India: Democracy or Pseudo democracy?

India is the largest democracy in the world. A matter of pride for many of the citizens. But is this what democracy was meant to be? Did we as a nation forget or misunderstand what exactly democracy stands for?
65 years it has been and yet we are not in a democracy, we live in a pseudo democratic country, where we go to vote once in every 5 years and then our so called “elected representatives” govern the nation and forget all the promises in a flick of a second as soon as they take the oath.

What is Democracy? According to Oxford dictionary, democracy is defined as a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Now let us consider the scenario in India. The parties elect a representative which happens in closed door meetings and the “people” do not have a say in this. Yes we can contact the party heads, write letters and voice our thoughts, but the probability that our voice would be heard is as slim as the end of reservation system in India!

Now here comes the first problem and a deviation from the definition and essence of democracy, the elected representatives of the respective parties who will be contesting are NOT elected by the people, but by the parties. Hence any election henceforth is moot and has very less meaning whatsoever. Its like going to a battle with the weapons not of your choice but that which is imposed by the king.

The parties can ask for public opinion and make a candidate from the crowd itself. This way the people have the power, in literal sense the candidate will be “by the people.”

Okay, lets say that the candidates are acceptable to us, and they even win the election, now what? The promises made are forgotten, the manifesto is pushed back with all the un-necessary things and the elected representatives enjoy the power.

I do not say that exceptions are not there, but this is the reality in a broader perspective. We are being fooled by the term democracy and we, though reluctantly, but have adjusted ourselves with the scenario.

Democracy is “To the people, By the people and For the people.” But in India it is only “By” the people.
So, in short, the competing candidates are not among us, they don’t understand the problems and tensions of the area, and yet they contest for elections. They win, and yet they are not one of us, they are not the common man. They haven’t suffered pain and basic problems which a common man has, and yet they claim to solve our problems.

First step in solving any problem is, knowing that there is one. Is India really that big a democracy?
Is it finally time for us to retrospect on it?

Iran's N-Deal and Israel's reaction

The world is changing, and that is to say by looking at one of the biggest and most unexpected Nuclear Deal in the history. The deal signed is arguably the most significant foreign policy  achievement of Obama’s presidency.  Looking at the hostility of Iran towards the west and vice versa, it seemed nearly impossible to expect a N-Deal between these nations.
In a way it sure looks good for Iran which has been facing lots of trade embargos by the west who have never left a stone unturned in showing their global power towards those in disagreement with them. The deal says that Geneva will release $4 billion in Iranian oil sales from frozen accounts and will suspend restrictions on the country’s trade in gold, petrochemicals, car and plane parts. In exchange Iran has to stop enriching uranium above 5% reactor grade (above 5% is the level when one can develop WMDs), which Iran has been doing. Also Iran has to accept more surveillance from the IAEA and lower their existing stockpile.
Now there are two aspects to this. One, which will take Iran on the path of development and an end of a hostile political environment. That sure is a good aspect. Another is, this deal shows Iran as a nation which couldn’t stand up to its foreign policies and buckled under the whims of the western problems. And the first part brings us to the reaction of Israel over this issue.
Israel said “This deal has made the world a dangerous place.”
Lets examine why?
Israel feels that the sanctions pressure on Tehran is collapsing and the Islamic Republic has been granted the right to enrich uranium. The entire wall of sanctions, painstakingly constructed over years, is already crumbling and “will collapse within month.
But Israel’s reaction is not for the given reasons. Its maybe because now Iran is in talks and diplomatic relations with USA, the same country which has referred to Israel as a Zionist regime countless number of times, even in the United Nations. This N-Deal issue has strained Israel’s relation with the US, the country which has been protecting Israel for a long time and was (in Israel’s books) a very close ally. Basically, Israel is insecure with the growing relations between Iran and USA, because if this happens, and USA in the long run neglect Israel, then it will be prone to Arab aggression from which it has been safe for decades due to the support of USA.

So whether Israel’s statement stands true or whether the N-Deal is indeed a first step towards a new peaceful and changed world, we can only know in time.

Pseudo reality shows and the great Indian obsession.

"Arey yaar kal Big Boss me kya hua dekha"?
"Roadies ne Raghu me kya maari uss bande ki"
"Splitsvilla is sooo cool."

 

These are the conversations one can easily come across in public areas nowadays. Be it your classroom, office, bus stop, or a local train, these pseudo reality shows have dominated the Indian media market like a plague virus.
The word I used here is pseudo, because anything and everything that goes in those shows is in every definition, a deviation from what's commonly referred to as an accurate representation of reality.

Reality shows do not present reality in ways both implicit (participants being placed in unusual situations) and deceptive or even fraudulent, such as

• misleading editing
• participants being coached in what to say or how to behave
• storylines generated ahead of time
• scenes being staged and re-staged for the cameras.

Another argument is also justified that the shows are intended to humiliate or exploit participants (particularly on competition shows), that they make celebrities out of unwanted people who do not deserve fame, and that the glamorize vulgarity and materialism.

I understand that entertainment is necessary, and neither am I a nerd who is against it, but entertainment too like everything else does have a boundary. When more than half the youth population of a country is willing and aspiring nowadays to get fame and popularity by entering these shows, there definitely IS something wrong with the whole system.

Earlier students aspired to become engineers, literature experts, doctors etc etc. Their goals were defined and they didn't bask in the glory of people who won a stupid tv show and aspired to become like them. Survey suggests that 1 in 4 of every youth aging 18+ now aspires to become a celebrity by entering in these tv shows.

The big question now. Whats wrong in that?
EVERYTHING!

What is the very purpose of existence of these shows? Entertainment. But that boundary has long been crossed. People are less interested in the development of the very nation which they abuse everyday, but very comfortable in enjoying the bitchiness, gossip and voyeurism portrayed in these so called reality shows.

Our minds have been infected and we need a way out of this, else soon the greatest strength of the country will become its greatest weakness, which is the youth.

I do not say not to watch these shows, but letting it get into your head is another problem. Inception is the right word to describe the current scenario.

Today an average youth knows less about their fundamental duties and apparently everything about Shahrukh's and Salman's fights. Doesn't anyone think that there is something terribly wrong with this country?

Richard Steele aptly said "Fire and swords are slow engines of destructions, compared to the tongue of Gossip."

 

    

In Memoriam - Kargil War '99

26 July 1999, It was a Monday and the whole Nation united to see the end of 60 day war.

May 3rd 1999, Pakistani forces and militants were sighted on this side of the LoC by local shepherds. Pakistani Forces and Militants on the order of Gen Parvez Musharraf infiltrated the LoC and captured the areas which served as the de-facto border between the two countries.

And hence Operation Vijay was initiated with the sole purpose of sending the rats back to their holes. With opposition forces sitting on altitude, they had a natural vantage point.

And then came the Indian Army, the culmination of the fiercest warriors on the face of earth with their motto instilled in their hearts "Service before Self". The same army defeated the same opposition forces not once, but thrice before this war.

June 9th 1999, Indian Army captures two key positions in the Baltic Sector. A crucial point. And by June 13th, we got back Tololing in Dras sector. By June 29th, Point 5060 and Point 5100 were captured near the Tiger Hill.



July 4th 1999, Brave soldiers took over Tiger Hill after a 11 hour long battle. This is now also famously known as the Battle of Tiger Hill, and by 5th of July Indian Army successfully took control over the entire Dras Sector. By July 11th Pakistan begins pullout and on 14th of July Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared Operation Vijay a success.

In the whole operation 527 Indian sons, fathers and friends lost their lives protecting the country they swore to defend. And nothing, not even that victory can bring back the souls lost during the war, let this day serve as a reminder of those who laid down their lives in order to protect the lives of 1.04 billion people.

They did their job and more than that. Least we could do is to show them some courtesy, extend a hand of compassion and sympathy for those who are dead, for those who are still out there on the night's guard saying "Nothing is gonna hurt you tonight, not under my watch."

So lets take some time off our daily routine and commemorate the Bold, the Brave and the silent guardians who laid down their lives for us. It is often said, that a dream death of a soldier is to die in action. I could agree no less.

14 years have passed since, but the wounds are too deep to heal. The scars of the war are still visible quite distinctly. And neither should we forget, because the history always teaches us some lesson. In this great War there was again a lesson which would be faded away with the currents of time. The nation who forgets their martyrs and soldiers isn't fit to be a nation at all.

The lines sung by Lata Mangeshkar aptly fits here - "Tum bhul na jao unko, isiliye kahi ye kahani, jo shaheed hue hain unki, zara yaad karo qurbaani."

So heres one. To,
The Indian Armed Forces and the Martyrs of the War.

Jai Hind. Jai Bharat.

The Oath Of Vayuputras - Book Review

For centuries, the stories of Gods as we know them today have been flowing through the length and breadth of India. The "puranas" of The Almighty gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. For all one knows, that these are mythologies. But, Amish Triparthi gave everyone in India and abroad, a whole new perspective of what we call Mythology and what "might" actually have happened.

After the immense success of the first two books of the Shiva Trilogy, I must admit, I was really excited about the last and final conclusion. I for one, take great pleasure in reading the history and mythology. And that might be the reason, I felt particularly connected and inclined too this series.

Of all the things, Amish  has done is research impeccably well. The best part of the series is not the writing style; its simple and not much to adore about; but what is brilliant is, the way he connected the dots. He actually makes one believe, that the story he is narrating may have happened. That there was no such thing as magic, but science, no such thing as Gods, but people who rose up to that level, where others started worshiping them, not out of fear, but out of respect for their deeds. He took fiction to a whole new level, and gave it a new dimension.

This book had everything a reader wants, politics, war, stories of heroism, legend, secrets, the wisdom of dharma and adharma, duty and honor and ofcourse: the depth and intensity of the love of Shiva for Sati (and vice versa).

Also, this particular book has an add-on which others didn't have. It has not only covered Indian Mythology, but it went as far as Persian (Pariha), Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Tibetan legends. The way each and every term has been described and explained is just brilliant.

In a very subtle manner Amish has connected mythology to his fiction (i say any further, that would be a Spoiler). So many things going on in different kingdoms, it was like reading Game of Thrones, only that, this had less politics and more of action (no complaints there).

I can go on and on about it, because I am a fan now.
So to summarize, its Spellbinding , Archetypal, Stirring, Narrative, Elaborate..Magnificent.

Waiting for his next project.

Till then...

                               Om Namah Shivay

The bike trip and the feel of redemption

                                                       The bike trip and the feel of redemption

For any student of SRM University Chennai, the favorite weekend destination is Pondicherry (Pudducherry). Whenever we get time, we just rush down to the bus stop and catch a bus for pondi! And in most cases, this is done without any sort of planning.

So, during my study leaves (so called), i was bored to the last degree. And then it occurred to me, that the weather is beautiful and i need some time with myself somewhere quiet. Well, what could i have done next? Grabbed my bike and called up a friend.

As Darrel Royal rightly said, " Breaks balance out. The sun don't shine on the same ol' dog's rear end everyday."

Morning 9:30, we pushed from our college on a bit rusty, and a bit old, Splendor +. The bike might be an economy bike, but for that day, it was nothing less than a Harley for us.

I couldn't have asked for a better weather for a road trip. The sky was filled with clouds and not a single ray of sun. There was cool breeze and the landscapes were spectacular. For all those who say Chennai has no beauty in it, well, u certainly have not experienced what i have experienced that day.

We stopped for a couple of coffee breaks and then there we were. We sat on a rock at the rock beach for about half an hour, listening to the waves clashing with the rocks. It was the sound of the nature....pure and untarnished.. Then we had our lunch. And then grabbed two cans of Tuborg green and went to Auro beach.

The clouds parted a bit by then. We were sitting on the beach with our time in the sun and sipping the chilled beer. And then i understood, how Andy Dufresne's friends might have been feeling sitting on the tar roof on a sunny day having chilled beer.

That feeling, for me was the feel of redemption.

And, then we headed back to pavilion. That was the end of it. Of a journey, not so big or special in any conventional sense, but special and appeasing in every other sense.

Heres one to the bikes and the journeys they had.

Peace.

Nostalgia

The other day I visited my cousin sister. I have two nieces, and spent fairly good time with them. I sat on the couch and was watching them play, and then I started reminiscing, about my past, my childhood or should I say, of all of us who were born in late 80’s and early 90’s.

And hence, here begins my nostalgia.

I talk of a time, where playing included leg work and not thumbs and fingers. When early morning we used to dash out of our homes to play cricket during summer vacations, and the game went on till the evening.

The first “Pepsi” we ever had was not the ones we drink nowadays. It was those various coloured drink, which used to come in plastic tubes. They were a craze in those times, available everywhere, outside schools, parks, shops. EVERYWHERE.

We were innocent and carefree back then. There were no restrictions on us as on where to go or not. Right from the time of tri-cycles till we left behind our bi-cycles, for us the world was ours. Just grab ‘em up and rule the streets.

Coming to indoor entertainment, that was a time when the world saw some real and good cartoons. They inspired us in their own little ways. Tales Pin and in that Baloo’s awesome flying techniques was my first inspiration to become a fighter pilot. Mowgli (Jungle Book) is still a legend and that name alone makes us smile. Then there was Dexter’s Laboratory and Pokemon, Simba-The Lion King, The Legend of Zorro, and the list goes on and on and on. The point here is, those shows being a cartoon/animated entertainment, still taught us a lot of things. And ofcourse, who can ever forget the great Tom and Jerry show.

We belong to a generation, who has seen both the inside and outside world. As kids we were happy to get small Hotwheels set, and the biggest asset anyone of us owned was the video games. I still remember, when we used to exchange the game cassettes. “I’ll give you Super Contra for your Ninja Turtle.” Still makes me laugh, how we were negotiators at such early age.

Today, a 6 year old carries an iPad, a Galaxy Note II, and at the very least a PSP. Outdoor sports are like alien to them. Where once cricket was the sport which every child have played in their childhood, now its that which no one knows!

Tall buildings, huge apartments, budding offices and complexes everywhere, where is the place where the kids can go and play? Where has their world gone?

Pizzas and Burgers were like the rarest of cuisines that we had, and  now, those are the ones most frequently consumed.

Whose fault is that? I don't know. I just know that there has been a huge paradigm shift. And that is not for the good.