A new sort of togetherness

Courtesy: The Economist

A Hindu temple in Chicago, hundreds of people of Indian descent, professing many faiths, turned up from across Illinois and farther afield to hear a speaker from back home. But the meeting on May 15th was not the usual style of diaspora politics, in which a nation’s far-flung children are urged to cheer for the homeland.

The man they came to see was Jayaprakash Narayan, head of a movement called Lok Satta which opposes corruption and wants electoral reform. And the aim of his month-long American tour, which includes venues like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Google headquarters in California, is to get support from Indian-Americans for a drive to correct some of India’s failings. That sounds a lot better than passing round the hat for hardline Hindu nationalist causes, something else that occurs in the diaspora.

Bad, sleazy government, Mr Narayan says, is holding India back, crippling the country in its race with China. Having voted with their feet by leaving the country, he adds, Indians abroad should now help make their homeland worth staying in. Independent India’s early rulers had picked up statist ideas when studying in Britain; a new cohort of Indians, having thrived in economies like America’s, are nudging the country towards a freer market. This transmission of ideas, he notes, is easier in an electronic age.

Rejuvenate India

There are some things ,which needs adoration and there are a few people who are change-agents .I admire such a person,who almost became an iconic figure in very less time not with his political skills but because of the tremendous promise and the assurance he is providing to the under-privileged. "A day of change,a ray of hope is some where near to us but it doesn't happen with a single person.Even it didn't happen only because of Mahatma Gandhi" is his words of caution.The word under-privileged can't be used for poor or destitute in India and it can be used for a large mass of our population because our potential is largely unfulfilled and we are unable to avoid preventable sufferings and these two are the most dread-ful sins in this world.
The person about whom I am talking is none other than Dr.Jaya Prakash Narayan,Presently serving in Second Administrative Reforms Commission constituted by the Government of India. Many of my friends know that this ex-I.A.S officer is present M.L.A of kukutpally constituency,Andhra pradesh.If I ever get a chance to join politics , with no doubt,I join Loksatta. What more the pleasure I need than working under a great leader of my times.

I don't take much of your time giving my personal opinions and all the less-needed things.Here is a speech given by that stalwart in America( in Rejuvenate India tour organized my N.R.I's)..................


Transformation of India: only stuff worthwhile, worth living for, worth fighting for

“When I see the disruptive technologies promoted in this city and the work done by many of you in this city, I feel privileged to be part of this era. In a place like this you feel like there is no limit to our capacity and you can achieve almost anything. What you can achieve is only limited by what you can dream” Dr. JP started his speech with these remarks at Rejuvenate India program in Seattle organized by young energetic volunteers of People for Lok Satta, Seattle Chapter.
Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan and Mr. Vijay Anand, the President of Tamil Nadu Lok Satta Party, participated in a public event attended by 300 NRIs from Greater Seattle area and nearby Portland.
Addressing the gathering on “Transformation of India”, Dr.JP said, “I believe it’s the only stuff worthwhile, worth fighting for, worth living for and we will achieve that”. Deeply enthused by the Rejuvenate India campaign so far he said, "I have not come to inspire the young people of Indian origin, but I have come here to be inspired by the young people of Indian origin. They are truly inspiring. The amount of energy, enthusiasm, optimism, ‘we can do’ attitude, and a spirit of service that they bring is unmatched. If anybody has any doubt, whether India will be transformed in the next few years or not, they have to see the young people of Indian origin in the United States.”
Dr. JP explained technology can be transplanted easily but building institutions and practices takes time. He said, Emergency Response system in Andhra Pradesh setup in a relatively short time is good, however we are unable to provide proper health care yet. He referred to a line from Tagore’s poem “Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into dreary desert sand of dead habit” and asked every Indian to take to the heart. He mentioned we continue many practices and institutions in India for no good reason but they were there like that for so many years. Quoting an example of the time taken by a country like US to bring campaign finance reform, he reiterated the importance of building institutions.
Dr.JP called everyone to work together to bring changes in India. An individual cannot bring about change no matter how worthy or meaningful the person is. He gave the example of Mahatma Gandhi who fought very hard to keep the country united, fought for an India with decentralized power, fought for a corruption free India, but he could not, because rest of the nation didn’t join. Change is not possible by a single person, but together we can bring change.
When asked about how he would change the current politics if he had 2,000 crore rupees with him, Dr. JP replied that he doesn't need 2,000 crore rupees but needs about 10,000 determined and willing people with excellent leadership skills who can take the movement forward.
He had one favor to ask NRIs, “You are not recognized as Telugus or Tamils, Northerners or Southerners, Hindus or Muslims, and not on any linguistic basis or caste basis, but, as Indians. For heaven’s sake, do not forget that” and the crowd responded with a tremendous applause. Vishal Joshi, a software engineer working for Microsoft said, "The situation out there is very difficult. We need extremely intelligent and honest people to simplify and make things happen. I hope there will be a change happening soon"
He urged the NRIs not to lose heart and some of it takes time as it is still a nation in progress. With the technology and resources we now have, he was hopeful that it can be done in 10 years and not 100 years. Finally to conclude, he said, “I ask of you to give a bit of your energy, your time, your organizational ability, your technological capability and your resources, most of all, your passion, your love of fellow human beings and your country of origin, a bit of it for the next 10 years so that the country can be truly transformed, much taller and much prouder”
Vivek Mandava, an organizer at the event said he learnt something today, not from Dr. JP directly, but, from the inspired audience, “Donations like $1116, $51, $11 is something that we see only in the temples. Today, I witnessed it in this elementary school auditorium, but, for a different cause. The overall amount is not that important. It is these odd numbers that convey a lot more meaning to it than meets the eye. To rejuvenate India, we need to propagate such religious beliefs and not just the traditional ones. When you are religious about your belief system, you can power through problems and overcome seemingly unsurpassable obstacles much more easily"
Earlier, Mr. Viay Anand appreciated the efforts of People for Loksatta in organizing the Rejuvenate India campaign and made a special mention of the video compiled with a selection of Dr. JP’s best speeches, which built a grand tempo for the evening. The last question from the audience was from the youngest person in the hall, a 2nd grade student, Nithya. Referring to the young generation, Dr. JP said that today we are discussing the problems of past 60 years, 30 years from now when he comes back; he wanted them to discuss problems of their generation.



Nithya, I don't know what J.P told you but I'm sure that if my generation feels and breathes change and if they go with the motto-"Be the change you want to see in the world", no doubt, we are going to change much faster and Nithya, I promise you- we are going to change at least for the sake of heaven.We won't let it like this .We promise you a wonderful society .When you will be of my age ,you see more privileged than under-privileges.We wont commit the two sins any more-Unfulfilled potential and Preventable sufferings , because , we are the best youth in the entire world.All we need to do is to breath change and we have to breath it badly and its happening.Nithya, you are my inspiration for this day.Divinity bless you my dear for your righteous thinking.

Cast out caste

I felt disgruntled after reading the article of Shiv Vishwanathan ji's article in TOI(Caste is information in knowledge society,(p.no-8).I respect this person for his activism and a I respect him as a social scientist but can't agree with him on this particular issue and let me tell you sir," Most of your points in the article are invalid and incongruous and your views on caste system are quite anachronistic"

I felt disgusted when I was asked about my caste in one of my recent encounters with Telugu people in Chiplima. Its 21st century and whats the bloody hell in giving much importance to caste? Mayawati is requesting the inclusion of caste in census information and people like Shiv ji are supporting it directly or indirectly.I even disagree with Gandhiji( one of the greatest personality ever lived on earth) saying,"Caste is the base of Hinduism" because caste has done more bad than good to this nation and many people doesn't recognize that caste is the peculiar practice of India only and its time to break this evil.

Coming to the article, Shivji says,"Caste and language along with religion,constitute the glue of the society".I object.In which way,it is? Untouchability is still evident in many forms and caste is the main culprit . Condemning the caste will transform us because there are several other parameters to accelerate developmental processes and world proved it .As I said earlier,no nation except India has this caste practice and we know,nations are able to run with out caste and differences like this.In nation like India,there is need of decreasing differences than to increase them and its better to start with caste.

You stated,"Caste is a code of behaviour" and you talked about marriages on the base of caste. I heard people saying," that caste people are not good as our caste people.All those caste people are thieves etc., etc.," Is this the code of behaviour,you stated about marriages and Shivji-binding knots should be based on people's liking and should not be based on our back ground like caste,religion .

You stated ," Caste is an index of solidarity when it creates grammar of interaction for people who are migrating to the city" Shiv ji-I find it as a narrow minded thinking. Why migration occurs in India? Urbane migrations are really a bane to this nation and we should address this problem as early as possible and 'grammar of interaction' is based on humanity not on caste and I really felt 'the worst' reading this statement.

You stated caste as the vertical solidarity in electoral democracy.Once again,I question,"What's the meaning of democracy?" People rule theme selves and 'unbiased approach' should be the law in democracy and in states like Andhra pradesh, electoral politics revolve around caste and people vote considering the caste of candidate.Is it a good approach?Is it the vertical solidarity? and Is it the way of development? and your citing of Gujarat is again a misnomer and its not really good to cite Gujarat as it is the focal point of discords.Shivji,I don't know your meaning of caste ensuring ambivalence in democracy.Check it out again .You are a social scientist and visit the areas of Andhra pradesh,you find the associations and unions formed on the base of caste and these groups work mainly to augment discord rather than bringing the unity.

"Caste is information." Is it what the modern economics says? and "Are we really lacking other valid parameters?" and you stated,"Hiding information in a knowledge society is silly" and your stating of caste as information-provider is too silly, because caste never gives you the information.India has gone much ahead.You can see rich and poor,privileged and under-privileged in every caste and in many ways,this nation is a paradox now

Finally your stating of great reform movements like Bhakti movement and comparing it with communist manifesto.Can you please give me details of 'Communism success.'Communism is a failure all over the world and how can you compare a failure with reform movements and Shiv ji, we are in 21st century and bring the Bhakti movement now and I am sure it will be a big failure.To day even the religious preachers are teaching the new dimension of religion.

Stop this non-sense.There are several other parameters in modern economy it will be a retrogression if we again look back to caste as a parameter and please stop writing these type of articles and its better writing nothing about caste.In this nation, the child's future is being decided on the basis of accidental happening of womb and please don't add to the already existing menace.I strongly repudiate the caste as it is a rancor in this nation and I rebuke you article,even though, I respect you Shivji.

P.S.:-Dr.B.R.Ambedkar , the architecht of our Indian constitution accepted Budhism in his last days as he hated the caste system of Hinduism.

Play like champions!

When Russia was dominating the sport of Ice-hockey,Herb came to coach U.S. team and he didnt tell his team to win, he just told them," We win,we loose,we tie but we play like champions" and difference was made by the U.S team.They played like champions and emerged as winners and Herb spotted his place forever in the history of ice-hockey.
India is eliminated from T20 world-cup2010 because India has its own motto-"we loose,we loose,we loose, but we never play like champions.Lost to Australia,west Indies and then finally to Sri Lanka.We loose and its common in every game but the way they played.One thing for sure,Indian team is not a champion and they dont deserve to be in the last four.
The strategy and planning should be done before the start of tournament, you can't afford to decide it in the mid-way of mega events.Guys, its not IPL where you can experiment, it is World cup and the way you played is stunning and upset to every cricket lover.There can be one or two flaws,but theses many flaws in a mega-tournament.What a shame!

Every thing had went wrong, right from selection of team , strategies and execution. It seemed that skipper didnt know his player's weakness and strengths.Whats the need of Ravindra Jadeja in team,when you have these many spin options in team and Ravindra Jadeja has never batted like a champion for India and Guys ,you played in West Indies not in India. Only 2 seamers against Australia. Who has taken this decision? It really paid .Yes boss, you paid the price and Guys,its important to take early wickets and Harbhajan comes to bowl in power play and restricts him to stop runs.Whats this?

Vinay kumar came into the team in the last game and this young lad proved that he is the right option and Dhoniji,you dont know about him and for him,you dropped Zaheer and Nehraji, the greatest fileder Indian team ever had and Guys,I cant blame anyone,its a team-effort.You played with unity to loose.I am not cynical because I loved the way your great performances under over-confident skipper.

I love the way Srilanka played in the last game.They proved that , they deserve to be in the last four and I always love Srilanka and last time I wished Srilankas to win the world cup but it didnt happen .This time,mighty Austalians being in race,its hard for every other team but I hope Srilanka will end on a high note.

Team India,learn to pull the ball and learn to bowl confidently and my dear selectors , cant you get 4 lethal seamers in the entire nation and its really shame and the way spinners bowling is good but its not upto the standarda that you can rely this much on spinners and Dhoni ji,Know about your team before you enter into big-tourneys.You know ,3 sixes of he 5 biggest sixes has been hit against India and introspect.You can play for money in IPL but you should play for pride also and decide yourself,whether you are really worthy to wear Team-India cap.Intropect,introspect and introspect and dont make us think that you are a luck-fluke.

Every one knows ,its a dejected team now but still everyone knows that this team can win and please introspect and introspect

Kasab's case-a learning note

               Today morning I was greeted with the news "Death for Kasab - He's a lingering to society,has no chance of reform". I am one who is always against the capital punishment but this time its different as I am happy with the verdict.

               Kasab is not the main culprit because he is just a gun but shooters are some one else, who are unnoticed yet(???) and Kasab may be a weapon used for  this entire high-drama which killed 166 in Mumbai attacks but this verdict is much needed.Indian legal system, in spite of several varied emotions able to give verdict in less time and more over it didn't act with vengeance.It approached legally and solved the case in a legal, constitutional manner.

             Its good that this verdict will be a warning for the terrorists who try to attack on India but at the same time we shouldn't forget the facts that in the last 4 years,India after Iraq  suffered from higher number of terrorist attacks and in last 26 years the more number of terrorist victims( deaths) are Indians.Terrorism in any form should not be spared especially in India which paid a huge price but hanging Kasab can be the final solution?

          Indian people and political parties should not see this aspect from the point of vengeance and should take this a chance to completely eradicate terrorism.Once again, I stress on Y.K.Sabrawal and co's judgment on January 11,2007 which advised to form a civilian division in Police system and Kiran Bedi insists it as a Gandhian way of policing( I already made it a point in my earlier post http://aravind4588.blogspot.com/2009/11/2611.html) . Terrorism should be stopped at any cost and attacks like Mumbai attacks should be prevented at any cost.

          Every one knows that without the help of Indian citizens, terrorists cant plan everything in such a lethal manner then why Indians want to kill their fellow citizens? because the persons who are helping have been discriminated on the basis of their birth or something other. Every child born should get quality education,health facilities then both external and internal form of terrorism can be wiped out for ever. Vote-bank politics should not hinder this process.Dignity of lives as a prime-factor should be recognized for ever and we should learn that a learned,literate child and individual can shout "India,I,Care" understanding its meaning.

           Whatever I wish,still I grasp that Kasab will not be hanged immediately as he can go for mercy petition and other options like appealing in high court .Whatever the final punishment be,I wish the process to go in transparent and constitutional way as it is up to now .Emotions shouldn't play a role in this even though I understand the grieve of people who suffered because of attacks and who has undergone major losses , still I remember the face of Sandeep Unnikirshan but India is a democratic nation with Autonomous legal system and these affairs should be left to courts and president.

              On personal note,even though I believe in ahimsha ,I want to see Kasab hanged immediately not because it gives soothing effect to suffered families but it can become a warning to terrorist elements and it can be a foundation for strengthening our anti-terrorism steps.

Long way to go and I trust Indian people and politicians will realize the need to safeguard our own people through longterm vision and measures because terrorism in any form should not be spared