Thursday, 12 September 2013
Thursday, 29 August 2013
Thought of the day: We the land of Asarams:
Dear Readers,
We all know that in India , there is this Godmen syndrome. A sense of blind belief , or a mass hysteria spread around an ascetic who is normally addressed as Baba or a Sadu . Among such innumerable characters both dead and living , few were indeed pious and philanthropic and set up schools, colleges and hospitals , delivered lectures on Hindu scriptures and benefited a large section of the population.
''Sadhuism" as I will call it is great business . A Baba with millions of followers is a force indeed. Armed with oratory skills and ability to win mass followers, they attracts money and power and eventually rise to be a CEO of a multi million charitable organization. But as long as they preach peace and the society benefits , I don't see any wrong doing . As a society we need religious preachers with a positive impact on our lives . But the tragedy today is on the emergence of black sheeps among those herds of religious preachers. Many of them have come to prominence by their claim of curing diseases through some mass placebo effect or by propagating some variant of yogic exercises or religious mass games . The strategy is by conducting religious congregations called satsangs which increases popularity and resultant cash flows . Behind the veil of religiosity, these fraudsters indulge in unlawful activities be it money laundering, land grabbing or sheer sexual voyeurism, all with candid support of the vested interests.
The question here is , If such religious fraudsters emerge what is the check and balance . It is here we fail as a state. Among the many such instances that are reported , the recent episode of child abuse, against a popular saint in western India named Asaram babu is a case in point. This seemingly eccentric saint is alleged to have acted like a pedophile with the police behind him now, but cautious enough, fearing political backlash of losing his million plus follower's votes in an election year. This babu is notorious to have been in the law makers records for all reasons ranging from land grabbing to mysterious deaths . But ever since ten days of framing allegations against him, the police till this time has not arrested him. This is the pathetic state of our criminal delivery system. The high and the mighty, the sadhu and politicians are always above law.
The thought here is '' where do we take this discourse further? . How do we as a society check this evangelical malice ?
Sanyasi
We all know that in India , there is this Godmen syndrome. A sense of blind belief , or a mass hysteria spread around an ascetic who is normally addressed as Baba or a Sadu . Among such innumerable characters both dead and living , few were indeed pious and philanthropic and set up schools, colleges and hospitals , delivered lectures on Hindu scriptures and benefited a large section of the population.
''Sadhuism" as I will call it is great business . A Baba with millions of followers is a force indeed. Armed with oratory skills and ability to win mass followers, they attracts money and power and eventually rise to be a CEO of a multi million charitable organization. But as long as they preach peace and the society benefits , I don't see any wrong doing . As a society we need religious preachers with a positive impact on our lives . But the tragedy today is on the emergence of black sheeps among those herds of religious preachers. Many of them have come to prominence by their claim of curing diseases through some mass placebo effect or by propagating some variant of yogic exercises or religious mass games . The strategy is by conducting religious congregations called satsangs which increases popularity and resultant cash flows . Behind the veil of religiosity, these fraudsters indulge in unlawful activities be it money laundering, land grabbing or sheer sexual voyeurism, all with candid support of the vested interests.
The question here is , If such religious fraudsters emerge what is the check and balance . It is here we fail as a state. Among the many such instances that are reported , the recent episode of child abuse, against a popular saint in western India named Asaram babu is a case in point. This seemingly eccentric saint is alleged to have acted like a pedophile with the police behind him now, but cautious enough, fearing political backlash of losing his million plus follower's votes in an election year. This babu is notorious to have been in the law makers records for all reasons ranging from land grabbing to mysterious deaths . But ever since ten days of framing allegations against him, the police till this time has not arrested him. This is the pathetic state of our criminal delivery system. The high and the mighty, the sadhu and politicians are always above law.
The thought here is '' where do we take this discourse further? . How do we as a society check this evangelical malice ?
Sanyasi
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Dr Amartya Sen : The argumentative Indian:
Dear All
Dr
Amartya Sen has proved again to be an Argumentative
Indian.
You
should read the sixteen essays written by Dr Sen on the historical and
political landscape of India’s argumentative tradition, where, he concludes
that arguments are vital for the success of India’s democracy and politics. { Ref Amartya Sen: Argumentative Indian:
Writing on Indian History, Culture and
identity } May be it is for us to keep up this tradition that he made
national headlines yesterday. The Nobel laureate was not only critical of
Narendra Modi’s model of governance but also made public his non acceptance of
Modi , even as a Prime Ministerial candidate.
As
a developmental economist of International acclaim with a leftist lineage, Dr Sen has always had
his own critics on evaluating development in an economy. There are two sets of
developmental economists. The first ones mainly the capitalist class, looks
into the general increase in money supply in the economy and the resultant
availability of capital for growth. It is this lot which measures the data on
infrastructure development, banking and other macroeconomic indicators ,while
the economists of leftist linage- to which Dr Sen belong to -focuses on social sector development, mainly on education
,health , poverty, freedom, human rights etc. When we analyse and give a value judgement on how good
a state’s economy has performed we will always have economists and politicians
who cherry picks data and interprets them. Accordingly for the leftist
economists, the Kerala model of development may be far better than a Gujarat
Model.
The
Kerala model which was claimed to have created an egalitarian society with
universal education and health care proved to be a misnomer. While education
did result in skill development, there was no capital available for utilization
of the same resulting in unemployment and skill migration. The Kerala economic
development model has only resulted in creation of a money order economy with a
dearth of capital, entrepreneurship and policy not to mention of left wing
trade unionism. In the health front too while leftists economists talks about
well ness indices of Kerala State, its tribal
region of Attapadi recorded nearly fifty child deaths in this year due to
malnutrition . On the other hand Gujarat Model which focussed on capital and
investment resulted in better roads, power and other infrastructure facilities
making it the fastest growing state with no power failures. It increased employment
opportunities not only to people of the states but also resulted in migration
to the state for employment. On the education and health care front Dr Sen is
right on pointing figures at Gujarat, because quality and standards of its
health and education delivery system is dismal and needs change. While public
distribution system is better than other states, capital percolation in health
care and education has created more hospitals, schools and colleges but with
low quality doctors and teachers. Most of the capital flows in education has
come from the private sector but they have not been able to attract the best
talent. It is often heard that school teachers themselves does not have the
requisite knowledge and skill with cases of senior students engaged in teaching
their juniors.
In
such a contradicting scenario we cannot portray a state to have achieved or not
have achieved any form of universal growth but growth need to be evaluated in
the context of the indices of under discussion. Cheery picking economic growth
numbers will never give a clear picture but can only add to political rhetoric.
Well
whether Dr Sen accepts Mr Modi or not is his choice but he indeed has thrown
open a debate prelude to election and hence proved to be a responsible and
argumentative Indian.
Sanyasi
Friday, 19 July 2013
An Open letter to Arnab Goswami:
Dear Sir,
I know that
I am writing this letter to the most articulate journalist in India. I do respect
you for your stupendous contribution in the national media and the activism and
vigour you show in bursting the hypocrisy of the political class. I watch your
News hour program in Times now and have been following your stellar performance
in the media ever since your NDTV times. However off late in your debates, you
does not seem to play the ringmasters role of bringing divergent opinions to
the nation, but instead you yourself get into the ring, and give an impression
of taking sides. This gives an image of you taking positions in a debate. I
think the flavour of your program is in your ability to expose the politicians
by your rhetoric, but that should not get into a state of sensationalism which
I doubt is happening now in your program. Secondly excessive emotion that you exhibit
be it anger or sarcasm, does not taste good. I have found you yelling at the
participants of them being touchy, but on the contrary you seem to be touchy
while you are put in a spot. In one of the debates I heard you saying that you are a citizen of India and you
have a right to say what you want. However it should be understood that being a
national figure, your right to speak should not offend others. Your activism on
issues related to matters which are subjudice,
needs to be handled with caution especially when you are anchoring a national
debate participated by the best brains in the country .
Media activism and investigative journalism
has made a difference to Indian democracy making it more transparent, but media
too has a line not to be crossed which needs to defined by law. In the judgement dated 19th April 2010 (
Manu sharma v/s State of Delhi) , the division bench of the Supreme Court comprising
Justice P Satashivam and Justice Swatenter Kumar observed , and I quote ‘’ Presumption
of innocence of an accused is a legal presumption and should not be destroyed
at the very threshold through the process of media trial and that too when the
investigation is pending. In that event, it will be opposed to the very basic
rule of law and would impinge upon the protection granted to an accused under
Article 21". The learned judges also cautions that the ‘’freedom of speech protected under Article 19
(1-a) of the constitution has to be carefully and cautiously used so as to avoid
interference to administration of
justice and leading to undesirable results in matters subjudice before the
court”
As
Parliament elections are nearing the private media finds enough sentiments in their
‘’market’’ which can be capitalized by sensationalism. Be it scamgates or modi mania for a nation frustrated
by their politicians , any ringmaster , who throws a ring to the political class and make them juggle is a
matter of satisfaction. However this does not absolve the ringmaster from his role
of not being a player by himself.
Sanyasi
Saturday, 6 July 2013
Living in relation: The Elderly way:
Hi,
A recent visit to attend a mass marriage ceremony of lonely and
elderly men and women opened a Pandora’s box of thoughts. Men and women aged
above 60 but lonely due to the death of a spouse or neglected by children met
and choose their companions for a living
in relationship for the rest of their life. No strings attached, no
liability clauses, you can choose your companion and live forever. Some couples
choose not to live under a roof but to only share moments of companionship
while on travel or on spending quality time together.
The greatest social threat that we face today is that of the social
security of an elderly parent when they are alone. Aging is made synonymous
with withdrawal from life and we make our elders a dependent, redundant and
feeble human entity in the house by trying to be pseudo shrvan kumars . We approach them with an attitude of a
protectionist, giving a heavy dose of instruction the moment they step out of
the house or by restricting them to do household work and just spend time by reading
and watching TV. Extra expression of concern
on their health, talking carefully with them, taking too much precaution while
leaving them alone will only make them weak and dependent and delicate showpieces in the house. Our excessive considerations could be out of
love or to make them feel special and valuable, but such a singular attitude
makes them weak, aged or incapable rather than of confident individuals.
The legend of Shravan Kumar, the mythological dedicated son of blind
parents has been a part of traditional Indian household. Parents cherish their
sons to be like shravan kumars to take care of them in their ripe age. Thanks
to this tradition still in India we do not find our aged parents languish in
old age homes unlike the few hapless ones put to the mercy of the caretakers.
In India aging is more
related to the cultural mindset. The moment one touches 60, the person is
regarded old i.e. not capable of doing work, need retirement from professional
life etc . Children and young alike are indoctrinated to give a helping hand to
old people. Young child holding hand of a healthy 60 plus is a common image cherished
in literature and in Indian cinema. Oldies are expected to spend rest of their life
in religious functions or similar types of activities. They should be away from
the vibrant social activities. They should take rest, live with their married
children, tell stories to their grandchildren and restrain from their day to day work.
However, this type of mindset is not put into practice in reality. Majority
of the elderly living with their children does not live a gratifying life; many
are the victims of harassment by their own children and many feel alienated in
their relationship with married children while living together. Living jointly
is relentlessly marred by the issues of adjustment in life style, feeling
marginalized, secluded, and ineffective.
This is the traditional mindset on old age. Nevertheless, a genre of
elderly people who have lived an independent lifestyle and believes in ageing
gracefully finds difficult in fitting themselves into such a conservative
mindset. They do not believe in shravan
kumars tradition and culture. For
them such a living is suffocating. Self
reliant and own space is what present time elderly look forward to and strive
for that. Ageing gracefully with spouse or without spouse is what a seventy
plus wants. With sufficient funds, own house, friend circle and exciting
travelling plans fills the life of today’s generation oldies. They would like
to be in touch with happenings and developments in society. This phase of life
is looked upon has rejoicing thoroughly each moment of life which hitherto did not happen due to
the rush for livelihood and family
responsibilities . No wonder, throughout world, in comparison to young people
who are largely down with depression and worries, oldies are the happiest lot. Perhaps how to live a fulfilling life is realized
only at this stage by today’s mankind.
The new living in relationship models among single old citizens is a
step in the right direction and I was feeling OLD among a set of YOUNG 60 plus
couples romancing each other.
Long live cupid:
Sanyasi:
Friday, 21 June 2013
sanyasi: Sex and the City : Circa 1300 AD: My sojourn at Ko...
sanyasi: Sex and the City : Circa 1300 AD: My sojourn at Ko...: Hello, A Visit to the Sun Temple at Konark, in Orissa brings in reminiscence of a past on how, life was celebrated by the elite cl...
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Sex and the City : Circa 1300 AD: My sojourn at Konark:
Hello,
A Visit to the Sun Temple
at Konark, in Orissa brings in reminiscence of a past on how, life was
celebrated by the elite class consisting of Kings and Priests among the kingdoms
at Kalinga. As an amateur with a subaltern mind-set, when I went there on 16th
June the hoary temple at Konark gave me glimpses of lascivious life style of the elite well depicted and preserved in the erotic
sculptures set in amorous postures .
Konark is only 65 kms from
Bhupaneswar and on the coast of the Bay of Bengal near to the Major Port of
Paradip. The Sun temple was built by King Narasimhadeva -1 of the Eastern Ganga
dynasty of the 13th century and is a world heritage site. It was built in the form of a chariot of Sun God driven by seven horses and made of black
granite stone facing the eastern coast. The architecture of the temple which is
in the northern style is made so scientifically that whenever the sun passes
the equinox, the rays of the sun
glitters the diamond placed on the forehead of the idol. (The idol today is in National
museum Delhi and the diamond is in British museum at London). The polished
black sandstone is fixed in the columns with cast iron which are still not
rusted in spite of the saline atmosphere here. In order to create a
counterweighing balance to the iron clad structure the temple was made with
magnets installed on the top. (It is
said that these magnets deflected the compasses and hence the direction of the
Dutch and Portuguese ships steaming off shore during the 17th
century. Removal of the magnet by the British rulers from the super structure
affected the equilibrium of it ,resulting in structural damages as seen today)
It is beyond doubt that the builders of the temple in the 13th
century had a firm idea on electro magnetism, metallurgy and astronomy.
The local belief here is
that the son of Krishna from Jampavati , named Samba built the temple as a
tribute to Arka (sun) , for saving him from leprosy. However there is no
historical proof to this. According to another legend, based on the wish of the
queen of Narasimhadeva-1, the King called the master crafter, Bisa Maharana of
Kalinga and instructed him to design and construct the temple in 12 years’ time
with 1200 artisans.- The stones were shipped through local barges from the
Andhra region and physically lifted to the site of construction which was just
on the shore. It is said that the sea water during tides rose up to the sanctum
sanctorum and in one of the floods the temple was destroyed, not to mention of
the ruins created due to the iconoclasm of the Muslim rulers of Eastern India.-
In the last day of the 12th
year Bisa Maharana nd his artisans were unable to install the superstructure with only a night left. The
King visited the site and ordered Bisa Mahara to complete the work before sun
rise or to face death. However Bisa Maharana’s
twelve year old son erected the structure at midnight and drowned in the
sea the next day to give credit to his father and save him and his craft men
from death .-This legend is a testimony to the arrogance of the
early Kings and Sultans who took credit and went with their names into the annual of history at the cost of talented
craftsmen of the period. A real food for thought for the subalterns.
The erotism in the
sculpture gave me a feeling that the elite enjoyed a sedentary lifestyle. The
devadasi system which was prevalent there, gave ample scope for sexual
extravaganza as temple women married an invisible God to be only used up by the priests and kings. The other
argument which came from the locals here , was that, after the Kalinga War fought by King Asoka ,
nearly one lakh and twenty thousand men died –which was nearly the whole of the young male
population - making an equally number of women with no avenues for sexual gratification,
resulting in polyandry and lesbianism and other forms of sexual voyeurism.
Being from a generation , grown up from the remnants of Victorian
moralism and later Hinduism, we may find it difficult to accept the argument that ancient India imbibed an open sexual life,
and is likely to view those sculptures
as voyeurism or tutelages of a maniac king. Well that is an argument
or a thought process, but the conclusion here is on the glorification and
celebration of sexuality unlike the hypocrisy of today s generation. Within the
garb of moralism we deny and negate any form of expressive physical love, be in
sex education to children or display of public affection, we are always on the
verge of moral policing whether it is the society or the state. It is quite
ironical to conclude that this repressed society of us evolved from a free and
expressive population who lived centuries ago……………………………………
ILLUSTRATION:
The eight spokes of the
chariot wheel portrays various stages in life and the cycle of life and death.
It also depicts the division of time into 360 degrees based on the ecliptic
movement of the sun.
The
Temple under renovation.
Canine
saliva was believed to be an antiseptic to treat venereal diseases by women.
Oral
Sex was prevalent those times long before the west claiming to have taught us
about it
Prostitute
waiting for her client.
love making in posture 69 (middle sculpture)
Proof
of rampant polyandry .
Some
ancient version of ''women on top"'
Serpentine
desires .
I
was tired and resting after an ecstatic journey over a landscape of 13th
century eastern India
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