Mandal – II or Mandal Reloaded?

1989 : Two words – Mandal Commission – set a whole generation on fire. And quite literally, with a young man in flames as the picture of the outrage that prevailed then.

2006 : Seventeen years later, the spectre seems to haunt again. This time no life has been sacrificed till now. But, the voices are loud enough.

Reservation – the phenomenon that links these seventeen years, seems to have become more than a blip on the political radar-screen of the country. A few months from now, the nation enters into its sixtieth year of independence. So, is it not appropriate that the mindset of our policymakers seems to be sixty years (or even more) old as well? This is the most important point to be noted in this context. The constitutional amendment of December 2005 was just a reworking of the original Mandal Commission recommendations – some of the points left untouched seventeen years ago are being given a new make-up now. So, the can of worms is only being reopened, albeit slightly differently. This is not a new package that is creating all the uproar.

Almost sixty years after independence and we are still on the path to being a “developed country”. Why are we still a “developing country”? Because we have failed to uplift the SCs,STs and OBCs? Or, we never had any proper social justice system in the first place? Probably both. Probably neither. In other words, even if we had a plan in mind, we chose to stay idle and allowed it to become an ugly instrument of favour-mongering. So, the backward did not move an inch forward. Today, our policymakers are attempting to do it all over again and turn the clock back by aeons. Whoever thought of changed circumstances!

A friend of mine from Hyderabad has very sarcastically suggested that there should be reservation in sports as well. In our cricket team, a minimum number of positions have to be reserved for SC/ST/OBC players. Accordingly, Shoaib Akhtar should bowl slower deliveries to these batsmen and so on. I do not hesitate to extend his sarcasm – reserve these players’ endorsement contracts as well. A fixed amount from endorsements is a must fro them. In a scenario where the quality:quantity ratio is already horribly skewed (lakhs of students compete for a few dozen seats), nothing but a disaster beckons. Instead of providing scholarships or increasing seats, reservation is the choice – populism at best, irrational at worst. Is this what it takes………..to be little bit wise?

Colour of Democracy – VIII
Colour with Cheer

This is the final chapter in this series, with yours truly sharing with you the experience of voting for the first time, even though the entire election process is not over and there is always an urge to say more………..

Day 3 of the Election Test Match – the time to cheer. The day when young Kolkatans, besides others, express themselves. Compared to the districts, the overall turnout wasn’t too good – just about 60%. But, my city didn’t fare too badly either, especially when it came to the young brigade. Almost all of my close friends in college are now sporting the ink mark on their index fingers (no tall claims of representing the entire student community, just that drops maketh an ocean). A lot of them were first-time voters, like me. One of them was hyper-conscious of her status as a first-time voter. As a result, she got carried away on looking at the voting machine and ended up voting for the candidate who was not her original choice!! The thrills and spills of the ballot!

Whether our expressions really carry themselves through or not will only be determined after the entire affair is over. That is an issue to be considered in a different setting. But, for all of us who intend to use the ballot in future as well, one thing should be clear – everything does not end here. To be able to exercise such a constitutional right regularly, we have to ensure its proper survival. Quite a few pictures on the telly showed people like us eager to express themselves but unable to do so. So, they still remain first-time voters. Why did this happen? Errors in the system of course – by default or design. That means the system is in need of a general overhaul (yes, I am repeating it for the nth time). This surely cannot be achieved from the outside. So, it is time to probe into the innermost recesses of the system and find out the defects. This will ensure its proper functioning – for us.

This is not a clarion call to take up a “sarkari-naukri” for “desh ki seva”. This is just a reminder to shed those inhibitions, straighten those brows – to breathe new life in the body of society and be………..a little bit wise.

Colour of Democracy – VII
Colour of a Neighbour

It is felt by many that the ballot is the real test of democracy. Quite true. But, what happens when any scope of using the ballot vanishes from the scene altogether? Then, does the time come to install democracy by force? Again, does that kind of a democracy survive? These are perhaps some of the questions that are being faced by a neighbour in the midst of turmoil at this moment. Moreover, the political situation in this country affects the interests of the ‘South Asian Giant’ quite closely. And, what kind of “remedial action” has the giant taken? Not too impressive – sorry to say folks.

With all due respect, Karan Singh seems to have whispered something into the ears of Gyanendra that must have prompted him to take one step forward, two steps backward. Otherwise, what else would explain New Delhi’s support to the queer proposal made by the monarch? Prior to Gyanendra’s announcement, it was reported in the media that Singh came back as good as empty handed, owing to the obduracy of the monarch. Then, things took a turn in a direction which might have been unanticipated. History lessons tell us that when Nepal had faced a similar crisis more than fifty years ago, New Delhi had acted as the benevolent host to the fleeing monarch – King Tribhuvan (Gyanendra’s grandfather). There is another account of how Dwight Eisenhower, when he was the most powerful political executive, had to yield to the stubborn attitude of King Mahendra (Gyanendra’s father), to receive the latter personally on his visit to the US. So, is it strange that Gyanendra has become a tinpot dictator now? Will it be more strange if he decides to settle down in a bungalow on Akbar Road or Race Course Road if he is driven out of Narayanhiti Palace? Doesn’t this run in the family?

At this moment, I would not hesitate to say that the Nepali people may be quite right in pointing fingers at us. Would we like it ourselves if some Big Brother comes and tells us that only some parties can choose our leader, not an elected parliament? During the Bangladesh War, Nixon and Kissinger called Indira Gandhi quite a few names for protecting the Bengalis. Now, they (with one from the grave) must be joking privately about us – who wants a Yahya now? All in all, would it be wrong to say that Messrs. Singh & Co. have committed an Iraq-type act in a modified manner? Gentlemen, don’t wait to realize the value of something unless and until it is forcefully taken away from you. Please be……….a little bit wise.

Colour of Democracy – VI
Colour me Red (!)(?)

Amid all the noise and cacophony of the Election Test Match, I found one promotional exercise quite interesting. This is being done by a private Bengali news channel under a title that translates in English as ‘The Fight for the Red House’. This is in reference to the seat of power in Kolkata that is occupied by a group that identifies itself with the red colour. Coincidence? Irony? Or, just the right symbol of power? Difficult to answer. But, interesting nonetheless. For 29 years (and till who knows when,maybe), a machine of unthinkable proportions has been evolving, thanks to the painstaking efforts of the ‘comrades’. Today, this machine stands very well-oiled and renders almost flawless service. Well, almost (barring a few KJ Raos here and there).

This machine and its accessories control all the vital aspects of this state’s survival. Read: who teaches in which school, who learns English when, who does what not (sic). And, this is the phenomenon that has landed the state in the red(sad and ironic, this time). In a democracy, no democratic opposition has been able to develop against the machine. Instead, it is an armed opposition that has taken this place. Yet again, the colour of this opposition is red – not just because of common (distantly) ideological antecedents but due to the blood that it spills. Blood of whom? Of those who represent its ‘enemy’ i.e the state, as well as the innocent whom it seeks to ‘protect’. And, the blood of the innocent ones is spilt anyway if they dare to disobey the orders of the machine. Caught in the crossfire, trapped in the unbalance – the innocent ones.

So instead of a rainbow – the horizon of the future has only one colour – red. That means, we are in the red, brothers and sisters! (pun intended) Still, we want Americans to hire us for designing their software and repairing their toasters via satellite. Such is the irony of design – deep red in colour. When shall we become………a little bit wise?

Colour of Democracy – V
Colour of Empowerment

About 48 hours have passed since the conclusion of Day I of the election test match. The first show has been quite impressive – overall 81% voter turnout in the three districts, with even 100% turnout being recorded in some constituencies! For the time being, lets put the issue of false votes/claims aside and take these figures at face value. More importantly, as the news channels telecast the pictures of the affair, I noticed something really inspiring – more than half of the voters standing in the long queues were women. Now, that’s what I call empowerment people!! Thumbs up to universal adult franchise! Inspiring as well, because none of the voters paid any heed to the threats or intimidations of the Maoists. To bring this out more clearly, let me take a short detour to a couple of our neighbouring countries. One is in turmoil while the other is quite tranquil. The one thing that is common to them is revolution – violent in the first one, silent in the second.

The first country in question is Nepal – where the political unrest has become a daily affair since the ‘royal coup’, but something that continues to snowball nonetheless. King Gyanendra seems to possess an irresistible urge to hold on power (even though it is common knowledge that his writ does not run beyond Kathmandu). The common people of Nepal want just the opposite – power in their hands. Here again, a large number of the pro-democracy protesters includes women – a fact that does not escape notice. Besides, Nepal has its share of Maoists as well. But, there is a slight difference here – these Maoists do not favour a complete boycott of the ballot (even though they have resorted to the bullet), unlike their Indian counterparts. But, the king refuses to grant a ballot. On the other hand, in spite of the Indian Maoists’ call for boycotting the elections, the voter turnout is 81%. This is a real complex of ironies!

Now, lets turn to the other country – Bhutan. An absolute monarchy has been in place for quite some time and nobody in Bhutan has had any problem with this arrangement. But, now King Jigme Wangchuk wants to abdicate and usher in democracy in the country in two years’ time. The country is all set to unveil its first written constitution around the same time. Till now, the people of Bhutan are quite flummoxed by this move of the king. But, they seem to be enjoying the gradual liberation (as a part of the overall process) – opening up of the media, access to the Internet etc. The economic growth of Bhutan has been quite impressive as well – overall growth rate crossed 8% in the last financial year. Maybe this buttresses the positivity of this change.

The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate this – democracy means different things to different entities. For some it is an entirely new phenomenon – untried and untested, while it is an oasis in the desert for others. But, regardless of perceptions, one thing is common – democracy has its own value. We, as Indian citizens, have been endowed with this valuable entity for more than five decades since independence. Still, we seem to be missing this value of democracy somehow. In spite of all the failings of our polity, this value does leave a mark in the psyche of the many who throng the polling booths, without any fear, to express themselves. That is the colour of empowerment –brighter than the brightest. This should make us……..a little bit wise.

A Star Awakens

For the last couple of days, Mangal Pandey aka DJ aka Aamir Khan is being seen in a different role and rising in it. He seems to be lending the cry of “Halla Bol!!” to the Narmada Bachao Andolan. The response is moxed. Some are welcoming him, while some feel - ‘couldn’t care less, the guy’s out there for publicity’. But, as always, the entire affair in Jantar Mantar, that began more than a fortnight back, is witnessing a lot of popping flashbulbs and prime time news coverage. Just about half of this was happening when Mr. Khan was not around. Moreover, the actor certainly has a lot more on his mind (or sleeve) than most of us could guess. So, he even brought along some members of the cast and crew of Rang De Basanti, merging reel and real scenes, as it were.

Publicity or not, the move is perfectly timed. The discontent and frustration with the establishment, depicted in Rang De, seems to have captured the imaginations of many. So, Khan and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra are laughing all the way to El Dorado (and not just the bank). Money matters aside, the demonstrations by Medha Patkar and her supporters offered the best real-time scenario of Rang De. So, this is the moment for Bollywood’s ambassador of righteousness to step in. one has to wait and watch to determine whether Khan meets with a similar fate as Viveik Oberoi in Devanampattinam (the tsunami-affected village in Tamil Nadu whose inhabitants he was trying to rehabilitate). Among the immediate responses, one has been a boycott of Rang De in theatres across Gujarat. But, this is no more than a minor damage – the concept of negative publicity is too deeply ingrained in the psyche of the Indian celebrity.

In general, the issue of star endorsement to a cause dose merit some thought. Does this actually give more weightage to the issue at hand? Do the authorities really start listening when a star comes in? More specifically, do people really turn vegetarian when John Abraham parades the ramp in skirt made of leaves? It would be difficult to give a general ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ as an answer. But, uncomfortable issues arise in some cases – the one being discussed is the best example. Arundhati Roy has put real poser for Khan by asking him to stop endorsing Coke (since opposition to this MNC is also a part of the protesters’ agenda). What will he do now? He says yes – and a revolution occurs in the celeb fraternity. He says no – and he is able to afford many more extravagances in the future (like his second wedding). But the point is – would the poor farmers, being displaced by the dam and with nowhere to go, be really benefited by any of these outcomes? Least likely.

There is neither any harm in superstars looking for image enhancement nor is it wrong for them to ooze feelings of a true Indian citizen, at the most opportune moment. But movements like Narmada Bachao Andolan go much beyond 35 mm. They have carved a niche for themselves, thanks to the efforts of individuals like Patkar. It takes more than guts to go for forms of protest like jal-samadhi or indefinite hunger strike. This is what inspires movies like Rang De Basanti, and not the other way round. Star endorsement is welcome, as long as the real issue is not diluted. So Aamir, I appeal to you as one of your greatest fans not to hijack this movement for your own ends. Just be……a little bit wise.

Love that Kills

A few hours ago, I was catching up on my usual dose of news on the telly. As the images floated by, there was one that fixed/foxed me. It showed a helpless policeman in Bangalore being mercilessly beaten up by an angry mob. The man, as the channel informed, succumbed to his injuries later in hospital. This mob was ‘mourning’ the death of an icon of Karnataka – Rajkumar. What an incredible (sic) show of grief – absurd and irrational, beyond the furthest realm of logic. As yet another Great Indian Spectacle (?) unfolded before my eyes, I was reminded of another incident a few months back, though completely unrelated to this one. That involved a few lovers in Meerut, who were slapped right and left by the police for merely holding hands, apparently. In this case, our law enforcers willingly doubled up as cultural guardians against some innocent youngsters. They even called mediapersons to the spot, to record their (un)holy act on camera and present their own version of a ‘sting operation’. But, in the events in Bangalore, the police were armed with nothing save lathis. Not even once did they open fire on the crowd, so that civilian casualties would be at a minimum.

All this represents the lopsided nature of law enforcement in our country. But more importantly, it shows another phenomenon – love that kills (or hurts). In both the instances, the cause can be identified thus – misperceived and skewed notions of love and affection in our society. Fans of a superstar of yesteryears go on the rampage with impunity when dies a natural death (imagine what would have happened if Veerappan had killed him) – to ‘mourn’ the loss. The result – India’s ‘Silicon Valley’ loses business, and face for a couple of days. Damage to the public order is incalculable, moreover. On the other hand, what kind of damage can be done to the public order by a few lovers holding hands in a park? Hard to imagine, really. Well, ‘Western culture is bad for the health of India’s youth’ – the cultural czars say. Interestingly, some time back, Bangalore also witnessed its own share of cultural chauvinism – protecting the Kannadigas against ‘foreigners’ – with the demonstrations being led by none other than Rajkumar himself!

At this moment, India is the land of milk and honey for MNCs. So, it might not be wrong to guard against the free gifts they bring, along with the dollars. But, shouldn’t we set our own house in order first? It is high time we had clear and mature concepts on how we identify with love. If love and its display are natural human emotions, how can they have geographical tags? The point is to develop a rational approach to love. Neither should we go overboard with its display (destructively or crudely) nor do we need to seal it off hermetically from the imagination. Love and be loved……..but, be a little bit wise.

Shubho Nabo Barsho

15th April,2011/Poila Baisakh,1418
8:30 AM : Sujit Mitra, a 31-year old executive in a private firm, wakes up after a night of partying in his fully air-conditioned flat in East City(a sprawling residential complex in an upscale South Kolkata locality). Rimi, Sujit’s wife, is up already. Sujit’s head is reeling – after all, the Mitras had spent the previous night ushering in Nabo Barsho with their friends at Montro, the hottest new joint in town. All types of celestial liquor had flowed freely.

9:30 AM : Sujit’s headache has been taken care of by cups of organic tea and a refreshing bath. Today, the Mitras plan to go light on their celebrations, if they can, that is. Earlier, Rimi had called up Gajakhori Panna (a speciality chain of Bengali restaurants) to order luchi-mangsho, as she felt too tired to cook, with their maid on leave for a weekend Poila Baisakh holiday package. The order arrives and the Mitras have a filling breakfast.

11:30 AM : Sujit has just finished with the routine of sending text messages and emails to his friends and relatives. A friend of Rimi in the US has had a baby the day before and she has just received videos of the newborn on her mobile phone. Rimi congratulates her friend, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

12:30 PM : The Mitras receive a call from Ajit and Roma Mukherjee, their friends living in Dubai. The Mukherjees are in town and want Sujit and Rimi to join them for lunch at a well-known restaurant. The Mitras are offered two choices of venue : Issh!! Kolkata! or Rupor Bangla. They have a tough time deciding and finally settle for the former.

2:30 PM : Post-lunch, the Mitras and Mukherjees head for the multiplex 109 Cinemas to catch a show of the latest film by Mituparni Ghosh. The movie revolves around a struggling Bengali couple who sell off their favourite possessions to give each other gifts on Valentine’s Day.

4:30 PM : The Mitras are fully enjoying their change of plans. Rimi tells Roma about her friend’s baby. Roma ponders briefly – she must find time to discuss her adoption plans after her last miscarriage (Ajit is a marine engineer and is at sea for almost nine months).

6:30 PM : Sujit receives more calls from his friends on his mobile phone, asking him and Rimi to join them at the Bong Bar, for another night of celebrations. He asks Ajit and Roma to come along and they agree to his proposal.

1:00 AM : The Mitras and Mukherjees decide to call it a day. Ajit and Roma are wished a happy journey back home (their flight leaves after a couple of hours). The first day of 1418 comes to an end. Everyone returns.......a little bit wise.

(The Colour of Democracy series will be back after a short break)

Colour of Democracy – IV
Colour of Fair Play

A few days, or maybe a few hours to go before Day I of the Election Test Match(it’s a five day affair, after all). Going by the state of affairs, i.e the manner in which things are being orchestrated by BB Tandon & Co., one wonders, ours must be one of those states where democracy scores very low. No comments on this, for the time being. But, amidst all the brouhaha of conducting a no-nonsense election, is the Election Commission headed for an overkill? Maybe, but that is besides the point now.

The model code of conduct comprises a long list of “things to do” for the political parties. So, they have no chance of escaping the tight leash on them. More importantly, voting is to occur over five days. That means quite a lot of things – public transport will do the vanishing act, office-goers will curse their fate even more, college students preparing for their exams will find themselves displaced (literally, due to the postponing of the exams and the campuses being used as voting booths) and so on. All in the name of fair play. Fair- for those who are actually made to suffer. Fair- for those who will pay the price for tolerating nearly three decades of misrule. Not very unfair either. Installing our “comrades” in power was never an act of divinity, even if it was not a sin. These “comrades” have always made their own decisions on the “people’s mandate” and clamped it upon us. So, the equation is simple – the comrade’s (ruler’s) mandate = people’s mandate. These comrades still insist on shutting down a capital city because they cannot find a toehold in IT firms/BPOs. Well now, comrade, maybe you have an act up your sleeve against the Election Commission as well? Or, did I miss it already?

So, Tandon & Co. might just be replying to you in kind, comrade. On your part, you can never tolerate this overzealous attitude, especially when your phantom voters disappear swiftly (just as you made them appear) at the stroke of a pen. If you really have the people’s support, why do you have to conjure it up? Never mind, as you will bring home yet another victory. But, do not ignore this wake-up call, comrade. Maybe this can make you much more, and not just………a little bit wise.

Colour of Democracy – III
Colour of Opinions

Today, our professor was discussing the issue of security in the Third World countries. He pointed out the aspect of ultra nationalist politics as a threat to the security of countries like India. So, I contributed by pointing out the concept of ‘rath yatras’ as a tool of this brand of politics. Immediately, a classmate clarified that the specific event in question was a ‘yatra’ and not a ‘rath yatra’. This was a mark of qualifying his upport for right wing politics. Even though I have serious differences with my differences with my friend over this issue, he still deserves my kudos. The reason : free expression of a clear opinion.

In this age, most young Indians view politics in either of two ways : loathe it (why wallow in the muck?) or court it (the bungalows in Delhi are so comfy!!). My friend does not subscribe to either of these views. Yet, he retains clear ideas on politics. Apart from the fact that he is a fellow student of Political Science (one could draw hasty conclusions from this fact), he has clear opinions. This is the need of the hour. Unfortunately, my classmate is just a drop in the ocean of youth in the country. Leave aside a politician, even being ‘political’ is looked upon these days. No wonder then, that student politicians in my university (and in many others) are viewed as aliens and the student elections as affairs in outer space. No way we are bothered about them!

Being a “cash-for-questions” MP is a crime. But being a political animal (thus spake Aristotle) is certainly not. Formation and articulation of diverse opinions is a central feature of a thriving democracy. This is one step closer in effecting that big ‘change’ we aspire for – which eventually manifests itself as the vote. Hence I am grateful to my friend for showing me the way………to become a little bit wise.

Colour of Democracy – II
Colour of Generation Us

“ Lose control……….I am a rebel!!” – is perceived to be the mantra of Generation ‘Me’. But, this not just Generation Me. It also prefers to cal itself Generation ‘Us’. Well, what difference does it make?- the hardened sceptic might ask. A lot really.

If we want to lose control, we want do so on our own ‘mitti’. In other words, we have no qualms in calling ourselves Indians. That is what a recent survey by an English daily of my city and a market research agency shows. So, when we go shopping for brands, we do not distinguish between Raymond and Reebok. Similarly, when it comes to jobs, we don’t care whether it is Ambani or American Express, as long as the pay is good. Thus, reasons enough to showcase Brand India at Davos. Besides, Generation Us also cares for everything that goes on around it. That is why, Barkha Dutt is among its icons. Is there any problem then?

Not quite, but the picture is incomplete. Our pride in being Indian loses more than half of its value when do not determine our fates ourselves. It is not that we don’t have anything to do, but we do nothing. On a macro level, this means that India’s claim of being the world’s largest democracy becomes quite hollow. If we think our rulers our undemocratic, then why aren’t we doing anything to remove the ‘un’ prefix from the democratic? If a right is not used (read: right to vote) is not used, then how can it be violated? Besides, if we hate the sight of filth, why don’t we clean it ourselves? No point in waiting and watching till it spreads to out homes. Today, most young people only want to become IAS officers if they have to do a government job. But, why not anything else? In my class of forty students in college, only one appeared for the Combined Defence Services Examination. The point is, to effect an overhaul, each and every component of a system has to be looked into. So, it is better to be in than out of it……..and be little bit wise.

Colour of Democracy – I

This was one of those instances which I call a “planned coincidence”. In the run-up to the elections in my state (the coincidence), I went for a show of ‘Rang De Basanti’ (the plan). Even though this was not my first “dekko” of this superb movie, this viewing was very relevant for me, in more ways than one. This time, the message has become absolutely clear. More than anything else, my feelings as a first-time voter (and the subsequent change in them) have been aptly reflected by the protagonists. This demands an elaboration. In very basic terms, a system or a unit is not an entity by itself. Its components contribute their identities to it. When it starts acquiring an identity of its own, the trouble begins. In our country’s context, this boils down to something quite clichéd – the case of ‘us’ versus ‘them’, where the latter is ostensibly the ‘system’(of governance, of the economy, society etc.). We point our fingers very conveniently at this ‘system’, which seems to have become a monster. We have no clue as to how this monster was born, we do not know what the vital organs of this monster are and so on. But, finding these answers comes through a very simple exercise – stand in front of the mirror; was that a clone of that monster? Or, did you miss it completely ?

Every alternate day, statistics keep pouring in regarding the profile of the Indian population. And all of them arrive at the same conclusion, screaming it from the rooftop – it’s a young country, people!! If its young, it is supposed to be energetic. So, how does it spend its energy? By earning pots of cash and using the same to party its heart out? Excuse me for this oversimplification. At the same time, there is nothing wrong in these activities. But, can’t the scope of expending this energy broadened? Before getting all fired up, why not do simpler things instead? One does not have to be rich or poor, dude or geek – to exercise adult franchise. Giving away this constitutional right is like disliking a dish even before tasting it. Okay, the items on the menu are not palatable anyway. But, if you want a better menu, why settle for mere commentary? To paint your democracy with bright hues, pick up the paintbrush. What does this translate as? The blue ink mark on the index finger, which hides a rainbow of possibilities under a monochrome. The outcome can be a greater cause to party about. I am all set for my day of expression…….to become a little bit wise.

Shooting Tales

These days, shooters and their tale(s) of woes are a hot news item. In that high pedestal of society, where our deities and icons are installed, this has created quite a stir. More specifically, this concerns two shooters – one ‘in’ and the other ‘out’. As I write this, Salman Khan gets ready to spend a long, hard day (and probably one of many) at the Jodhpur Central Jail. As this morning’s broadsheets tell us, the action hero ostensibly has Rs. 100 crore piggybacking on him at the moment (long live rich Bollywood!). And, he is sustaining the aspirations of the stakeholders (whose money it is) in his career with nothing but “jail ki dal-roti”. A pittance, considering that he was supposed to have roasted gazelles on his menu for dinner, eight years ago.

There must be something about Rajasthan that draws our man in question – this is the place a doomed romance as well as a dinner expedition occurred, all in the course of shooting ( no pun intended). But, that is besides the point. What comes to the mind (and yet again, for the nth time)- is the terrible inconsistency of our judiciary (the “court-kacheri” in common parlance) as well as the investigative system. Never mind the fact that a period of eight years lapsed between the incident and the verdict on the case (things were moving according to Indian Standard Time after all !). Never mind the fact that our legal guardians have completely forgotten the fact that justice delayed is justice denied. But can this be a “reality” – Salman Khan is not above the law but Manu Sharma is? The latter “shot” (sic) his way to police and court records in the year following the chinkara and blackbuck incident. At no point of time do I wish to discriminate between the chinkara and Jessica Lal cases. Then again, one question surely can’t be evaded – if there is nothing wrong in showing concern for an endangered animal, then why can’t it be the same for a human life? At least, this might just be what Lal’s family are thinking now.

Both the cases took almost the same period of time to show some result. But, why were these outcomes so different? Murder is murder – be it of an animal or human, whether it is committed by a Nawab or Chhote Nawab. Then, what motivates our legal guardians to discount a crime so easily? Is “lack of evidence” a mere cover for denying the value of human lives? (a transparent cover nonetheless) Or, is it merely some stroke of luck that has caused Salman Khan to go to jail and Manu Sharma to walk out of it? In this age, where “human security” is as (or perhaps more) important as national security , the irony is too much. It is the failure to secure a fellow citizen’s life, standing out like a deep wound in the body we call society. Perhaps, it is prudent to read the small print – “human security” comes with strings attached. But, if the wound spreads so rapidly, it shall become an incurable cancer. No use blaming the doctor (known as the state) for negligence – for every finger of blame pointed at “them”, three point at you. Heal it yourself and be a little bit wise.

P. S : After another 24 hours, the verdict on the Bandra Bakery hit-and-run case,involving dear Salman again, is to be out. One more test for the value of an individual life!

Reservation Counter for IITs and IIMs : Open Every Academic Session (By Order)

Four months from now, this country,priding itself as the ‘South Asian Tiger’, will celebrate five decades and nine years of its independent existence. The next year, the same date will mark the diamond jubilee of this occasion. Surely, reason enough to celebrate. But, a merely symbolic celebration nonetheless. But why? Well, the answer may not be straightforward. The explanation comes from the issue which is doing the rounds of the education policy making circles as well as the corridors of the Election Commission (for the wrong reasons).

The hallmark of quality, in a field like education, is ideally above any sort of compromise. In India, this obviously translates as a reality that the minimum you tamper with the IITs and IIMs, the better. But now, the makers of our fate seem to think otherwise. They are determined to erase the badge of quality from these institutions. Earlier, the issues of the IIMs’ fees and their plans of setting up campuses abroad came under the ‘neta-babu’ scanner. Now, it is the turn of the admission process itself, an all time- favourite with policymakers. Not content with the earlier quotas, the neta-babu concubine is hungry for more. So, it has decided that, not just the IITs and IIMs, but niche institutions like NIFT will not be spared either. Thus, the future scenario could well resemble a scene where ‘reservation counters’ will cater to the ‘disadvantaged’ sections who want a ticket to the big league of education. Nothing wrong in that. But , it is really necessary to answer this question first: who are the ‘disadvantaged’ actually. In this context, two instances immediately come to my mind as explanations. The first one concerns a batchmate in school , who joined us in the senior secondary class, about three years ago. She came from a family of six and her father makes a living as a cab driver. As her family could barely make ends meet, the girl had to give tuitions to pay her own school fees. She could not afford anything else – private tuitions, expensive reference books etc. When the time of reckoning came, she topped the school leaving exams, beating the next best student by miles. Not only that, she secured admission to BITS, Pilani and made her way there, thanks to numerous scholarships that came her way. The other story is about the son of an idli-vendor who recently graduated from IIM, Ahmedabad and rejected plum job offers to become an entrepreneur. The details of this are known to most of us. Points to be noted here : both the stories received national media coverage, none of the individuals needed any reservation to reach where they are now. Yet, both were disadvantaged, in the actual sense of the term.

In a country which prides itself as a huge reservoir of human capital, the ‘human’ factor , ironically, has a skewed meaning. Inequality among individuals based on aspects like caste is truly unfortunate. But, this can never be justification for throwing open the floodgates of premier institutions. Since when did these institutions stop encouraging talented but disadvantaged individuals, if the two examples above are anything to go by? Shenanigans like drastic fee reduction or admission quotas are an insult to the decision-making capabilities of such institutions (which deserve full autonomy anyway) as well as a negation of the very purpose of their existence : quality above anything else. Thus, to answer the question asked at the beginning of this discussion, independence is complete only when the expression of merit and success become a natural process, sans reservations. If some people in New Delhi could realize this, they can surely be a little bit wise.

A Little Bit Wise(r)(?)
Is it too ominous to start on an grim note ? But,how many signs or charms do I believe in anyway? Then again, what happened was really an eye-opener(or closer) in a manner of speking. An accident on the road........a physically challenged man.........head bleeding profusely.......lay helpless in a pool of blood........I was passing by with a friend........she stopped and stood there,aghast (me too).But, for a split second only...... I quickly took her hand and led her away from the spot.There I was.........helpless.Since I do not wish to convert these thoughts into any script for the electronic media......I write in bits and snatches.But, who was more helpless then - me or the man? Whenever I am asked as to what I dislike most in others, pat comes my answer-HYPOCRISY.But, this was the moment when I realised - how can I hate something which I cling to so dearly? (This being a reality of being a hypocrite) I thought the injured man needed help. But, I just scampered away like a frightened sparrow-froghtened by gory reality,my mind becoming too numb to capture the gravity of the situation. Or,was that a new method I had just invented to demonstrate my chivalry(sic) to my shocked friend? As mentioned earlier, have I ever believed in any (superstitious) sign? don't know what explains a queer but temporary pain at the back of the head(the same spot where the person had been injured) that I felt as I was walking away.......and stil feel......maybe somehwere else? That is why, the mind and the heart that we humans are so proud of - can be in dire need of help at times. Otherwise, the pain becomes more unbearable than a physical injury. A piece of philosohy which I had heard many times, but realised now.And thus emerged at the end of the day,like the fabled fox,a little bit wise.