Can he Impact ?
Konduri Veeraiah
With the Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam, once again, the political discourse is shifted to the emerging Caste loyalties vis-à-vis political parties in Andhra Pradesh. Discourses on caste and its manipulations in politics are not new. The process of secularisation and democracy gave a new fillip to the caste mobilisations as democracy represents in theory for majority. They can be traced back to Selig.S.Harrison’s ‘Caste and Andhra Communists’of the early 50s that threw light on the foundational role of caste in political mobilization. In this seminal work Harrison stressed the need for a special study on caste to comprehend its impact on representative institutions. In a continuation to this debate M.N.Srinivas has provided a data of the fascinating dynamics of ‘the caste’ in different walks of life in connection with the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Tamilanadu, Karnataka by applying the same principle in the light of first general elections to judge the emerging trends and changing political affiliations.
As the colonial rule unravelled and de-linked social caste from religious caste, it has became “ a single term of capable of expressing, organising, and above all systematising India’s diverse form of social identity, community and organisation.” Caste forms in to a major element in the social organisation with its long-established authority at the bottom. Thus the interplay of Caste and political democracy has always been an issue of renewed interest and controversy in this country as the process of group dynamics and web of power alignments in Indian villages are infinitely complex. Though caste has been a crucial player in articulating political mobilisation in the state there are no enough studies that deal with the changing political allegiances and reasons behind it, particularly after institutionalising the democratic process. In view of the ever changing nature of the caste, an attempt has been made in this essay to examine M.N.Srinivas’s concept of Dominant caste to forecast the possible emerging scenarios of Chiranjeevi’s influence and role in the politics of Andhrapradesh.
Like in any other part of the country, in Andhra Pradesh also Caste has played an important role either directly or indirectly in political mobilisations. The only difference as far me is that due to the strong presence of communist movement, till 90’s caste played only discrete role while in some other states the political mobilisation of caste started as early as immediately after the independence. With emergence of Telugudesam in the state’s political landscape, the role of caste started functioning in open unlike in the 60’s and 70’s. Presently the Telugu society has, become busy with the same political discourse that the state had seen with the political entry of the actor turned politician, N.T.Ramarao(NTR), a kamma person by caste. N.T.R proclaimed that he was launching a party, the Telugu Desam Party(TDP),with the sole aim of protecting the Telugu people’s pride or self respect. But this time around ,after a quarter century, the state reverted back to a similarkind of debate with another cine star Chiranjeevi launching his Praja Rajyam party(PRP).
In the recent past realisation of numerical strength and articulation of interests in political spheres has seen a new phenomena called “social engineering”. The phrase “ Social Engineering” became popular in the wake of BSP’s upsurge first in UttarPradesh and gradually on the national political landscape. Way back in early 80s N.T.Rama Rao with his demigod like charisma succeeded in creating and consolidating a rainbow caste coalition by weaning away BCs and Dalits and considerable section of Muslims from congress fold. Telugu Desam organised social engineering by mobilising BCs, certain sections of SCs and Minorities to run together, under the leadership of a dominant caste, the Kamma caste, to question the hegemony of another dominant caste the reddy caste. Both these developments proves one more important thing which Dube emphasises in his article in Contributions to Indian Sociology exactly forty years ago, in 1968. Dube synthesises that mere caste is not a power wielding unit but the multi-caste alliance is. The difference between social engineering of TDP and that of BSP is in the leadership as to who are steering the wheel. In the case of BSP it is Dalits while it was and is, Kammas in the case of TDP. If we consider the TDP and BSP phenomenon we have to agree on Dube’s prophetic understanding of Indian villages and their power wielding structure. Though before BSP, TDP pioneered social engineering, social analysts missed the significance of this process.
To analyse the Chiranjeevi impact in politics of AP,I am relying on the theory of Dominant Caste developed by MN Srinivas in his studies of Rampura village in Karnataka, though I am not in full agreement with him about the criteria and functions of Dominant Caste. This compels us to dwell in to caste composition of the state with relevant details. As, there were no census based on caste after 1930 we have to depend on 1921 census conducted by Nizam’s administration that contained a column on caste to ascertain the respective percentages of each caste in the state of Andhra Pradesh. According to K.Srinivasulu ,in Andhrapradesh, the Brahmins form 3% , Reddys and Kammas, 6.5% and 4.8% respectively, and the other Backward Castes (OBCs) costitute 46.1%, of the State’s population.”
Major Caste wise Population in Andhra Pradesh
Backward castes % Forward castes % Scheduled castes % Others %
Golla/ yadava 6.3 Kapu 15.2 Mala 9.7 Muslims, Chirstians 7.0
Telaga 5.2 Reddy 6.5 Madiga 7.3
Chakali 4.2 Kamma 4.8
Mutarasi 3.3 Velama 3.0
Balija 3.0 Komati 2.7
Padmsale 2.9 Kshatriya 1.2
Kammari 2.1
Devangana 2.1
Goundla 2.0
Waddera 1.9
Mangali 1.3
Kuruma 1.3
Idiga 1.0
Kummari 0.9
Munnuru Kapu 0.8
Boya 0.7
Besta 0.7
Uppara 0.4
Gavara 0.4
Jangama 0.4
Others 5.4
Total 46.1 36.4 17 7.0
Source:K.Srinivasulu, Caste, Class and Social Articulation in Andhra Pradesh: Mapping Differential Regional Trajectories.
Major caste groups in the state are geographically distributed in different regions and each region has its own “Dominant caste” (in M.N.Srinivas’s understanding) that capitalized the opportunities such as education, land, power.,etc. It is also interesting to observe that different dominant castes of different regions are knitted together in to the web of power structures in same manner, thus drawing our attention to underlying factors of these relations. These web of power structures preconditions the political actors to forge a rainbow coalitions with different dominant castes of different region. In the case of Andhra Pradesh, so far the rainbow caste coalitions in the state are centering around the dominant castes; Reddys associated with the Congress party and Kammas of the of TDP. These groupings emerged out of 30 years of political churning and are in tact, though there are minor adjustments with the ground level voting shifts. Emergence of Telugu Desam and consequent ending of Congress’ monopoly created political dualism that is continuing for nearly three decades.
Undoubtedly people are vexed with dualism and hegemony, at every level including the polity and economic resources mainly because they are, in fact, not an alternative to each other but two sides of same coin. This is evident from the fact that the polices they are pursuing are one and same. The communities of Reddys and Kammas are, though numerically small, acquired multiple characteristics of dominance thus established themselves as Dominant Castes. Their dominance is evident not only in political arena, but also their hegemonic presence in academic, administrative, economic and land relations helped them to play leading roles in respective coalitions. Here comes a necessity of more structured debate over the characteristics and manufacturing of Dominant Caste. This debate is particularly important in the context of rise of subaltern castes to power. Another important fact we need to stress here is that these two castes in Andhra Pradesh occupied highest levels in local caste hierarchy also, unlike the jats in UP and Rajastan, Yadava in UP, Bihar. Coupled with the accrual of multi-factors, these two castes established themselves as dominant ones in the state.
A caste may said to be ‘dominant’ one when it preponderates numerically over the other castes, and when it also wields preponderate economic and political power. A large and powerful caste group can more easily be dominant if its position in the local caste hierarchy is not too low (MNSrinivas). Srinivas laid down four criterion of a dominant caste. First, it should be numerically large . Second, it should wield economic strength in the given area. Third, it should also wield political power. Lastly, it should not be too low in caste hierarchy. The characteristics of a Dominant Caste were expanded and strengthened when Dumont, Dube and Peter Gardner, Oomen etc. engages with MN Srinivas. If my understanding of MN Srinivas is correct, he basically relied on numerical preponderance in the first place for any caste to establish itself as dominant one.
Now we shall turn to see how these characters individually and collectively functions in establishing a caste as dominant caste particularly with reference mainly to Andhra Pradesh with often UP for comparison. Considering this definition, a question may arise as to whether mere numerical predominance is a sufficient prerequisite for a caste to become Dominant? In the case of Andhra Pradesh the forward castes that have been ruling so far are numerically not preponderant ones. But the influence they exert is so enormous that they uphold the existing caste hierarchy in society. Which means though the Kamma and Reddy communities of Andhra Pradesh are acted as dominant castes though they are numerically small. Being numerically low doesn’t affect their chances of occupying highest echelons of power. This proves about the existence of other factors that contributed to their dominance. They are also in forefront in ensuring the status-quo of social hierarchy in the basic unit, i.e. village. For this ensuring the status-quo, they even resorted to discriminative policies.
In essence they coupled the social discrimination with political and economic discrimination to wean away the opportunities from lower stratum of the village. In other words, thus they are discharging another important function of dominant caste, i.e. maintain the social order as it is. The experience of UP also defies the criteria of numerical preponderance. Though Dalits’ numerical preponderance does not always contributed to their dominance as it is evident from BSP experience. Master in social engineering, BSP could not dominate the state politically until it diversified its base and get a few upper castes in to its fold despite its numerical domination. Thus we are having two contrasting experiences to show that the first criterion, numerical preponderance, is not a basic/sufficient criterion for a caste to become a dominant caste.
The next criteria of M.N.Srinivas was the economic and political preponderance of a caste in a given area. Here his sequencing of the terminology is fascinating. He uses political preponderance next only to economic preponderance. This implies that economic influence is essential for a caste to construct a working alliance at village level to have political preponderance at the larger level. Economic lead empowers a caste to move across different sections of the economy by controlling and expanding resources. Land has been the mainstay of economic power in our society where the castes with rural orientation are holding the key. Now with the widespread capitalist relations of economy not only the ability to own and control the land constitutes economic hegemony but also its presence in trade, industry matters as it imparts the ability to spend counts. Unfortunately, though there is scarcity of data about the caste wise landholdings in general through out the country and particularly in AP. This forces us to analyze the role of these two criterion in establishing a caste as dominant caste on mere perceptions or assumptions.
To support our assumptions, Government of AP’s Land Committee under the chairmanship of Urban Development ministry pointed out the ever increasing concentration of land in to the big hands thus leaving the down stratum of society is loosing its landholding. Though it did not mentioned the caste wise landholdings, the essence it gives us is the same. One more example I can place here. In 1995 I was part of a team that surveyed one village, Lingarao Palem of Guntur district, where we found more than 80 percent of arable land under the village limits is concentrated in the hands of dominant caste in that village. As the village inhabits more than a dozen castes, the remaining 20 % of land is scattered among the left over castes of that village. A different kind of situation than this in the rest of the state is certainly ruled out. Except for the fact that the governments are forced to implement the reservations in local bodies, since the establishment of that village which we surveyed, the reins or in the hands of dominant caste only. Even after the reservations came in to force the BC and SC panchayat presidents are for the sake of record only. With this we can conclude that the though numerically small the dominant caste with considerable landholdings and say in the political affairs is ruling the roost.
Going by this evidence we can say that in the case of AP, the dominant castes presence in economic fields and political structures need not to be explained separately as the experiences of over 60 decades are in front of us. Even in some parts of northern India, subaltern casts like Jats, Yadava, Kurmis are able to influence the political structures only after they attained considerable presence in economic spheres of society. Thus these two criterion are primary for any caste which wishes to be a dominant one to poses. Because the overarching presence in these areas gives that caste or community to upkeep the existing socio-economic relations in tact and to ward of if necessary any attempts to change those structures of relationship. The last criteria is about the position of a caste on the hierarchy. By mentioning hierarchy in local caste system, Srinivas agrees that the caste hierarchy differs from place to place and even village to village. This doesn’t’ need an additional explanation. The Dalit as caste, irrespective of textual differences among them in terms of each other, could not constitute dominant caste primarily they would not have any interest in maintaining status-quo in social and political structures. May be this lead to BSP’s inability to establish its key constituents as dominant caste until it diversified its caste base by absorbing prominent figures across the social spectrum.
While articulating the caste mobilization politics is influenced by the dominant caste syndrome, it needs to be ascertained whether that particular caste constitutes a dominant caste or not. It should be in a position to sustain these social relations if it wants to sustain as a dominant caste. Thus assertion as dominant caste and ability to sustain the social relations structure based on the dominant caste syndrome are reinforcing each other.
With the above understanding of dominant caste, now we shall turn to the possible impact of Chiranjeevi and his Prajarajyam in the forthcoming elections. Now there is a common understanding or impression in the state in the well informed sections as well as in the press that the well of sections of Kapu community are behind the propping up of Praja Rajyam with Chiranjeevi at its fountain head. The question of whether Chiranjeevi would be able to steer the political scene in the state or not is entirely depends up on the fact that whether his caste can become a dominant caste or not. We will outline the three possible scenarios about the possible impact of Chiranjeevi’s party in the forth coming elections in the state and provide logical support in terms of above discussion about the dominant caste syndrome.
First,it can hamper the winning chances of a good number of candidates belongs to rival parties, there by leading to a hung assembly. Second possible scenario may be winning on his own provided forming a rainbow caste coalition on sustainable basis as precondition. The last scenario may be winning majority of seats in the community dominant constituencies and impacting the winning chances in other parts. For the first scenario to become reality the present process can be considered sufficient such as projecting him and his party as benefactor of his community. This leads to direct political articulation of caste mobilization. The realization of the second and third scenarios depends on the ability of his community rather than his own ability to lead the caste coalition only when the Kapu community becomes a dominant caste. This kind of rainbow caste coalition will also infuse confidence among the dissatisfied sections in other parties which will come handy to tilt the results decisively.
When caste articulation transcends the boundary line of individual social life aided by issues such as under representation, discrimination, identity, it will propel this articulation beyond the limited sphere of individual in to a larger sphere of society and turns in to political articulation. As mentioned above the first scenario is possible if Chiranjeevi and Kapu community succeed in generating awareness about the above mentioned issues, to establish himself as leader of that community. Still it won’t be sufficient to project him as a leader of under privileged or under represented backward castes. That needs to accommodate the issues of other castes and communities also in to his agenda. As the above table indicates there is nearly half of the population falls under the category of Backward castes that include Munnuru Kapu and Balija, two important sub castes of Kapu community. As the caste wise population is also distributed in different geographical scales as Kapu is mainly concentrated in coastal districts, Munnuru Kapu concentrated in Telangana region, Balija concentrated in Rayalaseema region. If all these three are put together in to single head it comes around 22 % of total population. If he succeeds in inculcating the sense of caste mobilization around discrimination, under representation and other such issues he may prove himself as a sole representative of that caste and can win considerable seats from the areas of community domination and also split proportionate voting in other parts of the state. So far except certain well off sections of this community in coastal region, general masses are with the congress party.
According to some observers Kapu, Balija, Munnuru Kapu communities are already started drifting their political loyalties towards Chiranjeevi. Various individual Kapu leaders are quiting their parties to join him. In this case the main looser will be Congress party which is camping with majority of general masses from that community. Even if his party loose he can play a spoiler’s role for congress. Realizing the potential threat of Chiranjeevi’s presence in the political battle YS Rajasekara Reddy’s government ,strategically, has moved pawns to show that his government can protect the interest of Kapu community and there is no need to shift their political loyalty. Steps initiated by government a day before the Tirupati Public meeting of Chiranjeevi, saying that the students of Kapu community are also eligible to get equal amount of scholarship at par with other students from BC communities must be seen in this backdrop . At the same time another issue he digged out is the notification that seeks to consider Kapus as BCs which was released and kept unimplemented for a decade. With these two steps Congress government initiated to divert the attention of Kapu community from Chiranjeevi. If Chiranjeevi picks up the issue of enumerating Kapu as BCs that may boil the political scene in the near future which may become too hot to handle even for Congress government.
As far as the next two scenarios are concerned a particular caste that wants to be the pillar of rainbow caste coalition needs to meet the other criteria also. Kapu community meets one criteria to become a dominant caste, i.e. numerical criteria. Being numerically largest populated caste among the forwards of backward castes, it can serve as dominant caste to lead the rainbow caste coalition which includes rallying of remaining backward communities, a section from SCs and minorities. In comparison to the other backward castes, Kapus are relatively on higher side in the case of prosperity, wealth, education but on the lower side in comparison to the dominant castes in forward communities. Though the exact data of caste wise ownership of assets in the state is not available we can say out of general perceptions that the Kapu community is having lesser share than that of its proportion to the population. Thus they may be lacking the economic criteria of a dominant caste that is coupled with political under representation.
If Chiranejeevi’s party succeeds in bringing about this kind of coalition he is definitely a winning choice in the state. Once this situation emerges the two dominant castes of the state won’t take much time to flirt with Chiranjeevi’s party to protect their economic interests if situation arises as they had done with Communists in late 50’s and early 60’s, though the comparison between Chiranjeevi of today and Communists of 50’s is an odd one. But to project this kind of rainbow caste alliance it needs time to construction, and resources to pour in. This proving sustenance can only be achieved once it infuses confidence among the disgruntled voters of the coalition in particular and other populace in general. And to face the electorate this caste coalition has to prove its sustainability. As the general elections is round the corner in Aprill2009 it may be difficult for Chiranajeevi and his outfit to form a rainbow coalition and prove its sustenance in this sharp and short gap. Even when consider the nature of work undertaken on the eve of the launching of his party like a construction of ready made building, this lack of time will prove costly for his entity. In a state where people are dis-satisfied by both major ruling parties, they are looking for a new one at the same time viable alternative which can focus on the length and breadth of their problems.
For the last criterion, the data shown in the above table it self gives an imprint about the hierarchic position of Kapu community in different geographical scales. As mentioned above Kapu with its two sub castes constitutes a single caste. The sub castes are occupying a downward position in the local hierarchy where as the principle caste occupies an upwardly position. But the fact that at the state level principle caste does not constitute an upper caste status in general, unless the caste community in a particular village dominates numerically as well as in terms of asset owning. Thus we can conclude that Kapu caste including its sub castes does not satisfy the criterion of a Dominant Caste. This itself informs that the caste in question is not in a position to lead a rainbow coalition of castes. Thus it could not influence the electoral prospects on its own in a decisive way.
References:
1.M.N.Srinivas,Castein Modern India
2.Nicholas Dirks , Castes of Minds
3.K.Srinivasulu, Caste, Class and Social Articulation in Andhra Pradesh: Mapping Differential Regional Trajectories.
4. Dube, in Contributions to Indian Sociology
5. Aditi Phadnis, Back to the future in Business Today, Sept 6, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
US Crisis - Lessons from Indescriminate De-Regulation
The ongoing financial crisis in US gives an oppertunity to leanback and think twice before allowing indescriminate de regulation of financial sector. The nature of banking is not as it was before globalisation. With the world interlinked through the web of financial institutions, the nature of banking organs also changed forever. There are a lot of new forms of operations came in to existence. One of such is Investment banks.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Chiranjeevi, Left, TDP in AP
Coming elections a watershed for AP
Undoubtedly the forthcoming general as well as assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh are going to be a watershed in the political history of the state. Andhra Pradesh once again witnessed political upsurge. Unlike in any other part of the country the state witnessed emergence of two new political outfits. One by TDP splinter group leader Devendar Gaud and the other one lead by famous film star Chiranjeevi. The basic difference between two from people’s perspective is only that Gaud has been seen by the people in his political career, in the party and also in the government where as Chiranjeevi’s political personification is not know so far. To be presise Chiranjeevi is untested and Gaud is tested as politician.
We need to look at in to the context of these two emergences. Gaud deserted his parental party on the issue of Telangana. Chiranjeev does not have any such ground except his zeal to represent and be represented by the people. In that sense Gaud is having limited area of operation which is geographically confined where as Chiranjeevi is having the whole state as his area of operation. Gaud has limited sphere of influence and Chiranjeevi is having larger sphere of influence. The another aspect to keep in mind is that Gaud, being a tested political persona, is having his tested base of supporters, issue, team though he is not dwelling in to a single point agenda where as Chiranjeevi’s case is otherwise. As he himself, his team, issues of priority, political skills, ideology, programme of action, mainly the perceived mass base are still to be tested.
To put in on a wider canvass we have to recognise one more fact. The state witnessed over the last two decades a serious, prolonged, militant mass movements based on issues such as world bank, caste discrimination, housing problem and off course corruption. All these movements were spearheaded by the Left in the state under the leadership of CPI(M). Though these movements are not preceded by general economic crises of late 70s, these movements also added to the political churning process that is underway. If we look at the last 3 decades of political landscape, earlier single party domination ended with the establishment of two party system as in the case of Tamilnadu. The people who tired off experiencing the single party domination for at least 30 years overwhelmed by the presence of Telugu Desam Party in early 80’s. But the last 30 years experience particularly of the current generation is not satisfied with the performance of both TDP and Cong. Though the Cong in the state has witnessed generational change of leadership, there is no change of policy direction. Telugu Desam also failed to prove itself as it comes to overseeing development of the state which was resulted in drubbing of TDP in the last elections.
Currently except the Left in the state which lead prolonged struggles, both TDP and Cong are facing credibility deficiency. Even after five years as principle opposition party, TDP could not generate the lost confidence. Instead of rethinking over the party’s priorities, TDP and Chandra Babu Naidu sat in confidence banking on the anti incumbency voting. Due to several administrative steps initiated by Congress government in the state, the level of resentment in the rural areas is not as it is in the urban areas. In urban areas also the resentment lacks its fierceness. Here lies the failure of principle opposition party in chanellising the resentment. The main reason for this failure is that the party could not gain confidence even after four and half years of its rule.
In this context we need to gauge the tactical moves of TDP. There is a turn around on the issue of forging electoral ties that too particularly with CPI(M) in this decade. If we remember while facing the assembly elections in 1997 Chandra Babu Naidu was riding on clouds. He fought on his own. By that time his new uncharted path of development has not paid dividends. So people overwhelmingly supported him by refusing congress. Since then his style of political operation had been completely changed. Those were the days either in Delhi, of in Hyderabad or in Washington, whatever TDP supreme says that used to be considered as a revelation ! With that credited charishma as an intellectual, he used to coin new slogans day by day. One such slogan is that “ herein after there are no isms except tourism” is meant to kidding the Left in India. I shall share with you one such incident where he was beaming with confidence about the re-election. While addressing a visiting journalists team from Delhi, in 2002, at his residence Babu brought an interesting comparison of Bengal, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh where in he said that in all these states there is no effective political opponent who can match with the ruling party at that time. And also he analysed that the principle opposition parties in respective states failed to put forward a viable policy alternatives ! He used to boost up his cadre by saying that he will rule like CPI(M) in Bengal uninterruptedly. This shows that he basically banked on the failure of opposition to come back to power but not on his competency as ruler. With that style of functioning, and attitude he de-linked himself and also his party from the grass roots. People won’t take too long to prove that neither his nor his compatriot Laalu’s policies are so viable. By now he should have realised what was and is the difference between Bengal and Andhra Pradesh or Jyoti Basu and him hopefully. After exactly 10 years, in an eleventh year he is crawling to join hands with CPI(M) to re-establish his links with grass roots and also to fill the credibility gap that he generated during his tenure.
The direction of YS Rajasekar Reddy lead Congress government is also more are less in the same direction. He is also now running in to clouds about the failure of TDP in acting in the interests of people as principle opposition party. Over these all four years TDP could not able to understand what exactly went wrong for it in the last elections. So he could not think over his policies except for the media consumption. Exactly in this situation Chiranjeevi came on to scene hoping to en-cash this failure of principle opposition party role. After two weeks of his launching the party, PRP representatives in Hyderabad declared that they need not to enter in to any electoral understandings to defeat Congress. In movies directors used to be behind the screen. Here also the main architect of PRP, Allu Aravind is behind the screen, true to his role as producer / director. But filming is different from politics. In film industry though the fans are not known to have aspirations beyond a point. But in politics, where each and every step relates to the daily public life, people’s aspirations, wants, beliefs are linked to their livelihood problems. Chiranjeevi could not provide any viable policy alternative to his credit. He is having fans linked mass base. The time will prove whether he will be able to impact by transforming this fans linked mass base in to a credible political base from where he has to re-launch himself as a serious contender for the power in the next elections.
As of now the situation looks like a multiparty contest in Telangana and triangular contest in other parts of the state. This is the first time the state is witnessing such a multiple contests across the state. This is the reason why I felt the next elections will be watershed in states political landscape.
Undoubtedly the forthcoming general as well as assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh are going to be a watershed in the political history of the state. Andhra Pradesh once again witnessed political upsurge. Unlike in any other part of the country the state witnessed emergence of two new political outfits. One by TDP splinter group leader Devendar Gaud and the other one lead by famous film star Chiranjeevi. The basic difference between two from people’s perspective is only that Gaud has been seen by the people in his political career, in the party and also in the government where as Chiranjeevi’s political personification is not know so far. To be presise Chiranjeevi is untested and Gaud is tested as politician.
We need to look at in to the context of these two emergences. Gaud deserted his parental party on the issue of Telangana. Chiranjeev does not have any such ground except his zeal to represent and be represented by the people. In that sense Gaud is having limited area of operation which is geographically confined where as Chiranjeevi is having the whole state as his area of operation. Gaud has limited sphere of influence and Chiranjeevi is having larger sphere of influence. The another aspect to keep in mind is that Gaud, being a tested political persona, is having his tested base of supporters, issue, team though he is not dwelling in to a single point agenda where as Chiranjeevi’s case is otherwise. As he himself, his team, issues of priority, political skills, ideology, programme of action, mainly the perceived mass base are still to be tested.
To put in on a wider canvass we have to recognise one more fact. The state witnessed over the last two decades a serious, prolonged, militant mass movements based on issues such as world bank, caste discrimination, housing problem and off course corruption. All these movements were spearheaded by the Left in the state under the leadership of CPI(M). Though these movements are not preceded by general economic crises of late 70s, these movements also added to the political churning process that is underway. If we look at the last 3 decades of political landscape, earlier single party domination ended with the establishment of two party system as in the case of Tamilnadu. The people who tired off experiencing the single party domination for at least 30 years overwhelmed by the presence of Telugu Desam Party in early 80’s. But the last 30 years experience particularly of the current generation is not satisfied with the performance of both TDP and Cong. Though the Cong in the state has witnessed generational change of leadership, there is no change of policy direction. Telugu Desam also failed to prove itself as it comes to overseeing development of the state which was resulted in drubbing of TDP in the last elections.
Currently except the Left in the state which lead prolonged struggles, both TDP and Cong are facing credibility deficiency. Even after five years as principle opposition party, TDP could not generate the lost confidence. Instead of rethinking over the party’s priorities, TDP and Chandra Babu Naidu sat in confidence banking on the anti incumbency voting. Due to several administrative steps initiated by Congress government in the state, the level of resentment in the rural areas is not as it is in the urban areas. In urban areas also the resentment lacks its fierceness. Here lies the failure of principle opposition party in chanellising the resentment. The main reason for this failure is that the party could not gain confidence even after four and half years of its rule.
In this context we need to gauge the tactical moves of TDP. There is a turn around on the issue of forging electoral ties that too particularly with CPI(M) in this decade. If we remember while facing the assembly elections in 1997 Chandra Babu Naidu was riding on clouds. He fought on his own. By that time his new uncharted path of development has not paid dividends. So people overwhelmingly supported him by refusing congress. Since then his style of political operation had been completely changed. Those were the days either in Delhi, of in Hyderabad or in Washington, whatever TDP supreme says that used to be considered as a revelation ! With that credited charishma as an intellectual, he used to coin new slogans day by day. One such slogan is that “ herein after there are no isms except tourism” is meant to kidding the Left in India. I shall share with you one such incident where he was beaming with confidence about the re-election. While addressing a visiting journalists team from Delhi, in 2002, at his residence Babu brought an interesting comparison of Bengal, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh where in he said that in all these states there is no effective political opponent who can match with the ruling party at that time. And also he analysed that the principle opposition parties in respective states failed to put forward a viable policy alternatives ! He used to boost up his cadre by saying that he will rule like CPI(M) in Bengal uninterruptedly. This shows that he basically banked on the failure of opposition to come back to power but not on his competency as ruler. With that style of functioning, and attitude he de-linked himself and also his party from the grass roots. People won’t take too long to prove that neither his nor his compatriot Laalu’s policies are so viable. By now he should have realised what was and is the difference between Bengal and Andhra Pradesh or Jyoti Basu and him hopefully. After exactly 10 years, in an eleventh year he is crawling to join hands with CPI(M) to re-establish his links with grass roots and also to fill the credibility gap that he generated during his tenure.
The direction of YS Rajasekar Reddy lead Congress government is also more are less in the same direction. He is also now running in to clouds about the failure of TDP in acting in the interests of people as principle opposition party. Over these all four years TDP could not able to understand what exactly went wrong for it in the last elections. So he could not think over his policies except for the media consumption. Exactly in this situation Chiranjeevi came on to scene hoping to en-cash this failure of principle opposition party role. After two weeks of his launching the party, PRP representatives in Hyderabad declared that they need not to enter in to any electoral understandings to defeat Congress. In movies directors used to be behind the screen. Here also the main architect of PRP, Allu Aravind is behind the screen, true to his role as producer / director. But filming is different from politics. In film industry though the fans are not known to have aspirations beyond a point. But in politics, where each and every step relates to the daily public life, people’s aspirations, wants, beliefs are linked to their livelihood problems. Chiranjeevi could not provide any viable policy alternative to his credit. He is having fans linked mass base. The time will prove whether he will be able to impact by transforming this fans linked mass base in to a credible political base from where he has to re-launch himself as a serious contender for the power in the next elections.
As of now the situation looks like a multiparty contest in Telangana and triangular contest in other parts of the state. This is the first time the state is witnessing such a multiple contests across the state. This is the reason why I felt the next elections will be watershed in states political landscape.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
From South Dakota of USA to Araku Valley of Andhra
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: The Story behind the Unification of USA
The story of “Battle of Wounded Knee Creek” is very interesting and also we can draw several lessons from that about United States of America (USA). By now, USA has established itself as the second biggest democracy in the world but the establishment of USA itself has a major historical crunch in which we need to dwell into in order to understand its historical claims in reality.
There are so many stories, histories written about how the George Washington army ruthlessly annexed tribal lands in Northern American continent in its way to the formation of USA. As social science students at our high school we were told that there are three great revolutions in the world history. They are: Bloodless revolution of England, American Revolution, and French Revolution. All of them are part of evolution of modern democratic set up, we were told. And also were taught of the greatness of George Washington who commanded over the army of US in its liberation struggle. But there are two parts of US liberation struggle.
The first part is the struggle the up coming US nobility in the 13 Colonies on the Atlantic seaboard of North America engaged with Great Britain and won independence to become United States of America. The world history threw heavy light on this development and marked it as a watershed in the evolution of modern democracy.
The second part comes from 1783 to 1890, when the newly formed USA gradually annexed the tribal states in its expansionist scheme to put place the USA what we are seeking today. The second part of the story of unification of America was not debated much in comparison to its first part.
I think, in the year 2000 when I was working as a social activist in Hyderabad I had a discussion with Com. Punyavati who happened at that time State Secretary of All India Democratic Women’s Association. Then I argued that USA does not have its own history, culture as we, and the other countries of eastern hemisphere have. Their so called culture is evolved only in about a century till now. In its emergence the behavior of USA towards its native tribal states and population gives an understanding about its nature. Since then, I kept on looking for new material, books which places my arguments in a sophisticated, structured manner. Finally I found in the book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, something that I was exactly looking for. This is also a part of history of Civil War that threatened newly emerging American nation. This was is in between the already existing tribal nations and newly emerging American nation.
This not only proves my assumption that USA emerged only after brutal annexation of tribal people who are known as Red Indian tribes. For the outer world, the Western Sociology introduces Red Indians as a single tribe where as that was the nomenclature got significance after the Columbus’s discovery of American continent. Like in today’s India, in America also, there number of tribes such as Sioux, about which the present book deals.
This tribal nation enters in to an agreement called Fort Laramie Treaty 1868 there by shedding some land for the white settlements and reserving some land for the purpose of local tribal population’s utilization such as hunting, food collection as it happened to be a forest till that time. This is where for the first time I heard about the Geographical Reservation Policy, which might be a prelude to the reservation polices and affirmative actions which we have been experiencing in the 20th century.
The whole story revolves around how the US Congress and the local white senator acted in a deceitful manner while expanding the white settlements by violating the treaty they entered in to with the South Dakotan tribal nation Sioux. That means till the 19th century US is experiencing the tribal lives where hunting and other primary production modes are in operation and main forms of livelihood! By 19th century India has emerged in to a single nation physically, psychologically and also politically under the English colonialism.
This annexation of South Dakota also is about the gold rush which was found it those areas in 6th decade of 9th century. This gold rush prompted white rulers to expand the white settlements to these areas in order to justify the planned exploitation of gold mines. Now though it may be a disproportionate comparison, I will compare the Sioux annexation by US with the industrialization of Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh. In Araku to explore the Bauxite for industrial purpose, the government recently sanctioned environmental clearance for a joint venture for exploiting the Bauxite in Eastern Ghats which are famed for their natural beauty. This approval will also as in the case of Sioux tribe destroy the natural livelihood options of local tribal people. At least the imperial USA implemented some geographical reservation, though that could not avoid the war with the local tribes, the modern democratic governments of Andhra Pradesh and India are not providing for the same. The existing environmental laws mandate the government to provide alternative land (as in the case of Dakota) for the rehabilitation of those displaced due to this project. The governments are not coming forward to implement their own laws. Even though they may provide geographical reservation, they can explicate the natural settings of Araku Valley, thus the industrialist, capitalist greed paving way for the annexation of natural settings some times for its settlements and for some times for its profit !
Finally, perhaps as of US expertise in establishing white settlements (that lead to the emergence of USA as a modern nation), it is helping, guiding and also directing all necessary means to expand the Jewish settlements in Palestine lands where by destroying the Palestine Arabs as a nation as they had done with in the case of Red Indian Tribes !!!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Hector Could have Saved Troy
Let them say I walked with giants
Not to go in to chronological order of a tale that has more than 3000 years in its behind, the war of Troy has evoked certain observations when I looked at it. When I happened to be a student of English Literature in my graduation, we had a brief introduction of war of Troy as part of beginnings of modern drama, Homer as father of modern drama. Iliad and Odyssey are two lengthy poetic narrations by Homer who believed to live around 9th Century of BC in Greek. We were told that Iliad is about the war that lead to the fall of Troy and Odyssey is about the return journey of Agamemnon who lead the Greeks in that war and the life after Troy.
After a long gap of say about 15 years I am able to lay my hands on to the subject again. What surprised me is that the capacity of a 3000 years old story to ignite fresh thoughts about the persons and personalities apart from what had happened, why it was like so ! May be that is the beauty of an epic like Ramayana and Mahabharata, what we have had. At least in the case of Ramayana we had a writing figure Valmiki, though we can’t ascertain his authenticity. But in the case of Mahabharata, the writer, Vyasa still looks at least for me as a fictitious persona.
Coming back to the original story, the mythological narration can be found at http://www.royalty.nu/legends/Troy.html. I wish to just take some aspects only basically which surrounds the characters of Hector and Achilles, Priam, the king of Troy.
Hector : Tactically right
Eldest son of Praim ( king of Troy) a loyal country man and an effective commander who has an eye on the activities of Paris, his own brother who became so close to Helen, the wife of Menelaus, the Greek king Agamemnon’s brother. After the ceremony ( read the above link) night before Paris and his brother moves to Troy meets Helen and seduces her and also impresses her to elope with him to Troy where they can live a loving and peaceful life. Helen follows Paris directions and enters in to the ship that sailed to Troy in guise. On sea, Paris informs the same to Hector who becomes angry and also fears consequences. As soon as they arrives in Troy the picture unfolds in the Priam’s court where they decided even to fight for Paris’s love. In the court Hector warns the consequences and proposes to hand over Helen back to Menelaus and enter in to treaty to save the people and the country from the perils of war. But nobody hears as the Chief Priest also sides with Priam and encourages war. Through out this episod the Priam’s priest ill advices the rulers of Troy including taking the wooden horse wherein the Trojans sealed themselves in to city. Hector argues well having the tactical understanding after overseeing the war with Greeks for some years. He finds that the advances so far made by Troy military is due to divisions in the Agamemnon’s allies banking on the sea. For some time Achilles won’t take part in the war with his men. With out Achilles and his men, the Greek soldiers lost morale and starts running. Following the ill advise from chief priest and some other allies of small tribes Priam enters in to a deadly battle. One more aspect of Hector also I like. He is not only loyal to his people and a good commander. He is also upholds the moral principles. After killing Achilles’ friend thinking that he was Achilles, Hector confesses the same and gets himself ready to face the consequences lonely. He warns his wife to escape before the Greek army plunders city. In one on one fight Hector braves Achilles and dies in front of Troy city gates while his whole court is overlooking . He also refuses his archery to slew arches at Achilles while he roads on his chariot. After going through the personality of Hector one can sum up his character as morally right.
Achilles : The brave boy who always sides with the Greek in the troublesome period of Greek’s civilisation at his early stage secures en number of victories including the famous one of Troy. He and Agamemnon are completely opposite. Due to stiff differences with Agamemnon over Agamemnon’s wish to have Bresis, the Troy’s princes, Achilles asks his men not to take part in war for some years. Exactly those are the years when the Troy recorded some advances. After killing Hector, Achilles asks Greek army to return to the sea. Bresis tries her best to see that Achilles not to return to war filed. But with an ambition of conquering Troy, Agamemnon does not agrees for that. History has two opinions on the events that followed Hector’s death. Some says including Homeric verses that Greek army was vanished due to the spread of plague. Some says that after certain sections of Greek army vanishes, realising the problem Agamemnon and Achilles decides to make a giant size wooden horse by destroying the boats and shield themselves from plague. After some time Priam looks at the empty beaches where the wooden horse stands alone. The wooden horse enters in to Troy city and the men of Greek comes out on night and lit fire and sacks everyone who comes across and steels what ever they found worth including the destruction of the famous Apollo, the sun god’s temple.
Priam : Who happened to be unifier of Troy rule by conquering several tribal chiefs establishes well knit society in Troy. His only weakness is to follow the advices of his priest. Thus he paves way for the destruction of the empire which he built.
Menelaus and Agamemnon : Are zealous of Hector and Troy kingdom and waits for an opportunity. Helen’s elopement with Paris gives them opportunity to siege the Troy, which finally ends by doing so after a decade of war.
One more important thing we can find here is the culture of victorious army looking the temples for treasures. Thus we need not to find the BJP’s arguments in India about the Muslims rulers destroying hindu temples, a valid one. This phenomenon can be seen all along the history in spite of continental differences.
Similarities between Mahabarata and War of Troy : There are so many commonalities in both these wars. Both, if at all they had happened, happened in the late Bronze Age of human civilisation. The narrations of both the Homer and Vyasa are of same in nature. The disputes arises though over the retention and expansion of empires, reaches final stage over the question of Women ! Like in Mahabarata, in War of Troy also diplomacy precedes the war. Like in Mahabarata, both sides mobilises support of tribal chiefs of that time in and from the surrounding areas. Only difference is that war of Troy happens on the banks of Aegean Sea where as Mahabarata was basically land based war. In war of Troy we can’t find the usage of Elephants in war where as in Mahabarata we do. In both cases the so called Gods oversees the war with enormous interests while some taking either sides and others staying as on lookers.
What ever it may about the reality of these wars, we can say that they had happened, if at all they were, at a time when the role of women started being confined from principle owner of home to subordinate owner of home. In anthropological studies this is the period where we can see the evolution of human civilisation from the stage of women dominated to male dominated one, which is still surviving till today !
The dramatic dialogue Achilles tells to Bresis few minutes before his death is that “ Let them say I walked with giants “. This has in his minds the heated debates he enters in to with Agamemnon after initial victories over Troy where Agamemnon thunders “ History will remember Kings not foot soldiers”
What ever may history says, we can say that the age of Troy, and Indraprastha are gigantic steps in the evolution of human civilisation. Hence we can accept that Achilles’ saying by interpreting that all the characters of war of Troy are walked with giants !
Not to go in to chronological order of a tale that has more than 3000 years in its behind, the war of Troy has evoked certain observations when I looked at it. When I happened to be a student of English Literature in my graduation, we had a brief introduction of war of Troy as part of beginnings of modern drama, Homer as father of modern drama. Iliad and Odyssey are two lengthy poetic narrations by Homer who believed to live around 9th Century of BC in Greek. We were told that Iliad is about the war that lead to the fall of Troy and Odyssey is about the return journey of Agamemnon who lead the Greeks in that war and the life after Troy.
After a long gap of say about 15 years I am able to lay my hands on to the subject again. What surprised me is that the capacity of a 3000 years old story to ignite fresh thoughts about the persons and personalities apart from what had happened, why it was like so ! May be that is the beauty of an epic like Ramayana and Mahabharata, what we have had. At least in the case of Ramayana we had a writing figure Valmiki, though we can’t ascertain his authenticity. But in the case of Mahabharata, the writer, Vyasa still looks at least for me as a fictitious persona.
Coming back to the original story, the mythological narration can be found at http://www.royalty.nu/legends/Troy.html. I wish to just take some aspects only basically which surrounds the characters of Hector and Achilles, Priam, the king of Troy.
Hector : Tactically right
Eldest son of Praim ( king of Troy) a loyal country man and an effective commander who has an eye on the activities of Paris, his own brother who became so close to Helen, the wife of Menelaus, the Greek king Agamemnon’s brother. After the ceremony ( read the above link) night before Paris and his brother moves to Troy meets Helen and seduces her and also impresses her to elope with him to Troy where they can live a loving and peaceful life. Helen follows Paris directions and enters in to the ship that sailed to Troy in guise. On sea, Paris informs the same to Hector who becomes angry and also fears consequences. As soon as they arrives in Troy the picture unfolds in the Priam’s court where they decided even to fight for Paris’s love. In the court Hector warns the consequences and proposes to hand over Helen back to Menelaus and enter in to treaty to save the people and the country from the perils of war. But nobody hears as the Chief Priest also sides with Priam and encourages war. Through out this episod the Priam’s priest ill advices the rulers of Troy including taking the wooden horse wherein the Trojans sealed themselves in to city. Hector argues well having the tactical understanding after overseeing the war with Greeks for some years. He finds that the advances so far made by Troy military is due to divisions in the Agamemnon’s allies banking on the sea. For some time Achilles won’t take part in the war with his men. With out Achilles and his men, the Greek soldiers lost morale and starts running. Following the ill advise from chief priest and some other allies of small tribes Priam enters in to a deadly battle. One more aspect of Hector also I like. He is not only loyal to his people and a good commander. He is also upholds the moral principles. After killing Achilles’ friend thinking that he was Achilles, Hector confesses the same and gets himself ready to face the consequences lonely. He warns his wife to escape before the Greek army plunders city. In one on one fight Hector braves Achilles and dies in front of Troy city gates while his whole court is overlooking . He also refuses his archery to slew arches at Achilles while he roads on his chariot. After going through the personality of Hector one can sum up his character as morally right.
Achilles : The brave boy who always sides with the Greek in the troublesome period of Greek’s civilisation at his early stage secures en number of victories including the famous one of Troy. He and Agamemnon are completely opposite. Due to stiff differences with Agamemnon over Agamemnon’s wish to have Bresis, the Troy’s princes, Achilles asks his men not to take part in war for some years. Exactly those are the years when the Troy recorded some advances. After killing Hector, Achilles asks Greek army to return to the sea. Bresis tries her best to see that Achilles not to return to war filed. But with an ambition of conquering Troy, Agamemnon does not agrees for that. History has two opinions on the events that followed Hector’s death. Some says including Homeric verses that Greek army was vanished due to the spread of plague. Some says that after certain sections of Greek army vanishes, realising the problem Agamemnon and Achilles decides to make a giant size wooden horse by destroying the boats and shield themselves from plague. After some time Priam looks at the empty beaches where the wooden horse stands alone. The wooden horse enters in to Troy city and the men of Greek comes out on night and lit fire and sacks everyone who comes across and steels what ever they found worth including the destruction of the famous Apollo, the sun god’s temple.
Priam : Who happened to be unifier of Troy rule by conquering several tribal chiefs establishes well knit society in Troy. His only weakness is to follow the advices of his priest. Thus he paves way for the destruction of the empire which he built.
Menelaus and Agamemnon : Are zealous of Hector and Troy kingdom and waits for an opportunity. Helen’s elopement with Paris gives them opportunity to siege the Troy, which finally ends by doing so after a decade of war.
One more important thing we can find here is the culture of victorious army looking the temples for treasures. Thus we need not to find the BJP’s arguments in India about the Muslims rulers destroying hindu temples, a valid one. This phenomenon can be seen all along the history in spite of continental differences.
Similarities between Mahabarata and War of Troy : There are so many commonalities in both these wars. Both, if at all they had happened, happened in the late Bronze Age of human civilisation. The narrations of both the Homer and Vyasa are of same in nature. The disputes arises though over the retention and expansion of empires, reaches final stage over the question of Women ! Like in Mahabarata, in War of Troy also diplomacy precedes the war. Like in Mahabarata, both sides mobilises support of tribal chiefs of that time in and from the surrounding areas. Only difference is that war of Troy happens on the banks of Aegean Sea where as Mahabarata was basically land based war. In war of Troy we can’t find the usage of Elephants in war where as in Mahabarata we do. In both cases the so called Gods oversees the war with enormous interests while some taking either sides and others staying as on lookers.
What ever it may about the reality of these wars, we can say that they had happened, if at all they were, at a time when the role of women started being confined from principle owner of home to subordinate owner of home. In anthropological studies this is the period where we can see the evolution of human civilisation from the stage of women dominated to male dominated one, which is still surviving till today !
The dramatic dialogue Achilles tells to Bresis few minutes before his death is that “ Let them say I walked with giants “. This has in his minds the heated debates he enters in to with Agamemnon after initial victories over Troy where Agamemnon thunders “ History will remember Kings not foot soldiers”
What ever may history says, we can say that the age of Troy, and Indraprastha are gigantic steps in the evolution of human civilisation. Hence we can accept that Achilles’ saying by interpreting that all the characters of war of Troy are walked with giants !
Hector Could have Saved Troy
Let them say I walked with giants
Not to go in to chronological order of a tale that has more than 3000 years in its behind, the war of Troy has evoked certain observations when I looked at it. When I happened to be a student of English Literature in my graduation, we had a brief introduction of war of Troy as part of beginnings of modern drama, Homer as father of modern drama. Iliad and Odyssey are two lengthy poetic narrations by Homer who believed to live around 9th Century of BC in Greek. We were told that Iliad is about the war that lead to the fall of Troy and Odyssey is about the return journey of Agamemnon who lead the Greeks in that war and the life after Troy.
After a long gap of say about 15 years I am able to lay my hands on to the subject again. What surprised me is that the capacity of a 3000 years old story to ignite fresh thoughts about the persons and personalities apart from what had happened, why it was like so ! May be that is the beauty of an epic like Ramayana and Mahabharata, what we have had. At least in the case of Ramayana we had a writing figure Valmiki, though we can’t ascertain his authenticity. But in the case of Mahabharata, the writer, Vyasa still looks at least for me as a fictitious persona.
Coming back to the original story, the mythological narration can be found at http://www.royalty.nu/legends/Troy.html. I wish to just take some aspects only basically which surrounds the characters of Hector and Achilles, Priam, the king of Troy.
Hector : Tactically right
Eldest son of Praim ( king of Troy) a loyal country man and an effective commander who has an eye on the activities of Paris, his own brother who became so close to Helen, the wife of Menelaus, the Greek king Agamemnon’s brother. After the ceremony ( read the above link) night before Paris and his brother moves to Troy meets Helen and seduces her and also impresses her to elope with him to Troy where they can live a loving and peaceful life. Helen follows Paris directions and enters in to the ship that sailed to Troy in guise. On sea, Paris informs the same to Hector who becomes angry and also fears consequences. As soon as they arrives in Troy the picture unfolds in the Priam’s court where they decided even to fight for Paris’s love. In the court Hector warns the consequences and proposes to hand over Helen back to Menelaus and enter in to treaty to save the people and the country from the perils of war. But nobody hears as the Chief Priest also sides with Priam and encourages war. Through out this episod the Priam’s priest ill advices the rulers of Troy including taking the wooden horse wherein the Trojans sealed themselves in to city. Hector argues well having the tactical understanding after overseeing the war with Greeks for some years. He finds that the advances so far made by Troy military is due to divisions in the Agamemnon’s allies banking on the sea. For some time Achilles won’t take part in the war with his men. With out Achilles and his men, the Greek soldiers lost morale and starts running. Following the ill advise from chief priest and some other allies of small tribes Priam enters in to a deadly battle. One more aspect of Hector also I like. He is not only loyal to his people and a good commander. He is also upholds the moral principles. After killing Achilles’ friend thinking that he was Achilles, Hector confesses the same and gets himself ready to face the consequences lonely. He warns his wife to escape before the Greek army plunders city. In one on one fight Hector braves Achilles and dies in front of Troy city gates while his whole court is overlooking . He also refuses his archery to slew arches at Achilles while he roads on his chariot. After going through the personality of Hector one can sum up his character as morally right.
Achilles : The brave boy who always sides with the Greek in the troublesome period of Greek’s civilisation at his early stage secures en number of victories including the famous one of Troy. He and Agamemnon are completely opposite. Due to stiff differences with Agamemnon over Agamemnon’s wish to have Bresis, the Troy’s princes, Achilles asks his men not to take part in war for some years. Exactly those are the years when the Troy recorded some advances. After killing Hector, Achilles asks Greek army to return to the sea. Bresis tries her best to see that Achilles not to return to war filed. But with an ambition of conquering Troy, Agamemnon does not agrees for that. History has two opinions on the events that followed Hector’s death. Some says including Homeric verses that Greek army was vanished due to the spread of plague. Some says that after certain sections of Greek army vanishes, realising the problem Agamemnon and Achilles decides to make a giant size wooden horse by destroying the boats and shield themselves from plague. After some time Priam looks at the empty beaches where the wooden horse stands alone. The wooden horse enters in to Troy city and the men of Greek comes out on night and lit fire and sacks everyone who comes across and steels what ever they found worth including the destruction of the famous Apollo, the sun god’s temple.
Priam : Who happened to be unifier of Troy rule by conquering several tribal chiefs establishes well knit society in Troy. His only weakness is to follow the advices of his priest. Thus he paves way for the destruction of the empire which he built.
Menelaus and Agamemnon : Are zealous of Hector and Troy kingdom and waits for an opportunity. Helen’s elopement with Paris gives them opportunity to siege the Troy, which finally ends by doing so after a decade of war.
One more important thing we can find here is the culture of victorious army looking the temples for treasures. Thus we need not to find the BJP’s arguments in India about the Muslims rulers destroying hindu temples, a valid one. This phenomenon can be seen all along the history in spite of continental differences.
Similarities between Mahabarata and War of Troy : There are so many commonalities in both these wars. Both, if at all they had happened, happened in the late Bronze Age of human civilisation. The narrations of both the Homer and Vyasa are of same in nature. The disputes arises though over the retention and expansion of empires, reaches final stage over the question of Women ! Like in Mahabarata, in War of Troy also diplomacy precedes the war. Like in Mahabarata, both sides mobilises support of tribal chiefs of that time in and from the surrounding areas. Only difference is that war of Troy happens on the banks of Aegean Sea where as Mahabarata was basically land based war. In war of Troy we can’t find the usage of Elephants in war where as in Mahabarata we do. In both cases the so called Gods oversees the war with enormous interests while some taking either sides and others staying as on lookers.
What ever it may about the reality of these wars, we can say that they had happened, if at all they were, at a time when the role of women started being confined from principle owner of home to subordinate owner of home. In anthropological studies this is the period where we can see the evolution of human civilisation from the stage of women dominated to male dominated one, which is still surviving till today !
The dramatic dialogue Achilles tells to Bresis few minutes before his death is that “ Let them say I walked with giants “. This has in his minds the heated debates he enters in to with Agamemnon after initial victories over Troy where Agamemnon thunders “ History will remember Kings not foot soldiers”
What ever may history says, we can say that the age of Troy, and Indraprastha are gigantic steps in the evolution of human civilisation. Hence we can accept that Achilles’ saying by interpreting that all the characters of war of Troy are walked with giants !
Not to go in to chronological order of a tale that has more than 3000 years in its behind, the war of Troy has evoked certain observations when I looked at it. When I happened to be a student of English Literature in my graduation, we had a brief introduction of war of Troy as part of beginnings of modern drama, Homer as father of modern drama. Iliad and Odyssey are two lengthy poetic narrations by Homer who believed to live around 9th Century of BC in Greek. We were told that Iliad is about the war that lead to the fall of Troy and Odyssey is about the return journey of Agamemnon who lead the Greeks in that war and the life after Troy.
After a long gap of say about 15 years I am able to lay my hands on to the subject again. What surprised me is that the capacity of a 3000 years old story to ignite fresh thoughts about the persons and personalities apart from what had happened, why it was like so ! May be that is the beauty of an epic like Ramayana and Mahabharata, what we have had. At least in the case of Ramayana we had a writing figure Valmiki, though we can’t ascertain his authenticity. But in the case of Mahabharata, the writer, Vyasa still looks at least for me as a fictitious persona.
Coming back to the original story, the mythological narration can be found at http://www.royalty.nu/legends/Troy.html. I wish to just take some aspects only basically which surrounds the characters of Hector and Achilles, Priam, the king of Troy.
Hector : Tactically right
Eldest son of Praim ( king of Troy) a loyal country man and an effective commander who has an eye on the activities of Paris, his own brother who became so close to Helen, the wife of Menelaus, the Greek king Agamemnon’s brother. After the ceremony ( read the above link) night before Paris and his brother moves to Troy meets Helen and seduces her and also impresses her to elope with him to Troy where they can live a loving and peaceful life. Helen follows Paris directions and enters in to the ship that sailed to Troy in guise. On sea, Paris informs the same to Hector who becomes angry and also fears consequences. As soon as they arrives in Troy the picture unfolds in the Priam’s court where they decided even to fight for Paris’s love. In the court Hector warns the consequences and proposes to hand over Helen back to Menelaus and enter in to treaty to save the people and the country from the perils of war. But nobody hears as the Chief Priest also sides with Priam and encourages war. Through out this episod the Priam’s priest ill advices the rulers of Troy including taking the wooden horse wherein the Trojans sealed themselves in to city. Hector argues well having the tactical understanding after overseeing the war with Greeks for some years. He finds that the advances so far made by Troy military is due to divisions in the Agamemnon’s allies banking on the sea. For some time Achilles won’t take part in the war with his men. With out Achilles and his men, the Greek soldiers lost morale and starts running. Following the ill advise from chief priest and some other allies of small tribes Priam enters in to a deadly battle. One more aspect of Hector also I like. He is not only loyal to his people and a good commander. He is also upholds the moral principles. After killing Achilles’ friend thinking that he was Achilles, Hector confesses the same and gets himself ready to face the consequences lonely. He warns his wife to escape before the Greek army plunders city. In one on one fight Hector braves Achilles and dies in front of Troy city gates while his whole court is overlooking . He also refuses his archery to slew arches at Achilles while he roads on his chariot. After going through the personality of Hector one can sum up his character as morally right.
Achilles : The brave boy who always sides with the Greek in the troublesome period of Greek’s civilisation at his early stage secures en number of victories including the famous one of Troy. He and Agamemnon are completely opposite. Due to stiff differences with Agamemnon over Agamemnon’s wish to have Bresis, the Troy’s princes, Achilles asks his men not to take part in war for some years. Exactly those are the years when the Troy recorded some advances. After killing Hector, Achilles asks Greek army to return to the sea. Bresis tries her best to see that Achilles not to return to war filed. But with an ambition of conquering Troy, Agamemnon does not agrees for that. History has two opinions on the events that followed Hector’s death. Some says including Homeric verses that Greek army was vanished due to the spread of plague. Some says that after certain sections of Greek army vanishes, realising the problem Agamemnon and Achilles decides to make a giant size wooden horse by destroying the boats and shield themselves from plague. After some time Priam looks at the empty beaches where the wooden horse stands alone. The wooden horse enters in to Troy city and the men of Greek comes out on night and lit fire and sacks everyone who comes across and steels what ever they found worth including the destruction of the famous Apollo, the sun god’s temple.
Priam : Who happened to be unifier of Troy rule by conquering several tribal chiefs establishes well knit society in Troy. His only weakness is to follow the advices of his priest. Thus he paves way for the destruction of the empire which he built.
Menelaus and Agamemnon : Are zealous of Hector and Troy kingdom and waits for an opportunity. Helen’s elopement with Paris gives them opportunity to siege the Troy, which finally ends by doing so after a decade of war.
One more important thing we can find here is the culture of victorious army looking the temples for treasures. Thus we need not to find the BJP’s arguments in India about the Muslims rulers destroying hindu temples, a valid one. This phenomenon can be seen all along the history in spite of continental differences.
Similarities between Mahabarata and War of Troy : There are so many commonalities in both these wars. Both, if at all they had happened, happened in the late Bronze Age of human civilisation. The narrations of both the Homer and Vyasa are of same in nature. The disputes arises though over the retention and expansion of empires, reaches final stage over the question of Women ! Like in Mahabarata, in War of Troy also diplomacy precedes the war. Like in Mahabarata, both sides mobilises support of tribal chiefs of that time in and from the surrounding areas. Only difference is that war of Troy happens on the banks of Aegean Sea where as Mahabarata was basically land based war. In war of Troy we can’t find the usage of Elephants in war where as in Mahabarata we do. In both cases the so called Gods oversees the war with enormous interests while some taking either sides and others staying as on lookers.
What ever it may about the reality of these wars, we can say that they had happened, if at all they were, at a time when the role of women started being confined from principle owner of home to subordinate owner of home. In anthropological studies this is the period where we can see the evolution of human civilisation from the stage of women dominated to male dominated one, which is still surviving till today !
The dramatic dialogue Achilles tells to Bresis few minutes before his death is that “ Let them say I walked with giants “. This has in his minds the heated debates he enters in to with Agamemnon after initial victories over Troy where Agamemnon thunders “ History will remember Kings not foot soldiers”
What ever may history says, we can say that the age of Troy, and Indraprastha are gigantic steps in the evolution of human civilisation. Hence we can accept that Achilles’ saying by interpreting that all the characters of war of Troy are walked with giants !
Friday, August 29, 2008
Hurricane is Beautiful !
Hurricane is Beautiful !
Recently I happened to see a movie in Z Studio titled The Hurricane. At its outset the movie seemed, for me at least, a movie with difference. Then after tiring off from office work started viewing the movie which was relayed around 11 pm on Wednesday. As the movie runs, sleep also moved away from me. Then I tried to really grab the issue and context of the movie. Though I am not familiar with the American assent of New Jersey, I could gather the following impression of that movie which was a real story of a Negro who fought for justice.
I am posting my impression of that story because as my generation views US as the greatest symbol for individuality and personal freedom, the fact is otherwise. That is the general impression which settled in my mind after my high school education where I read about the civil war in USA. The presentation at the high school about the subject was off course in a different mode ! Gradually what I came to know from readings is that the Civil war broke out in USA only after the so called Negro population started ascertaining their rights under US constitution i.e right to equality and right to liberty. Starting from the establishment of United States of America under the leadership of George Washington, the commander there is a stark division between the Whites and Black in all respects of their society. Even after Abraham Lincoln’s contribution to the US society, the US is implementing its dual treatment to Negro. This ultimately brought the famous Martin Luther King to the national scene. He is acclaimed even certain sections in India for different reasons. In this case also our Luther King has been introduced to our generation in different syllabus as the follower of Gandhian principles, peaceful non cooperation. As far as my memory goes, we were not told in our classrooms the reasons for the success of Kings movement in early 70’s ! I am sneering in to this topic because the movie The Hurricane also portraits a Negro’s life of early 70’s of last century US where he has been behind the bars only because of he is a Black.
The story begins with a court scene where the learned (?) judge cautions a boy ( Ruby Carter) that unless he falls in to line with law of the land he would become a dangerous man for the society ! While hearing a petty case the judge delivers 12 year sentence against that boy. The boy assiduously undergoes the imprisonment where he prepares himself to face the life out of jail. With a sever effort he becomes a boxer. After jail life he becomes prize catch boy for the organisers of boxing competition. Due to the speed of his punching he is nicknamed as Hurricane ! His success goes on until he wins in the bout national championship against another boxer who happened to be a White skinned. The umpire declares the White skinned looser as national champion despite the overcrowded objections from the audiences. After that competition, Ruby on the way reaches a casino where he finds all the staff were murdered. The police who happened to guard that street stoles the money in the cash box after the firing by miscreants and also calls on a lady in the bar to inform her that a black guy fired at . She in turn called up police station who arrives and arrests Ruby and the court as usual sentences him for the life imprisonment. After reaching the jailer Ruby refuses to wear white uniform with number which the criminal uses to wear. He argues with the jailer who is also white skinned and as a result the jailer orders solitary confinement.
Meanwhile his younger brother finds as a refuge finds an asylum with a Canadian family across the boarder. Initially he also feels that he is being discriminated because of he is not Whit skinned. Gradually the he mingles with the family well and tells them that he wants to become boxer like Ruby. From him the family comes to know about Ruby, the jailed boxer and meets him, offers their help to bring him out. Initially Ruby refuses but the Canadian family moves to an apartment in front of that jail and keeps on working on the missing links in Ruby’s case. They finds valuable evidences which can help Ruby to be out. Finally with help of lawyers they reopens the case and the Judge rules in favour of Ruby saying that the previous judgement is ill minded and violates the constitution which guarantees free and fair trail of victims irrespective of their nationality and lets him free only in 1984. Before Ruby becomes a free bird the retrail which was ordered in 1976 by New Jersey court also convicts him again in 1976.
While in jail, what I liked most of the movie is, the way Ruby controls his senses. Usually in such circumstances, the environment and the kind of treatment offered by the wards leads to loss of mental balance. In such a situation Ruby never left his daily routine exercise like any other boxer to keep his senses under control. Though he fought with the help of loving family who had nothing to do with him except a relation as general as relation among the ordinary human beings, the way he stood up for his rights really admired me. The court proceedings also creates a styled enthusiasm. Finally he becomes free and flees to Canada along with that family. On the stairs in front of the court while responding to a question about his experiences in jail, he looks at open sky as he is not able to see the sunlight except the gloomy electric bulbs. He finally comments, “ The Hurricane is Beautiful”. This reminds me another story I read as part of my English lessons as high school student, Jessy Owens who also fought with the colour discrimination which is prevalent in 50s of last century, before he qualifies for Olympics ! What I could gather is that the so called leading democracy in the world, the US is not so democratic towards a major section of its population.
Recently I happened to see a movie in Z Studio titled The Hurricane. At its outset the movie seemed, for me at least, a movie with difference. Then after tiring off from office work started viewing the movie which was relayed around 11 pm on Wednesday. As the movie runs, sleep also moved away from me. Then I tried to really grab the issue and context of the movie. Though I am not familiar with the American assent of New Jersey, I could gather the following impression of that movie which was a real story of a Negro who fought for justice.
I am posting my impression of that story because as my generation views US as the greatest symbol for individuality and personal freedom, the fact is otherwise. That is the general impression which settled in my mind after my high school education where I read about the civil war in USA. The presentation at the high school about the subject was off course in a different mode ! Gradually what I came to know from readings is that the Civil war broke out in USA only after the so called Negro population started ascertaining their rights under US constitution i.e right to equality and right to liberty. Starting from the establishment of United States of America under the leadership of George Washington, the commander there is a stark division between the Whites and Black in all respects of their society. Even after Abraham Lincoln’s contribution to the US society, the US is implementing its dual treatment to Negro. This ultimately brought the famous Martin Luther King to the national scene. He is acclaimed even certain sections in India for different reasons. In this case also our Luther King has been introduced to our generation in different syllabus as the follower of Gandhian principles, peaceful non cooperation. As far as my memory goes, we were not told in our classrooms the reasons for the success of Kings movement in early 70’s ! I am sneering in to this topic because the movie The Hurricane also portraits a Negro’s life of early 70’s of last century US where he has been behind the bars only because of he is a Black.
The story begins with a court scene where the learned (?) judge cautions a boy ( Ruby Carter) that unless he falls in to line with law of the land he would become a dangerous man for the society ! While hearing a petty case the judge delivers 12 year sentence against that boy. The boy assiduously undergoes the imprisonment where he prepares himself to face the life out of jail. With a sever effort he becomes a boxer. After jail life he becomes prize catch boy for the organisers of boxing competition. Due to the speed of his punching he is nicknamed as Hurricane ! His success goes on until he wins in the bout national championship against another boxer who happened to be a White skinned. The umpire declares the White skinned looser as national champion despite the overcrowded objections from the audiences. After that competition, Ruby on the way reaches a casino where he finds all the staff were murdered. The police who happened to guard that street stoles the money in the cash box after the firing by miscreants and also calls on a lady in the bar to inform her that a black guy fired at . She in turn called up police station who arrives and arrests Ruby and the court as usual sentences him for the life imprisonment. After reaching the jailer Ruby refuses to wear white uniform with number which the criminal uses to wear. He argues with the jailer who is also white skinned and as a result the jailer orders solitary confinement.
Meanwhile his younger brother finds as a refuge finds an asylum with a Canadian family across the boarder. Initially he also feels that he is being discriminated because of he is not Whit skinned. Gradually the he mingles with the family well and tells them that he wants to become boxer like Ruby. From him the family comes to know about Ruby, the jailed boxer and meets him, offers their help to bring him out. Initially Ruby refuses but the Canadian family moves to an apartment in front of that jail and keeps on working on the missing links in Ruby’s case. They finds valuable evidences which can help Ruby to be out. Finally with help of lawyers they reopens the case and the Judge rules in favour of Ruby saying that the previous judgement is ill minded and violates the constitution which guarantees free and fair trail of victims irrespective of their nationality and lets him free only in 1984. Before Ruby becomes a free bird the retrail which was ordered in 1976 by New Jersey court also convicts him again in 1976.
While in jail, what I liked most of the movie is, the way Ruby controls his senses. Usually in such circumstances, the environment and the kind of treatment offered by the wards leads to loss of mental balance. In such a situation Ruby never left his daily routine exercise like any other boxer to keep his senses under control. Though he fought with the help of loving family who had nothing to do with him except a relation as general as relation among the ordinary human beings, the way he stood up for his rights really admired me. The court proceedings also creates a styled enthusiasm. Finally he becomes free and flees to Canada along with that family. On the stairs in front of the court while responding to a question about his experiences in jail, he looks at open sky as he is not able to see the sunlight except the gloomy electric bulbs. He finally comments, “ The Hurricane is Beautiful”. This reminds me another story I read as part of my English lessons as high school student, Jessy Owens who also fought with the colour discrimination which is prevalent in 50s of last century, before he qualifies for Olympics ! What I could gather is that the so called leading democracy in the world, the US is not so democratic towards a major section of its population.
Dylon's Poem in Solidorty to Ruby
Pistol shots ring out in the barroom night
Enter Patty Valentine from the upper hall.
She sees the bartender in a pool of blood,
Cries out, "My God, they killed them all!"
Here comes the story of the Hurricane,
The man the authorities came to blame
For somethin' that he never done.
Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.
Three bodies lyin' there does Patty see
And another man named Bello, movin' around mysteriously.
"I didn't do it," he says, and he throws up his hands
"I was only robbin' the register, I hope you understand.
"I saw them leavin'," he says, and he stops
"One of us had better call up the cops."
And so Patty calls the cops
And they arrive on the scene with their red lights flashin'
In the hot New Jersey night.
Meanwhile, far away in another part of town
Rubin Carter and a couple of friends are drivin' around.
Number one contender for the middleweight crown
Had no idea what kinda shit was about to go down
When a cop pulled him over to the side of the road
Just like the time before and the time before that.
In Paterson that's just the way things go.
If you're black you might as well not show up on the street
'Less you wanna draw the heat.
Alfred Bello had a partner and he had a rap for the cops.
Him and Arthur Dexter Bradley were just out prowlin' around
He said, "I saw two men runnin' out, they looked like middleweights
They jumped into a white car with out-of-state plates."
And Miss Patty Valentine just nodded her head.
Cop said, "Wait a minute, boys, this one's not dead"
So they took him to the infirmary
And though this man could hardly see
They told him that he could identify the guilty men.
Four in the mornin' and they haul Rubin in,
They took him to the hospital and they brought him upstairs.
The wounded man looks up through his one dyin' eye
Says, "Why'd you bring him in here for? He ain't the guy!"
Here's the story of the Hurricane,
The man the authorities came to blame
For somethin' that he never done.
Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.
Four months later, the ghettos are in flame,
Rubin's in South America, fightin' for his name
While Arthur Dexter Bradley's still in the robbery game
And the cops are puttin' the screws to him, lookin' for somebody to blame.
"Remember that murder that happened in a bar?"
"Remember you said you saw the getaway car?"
"You think you'd like to play ball with the law?"
"Think it might-a been that fighter that you saw runnin' that night?"
"Don't forget that you are white."
Arthur Dexter Bradley said, "I'm really not sure."
Cops said, "A poor boy like you could use a break
We got you for the motel job and we're talkin' to your friend Bello
You don't wanta have to go back to jail, be a nice fellow.
You'll be doin' society a favor.
That sonofabitch is brave and gettin' braver.
We want to put his ass in stir
We want to pin this triple murder on him
He ain't no Gentleman Jim."
Rubin could take a man out with just one punch
But he never did like to talk about it all that much.
It's my work, he'd say, and I do it for pay
And when it's over I'd just as soon go on my way
Up to some paradise
Where the trout streams flow and the air is nice
And ride a horse along the trail.
But then they took him to the jailhouse
Where they try to turn a man into a mouse.
All of Rubin's cards were marked in advance
The trial was a pig-circus, he never had a chance.
The judge made Rubin's witnesses drunkards from the slums
To the white folks who watched he was a revolutionary bum
And to the black folks he was just a crazy nigger.
No one doubted that he pulled the trigger.
And though they could not produce the gun,
The D.A. said he was the one who did the deed
And the all-white jury agreed.
Rubin Carter was falsely tried.
The crime was murder "one," guess who testified?
Bello and Bradley and they both baldly lied
And the newspapers, they all went along for the ride.
How can the life of such a man
Be in the palm of some fool's hand?
To see him obviously framed
Couldn't help but make me feel ashamed to live in a land
Where justice is a game.
Now all the criminals in their coats and their ties
Are free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise
While Rubin sits like Buddha in a ten-foot cell
An innocent man in a living hell.
Yes, that's the story of the Hurricane,
But it won't be over till they clear his name
And give him back the time he's done.
Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Valuable Vally
Monday, August 25, 2008
Valuable Valley
This is just to share my thoughts with the viewers of my blog space on the ongoing controversy over the land transfer in Jammu to Sri Amarnath Shrine Board which turned in to factionist movement in Kashmir and religious frenzy in Jammu, both of antithetical to the constitutional spirit of India.
I feel this whole situation is creation of ruling parties eying on the forthcoming assembly and parliament elections without calculating the risk of opening Pandora’s Box. Much deeper issues involved here are the issues relating to crises of Identity in both Jammu and Kashmir region. Over the last six decades both the major players at Center and in Jammu Kashmir played by wiping this identity issues. Out of my little observation what I found is that when ever there is sufficient space provided to vent the urge in democratic form, the people supported neither separatists nor religious forces which are bound to destroy the cultural fabric of Jammu and Kashmir. As long as the major ruling parties are utilizing this political space allowed to them in allaying the fears and satisfying people's aspirations the so called separatists sidelined from main stream and happened vice versa also. When ever the ruling parties failed to deliver the commitments and honor the sentiments, in the absence of sufficient democratic space to air their feelings people opted to run under the leadership of dividing forces. Particularly after the last 10 years, the parties which came to power in the state failed to deliver as per the expectations. To shield their failures, the ruling parties are habituated to raise such issues of grabbing the eyeballs with out doing much. With such calculations only the PDP+Cong government paved way for this agitation which is now moving out of their hands even. The party which is part of government in the state and partner in Delhi's UPA alliance, PDP is whipping up with the masses and even not felt difficult to walk up to the Muzaffarpur which is nothing but sheer politics !
Suggestions
1. The center immediately should take steps to de-link the emotional issues that grabbed the main issue.
2. Foot down iron heel on those who are whipping up emotion over the common issues.
3. Find a workable solution to the genuine issue.
4. Isolate both the separatists and communalists from the issues and from the masses to create a buffer zone for democratic activity.
Valuable Valley
This is just to share my thoughts with the viewers of my blog space on the ongoing controversy over the land transfer in Jammu to Sri Amarnath Shrine Board which turned in to factionist movement in Kashmir and religious frenzy in Jammu, both of antithetical to the constitutional spirit of India.
I feel this whole situation is creation of ruling parties eying on the forthcoming assembly and parliament elections without calculating the risk of opening Pandora’s Box. Much deeper issues involved here are the issues relating to crises of Identity in both Jammu and Kashmir region. Over the last six decades both the major players at Center and in Jammu Kashmir played by wiping this identity issues. Out of my little observation what I found is that when ever there is sufficient space provided to vent the urge in democratic form, the people supported neither separatists nor religious forces which are bound to destroy the cultural fabric of Jammu and Kashmir. As long as the major ruling parties are utilizing this political space allowed to them in allaying the fears and satisfying people's aspirations the so called separatists sidelined from main stream and happened vice versa also. When ever the ruling parties failed to deliver the commitments and honor the sentiments, in the absence of sufficient democratic space to air their feelings people opted to run under the leadership of dividing forces. Particularly after the last 10 years, the parties which came to power in the state failed to deliver as per the expectations. To shield their failures, the ruling parties are habituated to raise such issues of grabbing the eyeballs with out doing much. With such calculations only the PDP+Cong government paved way for this agitation which is now moving out of their hands even. The party which is part of government in the state and partner in Delhi's UPA alliance, PDP is whipping up with the masses and even not felt difficult to walk up to the Muzaffarpur which is nothing but sheer politics !
Suggestions
1. The center immediately should take steps to de-link the emotional issues that grabbed the main issue.
2. Foot down iron heel on those who are whipping up emotion over the common issues.
3. Find a workable solution to the genuine issue.
4. Isolate both the separatists and communalists from the issues and from the masses to create a buffer zone for democratic activity.
First Impression
I founda reply from one by name Kavita in my Zorpia page. Following her suggestions I opened http//;teche.blogspot.... where after I was guided to start my own blog which ended by opening Social Things ! It is amaging. It only took five minutes for me who is not so wellversed with blogging to create my own blog space.... hope with this i can reach in to new vistas.....
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