Biplove's Graffiti

For a few acres more!

biplove — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:36:34 +0000

It is widely touted as a test case for knowing the future prospects of industrialization in West Bengal. While that may be true as far as I am concerned it is a costly laboratory to examine the strengths and limitations of the political and democratic institutions intended to mediate conflicts around development in India. In the highly charged politicised atmosphere of Singur, it is perhaps easy to sit in judgement over who is to be blamed for the current crisis around the Tata Motors plant meant to roll out the cost effective technological marvel, the Nano. In the context of Indian democracy and the noisy din of political processes where the word ‘opposition party’ quite literally assumes its meaning in an extreme form, political brinkmanship and politicisation of any and every issue is unsurprising. What is surprising however is that the very firmament on which the process of development/industrialization is being sought to constructed should be so archaic and out of sync with the evolving nature of Indian economy and polity. Take the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 for instance. Its hard to believe that an Act crafted in the outmoded colonial paradigm with patently different needs and socio-political realities should continue to govern the critical process of land acquisition in the country today. It is an Act which has perhaps been singularly responsible for catalyzing most land based peoples’ movements in most of Independent India’s history. While land has often been acquired for ‘public purposes’ such as for dams and other public projects there has been no resettlement and rehabilitation policy accompanying it with oustees having to wait years and years even to get what is at best a symbolic non-market based price of the acquired land. It is no exaggeration to say that there can be no process of land acquistion in the country which does not have the potential to turn into a flash point purely on account of the legal regime which governs it. While the country has moved miles and miles in regulatory reforms and harmonisation of rules, land acquisition laws have been stuck exactly where they were more than a century back. With an Act seen as inherently anti people, the mediating institutions and the process around land acquisition becomes to varying degrees suspect in the peoples’ eyes. It is in any case a issue of perceptions and perceptions matter in a democracy. Throughout the process of the building up of the conflict, brinkmanship has been in full display. But again what is surprising is that there were no ‘neutral’ institutions which could effectively engage with the affected farmers/landowners and build a consensus while understanding their bottomline for forfeiting their lands in favour of the project. There was no middle ground developed to accomodate conflict of interests. Harsh as it may sound, there was also a fair degree of political naivete on the part of the Tatas, who seem to have learnt no lessons from their Gopalpur foray earlier. It would be recalled that some years back in the late nineties, the Tatas went more or less through a similar pattern of conflict while seeking to set up a steel plant in Gopalpur, Orissa which had to be finally abandoned due to entrenched political opposition. Why were no sides covered knowing the political sensitivities inherent in such enterprises involving large scale investment? It must be said that the Nano case is not an isolated one and needs to be viewed in the larger perspective of land related disputes which have surfaced over the current nature and pattern of industrialisation/economic development and the process which informs it across the country. New institutions, new tripartite processes of engagement wtih communities, corporate sector and government need to be negotiated while reinstating an atmosphere of confidence and trust amongst all stakeholders. The state needs to retrieve and rebuild its image as an honest broker. Skyscrapers cant be built with neolithic tools. Till so long as the fundamentals of what is needed to drive the process of economic growth are not addressed comprehensively and holistically while striking a balance with all contending stakeholders, projects such as that of Nano will regretably flounder for a few acres more!

Governance in Bihar: After me the deluge!

biplove — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:59:47 +0000

It is the one tragic event which has been of the most predictable features of Bihar: the rainy season more often than not building up into uncontrolled flooding and leading to submergence of large tracts of land, displacement of millions of human lives and wreaking heart wrenching havoc all around. In the larger public mind, the word Bihar invariable evokes either jungle raj or the visuals of people struggling to keep mind and body together in floods. I am no expert on flood or disaster management but from what one reads and hears, it has state inaction and criminal neglect stamped all over it. Reportedly, the Kosi barrage built in 1956 in Nepal outlived its lifespan in 1986 and has fallen into desrepair. The barrage breach which has led to the release of excess waters of the Kosi river into northern parts of Bihar currently measures an astounding 3 km and plugging it requires a technical feat for which there is neither will nor resources. In any case, until the monsoonal rains stop and water build up is reduced, repair work at the barrage cannot begin. That in short is the story that has led to nearly 12 million people being affected and causing perhaps what is one of the biggest mix of natural and man made calamity to hit Bihar in its entire history. Of course, as the references below detail, while flooding has been age old story in Bihar, due mainly to human mis-engineering on a massive scale starting with the British policy of building embankments, the intensity and duration of flooding has now made the problem unmanageable. There is no information on how much of the current misery could have been avoided if the advance warning and evacuation system were functional or if there exists any system at all which can be used as a forewarning of sorts. While it is heartwarming to see the entire country rise up to the challenge and help in every conceivable ways, one cant but feel bitter about the current state of political leadership in the country. If even a tenth of the energies which the political class devote to pulling each other down, such tragedies need never happen. The story of human civilization is the story of triumph of the human spirit over nature. The state of Bihar has been the cradle of Indian civilization itself being the birth place of two of the world’s majore religions, Buddhism and Jainism and one of the first Republics much like that of Ancient Greece around the same time. Kautilya who was around at the same time as Aristotle, was a pioneering economist and strategic thinker and a Minister with the great Mauryan empire which had its capital in Pataliputra, Bihar. His masterpiece Arthasastra has powerful chapters on a range of statecraft themes including administration. Bihar flourished in ancient history lasting well into the period of Indian independence. Thereafter, there has been a fork in the road with its downhill journey which does not seem to stop. Until such time as modern day governance in India can overcome its apalling short-termishness with politicians literally practicing the dictum of ‘after me, the deluge as exemplified in the case of Bihar, how can one expect anything to change?

For those of you who wish to get into the details, here are some valuable references I came across on the web:

1. Flood inundated areas in Bihar available at http://disastermgmt.bih.nic.in/Downloads/Koshi-Flood-2008.pdf last accessed on August 31 2008

2. Excellent discussions on context, causes and solutions: http://www.indiawaterportal.org/blog/index.php/2007/06/25/bihar-floods/

3. Satellite Imagery of the reshaping of the Kosi River: http://www.wmo.ch/pages/mediacentre/news/index_en.html

Kashmir Crises: Comment is Free?

biplove — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:36:27 +0000

I believe that commenting on a sensitive controversial political issue while being an entitlement for all free citizens ideally ought to be a a part of a process and the result of a larger and deeper engagement with the issue concerned. And I am not even talking about having an established and proven expertise on the subject before one begins to pontificate which definitely should be a sine qua non as well. While Ms. Arundhati Roy has recently being accused by some to be indulging in sensationalizing the subject matter of the Kashmir crises and by her act generating more heat than light, I don’t really wish to stand in judgment on her. But the deeper underlying principles of public activism do concern me and I wish to raise some general points on its account. Let me hasten to add that this is not to say that any person with a sense of social concern should not speak his/her mind on an issue which agitates the person if he/she cannot simultaneously demonstrate some involvement. However, if issues are perceived as being picked on account merely of their being flavour of the season so to speak and side stepped on losing their newsiness, then the act of engagement may smack of crass opportunism, intentions doubted and dubbed out of turn. Above all it may do more harm than good and tends to shift the debate from the issue to the person. In Common law, the term used is locus standi: the connection which justifies the linkage or participation of any litigating party to the dispute at hand. Gandhi perhaps epitomized this attitude the most in all his political and social work. His social and political commitment to certain ideals formed the core of his motivation while his political comments were a part of his tool kit to advance his socio/political agenda. In the current context of Kashmir, one cant but help feel, that the cart (of comment) seems to often come before the horse (of commitment). We are perhaps too keen to be seen to have a stand on all issues without first firmly establishing our socio political commitments backed by actions. Crudely put, for want of a better way to describe the phenomena, we are in danger of fast becoming ‘intellectual nymphomaniacs’. There is an almost insatiable intellectual urge to comment on practically anything and everything. Comment is free so why not use the opportunity? One can be forgiven if one is a professional commentator as probably someone in journalism may be or if some issues really move us so much that we wish to be seen as the voice lending support to an issue. However, as I said before, if we pick and choose issues depending on their being the flavour of the season, we carry a great risk of being perceived, rightly or wrongly as indulging in the act of trying to hog the the limelight in the garb of social activism. When a comment is perceived to be uncoupled from a deep and lasting commitment and belief and sustained engagement it is not likely to lead us anywhere except bring us some publicity whether good or bad! However, the cynic in me says that in the age of the market where people buy/sell only well advertised/branded products, free publicity may not be such a bad idea though.

Motion Perfect: The Glory of Usain Bolt

biplove — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:21:27 +0000

The world will probably not know the contribution of Pablo McNeil and Dwayne Barette to the Beijing Olympics! When ‘Lightening Usain Bolt’ set the tracks literally on fire in both 100 meters and 200 meters category and etched his name in sporting history’s hall of fame, the world needed to thank these two extraordinary coaches for being responsible for this embodiment of perfection in motion. Born in Trelawny Jamaica, Bolt enjoyed playing cricket as a fast bowler when noticing his speed on the pitch, he was encouraged to try racing instead by his coaches…and the rest as they say is history.
But watching Bolt achieve this unimaginable feat, I had another thought…what is it that the world really admires in Bolt? I guess it probably is the quest for perfection! Most of us feel incomplete and imperfect one way (I think) or the other and it is easier to see a picture of perfection rather than try and craft one or be one! As Michelangelo said perfection is no trifling matter!
I have been in perpetual admiration of the souls that devote their entire life to reach out to perfection, stretching themselves bit by bit and reaching new heights of glory! Whether it is artists, or musicians or athletes or any one else…I remember Michael Johnson writing about his Olympic win: saying that every single day for the last many years, he had been living for this one moment, of winning!

The Great Indian Olympic Dream, fulfilled!

biplove — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:25:41 +0000

For the record, India has won its richest haul ever in the Beijing Olympics of bagging three medals as on date with one gold in the 10 metre air rifle shooting category!! As the nation erupted in joy with an almost unexplainable sense of pride and accomplishment, it was as clear a sign as any that we need more such heroes and more and more such feelings to celebrate and feel good. The TRP ratings of all the news channels spiked up with the entire country glued to their TV sets. If you were a non Indian, you would be forgiven for being amused at this rather disproportionate burst of joy when old and young alike danced alike at winning what is but one medal. But for the Indians themselves, this was a historic moment which a nation of a billion was thirsting for decades and decades….and everyone wanted to savour the feelings as long as they possibly could. As the economist would say, the marginal utility of winning this one medal was infinite.
There is not much left to be said about what ails Indian sports that has already not been said ad infinitum. What struck me personally was the sheer study in contrast between the background of the medalists and the common thread which characterized their victory. Abhinav Bindra, the gold medalist had masterclass training facilities including an airconditioned state of the art shooting range in the comfort of his home while Vijendra Singh and Sushil Kumar came from literally unknown remote rural areas and from a family background which while being enormously supportive was least equipped financially and technically to be able to do so. All of them have scripted an extraordinary story of overcoming all hues of odds. And the common thread which runs through all the successes is that they have all come up despite the system.
How difficult can it get for a country to broaden the sporting base in the country and to put up a glorious Olympic show which all of us can be proud of and make us hold our heads high? Being an optimist one hopes the Beijing experience represents that famed turning point when things would start to look up. Only time will tell!!

Buffet Speak!

biplove — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:24:17 +0000

It is not everyday that one comes across a TV interview with the legendary philanthropist and businessman, Warren Buffet together with another legend in his own right Bill Gates thrown in with a studio audience of young persons from diverse backgrounds. When asked a question about how youngsters should plan their lives, Mr. Buffet talked about three essential ingredients: letting ones passion guide ones choice of profession, having the right heroes as role models and a spirit of continuous striving to realise one’s true inner potential. Mr. Gates spoke about the avoiding the habit of procrastination.
These pearls of wisdom are worth underlining in gold for everyone. Remember, one needed to fork out thousands of dollars to have an opportunity of taking Mr. Buffet out for dinner (auctioned at Amazon for purposes of charity to the highest bidder and an instant sell out) with the intent above all of getting a few of those golden tips to live and earn smart like him…
So when I chanced on this free opportunity I could not but stay glued watching and listening….
Of the the three ingredients which Mr. Buffet talked about, if I were to pick one it would doubtless be to choose ones work going strictly by what ignites and sustains the inner fire of creativity! As they say it is always desirable get paid for doing what one likes to do in any case! And perhaps it is never too late to rethink ones life on these lines while remembering what Mr. Gates had to say to perhaps nicely complement Mr. Buffet.

Happy Independence Day!

biplove — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:23:03 +0000

As India celebrates its 61 st independence day and the rituals play out across the country, one tends to ask: which way are we headed after being in charge of our own destiny for years? The thin gloss of progress and freedom for some can barely mask the arrested development and unfreedoms of many. But given what is happening in Kashmir, there is no avoiding the question about nationalism itself: isn’t nationalism an inherently centrifugal force especially when married with the idea of mono-nationality inhabiting a geographical/political space to the extent that it is able to manage?

Welcome to Graffiti!

biplove — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:18:50 +0000

Hope to be able to share a few of my thoughts and feelings once in a while. I have named it Graffiti because I regard Graffiti as a public medium of what are perhaps outbursts of creativity and having the characteristic to assume any form or substance defying stereotypical ways of expressing oneself. One can only chance upon a graffiti randomly and not normally go looking for it as is the case with blogs especially when it concerns ordinary mortals like me. I tend to think that the blog not be stuck on a particular theme but rather turn out into a an unpredictable random space to talk about life and times in general: a place for philosophy, art, theatre, films, poetry, shero shairee, science and what have you…Life is one integral whole and the mind is ever curious to hear more and more about more and more… Cyber space seems to have uncorked a huge mass of people who were either private or inhibited leading so to speak, a new age conjunction between inner space and cyber space. and Why not!! I believe the world is richer with the cyber space leading to a blooming of million flowers, a virtual deluge of outpourings of every imaginable hue, striking chords, generating interest, educating, inspiring and connecting in a zillion ways with people across the world…fortunately this is one space which has infinite ‘to let’ opportunities for free and you can choose your society and neighbourhood.