Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts

Thursday, June 4, 2009

1989 --- 20 Years Back

The year 1989 brought a revolution without a revolution. The rise of leftist and democracy in Latin America against the history of dictators and MNC's exploitation was getting started. Dissident in politics about Kashmir comes in main news after 1989 and the old wounds were turned green by proxy war started by a bitter neighbour. There was a whole generation that was not moving away and a generation that hasn't necessarily moved in the main stream all over the world.

History--

The fight of moulding history by hardliners in Communist, Islamist and ultra nationalist to make themselves either victim or victor of oppressive regime is the peak point of academic debates in post 2nd world war era. The function of monuments or massive representation of leaders is to offer a stylized version, or in the worst case a mythologized version of history. History when contradicts the memory of living, then nation or community is on the way of self destruction. History should be unbiased interpretation of past rather than revolving around great figures as a sign of a certain respect for their turbulent lives. By omitting a critical and honest discussion of past and by glorifying and romanticizing history, the generations are deprived of learning about the forces and dynamics that shape culture, society and nations.

Racism---
The effects of the internal unrest and international condemnation led to dramatic changes beginning in 1989 in SA. And in few years apartheid ended in South Africa. I slightly differ from funda of international pressure of human right groups for ending years of racial discrimination. A short narration from Deepa Mehata would be enough to clear my stand --- It was just amazing how the colour of one’s skin decides one’s future. What struck me about the story was how racism is rooted in economics. I went to Johannesburg during the Apartheid days, around 1975. There was two lines, one for the Whites, one for the rest - the Indians, the Chinese, the Arabs, all non-Whites. Then I went there two years later, when there was a huge oil boom in the Middle East. And I suddenly see all others were still in the Coloured Line, but the Arabs were in the White Line. So, racism is all about money. Suddenly in one year, the Arabs became White! If the perception about India is changing today, it is because of its economic situation. It’s not that they have suddenly found a long lost love for us. [3]

Communism---
It was marked by the fall of Soviet Union or epitome of Communism into several pieces. The fight against communism back then revealed the belief in the meaning of human freedom. The violet revolution is eastern Europe was breakthrough in the era of oppressive regime of Communist USSR. Tiananmen square massacre and Fall of Berlin Wall was the core of all change that shake communism history round the world.
Tiananmen would not have happened without the rift between Zhao Ziyang and the hardliners, and the Berlin Wall would not have fallen without Gorbachev shaking up the Soviet regime. After 20 of change, the fundamentals remain the same. In a one-party system, a small crack at the top can open up the chasm at the bottom. Behind the façade of self-confidence, harmony and stability, the ghost of 1989 still haunts a closed regime of China and Russia that was hoping to erase and transcend it. [1]
Economy---
A era of changed has gone from past 20 years. The political awakening and fight for human rights has reduced for the betterment of trade and living standards. But this freedom from communism brought with it paradoxes of unchecked capitalism. The rise of middle class has changed the equation in the favour of India and China. Unequal distribution of Economic Freedom is at the basis of India & China's uneven development. The reason is simple, the areas in which the middle and upper classes make their living have seen the highest degree of liberalisation, while the areas in which the poor earn their livelihood have seen the fewest reforms. [2] The huge chunk of industrial production of west runs on oil and cheap labour. While Saudi provided oil, china provided exploitable labor class for the rise of US regime in the post cold war era.

Jehad---
Rise of Islamist was marked from 1972 oil well exploration on Saudi land by American Companies. Investment of petro dollars into Wahabi Islam & jehadi group is also cause of spread of terrorism in South Asia. From then, The identification with Islam have became in such an ethical orientation flow pattern, which is largely about the theological concepts haram - the Forbidden - and halal - the Permitted - structured. The defeat of Soviet in poppy land Afghanistan was the mark of rise of Talibs gathered around by hardliner Muslims. The mistake of America in not rebuilding Afghanistan & leaving behind arms in the hands of jehadis is now paying them after 20 years.

Right Now---
It is everybody's business to ensure that no one is deprived of their right to say what they wish, even if it is deemed by some to be offensive. If we want the pleasures of pluralism and diversity, we have to accept the pain of being offended by extro and intro inspection. That is the level of tolerance should be brought in our diverse and democratic society in future. Now the slump of US economy in global recession and militant Islam uprising is providing a new base for a big change.

The rise of emerging markets and the relative decline of developed countries indicate the reorientation of global economic order. G-7 may found its counter in BRIC now. There are also concerns, the critical one being to what extent this economic power will manifest itself as political power—a process that history suggests is inevitable.

The stability of nuke armed Pakistan will now determine the future of world politics. The axis of attention has shifted from east Europe to Pakistan now. Something that rest of world is fighting against extremist Muslims, i.e. to bring reforms and renaissance in their culture in the light of changing times. 20 years from 1989, again we are on the verge of adapting revolutionary change in our economic and political system. We can only predict what lies in womb of future.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Dark side of India

Indians are stricken by the disease of cynicism and negative thinking. They are all more materialistic, less idealistic, and even termed as prudent and practical. Lack of independent thinking and risk taking tendency has doomed us to the slave of western thinking till now. The colonial rule and dominance of one party over has produced more followers than leaders.

The lack of social entrepreneurs is more gray issue than any financial problem. Engineers can build the physical infrastructure of a nation, but someone needs to build and develop the institutions that nurture democracy. The government does not promote free thinking and scholarship in the social sciences. The present political structure is based on ignorance and irrational thinking.Even within a university environment, saying social or political things may be rife with problems from fellow students or administration.

All this talk is given in the seductive influence of Gulaal. Gulaal is a flawed masterpiece. I like the movie because of its connection with youths and university politics. The first half is an introduction of characters but second half is just manipulation of scenes together. I don't want to enrage the readers with synopsis of plot. But after Haasil, a movie has come depicting university politics in limelight with honesty. The depiction of caste system, university environment and puppet politics is beautifully presented here.

The unusual point about the movie:Films contains references of US war of Afghanistan, Iraq and 9/11 , Cynical comments of Indian Democracy are made by some characters & Piyush Mishra wears a locket of John Lennon. The soundtrack and lyrics are refreshingly good and flows smoothly as the movie progress. The lyrics remind me of Hindi poetry still unheard by majority of Hindi speaking people.

The movie content is good and directly associated with Hindi heartland of India. The cinema halls will remain empty and people from metro cities will not be able to associate with characters, hence a wide margin of revenue will cut off. Leave trade analyst and critics alone. Watch the movie for sheer performance of KK and superb performance of Abhimanyu Singh (do not panic, he is not a star kid)...

I have read atleast 10-15 reviews of the movie but the most balanced one is here. There is positive and good face of India but this experience was like discovering dark side of the moon. Celebrate the democracy with courtier culture and dynasticism. The talk of loyalty and nihilism in one same place is revolt to the Indian tradition, but independent thinking is budding in young Indian minds.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Brutual Murder of Mr.M K Gupta

This year ends with a sad note about one of our alumni being killed by political mafia. Mr. Manoj Gupta (Civil 1979) was Class I executive engineer of PWD dept. in UP, near Kanpur. He was killed by local mafia and BSP MLA for refusing to donate Rs. 50 lakhs for celebration of birthday on 15 Jan for chief minister, Mayawati. Due to political fallout, the birthday party (for which Rs.1,000 crores were collected) has been canceled. It is a great loss to our IT-BHU community. We are planning to take action on legal, political and media front. An information page is posted on our website by Pramod Joshi, 1979 batch.
Additional links:

1) Mayaʼs claim falls flat: no engineer behind killing

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mayas-claim-falls-flat-no-engineer-behind-k.../403547/

2) Mayawati cancels birthday celebrations

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1216934

3) Slain engineerʼs son declines Maya's compensation

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1216935

4) 32 torture marks on murdered UP engineer

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1216620&pageid=0

5) Rattled Maya reads out riot act to partymen

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Rattled_Maya_reads_out_riot_act_to_partymen/articleshow/3897843.cms

6) Rahul plea on engineer at odds with ally

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081227/jsp/nation/story_10307906.jsp

Please flash this news to all our Alumni and appeal them for a protest. The form of protest could be signature campaign to the Honorable Governor of UP and The Honorable President of India. Please do the needful at the earliest. looking forward to your kind reply and help.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Warzone Mumbai

After Black Friday, 26/11 turns to be Black Wednesday for whole India. The Mumbai has been struck by the terrorist attack. CST, Nariman House, Taj Hotel and Trident (Oberoi) hotel were prime targets of this attacks.59 Hours of operation with over 182 death and 327 injured people. Jewish people were targeted in India and Israel declares that it is a clear attack on Israel. That's the spirit of real nation...

This is the time to stand together and end the terror regime. Enough is enough; this blood shed of innocent must be stopped. It is a national cause above all mutual difference between political or regional differences. Dirty politics by each party must be punished by people in election. Shivraj Patil was an impotent home minister appointed by Sonia Gandhi on the pure basis of favoritism. Ridiculous talking of home ministry after every bomb blasts has shown nation absurdity of the comments. With this line written, the news of bomb blast in Assam is flashing on news channel. Also, V S Achuthanandan(CPI) has really made cheap comments about martyr family at this time of National crisis.

We care more about distorted image of India projected in USA or UK. We are more worried about external support than internal unity of this country. There is enough proof of Pakistan hand. This fidayen style of training and planning at POK is worth shocking. The diplomatic and internal security efforts must be made with rapid pace (before election).

Currently, we need a strict federal law to deal with this kind of proxy war. The federal agency is needed to coordinate various intelligence and security measures. Either we can laid back to old attitude or help families of victims and brave cops. The terrorist said anonymous mail forging themselves under name of Deccan Mujaheeden.No negotiation policy with the terrorist is best suited for India now. The security forces must be backed with modern ammunition and rifles.

1-Formation of Federal Agency.
2-Reamendment of security acts and laws.
3-Police reforms implementation.
4-Use of CCTV camera at sensitive places.
5-Curbing the economic resource of Terrorist (Join F.A.T.F.)

Feel the backbone invertebrate political leaders .Do not disgust nation with vote bank politics !!!
A nation becomes weak first from inside and attack is done afterward from external enemies. NSG, Marine Commandos, ATS and Mumbai cops make a team effort to save life of so many people. GRP at CST or hotel staff also did tremendous job in the hour of terrorist attack. Salute to them.