Sunday, May 13, 2012
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
No Full Stops in India -Only commas and questions : A Book Review
"No Full Stops in India” is yet another series of stories strung together about: India and its people” by the loveable, itinerant raconteur, the irrepressible Mr. Mark Tully. Published by the Penguin in the early nineties he travels through the length and breadth of India, picks and chooses places, events and people to reiterate his firm conviction that India is alive and well. In all of over the, three hundred pages spread over several chapters his compassion for the ordinary man comes through, sincere and passionate. He chides his “white” peers like an indignant, self righteous cousin for having failed to understand the real India and thus, wronged an ancient and proud civilization.
Having done his schooling and for the better part of his professional career being posted
In India Mark takes us on a special journey which most of us Indians are yet, to make. Not quite the sophisticated and erudite discovery that of a Nehru or the utter prostrations of anything British a la Nirad Babu but more akin to the simple and natural R K Laxman .Slowly but surely, he leads you on through the eyes of his “help” Ram Chander to the heart of India- Gavvan Village close to lucknow :Taxi stands, potholed roads, tractors carrying generators and tables and chairs, the marriage ceremonies of Ram and the stay in the harijan basti with Gillian, his companion, the Indian whiskies, the cheap country liquor and open air latrines. All along you enjoy the ride, never suspecting the felicity and feeling with which Mark introduces you to your very own darkest subject that of the Harijan, their lives and society.
He talks of the “new colonialism” of preventing the development of a native Indian self confidence thru’ the conflicts and dilemmas, of the famed sculptor Stapati with the equally famous Stephen Cox, of Father Kunakkals’ principled defence of Hindi as the language for national Identity and the harm caused by English to the latter and the difficulties in the emergence of the Dalit Christians and a new theology. He underlines with deep felt conviction that religion did not make communities communal on the basis of the spectacular success of the Ramayana serial across religious divides. On the contrary, the westernized import of secularism was ill suited to the needs of modern India, he avers.
A first hand account of Operation Black Thunder unravels all the pain and travails of the modern Sikh youth and the hapless flip flopping of the Congress party in resolving the Sikh Militancy. The Red Bengal gets a sympathetic ear along with a radical view on the “Deorala affair” and the rise of women empowerment. The humongous and utterly incredible throng of Indian Sadhus in Kumbh Mela is counterposed by the more sad and sobering existence post the communal riots in Gujrat.He sees very early the tragedy of the Tribal and sensitively talks of the challenges ahead in the mines and forests of Central India while interacting with their authentic wards. Finally, he meets his great friend Digvijay Singh of Bihar to round off his politico-social travelogue to convince us all of the need “of a modern order but not a slavish imitation of other”
Each chapter is a theme of modern India, written exquisitely and graphically enough to be filmed. Another “Bharat Ek khoj” perhaps. Every Indian needs to read and own a copy to understand the growth and history of the modern Indian society. Everyone else, too : to notice the lack of any condescension, arrogance or superciliousness in the understanding of India as a nation and society.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Of Death,Heroism and the Uniform
Mostly, all the better and larger minds(emphasis mine) have sung paeans to the heroism, courage, valour, pride and sacrifice, patriotism and sterling values et all displayed by these great sons of the soil. This so called “ martyrdom” has albeit, come with its rewards - pecuniary benefits, gallantry awards, decorations, ,accolades of all kinds ,naming of streets, parks ,immortalising through stories , novels, songs, films etc.Notwithstanding,there is a widespread dissatisfaction with the ubiquitous manner the recognition stands provided at the end of it all. It is supposedly, little and often, too late.
However, that Soldiers or men in uniform by their very definition derived from an Old French word, itself a derivation of Solidarius, Latin for someone who served in the armed forces for pay, as opposed to warriors in tribal society where every grown man is automatically a member of his clan's fighting force. Solidare in Latin means "to pay". This etymological antecedent has been sourced primarily to support my argument that soldiering is, yet, another job with a specific job description. In the line of duty, you may, well die.Possible, but not probable!!!
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori is a line from the Roman lyrical poet Horace's Odes (iii 2.13). The line can be rendered in English as: "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country.", Historically, thus ,legends, folklore literature etc have provided the groundwork, for a larger than life image or meaning to the profession being synonymous with heroism, sacrifice and martyrdom. Simply because, the security, health and safety of men and material of a country are best served by them!! It is honorary (despite being paid for the services rendered) hence, honourable. Similar sentiments prevail about teaching, nursing and medicine, too. All this is quite contrary to a secularisation/temporal process wherein the jobs in question have become as attractive and popular, competitive, remunerative and secure as any other.
In fact, a rough count of the number of dead/wounded/maimed in the wars since Independence would confirm that a very small percentage of the Armed Forces have actually met this terrible fate i.e. die. Specifically, the Indian Air Force or the Indian Navy may have very little to show on this count. It is this last attribute of “security and safety “of the military profession that demystifies the (misplaced) fear and awe of Death to be concurrent with the profession of soldiering and hence the “nobility”. A similar statistical survey around the world would I ‘m afraid reveal the universality of the fact and that in present days of ‘Stand –off ‘operations body bags have been encouragingly few. The loss of number of lives of ordinary civilians against combatants, however, has been frightfully high and unprecedented yet, uncompensated or considered fait accompli during wars. That the value and number of ordinary lives lost due to accidents or otherwise during similar timeframes is quite another matter They are, in a manner of speaking , be argued, to be no mothers sons or daughters really….Cynically speaking, post the Great Wars the overall rate and trend of deaths of the “men in uniform” have become definitely lesser.
Hero (male) and heroine (female) or Heroism came to refer to characters (fictional or historical) that, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self sacrifice – that is, heroism – for some greater good, originally of martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence. It is my understanding, that contrary to the general belief, this virtue is not unique to the Armed Forces. In the common and existential state many, if not all, from different walks of life get to show it, is true, but sadly, does not get the attention or fanfare that it deserves Ergo, heroism in the line of duty is no longer or ever the exclusive preserve of the “uniform.
Death, in or without uniform, is and was of equal value and honour .To put, therefore a premium on death of a particular kind would be a travesty. Blasphemous, to say the least!! And in parting, I would much rather say,"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, sed dulcius pro patria vivere, et dulcissimum pro patria bibere. Ergo, bibamus pro salute patriae" In English this is rendered as: "It is sweet to die for the homeland, but it is sweeter to live for the homeland, and the sweetest to drink for it. Therefore, let us drink to the health of the homeland."
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Courage Under fire
Dear All,
Pl. join in to share your valued thoughts.My feeling is we need to question our own sense of love of country as against pursuing a job while in or out of the uniform......
THE INDIAN EXPRESS
*The nation and its 40 hectares**V.P. Malik*Posted online: Friday, August 29, 2008 at 2334 hrs
*At a time when the national interest should come first, India's 'liberals'turn on their own country and soldiers*On August 8 when Syed Ahmed Shah Geelani was shouting pro-Pakistan andreligious slogans in Srinagar, about 100 km to the north, Colonel J. J.Thomas with his quick reaction team was trying to prevent Pakistaniterrorists from entering J&K. Thomas and his two colleagues were killed in that encounter. The encounter was reported by a few media channels. Therewas no reaction by any political leader or a civil rights activist. Threedays later, the defiant anti-national veteran and other 'Azadi' leaders (oneknown for murdering air force personnel) were arrested before they couldlead another anti-national rally. Everyone screamed 'crackdown'!
This week, a young fiction-writer-turned-activist writes that 'denial ofAzadi is delusion'. She accuses India of administering 'military occupationfor 18 years' and causing 'years of repression in which tens of thousandshave been killed, thousands have been disappeared, hundreds of thousandtortured, injured, raped and humiliated'. Political leaders — Abdullah,Muftis, Azad and their colleagues — who were elected and ruled the stateduring this period and should be answering, let that accusation pass! Whenour political leaders and administrators convert a 40 hectares land disputeinto a 'secession' issue in 60 days and award-winning romantic authorsrabidly endorse that, I feel it is time to introspect India's nationhood andgovernance.
*There is too much political infighting and too little political consensus.We are a divided house in almost all essential policies including those ofeconomic development, diplomacy and security. Long-term strategic thinkingand the social and political will and determination to set things righteludes us in the kind of coalition politics and governance that existstoday.*That the crisis in J&K is a result of crass political opportunism, naivetyand administrative procrastination, if not slumber, is well known. Thegovernor, Congress, PDP and NC leaders tried to gain vote banks over thetemporary allotment of 40 hectares near Baltal. All of them are sidelinedtoday because the secessionists have taken over the situation. The BJP andsome other radical Hindus supported the Shri Amarnath Samiti in Jammu. They have not only lost control of the latter but also considerable credibilitywith young generation in India.
The naïve political leaders exhorted people to agitate, which resulted inviolation of law and order, destruction of public property, chukka jams,economic blockade, and even physical assault on policemen. When thesecessionist elements took control, the nation witnessed shouting ofanti-India, pro-Pakistan and Azadi slogans, people hoisting Pakistan flags,attempts to cross LoC and so on.
*And now, how easy it is for some political leaders, civil rights activistsand media persons to shout and discuss secession? Do these people have anyidea of the social, political, strategic and economic consequences ofsecession? If India had followed so called 'liberal' advice in the past, wewould have not only said good-bye to most parts of India but also createdpolitical and economic instability in the region that is frightening toimagine. At the politico-strategic level, one requires a long memory andlonger foresight. Unfortunately, people like this are great favourites of TVchat shows and magazines who want to prove their liberal outlook and winmedia awards. India's national interest and strategies are offered instantoptions! *Margaret Thatcher, who said that 'publicity is like oxygen' seemspassé now.
After messing up the 40 hectare issue, some political leaders, and evenadministrators responsible for the weak governance are now trying to recoverpolitical space by making a scapegoat of the security personnel, raising newissues like demilitarisation and removal of top cops from the scene. It isso easy in India. *When security forces personnel waiting in the bunkers forthe next round of sentry duty or a quick reaction call read or watch this,they wonder why the government is risking their lives defending the LoC andfighting terrorists. Are they expendable? Why are they deployed during such agitations if law and order is not required to be maintained? I have swornto the Constitution; I am liberal and have always believed that excessiveand prolonged use of army for internal security is neither good for thecountry nor for the army. I also know the rules of engagement in suchsituations and do not condone aberrations. And I do not accept innocentsoldiers being made scapegoats for others' follies or in angry writing.
India's problem is that nationalism and patriotism are forgotten wordstoday. As in our historical past, we remain inward-looking, fixing eachother rather than the outsiders. Ernest Renan wrote, "What constitutes anation is not speaking the same tongue, or belonging to the same religion orethnic group, but having accomplished great things in common in the past,and the wish to accomplish them again in future." We, the people of Indianeed to pursue our national interests collectively and passionately,whatever the cost. In the interest of Indian nationalism, regional andcommunal identities and diversities have to be underplayed, notover-emphasised. We need to be realists; not moralists or pessimists.**The writer is a former Chief of Army Staff and associated with ObserverResearch Foundation, New Delhi__________________________________________________________
*My Reply
General
,In our own way we collude when we remain silent.What is it with us that when we can and are in power we mistake our actions as patriotism or should I say necessity.If I were to suggest that the PLA of china has a lot to teach us in this regard most of you wise men would point to American history and its glorious or gory teachings...I am unable to be explicit for fear of being called a politician of a certain geographical direction.Politics is after all, war by other means.When we are serving generals we are only military strategists and politics is anathema.When, we aren't we talk politics as a worthy weapon.We miss the point when the people no longer are with us or our point of view..that is of being an ex.No more or no less.. Can we dare to talk of all this while in uniform? the moot point is how much are we soldiers prepared to change with the times ?or are we to conveniently believe in the illusion of apolitical soldiering and Yes.. keep the myth of The great institution called the Indian Armed Forces the last Bastion of Democracy...ALIVE
-- Wg Cdr Sunil Kumar Banerjee
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