The Power of Festivities

Sharing The Joy in Festive Celebrations

Apart from bringing extreme joy and happiness festivals in all colors cement relationship. They augur a new beginning, for some they may be auspicious for entrepreneurship, for some it is time for social bindings while many make most of the opportune moment for self realization to do well in all aspect of life. For some it is time for condescension for some it is reaffirming of belief and spiritual awakening for some it is time to express grief and gain strength. 

It is time to forgo and forgive, refresh and rejuvenate.  Let bygones be bygones!

Festivities contain diverse ambiance but central to it all is to nurture and preserve humanity. Simply spreading warmth is key to happiness and making others feel good. 

This is the time to let go chauvinism and intolerance. Remove hate, jealousy and discrimination. Diversity will prevail! 

Wow! & Vows go together and for good. Festive resolutions shape many characters. This is the time to empower self with honesty and rectitude. The warmth and gaiety augurs miraculous hope to the ailing and the depressed. Festivities are time for giving and realising the joy of giving. Acceptance, appreciation and sharing the diverse ecosystem we thrive in is crucial for our own well being. 

As a naturalist I understand diversity of life - human and of other life forms - it fetches nothing but extreme joy and faith in our beloved World.    

Celebrate humanity and nature we have inherited with positive mind. The End of  The World is nowhere near.  

Non Traditional Energy Our Last Recourse

While the Paris Accord tamasha goes on with Trump's withdrawal from the crucial agreement. US with promise of major cut of co2 emissions was seen as a key player in the success of the agreement.

The Trump policies portray a regressive move back to increased production and use of traditional fossil fuels.

What will be the outcome of this betrayal it is too early to predict. Leaving US all other countries that have ratified are bound by the accord - a salient promise to bring down by their own contribution the disastrous phenomena of global warming. The aim is to bring down the rising global temperatures to below the pre industrial era levels.      

We all know the consequences of global warming but what would be fate of the World if it is not controlled.  

It all started with wood as fuel and large tracts of forests where eventually denuded. Extensive deforestation took place in some quarters during the medieval period resulting in shortage of wood for fuel. Coal emerged as a saviour for nations starved of energy. Animal products used as fuel were a limited stop gap arrangements and environmentally disastrous.

Discovery of petroleum was a major turnaround as a source of energy. Coal, petroleum and natural gas brought around transformation that appeared to be everlasting with seemingly an inexhaustible  supply. Well though we are still dependant upon these fossil fuels for our energy needs, the stocks are not inexhaustible. Worst is the after effect of these products as source of energy. The production of fuel guzzling cars should be limited and more environment friendly version the electric car should dominate the scene as early as possible.

Extensive mining for coal like other commodities results in large scale destruction of environment. So does the drilling of crude which is mostly found in the sea & desert lands with little forest cover. Carbon dioxide emissions are the major threat to our climate and we have already started noting their negative impacts globally.

Mitigate our carbon footprint or perish this could be end of the World we are waiting for. Well time is at our hand to rectify and restrain global warming to its minimum.           

Albeit there has been a search  for alternative energy sources like ethanol, hydroelectric, geothermal and renewable energy from wind and Sun, the reliability on fossil fuels does nowhere seem to have diminished yet

Countries sincere in reducing Co2 emissions are developing alternative means of generating energy. The most popular form of energy generation is the renewable form. Here impact on environment is practically negligible and there is no depletion of resource taking place.  Solar and Wind power generation are the most desired forms and are being harnessed.

Another form of generation considered to be clean and having no impact on the environment is nuclear energy but then this is mired in controversy. Anyhow countries are resorting to nuclear energy generation within their capacities.

Bringing down the cost of  installation of  wind turbines and solar panels is of utmost importance if we have to generate renewable energy in a big way. Technological strides are already taking place, but the cost is still prohibitive for widespread implementation. Large solar farms and windmills are being installed in order to generate forty percent of energy via such means in India

Ever country will have to do their bit if they wish the Earth to remain inhabitable for future generation accord or no accord.    

Provocation Politics A Dangerous Trend

Whenever there is an act of dissent, protest or related activity, political provocation surfaces. This is a politics of rank opportunism. The provocateurs hardly lose as they remain anonymous or slip incognito.  The eventual sufferers are the participants - usually indulging peacefully before instigation. The protests erupt vis-a-vis unfulfilled demand, local tragedy such as accident, natural disaster and often police high handedness. 

Albeit such acts have often been resorted to earlier of  late these provocations have become a tad too common. The provocation begins with the arrival of the members of a political party belonging to the opposition. This is done primarily to express sympathy. Instigation follows which often leads to extreme violence. If this is not the case  irrational opinion mongering or vocal support is vociferously propagated in the media - a popular tool. 

The former leads to violence and death of those involved, and could also result in rioting on a large scale leading to killings and pillage. Public property, small commercial establishments and residents of the poor are subject to destruction. In case of latter, seditious elements get encouragement from unfettered support to their anti-National ideology or rantings on guise of freedom of speech. The long term impact of such support could encourage sedition as well proclivity towards anti National activities leading to terrorism, insurgency and what not.

Are we witnessing a change in political culture in India?  Is the political paradigm taking a virulent form?

Many incidents in recent times stand as testimony to the changing scenario. The country needs strong opposition parties that keep a check on any over the board activities and policies of those in the helm that go against the salient principles of our constitution.  Far from providing mature opposition most of the political parties in India are resorting to small means and obfuscated rantings. And to make matters worse there is no dearth of fifth columnist in this country - so it seems.  

The actions speak of gross insensitivity towards the people.  Political popularity arises out of actions that discourage wrong doings and promise of sane, efficient meaningful governance. Indian voters are not a gullible mass and the election results speak lot about this fact. Crying wolf in not going to help. An issue does not draw attention from violence that dissent generates but through much peaceful means of addressing it.        

Mahatma Gandhi has already shown us the right approach, that is what we should keep in  mind whence dealing with contentious issues. Good governance should be appreciated while the negative should be opposed by peaceful means. Violence and aggression are deep seated  malaise that we should do away with. They augur nothing but have dangerous ramifications.        

The opposition has a vital role to play in Nation building. The is the best recourse that the parliamentary system accords us with. We should refrain from activities that point towards the subversive. Power is not a piece of cake that can be attained by just any means, winning votes through rightful approach is the way.     

Cultural & Social Regression

India is a democracy and the largest one at that. The secular and liberal ideals are stipulated in our beloved constitution. Nevertheless there are cries of regression that emanate because of the polity leaning on Hindutva. Being a State with large Hindu majority influence of the Vedas and Hindu religious values are bound to surface. Moreso after brutal repression by Arab and British imperialism. We were suppressed for centuries. But these influences do not diminish secular ideals. Hinduism is a religion of largesse with plenty of space for others - as our past confirms. Different religions, cults and ideologies survive and flourish with aplomb.       

Earlier the ruling parties did stick to secular ideals but at the same time could not accord breathing space to the majority. The debacle at the ballot box was obvious, it was worsened by the opinions and rantings of so called spokespersons of the opposition that appeared to be as appeasing the minorities. This did not go down well with the minorities as they were already nurturing an impression of being used as scapegoats/vote banks in State politics. Voters irrespective of their religious credentials do not vote in unison because of the diversity and differences that prevails among the followers. This however is not applicable in parochial and caste based politics and exploitation is the norm.   

There was an impression of neglect from earlier Governments among the Hindus - liberal and secular down to core. They felt their religious exigencies were being sidelined, and their identity threatened by the over the board leanings. In a democracy there is nothing better than the results themselves. They expose the right and wrong practices, propaganda and perceptions. These are invoked among the intelligent voters by the noise - illogical and extreme.   

In the present context everything which has Hindu color (of majority) is labeled as non secular and oppressing the minority interest.  This is not true. Hindu majority understands the significance of secularism and hence the preservation of a multipolar & multicultural society in the contemporary era. There is no demand for a theocratic state since the citizens belief lies in the salient principles of the constitution of India. Demand does arise for a Hindu State from a handful but that goes down the drain as being totally impractical.  The homogenised entity is not possible in India with the mind boggling diversity that prevails - religious, ethnic and linguistic.    

Another factor that does not encourage theocratic notions is the impression such States carry as example. Social and cultural regression in such societies are the norm which result in chaos and hinder progress. This is due to constricted thinking that results from abject ideological fascination that is impractical in contemporary times. The use of force through draconian laws label such Government as those professing fascism apart from being puritanical and sticking to regressive religious ideologues. In such States the status of women and minorities is in dire straits with scarce or no recourse to judicial protection.   

There is a thin line that demarcates good governance from bad. The rule should be kept shorn of meaningless noise that emanates from chauvinism, bans, vigilantism, lynching, social and cultural regression. Going overboard with religious zeal may result in rejection by the masses. Puritanical and extreme ideological approach will not be favoured by the citizens. Whoever comes to power in this country has to trudge with extreme caution. India will stay as a liberal, secular and multicultural society with a modern approach.          

Agrarian Vicissitudes & Farmers Woes

The recent happenings related to farmers agitation in Mandsaur and neighboring Maharashtra speak much of the difficulties being faced by farmers in various parts of India. The main issue it seems was support prices fixed by the Government for the crops. But as always this community is facing many problems and concomitantly related issues arise up as well during such events. Though the present Government has tried to fulfill their legislative priorities regarding this matter the agitation is an indicator that much more has to be done.

In face of adverse situation all the past political rhetoric and promises come to naught and rank political opportunism acts as fuel for raging blaze. A political color has been accorded to the agitation and there have been instances of instigation by opposition parties as per TV reports.

Out of the context but prospective political parties and politicians should count on the ability to provide good governance rather then limit themselves to being noise makers. With the death of some protestors the agitation  turned violent and spread to neighboring districts. 

India is an agrarian economy with more than half of its population living in villages which is dependant totally upon agriculture as means of survival. To make matters worse most of the land holding in India is divided amongst large families with each eventually holding small piece of arable land.

Even large land holdings in absence use of micro fertilizers and rampant use of chemical fertilizers like urea have had a disastrous impact reducing soil fertility in some regions. Dependency on monsoon rains which if insufficient can result in failure of the crops. The country has a large infrastructure for field irrigation but it caters only to one third of area.  

For small farmers the scale of economy is often unviable and hence susceptible to many vagaries that make the industry subject to frequent failures. This is the reason behind the losses farmers incur especially those with small capital base. They are frequently encumbered with loans they are in no position to pay back. This travesty has resulted in continuous spate of suicides in many places in India.  

In spite of induction of modern technologies and techniques the problem relating to the income of farmers in India persist. The production economy is not bound by the high or low yield of crops alone the distribution network, storage, transportation, middlemen nexus and unstable pricing all contribute to the downfall now and then.    

The problem is further compounded by associated inadequacies like availability of seed,  some variety of which are exorbitantly priced. Albeit the formation of organizations like NSC & SFCI along with State seed corporations helped in supply of improved seed variety but for poor farmers procurement problem remain. Anyway in general conditions are improving in this matter.

In case or manure and fertilization procurement problems of poor farmers remain. Cow dung is an alternative but more is used in rural kitchens thus limiting the option.  Germs weeds and pests are a persistent problems that farmers face.   Biocides are required in large quantities to curb the menace but indiscriminate usage  results in environmental pollution  and risk to human health.

Most of the farming in the country is labour oriented in absence of mechanisation. This results in increased labor costs in low yield fields, and waste of labor force as well.  For efficient and timely production, mechanization is required on larger scale.  Infrastructure for development of machines and equipment is on increase but we have a long way to go.

In order to avoid distress sales a sound marketing mechanism and adequate storage facilities are required. Heavy dependence on middlemen, money lenders and local traders results in low profitability for small farmers especially in case of those indebted. Hence easy availability of loans at lower rate of interest is the order of the day. Availability of capital on easy turns with less stressful repayment systems is a must if the small farmers have to see betters days in India.        

According Voice to the Wrong Ones

Comparing our Army Chief with General Dyer is an instance of a perfidious mindset. The comparison reeks of pseudo-intellectual leaning of a person who it seems does not understand history, and is happy with a deliberate twist of facts which will turnout to be sensational news just as intended. 

Such remarks are deeds of abject folly. No person died when a man was tied to the jeep in Kashmir. The officer was merely preventing conflagaration of the situation in whatever way he deemed fit without bloodshed taking place. In a violent situations the security men do not like to take action that would lead to large number of deaths, but then they have to take an action which would discourage the rioters and augur peace.

What one thinks of the action is a different matter and many have voiced their opinion without fear. But here the comparison is what is absolutely absurd. It should be remembered that Dyer was responsible for hundreds of deaths. The said person is comparing a mountain with a molehill if the latter could be referred as that at all.  

Anyway India does not subscribe to demonic means of suppressing dissent, the Nation counters it in a civilized manner. Look at the separatists their voice has not been brutally silenced. It is a way forward since dissent or voice of opposition is part of a robust democracy, and those at the helm are accountable for a clean governance. But then there is a thin line that separates dissent or difference of opinion from sedition. Comparing our Army Chief with General Dyer of Amritsar Carnage could have security implications. 

Our immensely popular media  is a voice that does not fail to highlight the going on. But then it has to be careful especially about instances that give rise to jingoistic fervor. In their haste they may end up promoting an instance created by a person with wrongful intent for coming into limelight. The media has tremendous reach pan India and globally, and this could be used as a tool on the sly by subversive elements and for sending a wrong message or for self promotion. Dissenters or critics going overboard should never get publicity which could lead to instant recognition for these foul mouths. A news is a news and it should be kept that way.          

Empowered Economy Digital & Cashless

Digital India Program is an effort of the Government  to empower and establish a digital society that is cashless and hence paperless. The flagship program aims to augur a knowledge based economy that will keep in accordance with developed World.  Albeit an effort in the right direction, it is by all means of Herculean nature. 

In order to implement a technology familiarisation of which is based on advance learning - amongst the masses - a pragmatic approach is required. We have to first understand the structural profile that the country embeds in its folds. The major aspect that makes implement of  advance technologies successful is the demographic ease with which it is adopted.

Our adult literacy stands at 74 percent which is far below that of the developed World. With World's largest illiterate populace adapting to new hitherto unknown means of financial transactions would be in the present context difficult. In order to bring in a positive demographic transition vis-a-vis education we have a long way to go.

But then it is now or never for digitisation of National economy. Hence encouraging the new mode by discouraging old financial dispensations through innovative campaigns is a must.   

It is not only literacy that matters, adaptation to a new environment faces hurdles due to a stagnant mindset that prevails in a deeply tradition bound society. In India not only the corrupt but the honest as well are immensely habituated to cash based systems since ages.

In order to stem the rot and obliterate corrupt practices digital technology appears to be at the forefront. But than do the masses feel at home with it? How quickly will we adapt to the digitised mode of financial transactions? 

Another major hindrance is the communication infrastructure that prevails in the country. In order to digitise, an efficient and foolproof communication system is the need of the hour. Accessibly to high speed low cost Internet with pan India spread is an imperative. The infrastructure albeit improving is far from adequate.

Take the example of ATM machines and their upkeep. Frequent breakdowns, lethargic cash management and accessibility are the key factors that riddles smooth flow of cash. The supporting factors like electricity, transportation and saturation of  machines are severely lacking especially in remote settlements. Understanding new often app based technologies like online payment gateways, e wallets and other modes of cashless transaction will take loads of time. Hence integration of masses with these systems is time bound not immediate. Thankfully old systems have not been discontinued hence alternate familiar means are there to facilitate individual needs.      

The crucial banking sector is exhibiting hiccups in adapting to the new environment. Most of the employees are slow to adapt, hence encumbering the organization with additional training inputs.

The problem is further  compounded by the fact that disproportionately large habitation in India is rural and remote, and that too dependant on an agrarian economy. Most of the inequities like illiteracy, poverty and a stagnant economy dependaning solely on the monsoon are found amongst the rural segment. Severely lacking in infrastructure development regards basic necessity; the rural segment suffers from vast economic disparities as well.

On the contrary the most of the advance technologies are highly urban centric. How the rural segment copes with this new transition only time will tell. One positive factor I have come to notice is the ease with which people have adapted to wireless telephony (read mobile), but the lack of Internet kiosks and their popularity is not at all encouraging. Look we are trying to implement a system which is popular in homogenous, tech savvy and highly literate populace of the developed World. These attributes do not apply to our country with diverse demography, loads of illiteracy and comparatively small segment of tech savvy populace.                   

Breaking the norm in an ecosystem that flourishes on cash is not an easy task. Nevertheless the programme has to go ahead if we have get rid of the old system that to a great extent facilitates tax evasion, subversive activities as well as encumbers the banking system in time of automation with extra manpower.                     

Empowering Women

MP Government Initiatives

As per recent newspaper reports the Government of Madhya Pradesh has accorded significant concessions for women working in its institutions and public concerns. These concessions are in order to counter negative approach towards women in India. Under MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan a number of steps have been taken to mitigate this deep routed malaise prevailing in our society.  The campaign and schemes hope to stem the rot and also to improve female to male child ratio which is unbalanced due low number of female births in Central India. 

Beti Bachao Abhiyan (Save & Educate the girl child) is an effort that stands out as hallmark development in order to erase or mitigate the social evil that is lurking amidst us, and speaks a lot about gender inequality. These campaigns are not only to empower women economically but also to emancipate them from years of drudgery as a result of social prejudices and male prerogatives. For change in attitude and proper education are the ways to achieve emancipation as envisaged in these campaigns.

Another scheme worth a mention is Ladli Laxmi Yojna. The main objective of this scheme is to improve the health and education status of the girl child as well as to remove prejudices against the girl child.  

Gender Inequality 

This harrowing instance attributed to pervasive mindset is deep rooted and has led to number of infant deaths due to heinous crimes and neglect. Throughout the recent history the girl child has been the sufferer. This has resulted in physical neglect and even persecution of the unfortunate child born as a female. Another reason that labels girl child as a liability is the social cost that arises out of inclination for dowry and marriage expenses. The former is a crime and the latter is unfavorably loaded on the girl's family. Till this day even among many educated families only the male progeny is the center of care and attention. This attitude is adopted brazenly or subtly but anyway it points to a deep seated prejudice.

Superior status accorded to the male gene is widespread prevalent within the society consciously or unconsciously. We simply refuse to accept that a girl child augurs family genes. This misconception will take a large timespan to erode. This will require drastic change in our thoughts, reassessment of value systems and lot of acceptance as far as correcting the gender inequality tilt prevailing amongst us. The disbalance is further accentuated by labeling the opposite sex as physically and socially weaker. This has led to the inferior status. This notion has significantly reduced the leadership or participatory role that could have been accorded to women in nation building.              

For centuries women have been the sufferers as a result of such tilted inclinations. Some of the bias is prevalent in many countries as well - especially the underdeveloped ones and many theocratic states.  

The superiority accorded to male gender is based on number of  misguided notions that has roots in our beliefs, the social structure, economic perceptions and to some extant history. Women have always been considered as inferior to men and are meant to do household chores, oblige men in number of ways and be servile. Economic dependency and lower social status are some of the major reasons that has resulted in suppression of women in India. The inequality that stems out from the misconceptions have incarcerated women further leading to lack of freedom both economic and social. 

Historically women have been subject to extreme exploitation, rape during conquests and enslavement that  has wrongfully justified their status as an object of possession and a matter of honour. As a result practice like Sati originated in India. Though this statement may appear harsh but then it is a fact. Read history, the reawakening will widen scope of vision favourably if it brings forth the realization that we have not accorded an equal status to the opposite sex since time immemorial.   

Blame it on mindset, socio-religious values or historical perception this malaise in our society has to be uprooted fast and proper if we have to shine as a developed nation.