CAA! Confusing Socio-Political Conundrum

Leaving the violence and sedition aside, the recent and continuous upheaval amongst all sectors about CAA or Citizenship Bill is a sign of a robust democracy. CAA a Citizenship Amendment Act which is enacted to provide citizenship to beleaguered citizens of theocratic neighbouring countries is perceived in different light by oppositions, social activists, thinkers, students of universities and colleges and we the general public. 

The apposition on many instances is rank political gamesmanship while on other hand it is a genuine concern as to what it will lead to in a country where salient secular principles in the Constitution have already been embedded, defended and held fast during passage of time since Independence. For some it stands as a veiled threat of rising "right" amongst the political class and the bureaucracy in India. But the worst instance is that of those who habitually oppose (sometimes vehemently) every step the ruling dispensation takes...for their political or ideological gains. This in mind of public is creating a "Cry Wolf" situation in India and undermining the possibility of a strong rational opposition in the country.    

The Bill which aims to provide refuge for minorities in neighbouring countries under constant threat from overzealous and forced proselytizing at the behest of rabid organizations and Governments is seen as rightly conceived and just. The exclusion of people of faith that upholds these theocracies is based upon the fact that they already have a home with majority of their own kind. What makes this bill somewhat non inclusive is that it does not provide succor to troubled minorities within the the majority in the neighbourhood. This should be a matter of concern if we are true to secularism and a liberal democracy. 

Another misconception fiercely denied by the ruling dispensation is that it is against the interests of Muslims in India. Though many have not read the Bill including the author there is lot of confusion and fear perception prevailing in the ecosystem which is based on secular principals and freedom for all concept. However this article only enumerates the reaction to the legislation vis a vis extant of democratic freedom of speech we have in our country. 

Another manifestation of this legislation which is already enacted by the majority in both the houses is a deep state tussle between advocates of theocratic Nationalism and those for a greater liberal secular entity. Fortunately the latter dominates in our country, former is perceived as impracticable romanticizing of a Golden past even by those not against theocratization of the State.   

Looking into the federal structure and social construct, we will always be a  poly cultural and multi religious democracy. In fact all encompassing community cohesion is in our National interest. But we should understand and accept that being a Hindu majority country, its ideological influence and shadow will always be there...what is unacceptable is intrusion into or discrimination of several ideologies prevailing in this ecosystem whether indigenous or foreign.   

As the World's largest democracy we should have immense faith in hustings and time and again we have voted to subdue rising authoritarianism and misrule. 

Crime in India

Hyderabad Gang Rape & Murder

The recent rape and murder of lady in Hyderabad evoked extreme passions all over the country and rightly so. This horrendous incidence should never have taken place if the security paradigm was efficient and on toes. Anyway this was preceded by many such ghastly incidences where the women were the sufferers, and some even lost their lives.

Crime & Our Attitude

In case of all such happenings there is lot of hue and cry in the aftermath. But like a receding tempest a bout of amnesia occurs and everything is soon forgotten...and then another jolt reawakens but then too nothing happens. We continue to trudge on the same path without any lessons learn't and requisite changes made. We are sleep walking?

Keeping in mind the complexity of law nevertheless there should be a high conviction rate of people involved in criminal acts.

The Accused

Those involved seemed to be illiterate, impoverished and under the influence of alcohol. But this impression does not justify crime anyway. To rape and kill a hapless lady in such brutal manner is a  dreadful act no human should commit...and unpardonable.

Our Society

We can blame the society and social mores as well. But societal paradigm takes ages to change and is an evolutionary process shaped by contemporary lifestyles of the masses and the education systems prevailing at all rungs. At the best our dispensations use a ban rather then seeking alternative remedies and tools.  So what is the remedy?

Should we place additional security where women could be vulnerable?

Should we increase the range of Mahila Police? And induct more?

That we should fetch paramount changes in the justice system is evident. We should strenghen our internal security is also evident. But there many other innervating factors within. 

But the major impact that  will reduce crime in the country would be delivered by the judiciary and law and order mechanism. Both at the present circumstances do not discourage or impede crimes in India at all.

I am not a legal expert but is judiciary and law and order mechanism still steeped in the archaic? Shaped perhaps during the Raj, the system calls for rapid transformation into the contemporary and the prevailing conditions in the country. 

The consequent encounter that followed (in self defense) by police killed the criminals was lauded by one and all. Convinced that the the accused had committed this gory crime and had no right to life thereafter.

But have we given a thought further regarding misuse of policing power?

The unfortunate victim has been delivered justice and may her soul rest in peace. No one should undergo such suffering. 

But this event speaks loads about how justice is imparted in India, and raises questions in the mind of the commons regarding the systems that prevail. 

The easy availability of bail and indefinitely procrastinated legal process is an encouragement to those with propensity to commit crimes. The legal proceedings are further complicated by the connivance of the investigation agencies at least those who are corrupt. We should also take into account the bending of law or complete denial and twisting of evidence due to the influence of the powerful and wealthy. We are completely aware regarding these maladies. 

Reducing corruption in our police force and investigation bodies will fetch in a dramatic change in crime landscape.

But speaking about institutional corruption a lot many of us the people are also steeped deep into it. It has sort of become an inherent characteristic of many.  A lot of us look for easy way out, and whence seeking short cuts do not hesitate to grease palms. Not all corrupt instances are forced upon public.

We need to say No! First!

The possibility of early bail is a common knowledge, and hence does not deter a criminal act. In our country bail spells literally freedom forever albeit this is not always the case.

Who will step forward in this country to ameliorate injustice by plugging the lacunae and fortifying the systems at fast pace only time will tell? Certainly not the squabbling politicians and the lethargic management.

Till then seek mercy from the Divine? Jai Hind!

New Narrative & Environmental Concerns!

Finally! 

People stomped their foot down and pressed the button after seemingly unending rancour at the hustings. Year 2019 was a year of emergence of the right, left, center, neo intellectuals, urban maoists, violence mongers, secularists, muslims, Hindus, communalists, pseudo secularists and intellectuals, castiests, loyal and disloyal in media, nationalists, religiously autocratic, traitors, peace makers,  those with colonial imprint, soft and ultra thinkers. You can go on adding all will literally  fit in the description of this colorful rhetoric.

This election came with the tremendous revelation of English vocabulary, and the participation of enlightened people who helped decide and clear the consternation. The latter may not understand the former but have certainly proved to be intelligent voters. The caste and creed politics has been diluted and the masses are gullible and ignorant no more.      

The results came as a big,  relief not because a particular dispensation was reinstated but because electoral politics was fortified, pertinent issues were highlighted, and the momentary right judgment prevailed. The rabble-rousers and demagogue were sidelined. (Voice of the People).

And I believe the  trust in the EVM was finally established...at least till next elections.

Our Environmental Concerns!

With hope, India proceeds for the next five years for betterment of the peoples live, robust national security, demographic/religious harmony and settlement of prevailing issues and problems. All these are ever ongoing processes. The exemplary display of people participation was the most encouraging aspect that only a democracy can deliver.

The concerns expressed here and the optimum solutions certainly matter. But I feel the environmental concerns in this country always take a back seat vis a vis the imperatives pictured here. The neglect -seemingly absurd to some - subdued by the imperatives is frightening and depressing. With the impending climate change, rising pollution levels, damned rivers, damaged ecosystems and vanishing species a bleak future awaits us. 

The Governments cannot reduce poverty, tackle health issues, provide robust careers, and improve living conditions without preserving the environment in a perfect state of equilibrium. 

The environment concerns like preservation, conservation and natural resource management etc will remain pivotal to the well being of the Nation. Hence good governance should be inclusive and attentive of environmental concerns.     

Unfortunately in democracy there are hardly any leaders who understand the microcosm that is Earth in the Universal scheme of things, and how sensitive it is to human interference be it infrastructure development for rapid economic growth, or urbanization imperatives.

It is the charisma of rapid transformation that makes people blind, but these promises or actions are proving to be more beneficial for the upper strata of the society rather than being egalitarian.

Yes linear developments should be for servicing the masses in qualitative manner, like expansion of communication highway into deep interiors, hygiene and health imperative like Swacch Bharat,  alternative energy production that would cover extensive settlements, cheap connectivity between the rural and urban settlements and so on. This kind of much desired development is what the country needs.

Large scale infrastructure development using imported sophisticated technology may augur direct investments in India but unlike the liner development ethos the FDIs may prove to be unstable or not profitable at all. In this rapidly changing World, technological developments and innovations can make investment in third World countries with cheap labour improbable in the future.

For many in the ruling dispensation certain genuine and pressing environmental concerns appear regressive and unwarranted or simply put an impediment to the developmental goals, often drawn hastily. The long term damaging effects are often difficult to quantify and hence resistance or dissent are considered as inconsequential.

This apathy is nothing new, as I have already mentioned the imperatives that dominate our vital concerns. There has to be  tangible approach to industrialization and infrastructure development keeping the fall out of schemes or planning discrepancies in mind. We can learn much from the developed countries whom we emulate often. 

Irreversible fragmentation  of forests, exploitation of prime lands for mining, urbanization, extensive road construction all are often at the great cost to the environment.

There should be stringent regulatory norms which would discourage unplanned architecture or plug hastily implemented unviable schemes. Much to the consternation of environmentalists and conservationists (wildlife)  even the judiciary is often not condescending.

With the massive population bulge and tremendous biotic pressure as the result agricultural practises have often caused imbalances especially where fragile ecosystems have been brought under the net. The problem is further compounded by urban - rural convergence that is taking place in India. This may be due to career pursuits but in an agrarian economy shaping local eco-friendly infrastructure could stem the rot and encourage local youth to find options within.    

What is crucial, and is becoming more and more so is the public apathy towards issues regarding the environment. One reason is that these matters are never highlighted and the people are not aware of the wide spectrum of ailments it can lead to...which will eventually hurt them more. These issues are not part of political discourse as they apparently  lack the pull of the promises (often unfulfilled) of short term economic doles, of rapid transformation of the society and quick generation of ubiquitous wealth...and of course the material transformation into a modern age.

The environmental issues facing the country remain confined to the battles between NGOs, conservationists, the judiciary and the ruling dispensation. Sometimes the press takes in the peak but unfortunately these matters do not attract audience in exponentially large numbers like a dhamakedar (block buster) news item would.  For them readership, and TPA for electronic media is all that matters.

The crux of this article is that environmental awareness and large scale participation of the masses is a must if positively identified and well planned projects for the Nation's benefit have to be implemented. They should no longer be confined in the reigns of administration/politicians alone. The participation can take place through information transmission, addressing the concerns and taking the views of the masses. Peoples participation in projects deemed viable should come through active role of people represented by the environmentalist/conservationists/experts along with the administrative set up. Things should no longer be confined to public bodies alone with closeted execution.

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Uday works as a naturalists and blogs in matter relating to environment, tiger conservation and related issues.
He can be contacted at: pateluday90@hotmail.com 

Are Remaining Sustainable Habitats Less Important than P.A.?

After the poisonous spring - the ransaking of our precious habitats and mass killings of our wild animals, the aftermath is still in a precarious state. In India large swathes of forests, grasslands and mangroves and other niche habitats have been completely ravaged throughout the past centuries. Not forgetting our marine life and riverine ecosystems which are under attack as well.

Should we not declare an emergency for the sake of diversity? 

We have come to a point where we have to notify the remaining habitats with perfect ecosystems as protected areas (PAs). Albeit thankfully, this conservation measure has proved as a boon for the endangered species like the tiger, rhino and swamp deer little do we realize that this development has come about as an imperative rather a shameful imperative thanks to our misdeeds.  

Swamp Deer

The biggest damage has been brought about by rapid expansion of agriculture in order to feed our ever increasing population. But this has been done at the cost of forests and grasslands which has resulted in the decimation of many species in the wake and brought about near extinction of those which are now labeled as endangered. Fast spreading unplanned settlements in rural and urban areas has resulted in complete disappearance of land habitable for other creatures.

But the paradigm has changed we are in an industrial age now and rapid urbanisation is an associate which was not the case in the agrarian era. 

The creation of core inviolate areas have provided much needed undisturbed space for the diverse life forms in India. At least an iota of land has been wisely spared for others by a humanity that has come down heavily on land and ransacked ninety percent of mass under one pretext or another.      

We have failed to rationalize land as a precious commodity and that it should be included under the ambit of resource management in order to use it sustainably. 

Sabai Bhoomi Gopal Ki!

The saying stands true but is often interpreted wrongly. The land belongs to Lord Gopal and its creatures - the latter means all life forms and not  just humans. But in the contemporary era we have begun to interpret the saying to facilitate our own greed and the rabid development that is taking place.

Concretization is one of the deadliest activity that is taking place within our towns and cities besides digging the Earth for minerals and coal. Remember for every platform we make of concrete we kill a habitable land and the creatures that depend upon it. The building industry is supplemented by raw materials from nature like the sand and pebbles which damage the ecosystems. The fumes from steel and cement plants are an industrial hazards of which the general populace knows very little. 

Unrestrained use of our fast depleting resources does not impact only quantitatively but the end products like deadly chemical affluents, pesticides and toiletries are polluting our rivers and waterways and poisoning streams and precious pools of water which sustain diverse forms of life in our neighborhood including us humans.        

Similarly we are fast losing remaining shreds of habitats in our surroundings which were once complete ecosystems. Nevertheless these still support small life forms which are important anyway.  Take a peek in your neighborhood you will find birds, butterflies, jackals, hares, foxes, civets, porcupines and even hyenas, leopards and wolves.

If you do not desire to save these creatures then you should not subscribe to this article. These precious life forms and habitats are being lost to urbanization spreading its tentacles far and wide,  and due to our lack of regard and our callous attitude. We do not care where we are heading to hence leave it on our nextgen to face and suffer.   

In this context it has become pertinent that there is a paradigm shift as to how we perceive development and immediately stem the rot. The remaining sustainable habitats are being subjected to exploitation under the spanner of development an imperative where in alternate is never seemed to be found or deemed to be looked for. Such is the haste that we think nothing of the greater ecological impact our actions will lead to.      

The dispensations are always hell bent to outdo the previous in order to present impressive figures in the index. This is usually at the cost of our precious land and all its inhabitants. If the dispensation is not circumspect regards the preservation of habitats that have gone through centuries of evolution to come to a stage to support life and be in a state of equilibrium...much needed to sustain it for posterity, should we as responsible not step in stem the rot? What we should we do if the succesive governments do not pay heed to what all is precious? 

Act as responsible citizens and speak, write and act!
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Uday works as a naturalist and writes on issues connected with environment and tiger conservation in India.
He can be contacted at: pateluday90@hotmail.com
Mob: 9755089323

Murdering The Big Cats

The recent news article about the murder of Avani tigress of Pandharkawada in Maharashtra is a grim reminder of how we treat denizens of the forests especially our National Pride. The tigress was said to have killed some people in the neighboring region in a period of year or more.  

Avani was shot dead by a private hunter as the story goes sanctioned by the PCCF Maharashtra. Alternative means of controlling the virulent predator was perhaps limited to paper work. 

The ideal first step would have been to tranquilize the tiger especially since she was said to have been accompanied by her cubs. Little is known of her cubs (if any) since the news reports are limited to the menace she was supposed to have caused. 

While shooting the man eating tigress her cubs should have been taken into account. A safe passage in captivity should have been provided since rearing them in the wild would have been impossible. Now with the the mother gone they would be difficult to trace and probably die of hunger.  When organizing such campaigns the authorities should be aware of the critical status of the species. With tiger numbers at shamefully low level hasty imperatives could prove disastrous in the long run i.e. if we are serious about furthering the cause of our National Pride and an animal of prime ecological importance.  

Whether all norms were followed or not a detailed investigations would reveal the truth. But in a country where truth can be suppressed with ease using pressure or monetary lure there is little hope that the facts will emerge. Nevertheless now that the deed has been done efforts should be made to trace the cubs if any. This would perhaps ameliorate the damage caused to the vulnerable species. 

The action also speaks of tremendous pressure exerted by humans whence faced with a problem animal. Such is the pressure from people and politicians that all hell breaks loose and the imperative becomes the noose and no rational or mitigation measures could be taken except shooting the animal dead. The courts too are not of much help as human life on Earth is seen supreme above any other life forms.    

We are still under the hangover of the Raj whence all predators were considered as vermins and exterminated by offering a reward. Human first attitude is terribly tilted and other forms of life on Earth are like third grade citizens. While the thugs and goons are nurtured by some politicians anomaly in animal behaviour is considered as threatening to all humanity. We are simply incapable of finding alternate solutions for animals with aberrant behaviour and shoot out orders are the consistent norm. 

The problem in India is the spread of human footsteps all over the land. We have spread with such alarming zeal that few natural lands are in preserved state of perfectness. The ecological impact of this has been disastrous and is being worsened by dissecting or destroying few remaining habitats in India on the pretext of development. These are the causes of sad state of land use in India made worse by uncontrolled ever expanding population. 

Large tracts of forests cleared for agriculture and industry lie degraded providing no viable returns. These should be returned to nature or used for expanding urbanisatination or for the industrial expansion that the rulers are so zealous about.  None of the protected areas should be brought under the axe of development. 
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Uday works as a naturalist and writes on issues connected with environment and tiger conservation in India.
He can be contacted at: pateluday90@hotmail.com
Mob: 9755089323

Explosive Social Media: Advantages & Incursions

It all began with the advent of  the Internet! The big bang that shook the Earth. The soft entry of social media took us by unprecedented surprise - enmasse and one by one. Little did the World realise the paradigm shift taking place as to the way we would socialize, network, find news and niche; communicate ideas and opinions, spread diverse thoughts, do business and more, besides just whiling away time.  

Platform by platform we were bombarded by new tools coming at our disposal almost free. Little did we know how consequential these platform would become, powerful enough to shake governments, negate standard beliefs and create volatility enmasse.  Most of the social media have become an institution in themselves commanding immense respect, awe and power. 

Though for most of the people or the common human it is recreation on a finger tips, and an easy way to communicate, keeping in touch and form communities and discussion forums within one's niche, it may carry a different meaning for the powerful establishments on the Earth. The phenomenon that social media is cannot be summed up comprehensively using few words. It carries a definition which may differ from people to people.   

It is the versatility, speed and global reach of the Internet that makes this anecdotal features infested medium so powerful with earth shaking qualities. People all across the political spectrum especially the right wingers, and the conservative ideological bodies are extremely vary of this medium which is a free and open peoplespeak platform. So effective has been the discourses on Internet - political or ideological - that some countries have imposed partial or complete ban on the specific platform with little success. Hence it seems that invincibility is an inexplicable characteristic of this phenomena in the cyber space.   

Albeit main purpose of social media is to propagate knowledge and awareness like the television, and help people communicate globally, the medium is an extension of our sensory apparatus through which we can voice over effectively using the prevailing platforms like Twitter and FaceBook. 

For the professionals, entrepreneurs and  industry as whole it is a alternate arena to promote services, conduct business and market products. The cyberspace is a virtual medium that has proved to be a boon for unprecedented commercialization. The main players have been the ecommerce portals, B2B sites and the advertisement mediums.      

Twitter is an evocative and powerful medium that can spread voice, dissent, opinion and thoughts with the composition of few words. For the popular politicians, celebrities and the big vigs it has provided unprecedented reach to communicate with common human masses, fans and followers.  

The interactive features has given rise to miraculous access and expression to the propaganda and entertainment industry.  Singers, actors and musicians promote themselves with huge success so do other professionals. The religious gurus or the proselytizers have flooded this cyberspace in order to spread their creed. The political dispensation too has become an active participant using it as a propaganda tool in order to win battles at hustings and overcome the poll outcomes.

Facebook offers a interactive platform to socialize online using groups and making friends, communicate and create propaganda pages. It is ideal for creating niche communities as well as promote services and market products.  It has millions of members like other popular social platforms.     

The blogging fraternity has been one of the main beneficiaries it has given them voice devoid of difficulties of accessing conventional agencies. It has become a powerful evocative medium to express diverse thoughts, expound dissent and negate traditional practices and views that have become the scourge of rigid societies. The popular blogging mediums are blogspot, typepad and wordpress besides portals embedded with these features.        

Blogging is a powerful commercial medium as well where product specialities and comparison can be offered. One can also create an professional niche among the targeted readers hence for online reputation building it is one of the key elements. This is also one of the finest platform to create what is now termed as user generated content for marketing and reputation building on the Internet. 

Though the social media has arrived in our midst as a boon there are negative imprints as well. The promotion of unethical practices, pornography, fake news, unwarranted views, promoting extremist viewpoints, false propaganda and misuse in terrorist activities are the negatives that the World will have to learn to deal with. 

The social media incursions will continue it is for us to deal with it and adjust our lives such that the imperatives are fulfilled without any adverse effect. Addiction of any kind is harmful. 

Worshipping Trees Rivers Animals Reptiles & Birds A Vedic Conservation Tool

Worshipping natural elements like rivers, mountains, animals, trees, reptiles and birds seems utterly insensible doesn't it?

Well if you have not been doing this get down to the insensible task without wait. For those with a dogmatic bend of mind this may be difficult to digest. Those who consider nature worship as primitive will never agree. 

Consideration of natural world should not be associated with any ism whence it is holistic. The Vedas have given us this deep understanding five thousand plus years ago, they have preached worship of divine in nature. Conservationist will equate this worship for preservation ethos which is an essential set of practices in order to save the Earth and its innumerable species - the other life forms. 

It does not take much to realise that we live in an ecosystem which comprises of a complex web of life intermingled as well as dependant upon natural abiotic elements. Our lives are much dependant upon these elements, hence the atonement should come much sooner than later. 

Worship is an  acknowledgement of the supreme truth as well as paying respect. Whence nature is creation of God than all that he has endowed us with should be worshipped or accorded deep respect making it worthy of preservation. For our own good!

Five thousand years back this truth dawned upon the Vedic Civilisations of northwestern region of the subcontinent. Purana, Upanishads and Sutra all espouse this cause. Hence elements of nature were classified with patriarchal & matriarchal entitlements that accorded a deep sense of reverence in the due course.

The ancient sacred texts simplify the concept of holistic nature worship using manifestations that highlight the value of elements on the planet. Living with nature has always been the way of life for homo sapiens, divergence from the way came due to disassociation with the wise texts. The result is there for all of us to see rampant urbanisation, pollution, global warming, hunger and disease.     

This (Vedic) was a simple system of according equity or value to elements of the web which play a major role in maintenance of equilibrium on this fragile Earth. The system does not try to explain the intricacies of preservation rather offers a pill coated with sugar. Why? Well all do not wish to go deep into scientific explanations or interpretations of phenomenons associated with Earth which are responsible for our survival.   

Odes and paens have constantly reminded people of this equity and so has numerous myths, legends and folklore in India. The rich and vibrant cultural past was endowed with compassion for other life forms precisely because of values inculcated by the ancients thoughts in the subcontinent.

Even religious teachings advocate this virtue of responsible living. Unfortunately rapacity has overtaken us, as a result earthly climate control is completely out of order, millions of species have become extinct or are on the verge, violence and chaos have taken over the planet and created an apocalyptic situation.       

From the Vedic civilisation has evolved many thoughts in the country which have flourished right into the contemporary era. This is associated with our inheritance and accords space not only to myriads of elements but diverse thoughts as well. This is what makes India a pluralistic society in true sense deciphered in simple terms it percolates down to live and let live.