On New Year day 2015 – a thought

On New Year day 2015 – a thought

‘Happy New Year’, ‘Happy New Year’,

The phones buzzed from midnight,

The excitement in voices palpable,

No lethargy at middle of the night.

The calendar will turn to a fresh page,

The dates will transform completely,

All that became old in twelve months,

Now will restart again freshly.

The wishing continues through the day,

Some customary some heartfelt,

For at least a day when many shook hands,

Those wouldn’t with each other have dealt.

The newness lasts for a while,

Safe to say for a few days,

Then its back to business,

To our own old ways.

Every day can be a new year,

When there is true awareness,

Every moment can be novel,

In every view a newness.

The conflicts of everyday life,

The sorrows that fill the days,

Can be ended in a moment,

Or at least kept in harness,

In a short span of stay on earth,

The amount of hate we amass,

Sadly most our own making,

Grappling all life to get riddance.

But there lies that peaceful world,

Devoid of all worries all pain,

And the path to it isn’t far,

It starts and ends in within.

May the turn of calendar bring forth,

A new chapter that was in waiting,

A new leaf, a new vigor, new love,

For a moment can be transforming

Christmas Conundrums

This Christmas season is pretty different from the many previous ones, both personally and politically. Leaving the personal for later, the politics of Christmas has captured attention. Most part of it being unnecessary, unwarranted and unscrupulous. Couple of issues, the diktat to celebrate Christmas as ‘good governance day’ by HRD ministry and the ’Anti Conversion Bill’ pertaining to the conversion-reconversion matter has put the spotlight on a festival like never before.

Having studied in a missionary school, this issue is of particular interest to me and many of my classmates. The school never imposed any of the missionary beliefs upon its students. Yes it did not celebrate Ganesh Puja, which was celebrated with aplomb in the state high schools (although they did not celebrate Christmas). But Christmas was celebrated in a fashion which had no religious underpinnings that would make anyone uncomfortable. Did any of the students convert to Christianity after studying there for a decade? No.

22^nd January 1999. Graham Staines with two children was burnt alive in Keonjhar, Odisha. At an impressionable age and in class X, this horrific crime brought to fore the various narratives of conversion. The topic also came up during various discussions in classroom and with teachers who were priests. Not only did we discuss the matter dispassionately, at no time was truth suppressed. Article 25, the mission of the missionaries, the ethics of it, everything related was kept on the debate table. Such was the secular environment of my school.

If Article 25 has allowed everyone to 'propagate' (other than professing and practicing) ones religion, what is the legal tenacity that must apply to conversions that aren’t forced? If someone is forced, he/she will not they report the matter nevertheless? What is important, god or food? Is it ethical to take advantage of one’s poverty, one’s non-egalitarianism to convert? Is reconversion a ploy to capture the various quotas that the state provides? 

Proselytisation (forceful conversion) by luring has been the mischief evangelists have been up to since long. Though ethically it is wrong, is there a legal framework to address this issue effectively. If mass conversions are to be banned, what number would the ceiling be at? Reconversions are legally fine too. It is after all ones right to choose ones religion. But the spectacle that these, both conversions and reconversions, create and the social engineering they intend to bring about spell danger for the social fabric. Sadly it is the poor who is the football in this game. A Babasaheb becoming Buddhist, a Dharmendra becoming Muslim, doesn’t create flutter.

Such and many other questions have answers and they are rational ones. Education, they say, liberates you. It takes you above these petty matters, the squabbles of the fanatics, the politics of religion. Looking at the hate spewed in social networks, it doesn’t appear to be true. The ministry handling education perhaps thinks Christianity as a foreign festival which need not be granted the importance of a holiday. Saraswati Sishu Mandir’s, a chain of saffron schools, have long been denying holiday on national holidays like Eid. 

The wide fold and acceptance in Hinduism is its beauty. The cakes of Christmas are to be enjoyed, and so are the carols. The festivity in winter, the warmth that it brings is important. The divisiveness in labels is a scourge that eats up a society. What bigger label than religion after all, which thankfully or otherwise, has a uniting factor like no other.

About the 'I'

Problem with ‘I’

The first sentence took quite some time and quite many backspace hits to finally take form. The doubt was with the ‘I’. Whether to ‘I’ or not to ‘I’. That poses a fundamental problem in writing I feel. For the writer is aware of the connotations that the letter will have with the content of the written piece. It again goes back to that fundamental question that bogs many of us for most part of our lives ‘What will someone think about me’. Lot of effort is spent in molding ourselves, in acting, in pretending so that one will receive that very important ‘acceptance’. Perhaps that is what a social animal in a society is. But then no society gave its animals the wings to soar high.

Problem with ‘I’ again

Most conflicts happen because one takes oneself too seriously. It is imperative that one must conduct oneself in a certain manner so that she is taken seriously, else people will make a doormat of you, you will be a walkover and ultimately you will be in pain for it. This is precisely the thought one grows up with. Nothing wrong with that. But there is a lacunae there, of being taught or acquired the fact that one cannot always be serious especially about herself, all the time. To brush matters not worthy of your attention and concentration needs to be inculcated. When in doubt just remember what magnitude of a spec you are in the entire universe.

Again, a problem with ‘I’

I, me, mine, is all fine. There is a problem with what after ‘I’ is. Not ‘J’. A great part of our lives, a great deal of what we do, is for posterity. We are very fond of the ‘L’ word. Legacy. Everyone wants to leave behind a big one, one that will stand the test of time, one that will be there when the Himalayas become sea again, when humans will finally be able to time travel. Legacy is thus built brick by brick. Again no harm with that, but a fundamental question remains. After one has died, why does one want oneself to be remembered? How is that going to satisfy the dead? Or maybe, these are for afterlife believers. Either way, it’s an extension of ego that refuses to die with the body, it wishes to be an everlasting fragrance.

Lastly, the missing ‘I’

Individuals are rising, individuals are demolished. While a strange independence stemming out of lack of human interactions, keeping faith, trusting is on a rise, in a parallel world individuals are getting masked behind groups and thereby losing themselves. Single occupancy hostel rooms are requested for and preferred, faceless twitter trolls bully and puncture many self-esteems. Both are unhealthy. Younger kids are uncomfortable to make conversations, face to face chats abruptly ends. The refuge for another set is behind the screen, where identities can be forged, a second life can be lived. The ‘I’ is missing in an individual. It either has hypertrophied or has become too miniature for sustenance.

Book Review - 7 Secrets of the Goddess

 

Book Review – 7 Secrets of the Goddess

7 Secrets of the Goddess is the fourth book in the 7 Secrets series by medical doctor-turned-mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik. In this book he tells seven tales, of Hindu goddesses, discussing narratives of feminism, gender relationship, symbolism, influences and others. As in his previous work Dr Pattanaik brings mythology to the common reader in his lucid language. He delves into discussions of traditional interpretations and questions them too. From Kali to Durga to Saraswati their origin, various stories of divergent versions, transitions in imagery and contemporary views are described. Apart than the text, the book scores a major vantage point for the relevant pictures with description which constitutes half of the book, literally.

The first chapter is on Gaia, the point of origin, the source of life and the author by virtue of his meticulous research gives us different versions of the origin. Gaia in greek, Sedna in Arctic, Adya in Tantrik traditions, Atum in Egypt are all the source of life who belonged to a female dominated culture. The chapter on Kali is exhaustive perhaps because of her finding mention in the beginning of the four thousand year old Hindu culture and the transitions that image of Kali has undertaken beginning from Tantrik traditions to neo-colonial era, from being linked to death to worshipped as Radha or affectionate mother to being associated with feminist movement.

Gauri, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Vitthai are the other chapters in the book. One does find a flow in the chapters as mentioned above and which is a welcome change in style when one compares few of the authors other books which have more number of short stories loosely bound together. In these chapters apart than describing the stories associated with the goddess in focus, Dr Pattanaik raises more relevant issues like advent of Sati tradition, bhakti phase of Hinduism, symbolic readings of mythology, Indian philosophy, relationship with wealth and numerous other narratives.

A lot of space is allotted to description of Goddess vis-à-vis Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Numerous stories of how Brahma’s control-seeking and incestuous behavior makes him outcast and has no temples dedicated to him, Vishnu who is intimately associated with Goddesses and Shiva who both withdraws from her and is domesticated by her are present throughout the seven chapters. Though the repeated mentions across chapters may confuse a reader, on careful reading it could be seen as an underlying theme common to all origins of deities. Also a recurring theme has been that of grama-devis, an important institution when it comes to the large swathes of villages, and which perhaps not many mythologists have given due importance.

7 Secrets of the Goddess becomes an important reading in contemporary gender debates. The shift from Vedic to Puranic culture, the role of emergence of Buddhism and its effect on Hinduism, the invasion of Islam and then the influence of another monotheistic religion Christianity had a bearing on how Goddess was perceived in those times. It could safely be said that domestication of Goddess and thereby females increased over the time. Could it then be termed unwarranted or evil or only a natural progression; 7 Secrets of the Goddess will help you raise these questions and seek their answers.

Book review: Not Just An Accountant - conscience keeper’s account

 

It can be safely said that most Indians will take CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) synonymous with Vinod Rai. A question seeking former and current CAG names might meet with silence of ignorance. And this is only natural. For the man brought to the fore skeletons from the Indian cupboard of corruption like no other. And those skeletons that shocked a nation beyond belief, shook existing political systems and perhaps proved instrumental in humiliating fall of a regime. Not Just An Accountant (Rupa) is his testimony.

The life of a bureaucrat is interesting and Vinod Rai’s career begins in a tumultuous manner with delay in his cadre assignment. He narrates the tale wonderfully which hooks interest of the reader who gets a firsthand account of how government works. His long stint in Kerala, the various tribulations, the successes have been narrated in a simple and engaging manner.

But the crux of the book lies after that. The reader of this book certainly is looking for Vinod Rai’s version of the scams CAG unearthed, reported and stuck to their reports despite tremendous opposition from the powers that be. 2G, Commonwealth, Coal, Civil Aviation, Natural Gas, the scams that caught public imagination have been described at great length.

Vinod Rai has described these monumental corruption incidences beginning with basics, then going to the technical aspects followed by probing the reader. Though one might have read at great lengths about these scams, Mr Rai’s version is an education. He provides that essential CAG angle and makes it a point in every chapter to validate and laud the effort of this constitutional body which has been questioned. This questioning has been agonizing.

The various incidences that Vinod Rai mentions elicit various responses in the reader. Be it the audacity with which A Raja stuck to following a no auction policy, the creation of a body without any governmental control to seat Suresh Kalmadi, flouting norms to give Reliance more than 7 thousand square kilometers of area for excavation, buying aircrafts and selling them for a 5 times lesser rate, will shock the reader learning about these in detail for the first time.

During the release of the book the mention of role of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s in these scams was a talking point. Vinod Rai has made his observations of the PM’s role very clear. In the 2G scam, he writes how on two occasions, in response to A Raja’s letter, the PM replied with the text “I have received your letter of (date) regarding recent developments in the telecom sector”. A similar stoic silence in the Coal block allotment scam is mentioned. Overall the impression is sent of a PM who has acted like Dhritarashtra of Mahabharat.

The book is interesting for one interested in policy issues. A bureaucrat with 40 years of experience explains concepts of Principal-Agent problem, policy of past, shift in policy and obfuscation of policy. The book is an essential read for those who wish to get a comprehensive view of role of CAG, the technical aspects of scams from 2G scam to Reliance’s role in KG basin excavation, and aspects of an honest bureaucrat’s life.

Unanswered Questions - Translation of 'Anuttara' by Subhashree Mishra

Translating one of my mothers poem in Odia titled 'Anuttara'. My humble attempt...

Unanswered Questions

Are the bridges of relations so tattered?

Threads of bonding so frayed?
Great strength in the walls of suspicion!

Weak the foundation of faith that’s laid?

 Is old-age a cottage dilapidated?

Is widowhood pale world stagnated?

Is duty a mad pursuit of possession?

Act of profitable business, true submission?

 Un-manliness, does ahimsa imply?

Being defeatist does peace imply?

Of these questions of a worm infested world

Who shall provide the answers...

Or shall these overwhelming questions in eons stay unanswered.

 Sambit Dash (original by Subhashree Mishra)

 

 

ORIGINAL in ODIA

 

ଅନୁତ୍ତର

ସମ୍ପର୍କ ର ସେତୁ କଣ ଏତେ ଦଦରା ?

ବନ୍ଧନ ର ରଜ୍ଜୁ କଣ ଏତେ ହୁଗୁଳା ?

ସନ୍ଦେହ ର ପାଚେରୀ ରେ ଏତେ ଦୃଢତା !

ବିସ୍ବାସ ମୂଳଦ୍ବାରେ ଏତେ ଦୁର୍ବଳତା

 

ବାର୍ଧକ୍ୟ କଣ ଏକ ଜରାଜୀର୍ଣ କୁଡିଆ ?

ବୈଧବ୍ୟ ମାନେ କଣ ବିବର୍ଣ ଦୁନିଆ ?

କର୍ତବ୍ୟ ର ମାନେ କଣ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତି ର ନିଶା ?

ସମର୍ପଣ ମାନେ କଣ ଲାଭାଦାୟୀ ବେଉସା ?

 

ଅହିଂସା ର ମାନେ କଣ କାପୁରୁଷ-ପଣ ?

ଶାନ୍ତି ର ମାନେ କଣ ପରାଜୟ ବରଣ ?

ଘୁଣଧରା ସମାଜ ର ଏତେ ସବୁ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ର

କିଏ ବା ଦେବ ଜବାବ୍ …

ଅବା କାଳ ବକ୍ଷେ ଅନୁତ୍ତର ରହି ଯିବ ଉଦ୍ବେଳିତ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନମାନ !

                                                                    ଶୁଭଶ୍ରୀ ମିଶ୍ର

 

 

Under Delhi - defining dark humor in India

If you think of a story about crime against women, particularly rape, and you think of comedy, they will not fit in a single frame. May even be unthinkable. But that story falling under the genre of dark humor, of melancholic humor is dished out effectively by Sorabh Pant, one of India’s leading stand-up comedian, in Under Delhi.

Tanya Bisht, a vigilante by night and stuck-in-shitty-job by day girl in Delhi (yes, Delhi of course) drives a car called anti-balatcar and metes justice to those rape accused who are let of by weak arms of law. The car runs under a false ‘Crushed Grapes’ company whose tag line is With Grape Power Comes Grape Responsibility! (yes, seriously). She beats those men black and blue and collects the pinky as a souvenier.

That she has been orphaned in childhood, raped by office boss, makes her soul demented. But she has a tongue for slapstick, morose humor. She has an office filled with chauvinists and PPT presentations and sells homes that would probably never get constructed.

Her estranged mother, Sakshi Bisht, resurfaces as her guardian angel, one who had been also providing her list of the freely-roaming-accused. Along with her mother, two policemen Mr Sharma and Ali who actively support the vigilante cause. Mr Sharma who is her mother’s boyfriend turns out to be the one who has been a father in the absence of real one for Tanya.

Then there are a Ramesh-Suresh (Gill) duo. Ramesh Gill is the suave villain in the plot who having wronged her daughter, now has turned a feminist and wants Tanya to kill the wrongdoers. However Tanya and her team are on the ‘right side’ of the law and would not kill any person. A game ensues and reaches a climax full of bullets and emotions.

First things first. Sorabh Pants writing is hilarious (that already has been said by Abhishek Bachchan though). There is no way if one is reading the book won’t burst into laughter on occasions, or if one isn’t the overtly expressing types, have sniffing type laughter.

The IIPoM (International Institute of Ponytail Management), Anirban Sir, the caricature of the Bengali character Robindro, description of a Gurgaon farmhouse, is really funny. Mr Pant’s jokes draw on politics of the time with references to Soniaji and MMS; they draw on perceptions of places like Haryana and Gurgaon and Delhi; they draw on fallacies of the society with respect to a woman; they draw on Hollywood movies; and they draw on a myriad of things which keeps the readers interest in the humor intact.

The book works not because of the humor alone but because he has maintained the suspense in the plot which almost makes it unputdownable. At 256 pages it is a light and absorbing read. The book also works because it hits you at the right places. In the manic and adult comedy Mr Pant drives home issues that our women, half of our society faces. The over-the-top, in your face, dirty truth he brandishes could unsettle one sometimes.

It is laudable that Sorabh Pant has brought out a book on that genre of dark humor which is hardly given due importance in our popular culture, and in his inimitable manic style has done justice to it.

Haider - Restraint and Poetry

 

Haider is not for you if you if you are looking for a thriller, it is not for you if you are looking for a political potboiler, it is not for you if you are looking for action with Kalashnikovs, it is not for you if you are looking for a logical and just plot, it is not for you if you are looking for black and white. Performances in Haider will not impress you if you believe, given the plot, histrionics and loud outbursts take an act to great heights, they will not impress you if you, again, are looking for the black and the white.

Haider is about restraint. That and poetry. Restraint is in Shahid Kapoor holding back tears. Restraint is in Shraddha Kapoor not going over the top in her love or concern. Restraint is in Kay Kay Menon not screaming away in acts of negativity. Restraint then is epitomized in the whole act of Tabu. Remember it might be easy to scream and punch, to shoot and scoot, to revel in grandiosity; but it might not be to restrain.

The poetry of the movie is in the brooding background score, the shots of snow clad Kashmir, the monologues, the dialogues, the acting and the offbeat scenes. Arguably Shahid Kapoors best performances till date is a heady mix of various emotions. The transformation from a PhD scholar to a crushing-skull-with-stone killer and through emotional roller coaster is noteworthy. The monologue at Lal Chowk and Bismil choreography stands out. The lesser said about Menon and Tabu the better. Finest performances in a long time. Unlike majority of Bollywood movies, the actors stick to the accent throughout which is appreciable.

The first half paints the strife torn state and the plight of its people in a way that would sadden every Indian. One will sit up and think what it would be like to have endless curfews and parade with Indian passport for identity. Adhering to Shakespearean comic reliefs, there are few acts that makes the theater laugh. And in such mirth is intertwined deep hurtful concepts. Case in point the rhyming of Chutzpah and AFSPA.

This is one movie which is not for the traditional entertainment seeking audience. It is not the shot of alcohol that will give you an instant high, it is like fine scotch whose effect will grow on you. A movie that a movie lover can watch much more than once.

Vishal Bhardwaj, in his trilogy, paints Hamlet in such a manner that the nuances of the plot in the end loses itself, only the performances remain. And that is all that one can ever wish for; for then a mere act becomes eternal.