doubts and hatred among the followers of affected religions. This is nothing different from terrorism by means of guns and bombs. By repeatedly declaring to the world that souls will be harvested in highly populated and democratic countries in Asia, one of the world nations is challenging the sovereignty of others. In a world order structured along nation status, religion should not be allowed to undermine the very existence of nations. It is high time the world bodies and more importantly the ‘world policeman’ realized that it is nothing but a silent form of terrorism. This is so obvious from the fact that wherever religious conversion has crossed the critical level the bloody cry for separatism is also high. Papua New Guinea, North East of India etc., are examples of this. The much acclaimed war on terror must tackle silent terrorists also.
Increasing Disparity
If familiarity with evil designs of the organized religious clergy is breeding contempt in the minds of all peace loving people, the growing disparity in the income levels is breeding revolutionary ideas in the minds of the worst affected. The whole world is now much more connected and it would be difficult to progress further until and unless all are carried forward. In the last two decades, the rich in most parts of the world have become more richer and poor have become more poorer. This is definitely increasing the temperature of our social order to unsustainable levels. More governments are running away from their primary responsibility of providing the basic minimum requirements for their people and leaving everything to the market forces. The role and use of new organizations pushing world trade and tariffs is definitely in question.
Increasing disparity in wealth among the developed and developing nations in the world is another factor that is disturbing world peace. The proponents of organized harvest of souls (for increasing their faith) have something to explain in this regard. Prior to Asia, it was the African continent that was the target of these robed harvesters in the last century. They have succeeded in increasing their numbers too. But look at the condition of these nations where so many souls have been harvested. The television pictures of poverty situation in several African nations are highly disturbing. Harvesting of souls has increased poverty levels because the rice and milk powder promised by the harvesters never came. Now these miserable people are left with their new names (and the book) but much more miserable bodies and souls.
The strongest and biggest democracies in the world must realize the simple fact that the greatest threat to world peace is coming from the smallest state in the world. The silent form of terrorism unleashed by this miniscule set of faith hunters is fuelling hatred in the minds of other religionists and the end result is bloody terrorism which calls for billions of dollars to tackle. This money could have been better utilized for improving the lot of impoverished millions world-wide. UN must take the initiative in organizing an international conference (like the recent one in Bali) and declare all forms of organized religious conversions as immoral, illegal and tantamount to terrorism. An International Forum Against Religious Conversion (IFARC) – similar to IAEA - needs to be instituted under the auspices of UN to monitor the activities of the evil perpetrators of organized religious conversion.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
‘BHARAT RATNA’ MATA AMRITANANDAMAYI
To err is definitely human, but institutions must never err. One crucial mistake can make an important institution thoroughly meaningless and redundant. If Nobel Foundation was awarding only annual prizes for peace, it would have suffered such a fate. Luckily for everyone, they operate in other areas as well and that makes the institution still relevant. Their grave mistake lies in NOT awarding the Nobel Prize for Peace to the most eligible individual of all times viz. Mahatma Gandhi for ‘unknown’ reasons. Every year they try to wriggle out of the same embarrassment by flouting stories about Gandhiji being nominated many times but not being awarded due to the imperial pressure from British Raj. But the question still remains as to why they failed to do it in 1947 or immediately after that posthumously. To conclude that all White governments are essentially ‘colour-blind’ may not be a wrong conclusion even in this twenty-first century. Attitudes and current policies of countries like Australia strengthen only such arguments further.
A very similar situation is arising in our own country in the case of Padma and other civilian awards. The discretion of governments in power is no doubt important. But there are certain towering personalities who cannot be ignored by anyone in power. Turning a blind eye to such outstanding individuals will only make the selection process questionable and suspicious. Many a time we have seen highly popular governments in India (which comes to power once in a while) awarding the highest civilian award to certain unpardonable ‘misses’ and thereby trying to correct the so-called historical mistakes. But that is not enough. What needs to be done today must be done today and not after a few years. The country is doing a grave mistake (and ingratitude) if we are continuing to avoid conferring the highest civilian award ‘Bharat Ratna’ on living saints like Mata Amritanandamayi and Sathya Sai Baba. In many ways it is the least a grateful nation can do to its greatest living children.
Colonial Mentality
During colonial times awards are always given at the whims and fancies of the colonial establishments. More often it goes to those colonial citizens who have worked in favour of the colonial power than in the interests of their own motherlands. Times have changed in India after it has become world’s largest democracy but the attitude of those who comes to power by elections remains unchanged in many respects. The case of annual civilian awards is a classic one. The most important point often missed by the new periodic rulers is the transparency required in any selection process. It is not enough if there is majority liking within the elected group for deciding on awards and rewards. The majority mandate is only for wielding the reigns of power and not for deciding on the colour or pedigree of the horse to ride or even the path to take. All such decisions are always left to the open court of the people at all times.
In sharp contrast to colonial establishments, the civilian awards in a democratic society must be igniting a sense of pride in those who give it than in those who receive it. Any award is recognition for the immense efforts undertaken by individuals voluntarily. No true proponent of charity would wait for a reward or canvass for it behind the curtains. And no true servant of God would put conditions on the beneficiaries of their charity efforts. Some one who is willing to serve all (and hug all), irrespective of colour, race and religion is definitely almost near the one and only God, if not God itself in human form. And when the nation awards such individuals, it is the nation that is more honoured. In India today, everyone knows who deserves ‘Bharat Ratna’ most. And the elected establishment in power must implement that popular desire of millions of people.
Charity Monopoly
Thanks to the high publicity content in whatever Westerners do, charity worldwide has come to be associated with a few Western icons. Many people still have the feeling that if it is charity work, it has to be by the church. This feeling is not only nourished by their believers but also by a vast majority of other religionists as well. And if there is somebody who is taking an initiative in helping the poor and downtrodden, the foregone conclusion is that it will be a White lady of European origin. It is still difficult for our people with colonial frame of mind to recognize and accept a helping hand from our own midst. Many of our people are still stuck in the quicksand of Western publicity regarding their ‘charity monopoly’. But the fact of the matter is that charity or helping others is essentially an Eastern concept that had spiritual dimensions.
Charity is part and parcel of Indian civilization from time immemorial. But many Indians are still made to believe that charity came to Indian sub-continent in the form of some missionaries of charity. It was a clever but highly successful ploy of the missionaries that they could influence their cousins in power to grant official status for charity work only to their own institutions. That is why we find schools and hospitals doing charity work only in the name of a particular community. What their cousins did is understandable, but not what was done by our own Rajas and Maharajas. Thousands of acres of land and crores of rupees were given to such ‘monopolisers’ of charity in order to be in the good books of the British. The very sight of costly mansions in central locations all over India in the name of some such charity institutions is a stark reminder of the mistake made in granting official status to do service to humanity. What must be a voluntary noble work has been turned into a lucrative real-estate business by the missionaries.
In post-1947 India there are hardly any social, religious or political leaders who have touched the lives of so many millions of people than Mata Amritanandamayi and Sathya Sai Baba. The hospitals, schools and other institutions they have built up are reversing the negative destiny of thousands of people every day. Their activities have crossed borders, races and even religious barriers. The world has recognized them, but not our own elected establishment. It is already too late not to have conferred ‘Bharat Ratna’ on both these highly revered universal personalities who happened to be born in India. We should not miss the opportunity to show our gratitude and earn their blessings for the country as a whole.
A very similar situation is arising in our own country in the case of Padma and other civilian awards. The discretion of governments in power is no doubt important. But there are certain towering personalities who cannot be ignored by anyone in power. Turning a blind eye to such outstanding individuals will only make the selection process questionable and suspicious. Many a time we have seen highly popular governments in India (which comes to power once in a while) awarding the highest civilian award to certain unpardonable ‘misses’ and thereby trying to correct the so-called historical mistakes. But that is not enough. What needs to be done today must be done today and not after a few years. The country is doing a grave mistake (and ingratitude) if we are continuing to avoid conferring the highest civilian award ‘Bharat Ratna’ on living saints like Mata Amritanandamayi and Sathya Sai Baba. In many ways it is the least a grateful nation can do to its greatest living children.
Colonial Mentality
During colonial times awards are always given at the whims and fancies of the colonial establishments. More often it goes to those colonial citizens who have worked in favour of the colonial power than in the interests of their own motherlands. Times have changed in India after it has become world’s largest democracy but the attitude of those who comes to power by elections remains unchanged in many respects. The case of annual civilian awards is a classic one. The most important point often missed by the new periodic rulers is the transparency required in any selection process. It is not enough if there is majority liking within the elected group for deciding on awards and rewards. The majority mandate is only for wielding the reigns of power and not for deciding on the colour or pedigree of the horse to ride or even the path to take. All such decisions are always left to the open court of the people at all times.
In sharp contrast to colonial establishments, the civilian awards in a democratic society must be igniting a sense of pride in those who give it than in those who receive it. Any award is recognition for the immense efforts undertaken by individuals voluntarily. No true proponent of charity would wait for a reward or canvass for it behind the curtains. And no true servant of God would put conditions on the beneficiaries of their charity efforts. Some one who is willing to serve all (and hug all), irrespective of colour, race and religion is definitely almost near the one and only God, if not God itself in human form. And when the nation awards such individuals, it is the nation that is more honoured. In India today, everyone knows who deserves ‘Bharat Ratna’ most. And the elected establishment in power must implement that popular desire of millions of people.
Charity Monopoly
Thanks to the high publicity content in whatever Westerners do, charity worldwide has come to be associated with a few Western icons. Many people still have the feeling that if it is charity work, it has to be by the church. This feeling is not only nourished by their believers but also by a vast majority of other religionists as well. And if there is somebody who is taking an initiative in helping the poor and downtrodden, the foregone conclusion is that it will be a White lady of European origin. It is still difficult for our people with colonial frame of mind to recognize and accept a helping hand from our own midst. Many of our people are still stuck in the quicksand of Western publicity regarding their ‘charity monopoly’. But the fact of the matter is that charity or helping others is essentially an Eastern concept that had spiritual dimensions.
Charity is part and parcel of Indian civilization from time immemorial. But many Indians are still made to believe that charity came to Indian sub-continent in the form of some missionaries of charity. It was a clever but highly successful ploy of the missionaries that they could influence their cousins in power to grant official status for charity work only to their own institutions. That is why we find schools and hospitals doing charity work only in the name of a particular community. What their cousins did is understandable, but not what was done by our own Rajas and Maharajas. Thousands of acres of land and crores of rupees were given to such ‘monopolisers’ of charity in order to be in the good books of the British. The very sight of costly mansions in central locations all over India in the name of some such charity institutions is a stark reminder of the mistake made in granting official status to do service to humanity. What must be a voluntary noble work has been turned into a lucrative real-estate business by the missionaries.
In post-1947 India there are hardly any social, religious or political leaders who have touched the lives of so many millions of people than Mata Amritanandamayi and Sathya Sai Baba. The hospitals, schools and other institutions they have built up are reversing the negative destiny of thousands of people every day. Their activities have crossed borders, races and even religious barriers. The world has recognized them, but not our own elected establishment. It is already too late not to have conferred ‘Bharat Ratna’ on both these highly revered universal personalities who happened to be born in India. We should not miss the opportunity to show our gratitude and earn their blessings for the country as a whole.
Friday, November 02, 2007
DAWN OF DE-EVOLUTION
Outspoken or silent belief in evolution of species (of life) is indeed the sure sign of intelligent human beings in this modern age. Those who are still struggling with unsubstantiated theories of creation of species can be at best classified as primates who missed evolution process or those who are trapped in the cobwebs of their social setup. All natural phenomena in this universe, including the very working nature of it, are cyclic in nature and it is nothing but natural to expect the reversal of evolution to take place in due course. The upward evolution of species will definitely be followed by their steady deterioration once the evolutionary trend has peaked and a plateau had set in for some period. One look at the increasing disorder in this planet in recent times makes me feel that we have already been on the evolution plateau and are seeing the dawn of ‘de-evolution’
All evolutions follow a path of slow and steady improvement of qualities based on natural selection and survival of the fittest. Then it is only natural to expect that the reverse is true in the case of de-evolution. It may not be far away from truth to expect the ‘unfittest’ to become extinct first. Those among all the species who cannot adapt well to the changing conditions of physical and social world would fall away first only to be followed by those who are little better. The process would continue until some species would disappear totally sooner than others. We are already seeing this in the animal world and many world bodies of human beings are monitoring this with great concern. What is not being monitored in a similar pattern is our own decline in the various parts of this world. Many individuals, communities and isms the world over are finding it increasingly difficult to survive the unmerciful march of time.
Unsurvival of Unfittest
If survival of the fittest was the crux of evolution, the disability of individuals, communities and isms to fit in with the pace and scrutiny of modern times are the reasons for their decline leading to eventual extinction. What we call as Science is the sum total of human capacity for scrutiny and analysis of everything for their substance and relevance. All tangibles and intangibles who cannot survive the trial of Science will have to decline and fade out in the long run. The decline of so many empires and emperors is nothing but a combined effect of the failure of the associated individuals, communities and isms. In the beginning of evolution, the resourceful few could establish their rule over others and popularize their own isms. When evolution climbed steadily upwards they had to give way to the pressure from evolving ‘others’ and the scrutiny of their isms by ‘others’. All those which were built up on falsehood and power naturally failed in the process.
The steady decline of many of the religions, empires and races is nothing but a natural phenomenon in an evolving world. The same process would have happened among all species in the animal world as well. The essence of animal stories in the form of Panchatantra and Animal Farm are very much realistic though allegorical. In all smaller kingdoms, the rulers and their ruling isms would have been subjected to pressure of power politics and scrutiny, and the weaker oldies would have given way to the stronger beings and thoughts. True knowledge is like a powerful ray of light and it is impossible to shut it out forever from any living body. And when such light falls on each of the living, the result is a mutiny or revolution within. It is only a matter of time before the combined might of such ignited minds from overthrowing the kingdoms and isms built on falsehood and power.
Ultimate Scenario
Many of our current isms are threatening us about an impending collapse and full stop for mankind. Nothing can be further from truth than this. The intention and agenda of those who are propagating such falsehood becomes clearer when we analyse their background. They want submission of humans out of fear. The story of cranes who wanted to eat all fish and crabs in a pond by frightening them with an impending drought is well known. All those who are telling us about apocalypse here and promising paradise elsewhere are behaving like these cranes to get everyone under their control. What awaits such people and their isms will be similar to what happened to the cranes in the story. All such greedy and cunning cranes would meet their ultimate fate at the hands of intelligent and evolved crabs.
If what we are seeing now is the dawn of ‘de-evolution’ we must also bear in mind that it is nothing new. Evolution and de-evolution would have happened many times in the past and it will happen again. It is something like births and deaths in Hindu philosophy. Like our own lives, everything follows a cyclic path. The striking resemblance of physical patterns at cosmic and sub-atomic levels is not a mere a coincidence. The meaning that it conveys has not been understood well by many of our religious leaders and those who have understood do not want to propagate it for fear of rendering their own isms (that is providing them cushy lives) obsolete. The bottom line is very clear when dealing with the social aspect of evolution – that we shall hear the truth only from an ism which has no ownership and patent. The ultimate end of never ending cycles of evolutions and de-evolutions will be the realization of such truth by each and every one of the living beings.
Some of our scientists believe that creation of artificial life is only a few years away. But even if we succeed in creating the physical form of life, creation of the creative mind is away forever. What is the use of life without a mind, which keeps all living beings interesting and innovative? Evolution and de-evolution happen only because of these features of living beings. And without the cycles of evolution and de-evolution there is not going to be anything worthwhile for being alive in this universe. The difference will be much like the desert silence of submission in the Arabian peninsula and the loud vibrant Asian tropical forests teeming with life of a million kinds. Of all the living species, life is meaningful for the human beings only if it is involved in a continuous cycle of evolution and de-evolution. We should be welcoming de-evolution even if it means violence, destruction and our own extinction, because the coming cycle will always be for the better.
All evolutions follow a path of slow and steady improvement of qualities based on natural selection and survival of the fittest. Then it is only natural to expect that the reverse is true in the case of de-evolution. It may not be far away from truth to expect the ‘unfittest’ to become extinct first. Those among all the species who cannot adapt well to the changing conditions of physical and social world would fall away first only to be followed by those who are little better. The process would continue until some species would disappear totally sooner than others. We are already seeing this in the animal world and many world bodies of human beings are monitoring this with great concern. What is not being monitored in a similar pattern is our own decline in the various parts of this world. Many individuals, communities and isms the world over are finding it increasingly difficult to survive the unmerciful march of time.
Unsurvival of Unfittest
If survival of the fittest was the crux of evolution, the disability of individuals, communities and isms to fit in with the pace and scrutiny of modern times are the reasons for their decline leading to eventual extinction. What we call as Science is the sum total of human capacity for scrutiny and analysis of everything for their substance and relevance. All tangibles and intangibles who cannot survive the trial of Science will have to decline and fade out in the long run. The decline of so many empires and emperors is nothing but a combined effect of the failure of the associated individuals, communities and isms. In the beginning of evolution, the resourceful few could establish their rule over others and popularize their own isms. When evolution climbed steadily upwards they had to give way to the pressure from evolving ‘others’ and the scrutiny of their isms by ‘others’. All those which were built up on falsehood and power naturally failed in the process.
The steady decline of many of the religions, empires and races is nothing but a natural phenomenon in an evolving world. The same process would have happened among all species in the animal world as well. The essence of animal stories in the form of Panchatantra and Animal Farm are very much realistic though allegorical. In all smaller kingdoms, the rulers and their ruling isms would have been subjected to pressure of power politics and scrutiny, and the weaker oldies would have given way to the stronger beings and thoughts. True knowledge is like a powerful ray of light and it is impossible to shut it out forever from any living body. And when such light falls on each of the living, the result is a mutiny or revolution within. It is only a matter of time before the combined might of such ignited minds from overthrowing the kingdoms and isms built on falsehood and power.
Ultimate Scenario
Many of our current isms are threatening us about an impending collapse and full stop for mankind. Nothing can be further from truth than this. The intention and agenda of those who are propagating such falsehood becomes clearer when we analyse their background. They want submission of humans out of fear. The story of cranes who wanted to eat all fish and crabs in a pond by frightening them with an impending drought is well known. All those who are telling us about apocalypse here and promising paradise elsewhere are behaving like these cranes to get everyone under their control. What awaits such people and their isms will be similar to what happened to the cranes in the story. All such greedy and cunning cranes would meet their ultimate fate at the hands of intelligent and evolved crabs.
If what we are seeing now is the dawn of ‘de-evolution’ we must also bear in mind that it is nothing new. Evolution and de-evolution would have happened many times in the past and it will happen again. It is something like births and deaths in Hindu philosophy. Like our own lives, everything follows a cyclic path. The striking resemblance of physical patterns at cosmic and sub-atomic levels is not a mere a coincidence. The meaning that it conveys has not been understood well by many of our religious leaders and those who have understood do not want to propagate it for fear of rendering their own isms (that is providing them cushy lives) obsolete. The bottom line is very clear when dealing with the social aspect of evolution – that we shall hear the truth only from an ism which has no ownership and patent. The ultimate end of never ending cycles of evolutions and de-evolutions will be the realization of such truth by each and every one of the living beings.
Some of our scientists believe that creation of artificial life is only a few years away. But even if we succeed in creating the physical form of life, creation of the creative mind is away forever. What is the use of life without a mind, which keeps all living beings interesting and innovative? Evolution and de-evolution happen only because of these features of living beings. And without the cycles of evolution and de-evolution there is not going to be anything worthwhile for being alive in this universe. The difference will be much like the desert silence of submission in the Arabian peninsula and the loud vibrant Asian tropical forests teeming with life of a million kinds. Of all the living species, life is meaningful for the human beings only if it is involved in a continuous cycle of evolution and de-evolution. We should be welcoming de-evolution even if it means violence, destruction and our own extinction, because the coming cycle will always be for the better.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Old is Often Gold
The very popular perception that youth and young blood are the sure solutions to all our problems is completely misplaced. Quite in contrast, most of the outstanding contributions for betterment of society anywhere in the world have come from leaders when they were past their youthful age. Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyrere or Abraham Lincoln did anything good for mankind only after they have passed their prime. It is only logical that such men who came up from the middle or lower rungs of society by their own merit could afford to contribute something only after their days of struggle to the very top. The climb to the top must take time and if we press hard to ripen the fruits, it will result only in unripened fruits which are good for nothing.
The laws of nature are very clear regarding such matters. As a new born, almost all of us (except those who are physically or mentally challenged) are in the same boat in terms of capabilities. But then we struggle on to develop our skills based on likings and opportunities that present before us. More than relative merit, sometimes it is the relatives’ merit that plays its part in getting us the opportunities. But whatever be the amount of backing we receive from our relatives, the ultimate result squarely rests on the foundations of one’s own shear merit, perseverance, attitude and luck. No force on earth can make a visionary leader out of an undeserving aspirant even if he or she happens to get the best of opportunities and backing.
Pre-Maturity Ensures Mishandling
It happens that familiarity may breed contempt, but it is absolute necessity to have some familiarity if one wants to do anything good in any field or to anyone. Without familiarity it is not possible to develop an understanding that will enable doing something good for anyone. People who are totally unrelated to the situation or community will not be able to appreciate the intricacies involved and provide solutions. These factors are more relevant when we are talking about leaders of countries and movements. The background, character, caliber and training of leaders are no doubt important, but much more important is the actual experience of these leaders. In India, we have seen in action when an inexperienced leader could come to office with an unprecedented majority. Yet another historic opportunity was wasted and the country lost at least one more vital decade.
But we cannot blame the particular individual for all that happened. It is simply impossible for anyone who is unfamiliar with the system to perform in any situation. This is a universal truth, irrespective of the capability, caliber and background of the person involved. All that such persons do, when they come to occupy positions of power by vagaries of popular democratic processes, are to become unwilling puppets in the hands of ‘vulturous’ advisors and classy old men who know how to play the power games. The opportunity gets lost not only for the individual but also for the millions whose lives are dependent on the policies of those in power. The whole system gets vitiated on account of a wrong decision of the voters to overlook relative merit for the merit of the relatives.
Maturity Ensures Understanding
In sharp contrast, we all know the tremendous changes that happened in India subsequently, under two totally different dispensations, but with two old men at the helm of affairs. The maturity arising out of their fifty odd years of experience came into play in changing the direction of our growth and development. It is jokingly (but rightly) said that there are two ways to achieve socialism – by distribution of wealth or by distribution of poverty. But for the first few years of infrastructure development in post-1947 India, we have been witnessing only the latter method of socialism being adopted by subsequent governments in power. It was the maturity of an experienced old man that decided to change our destiny. The present glory of India is entirely on account of this change of course, initiated and nurtured by the two old men in power.
The advantages of maturity are manifold. All of us are accumulating knowledge every second in our life. Some of it is voluntarily, but most of it unknowingly. Our vital senses are picking up elements of knowledge without fail in every moment of our daily lives. Whether one is an engineer or doctor or graduate or illiterate, the process of accumulation of knowledge is exactly the same. The more worldly experiences one undergo, the more wise he or she will be. By repeated dosages of success and failure, time - the world guru - is tempering each of us and preparing us for more such incidents in future. What a mature person possesses is this accumulated wisdom, which makes him recognize the consequences of his actions upfront. The more aged one is, the more capable he or she will be in analyzing the consequences of each action. There is no substitute for actual experience, like there is none for actual performance. Perhaps the only field where elders must give way to youngsters is in athletics and games, where brawn plays more role than the brain.
The amount of damage wrecked by immature leaders in poorer nations is something that is working against the interests of democracy. More than democracy as a form of government, it is the associated electoral mechanisms that are to be blamed for this. We still do not have a good method for identifying or qualifying leaders for contest. In unrestrained popular democracies, it is still possible for undesirable and immature contestants to win and come to power in a legal manner. Populism is working against the interests of democracy, which is still perceived as the most evolved form of government in the twenty first century. A few more immature leaders can easily kill democracy even in the world’s largest and strongest democracies like India and USA.
The laws of nature are very clear regarding such matters. As a new born, almost all of us (except those who are physically or mentally challenged) are in the same boat in terms of capabilities. But then we struggle on to develop our skills based on likings and opportunities that present before us. More than relative merit, sometimes it is the relatives’ merit that plays its part in getting us the opportunities. But whatever be the amount of backing we receive from our relatives, the ultimate result squarely rests on the foundations of one’s own shear merit, perseverance, attitude and luck. No force on earth can make a visionary leader out of an undeserving aspirant even if he or she happens to get the best of opportunities and backing.
Pre-Maturity Ensures Mishandling
It happens that familiarity may breed contempt, but it is absolute necessity to have some familiarity if one wants to do anything good in any field or to anyone. Without familiarity it is not possible to develop an understanding that will enable doing something good for anyone. People who are totally unrelated to the situation or community will not be able to appreciate the intricacies involved and provide solutions. These factors are more relevant when we are talking about leaders of countries and movements. The background, character, caliber and training of leaders are no doubt important, but much more important is the actual experience of these leaders. In India, we have seen in action when an inexperienced leader could come to office with an unprecedented majority. Yet another historic opportunity was wasted and the country lost at least one more vital decade.
But we cannot blame the particular individual for all that happened. It is simply impossible for anyone who is unfamiliar with the system to perform in any situation. This is a universal truth, irrespective of the capability, caliber and background of the person involved. All that such persons do, when they come to occupy positions of power by vagaries of popular democratic processes, are to become unwilling puppets in the hands of ‘vulturous’ advisors and classy old men who know how to play the power games. The opportunity gets lost not only for the individual but also for the millions whose lives are dependent on the policies of those in power. The whole system gets vitiated on account of a wrong decision of the voters to overlook relative merit for the merit of the relatives.
Maturity Ensures Understanding
In sharp contrast, we all know the tremendous changes that happened in India subsequently, under two totally different dispensations, but with two old men at the helm of affairs. The maturity arising out of their fifty odd years of experience came into play in changing the direction of our growth and development. It is jokingly (but rightly) said that there are two ways to achieve socialism – by distribution of wealth or by distribution of poverty. But for the first few years of infrastructure development in post-1947 India, we have been witnessing only the latter method of socialism being adopted by subsequent governments in power. It was the maturity of an experienced old man that decided to change our destiny. The present glory of India is entirely on account of this change of course, initiated and nurtured by the two old men in power.
The advantages of maturity are manifold. All of us are accumulating knowledge every second in our life. Some of it is voluntarily, but most of it unknowingly. Our vital senses are picking up elements of knowledge without fail in every moment of our daily lives. Whether one is an engineer or doctor or graduate or illiterate, the process of accumulation of knowledge is exactly the same. The more worldly experiences one undergo, the more wise he or she will be. By repeated dosages of success and failure, time - the world guru - is tempering each of us and preparing us for more such incidents in future. What a mature person possesses is this accumulated wisdom, which makes him recognize the consequences of his actions upfront. The more aged one is, the more capable he or she will be in analyzing the consequences of each action. There is no substitute for actual experience, like there is none for actual performance. Perhaps the only field where elders must give way to youngsters is in athletics and games, where brawn plays more role than the brain.
The amount of damage wrecked by immature leaders in poorer nations is something that is working against the interests of democracy. More than democracy as a form of government, it is the associated electoral mechanisms that are to be blamed for this. We still do not have a good method for identifying or qualifying leaders for contest. In unrestrained popular democracies, it is still possible for undesirable and immature contestants to win and come to power in a legal manner. Populism is working against the interests of democracy, which is still perceived as the most evolved form of government in the twenty first century. A few more immature leaders can easily kill democracy even in the world’s largest and strongest democracies like India and USA.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Local Solutions
Daily life is nothing but a series of attempts to find solutions to problems. Quite surprisingly almost all the effective solutions we have found in our lives come from their immediate surroundings. In other words the most effective solutions to any issues are the so-called ‘local’ solutions. This is true in almost all types of issues.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Local Solutions
Daily life is nothing but a series of attempts to find solutions to problems. Every second or every minute we are confronted by one problem or another, some of which get solved automatically and some others cry out for our special attention. Our success or failure on a daily basis is the cumulative effect of our own ability to find (or failure to find) solutions to such problem series. The word ‘problems’ in our daily lives should not conjure up thoughts about all being complicated and difficult issues. It can be just a small concern about a trivial matter or a minor ailment and can extend up to the sudden news about the loss of a dear one. All these are problems that call for a response from our side.
Response to a problem can be either by solving or ignoring or even avoiding it. In a sense all these are solutions to various problems on hand. Some are quick in finding solutions, but many of us are quicker in ignoring or avoiding the issues confronting us. But there is a limit to which this can be done. Sooner or later all the issues will demand a solution and there can be no running away from them. All of us do it voluntarily or involuntarily. Quite surprisingly almost all the effective solutions we have found in our lives come from their immediate surroundings. In other words the most effective solutions to any issues are the so-called ‘local’ solutions. This is true in almost all types of issues in all spheres of operation.
Social Problems
Social problems confront us in a collective manner. This means that we are not always alone in confronting such problems and trying to sort them out. There are multiple brains and skills at work in solving any social issue. Opinions and suggestions will be forthcoming from various quarters, some of which may be unsolicited, provocative and with ulterior motives. But multiple options available for any single issue will always result in a better decision being taken, provided the decision makers are themselves impacted by the decisions thus taken. Democratic decisions are considered long lasting only because of this underlying logic of solutions coming from within and not being imposed from outside by outsiders who have no direct impact as a result of these decisions.
Continuing with the same logic of ‘within’ solutions, the best and most effective solutions will always come from resources which are local to any issue. It may not always be geographically local, but can be on any other basis viz. culture, gender, language etc. As an example, any issue concerning women is best solved by looking for a solution coming from women themselves though they may be in another location or from another cultural background. Those who are looking for solutions to social issues should make it a practice to tap resources and avenues that are local. Always remember that India’s freedom was won by Indians and British colonization succeeded because of the British. Never ever make the mistake of waiting for some others’ to solve our social problems.
Personal Problems
Though the ‘local solution’ technique looks more logical and feasible in social issues, the same holds good in personal problems as well. One can appreciate it more if ever one had survived the trauma of an accident. Very often those who save our lives in any accident are not our own relatives or even friends. It is always the locally available and ‘willing’ witnesses who stand between life and death for us. Whatever is your bank balance and however big is your circle of friends, nothing will help you in an accident except the willingness of the local crowd. It is not unheard of sworn enemies rushing to help out at times of acute distress thanks to our basic humane qualities.
What is applicable for our ‘outside’ problems works well for our ‘own’ problems also. If we are in trouble, our first call must be to our own self. If we develop a habit of depending on others for everything, the most disappointed will be our own self. Expectation is the mother of disappointment and more of disappointment will only bring down the individual’s resource level. What an individual can normally do cannot be achieved by the same individual in a disappointed state. This simple fact results in many people failing to do what they actually can. The results are often very devastating. As a corollary it is worth mentioning that the achievements of determined individuals far exceed their normal capabilities. All that is required is development of a ‘no-expectation’ frame of mind.
Gandhiji’s idea of Grama Swarajya is one of the best illustrations of the concept of local solutions to all our daily problems. If each household, each community and each locality can develop facilities for solving a majority of their own usual problems, the overall quality of our lives will be much better. Instead, if we are always dependent on the state government or central government or even the global institutions to sort out our peculiar problems, most of us will end our lives with unfulfilled dreams and desires. Looking for local solutions for any type of problems is the best option available to a prudent set of individuals, communities and nations. This is all the more true in these times of aggressive globalization that is marginalizing more and more of deprived sections in our society.
Response to a problem can be either by solving or ignoring or even avoiding it. In a sense all these are solutions to various problems on hand. Some are quick in finding solutions, but many of us are quicker in ignoring or avoiding the issues confronting us. But there is a limit to which this can be done. Sooner or later all the issues will demand a solution and there can be no running away from them. All of us do it voluntarily or involuntarily. Quite surprisingly almost all the effective solutions we have found in our lives come from their immediate surroundings. In other words the most effective solutions to any issues are the so-called ‘local’ solutions. This is true in almost all types of issues in all spheres of operation.
Social Problems
Social problems confront us in a collective manner. This means that we are not always alone in confronting such problems and trying to sort them out. There are multiple brains and skills at work in solving any social issue. Opinions and suggestions will be forthcoming from various quarters, some of which may be unsolicited, provocative and with ulterior motives. But multiple options available for any single issue will always result in a better decision being taken, provided the decision makers are themselves impacted by the decisions thus taken. Democratic decisions are considered long lasting only because of this underlying logic of solutions coming from within and not being imposed from outside by outsiders who have no direct impact as a result of these decisions.
Continuing with the same logic of ‘within’ solutions, the best and most effective solutions will always come from resources which are local to any issue. It may not always be geographically local, but can be on any other basis viz. culture, gender, language etc. As an example, any issue concerning women is best solved by looking for a solution coming from women themselves though they may be in another location or from another cultural background. Those who are looking for solutions to social issues should make it a practice to tap resources and avenues that are local. Always remember that India’s freedom was won by Indians and British colonization succeeded because of the British. Never ever make the mistake of waiting for some others’ to solve our social problems.
Personal Problems
Though the ‘local solution’ technique looks more logical and feasible in social issues, the same holds good in personal problems as well. One can appreciate it more if ever one had survived the trauma of an accident. Very often those who save our lives in any accident are not our own relatives or even friends. It is always the locally available and ‘willing’ witnesses who stand between life and death for us. Whatever is your bank balance and however big is your circle of friends, nothing will help you in an accident except the willingness of the local crowd. It is not unheard of sworn enemies rushing to help out at times of acute distress thanks to our basic humane qualities.
What is applicable for our ‘outside’ problems works well for our ‘own’ problems also. If we are in trouble, our first call must be to our own self. If we develop a habit of depending on others for everything, the most disappointed will be our own self. Expectation is the mother of disappointment and more of disappointment will only bring down the individual’s resource level. What an individual can normally do cannot be achieved by the same individual in a disappointed state. This simple fact results in many people failing to do what they actually can. The results are often very devastating. As a corollary it is worth mentioning that the achievements of determined individuals far exceed their normal capabilities. All that is required is development of a ‘no-expectation’ frame of mind.
Gandhiji’s idea of Grama Swarajya is one of the best illustrations of the concept of local solutions to all our daily problems. If each household, each community and each locality can develop facilities for solving a majority of their own usual problems, the overall quality of our lives will be much better. Instead, if we are always dependent on the state government or central government or even the global institutions to sort out our peculiar problems, most of us will end our lives with unfulfilled dreams and desires. Looking for local solutions for any type of problems is the best option available to a prudent set of individuals, communities and nations. This is all the more true in these times of aggressive globalization that is marginalizing more and more of deprived sections in our society.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Risks of Belief
With about five decades of worldly experience, I can state with utmost certainty that those who do not believe in anything will never achieve anything substantial in their lives. This is true in every phase of life. Those who do not believe in parents will never grow up properly and those who do not believe in spouses face the same consequence in married life. While those who do not believe in teachers shall never learn properly, those who do not believe in children will never lead a peaceful retired life. Belief in anything is like a catalyst that would accelerate our efforts towards its benefits. The chemistry of belief and efforts is something that can only be experienced. It can never be explained nor imposed on anyone. Quite often it is this peculiarity of belief that poses as the secret behind repeated successes of a select few and failures of some others.
The question of belief and unconditional surrender is central to all religions and ideologies. Death of any religious or ideological institution is guaranteed if atleast the top 25% of the hierarchy do not have absolute and genuine belief in it. There are numerous examples for this in our long history and it is still happening around us even today. The death of many religions, Soviet Union and so many local establishments in our own neighbourhood are nothing but classic examples of this natural phenomenon. Belief of followers is the ultimate fuel for the growth of any collective movement. But for belief, none of the major religious orders and their colossal monuments would have come up. Does it mean that tendency to believe is a desirable quality for all human being? Yes it is, but it is full of danger if the belief turns out to be for a false one ultimately. It requires a high degree of discretion and luck to finalise on something to believe in and then proceed to reap the benefits out of it.
Belief in Ideologies
All the religious and social ideologies have progressed thanks to the efforts of a minority who believed fully in them in the initial phase. Socialism, Communism and the various religious ideologies have developed only because there were a committed few who found complete identification with them at different phases. All the political and social ideologies originate in the fertile minds of a few individuals. And then the ideologies begin to flourish when these individuals come together and find ways and means to convince others as well. The dark side any ideology begins here. If in the first phase it is getting others to their side by conquering minds, it becomes much more aggressive by forcible conversion in subsequent phases. The proponents of competing ideologies are always forced to devise dubious methods to get people to their side. The game of numbers forces many positive ideologies into negative paths of coercive methods and eventually to certain demise.
The risk of belief to followers from ideologies is very common sight in the world today. There are millions of followers in various ideologies who do not really believe in them. Most of them are forced to live their lives within these ideologies by birth for the fear of facing the consequences of leaving them. In the highly connected world of today, it is very difficult to convince one’s own conscience so easily of the beliefs each of us inherit by virtue of our birth in a particular religion or community. To understand and comprehend any ideology it definitely takes years of learning and only a few among us get the time and facility to do so. What most of us do is to blindly follow the footsteps of our parents who were following theirs and so on. The situation is all the more pathetic in the case of social ideologies like Communism and Socialism. Invariably most of the virulent comrades realise the hollowness of their ideology late in their lives. It is too late then to do anything. Many of them go into the silent mode, but some others continue hypocritically with the ideology which has become a burden.
Belief in Individuals
Individual attaining the status of institution is a common phenomenon in many of the populous countries, especially in the developing world. In most cases it is because of immense attraction of public to the ideological thoughts initiated by certain individuals in their own lifetimes. Original innovators of extremely appealing ideas find huge following and the institutions set up by them develop in leaps and bounds. Identification of institution with the individual becomes so strong that it would become difficult to differentiate one from another. Individual becoming institution is no doubt something noble, but there is downside as well. The risk of belief becomes too much if such individual turns out to be an unworthy role model in later life.
The ordinary men and women flocking towards elevated individuals is a very common sight in third world countries. Almost all philosophical ideologies originating from Asia prescribe a teacher to guide us in life. Unavoidable difficulties in everyday life and promise of assured relief by easy techniques also provide reasons for so many men and women reposing their full belief in such elevated individuals. There is absolutely no doubt that many of them achieve what they want by doing so. The power of belief and catalytic acceleration it provides drive many people towards their goals without they being aware of it. But in the present day world of competition the believers can only trust in God that their role model survive the lure of evil unleashed by unscrupulous adversaries. Consequences of their icon of total belief falling from grace can be disastrous for many ordinary believers.
It is always prudent to be cautious in everything we do. God has given us the power to think and think we must before we decide to believe in anything. Our scriptures are cent percent right in saying that a noble teacher and absolute belief are must if we want to achieve anything in life. Each of us must definitely strive for both, but very cautiously. Do not fall into the pitfalls of publicity and public opinion while zeroing in on our own guru and ideology. Tread cautiously and find someone with whom we can interact directly as our guru. And our chosen ideology must be something that is cent percent rational and practical for each of us as individuals. Expectation and compromise should have no place in fixing our beliefs.
The question of belief and unconditional surrender is central to all religions and ideologies. Death of any religious or ideological institution is guaranteed if atleast the top 25% of the hierarchy do not have absolute and genuine belief in it. There are numerous examples for this in our long history and it is still happening around us even today. The death of many religions, Soviet Union and so many local establishments in our own neighbourhood are nothing but classic examples of this natural phenomenon. Belief of followers is the ultimate fuel for the growth of any collective movement. But for belief, none of the major religious orders and their colossal monuments would have come up. Does it mean that tendency to believe is a desirable quality for all human being? Yes it is, but it is full of danger if the belief turns out to be for a false one ultimately. It requires a high degree of discretion and luck to finalise on something to believe in and then proceed to reap the benefits out of it.
Belief in Ideologies
All the religious and social ideologies have progressed thanks to the efforts of a minority who believed fully in them in the initial phase. Socialism, Communism and the various religious ideologies have developed only because there were a committed few who found complete identification with them at different phases. All the political and social ideologies originate in the fertile minds of a few individuals. And then the ideologies begin to flourish when these individuals come together and find ways and means to convince others as well. The dark side any ideology begins here. If in the first phase it is getting others to their side by conquering minds, it becomes much more aggressive by forcible conversion in subsequent phases. The proponents of competing ideologies are always forced to devise dubious methods to get people to their side. The game of numbers forces many positive ideologies into negative paths of coercive methods and eventually to certain demise.
The risk of belief to followers from ideologies is very common sight in the world today. There are millions of followers in various ideologies who do not really believe in them. Most of them are forced to live their lives within these ideologies by birth for the fear of facing the consequences of leaving them. In the highly connected world of today, it is very difficult to convince one’s own conscience so easily of the beliefs each of us inherit by virtue of our birth in a particular religion or community. To understand and comprehend any ideology it definitely takes years of learning and only a few among us get the time and facility to do so. What most of us do is to blindly follow the footsteps of our parents who were following theirs and so on. The situation is all the more pathetic in the case of social ideologies like Communism and Socialism. Invariably most of the virulent comrades realise the hollowness of their ideology late in their lives. It is too late then to do anything. Many of them go into the silent mode, but some others continue hypocritically with the ideology which has become a burden.
Belief in Individuals
Individual attaining the status of institution is a common phenomenon in many of the populous countries, especially in the developing world. In most cases it is because of immense attraction of public to the ideological thoughts initiated by certain individuals in their own lifetimes. Original innovators of extremely appealing ideas find huge following and the institutions set up by them develop in leaps and bounds. Identification of institution with the individual becomes so strong that it would become difficult to differentiate one from another. Individual becoming institution is no doubt something noble, but there is downside as well. The risk of belief becomes too much if such individual turns out to be an unworthy role model in later life.
The ordinary men and women flocking towards elevated individuals is a very common sight in third world countries. Almost all philosophical ideologies originating from Asia prescribe a teacher to guide us in life. Unavoidable difficulties in everyday life and promise of assured relief by easy techniques also provide reasons for so many men and women reposing their full belief in such elevated individuals. There is absolutely no doubt that many of them achieve what they want by doing so. The power of belief and catalytic acceleration it provides drive many people towards their goals without they being aware of it. But in the present day world of competition the believers can only trust in God that their role model survive the lure of evil unleashed by unscrupulous adversaries. Consequences of their icon of total belief falling from grace can be disastrous for many ordinary believers.
It is always prudent to be cautious in everything we do. God has given us the power to think and think we must before we decide to believe in anything. Our scriptures are cent percent right in saying that a noble teacher and absolute belief are must if we want to achieve anything in life. Each of us must definitely strive for both, but very cautiously. Do not fall into the pitfalls of publicity and public opinion while zeroing in on our own guru and ideology. Tread cautiously and find someone with whom we can interact directly as our guru. And our chosen ideology must be something that is cent percent rational and practical for each of us as individuals. Expectation and compromise should have no place in fixing our beliefs.
Monday, June 18, 2007
CONSTANCY OF SOULS
There are few who can (and will) contest the fact that human knowledge reached a high point during the Vedic period in the Indian sub-continent. While contemporary civilisations were busy constructing huge pyramids and great walls, Indians were indulging in the pursuit of knowledge. The Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas etc., stand eloquent testimony to this remarkable endeavour of our forefathers. On a closer unbiased analysis, one can easily notice that most of the inventions and discoveries of modern times are in fact re-inventions and re-discoveries of what was known to man during the Vedic period. Much of the finer aspects of the present day Hindu philosophy were also developed during the period, though the religion itself was called ‘Sanatana Dharma’ then. What is left of those glorious days are only some of the ‘eternal pillars’ in what is now called as Hinduism.
Evolution of Souls
If there is one aspect about Hinduism that differentiates it drastically from other religions, it is the unique theory of Karma and Re-births. In essence, this highly evolved ‘Theory of Karma’ propounds that all living beings (souls) are in an eternal cycle of births and deaths, each rebirth decided according to ‘Residual Karma’ of the previous lives. This unique recycle theory offers a logical explanation about why we are born in a particular place and also accounts for the case of children born with severe birth defects. The cycle of births and deaths continues till one reaches the highest form of spiritual existence and ultimately merge in Brahman, the cosmic soul of the universe. Though a majority of Hindus accept this as an axiom never to be questioned, doubts are aplenty in the minds of ordinary about what is ‘Dharma’ and ‘Adharma’, and how Karma gets computed. Trans-migration of souls is another aspect that has passed the judgement of the ordinary but has met with many questions from the ‘doubting Thomases’ who keeps any faith alive and vibrant.
Whatever be the views of believers and agnostics on the subject, there has been strong evidences in the past substantiating the belief of rebirth among Hindus. There have been recorded instances where young children could clearly recollect their deeds and incidents in their past lives. Instead of subjecting such instances to severe scientific scrutiny, the insecure and diffident scientific community have always brushed aside such cases as superstitions and myths. But many a time we notice strong synergy in the much acclaimed scientific theory of evolution and equally strong Hindu belief of rebirths. All the living species are evolving as they adapt to their current environment and I believe same is the case with souls as they evolve over successive lives. It is essential to believe in such a continuum, spread across subsequent lives, to fully substantiate the theory of evolution of species. Otherwise, how could a simple ‘fifol’ (first form of life) evolve into a complicated biological and spiritual entity like a human being. Mere mutation of the gene structure cannot fully explain the ‘spiritual’ evolution of species. At the very beginning, it would have been full of the least evolved ‘fifols’ and as time passed by some of them must have evolved into ‘higher’ forms of existence. Proposing some new ideas about the constancy of these indestructible units of life (souls) may also be not out of place.
Divine Constant
An Italian scientist Amedeo Avogadro successfully postulated (in mid Nineteenth century) that one mole of any substance shall contain 6x10*23 units of that substance at standard conditions. The said postulate was with specific reference to the field of Chemistry. But given the fact that Avagadro could establish such an unbelievable uniformity underlying an unlimited number of substances in this universe, it is not unreasonable to believe that the constant he had tumbled upon is just not another one of those numerous constants in theoretical science. We have seen that all fundamental aspects of Nature, be it principles or entities, are symmetric. There is striking resemblance between the molecular structure at micro level and solar systems at macro level. Natural laws of fundamental nature are equally applicable at all levels of existence. I wonder whether Avagadro was postulating such a fundamental natural law when he was trying to explain a simpler chemical problem. Avagadro, quite unknowingly, might have unravelled one of most important secrets of nature when he accidentally provided a theory for a very limited purpose. It is very much possible that the “divine constant” of 6x10*23 also pertains to a ‘higher’ truth, like the total number of living beings (souls) at any given time in this whole universe. As in the case of other elements, the constant may be denoting the number of units in the case of souls. The continuous extinction of species and evolution of new ones offers enough clue about the existence of an overall constant. As mankind increases in number so are the other species becoming extinct. Mother Nature maintains the constancy of souls by invoking natural forces at its disposal to limit the overall count to the divine constant.
Presently we have 6x10*9 human beings in this world and further drastic increase seems highly unlikely given the fact that every 6 seconds someone somewhere is getting infected with HIV. If the divine constant is true, we can have a trillion each of a total of 600 billion more living species apart from human beings. Even if Avagadro number is not exactly the divine constant we are looking for, we are for sure somewhere near it.
Evolution of Souls
If there is one aspect about Hinduism that differentiates it drastically from other religions, it is the unique theory of Karma and Re-births. In essence, this highly evolved ‘Theory of Karma’ propounds that all living beings (souls) are in an eternal cycle of births and deaths, each rebirth decided according to ‘Residual Karma’ of the previous lives. This unique recycle theory offers a logical explanation about why we are born in a particular place and also accounts for the case of children born with severe birth defects. The cycle of births and deaths continues till one reaches the highest form of spiritual existence and ultimately merge in Brahman, the cosmic soul of the universe. Though a majority of Hindus accept this as an axiom never to be questioned, doubts are aplenty in the minds of ordinary about what is ‘Dharma’ and ‘Adharma’, and how Karma gets computed. Trans-migration of souls is another aspect that has passed the judgement of the ordinary but has met with many questions from the ‘doubting Thomases’ who keeps any faith alive and vibrant.
Whatever be the views of believers and agnostics on the subject, there has been strong evidences in the past substantiating the belief of rebirth among Hindus. There have been recorded instances where young children could clearly recollect their deeds and incidents in their past lives. Instead of subjecting such instances to severe scientific scrutiny, the insecure and diffident scientific community have always brushed aside such cases as superstitions and myths. But many a time we notice strong synergy in the much acclaimed scientific theory of evolution and equally strong Hindu belief of rebirths. All the living species are evolving as they adapt to their current environment and I believe same is the case with souls as they evolve over successive lives. It is essential to believe in such a continuum, spread across subsequent lives, to fully substantiate the theory of evolution of species. Otherwise, how could a simple ‘fifol’ (first form of life) evolve into a complicated biological and spiritual entity like a human being. Mere mutation of the gene structure cannot fully explain the ‘spiritual’ evolution of species. At the very beginning, it would have been full of the least evolved ‘fifols’ and as time passed by some of them must have evolved into ‘higher’ forms of existence. Proposing some new ideas about the constancy of these indestructible units of life (souls) may also be not out of place.
Divine Constant
An Italian scientist Amedeo Avogadro successfully postulated (in mid Nineteenth century) that one mole of any substance shall contain 6x10*23 units of that substance at standard conditions. The said postulate was with specific reference to the field of Chemistry. But given the fact that Avagadro could establish such an unbelievable uniformity underlying an unlimited number of substances in this universe, it is not unreasonable to believe that the constant he had tumbled upon is just not another one of those numerous constants in theoretical science. We have seen that all fundamental aspects of Nature, be it principles or entities, are symmetric. There is striking resemblance between the molecular structure at micro level and solar systems at macro level. Natural laws of fundamental nature are equally applicable at all levels of existence. I wonder whether Avagadro was postulating such a fundamental natural law when he was trying to explain a simpler chemical problem. Avagadro, quite unknowingly, might have unravelled one of most important secrets of nature when he accidentally provided a theory for a very limited purpose. It is very much possible that the “divine constant” of 6x10*23 also pertains to a ‘higher’ truth, like the total number of living beings (souls) at any given time in this whole universe. As in the case of other elements, the constant may be denoting the number of units in the case of souls. The continuous extinction of species and evolution of new ones offers enough clue about the existence of an overall constant. As mankind increases in number so are the other species becoming extinct. Mother Nature maintains the constancy of souls by invoking natural forces at its disposal to limit the overall count to the divine constant.
Presently we have 6x10*9 human beings in this world and further drastic increase seems highly unlikely given the fact that every 6 seconds someone somewhere is getting infected with HIV. If the divine constant is true, we can have a trillion each of a total of 600 billion more living species apart from human beings. Even if Avagadro number is not exactly the divine constant we are looking for, we are for sure somewhere near it.
ULCER AND CANCER
Ulcer and cancer are highly undesirable conditions that can manifest on any human body. But the peculiar nature and treatment of these two diseases can provoke interesting thoughts in anyone’s mind. In fact, the terms –cancer and ulcer- can conjure up many ideas to many people in many fields. More than mere physical conditions that can harm our body or even kill us, their distinct characteristics are highly representative of a wide variety of disorders in other fields as well. Something being cancerous or ulcerous explains quite a lot about it. This is equally true whether one is talking about an ideology or person or organisation or issue. Let us take the two terms out of the realm of doctors for an interesting study. Since we are outside the field of medicine, a little bit of imagination is also allowable in the usage of these terms.
Cancer represents a malignant growth caused by uncontrolled cell division and it can spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic or blood streams. And an ulcer is a circumscribed inflammatory and suppurating lesion on the skin resulting in necrosis of tissue. In simpler terms, cancer is caused by the uncontrolled multiplication of cells by themselves and ulcer is something that results from an unwelcome external intervention. While both result in discomfort for the victim, the progress and end results can be quite different. Both are caused by external agents and both are undesirable as far as the victim is concerned. On a broader perspective, the victim can be a family, society, nation or even humanity as such. And the external factor that initiates a cancerous or ulcerous growth can be an ideology or organisation. It may be noted that the cells that become cancerous or ulcerous are those present in the host’s body itself and not brought in from outside. Only the influence or reason has come from outside. But once a substantial number have turned cancerous or ulcerous, there is absolute disaster that awaits the victim. The progress to discomfort is much faster in the case of ulcer than cancer and there are cases where repeated ulcers at the same location can lead to fatal cancer.
Ulcer and cancer have more striking differences than similarities. Ulcers are ugly, localised and easily noticeable. Quite in contrast, cancer usually escapes notice for a long time and it is something that shakes the entire edifice of the victim. Years ago, some Indian doctors had concluded that cancer has a ‘herdity’ factor attached to it. People of a particular herd fall easy prey to cancer and individuals in a herd get drawn into cancer by the ‘herdity’ factor. Ulcer develops only in a location that has been hurt but cancer can manifest on any location. And ulcer does not usually spread to other locations but cancer can spread unnoticed and eventually tie-down the victim in a fatal grip. The secondary attacks of cancer on the vital organs always take the victim’s life and it is often the sad price for neglect or complacency.
There is also a lot to be learned from the way the two maladies are treated. In comparison, ulcers are much easier to treat and cure the victim. The best option for treatment of ulcers is clean surgery and removal of the undesirable parts. Ulcers may look ugly but the surgical method of removing them leaves a healthier body and makes the life of what remains much happier. In contrast a cancerous attack would leave the victim half dead if not full. Surgery for a cancer victim is only a part solution. Spread of the disease is so silent, systematic and strong that nothing short of full fledged radiation can save the victim. The collateral damages due to such a treatment can turn out to be more damaging than delivering. The best solution available to potential victims of ulcerous and cancerous ideologies is prevention. If you are wounded by an external force, the first thing to do is to clean it up. If proper care is taken at that stage the wound will neither turn ulcerous nor cancerous. But if it is left unattended or allowed to aggravate, the consequences can be much damaging. Ulcerous tendencies operate more openly and it is easier to recognise them. They are not much resourceful and can be easily tackled by shear physical force especially in the beginning. A quick and forceful wash at the very beginning by a good antiseptic can kill all the ulcerous tendencies that may be eyeing a fresh wound. But one has to be much more careful to avoid the cancerous tendencies. They are tactful, treacherous, silent and sophisticated.
Ideologies that influence our individuals and society operate on similar lines. There are ideologies that are ulcerous which takes out a part of our mind. Unchecked growth of such ideologies often ends up in surgical separation of the ulcerous part. But the cancerous ideologies that spread in organised but silent ways can cause internal damage, weaken and eventually destroy the whole society. The sheer diversity of our Indian nation is giving easy refuge to many such ulcerous and cancerous ideologies. One can easily notice cancer cells spreading on almost all the vital organs of our democracy through the loopholes of electoral politics and disaster is not far away if we are not vigilant.
Cancer represents a malignant growth caused by uncontrolled cell division and it can spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic or blood streams. And an ulcer is a circumscribed inflammatory and suppurating lesion on the skin resulting in necrosis of tissue. In simpler terms, cancer is caused by the uncontrolled multiplication of cells by themselves and ulcer is something that results from an unwelcome external intervention. While both result in discomfort for the victim, the progress and end results can be quite different. Both are caused by external agents and both are undesirable as far as the victim is concerned. On a broader perspective, the victim can be a family, society, nation or even humanity as such. And the external factor that initiates a cancerous or ulcerous growth can be an ideology or organisation. It may be noted that the cells that become cancerous or ulcerous are those present in the host’s body itself and not brought in from outside. Only the influence or reason has come from outside. But once a substantial number have turned cancerous or ulcerous, there is absolute disaster that awaits the victim. The progress to discomfort is much faster in the case of ulcer than cancer and there are cases where repeated ulcers at the same location can lead to fatal cancer.
Ulcer and cancer have more striking differences than similarities. Ulcers are ugly, localised and easily noticeable. Quite in contrast, cancer usually escapes notice for a long time and it is something that shakes the entire edifice of the victim. Years ago, some Indian doctors had concluded that cancer has a ‘herdity’ factor attached to it. People of a particular herd fall easy prey to cancer and individuals in a herd get drawn into cancer by the ‘herdity’ factor. Ulcer develops only in a location that has been hurt but cancer can manifest on any location. And ulcer does not usually spread to other locations but cancer can spread unnoticed and eventually tie-down the victim in a fatal grip. The secondary attacks of cancer on the vital organs always take the victim’s life and it is often the sad price for neglect or complacency.
There is also a lot to be learned from the way the two maladies are treated. In comparison, ulcers are much easier to treat and cure the victim. The best option for treatment of ulcers is clean surgery and removal of the undesirable parts. Ulcers may look ugly but the surgical method of removing them leaves a healthier body and makes the life of what remains much happier. In contrast a cancerous attack would leave the victim half dead if not full. Surgery for a cancer victim is only a part solution. Spread of the disease is so silent, systematic and strong that nothing short of full fledged radiation can save the victim. The collateral damages due to such a treatment can turn out to be more damaging than delivering. The best solution available to potential victims of ulcerous and cancerous ideologies is prevention. If you are wounded by an external force, the first thing to do is to clean it up. If proper care is taken at that stage the wound will neither turn ulcerous nor cancerous. But if it is left unattended or allowed to aggravate, the consequences can be much damaging. Ulcerous tendencies operate more openly and it is easier to recognise them. They are not much resourceful and can be easily tackled by shear physical force especially in the beginning. A quick and forceful wash at the very beginning by a good antiseptic can kill all the ulcerous tendencies that may be eyeing a fresh wound. But one has to be much more careful to avoid the cancerous tendencies. They are tactful, treacherous, silent and sophisticated.
Ideologies that influence our individuals and society operate on similar lines. There are ideologies that are ulcerous which takes out a part of our mind. Unchecked growth of such ideologies often ends up in surgical separation of the ulcerous part. But the cancerous ideologies that spread in organised but silent ways can cause internal damage, weaken and eventually destroy the whole society. The sheer diversity of our Indian nation is giving easy refuge to many such ulcerous and cancerous ideologies. One can easily notice cancer cells spreading on almost all the vital organs of our democracy through the loopholes of electoral politics and disaster is not far away if we are not vigilant.
SILENCE OF BHEESHMAS
Our epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana, have the unique quality of being relevant at all times and all scales. There are Rams, Ravans, Krishnas, Arjuns, Duryodhans, Yudhishtirs, Bhishmas etc., in every society and inside every individual. We see striking resemblance of these characters in our society every day and when we are alone we can recollect these characters in our own actions and thoughts. Nature is symmetric & cyclic in all its manifestations and it is no wonder that Valmiki and Vyasa could bring out this feature in our epics as well so beautifully. Such was the calibre of our ancient rishis that they could even define values of eternal relevance and develop an eternal way of life called Sanathana Dharma. This unique contribution of India has stood the test of time and it is bound to emerge stronger in the current Century of Knowledge.
However, conditions are not helpful in the immediate future and the turn of events in contemporary India is fast developing into a re-enactment of Mahabharata. Almost all the state institutions in India have been hijacked by vested interests and their efficacy & efficiency have deteriorated. The situation is far worse in the case of individuals. There are parts of India that are with the nation only on a map and there a growing number of citizens who have only the passport. Descendents of Hitler & Mussolini are capturing power in various parts of the world and regrouping to target Indian nation once again. Unprincipled and unholy alliances to capture power are the rule of the day. Government without authority and parliament without debate are the visible symbols of India today. Yet we are far better than a situation in which one of the ‘ruling’ princes could attempt to strip an ‘opposition’ queen right inside the ‘parliament’ in front of all the elders. It is worthwhile taking a closer look at the days and events that led to that epic war about 5000 years ago.
Opinions can vary, but for me the four important factors that ultimately led to the war at Kurushetra are:-
• Arrogance of Duryodhan
• Vengeance of Draupadi
• Blind Love of Dritharashtra
• Silence of Bheeshma
Duryodhan was a spoiled brat who misunderstood the world and misjudged his strength. His arrogance led him from one mistake to another though history gave him many opportunities to correct himself. We have more number of Duryodhans in contemporary India and every ‘sonrise’ in every political party is increasing the tally. Meritocracy has given way to Family Democracy in the whole of South Asia and the number of Duryodhans is bound to go up in such a scenario. More the number of blind Dritharashtras, more would be the number of arrogant Duryodhans. And together they would hasten their own destruction in any war of Dharma. Whenever and wherever Duryodhans abound, the plight of Draupadis will be miserable. And for each and every Drapaudi that is stripped, there will be hundreds of warriors willing to pick up the sword to fight for her honour. Such is the inherent strength of womanhood that nations have vanished in front of her tears.
But the most outstanding reason that led to the epic war was the silence of Bheeshma at all important occasions and I am afraid history is repeating today. While the original Bheeshma was silenced by his bounden oath, the contemporary ones are doing it for peanuts or out of fear. Our current Bheeshmas are keeping quiet when electoral mandates are made meaningless by opponents coming to power on the basis of post-election understanding to loot the nation. They are keeping quiet when marginal parties not in the government dictate government policies by pressure tactics. They are keeping quiet when Indian citizens vote for electing the head of another sovereign nation in the full glare of media attention. They are keeping quiet when guardians of a secular nation declare several days of state mourning on the death of a foreign religious head and ignore the demise of a revered Indian religious head a few days later. They are keeping quiet when the ‘unelected’ rulers are planning to destroy our 1.7 million year old heritage (Rama’s bridge) under the guise of a useless ocean canal project. And they are keeping quiet when our rulers are even planning to finance our arch enemy’s military for ‘protecting’ a fictitious pipeline. I wonder whether we need anymore indications about the shape of things to come in the near future.
For most Indians, the foremost symbol of confidence and hope is the renowned picture of Arjuna in the Kurushetra battle field led by the all powerful Krishna. Quite in contrast, the worst we can think of is the picture of helpless Bhishma led by a deceitful Shikandi in the same battle field. We can only pray that Indians are not forced to degenerate into accepting the latter as their symbol even if for a brief while.
However, conditions are not helpful in the immediate future and the turn of events in contemporary India is fast developing into a re-enactment of Mahabharata. Almost all the state institutions in India have been hijacked by vested interests and their efficacy & efficiency have deteriorated. The situation is far worse in the case of individuals. There are parts of India that are with the nation only on a map and there a growing number of citizens who have only the passport. Descendents of Hitler & Mussolini are capturing power in various parts of the world and regrouping to target Indian nation once again. Unprincipled and unholy alliances to capture power are the rule of the day. Government without authority and parliament without debate are the visible symbols of India today. Yet we are far better than a situation in which one of the ‘ruling’ princes could attempt to strip an ‘opposition’ queen right inside the ‘parliament’ in front of all the elders. It is worthwhile taking a closer look at the days and events that led to that epic war about 5000 years ago.
Opinions can vary, but for me the four important factors that ultimately led to the war at Kurushetra are:-
• Arrogance of Duryodhan
• Vengeance of Draupadi
• Blind Love of Dritharashtra
• Silence of Bheeshma
Duryodhan was a spoiled brat who misunderstood the world and misjudged his strength. His arrogance led him from one mistake to another though history gave him many opportunities to correct himself. We have more number of Duryodhans in contemporary India and every ‘sonrise’ in every political party is increasing the tally. Meritocracy has given way to Family Democracy in the whole of South Asia and the number of Duryodhans is bound to go up in such a scenario. More the number of blind Dritharashtras, more would be the number of arrogant Duryodhans. And together they would hasten their own destruction in any war of Dharma. Whenever and wherever Duryodhans abound, the plight of Draupadis will be miserable. And for each and every Drapaudi that is stripped, there will be hundreds of warriors willing to pick up the sword to fight for her honour. Such is the inherent strength of womanhood that nations have vanished in front of her tears.
But the most outstanding reason that led to the epic war was the silence of Bheeshma at all important occasions and I am afraid history is repeating today. While the original Bheeshma was silenced by his bounden oath, the contemporary ones are doing it for peanuts or out of fear. Our current Bheeshmas are keeping quiet when electoral mandates are made meaningless by opponents coming to power on the basis of post-election understanding to loot the nation. They are keeping quiet when marginal parties not in the government dictate government policies by pressure tactics. They are keeping quiet when Indian citizens vote for electing the head of another sovereign nation in the full glare of media attention. They are keeping quiet when guardians of a secular nation declare several days of state mourning on the death of a foreign religious head and ignore the demise of a revered Indian religious head a few days later. They are keeping quiet when the ‘unelected’ rulers are planning to destroy our 1.7 million year old heritage (Rama’s bridge) under the guise of a useless ocean canal project. And they are keeping quiet when our rulers are even planning to finance our arch enemy’s military for ‘protecting’ a fictitious pipeline. I wonder whether we need anymore indications about the shape of things to come in the near future.
For most Indians, the foremost symbol of confidence and hope is the renowned picture of Arjuna in the Kurushetra battle field led by the all powerful Krishna. Quite in contrast, the worst we can think of is the picture of helpless Bhishma led by a deceitful Shikandi in the same battle field. We can only pray that Indians are not forced to degenerate into accepting the latter as their symbol even if for a brief while.
LET’S ALL BECOME BRAHMINS
I am not a Brahmin by caste but I want to become a Brahmin – not the classical variety with a tuft of hair on the head or a couple of threads worn around the body. The intended or actual meaning of Brahmin is one who has knowledge about Brahman, the ultimate and impersonal divine reality of the universe from which all being originates and to which it returns. The very concept of Brahmanism is so noble and attractive that it is time that we decided to keep it above dispute. There have always been deliberate attempts to confuse the concept of Brahmanism with the caste of Brahmins in India. Let us understand the simple fact that all members of the Brahmin caste are NOT Brahmins. Similarly, all Brahmins need not necessarily belong to the Brahmin caste. This is very important especially when we notice the hatred against Brahmin caste that stood out so prominently in the recent events in the south of India.
In India, we have always revered legendary figures like Valmiki, Vyasa, Vidura and Viswamitra who were not born into the Brahmin caste. The fact that these names carry an aura of respect clearly shows that Brahmanism was not a controversial concept in ancient India. It was an elevated status attained only by highly intelligent men through hard work. It became a confusion and controversy only when a particular set of people hijacked the title for their own selfish ends. Even then, we continued to respect the evolved amongst us as Brahmins irrespective of their caste of birth. This is clearly evident in the case of our contemporaries like Mahatma Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and scores of others. Even in the present day world, we do the same with many truly great personalities living among us. Thus the cultural strand of accepting the deserving ones as Brahmins is still not dead in India. This is exactly what we have to rekindle in our society for the sake of its growth and glory.
Inequality of human beings by birth is a fact that most of us wish to reject. Man ‘invented’ so many social concepts like socialism, communism, communalism and fascism to alter or subvert the natural hierarchy that exist among us. But all of them failed miserably. It is true that in every society, irrespective of the colour, race or ethnicity, there exists a natural hierarchy in terms of physical strength, intelligence and other capabilities. The original concept of caste system in India is a practical application of this natural phenomenon for the benefit of a society. I do not think there can be any dispute or controversy in this approach adopted by our forefathers. The best among us in terms of positive capabilities must be given due respect. Going by our classics and epics, it is very clear that the original Brahmins were definitely the ones that would command respect in any society. Brahmanism is all about respecting the Brahmins and the real Brahmins are the ones that deserve all the respect of the society. So where is the scope for any controversy and dispute at all?
The current confusion that exists in our society about the caste system and Brahmanism is a direct fall out of the deliberate action by external agencies utilising the grievance of a few non-achievers. For any impartial social scientist, the theory of Karma and castes goes hand in hand as the best ‘justice and reward’ system mankind has ever invented. Being a reward that depends on your deeds, it is clear that your caste cannot be hereditary. It has to be something by design, not by accident. Each one of us will have to struggle and attain a higher position in the hierarchy of castes as we pass on from one life to another. Brahmins are at the apex of caste system and it should be attainable only by a minute few. In a society of a billion, I expect only a few hundreds to be eligible for Brahminhood.
There are at least two ways to bring about uniformity among a set of numbers – either reduce them to the Least Common Multiple or bring them up to the Highest Common Factor. In a society, our objective should be to raise all the members, in both material and spiritual terms, to the highest level ie.Brahmin and not to the lowest level for the sake of achieving uniformity very easily. There are ideologies that thrive on poverty and misery of human beings. Though humanity have experimented, failed and rejected such ideologies that depend so much on bloody revolutions and charity, remnants are still active in Asia and African continents. It is high time that such failed concepts are forgotten forever. In India, we need a LABB (Let’s All Become Brahmins) movement to take our country back to its old status as the light of mankind.
In India, we have always revered legendary figures like Valmiki, Vyasa, Vidura and Viswamitra who were not born into the Brahmin caste. The fact that these names carry an aura of respect clearly shows that Brahmanism was not a controversial concept in ancient India. It was an elevated status attained only by highly intelligent men through hard work. It became a confusion and controversy only when a particular set of people hijacked the title for their own selfish ends. Even then, we continued to respect the evolved amongst us as Brahmins irrespective of their caste of birth. This is clearly evident in the case of our contemporaries like Mahatma Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Phule, Sree Narayana Guru and scores of others. Even in the present day world, we do the same with many truly great personalities living among us. Thus the cultural strand of accepting the deserving ones as Brahmins is still not dead in India. This is exactly what we have to rekindle in our society for the sake of its growth and glory.
Inequality of human beings by birth is a fact that most of us wish to reject. Man ‘invented’ so many social concepts like socialism, communism, communalism and fascism to alter or subvert the natural hierarchy that exist among us. But all of them failed miserably. It is true that in every society, irrespective of the colour, race or ethnicity, there exists a natural hierarchy in terms of physical strength, intelligence and other capabilities. The original concept of caste system in India is a practical application of this natural phenomenon for the benefit of a society. I do not think there can be any dispute or controversy in this approach adopted by our forefathers. The best among us in terms of positive capabilities must be given due respect. Going by our classics and epics, it is very clear that the original Brahmins were definitely the ones that would command respect in any society. Brahmanism is all about respecting the Brahmins and the real Brahmins are the ones that deserve all the respect of the society. So where is the scope for any controversy and dispute at all?
The current confusion that exists in our society about the caste system and Brahmanism is a direct fall out of the deliberate action by external agencies utilising the grievance of a few non-achievers. For any impartial social scientist, the theory of Karma and castes goes hand in hand as the best ‘justice and reward’ system mankind has ever invented. Being a reward that depends on your deeds, it is clear that your caste cannot be hereditary. It has to be something by design, not by accident. Each one of us will have to struggle and attain a higher position in the hierarchy of castes as we pass on from one life to another. Brahmins are at the apex of caste system and it should be attainable only by a minute few. In a society of a billion, I expect only a few hundreds to be eligible for Brahminhood.
There are at least two ways to bring about uniformity among a set of numbers – either reduce them to the Least Common Multiple or bring them up to the Highest Common Factor. In a society, our objective should be to raise all the members, in both material and spiritual terms, to the highest level ie.Brahmin and not to the lowest level for the sake of achieving uniformity very easily. There are ideologies that thrive on poverty and misery of human beings. Though humanity have experimented, failed and rejected such ideologies that depend so much on bloody revolutions and charity, remnants are still active in Asia and African continents. It is high time that such failed concepts are forgotten forever. In India, we need a LABB (Let’s All Become Brahmins) movement to take our country back to its old status as the light of mankind.
HIGHLIGHTS OF HI-FAITH
Gone are the days of meek acceptance and silent suffering. Except the mentally retarded and those who are incapacitated by circumstances, none would spend their entire lifetime without questioning or trying to analyse & understand their faith by birth. Economic development, social empowerment and nationalist movements in Third World countries have rekindled the spirit of rationality in young men and women everywhere. Information (and disinformation) emanating through the electronic media and internet is forcing everyone to be clear about one’s own position regarding faith. To make matters worse or better, the terrific marketing spree unleashed by the organised faith is forcing even the irreligious and agnostic to take up rigid positions in matters of faith. If it is immoral to denigrate another man’s faith, it is suicidal not to know about one’s own.
The world is becoming digital in all respects. Everything needs to be presented in black and white for acceptance. Grey is no more an option in many cases. In olden days, such clarity was required only in scientific matters. But today no one is willing to accept anything that is illogical and insipid. Matters of faith are no exception. People are looking for clear definitions and meanings in all rituals and beliefs. Most of the organised faiths have already documented and systematised their beliefs thanks to the vast official machinery and money power. Unorganised faiths are threatened by the onslaught of ‘faith marketers’ even when the fact remains that being unorganised is the very strength of those unorganised faiths. But the distinguishing pillars of each faith need to be highlighted in this highly competitive field. Each one of us have to list out the USP(Unique Selling Propositions) of our faith to satisfy others and ourselves. Let me attempt one on my own viz. Hinduism (Hi-Faith for me).
All faiths are on firm footing and there are lot of things in common. The difference comes only in the super-structure that is built up to reach the ultimate. There is a big secret behind all that is there in this universe and our faith is the way to crack that secret code. Hypothetically we are building up a structure on the firm ground of reason to reach a certain point in space. The most stable structure is a dome and that is what Hi-Faith is. It can be said that a dome has infinite number of pillars but here we will search for the salient pillars that distinguish it from others. If I am asked to list a minimum number of axiomatic pillars of my faith, I would produce the following five:-
• Ishwar is one and Gods are its manifestations
• There are many ways to realise Ishwar
• There is no hell or heaven
• Rebirths are inevitable based on karma
• Mankind has evolved and not created
The first two in the above list is what makes Hi-Faith the most progressive, accommodative and democratic faith. Unlike other faiths, it declares that there are options available. In a way it exhorts individuals to think, to study and to develop his/her own method to realise the truth. I have always felt that in an ideal world there would be as many faiths as the number of human beings and Hi-Faith provides the blueprint to achieve it. Like in other faiths, Hi-Faith is clear about the uniqueness of the omnipresent and omnipotent power that is Ishwar. But it leaves enough provision for each individual to develop his/her own God based on the particular quality or manifestation of Ishwar that he/she likes most. That is why it seems there is an innumerable count of Gods like Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Ganesh etc., etc. The idol worship is nothing but a logical extension this aspect of Hi-Faith. All of us carry photographs of our beloved ones in our wallet. And an idol of God is nothing but an image of Ishwar to our own liking. It helps us to focus our efforts and thoughts in reaching it.
Another distinguishing feature of Hi-Faith is the absence of concepts like Heaven or Hell. The drama of life is played out only in this universe which we have discovered so far and what is yet to be discovered. If Heaven is where people live in luxury and happiness, we already have it in this world. Same is the case with Hell. Anything blessed (or cursed) with life has to play it out in this universe only and there is no running away from it. Perhaps those humans who are aspiring or preparing for a stint in heaven (or hell) are in fool’s paradise unable to utilise the spark of rationality that exists in all living beings. For any discerning human, there are people around leaving in happiness and peril. And sometimes, these conditions are irrespective of his/her economic or social status is something for the proponents of heaven and hell theory to ponder about. More often it is one’s own making that puts one in hell or heaven in this same universe. While our destiny defines our start (place & time of birth and parents) and end, it is left to the actions of the individual during the lifetime to improve or lose out in the race towards ‘moksha’ – the absolute bliss. No one is born a sinner but those who sin cannot escape punishment. There is no scope for confession and repentance in Hi-Faith, only acceptance of punishment and avoiding further sin.
The most distinguishing feature of Hi-Faith is the belief in rebirths. I would rate it as the best system of rewards and punishments that Man has ever discovered. In this dome of existence, the cycle of rebirths provides repeated opportunities for individuals to climb towards Ishwar at the celestial pole. The surface is slippery and only those with determination & right dogma can aspire to reach the very top and escape the life cycle. Most of us are trapped inside the dome and it takes innumerable lifetimes of good karma to come on the surface of the dome for the final climb. The immediate fallout of this realisation is the irrelevance of fear of death. The physical body is only a vehicle for the imperishable soul and it should not be given any more importance than what it deserves. This explains the practice of burning away our dead bodies, which is also the best method of disposing waste in modern times. Elaborate rituals to remember the dead ones have never been a part of Hi-Faith but it is creeping in thanks to the machinations of the priestly class. In fact, the mass prayers for the forefathers during specific days of the year address only those of our predecessors who could attain ‘moksha’. It is common knowledge in Hi-Faith that only a few of us can achieve that, while most of our souls jump from one birth to another in no time.
And lastly, the most progressive feature of Hi-Faith is its 100% compatibility with Science, especially the most modern variety wherein we reach the conclusion that everything is just Maya and the truth is only one ie. Ishwar. Perhaps Hi-Faith is the only one that explains an evolutionary feature of Man in clear distinction from the creation theory of other faiths. Evolving avatars of Gods and a caste system based on the inborn faculties of men are clear expressions of this evolutionary theory. It is also unambiguous in the belief that Man is just one of the species and a spark of the same Ishwar is there in everything that is alive. In other words, there is no primacy for Man in Hi-Faith and Man has no sacred rights to kill or harm any other form of life. The abiding belief in non-violence and vegetarianism are manifestations of this simple realisation about the meekness of mankind.
The world is becoming digital in all respects. Everything needs to be presented in black and white for acceptance. Grey is no more an option in many cases. In olden days, such clarity was required only in scientific matters. But today no one is willing to accept anything that is illogical and insipid. Matters of faith are no exception. People are looking for clear definitions and meanings in all rituals and beliefs. Most of the organised faiths have already documented and systematised their beliefs thanks to the vast official machinery and money power. Unorganised faiths are threatened by the onslaught of ‘faith marketers’ even when the fact remains that being unorganised is the very strength of those unorganised faiths. But the distinguishing pillars of each faith need to be highlighted in this highly competitive field. Each one of us have to list out the USP(Unique Selling Propositions) of our faith to satisfy others and ourselves. Let me attempt one on my own viz. Hinduism (Hi-Faith for me).
All faiths are on firm footing and there are lot of things in common. The difference comes only in the super-structure that is built up to reach the ultimate. There is a big secret behind all that is there in this universe and our faith is the way to crack that secret code. Hypothetically we are building up a structure on the firm ground of reason to reach a certain point in space. The most stable structure is a dome and that is what Hi-Faith is. It can be said that a dome has infinite number of pillars but here we will search for the salient pillars that distinguish it from others. If I am asked to list a minimum number of axiomatic pillars of my faith, I would produce the following five:-
• Ishwar is one and Gods are its manifestations
• There are many ways to realise Ishwar
• There is no hell or heaven
• Rebirths are inevitable based on karma
• Mankind has evolved and not created
The first two in the above list is what makes Hi-Faith the most progressive, accommodative and democratic faith. Unlike other faiths, it declares that there are options available. In a way it exhorts individuals to think, to study and to develop his/her own method to realise the truth. I have always felt that in an ideal world there would be as many faiths as the number of human beings and Hi-Faith provides the blueprint to achieve it. Like in other faiths, Hi-Faith is clear about the uniqueness of the omnipresent and omnipotent power that is Ishwar. But it leaves enough provision for each individual to develop his/her own God based on the particular quality or manifestation of Ishwar that he/she likes most. That is why it seems there is an innumerable count of Gods like Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Ganesh etc., etc. The idol worship is nothing but a logical extension this aspect of Hi-Faith. All of us carry photographs of our beloved ones in our wallet. And an idol of God is nothing but an image of Ishwar to our own liking. It helps us to focus our efforts and thoughts in reaching it.
Another distinguishing feature of Hi-Faith is the absence of concepts like Heaven or Hell. The drama of life is played out only in this universe which we have discovered so far and what is yet to be discovered. If Heaven is where people live in luxury and happiness, we already have it in this world. Same is the case with Hell. Anything blessed (or cursed) with life has to play it out in this universe only and there is no running away from it. Perhaps those humans who are aspiring or preparing for a stint in heaven (or hell) are in fool’s paradise unable to utilise the spark of rationality that exists in all living beings. For any discerning human, there are people around leaving in happiness and peril. And sometimes, these conditions are irrespective of his/her economic or social status is something for the proponents of heaven and hell theory to ponder about. More often it is one’s own making that puts one in hell or heaven in this same universe. While our destiny defines our start (place & time of birth and parents) and end, it is left to the actions of the individual during the lifetime to improve or lose out in the race towards ‘moksha’ – the absolute bliss. No one is born a sinner but those who sin cannot escape punishment. There is no scope for confession and repentance in Hi-Faith, only acceptance of punishment and avoiding further sin.
The most distinguishing feature of Hi-Faith is the belief in rebirths. I would rate it as the best system of rewards and punishments that Man has ever discovered. In this dome of existence, the cycle of rebirths provides repeated opportunities for individuals to climb towards Ishwar at the celestial pole. The surface is slippery and only those with determination & right dogma can aspire to reach the very top and escape the life cycle. Most of us are trapped inside the dome and it takes innumerable lifetimes of good karma to come on the surface of the dome for the final climb. The immediate fallout of this realisation is the irrelevance of fear of death. The physical body is only a vehicle for the imperishable soul and it should not be given any more importance than what it deserves. This explains the practice of burning away our dead bodies, which is also the best method of disposing waste in modern times. Elaborate rituals to remember the dead ones have never been a part of Hi-Faith but it is creeping in thanks to the machinations of the priestly class. In fact, the mass prayers for the forefathers during specific days of the year address only those of our predecessors who could attain ‘moksha’. It is common knowledge in Hi-Faith that only a few of us can achieve that, while most of our souls jump from one birth to another in no time.
And lastly, the most progressive feature of Hi-Faith is its 100% compatibility with Science, especially the most modern variety wherein we reach the conclusion that everything is just Maya and the truth is only one ie. Ishwar. Perhaps Hi-Faith is the only one that explains an evolutionary feature of Man in clear distinction from the creation theory of other faiths. Evolving avatars of Gods and a caste system based on the inborn faculties of men are clear expressions of this evolutionary theory. It is also unambiguous in the belief that Man is just one of the species and a spark of the same Ishwar is there in everything that is alive. In other words, there is no primacy for Man in Hi-Faith and Man has no sacred rights to kill or harm any other form of life. The abiding belief in non-violence and vegetarianism are manifestations of this simple realisation about the meekness of mankind.
THE GREAT REALISATION
We often hear the saying that one cannot be more knowledgeable than knowing about his or her own limitations. This is true for a community as well. The majority community in Kerala is slowly but clearly waking up to the realisation that they are no more the majority in any sense of the term but have serious limitations to overcome. The Clever and Muscular communities (CC and MC respectively) have beaten the Humbled community (HC) so squarely that the great realisation has come as rude shock to many. In a way it was destined to happen. Most members of HC have been highly complacent about the future and the so-called creamy layer (of HC) was arrogantly unsympathetic to less fortunate brethren within our own fold. Enjoying the sunshine in an entire coastline of our own, we found pleasure when sand was harvested out from under our own feet. And unwilling to respond to our wailing neighbours under assault, we are now finding our few houses trapped in a new unfriendly neighbourhood. We have been sleeping and this slippage to minority status is the price we have already paid. Now that the great realisation has taken place, it is time to think about how it happened and what needs to be done in the short and long term to survive in Kerala as a decent minority.
From Protected to Privileged
1498 AD is a landmark for anyone analysing the decline of HC in Kerala. That was the year when the European sailor Vasco da Gama set foot in Kerala and was received with great warmth by the people and rulers of Kerala. Had he faced an uneasy welcome and unfriendly crowd, the history of Kerala (and India) would have been much different. Many foreign travellers had visited us in the past but Vasco de Gama was of a different stuff. He was a greedy sailor and a very clever one too. Like his ideological successors in Kerala now (the Daddies & Mummies of Kerala), the brilliant businessman in him quickly noticed the virgin land available for a cocktail of religion, business and power. What followed was a well executed drama of deception and betrayal of faith (of the innocent natives and their benevolent rulers). This unabashed display of manipulative manoeuvring has continued all through colonial days and even after independence when our new constitution came into existence.
Indian constitution is one of best in terms of many aspects. The protection given to religious minorities has been enviable and unprecedented. Though HC is avowedly secular, the founding fathers felt it necessary to have adequate protection for the religious minorities in the constitution itself, just in case the majority community turned around at a future time. Perhaps the division of the country on religious lines made it inevitable. But very soon things started going sour with the dirty designs of electoral politics. Protection gave way to special rights which is complete anathema to the concept of a civilised society pursuing socialism and secularism. Sections of society that needed to be protected became the privileged ones in due course. In Kerala, the situation has become so much distorted that almost 75% of all the institutions in education and healthcare sectors are under the control of 25% of people belonging to CC and MC who have successfully (mis)used the special privileges. Business and trade have been monopolised to more than 80% in favour of certain communities. In the present day Kerala society, social justice and equality are non-existent. Those who look to left for social justice may well remember that the present situation has arisen in Kerala in spite of (or because of) a strong presence of communist forces in the state.
Multiplying Tricks
Coupled with successful distortion of the constitutional provisions for protection to mean special rights, the clever communities have pushed their hidden agenda so brilliantly in the fields of harvesting souls and accelerating the multiplication of harvested souls. Along with organised harvest and migration, the accidental ‘third child’ was a well thought plan to push up the population without being noticed. The rigid pro-life stance of the institution provided a convenient cover for the community members to procreate and beat the competition. Another strategy was annexing lands using settlers in Malabar and Wayanad. Far off lands were conquered by carefully organised migration aided and abetted by those in power under the guise of encouragement for cultivation in barren lands. Encroachment and encroachers were encouraged so much that many successful politicians and political parties owe their existence only to the migrant encroachers. What nature and original owners of the land lost in terms of forest cover and natural wealth was cornered off as private properties by the clever men and their communities. The extent of encroachment is exposed in the visual media year after year during the natural calamities in the form of landslides in the hilly tracts of Western Ghats.
For those who believe that everyone is fair or at least fairer in the twenty first century, the ‘hallabulla’ that followed the tsunamis in our coastal belts was an eye-opener. Hundreds of foreign and Indian NGOs queued up to offer relief and rehabilitation. The sole intention of many of them was the potential scope for harvesting souls. It is this never ending hunger for harvest that is disgusting to many in the civilised world. But the game of marketing religion still pays in the third world and that is why disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes and floods bring smile to the face of some ace religious marketers from the west. Some representatives of God in earth still believe that quantity (not quality) of believers counts when their own case comes up for consideration for a place in heaven. What happens to the converted souls is hardly of any importance to them. They are interested only in harvesting by any means and in getting the harvested ones to multiply exponentially.
Strategy for Survival
Survival of the fittest is a natural phenomenon. Only those individuals and communities that can adapt to changing times can survive. The most important pre-requisite for adaptation is the realisation about threats and opportunities. We have made great progress in this regard. During the past ten centuries Indians have realised many things, being at the receiving end of a series of military and ideological attacks. We now realise the simple fact that threats for Indian nation are not solely from the ‘failed state’ or the ‘confused state’ in our neighbourhoods. Bigger ideological threats are emanating from one of the tiniest nations thousands of kilometres away. The missionary missiles targeted at our nation have force multiplier effects with their local variants. Confused communists are fuelling the missiles for their own reasons. It might seem that communism and missionaries are strange bed fellows. But the simple fact that they complement each other in many of their objectives makes them comrades in arms. For both forces, a completely disorganised and disoriented majority community is the best bet for their foreign ideologies to flourish. But they are heavily mistaken when they are facing an enlightened community of few but firm adherents.
The ultimate weapon of defence is offence. It is indeed the last option. But when it becomes inevitable, the war has to be taken to enemy’s camp. That is what Lord Krishna has explained so convincingly in Gita. In our context, the war is regarding harvest of souls. Government after government have failed to legislate on this vital matter concerning even the security and integrity of Indian nation. Leaders who won the elections on a secular mandate have failed the people much more than the pseudo-secularists. The proponents of organised harvest of souls in India must be made to realise the ultimate truth in all natural processes – that reverse osmosis is equally possible as osmosis. It will not take much time and effort to convince those who have been harvested on the false promise of equality to return home. The only thing that needs to be done is to put our own house in order. The ultimate success always lies with those who respect and worship Mother Nature because nothing unnatural can survive in nature.
From Protected to Privileged
1498 AD is a landmark for anyone analysing the decline of HC in Kerala. That was the year when the European sailor Vasco da Gama set foot in Kerala and was received with great warmth by the people and rulers of Kerala. Had he faced an uneasy welcome and unfriendly crowd, the history of Kerala (and India) would have been much different. Many foreign travellers had visited us in the past but Vasco de Gama was of a different stuff. He was a greedy sailor and a very clever one too. Like his ideological successors in Kerala now (the Daddies & Mummies of Kerala), the brilliant businessman in him quickly noticed the virgin land available for a cocktail of religion, business and power. What followed was a well executed drama of deception and betrayal of faith (of the innocent natives and their benevolent rulers). This unabashed display of manipulative manoeuvring has continued all through colonial days and even after independence when our new constitution came into existence.
Indian constitution is one of best in terms of many aspects. The protection given to religious minorities has been enviable and unprecedented. Though HC is avowedly secular, the founding fathers felt it necessary to have adequate protection for the religious minorities in the constitution itself, just in case the majority community turned around at a future time. Perhaps the division of the country on religious lines made it inevitable. But very soon things started going sour with the dirty designs of electoral politics. Protection gave way to special rights which is complete anathema to the concept of a civilised society pursuing socialism and secularism. Sections of society that needed to be protected became the privileged ones in due course. In Kerala, the situation has become so much distorted that almost 75% of all the institutions in education and healthcare sectors are under the control of 25% of people belonging to CC and MC who have successfully (mis)used the special privileges. Business and trade have been monopolised to more than 80% in favour of certain communities. In the present day Kerala society, social justice and equality are non-existent. Those who look to left for social justice may well remember that the present situation has arisen in Kerala in spite of (or because of) a strong presence of communist forces in the state.
Multiplying Tricks
Coupled with successful distortion of the constitutional provisions for protection to mean special rights, the clever communities have pushed their hidden agenda so brilliantly in the fields of harvesting souls and accelerating the multiplication of harvested souls. Along with organised harvest and migration, the accidental ‘third child’ was a well thought plan to push up the population without being noticed. The rigid pro-life stance of the institution provided a convenient cover for the community members to procreate and beat the competition. Another strategy was annexing lands using settlers in Malabar and Wayanad. Far off lands were conquered by carefully organised migration aided and abetted by those in power under the guise of encouragement for cultivation in barren lands. Encroachment and encroachers were encouraged so much that many successful politicians and political parties owe their existence only to the migrant encroachers. What nature and original owners of the land lost in terms of forest cover and natural wealth was cornered off as private properties by the clever men and their communities. The extent of encroachment is exposed in the visual media year after year during the natural calamities in the form of landslides in the hilly tracts of Western Ghats.
For those who believe that everyone is fair or at least fairer in the twenty first century, the ‘hallabulla’ that followed the tsunamis in our coastal belts was an eye-opener. Hundreds of foreign and Indian NGOs queued up to offer relief and rehabilitation. The sole intention of many of them was the potential scope for harvesting souls. It is this never ending hunger for harvest that is disgusting to many in the civilised world. But the game of marketing religion still pays in the third world and that is why disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes and floods bring smile to the face of some ace religious marketers from the west. Some representatives of God in earth still believe that quantity (not quality) of believers counts when their own case comes up for consideration for a place in heaven. What happens to the converted souls is hardly of any importance to them. They are interested only in harvesting by any means and in getting the harvested ones to multiply exponentially.
Strategy for Survival
Survival of the fittest is a natural phenomenon. Only those individuals and communities that can adapt to changing times can survive. The most important pre-requisite for adaptation is the realisation about threats and opportunities. We have made great progress in this regard. During the past ten centuries Indians have realised many things, being at the receiving end of a series of military and ideological attacks. We now realise the simple fact that threats for Indian nation are not solely from the ‘failed state’ or the ‘confused state’ in our neighbourhoods. Bigger ideological threats are emanating from one of the tiniest nations thousands of kilometres away. The missionary missiles targeted at our nation have force multiplier effects with their local variants. Confused communists are fuelling the missiles for their own reasons. It might seem that communism and missionaries are strange bed fellows. But the simple fact that they complement each other in many of their objectives makes them comrades in arms. For both forces, a completely disorganised and disoriented majority community is the best bet for their foreign ideologies to flourish. But they are heavily mistaken when they are facing an enlightened community of few but firm adherents.
The ultimate weapon of defence is offence. It is indeed the last option. But when it becomes inevitable, the war has to be taken to enemy’s camp. That is what Lord Krishna has explained so convincingly in Gita. In our context, the war is regarding harvest of souls. Government after government have failed to legislate on this vital matter concerning even the security and integrity of Indian nation. Leaders who won the elections on a secular mandate have failed the people much more than the pseudo-secularists. The proponents of organised harvest of souls in India must be made to realise the ultimate truth in all natural processes – that reverse osmosis is equally possible as osmosis. It will not take much time and effort to convince those who have been harvested on the false promise of equality to return home. The only thing that needs to be done is to put our own house in order. The ultimate success always lies with those who respect and worship Mother Nature because nothing unnatural can survive in nature.
MOTHER TONGUE-TIE
The very fact that I am writing (and you are reading) this piece in English is proof enough of the tongue-tie most of us (Indians) suffer from, thanks to the flaws in our education system. It has become almost impossible to come across any average educated Indian who can talk for at least a minute in his/her mother tongue without using English words. The condition worsens when we look for such a native among the younger age groups. In fact it is worst in the kindergarten where we are supposed to find the freshest & unspoiled of our nation’s citizens. Generations after generations have fallen easy prey to the Macaulay trap and the damage will be irreversible unless remedial measures are initiated without delay.
There are many who would argue that English is as good an Indian language like any other. And there are others who are willing to give all credit for our growth in IT & Industry for the kind of English education that prevails in our country. The first one is indeed a valid argument in the current circumstances. But the second one is absurd when we have in front of us the Japanese and the Chinese. In the first one too, there is no harm in considering English as just one of the many languages and not some sort of a superior lingua franca.
Language of Missionaries
One of the primary reasons for primacy of English is the concept of English medium schools introduced by the missionaries. English has always been the world-wide medium of the missionaries and propagation of the language was a must for them to train an army of native missionaries. In India, the missionaries came as part of the conquering westerners and they always knew that setting up schools is one of the best baits for attracting local talents. Building schools as part of the place of worship formed the first act of communalising a secular society like India’s. A foreign language like English provided the best medium for premature indoctrination of new converts in Sunday schools. It also provided the psychological superiority for the rulers over the ruled. Speaking English like the English became the ultimate objective of almost all the educated Indians. The ruling British utilised the circumstances to their best advantage by timely introduction of English education through the infamous Macaulay Minutes. But these historical facts can never form the excuse for a formidable nation like India to continue with the system. It is time to forget the British Raj as an unfortunate incident in our family history and erase the unwanted remnants. Throwing out English language from the primary schools will form the first step in that direction. In the age of globalization we can never ignore the importance of a global medium like English. In that respect, English should continue as a language to learn in our schools; but the point to note is that it should begin only after the age of ten. Throughout his/her life, every Indian must be able to think in his/her Mother Tongue and then articulate in whatever language he/she wants. I am afraid most of our children are now being trained to do the other way around, which will keep us psychologically enslaved forever.
Learn From Arabs
Regarding language and culture, we have a lot to learn from the Arabs. As in any other civilisation and culture, Arabs also went through their ups and downs. But whenever they went through the ascent, the emphasis has always been on nourishing the symbols of their culture. In the current phase, which is fuelled by the oil boom, the Arabs have invested heavily in advancement of their language and dress. We can never come across an Arab ruler speaking in any language other than Arabic in any international forum nowadays. Also, they will dress up only in their national (or cultural) attire. Compare this with the Asian leaders who always struggle in their three piece western suits and English language with funny accents. The very sight of an Arab leader in full traditional dress speaking in Arabic at the United Nations is definitely more appealing than our own. In this age of visual media, sight and sound plays a very important role in development of our young citizens. Any Indian child who grows up seeing & hearing his/her leaders struggling with foreign dress and tongue will only aspire to become a second grade international citizen at best. He/she will always have the inhibition for excellence in front of the original owners of those foreign tongue and dress.
Weak Will
Though Mahatma Gandhi was fluent in English, he made it a point to write, speak and dress in Indian ways. Most of his so called successors failed to understand and carry the political signals he wanted to convey by those simple acts. The situation is far worse today when the first alphabets most Indian children study is that of English. Our political parties have failed miserably in realising this national folly and correct it before it is too late. In Kerala, one of the most literate states in Indian union, there is a near unanimous political consensus on the need to have the primary education compulsorily in Malayalam. One of the strongest advocates for it was the revered communist leader EMS. Many communist and non-communist governments have ruled over Kerala for the past 50 years, yet none of them could bring the necessary legislation to implement this. This inordinate delay will only make matters worse.
Language is the most visible symbol of any culture and it is a shame for a great country like ours continuing to be confused in expression. We have gone wrong in understanding the concept of a ‘national language’ and the continuing opposition of South towards Hindi reveals the misunderstanding. After all we needed only a language for all our national documents and a link language for communication. And Hindi was indeed the best bet available. Perhaps we made a mistake in designating such a language as the national language. We could have designated all our native languages as national languages and avoided the confusion. Now we have Hindi as the link language in India and English as the international link language. Let us recognise it as such and develop all the fifteen odd full languages we have in our country. Let us spend our money to develop our own languages. Let our children think in their mother tongue and translate for a world audience rather than the other way round as of now.
There are many who would argue that English is as good an Indian language like any other. And there are others who are willing to give all credit for our growth in IT & Industry for the kind of English education that prevails in our country. The first one is indeed a valid argument in the current circumstances. But the second one is absurd when we have in front of us the Japanese and the Chinese. In the first one too, there is no harm in considering English as just one of the many languages and not some sort of a superior lingua franca.
Language of Missionaries
One of the primary reasons for primacy of English is the concept of English medium schools introduced by the missionaries. English has always been the world-wide medium of the missionaries and propagation of the language was a must for them to train an army of native missionaries. In India, the missionaries came as part of the conquering westerners and they always knew that setting up schools is one of the best baits for attracting local talents. Building schools as part of the place of worship formed the first act of communalising a secular society like India’s. A foreign language like English provided the best medium for premature indoctrination of new converts in Sunday schools. It also provided the psychological superiority for the rulers over the ruled. Speaking English like the English became the ultimate objective of almost all the educated Indians. The ruling British utilised the circumstances to their best advantage by timely introduction of English education through the infamous Macaulay Minutes. But these historical facts can never form the excuse for a formidable nation like India to continue with the system. It is time to forget the British Raj as an unfortunate incident in our family history and erase the unwanted remnants. Throwing out English language from the primary schools will form the first step in that direction. In the age of globalization we can never ignore the importance of a global medium like English. In that respect, English should continue as a language to learn in our schools; but the point to note is that it should begin only after the age of ten. Throughout his/her life, every Indian must be able to think in his/her Mother Tongue and then articulate in whatever language he/she wants. I am afraid most of our children are now being trained to do the other way around, which will keep us psychologically enslaved forever.
Learn From Arabs
Regarding language and culture, we have a lot to learn from the Arabs. As in any other civilisation and culture, Arabs also went through their ups and downs. But whenever they went through the ascent, the emphasis has always been on nourishing the symbols of their culture. In the current phase, which is fuelled by the oil boom, the Arabs have invested heavily in advancement of their language and dress. We can never come across an Arab ruler speaking in any language other than Arabic in any international forum nowadays. Also, they will dress up only in their national (or cultural) attire. Compare this with the Asian leaders who always struggle in their three piece western suits and English language with funny accents. The very sight of an Arab leader in full traditional dress speaking in Arabic at the United Nations is definitely more appealing than our own. In this age of visual media, sight and sound plays a very important role in development of our young citizens. Any Indian child who grows up seeing & hearing his/her leaders struggling with foreign dress and tongue will only aspire to become a second grade international citizen at best. He/she will always have the inhibition for excellence in front of the original owners of those foreign tongue and dress.
Weak Will
Though Mahatma Gandhi was fluent in English, he made it a point to write, speak and dress in Indian ways. Most of his so called successors failed to understand and carry the political signals he wanted to convey by those simple acts. The situation is far worse today when the first alphabets most Indian children study is that of English. Our political parties have failed miserably in realising this national folly and correct it before it is too late. In Kerala, one of the most literate states in Indian union, there is a near unanimous political consensus on the need to have the primary education compulsorily in Malayalam. One of the strongest advocates for it was the revered communist leader EMS. Many communist and non-communist governments have ruled over Kerala for the past 50 years, yet none of them could bring the necessary legislation to implement this. This inordinate delay will only make matters worse.
Language is the most visible symbol of any culture and it is a shame for a great country like ours continuing to be confused in expression. We have gone wrong in understanding the concept of a ‘national language’ and the continuing opposition of South towards Hindi reveals the misunderstanding. After all we needed only a language for all our national documents and a link language for communication. And Hindi was indeed the best bet available. Perhaps we made a mistake in designating such a language as the national language. We could have designated all our native languages as national languages and avoided the confusion. Now we have Hindi as the link language in India and English as the international link language. Let us recognise it as such and develop all the fifteen odd full languages we have in our country. Let us spend our money to develop our own languages. Let our children think in their mother tongue and translate for a world audience rather than the other way round as of now.
DATING AM and PM
Most of us are unaware of how and when the AM/PM convention in time has been introduced. But time has definitely come for revisiting the convention in keeping with the times. In fact, this is applicable for all types of conventions. World bodies like United Nations must hold periodic conventions to debate and change, if necessary, all types of conventions that affect human life. Time is such an important aspect of our lives that it is quite surprising that no world body has considered it necessary to ponder on the acceptability and adaptability of the timing conventions to an ever changing world.
Currently, we have the two mid points 12 Mid Night and 12 Noon as the cross over points between PM/AM and AM/PM. Consequently we have the new date starting at 12 Mid Night and reaching mid-day at 12 Noon. Barring those who are working on shifts, almost all human beings start their activities by 8 O’clock in the morning. This essentially rules out any productive work during the first 8 hours on all dates. The first 8 hours and last eight hours on all dates are spent on non-official matters. In a fast changing world, where time is money, is this acceptable and affordable? It is time we considered all the related aspects in detail. Consider some one who has got the sanction for a huge bank loan effective from a particular date. He has to wait till 8O’clock in the morning to get his money. Same is the case if he is expecting someone to return a huge sum on a particular date. If this is the case with individuals, one can imagine the case of multi-national companies dealing with billions of dollars. The unproductive hours at the start of all dates is holding up millions of dollars the world over.
I would consider it much better if we have the date starting at 12 Noon instead of 12 Mid Night. In such a scenario, we have two dates on the same day and on each date we have the unproductive 16 hours shifted to the middle. For example, today is 7th August 2005 and after 12 Noon it will be 8th August 2005. On 8th August 2005, I have atleast 4-5 hours to work and also have a similar period next day till 12 Noon to continue with the same after 16 long hours of recess in between. If today morning, I promise someone to do something tomorrow, I can do that today afternoon or tomorrow morning. If money is to be transacted on a particular date, we can do it the same day or next day morning. It would be an ideal situation for business and personal affairs.
The only change that we need to make to effect this change is to shift the cross over point for AM/PM from 12 Noon to 12 Mid Night. All other aspects can remain the same. All dates would then start at 12 Noon and go till the next day 12 Noon. In a highly connected world, we are already working to the same atomic clock. With the existing set of time zones, we will have much more convenient timings on all dates to transact business. Most of the business hitches due the day-night differences between Asia and America can be surmounted by this simple change. Time has definitely come for considering such drastic changes with very simple ways to attain it. I wish someone powerful enough to take this idea further.
Currently, we have the two mid points 12 Mid Night and 12 Noon as the cross over points between PM/AM and AM/PM. Consequently we have the new date starting at 12 Mid Night and reaching mid-day at 12 Noon. Barring those who are working on shifts, almost all human beings start their activities by 8 O’clock in the morning. This essentially rules out any productive work during the first 8 hours on all dates. The first 8 hours and last eight hours on all dates are spent on non-official matters. In a fast changing world, where time is money, is this acceptable and affordable? It is time we considered all the related aspects in detail. Consider some one who has got the sanction for a huge bank loan effective from a particular date. He has to wait till 8O’clock in the morning to get his money. Same is the case if he is expecting someone to return a huge sum on a particular date. If this is the case with individuals, one can imagine the case of multi-national companies dealing with billions of dollars. The unproductive hours at the start of all dates is holding up millions of dollars the world over.
I would consider it much better if we have the date starting at 12 Noon instead of 12 Mid Night. In such a scenario, we have two dates on the same day and on each date we have the unproductive 16 hours shifted to the middle. For example, today is 7th August 2005 and after 12 Noon it will be 8th August 2005. On 8th August 2005, I have atleast 4-5 hours to work and also have a similar period next day till 12 Noon to continue with the same after 16 long hours of recess in between. If today morning, I promise someone to do something tomorrow, I can do that today afternoon or tomorrow morning. If money is to be transacted on a particular date, we can do it the same day or next day morning. It would be an ideal situation for business and personal affairs.
The only change that we need to make to effect this change is to shift the cross over point for AM/PM from 12 Noon to 12 Mid Night. All other aspects can remain the same. All dates would then start at 12 Noon and go till the next day 12 Noon. In a highly connected world, we are already working to the same atomic clock. With the existing set of time zones, we will have much more convenient timings on all dates to transact business. Most of the business hitches due the day-night differences between Asia and America can be surmounted by this simple change. Time has definitely come for considering such drastic changes with very simple ways to attain it. I wish someone powerful enough to take this idea further.
‘COLOUR’ TELEVISION
In radio times we dreamt of a television era when all affairs public will be transparent and no one can hide anything from the eyes of cameras. When black and white televisions dawned, we thought there is too much grey area and everything will be captured in colour televisions. And finally the era of colour televisions reached India only to remind the Indians that it is not the camera that is distorting truth but the cameramen who have remained unchanged. From colour of television the focus is now shifting to colour of the TV channel in contemporary India. Each channel has a dominating colour reflecting the interests of its owners (or masters) and all that is aired get soaked in its colour. One thing is very clear in the current scenario – that you will never come to know the truth or even a fraction of it if you are watching only one channel regularly. The best example of this is the case of Keralites with about a dozen of Malayalam channels.
The air of God’s Own Country is a virtual battlefield of TV signals. Asianet, Surya, Kairali, Jeevan, Amrita, Kairali, India Vision etc., have already occupied their own spaces and more feasibility reports are in the pipeline. Though the main audience for all these channels reside within Kerala, a powerful segment is the NRKs (Non-Resident Keralites) who are spread all over the globe. Unlike any other state in India, the contribution and control on public affairs in Kerala by the non-residents is beyond anyone’s imagination. The colouring agents in the TV industry are the powerful NRKs who hold the levers of cashflow into the industry. If there is one part of India which will attract the colonisers again, it is undoubtedly Kerala. It is in this context that TV channels become significant and many are already showing their true colours.
Colour Identification
Colour identification of the TV channels is a simple exercise for anyone watching the various TV channels regularly for news on current events. It becomes clear in no time that what we hear from the different channels are actually their opinions on the events and not facts per se. This becomes so very obvious if we analyse events from our own area, about which we have first hand information. Take the same incident and analyse the scrolling news line on any three channels. The colour of the channel becomes clear instantly. If you still have doubts, keep doing the same for a couple of days and analyse the prioritisation of news items in the daily bulletins. In any case, colour identification of any TV channel is not an expert’s work anymore. At one time it was difficult in the case of print media. But over the years, each and every established newspaper has exposed their true colours themselves. Barring outstanding personalities like Ramnath Goenka, all others have always lived upto the expectations of their colour bands. The simple fact that all established newspapers are stagnating on their subscriptions proves this point beyond any doubt. If at all their readerships grow, it is only in direct relation to the growth of their ‘own’ population.
The last two months have been a colourful period for the TV channels in Malayalam. If it was brutal butchering of Raman Kutty Maniappan in Afganistan that dominated the news in one channel, it was the ‘friendly’ custody by American forces of Sijo Jose in Iraq that stirred the conscience of the owners of another channel. The next one is still debating on the right and wrong of Naushad’s potential blinding in Saudi Arabia. Yet another one was concerned only about the electoral victory of its owners and the run upto an international congress on how to manage Kerala for the next 10 years without having been elected. Colour of the channel was splashed all over the programs and the committed viewers were reminded of their mental retardation again and again.
Colourful Games
It is always interesting to watch the games channels play. Media gurus in each channel lay great stress on the Machiavellian dictum of repeating a lie hundred times to make the viewers believe in it. They seem to be convinced that people can be made to believe even a new revelation about suicide in the case of an established killing. The hundreds of stories in each TV channel about horrific incidents in the past are interesting to watch for the colour oozing out in each version. Ultimately everything depends on which side of the story they want to defend. If the channel colour matches with that of the killed, the killer and his people are painted dark. And if the colour matches that of the killer, the best we can expect is a story on how the evil circumstances forced the poor man to turn a killer or a tangential twist to the whole incident. Cut throat competition has seen the various TV channels passing their own final verdicts on the very day of incident in present day Kerala. The truth might come out only much late and then it is only a by-line in one of their afternoon news bulletins.
Another colourful pattern is in coining of news headlines by the colourful channels. As a typical example, whenever a road accident happens during Sabarimala season, the headlines in various TV channels would read “Devotees of Ayyappa meet with tragedy”, “Accident-prone Sabarimala season takes its toll”, “Careless drive to death” etc. Now everyone in Kerala can easily identify which headline would come in which TV channel. But for the curious outsiders the message is very clear. The news editor is not only paid to gather news but also to propagate it further down strictly in line with the owner’s agenda. All incidents, tragic or comic, become tools in this colourful game is the tragedy of Indian TV media of today.
Predictable End
Politicians, lawyers, editors and teachers were highly respected in a not so distant past in India. The first ones lost their shine in no time thanks to their deplorable performance in the arena of electoral politics. Lawyers lost their stature when they strayed away from their field and started misusing their oratorical skills in favour of the wicked. Teachers could carry on for some more time. But they too painted themselves black when some among them started asking for illegitimate favours from their own students. And now editors are maligning themselves by using colourful pens to script programs and news items to please their owners and not the public. Any media person who underestimates the intelligence of the majority mass is risking his reputation as a credible source of information. ‘Coloured’ editors will invariably end with a colourless career.
The colourful TV channels who claim record viewers are in a similar state. However committed a viewer is, his or her rationality will never allow eternal subjugation. The majority will ultimately see through the true colours of the channel owners. Colour television may still be liked because of the completeness of coverage compared to a black and white model. But all intelligent and rational viewers would definitely insist on seeing the news presented in black and white. Those who stick to their colours will have only a captive audience to view their sub-standard programs and the channel will bust in no time draining all the colours in store.
The air of God’s Own Country is a virtual battlefield of TV signals. Asianet, Surya, Kairali, Jeevan, Amrita, Kairali, India Vision etc., have already occupied their own spaces and more feasibility reports are in the pipeline. Though the main audience for all these channels reside within Kerala, a powerful segment is the NRKs (Non-Resident Keralites) who are spread all over the globe. Unlike any other state in India, the contribution and control on public affairs in Kerala by the non-residents is beyond anyone’s imagination. The colouring agents in the TV industry are the powerful NRKs who hold the levers of cashflow into the industry. If there is one part of India which will attract the colonisers again, it is undoubtedly Kerala. It is in this context that TV channels become significant and many are already showing their true colours.
Colour Identification
Colour identification of the TV channels is a simple exercise for anyone watching the various TV channels regularly for news on current events. It becomes clear in no time that what we hear from the different channels are actually their opinions on the events and not facts per se. This becomes so very obvious if we analyse events from our own area, about which we have first hand information. Take the same incident and analyse the scrolling news line on any three channels. The colour of the channel becomes clear instantly. If you still have doubts, keep doing the same for a couple of days and analyse the prioritisation of news items in the daily bulletins. In any case, colour identification of any TV channel is not an expert’s work anymore. At one time it was difficult in the case of print media. But over the years, each and every established newspaper has exposed their true colours themselves. Barring outstanding personalities like Ramnath Goenka, all others have always lived upto the expectations of their colour bands. The simple fact that all established newspapers are stagnating on their subscriptions proves this point beyond any doubt. If at all their readerships grow, it is only in direct relation to the growth of their ‘own’ population.
The last two months have been a colourful period for the TV channels in Malayalam. If it was brutal butchering of Raman Kutty Maniappan in Afganistan that dominated the news in one channel, it was the ‘friendly’ custody by American forces of Sijo Jose in Iraq that stirred the conscience of the owners of another channel. The next one is still debating on the right and wrong of Naushad’s potential blinding in Saudi Arabia. Yet another one was concerned only about the electoral victory of its owners and the run upto an international congress on how to manage Kerala for the next 10 years without having been elected. Colour of the channel was splashed all over the programs and the committed viewers were reminded of their mental retardation again and again.
Colourful Games
It is always interesting to watch the games channels play. Media gurus in each channel lay great stress on the Machiavellian dictum of repeating a lie hundred times to make the viewers believe in it. They seem to be convinced that people can be made to believe even a new revelation about suicide in the case of an established killing. The hundreds of stories in each TV channel about horrific incidents in the past are interesting to watch for the colour oozing out in each version. Ultimately everything depends on which side of the story they want to defend. If the channel colour matches with that of the killed, the killer and his people are painted dark. And if the colour matches that of the killer, the best we can expect is a story on how the evil circumstances forced the poor man to turn a killer or a tangential twist to the whole incident. Cut throat competition has seen the various TV channels passing their own final verdicts on the very day of incident in present day Kerala. The truth might come out only much late and then it is only a by-line in one of their afternoon news bulletins.
Another colourful pattern is in coining of news headlines by the colourful channels. As a typical example, whenever a road accident happens during Sabarimala season, the headlines in various TV channels would read “Devotees of Ayyappa meet with tragedy”, “Accident-prone Sabarimala season takes its toll”, “Careless drive to death” etc. Now everyone in Kerala can easily identify which headline would come in which TV channel. But for the curious outsiders the message is very clear. The news editor is not only paid to gather news but also to propagate it further down strictly in line with the owner’s agenda. All incidents, tragic or comic, become tools in this colourful game is the tragedy of Indian TV media of today.
Predictable End
Politicians, lawyers, editors and teachers were highly respected in a not so distant past in India. The first ones lost their shine in no time thanks to their deplorable performance in the arena of electoral politics. Lawyers lost their stature when they strayed away from their field and started misusing their oratorical skills in favour of the wicked. Teachers could carry on for some more time. But they too painted themselves black when some among them started asking for illegitimate favours from their own students. And now editors are maligning themselves by using colourful pens to script programs and news items to please their owners and not the public. Any media person who underestimates the intelligence of the majority mass is risking his reputation as a credible source of information. ‘Coloured’ editors will invariably end with a colourless career.
The colourful TV channels who claim record viewers are in a similar state. However committed a viewer is, his or her rationality will never allow eternal subjugation. The majority will ultimately see through the true colours of the channel owners. Colour television may still be liked because of the completeness of coverage compared to a black and white model. But all intelligent and rational viewers would definitely insist on seeing the news presented in black and white. Those who stick to their colours will have only a captive audience to view their sub-standard programs and the channel will bust in no time draining all the colours in store.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
INVITED ODIUM
In Algebra there is an obvious solution to all equations viz. all variables being of zero value. Though it is the obvious and universal solution to all algebraic equations, it is never accepted as the answer. We always look for the non-obvious solution. Fortunately or unfortunately a similar tendency does not exist in the case of History. Most of the students of History look only for the obvious conclusion. We cannot think of a better example of this than the case of Hitler and his infamous Nazism. It is almost certain that Hitler will always remain in history, stamped as an unscrupulous dictator who killed millions of people on the basis of his wrong beliefs and ideology. Even his most sympathetic biographers will not dare to look closer at the reasons for an ordinary Hitler turning into an extra-ordinary villain in his last few years. Historians and biographers will always tend to conclude with the obvious reason of Hitler being a born villain.
There are leaders who have caused the death of more people than Hitler. What makes Hitler utterly hopeless is because he turned against one of the most powerful communities in the world. The displaced Jewish community had settled in many parts of the world and Germany happened to be one of their abodes. What they did and how they behaved in Germany was totally different from how they lived in India. The case of Jews and Parsis in India is an all time favourite model for religious minorities anywhere in the world. We are still proud about India being one of the very few places where none of them were ever persecuted. But it was not the case in Germany before the advent of Hitler. The richer and more powerful among the minority community were aggressively into the risky business of financing. It is easy money and accumulation of wealth through easier means always leads to resentment. The situation is all the more risky if such resentment is building up within a majority community against a minority of migrants. How migration, encroachment and illegitimate accumulation of wealth can invite hatred towards communities is something our historians have always over looked. In the absence of such historical warnings, many such communities are busy digging their own graves in several parts of the world.
Disproportionate Demands
Migrant communities and ideologies are always treated with suspicion. Even in this twenty first century, there are nations where certain people and isms are not allowed to enter. But it has never been the case in India. From time immemorial, the native ideologies had advocated a policy of open mind and intellectual thirst for imbibing all that is good from anywhere in the world. One of the most significant Indian contributions to the world is the concept of a ‘secular’ religion, an apparently unachievable concept now. In modern context it is like having source code along with the software. Everyone is at a liberty to worship anything just like he or she can modify the software to suit his or her requirements. Freedom had a much deeper meaning in ancient India than anywhere else in the world. But several communities and individuals advocating alien ideologies, concepts and practices are changing all that in contemporary India.
In a society full of diversity as in India, the minimum expected of each group is to keep their demands and aspirations within legitimate limits. No group member can blame others for coming under physical and psychological attack, if their group consisting of merely 25% of the population in a province comes to occupy 75% of all top positions, wealth, land and facilities. The disproportionate demand for limited resources by discrete groups in a diverse society will never be tolerated whatever be the underlying logic and reasons. The social entropy that gets aggravated by unjustifiable demands of people in minority in any crowd is the spark for many bloody riots. A similar scenario is bound to emerge in any society or nation where greed for wealth and thirst for power drives an organised minority into a frenzy of seemingly unchallenged success against other unorganised minorities and the majority.
Greedy Encroachments
One of the clearest indications of a group of greedy people is their tendency to encroach into another’s or no-man’s land. This tendency is widely seen in many parts of India where demography is critically divided into powerful groups or when the ruling governments have an inherent weakness for taking tough actions. One look at the list of encroachers in any area is enough to conclude about the nature of such greedy encroachers. Many a time it is an organised attempt by an organised few belonging to an organised section. Their forefathers had tasted victory in this path and their godfathers are prompting them to conquer the land and the nation. ‘Organise and revolt’ was a noble slogan that empowered the underdogs everywhere around the world. But ‘organise and encroach’ is an ill-conceived strategy that will only fetch barren land but no nation.
Encroachments are not always limited to land alone. Desire for anything that is outside the realm of legitimacy is greed and attempting to get them by any means is encroachment. In India we can see this happening in many fields such as education, business, health services etc., etc. There is an organised attempt by organised communities to establish monopoly status in some of these key areas with an agenda to dominate others. The garb of social service for such shady attempts is an age old technique introduced by the missionaries in Africa and Asia. It was no doubt successful for a long time but not any more. The net effect of such dubious social service is the spread of same disease among other communities as well. Service with strings attached is no more paying for the monopolisers of charity. They are beginning to realise that sowing hatred will only result in harvest of more hatred.
It may be surprising but it is a simple truth that hate is easier invited than love. This logic grows directly out of another truth that it is easier to destroy than create. Creating love for you and your community in others’ mind requires that extra effort, whereas hate is easily invited by just one negative gesture. Sometimes years of confidence and love are destroyed by just one wrong step. Limiting one’s own aspirations to what is proportionately due and imparting the same lessons to the next generation are the best methods for any minor group to earn the love and respect of majority. That is exactly what we have seen in the lives of Parsis and Jews in India. And perhaps that was one of the main reasons why there was no need of a Hitler in India so far.
There are leaders who have caused the death of more people than Hitler. What makes Hitler utterly hopeless is because he turned against one of the most powerful communities in the world. The displaced Jewish community had settled in many parts of the world and Germany happened to be one of their abodes. What they did and how they behaved in Germany was totally different from how they lived in India. The case of Jews and Parsis in India is an all time favourite model for religious minorities anywhere in the world. We are still proud about India being one of the very few places where none of them were ever persecuted. But it was not the case in Germany before the advent of Hitler. The richer and more powerful among the minority community were aggressively into the risky business of financing. It is easy money and accumulation of wealth through easier means always leads to resentment. The situation is all the more risky if such resentment is building up within a majority community against a minority of migrants. How migration, encroachment and illegitimate accumulation of wealth can invite hatred towards communities is something our historians have always over looked. In the absence of such historical warnings, many such communities are busy digging their own graves in several parts of the world.
Disproportionate Demands
Migrant communities and ideologies are always treated with suspicion. Even in this twenty first century, there are nations where certain people and isms are not allowed to enter. But it has never been the case in India. From time immemorial, the native ideologies had advocated a policy of open mind and intellectual thirst for imbibing all that is good from anywhere in the world. One of the most significant Indian contributions to the world is the concept of a ‘secular’ religion, an apparently unachievable concept now. In modern context it is like having source code along with the software. Everyone is at a liberty to worship anything just like he or she can modify the software to suit his or her requirements. Freedom had a much deeper meaning in ancient India than anywhere else in the world. But several communities and individuals advocating alien ideologies, concepts and practices are changing all that in contemporary India.
In a society full of diversity as in India, the minimum expected of each group is to keep their demands and aspirations within legitimate limits. No group member can blame others for coming under physical and psychological attack, if their group consisting of merely 25% of the population in a province comes to occupy 75% of all top positions, wealth, land and facilities. The disproportionate demand for limited resources by discrete groups in a diverse society will never be tolerated whatever be the underlying logic and reasons. The social entropy that gets aggravated by unjustifiable demands of people in minority in any crowd is the spark for many bloody riots. A similar scenario is bound to emerge in any society or nation where greed for wealth and thirst for power drives an organised minority into a frenzy of seemingly unchallenged success against other unorganised minorities and the majority.
Greedy Encroachments
One of the clearest indications of a group of greedy people is their tendency to encroach into another’s or no-man’s land. This tendency is widely seen in many parts of India where demography is critically divided into powerful groups or when the ruling governments have an inherent weakness for taking tough actions. One look at the list of encroachers in any area is enough to conclude about the nature of such greedy encroachers. Many a time it is an organised attempt by an organised few belonging to an organised section. Their forefathers had tasted victory in this path and their godfathers are prompting them to conquer the land and the nation. ‘Organise and revolt’ was a noble slogan that empowered the underdogs everywhere around the world. But ‘organise and encroach’ is an ill-conceived strategy that will only fetch barren land but no nation.
Encroachments are not always limited to land alone. Desire for anything that is outside the realm of legitimacy is greed and attempting to get them by any means is encroachment. In India we can see this happening in many fields such as education, business, health services etc., etc. There is an organised attempt by organised communities to establish monopoly status in some of these key areas with an agenda to dominate others. The garb of social service for such shady attempts is an age old technique introduced by the missionaries in Africa and Asia. It was no doubt successful for a long time but not any more. The net effect of such dubious social service is the spread of same disease among other communities as well. Service with strings attached is no more paying for the monopolisers of charity. They are beginning to realise that sowing hatred will only result in harvest of more hatred.
It may be surprising but it is a simple truth that hate is easier invited than love. This logic grows directly out of another truth that it is easier to destroy than create. Creating love for you and your community in others’ mind requires that extra effort, whereas hate is easily invited by just one negative gesture. Sometimes years of confidence and love are destroyed by just one wrong step. Limiting one’s own aspirations to what is proportionately due and imparting the same lessons to the next generation are the best methods for any minor group to earn the love and respect of majority. That is exactly what we have seen in the lives of Parsis and Jews in India. And perhaps that was one of the main reasons why there was no need of a Hitler in India so far.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Philosophy of Power-Cut
Power manifests in so many forms – electrical, mechanical, hydro, divine and even political. Yet whenever we say power we mean only electricity. The importance and inevitability of power in our lives needs no elucidation. Barring aborigines and hard-core villagers in remote isolated areas, there is hardly anyone who can even imagine living without power for a few hours. Power generates the light in our life and there is hardly anyone who can survive without it. Fans, air-conditioners, electric trains, mobile phones and computers have undergone paradigm shifts from being luxury items to become part and parcel of our daily lives. Along with air and water, power and freedom (mental and physical) make up the stable-four foundations of modern life. If the first two provide tangible supports for our existence, the next two represent the intangible pillars of modern life. It has come to such a stage that the development status of any nation can be directly measured in terms of per-capita power utilisation rather than income.
It is quite common in a philosophical sense to understand a concept by realising the absence of it. As an example, the best way to understand the value of life is by imagining its absence. In spite of all the difficulties in our lives, it is still a boon from God to be alive. Death is always painful and it puts an end to all possibilities that may exist for an individual. But life is exactly the opposite. Every minute is full of possibilities, good or bad, and carries with it the power of creation. Same is the case with freedom. We can realise the value of freedom only when we go through times of slavery and bondage. Freedom of thought and expression is an invaluable luxury that we in India enjoyed since time immemorial. We realised the value of it only when we lost it temporarily for a few hundred years. The same holds good for power as well. Most of us realise the value of power only when there is a power-cut. The philosophical angle of power-cut sound trivial but it is a symbolic signal that forces us to realise the stark reality of modern times.
Taken for Granted
One of the most dangerous mistakes we make in life is taking things for granted. We learned from our forefathers that refreshing sunlight, drinking water and clean air were here in abundance during their times. And we have also been seeing and enjoying these ever since our birth. But do we realise the current and predicted status of these vital elements in the not so distant future. Many people have read and heard about it. But very few people bother to ponder over the impending catastrophe. Instead, they look for ways & means to save the day at least for them and their own children. It might sound outright selfishness, but it is still good for the world if everyone does it. If every one of us keeps our body, our home, our street and our town clean and tidy, the whole world would become clean. A physically clean and tidy world is the only guarantee for continued abundance of vital elements for life. Equally important, if not more, is the necessity for a mentally stable and accommodative set of human beings.
If air, water and sunlight were taken for granted much earlier, the current generation is doing the same mistake with regard to generation of current. Our dependence on power has already reached alarming proportions. The so-called urban people are the most dependent on power. A simple listing of the number of electric current consumers and their consumption in a few representative areas of any few cities in the world is enough to bring out the ever growing dependency on power. The growth would be unbelievable in your own city. And what is the corresponding growth in the generation of power and its cost of production. Except for the oil rich countries, all other nations are struggling with the Herculean task of arranging power to those who want it. Power generation capacity from the renewable sources of energy represents the ‘eligible power limit (epl)’ for any nation in the world. Greater the departure from this golden ‘epl’ figure, steeper will be the fall of those nations in the days to come. The only way to avoid this would be a remarkable breakthrough in the power generation technology from the renewable sources of energy viz. wind, sunlight, waves etc.
Develop Philosophically
Side by side with the laboratory research for technological breakthroughs, it is much more important to carry out re-search in our conscience for an appropriate philosophy to live with power-cuts. The rich and affluent have a lot to learn from the poor in this regard. Many learned people have observed that at the end of the day they see more happiness in a slum than in a rich colony. When they said this, they were definitely not overlooking the unhappiness and misery in the lives of those who go to sleep without food and water. The physical aspects of life are definitely not comparable in the two cases. Yet many among the slum dwellers develop a certain philosophy of not taking anything for granted. They are not sure of the next meal as much as they are of the next day. Nothing is taken for granted and nothing is ruled out either. Everyday life is an open ended game for slum-dwellers.
It is this unattached attitude towards life that is worthy of replication in our own lives. Development of any new attitude in life is achieved easier by wilful practice or by subjecting ourselves to trying times more often. The frequent power-cut in the urban areas is teaching a lesson to those who are trying to run away from realities. Youth today are getting increasingly used to comforts which are far above their legitimate right as human beings in this overcrowded world. One look at the lifestyle of youth in the oil rich countries is enough to conclude this. Many of them are totally cut off from the stark realities of life in other parts of the world. Many aspects of everyday life are taken for granted and abundance of money seems to remove all obstacles in life. Everyday life is a pleasure game in these parts of the world until an occasional power-cut wakes them up.
Thus power-cuts are providing the much needed wake-up message to a new generation which is walking away from the basics of nature. Loss of a whole day’s effort on a computer (if you have forgotten to save the file) is the best example in this study in philosophy. Just like a human body, a computer can also crash at anytime and a power failure is just one of its reasons. More frequent the power-cuts, more reminded we are about the uncertainties in life. Every second is pregnant with possibilities of losing anything in our possession. We cannot take anything for granted in life and that is what a power-cut highlights to the arrogant youth of today.
It is quite common in a philosophical sense to understand a concept by realising the absence of it. As an example, the best way to understand the value of life is by imagining its absence. In spite of all the difficulties in our lives, it is still a boon from God to be alive. Death is always painful and it puts an end to all possibilities that may exist for an individual. But life is exactly the opposite. Every minute is full of possibilities, good or bad, and carries with it the power of creation. Same is the case with freedom. We can realise the value of freedom only when we go through times of slavery and bondage. Freedom of thought and expression is an invaluable luxury that we in India enjoyed since time immemorial. We realised the value of it only when we lost it temporarily for a few hundred years. The same holds good for power as well. Most of us realise the value of power only when there is a power-cut. The philosophical angle of power-cut sound trivial but it is a symbolic signal that forces us to realise the stark reality of modern times.
Taken for Granted
One of the most dangerous mistakes we make in life is taking things for granted. We learned from our forefathers that refreshing sunlight, drinking water and clean air were here in abundance during their times. And we have also been seeing and enjoying these ever since our birth. But do we realise the current and predicted status of these vital elements in the not so distant future. Many people have read and heard about it. But very few people bother to ponder over the impending catastrophe. Instead, they look for ways & means to save the day at least for them and their own children. It might sound outright selfishness, but it is still good for the world if everyone does it. If every one of us keeps our body, our home, our street and our town clean and tidy, the whole world would become clean. A physically clean and tidy world is the only guarantee for continued abundance of vital elements for life. Equally important, if not more, is the necessity for a mentally stable and accommodative set of human beings.
If air, water and sunlight were taken for granted much earlier, the current generation is doing the same mistake with regard to generation of current. Our dependence on power has already reached alarming proportions. The so-called urban people are the most dependent on power. A simple listing of the number of electric current consumers and their consumption in a few representative areas of any few cities in the world is enough to bring out the ever growing dependency on power. The growth would be unbelievable in your own city. And what is the corresponding growth in the generation of power and its cost of production. Except for the oil rich countries, all other nations are struggling with the Herculean task of arranging power to those who want it. Power generation capacity from the renewable sources of energy represents the ‘eligible power limit (epl)’ for any nation in the world. Greater the departure from this golden ‘epl’ figure, steeper will be the fall of those nations in the days to come. The only way to avoid this would be a remarkable breakthrough in the power generation technology from the renewable sources of energy viz. wind, sunlight, waves etc.
Develop Philosophically
Side by side with the laboratory research for technological breakthroughs, it is much more important to carry out re-search in our conscience for an appropriate philosophy to live with power-cuts. The rich and affluent have a lot to learn from the poor in this regard. Many learned people have observed that at the end of the day they see more happiness in a slum than in a rich colony. When they said this, they were definitely not overlooking the unhappiness and misery in the lives of those who go to sleep without food and water. The physical aspects of life are definitely not comparable in the two cases. Yet many among the slum dwellers develop a certain philosophy of not taking anything for granted. They are not sure of the next meal as much as they are of the next day. Nothing is taken for granted and nothing is ruled out either. Everyday life is an open ended game for slum-dwellers.
It is this unattached attitude towards life that is worthy of replication in our own lives. Development of any new attitude in life is achieved easier by wilful practice or by subjecting ourselves to trying times more often. The frequent power-cut in the urban areas is teaching a lesson to those who are trying to run away from realities. Youth today are getting increasingly used to comforts which are far above their legitimate right as human beings in this overcrowded world. One look at the lifestyle of youth in the oil rich countries is enough to conclude this. Many of them are totally cut off from the stark realities of life in other parts of the world. Many aspects of everyday life are taken for granted and abundance of money seems to remove all obstacles in life. Everyday life is a pleasure game in these parts of the world until an occasional power-cut wakes them up.
Thus power-cuts are providing the much needed wake-up message to a new generation which is walking away from the basics of nature. Loss of a whole day’s effort on a computer (if you have forgotten to save the file) is the best example in this study in philosophy. Just like a human body, a computer can also crash at anytime and a power failure is just one of its reasons. More frequent the power-cuts, more reminded we are about the uncertainties in life. Every second is pregnant with possibilities of losing anything in our possession. We cannot take anything for granted in life and that is what a power-cut highlights to the arrogant youth of today.
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