Crystal Ball Gazing

Crystal Ball Gazing

The political scene in India has become very chaotic and seems pregnant with all kinds of possibilities. Ever since the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) lost in the general elections of 2004, they have been smarting under the loss and not been able to come to grips with reality.

The Congress sprung a surprise on them in spite of ‘India Shinning’ campaign of the BJP and the results equally surprised the Congress. Ever since, the BJP has been hoping to regain power and waited their opportunity in the next general elections of 2009. But alas they were crestfallen and the Congress alliance came back to power on the basis of strong social sector reforms. The BJP being doubly hurt resorted to all kinds of obstructions to wreak havoc on the ruling party and its image and force elections. In the ensuing muddle it was the country’s image that took a bashing and the economy has come to naught.

 In fighting within the Congress ministers didn’t help matters and the economy has suffered as a result. Cabinet Ministers were seen to be at loggerheads with each other with regard to the growth trajectory and its implementation. There seemed to be a huge divide among prominent schools of thought seemingly pulling in different directions. Scams and government paralysis has hampered growth and added to its woes forcing the Congress to take cover under past initiatives. But it looks like they have this time lost the plot in spite of the Food Security Bill looking increasingly possible. Today the country stands at the threshold of another general election and everybody is doing crystal ball gazing to lay bare the possibilities.

Election surveys conducted by all major agencies have concluded that the country is headed for a fractured mandate threatening the future of political parties and their leaders. Here I am going to stick my neck out and make my conclusion on the likely scenario, while pointing out the generalized possibilities and what may come of it, thereby engaging in some crystal ball gazing.

1.       The regional parties clobber around 240 seats leaving them within striking distance of the simple majority of 272 which is when either of the two major political parties step in with outside support.

2.       The BJP and the Congress will be left with around 150 seats each, way off the qualifying mark of 272 which becomes increasingly difficult to achieve. Regional parties will want their pound of flesh and therefore it would be prudent for major parties to support a regional coalition which can be dispensed with at a time of their choosing.

This is where all worthy predictions converge, with the likely scenario being a confederation of regional parties forming a government with likely support from either of the two major parties.

Now I am going to hazard a guess and predict beyond, that this shaky and unstable coalition will not last for more than a year, during which time the economic condition of the country will turn worse and another election will have to be forced on the country sometime in 2015.

Here is where I predict the appearance of Priyanka Gandhi who will take over the reins of the Congress campaign committee and bring the Congress back to power albeit with the support of alliance partners and other regional parties.

Ms Sonia Gandhi, will fade into the background due to health reasons and Mr Rahul Gandhi will be happy with the party and stay out of power as he has always professed. The brother sister duo will lead the country, as prime minister and party chief. Whether this will spell improvement for the country is another question and what happens to growth and acceleration of economy is best left for another day since world factors will play a very crucial part.

Where does Modi fare in all this? Alas he will be left stranded more so because he happens to represent a party that cannot think out of the contours of religious compulsions and the people of this country abhor such divisive practices in modern times.

Already the rumblings of war are heard on the horizon and should the Americans or NATO forces rain missiles on Syria, all hell will break loose and we will be looking to years of gloom both domestically and internationally irrespective of who makes it to the seat of power.

 

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com

28^th August 2013

Ploughing a lonely furrow

Ploughing a lonely Furrow

Qatar is a country that is part of the greater Arab fraternity, especially when seen geographically in the context of the Arab peninsula. It is pertinent to note the actions coming from that country appears to lend credence to the belief that it is following a separate & lonely course. Look at it from its actions in the Arab world, especially with regard to its immediate interests with relation to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, UAE & Yemen commonly known as the GCC countries.

The Al Jazeera channel which is majorly owned by the Royal family of Qatar was hugely critical of the Bahrain government in its handling of the uprising in that country. One would have expected Qatar to keep the tone and tenor subdued keeping in mind the age old relations and family connections. Incidentally the fourth wife of the King of Bahrain is of Qatari origin.

The Saudi monarchy had a problem with the Shia population in the eastern provinces around Al-Khobar where a mini revolt on the lines of the Bahrain uprising was dealt with a heavy hand, which was also highlighted by this channel, with no consideration to the fact that Saudi Arabia is a mighty military power in the confederation of nations in the Arabian Peninsula many times larger in all parameters compared to Qatar.

The GCC (Gulf cooperation Council) sent a military force to Bahrain to protect the government against home grown rebellion. This force had majority participation from Saudi Arabia, UAE & Kuwait but only a token representation from Qatar. The Qatari Emir also did not take a lead in denouncing the uprising nor did it issue critical statements in the intervening period.

Consider this with the Libyan uprising against Gaddafi, where Qatar jumped ahead of other stronger nations in the Peninsula to offer Oil trading and funding for the rebel faction. It was ready to act as if it was a major force in the region and took no time in supporting the Islamists. The same act is repeated in Syria where it is believed that the Qatari government is keen on helping the Islamists and not the secular rebels which the Saudis and the other confederation of Arab nations support. All the GCC countries have their currencies pegged to the US Dollar; however Qatar has recently started making noises on delinking the Qatari currency to the US Dollar. Qatar has allowed the Taliban to open its overseas office in the country, when others are fighting them on their borders.

When the Morsi government came to power in Egypt, it was this confederation of states led by Saudi Arabia, including Qatar that offered a huge financial package to the new government to tide over financial difficulties. Even as the Morsi government falls and there are whispers of US withdrawing its yearly grant, the Saudi Government has already announced its support to the military establishment in Egypt. Qatar is nowhere in the picture here, probably because it has already shown its cards by backing the Islamists in the region. This may be a way to keep them away from its own hinterland.

Again while Iran flexes its muscle in the region, and has dreams of extending its hegemony in the Persian gulf region,  the Saudis, Kuwaitis, Bahraini’s and the UAE government have been shouting hoarse over its covert operations and influence on terrorists and anti-social elements, here too Qatar seems unruffled and unaffected and not unduly worried of the consequences.

No matter how small a state Qatar is, it is always trying to tread a different path from the other GCC countries, probably trying to appease the Islamists and their backers to keep them off its back. In the process Qatar is ploughing a lonely furrow hoping to be a regional powerbroker bigger than its size and scope. There seems to be less consideration for brotherly ties and deep rooted cooperation with the other GCC countries where the bonds of cultural and family ties are deeply entrenched.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com

August 19, 2013

 

Raping the enermy within

Raping the enemy within

RAPE; the dreaded four letter word is an oft repeated word nowadays in India. The dreaded word has once again found favour by way of news in television studios, debates taking place in drawing rooms, lawmakers being questioned in parliament, Cops being shown in poor light and women’s group and organisations demanding tougher implementation of existing laws while coming out in droves to vent their frustration and anger. The latest overbearing case being that of a photo journalist raped in broad daylight or in the fading light of dusk in a vibrant and busy metropolis like Mumbai.

Statistics say that rape is as rampant as corruption in India. While an amount of over 43 million Indian rupees the equivalent of US Dollars 0.70 million was paid as bribe by Delhiites during the last three years, one rape happens every minute in the city of Mumbai; a compelling and strange bit of statistics, for a country looking to catapult itself into the developed League of Nations. Many of these cases go unreported a sign of growing worry for the conscience keepers of the nation.

The recent rape of a girl in Delhi pricked the conscience of a young nation and huge massive rallies were seen in the capital city of India. Parliament passed stricter laws and all of us reclined to think that this would signal the end of rapes in this country. But alas how can rapes end unless you change the psyche of the men folk? Boys have to be taught young to respect girls and see them as equal contributors to society.

Laws though made stricter needs the right implementation. For instance, a rape case reported drags on for months in the court due to inadequate number of judges to monitor such cases on a fast track manner. The cops have to be sensitized to the plight of rape victims and punishment has to be meted out by adopting a ‘Robin hood’ method of justice.

The Delhi rape case happened in December of 2012 and we are yet to hear a verdict in the case, even after this case going through a fast court and even after the entire nation keeping a watch on the proceedings and after the expiry of 8 months. To reduce the number of incidents the state and machinery along with its citizens will have to unitedly join hands to face and fight this menace.

Laws in the absence of rigid implementation, and social customs that adamantly resist change will not be able to stem this rot. The various social practices in India will have to be abolished to blend with the modern way of thinking, and local village panchayats and mafias needs to be pulled up and sternly punished for stifling voices that call for change.

Punishment meted out should be roundly publicized so that prospective rapists get the message and acts as a deterrent. More and more victims should come out to identify themselves. Invariably in most of the rape cases, the perpetrators of the crime are seen warning the victim against disclosing anything to anyone. They live on the premise that since in society the victim will not be able to openly come out they will be spared the indignation of being paraded or subjected to brutal punishment or highly publicized trials.

The Park street victim is a classic example of how to fight rape. The victim identified herself and came out to protest in rallies openly. Her line of thinking was absolutely clear. “I am a victim not the perpetrator of rape, so why should I hide my face and identity. What wrong have I done? In fact it should be the perpetrators of my rape who should be hiding their identities and face. It is they who should feel ashamed; they should be ostracized in society. I have every right to hold my head high and no reason to feel ashamed”.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com

24 August 2013

Home, she lay dead

Home, she lay dead

For around five months she lay dead, in her sprawling villa in an upscale locality in Bangalore, the IT (Information Technology) capital of South India.  A city teeming with a cosmopolitan population, dominated by the younger independent generation of IT geeks and software professionals besides people from other walks of life.

 

Retired bureaucrats and people with loads of money lived alongside this lone lady in the early part of her 50’s. She had a medical problem and could be seen talking loudly to herself early mornings or just wandering aimlessly in the garden around the house. Neighbours reported loud voices coming from the house which they construed as the lady probably fighting with some vendor or the like. She had no contact with anyone and no one visited her. Though she had a family probably she was left alone due to her problem though it was her brother who found her lifeless and highly decomposed body when he visited her when he did not elicit a response from her to his e-mails or phone calls.

Neighbours of the lady said that she never interacted with anyone nor did anyone attempt to establish a communication with her possibly because they were aware of her medical problem. However one gentleman did call the cops to check out a strong stench that was reported from the direction of this house. The cops poured over the house without attempting to break in. When they forced open a window they found nothing though they did report the strong stench to their superiors. The police hierarchy were probably too busy with everyday nuances to pay attention to this report.

Once again this incident reminds us of the perils of living life independently in a throbbing city where neighbours do not care to interact within themselves. The joint family system is slowly disappearing with young ones increasingly opting to move away and be and feel independent. Some find it surprising that children stay separately from their parents within the same city. Members of the family do not see eye to eye on daily routine and therefore prefer to stay separately to avoid the daily skirmishes.

Neighbours are so darned busy or seemingly busy, that they would prefer to lock themselves in, once the menfolk leave for their work. Some people say, that with so many incidents of break-in’s happening in broad daylight security is of paramount importance and it is better to be safe than to be sorry. Lone ladies are very often shunned by menfolk since interacting with or trying to befriend a lone lady raises eyebrows and acted conversely in relation to the intent of the resident or the visitor. It was better to befriend a lady staying alone outside, rather than visit her in her own house with nobody around.

People with medical problems are being left alone uncared for, as the burden of caring for them takes a toll on family and professional life, again a gentle reminder of the perils of staying alone. In the olden days, the joint family took care of such people without substituting on premium family or professional time of other members.

Life is increasingly becoming perilous for the lonely and the elderly in our modern sprawling cities which is increasingly getting crowded but people are getting isolated.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com

22 August 2013

The Prodigal Son

The Prodigal Son

Subramanian Swamy, activists, guide, author, politician, litigant, professor, economist, lawyer and what have you. These are only some ways you can put the man into a concise form. On the real life stage he is a jack of all trades, constantly filing Public interest litigations and relentlessly following up for justice.

More appropriate description would be a Harvard pass out and a Jan Sangh worker, though he can don many other hats as indicated above. It is his association and disassociation with Harvard first as a student and then as a summer session lecturer that would fall more under the glare of the search light as would his rightist Hindutva leanings that would aptly describe his association with the Hindu outfit. It is his prodigal views on the minority that transforms into a book that works towards him being thrown out of the Harvard association. But it is his right leaning views that closely adheres him to the Bharatiya Janata Party the principle opposition party in India which he has recently joined.

His hatred for the Gandhi family is well known and he leaves no stone unturned in trying to corner them whenever he can and in whatsoever manner he can. He is quite an expert on China and openly flaunts this as openly and as vocally as he can. He considers himself as a master on many subjects and he is known to cross swords to the point of people terming him as a ‘shrill’ politician who can also cause damage to the party he associates himself with besides helping them to earn brownie points. In a nutshell he can touch extremes and can be termed as a maverick who is interested in propagating his cause at no gain to anyone else.

The flip side is that he is a highly self-centred man who cares more about his claims while expecting others to toe his line. In other words he is constantly looking to score victories in all battles. When he is voted down, he does not accept it sportingly but challenges the judgment or reads between the lines to show how he has been vindicated. Other times he challenges every judgement that goes against him in a higher court wherever the law allows.

His challenges to all and sundry and the way he enjoys his adulation in public forums makes him more of a drag than a votary of liberalisation which he professes to have drafted once. On some issues he is also fouling his own party. Raising Public Interest Litigations against every progressive step taken by the government acts as a disservice to the nation and stalls progress.

If only he would have used his knowledge and academic credentials coupled with expertise on his subjects to increase productivity in the country. If only he would not act as a maverick but as a conscious citizen willing to forget and forgive as long as it is for the good of the nation. If only he would try to partner people who are trying their level best to get the dwindling economy on track, he would be remembered as someone who though argumentative willing to forgo adulation and self-righteous rhetoric for the benefit of the nation as a patriotic Indian.

Whether and what he will do cannot be predicted as also his alliances and associations. He can be your political bosom mate one time and your sworn enemy another time. For now he remains a loyal Bharatiya Janata Party activists and pro Tamil Nadu government, but how long the stakes will hold is something that cannot be predicted as the man himself.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com

18^th August 2013 

Feeling at Home

Feeling at Home

Recently Iqbal Mirchi a criminal offender in India wanted for the Bombay serial blasts and other crimes died peacefully in his sleep (pun intended) in a country known to be the protector of the federation of vagabonds - Britain.

He was a most wanted person having committed many crimes and killed many people through wanton acts of destruction, besides many other violations of the law. At one time he was counted in the top 50 drug lords of the world and a close confidant of Kingpin and wanted terror organizer, noted mafia king Dawood Ibrahim.

Britain has always been a second home for people avoiding the law in their own countries. However the country while granting staying permits to these vagabonds of the law dismisses them as people facing risk either politically or religiously or people facing human rights violations should they submit to the law in their own countries. Therefore it becomes fundamentally incumbent on the British Government to grant legal protection to such hapless persons under the guise of democracy and democratic traditions.

People who contravene the law in their own countries irrespective of the gravity and penal code under which they are sought to be prosecuted seek the administrative benevolence of Britain to pursue their lives and fight for their beliefs from outside the shores of their motherland. Britain accommodates them within the confines of its legal system to help such people evade the law all in the name of protection of democracy and upholding human rights. Should one of their citizens do the same thing they would definitely seek extradition and want that erring citizen to face the law of the land.

This country has indeed turned a haven for such absconding runaways. There are so many examples of plain criminals, usurpers of the political system, people allegedly facing financial impropriety, political opponents who believe in seizing power albeit through silent coups or other violent means and almost anyone who is a pariah of the law in their own country.

Pervez Musharraf dictator and coup leader of a civilian leader in his own country merrily stays under civilian legal protection when the tide turns against him and he absconds to Britain knowing fully well that the country will welcome him with open arms. Maybe the present President Zardari will think in terms of settling down in Britain after his immunity expires at the end of his presidential term.

Why does Britain afford such luxuries to individuals when logically a crime is a crime and when committed the yardstick for punishment should remain the same irrespective of the country where the protagonist resides as a means to escape or where it is committed. The least they should do is ask such people to leave their shores, but the legal system in Britain protects such runaways in the garb of democracy and democratic rights many a times at great peril to the host nation.

Lalit Modi, first IPL commissioner for the Indian Premier League wanted by the government in India on charge of financial impropriety, flees the country fearing his life. He now airs his views regularly from that country even after the Indian Government has revoked his passport. He claims threat to his life and therefore unable to return to proclaim himself innocent.

These are only some examples, in fact this second home acts as a comfort for the weary who are hounded in their own countries for their beliefs, threat on their life or facing human rights violations. But would the same country happily accept its own citizen abounding in such luxury and carrying on a tirade from foreign shores?

 See what allegations are heaped on Julian Assange, under asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London even while Britain spends a whopping amount to seal his escape. Then again Edward Snowden is forced to seek asylum elsewhere and Bradley Manning is facing the stick for his leak.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com
August 18, 2013 

Where do we go from here

Where do we go from here

Between Civilian, Military or religiously backed government - Yes Egypt is today caught in the cross hairs of this history making decision. Hosni Mubarak was removed by the majority sans the army where protests were equally participative with the National Salvation Front, Tamarod and the Muslim Brotherhood and other fringe parties all participating in his removal.

 

As Mubarak exited, there was an air of triumph at the success of a revolution that had captured the imagination of the whole of Egypt and beyond in the Arab world. Parallels were seen to be drawn in the region with other countries seemingly wishing democracy was so easy. The aversion to democracy which is age old and entrenched in the Arab psychic seemed erased and a new beginning was just right for the modern and social networking Arab young.

Protesting and removing a military dictator is only a job well begun, what was more important was for the country to be able to group together minus the military and find an amicable front that could lead the country out of its present predicament and show the way to the rest of the Arab brethren. Alas, that is where the plot fails as after Mubarak’s exit, the Muslim Brotherhood an organisation that was passively existent during the Mubarak era but which had a huge following marshalled on religious lines and thus being fully fortified and organised for elections had only to resurrect its dormant organisational infrastructure to capture power.

The other groups, splintered amongst themselves unable to form a single united opposition and thus the advantage passed on to the Muslim Brotherhood. There is something unique to religious bodies in that they are a hugely united house based on religion which fortunately or unfortunately depending on the circumstances is a great unifier world over. Rarely does anyone disagree on religion anywhere in the world and that is why religious mandates are easily carried forward and any consolidation on religious grounds or which is backed by religion based parties always has a huge and unified following especially in the Arab countries.

Likewise when the population divided itself into blocs on voting day, it was squarely divided between the religious parties of the Muslim Brotherhood on the one hand and the splinter non-religious sub groups on the other. Obviously the opponents of religious group were divided according to party, agenda, scope, past history etc. while the Muslim Brotherhood stood as one solid bloc of religiously inclined citizens.  They won though with a thin majority but with it began the solidification of the party on its religious lines based on the Sharia and away from problems and troubles of the common man.

The country dips on all parameters of economic progress and the people get frustrated. This time the opposition unified along with the army and security establishment, to chase out the democratically elected government. Between religion, civilian and military, the balance of power will always suit the sum total of the two combinations which is larger than the third. In 2011 the religious and civilian forces got together to oust the military. In 2013 the civilian and the military got together to root out the religious.

Where will Egypt go from here, is not a million dollar question but what is a tricky question to answer is whether the present combination will last its course and for how long. What is absolutely certain is that this dispensation will hold as long as there are no fissures in any one of them and as long as the civilian groups need to have the overt and tactical support of the security agencies.

As far as the religious backed Muslim Brotherhood is concerned it may well have to go back to its pre 2011 position of subversive activities and covert operations even while trying to hold on as a party albeit with a diminished majority waiting and hoping that a new morrow will somehow help it to regain its popularity base, even while working at home to instil in themselves a better understanding of running a government should there be another chance. My guess is as good as yours.

 

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com

17th August 2013

 

Sane advice

Sane advice

The Independence eve speech of the President of India was laced with a heavy dose of anguish at the state of affairs in the country. The president is someone who had been in active politics and in the forefront of decision making in his party not long ago. Who better than the President therefore to post-mortem the present political climate and warn about the future, even while handing out words of wisdom and advice to the nation.

Especially his take on a stable alliance looking at the next elections in 2014. It is a known fact now that the present alliance has been facing the wrath of its partners with each pulling in different directions, due to their regional compulsions. Also regional satraps prevent the alliance in moving as a cohesive unit, because that which is good for the goose may not always be good for the gander.

This is a serious problem for the country and therefore the President has rightly advised the people to vote on the lines of a stable government one that could deliver and move the country forward without having to give in to blackmail from its coalition partners. Regional parties are so immersed in their own agendas and regional issues that the country’s prestige is often held at stake.

Take the problem of sharing of Teesta river waters, although the central government had promised Bangladesh regarding forward movement the Trinamool Congress a constituent of the present alliance at that point in time refused to accede this demand so much so, that the Prime minister had to go on his official visit to Bangladesh without an agreement to this effect being firmed on the Indian side.

It would be worthwhile to remember here that the present government in Bangladesh has acted in the interest of the Indian establishment and has been responsible to a great degree in curbing the flow of terrorism from that country. In this case a regional party and its leader forced a mighty nation to eat humble pie and forced it to look silly in front of the international community all to satisfy their own ego even while leaving the nation dishevelled.

Land enclaves that are mismatched in each other’s territory due to the rigours of partition merely needs to be exchanged for which the opposition has to give the nod, but in spite of the foreign Minister of Bangladesh personally pleading with the opposition, they are yet to give their accent.

The Unified tax regime in the form of the General sales tax that has been hanging in limbo even after so many discussions is being tarried by the opposition ruled states as they want to emphasise the importance of the federal system. Many a subject that are the subject of state legislation are held up sometimes purposefully by them as they do not want the centre to take credit for these developments and are restricted in their outlook to that of the effect on their own state.

Now look at the food security bill, the opposition is trying all tricks to stall or delay its introduction, so much so that the central government had to introduce an ordinance. It is a matter of who is taller, who is important and what effect welfare measures have on the state subjects. Ultimately it all boils down to vote catching antics by regional parties or denying the ruling party its credit and therefore share of votes.

The problem with the regional parties is that they are so engrossed in their own vote bank politics that they do not care about the effects on national politics or welfare of the country as a whole or even the prestige of the country in the international arena. The regional parties are answerable to their regional voters while the centre has to take everyone’s view and satisfaction to earn another term. Both are therefore at crossroads as far as the scope and reach of developmental activities are concerned.  

Seen against this backdrop, the anguish of the President is warranted and his advice should be taken in right earnest and studied within the realms of one’s own imagination and studied view. It is high time the country viewed this speech of the President as one coming from a seasoned politician, who knows the pulse of the nation and is considered a veteran of his trade.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com
August 16, 2013

Running Riots and Rallies

Running riots and rallies

Riots and rallies are an integral part of the politician’s armoury ever since India gained independence. Take up the history of riots and rallies and you will find some political party or affiliated politician in charge. This brings us to the crucial question of whether all such rallies and riots are politically mentored or are they spontaneous uprisings as our political masters would have us believe.

The obvious exceptions in recent memory are the Jessica Lal murder case justice rally, the rallies after the Mumbai attack and the rally for the victim of the Delhi Gang rape. These were spontaneous rallies sponsored by the common man on the street, which found the pain of alienation unbearable and came out to shout for justice. The politician here was found cowering behind safe barricades and wouldn’t risk an appearance.

The common man is unduly burdened with his daily dose of problems and does not find time to attend such rallies or participate in riots disowning his social and family obligations, but it is also a fact that these rallies and riots have their participation. True- but it is not spontaneous, there is always an element of coercion, by the powers that be or by the incentives doled out in return.

Therefore the recent riots in Kishtwar or the massive blockade put up by the political parties in Kerala not to say of recent communal clashes in Bihar are all pointers to the fact that it is ultimately the political parties or masters who gain out of these events. The common man suffers since he is not allowed to go about his daily chores and at times is deprived of his fundamental rights.

Look at what is happening in Kishtwar where the politicians are fighting to capture space born out of people to people clashes and killings. It is a shame that these leaders can unashamedly propagate their views and thrust it down the throat of the gullible common man when in fact it is the general public that is suffering due to these miscreants taking over the law and order machinery. Within a matter of hours they take over the scene and wreck mayhem before doing the vanishing act leaving the state and machinery to do the cleaning even while the remnants are stoked to keep the simmer on.

Turn your attention to the Kerala blockade and see how democracy is being taken for a ride. In a democratic country and state one political party is sitting on the government and forcing it to accept their way or the highway. The tens of thousands that have assembled wouldn’t be able to differentiate between the oppressed or the oppressor but since it is the call of their party they shut their mind and send their reasoning on a vacation to turn loyal soldiers of their ideological masters.

The politicians however always paint it as the frustration of the common man or desperation giving vent to common anger through such rallies or riots. The politicians always projects himself as a man of peace and a peace broker who in spite of grave provocation and name calling invariably always manages to turn the saviour.

The simple truth is that an individual or a group of individuals are incapable of starting an uprising unless there is a silent nod of approval and protection from the law makers and their stooges and unless they are stage managed by the politicians, barring a few exceptions when he is cornered or has his back to the wall.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com
13^th August 2013

Scars of yonder

(This is the writer’s tryst with an unfortunate victim of acid attack trying to come out of self-imposed hiding—A work of fiction though)

Scars of yonder

I hear the chirping of the birds with the early sunrise. What a sweet sound to awaken to. Unfortunately I cannot go out and feel the morning breeze on my face because I am wary of been seen by anyone lest I frighten them, since I have been frightengly scared beyond hope.

Let me tell you I was not born this way, in fact I was a beautiful young girl born to average parents in a lower middle class family. Life was so joyful when I could go out and play with anyone as a young girl. I had many friends and was looked upon in our group as being the prettiest. I grew up to be a young woman with strong and good features that attracted many suitors. It is only when boys would try to establish contact with me that I realised that I was after all pretty.

After high school, I got admission into college and so my list of academic qualifications grew as did my list of suitors. It was difficult to tackle the many who would try to make friends or would simply propose. Others would whistle or pass lewd comments to attract my attention. Since I was grown up and understood the ways of the world, I kept a neat distance and wondered about my daily routine.

However this one chap who refused to take no for an answer changed the face of my existence for ever. One fine morning as I was walking back from college, he approached me and proposed again to me. I got annoyed at his ways and rebuked him no end. The woman in me wanted to be treated with dignity and respect, and I did not mince words explaining this to him.

However the rascal that he is, I was thrown back by a stream of hot liquid that came out of his hands, I did not know what happened, as I writhed in pain and shouted and cried out while the rascal scooted.. God knows what happened after that and I do not want to remember as the agony forces me to drain away all my emotions. Now, whenever I lie in bed and try to think about it, I get angry and fume at myself, at the universe, at my friends and neighbours for abandoning me. I blame everyone for scarring me by their acts of passiveness.

The boy who marred my life for ever did go to jail but is now roaming free after having completed his sentence, while I am left to feel imprisoned to a lifetime behind the veil. Are a few years in jail enough punishment for having scarred an innocent’s life? Are a few years in jail enough to cover up for the pain, for a lifetime lost? Is it enough to wash away the shame of a lifetime?

Doctors say fixing my face will be a lengthy process and the cost enormous, out of bounds for me who cannot even step outside the house least of all find suitable employment. I am scarred for life and no amount of fretting or fuming, no sympathies will alter my fate. I am afraid to look into the mirror lest I scare myself. People I consider as my very own started to avoid me, I have no friends now no sympathizers, no enemy except the one in my head. Such is the enormity of my wound that no amount of counselling could help me find succour.

However over the years I have realised that the best way to tackle this monster in the head was to come out and speak for one self and for other unfortunate victims. This new found imitative has given me a sense of purpose in life. I now go around and help victims like myself and try to organise them to respond to life’s misery through grit and determination. I am determined to let people know, to speak to the world, and ask them to reconcile to my fate.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com

August 01, 2013

Shot in the arm

Shot in the arm

Reserve Bank of India the prime regulatory authority in India and the controlling institution for all banks in the country has so far conducted itself in an impeachable manner. The institution is a pillar of hope to the people and industry as has been all serving and past members on the board.

Right from the time of Nationalization of Banks in the early 70’s, going through the rough patch of regulatory confluences during the early liberalization era of the 1990’s till its modern day influences; the Reserve Bank of India has covered itself in glory and stood as a beacon of hope during troubled and testing times. Its credit and monetary initiatives have been taken keeping in mind the interest of the country at large as well as to strengthen the economy, yet today one is a little worried, trying to pin point the exact problem that ails the Indian economy.

The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India also leads the fire fighting exercise to control inflation and accelerate growth in the economy along with the Government that administers fiscal policy. In fact lowering of bank rates is an issue that has been vigorously debated in recent times and the Reserve Bank has been seen hesitant in taking steps to tinker with the bank rates. The Governor has been of the opinion that inflation is not within desirable levels and any tinkering will add to the woes of the common man a view not necessarily shared by the Finance Ministry. Inflation refuses to be tamed due to increase in rural wages, rise in oil and commodity prices and increased procurement price for the farmers.

High interest rates act as a deterrent to production, the overall result being that the economy is caught in a vicious circle. On the other side the rupee has threatened to run away and is traded at somewhere around the 61 mark. The current account deficit is threatening to add to the country’s woes. The dilemma one finds hard to decode is whether to pursue growth or stabilise prices.

It is in this context that the appointments of Mr Raghuram Rajan as the 23^rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India gains importance. A known economist and a young researcher on the trends in modern economies, he is well equipped to carve out a path through the maze of problems that the economy is going through at this stage, having had the foresight to predict the woes of the world in 2008.

The designate governor has his hands full. But his broad experience of having seen economies through the lens of the International Monetary Fund and as a professor of the subject, one can expect him to wage a war to keep things under control and give the much needed thrust to a fledging economy.

The outgoing Governor Mr D Subbarao has done his best and the new governor cannot be expected to do much different Vis a Vis policy direction, but what can change are a fresh thrust of risk taking and a much needed infusion of ideas and thoughts apart from the mundane everyday choices. Healing the economy is like a doctor diagnosing a disease through the elimination method. But a proficient doctor will attempt a diagnostic solution through his experience, knowledge and foresight.

As he himself has admitted that there is no magic wand to dismiss all woes that trouble the economy, but a fresh initiative and thinking can do wonders even when options are minimal. What will matter more is the will and enthusiasm of the Governor to read the script perfectly, predict and mould the economy in a manner that can withstand the present turmoil and help it gallop into the future.

For these reasons a younger incumbent spells hope when coupled with the academic brilliance and exposure of the man, further instilling hope for the future. Since the intent looks perfect and the will seems to be apparent one should wait with baited breath for sorrows to be transformed to tears of joy and wellbeing.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com
August 9, 2013

A land setting with the sun

A land setting with the sun

The southernmost tip of India is inhabited by Malayalees who are the residents of the state of Kerala. This is the land described by authors as Gods own country, a state known for its natural beauty and thick vegetation not to forget the Scenario of mountains, streams and lakes that crisscross the state.

Here is a state that is ahead of all others in the country as the most literate state in India. Yet this is the state that has not known industrialization. The argumentative and highly political animal that the malayalee is, often leads to skirmishes of the mind which translates to a physical form forcing entrepreneurs to close shop and leave. It is well known that the average malayalee eats, drinks, sleeps and thinks politics.

This results in able bodied males and females finding employment in other states in India or is termed as NRI (Non Resident Indians) by virtue of working overseas. They happily go about doing jobs which they abhor as a community in their own land. Such is the state of affairs that the state is swarmed by people from northern states that are employed as farm hands and construction workers or even for menial jobs even while the local population does the same work but in a foreign land.

This is also a land where public opinions are divided on political lines. The political parties are so vocal that they organise strikes and closures the moment the ruling party sneezes. The malayalee is probably born into a political party, no excuse is too small to organise protests and marches. The malayalee would fondly participate in strikes and gheraos knowing fully well that he has nothing to lose, as the state’s economy thrives on external factors and he himself will have to consign himself to these external forces at some point in time.

The moment he crosses the physical boundaries of the state he willingly submits to the rules and laws of that particular state or country and all his political instincts are frozen. Like the ‘touch me not plant’ that folds up the moment it is touched the malayalee recedes into a shell to wriggle out once he touches base again in his home state.

They are not willing to organize into self-help groups who can put pressure on the administration to sort things out, but will fall into line during a politically organised march. The state of roads in Kerala is such a pity, people die every day due to a negligent government not willing to work on the roads. This is not something new; it is the same story for the last fifty years or so. In fact some roads in the interiors and in relatively upscale villages are straight out of the ‘Stone Age’ literally. No one, political group is to be blame s for this; the state remains the same irrespective of who rules.

On the other extreme even as this piece is being written, the opposition is planning to bring the state and its functioning to a halt because they want the Head of the state to resign for trivial reasons and will not allow a democratically elected government to work. The atmosphere is so politically charged that in spite of good intent a government is unable to deliver, but the malayalee does not mind this as long as his political beliefs are nurtured through these kinds of stoppages, strikes and protests.

No wonder the state, touted as a front line state is happily setting along with the sunset as overall development is nobody’s agenda and the malayalee is not willing to risk his neck keeping party policies and politics aside even for a short time.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com

August 8, 2013

Desert Chill

(This article was written during the time of the mine disaster in Chile which caught the attention of the world media. Today marks the third anniversary of this disaster, a reminder of how fragile life is)

Desert Chill

Technology and Man or should it be the other way around Man & Technology? Does it really matter which comes first because we must admit that it is a lethal combination. A combination that can break new grounds and destroy them all in the same life cycle. Man has gone far ahead from primitive times when he used to walk long distances.

Today we are bound by ageless and timeless mediums like the internet and supersonic speed jets. We can pierce the ground below and shatter the sky. Technology that came in handy during the fight for survival for the 33 miners trapped for 69 days down below in the earths belly at a depth of over 2000ft.

Let us close our eyes and imagine being down under, at that depth for a brief period. The very thought sends a chill down our spine and makes us shudder at the prospect. Let us imagine the thoughts that must have crossed the minds of the trapped miners. The thought of a son or daughter, and the moments of joy and sorrow that were spent together. The joy of being able to see their children grow up, take their first step or simply playing with their grand children.

Imagine the thought of what life would be after they had gone into the dark and lonely tunnel of death. The thought of not being able to see the sun rise or the moon at night, the twinkling of the stars, the chill of the desert breeze or the fresh gasp of air. The thought of not being able to fight and not being able to make up, the thought of not being able to kiss and be kissed, the thought of not being able to hug a loved one and not being hugged.

The thought of not being able to go to the movies and relate to your favorite star, the thought of not being able to do things right, the thought of missing out on our favorite meal. The thought of getting drenched in the rain, the thought of missing out on the wind howling during a storm, the thought of not being able to read the news story of tomorrow, the thought of not being able to do enough for the family, the thought of not being able to forgive, the joy at the thought of being able to go back in time and re live life one more time. How would the family survive? What about the debts? How would it be repaid and what effect would it have on the survivors in the family?

The thought of having lived life without the confirming sacrament of matrimony, and the thought of having to take a tough stand in family matters, now repenting. The thought of your newborn not being able to establish emotionally with you as they grow older, the thought of your father who had to stand this test of time and having to see his descendant go before him, the mother who sacrificed her all only to see her own being taken away by this cruel tryst of fate. The thought of not being able to have a proper grave and an epitaph engraved on the tombstone, the thought of a strange emptiness in your partner’s life. The thoughts are unlimited and one cannot stop the thought process. The speed of thought is quicker and you imagine the worst all within a few seconds.  

But kudos to the human spirit that fought out the odds for the first 17 days to emerge victorious. Wow! What a tough nut this human spirit. One that can transcend the dark and unbearable, overcome the undercurrent of fear and hopelessness, the spirit that gives hope during times of hopelessness. Imagine being caught in that kind of a hole with no light anywhere. The spirit weakens, the will to survive slackens with each passing moment and we finally get ready to face the almighty.

It is during such harsh times that the leader in the human being takes over. No matter how outright dejected or thrashed we are,  there is someone egging us on to break the shackles of bondage, the bondage of fear, the bondage of relenting without putting up the maximum effort, the ultimate push to light and resurrection. Such was the indomitable spirit of the shift in charge whose rationing of food allowed the miners to stay afloat till help arrived, or the President and people of Chile who tapped every square inch  on the surface above to establish connect with the trapped below.

The never dying spirit of the families of those trapped below huddled together in the camp of Hope. Let us applaud the technology that enables us to establish this link and let us not forget the tears and silent prayers of the world which got together to beseech the almighty to let live. Every time a tragedy occurs in some part of the world, relief and rehabilitation happens there, but the cry of anguish travels across the globe from all parts of humanity for the unfortunate. This is the feeling of oneness the feeling of having a common ancestor a common master, for no matter where or how or what the circumstances are, the human race shares in that particular grief.

The Chile mine accident saw the world get together under the unrelenting passion of the people of Chile and the unending prayers of the human race cutting across, boundaries, race, religion or sex. NASA stepped in, so did the Americans with their technology, expertise and equipment and the journalists from far and near converged on an obscure part of the desert to be able to describe to us the elation or the pain in its proper perspective. A Chilean philanthropist donated money to each of the miners giving them a leg up.

Finally the time of reckoning had come; it was time to test prayers, passion, spirit, and technology all together and boy! Wasn’t it easy? It looked so easy that we all wanted to pay a visit down under just to feel the thrill of a ride into a dark hole. Let this episode remind us that we must do what we must do when it needs to be done because there might just not be another chance.

Love today and forgive today for tomorrow may never come for next time the hole may be deeper and the depths darker, the ride never ending and the cord of connect may be broken. Life is lived only once let us make the best use of it.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com

 

Love? my left foot

Love? -My left foot

What a shocking incident- A male student shoots and hacks a female student of his own class in the classroom and consumes poison, this happened in the prestigious JNU(Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi), a university where the supposedly intellectuals park and grow their brand of intellectualism while the world goes by.

The incident as apparent from the suicide note found in the boy’s bag stemmed from rejection in love by the female and hurt the male ego a case of jilted lover. The boy has since died and the girl might just survive although the scars will always be a pointer, a question mark all through her life. It is intriguing to read that the boy seemed to think that the couple was in love. ‘My left foot’- even if they were how could a lover hack his partner even while professing that they were once in love. One cannot digest the fact that people who truly love can hurt each other. Love is all about sacrifice; it is about giving for the sake of love. Lovers sacrifice to propel their love on to a higher pedestal where the world can watch but cannot touch it in words, deeds or even thoughts of impurity.

Recently a couple got married at the age when others think of retiring into the retiring rooms of their lives. This couple was in love during their youth, but could not marry due to family pressures. They individually married other partners and lived a fulfilling live as doting parents caring over their brood. They tied the knot when both their spouses died naturally and were left alone without the pressures of family and society. True love saw them get together even when they were well past their prime. An example of true love which goes to the grave without a thought about destroying the partner through harsh words or deeds or character assassination, forget actual brutalization.

What the boy professed as love was anything but love, where a sense of attachment is born out of everyday chores and utterances. Obsession overtakes you and even the thought of your partner interacting with others of the opposite sex infuriates you. Love will always remain in the heart, more than in the mind. To love a person would be to sacrifice oneself and bear no ill will towards your once lover. In this case the boy, if in love could have walked away from the relationship when the girls refused to take it further. His love would have been etched in the annals of history had he walked away with her embedded in his heart. To try to destroy her or satisfy his ego is not a case of love. Even revenge or getting back at her for spurning his advances loudly in the glare of classmates all in broad daylight cannot account for extreme action. By that standard anyone who starts a relationship should also sign a binding contract; there cannot be a walk away route.

In fact what is apparent may not always be inherent in a relationship. One may gradually find out that the opposite is not tuned to his/her liking and may not be the ideal partner. In that case the option to quit must be available and the couple should split amicably as a true testament of their once professed love. I wish the boy had read the below couplet and taken a cue from it, for then he would have been able to measure his love and not waste a life trying to decode the word.

“If you love something,
set it free,
If it comes back, it is yours
if it doesn’t, it never was”

It is said that love is blind and lovers cannot see- true, but one must not be blind to the meaning of love and should qualify as lover only when this emotion tugs at ones heart strings, because then there will be no backlash, no revenge, no failure, nor hurt sentiments, and even harsh words or gossip exchanged will be entombed with time.

Robin Varghese

Mail to: robin_vargh@yahoo.com

1^st August 2013

 

 

Rugged Contours

Rugged contours

Today morning news came of a stunt driver’s pillion rider being shot at mistakenly or otherwise by the cops who tried to rein in a group of errant and purposefully unruly youth.

The capital city of New Delhi has been waking up to similar news far too often now. One is forced to hazard a guess as to the indiscipline prevailing in our young ones. Some say it is lack of restrictions and basic discipline at home that help these young ones to progress on this rebellious journey. Others say boys are boys and this is the stage in life when the itch to challenge set norms and rules takes over.  Boys turn rebellious and seek to live a divergent life, one that is not the normal prescription which is followed by the majority.

Coming back to the news item – it is reported that a group of bikers with their new and modified machines came out in batches of two to show their rebellious spirit and perform stunts on bikes for which there are no takers or spectators, because they normally dwell in these acts of supposedly bravery well past midnight when the city sleeps and there is no traffic on the streets. I can understand showing off, but for this you need spectators. So what eggs them on, even when they know no one is watching and there will be no thunderous applause at the end of it? Is it plain venting of anger, frustration or is it a new fad with the younger generation? But again why choose to challenge the law?

The police as is their duty tried to stop them but the errant group were insistent and dogged the cops almost teasing them with the now famous Mohammed Ali line “catch me if you can”.  The harassed cops when they failed to bring these rouges under control simply did what they do as the last resort and fired at the wheels obviously missing and killing one of them. How the pillion rider died or what actually happened will probably not be known, but what is known is that the youth who died paid with his life for a foolish act of bravery or being party to one.

A rebellious streak can be understood but being rebellious to the extent of defying the laws of the country and ‘cocking a snook’ at enforcers of the law smells of arrogance too. The thought that they can get away with anything and comparing contravention of laws as simple as contravening home rules enforced by parents. These kids are more often from broken or troubled families, where the adage “A family that prays together stays together “does not hold. These are probably families where members do not see eye to eye where parents are mostly separated or live separate lives without bothering about the values being inculcated in their young ones.  These are families where parental guidance is not deemed as necessary but treated as a non-requisite .These are probably families where child rearing is not a joint responsibility.

It is the upbringing in a family that teaches a young one the right behavioral pattern and imbibes the right character. If done rightly they will certainly know where to draw the line though they may have a rebellious streak about them, thus saving themselves and their parent’s unwarranted troubles. We as parents are therefore partly responsible for the shape of character of our children and will have to take the flak for the poor decisions they take or pay the price for their indiscretions. Choose to ignore early warnings at your own peril and at the cost of lost reputation and peace of mind.

Robin Varghese

mail to robin_vargh@yahoo.com

30^th July 2013