Does having an orthodox outlook towards culture hamper India?

The term 'orthodox' in itself is very ambiguous. It can mean different things to different people. For some, who believe in scriptural orthodoxy, it is sticking to what is written in the scriptures. For others, it is just following the established and tested path. However, an orthodox approach is mostly linked to religion and India, being the haven of almost all the religions of the planet, will always have orthodox people forming the majority. But, is this approach righteous because after all, the scriptures are written by mortals only? Those people were also influenced by the constrained imagination of their times and society. So can we really afford to follow that approach in modern times?

India is a young country. Our median age will be 29 by the year 2020. This will account for nearly half of our total population. We can't afford to follow the orthodoxy that our earlier generations used to follow. But at the same time, we need to be careful in this transformation. We conveniently adopt things from West, imitating only what we want, without any steady education to keep pace with this change. Consider for example, we want freedom in the way we dress, but we don't have enough gender sensitization which will allow a girl wearing mini skirt to roam freely. We are ready to eat the fruit but not ready to pay the price of it.

Bringing forth the issue of Article 377, can we say that only orthodox approach is responsible for this? If yes, then how can we explain the fact that even a liberal country like US considered homosexuality a criminal offence until a court overturned a ruling in 2003? We can't blame our reluctance to change to an ambiguous term like 'orthodox approach'. Article 377 criminalizes "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" but who has decided that order of nature? Is it our culture which gives us ample examples in form of "Ardhanarishvara" (Lord Shiva whose half is woman) or "Shikhandi" who was born as girl while raised and lived as a man? Even KamaSutra describes sex between all kinds of sentient beings. With so many examples from past, how can we blame this reluctance to change on "orthodox approach".

We have examples of Rishi Vishravas marrying Kaikasi, a Rakshasa and Bhima marrying Hidembe. Are they not enough to justify inter-caste marriages?

I believe that we are using "orthodox outlook" just as a fancy term to cover all our sins that we commit in the name of religions and customs. If we need to grow then we need to stop behaving cowardly and welcome the change. But at the same time, we need to learn from our past because it also is equally important. As pointed out earlier in this article, we need to learn new things from West but also keep our ethics and values intact. After all the nation will grow only if people from every group will grow.

Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't.

What is Fiction? Going by the dictionary meaning, it is something that is invented or untrue, or something that describes imaginary events and people. Imagination is whatever someone thinks in one's mind or something that one dreams of. On the other hand, Truth is nothing but the reality or factual representation of a thing or an event. On a superficial level, we may put these two terms as antonyms for each other. However, the bigger question is, how do we differentiate between what is truth and what is fiction?

According to our infinite number of holy books and scriptures, we believe that everything is unreal except for our soul and God. If we go by this rule, then all our life is nothing but fiction. We are just imaginary characters created in the dream of a supreme being. So what I understand from this is that for Him, we are fiction, while for us, our life is a truth.

Let us look at this from a different perspective. We can only dream of things that we have experienced either directly or vicariously. So basically, our dream will have only those characters which we think may be possible. A play school kid will not dream of landing up a job at a big tech firm. Only things he will dream of will be ice-cream, a fluffy toy etc. In his world, only those things are possible. However, what he will face the next day is truth. He may not have even thought about it. He will have to face it whether it is what he expected or not. So truth has nothing to do with what possibilities mean for a person.

Fiction is based on use of learning from past to draw a certain future. For instance, Jules Verne's novel “From The Earth To The Moon” was proven possible in 1969, when Neil Armstrong landed on the Moon. However it is different matter altogether that whether Moon was similar to what was described in the novel. What Armstrong faced on that time was truth and not fiction.

Fiction may seem to be unrestrained, but is actually not. But truth is unpredictable and when it has already happened, it is blatantly factual.

India, China and an Inevitable Cold war.

Some three decades ago when the Cold War era ended, no one would have imagined such a topic would ever be discussed but, such has been the economic growth of two Asian giants - India and China, that world has taken notice of both probable superpowers. Interestingly, both the countries have so much of a history that a mutual harmonious co-existence can hardly be imagined and a sort of cold war is always on the cards. Both have been involved in a plethora of disputes ranging from territorial issues to energy issues and military aggression issues.

China is the world's second largest and Asia's largest Economy. On the other hand, India is also gaining its position in the same list. Both the nations are among top five consumers of energy as well. China is believed to have replaced United States as the largest consumer of energy by a report published by BP. India is also expected to be the second largest energy consumer by 2025.

In order to satiate this humungous hunger, both the countries have been looking for new energy sources and more than often have found themselves in conflict with each other. Kazakhstan oil blocks have been fresh example of this where India was denied to buy a share in US energy major, Conoco Phillip, and instead was given to China national Power Company through Government of Kazakhstan. Similarly, we have been involved in this competitive bidding in African nations also. The African continent holds many minerals along with oil and gas. China has already outplayed India in the race of trade here by over three times. However, India is trying to catch up in the continent by gaining the goodwill of local people and African governments.

Energy consumption is not the only reason which may lead to a cold war, but the growing distrust between both countries is also playing its part. Just some time ago, India was wary of the new Air defence zone set up by China in its South China sea. Similarly, India has opposed China's interference in POK, where it is building infrastructure along with Pakistan. On the other hand, China is not happy with India's oil exploration in Vietnam oil blocks, which it believes, falls under its territory.

No Doubt, that both the countries are trying to actively indulge in dialogue to improve trade and bilateral ties in other sectors, but the element of doubt is still there because of the scarred history. Engaging in an active war may seem to be impossible in this century but inner envy of both will definitely bring forth a cold war era.

Might is Right?

The modern day international society is not a just, rule based society but a society where might has the right. The stronger nations have always flouted international laws or more often, maneuvered those to their own benefits. The use of veto powers in United Nations Security Council can be seen as an example of this. Whenever there's something against the interest of a bigger nation, they bail themselves out by using the veto power vested in them.

The two big powers of 21st century have set so many wrong precedents in this case by not signing international treaties. For instance, US hasn't signed important conventions like UN Convention on Law of Sea, UN Convention on Law of Non Navigational use of International Watercourses and International Criminal Court Statute. China has avoided such treaties as well. These states show unilateral stand on internal rule of law. This unilateral stand can be described as using international laws against weaker states and not complying with these themselves.

Unilateralism has been the underlying theme in US Foreign Policy regardless of the changing governments. Barack Obama even bypassed Congress when US militarily intervened in Libya leading to regime change and chaos. The chaos has converted the country into a breeding ground for terrorist groups. This is just one of many other invasions carried out and justified by US in recent past.

On similar grounds China has also started muscle flexing in Asian region by recently announcing its Air Defence Identification Zone in South China Sea. This ADIZ covers even those parts of the sea which aren't under China's control. This also conflicts with ADIZ of Japan and South Korea. China has also claimed its control over some islands which were under control of Philippines. Philippines has lodged a complaint against Beijing at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Beijing however has refused to attend the proceedings and will surely veto any jurisdiction that comes against it in UN Security Council as has been the case with US many times over.

Now considering the case of Indian Diplomat, Devyani Khobragade, who has been charged with cases of Visa fraud and underpaying domestic help. She was arrested, Strip-searched and cavity searched, despite the fact that she enjoys limited diplomatic immunity. No doubt that the diplomatic immunity only covers diplomatic and not personal acts, but still the actions were nowhere close to being justifiable. Can a minor issue as this be labeled as grave offence which warrants such level of punishment to a diplomat. How would US react if one of its diplomat is meted out such punishment? The reply can be guessed from the actions taken by them when one Raymond Davis, a CIA contractor, shot two men in Lahore. Obama defended Davis by calling him a Diplomat from US.

No matter how much we try to convince ourselves that the present international law provides a level playing field for all, the fact remains that might is always right.

This is India; nothing will change here.

The infamous lines from Aamir Khan’s Rang De Basanti are still fresh in the minds of people from my generation - The Touch Phone generation as they say.

“Yeh Desh Badlega, hum badlenge isey. Politics join krengey, Police ya IAS me bharthi honge, hum sudharengey iss desh ko.”

These lines were followed by the angry response - “Kuch nahi badlega iss desh me, yaha aisa hi hota tha aur aisa hi hota rahega. Yaha tum kuch start krne chaloge aur udhar tumara THE END ho jaayega.” The lines were the bitter truth of today’s India. A country where politicians and people set new levels of foolishness everyday, where every single politician plays communal politics and still some are branded ‘Secular’. A country which fails to differentiate between an analogy and direct comparison (Modi’s puppy comments).

You must be thinking that this is just another blog bashing politicians for everything that is wrong in our country. NO, this is not. We as citizens of this country are responsible for all this. Why would we want to change a system where we can pay few hundreds to get driving license in a day or a gas connection illegally or a fake case registered against anyone or  a professional degree seat  by paying lakhs in donation. These privileges won’t be there if we have a proper system which we need to stick to. We take full benefits from this flawed system and still cry over its inefficiency.

Now coming back to the main point of this blog that why will this country never change. Till some time back, I was a firm believer of the above quoted lines and believed that atleast our judiciary or bureaucrats will keep our country from completely falling into the hands of our political demagogues. Parliament passing ordinances and amendments to overrule Supreme court judgement is a daily fixture. And, its amazing to see how every political party, despite of all the hate and venom that they spit against each other, comes to a consensus and pass amendment in a single day. We have parliament amending RTI law to keep Political parties out of the purview of law. We have R R Patil, Home Minster of Maharashtra, saying on record that his government will not let Dance Bars open in Mumbai even after the final verdict given by Supreme Court. To counter the verdict given by SC to quash ban on dance bars, Patil suggests bringing in an amendment to change the law. According to Patil, “Dance bars are degrading to women. Our decision [to ban them] was for the betterment of women and for the young generation,”

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/maharashtra-firm-on-dance-bars-ban/article4984021.ece

The biggest erosion of supremacy of the highest judiciary is Governments decision to pass an ordinance against SC’s verdict of barring convicted politicians from the electoral process. Kapil Sibal, Law Minister, defends the decision saying that the parliament is supreme and any effort from judiciary to supercede it will create chaos in the country. These voices of “Supremacy of Parliament” and “Democracy turning into chaos” have been coming in past during various uprisings from Anna Hazare movement to Delhi Gang rape protests.

As the general elections are coming closer, we have been watching absurd comments of politicians doing rounds on news channels everyday. The “Tunch Maal”, “Dented Painted”, “Chowmein khaakr rape hota hai”, “Power is poison” doesn't bother us so much now. There are kids of politics who want to come into Political arena in “KHILADI”  style and thus make comments like “Modi pyaara hai toh Mumbai chodkr Gujarat chale jao”. To people like me, these comments don’t make sense at all. It’s like saying that all the NRIs should either come back to India or stop praising India at all. But our politicians know that people who understand their foolish comments are not the ones who will vote. The people who will go to vote have been shown the bright dream of “Some Gandhi” food security bill which eventually may never ever come out on ground (due to WTO commitments and other issues http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-shaky-geopolitics-of-indias-food-security/article4978574.ece).

Our politicians are capable of dividing people on religion, region, caste and almost everything, Telangana being an example of that. Congress waited 9 years for a suitable time just before general elections to get more seats from the region and also to win a probable merger with Chandrasekhara Rao’s Telangana Rashtra Samithi. Though there may be nothing wrong with making Telangana as smaller state is always easy to administer but the vested interests were still there.

There is nothing wrong with our politicians playing all these dirty tricks as they also know that we all suffer from Short term Memory Loss. We forget how government curbed our rights by shutting down metro service during Delhi gang Rape protests and Anna Hazare movement, how they sprayed water canons when we were fighting against reservation for OBC, how they looted our money in various scams ranging from some lakhs to thousands of crores and how they compromised our defense by all those defense scams.

Now coming to more recent events revolving around Durga Shakti Nagpal, the brave young IAS officer, who was still unadulterated, in some sense, took over a corrupt system by staying in her limits. But, who can survive the traps set by scores of experienced leaders who are always ready to cash in on any communal issue to stir more vote bank in their favor and in this case, leaders had double benefits from suspending the officer. One, they served their mining friends, who would fund their election campaigns, and second, the minority voters. Joining this list of officers being expelled, transferred or suspended is Ashok Khemka and couple of officers from Rajasthan, who were either suspended or transferred on various grounds for looking into Robert Vadra’s land deals. Of course, how could they snoop into private life of the Son-in-law of this country without permissions from either Crown Prince of the country (Rahul Gandhi) or Mother of this country (Sonia Gandhi).

If you are a BJP or Bhagat Singh fan like me, then you would definitely be baffled over my last line, giving titles of mother and son of the country. But don’t find it that much outrageous because we Indians love to have all these titles given to anyone supporting Gandhi surname. Unlike other great nations who won their freedom and call all their freedom fighters as “Founding FATHERS of the nation”, we just have one person as FATHER of the nation because we don’t think that Bhagat Singh, Sardar Patel, Udham Singh, Subash Chandra Bose, Rani Laxmi Bai, Tatya Tope (to name some) were worthy enough of this title.

When Mr. Clement Attlee, Prime Minister of United Kingdom, in June 1947, introduced the Indian Independence Act in the British Parliament, Sir Winston Churchill, war time Prime Minister of England, argued:-

"Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters; all Indian leaders will be of low caliber & men of straw. They will have sweet tongues & silly hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power & India will be lost in political squabbles. A day would come when even air & water... would be taxed in India."

Churchill was able to see future coming even 65 years ago but we still ignore it. We still feel that one RAMBO (Modi, ofcourse) will come on a horse a clean up every gutter of non-sense in this country. If we really believe so then GOD only can save India.

Democracy and its imperfections have taken a toll on society’s morals. And because we ask nothing of our citizens — not sacrifice, not restraint, not moderation — we have ended up creating a morally unappetizing divide between the haves and have-nots: under instigation from the bogus vendors of “good governance’ the haves have started asking why they should pay taxes if “their” wealth was to be wasted on giving food or medical care to the poor. A most extreme version: why should we pay taxes to a government that we have declared to be “corrupt?”

This is part of an unending and ever expanding narrative of the Great Helmsman. Instead of stressing the importance of collective and individual responsibility for looking after our schools, neighborhoods  public transport, rivers and forests, we insist on searching for a great transformer who will magically fix every broken pipe and fill every pothole.

Narendra Modi is no doubt a very good orator and presents the only ray of hope. But, is he really the man this country needs? How many of us know that ‘Vitthalbhai Hansrajbhai Radadiya’, gun-totling MP from Porbandar, infamous of pulling a gun at the toll post operator for stopping his car for inquiry, joined BJP before Gujarat State Elections in 2012.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/gun-toting-former-mp-vitthal-radadiya-is-bjp-s-candidate-from-porbandar-for-lok-sabha-by-polls-366890

If Modi is such a great leader and so clean then why did he take in such a goon into his party? Reportedly, Radadiya was with BJP in early 90s and then joined congress and now has returned back to BJP. This is just a single proof of why all the politicians in this country are corrupt and no single one of them is an angel. No doubt that Gujarat has developed many folds under Modi and he’s a true Gujju in a sense that he sells his product very well, but shouldn’t we be skeptical about his stand for keeping political parties out of the purview of RTI? Surely something is amiss when ideologically diverse political parties reach a consensus on anything in quick time. Modi should have taken a stand against the amendment that even his party is supporting. If Modi wants GREAT POWER then he has to take GREATER RESPONSIBILITY as well. Modi may well be the best of the lot but he certainly is no angel. As Napoleon Bonaparte once said – “A leader is a dealer in hope.” Modi is just one of them.

Putting an end to this never ending topic, the larger issue still goes straight to the heart of one of the major failings of our democratic quest: we have collectively ignored, that too at our great disadvantage as a nation, that the rites of citizenship entail rights and privileges as well as Duties and Obligations.

P.S: We are the same people who can’t stand straight and show respect to our national anthem for 90 odd seconds before a movie and still believe that everybody else but me should change.