Well, love has its limits

The famous proverb “love has no limits” doesn’t seem to hold right in all circumstances. It has its limit I say albeit in some bizarre situations and places like India. I know that you are never satisfied with the status quo and always want some improvement in your life and in this quest you blame all the factors around you for the deplorable situation except yourself. I know this because when in college I saw almost all my alumnus leaving their jobs to do something better in their life or worst, just cribbing about their current job. I resolved in my heart then that I would be happy in my job and try to excel there. Alas, the resolve was a weak one. So here I am trying to improve my status quo.

However, there is one field where I never fought to improve my situation and that is in the field of finding myself love and by love I mean the quintessential female element that everyone is  so desperately craving in their life. Lest you venture far in your imaginations let me make my straight orientation clear. Not that I despise homosexuals or anything but it’s just a question of choice. Also, I am not socially that aloof, I have quite a few number of friends among them some females too, even though many could spot some introvert characteristics in my personality. And if there is an inverse correlation between introvert-ism and female companionship this article would surely be a waste of time. However assuming the contrary and being such a fan of rationalism I tried to assess the situation.

As far I have gathered hunger and sex are the most primitive urges of a human being. Many studies focused on hunger have been done and its detrimental effect on the physical and psychological well being of a man has been acknowledged. Whole economies of countries and giant intellectuals along with it are focused on eradicating poverty from the face of the earth. While this is an act worth appreciation but what of the second urge. Being the taboo sex has been in post-don’t-know-what-century very few studies have been done on the subject. Its rather depressing seeing India in this situation when studies like Kamasutra had been done on this subject in this country.

When a man steals and robs in the state of poverty people try to understand their situation if not appreciate it. Indian government has acknowledged that the wrongful effect of poor on the environment can’t be curbed fully unless they have been given adequate opportunity and material wealth to survive. Why don’t we have similar sympathy for the sex starved then. They can’t be allowed to get away with a rape just like a poor can’t be allowed with a murder or any other crime originating from his hunger but an acknowledgement of their situation is warranted.

Let me make this clear with an appropriate example that I and most of the people of my generation, I am sure, have faced. The proportion of girls in any of my class was never greater than 10% right from school to the highest class of study that I ever did. Many times there is a whole section of boys alone. In this situation do you think it is possible for small kids to have a understanding or even free interaction among them as a boy and girl. This small fissure developed in initial periods of life and nurtured throughout becomes an unmanageable gap in the latter periods of life. Those who are lucky 10-20% get a girl who has been developed in a similar scenario. Majority of the rest 80% ,like me, move on with their life and focus on ”better” things in their life but a significant portion remains who are not satisfied with this situation. They are mostly those who have nothing to lose in their life and live life in a sense of revenge for all those things life hasn’t given them. They do not hesitate to snatch what they think is their right. They do not think about consequences or do not see very far. They rape.

But who is the offender here. That boy who has been denied the opportunity to talk to a girl since his childhood, who has seen almost daily family violence, who has seen his authoritative father beat and abuse his mother or is it the society which has created the unmanageable gap. And this society is you and me acting as a parent and teacher. You denied them the opportunity to fulfill a basic need and now when they become the offender you blame them solely. The solution would never come from these hangings or even the effectiveness and surety of justice, however important the latter might be. The change would come with the free interaction of little kids and keeping it unhindered for his whole life.

When I made a statement among my friends that this restriction of freedom and sex hunger of our country is a huge burden on our development and GDP, they laughed. It was a laugh that flashed lightness with which we approach the subject and also a sense of approval I think to probably flatter myself. But I think this is true. Less development among poor hinders their ability to contribute to our economy and the same I think is true for the normal young sex starved people. They can’t focus on normal subject with the same efficiency when an important element of their life is missing. I intend to further study the phenomenon.

What should be the basic idea for administration and politics?

For this question we should look into the initial situation that would have led to a formal institution of administration and politics. At the start of civilisation there must have been small communities in which people formed families and societies to look after each other. Need of man to look after each other and in turn being looked after him at times of crisis or otherwise is the basic tenet of development of family, society or nation.

Thus I find humanism to be the basic principle for the development of every aspect of civilisation, may it be family, society, nation or religion. When people say that some man can be sacrificed for the greater good of religion or state, I find it outrightly disastrous. Does this mean that the soldiers who sacrifice themselves in the name of nation are misled? No. It’s because they are not sacrificed at the will of others. They have their motivation and they do so because they hold something, namely nation, very dear to themselves and to defend that institution, they are willing to even lay their lives.

It would be very convenient if there were no nation, no state and no army but practically it is not possible currently because not everyone would think like this and I don’t blame them to be wrong. All these assumptions taken by me may be wrong or I might be missing something very important ion this conclusion. However, if this logic is not flawed then it is logical to conclude that when the population of humans increased to a large extent and it became impossible to control the “looking after” process by simple institutions like family and society, villages and subsequently nations were developed.

In this endeavour humans increasingly felt the need to appoint someone as their leader to take decisions on their behalf. They must have felt that this should be done by someone who is best among themselves. So a leader, especially political ones, should have two central traits: 1. He should be the best among the population who can take decisions according to his good sense of justice that benefits the whole society. 2. He should have an inherent tendency to look after not only his well-being but of the whole society too.

While finding such a man would have been a difficult job for initial institutions too but to achieve something similar at a national level is one of the most difficult jobs in the world, I think. That is why man experimented with monarchy, bureaucracy, feudalism, democracy and what not.

Monarchy has its advantages like swift implementation of action and others but with passing time the rule goes into the hands of a person that is a son or a relative or a loyal supporter of the king who himself might not be talented or judicious enough for this immense task. After much experimentation it seems that democracy is the best option. Again this is a generalised statement without a formal proof but in the light of insufficient and limited data I am making this statement. The no nation idea mentioned earlier should ideally be the best option but the way in which different civilisations around the world developed is responsible for the nationalist feelings seen world around today.

Now coming to the main point, in indian context after the independence, development of nation was envisaged as india as a nation and then fixing the administration in a way that was best suitable for this plan. This is an admirable approach but I think that a better approach could have been keeping the individual at centre of administration. Nation as an institution may be a subject of pride for the people of that nation and people shall make every effort for the development of that nation but ultimately nation shall be there for the benefit of every individual rather than people for the nation.

If this approach would have been taken then I think that the development of small villages and bringing grass-root democracy in india would have been the top most priority of indian leaders. I am deeply influenced by the views of Mahatma Gandhi in this context (grass-root village democracy and concept of state not being the best option of administration). And this is why I hold sympathetic views about the current movement currently led by Mr. Arvind Kejriwal. People often say that he has socialistic and uneconomic tendencies and is leading india to a path of disaster.

I do not want to go deep into the economic aspects lest I tread into an entirely divergent path but at the least I can say is that socialistic communistic and capitalistic economic sense of the world has a very fluctuating history and I have not been able yet to hold one of the economic ideologies better than the other. While uneconomic activities are bound to fail but way of policy implementation surely can have various interpretations. I do not have enough information to hold my claim but I doubt some of his policies and think that only time can tell about their success or failure.

However this doesn’t rip them off their most successful experiment of bringing a hope into the current political scenario of india. I do not understand how those people who are harassed by the police and administration in the country on a regular basis could not understand the initiatives taken by him. There can be three reasons: 1. Time is of essence and looking at the election propaganda by various political parties (mainly BJP) they are maligned so that they might not cut enough of their votes and this, according to me, might not be a very bad thing in larger context. 2. People who have been supporter of a political party earlier can’t leave their ideologies immediately and this is the inertia that is holding them back and this group will ultimately come forward in this movement given everything in this movement goes right. 3. They basically do not like the ideology of the party and they would be the main opponent for this ideological struggle by this party or parties like this.

Now, the society in which we are today is a centralised society which has been culturally and historically decentralised in units called villages. But the administration developed after independence, and with such vigour, has established a central administration with a proper system based on foreign understanding and societal and cultural values. This is the main fault of administration in india, I think.

But to rectify such a system is also not an easy task in itself and this would surely require something like a revolution. The smoother the revolution the better it is for india because a violent and disruptive revolution has the potential to derail the high speed economic growth wagon. Ideas of the likes of Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal are praiseworthy but they can take a lesson or two from the high ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. As pointed out in an opinion in The Hindu, violence is limited not only in action but also in words and thoughts.

This is where Mr. Arvind Kejriwal and AAP party fails miserably. With so much swearing and pointing out the faults of various personalities and parties present in indian political system they only undermine their own credibility. You can’t remain clean by throwing stone into the mud. To clean the mud, you have to enter the muddy area that they have already done and then slowly and steadily clean the mud through various instruments. The mud that you come into contact in this process is the inevitable sacrifice you make for the greater purposes. This mud is equivalent to the degenerate allegations levelled by the corrupt political leaders but public in general understands these baseless allegations and not much harm can be done through them. They only have to resist the urge to respond and cry foul over all these allegations and try to use good and sensitive words when addressing a public gathering or when talking to the media.

It doesn’t matter whether they succeed or not because there have been many things in this world that could have been better or worst but after all you and me as an individual or humanity as a whole has survived all this and believe me or not there are far more important things in your life than this if you think clearly. The only thing that matters is what ideal you are following and whether you are trying enough to fulfil that ideal or not. You would certainly be a happier person if you follow the golden words of Mahatma Gandhi – “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

A Faulty Experiment Revised

There is a miraculous text called Gita. Everytime I read it I think that I have figured it all out but every next reading reveals things that were yet hidden. My thinking in college days was not to be influenced by happiness or sorrow and act in all the situations being detached as a "karmyogi". But it seems that there is much more to it than that. While I tried to be detached from the fruits of actions, I later realised that I became detached from actions itself. I never tried to accomplish anything and thus the question of being detached from the fruits never arise in the first place.

Now that I am trying to accomplish something, the motive is to prove that I am capable and to establish a niche for myself in the society. But it seems that this motive in itself is at fault. I forced myself to think sometimes that I am doing this to just gain some knowledge and not to prove anything. But you can't lie to yourself, can you? And I have experienced the disadvantages attached to this thinking. I am not able to concentrate on my studies. I think about the result of exam. I think, what if I am not able to clear the exam? If I have chosen the right path by opting to start the preparation. All these questions have their effects and hampers the concentration required for preparation.

It seems that I was content, even if partially, with the result of an experiment, the basic assumption of which was faulty. I was trying to be detached from the fruits of action when there were no real efforts. And when I am making a real effort, following the path is painstakingly difficult. But here lies the greatest beauty of Gita I guess. It never discards you. It has an inherent faith in the ability of man to do anything and hence it says- "Abhyasen tu kaunteyam". It realises the difficulty attached with the proposed path and itself says that without practise its not achievable and even with greatest of efforts you may gain very little. But the theme is to keep practising and it would surely make you a better person tomorrow. So I shall practice. 

Thank you for saving the democracy My Lord

I didn’t have the slightest bit of interest in politics in my adolescent phase. As I grew up I heard things about democracy, character of politicians and the process of election in which general public would go to vote and elect a politician who was supposed to take decisions for them and strive to develop the society in a better way. The election days were like festivals, not like the usual ones in which we would get sweets or new cloths or light crackers. But as in other festivals, there were grand preparations. Loud-speakers would call the names of politicians and discuss their agenda. People engaged in discussions about the policies of political parties and their candidates. One thing I could make out of all those discussions was how pathetic they all were and how they would have to choose the least corrupt or the best amongst all those good-for-nothings. And as the election-day came, they would all go to vote. I heard from my father how he had to wait in the line for almost whole day to get his vote registered. I couldn’t fathom their logic. I asked to myself and to them why you waste so much of your efforts in such a thing. Why vote anyone if you know that they aren’t going to do anything good for the area, leave alone the country. They tried to convince me by saying that this is a democracy and democracies run on elections. You will also have to vote when you come of the age. While it isn’t compulsory, you ought to give your vote because you would be contributing significantly for your country. Their logic never convinced me and I thought I would never vote until recently. Until I am fully sure that my vote goes to right person I wouldn’t vote because my vote to a wrong person would indirectly make me a contributor in the wrongdoings of all those corrupt persons. I thought why can’t there be a simple button or ballot saying that I don’t want choose any of these bastards. Instead my vote should indicate that none of these morons are capable or moral enough to rule over me.

And as if like a miracle, Supreme Court heard my words and more importantly of those who were relentlessly trying to convince those same bastards to incorporate such an important electoral reform. While in my opinion trying to convince those bastards was always a lost cause, I had in my mind that someone must be hearing the pleas because democracy in a vast country like India wouldn’t have survived if there were none. I think that such an important step has come after a huge delay but as they say, better late than never. The greatest dilemma in this whole scenario is that the one functionary of democracy that was supposed to bring about this change is shamelessly staring at the real lords of democracy to guide them through their works. And this is not an isolated event. Now that I am aware of many of the decisions taken by Supreme Court and its implications, I can safely say that all this time they have been the real champions of the democracy.

On the other hand, our system of democracy is not supposed to function in the way it is functioning now. Courts shall never enter the field of legislation and reforms. They are the protectors of law. Their scope shall be limited in providing the meaning of a law and enforce it. But even knowing all this, I am glad that they are forcing their way into the muddy path where they are not supposed to be. These bastards are the reason why they are there in the first place and they will be there until these bastards come to their senses. I don’t know for how long these benevolent champions of democracy would be able to continue in this path but for now they have surely been able to reinforce my faith in democracy. I hope for a day when I would be able to say the same thing about those bastards and if only hoping doesn’t work I shall try to enter their field to show them how things can change for better. But for now I hope because “hope is a good thing, probably the best of the things” as beautifully described in The Shawshank Redemption.

Note: Replace bastards/morons with politicians/legislators.

Mind doesn’t work that way, silly

Standing on the roof of my hostel, smoking weed and listening to Pink Floyd I was trying to justify my philosophy of “live in the moment”, “let your instinct guide you” and “do whatever makes you feel happy”. Later, after studying many great philosophers and thinkers I got to know that this isn’t a prophesy I could boast of discovering. On the contrary, many people said this, lived this theory throughout their life and lived it to a degree which I could never have imagined. But then came stages in my life which convinced me that it wasn’t enough to do things that make me happy for the moment. While it shall be an important aspect of my life, it was also necessary to have a ‘greater goal' or I shall replace the word 'greater goal' with 'long-term plan' if it sounds too cliché. The balance between these two goals shall reap greater rewards as according to Budhha “Avoid the extremes”. I now believe and try to incorporate in my life, the theory that without significant effort and facing hardships one can’t feel the absolute maximum of happiness.

The afore-mentioned theory can be beautifully summarized in the phrase “Gold glitters when it passes the test of fire”. This and many other phrases have been taught to me many times in my childhood but the significance of a philosophy can only be realized through experiments. I pity the sons of great businessmen or celebrities who never had any hardship in their life for they can’t experience the joy of transition from being poor to rich. How can one discover the true richness and taste of water if he had never been thirsty in his life? You can’t discover this feeling in any book or by reading the biography Budhha or Gandhi. You have to discover yourself it by experimenting in your life.

So, shall I leave behind all those little moments of happiness in pursuit of that long-term goal which I am not even sure of achieving? Never! Firstly I am not even sure of achieving the goal. I am not absolutely sure of my capabilities. Secondly, even if I achieve the target, what is the guarantee that this leads to a happier life? I would have ambitions even then and I would not remain human if I don’t. Finally and most importantly, these small and insignificant moments are the ones that define my life. The moment of success will also be a moment if it is destined to be but I can’t sacrifice these innumerable moments in exchange of that one uncertain moment.

Therefore, balance seems to be the only option. Balance between “living in the moment” and “a greater goal”. Balance between “giggling” and “the final laughter or heart-ache”. Balance between “booze and weed nights” and “study nights”. This balance shall define my life for now. I say now because I know nothing is permanent. This theory would have its limitations and I would follow some other theories in coming time. And I am perfectly OK with that because what is life if not change. Even my facebook cover pic says so.

God's Single Blunder

Staring at the sky in a cloudless starry night or watching the serene surrounding of Uttarkashi and Hrishikesh, I exclaim "How Beautiful". But why these things seem beautiful to me? Probably due to the simplicity apparent in the surrounding. No artificialism. No mechanisation. No intelligent human interference in the simple nature created by God or any other super-power or just existing there by chance. They have their purpose, a definite life-time and power to influence other entities but not like humans.

Man! you surprise me. You started as a baby, learning from creatures around you. You befriended some who were helpful, murdered others that came in your way and you would stop at nothing. But really this isn't your fault. This is your father's fault.With the power to think, who wouldn't do such a thing. When a tiger kills for his hunger, you call him a beast but being at the top of your society, being deprived of no facility, no necessity, you kill anyway. When a tornado or an earthquake destroys one of your cities you call it a natural disaster but you keep destroying nature's beauty and at the same time, your own peace of mind anyway. You think you will achieve everything but in this process of achieving you lose track of what you gained and lost. You don't even think before acquiring a possession whether it is worth acquiring or not.

The ability of a man to think is his greatest weapon and the God's Single Blunder i would say. He would seek and know everything there is to know but the Ultimate truth. For if he knows that truth he would become God and that knowledge would no more remain the Ultimate truth. If there is any God he wouldn't risk such a knowledge to the unworthy man. If there isn't any, by definition this rank goes to man, being all powerful and no other superior power in sight, and in my opinion he has not yet been able to justify his candidature. If there exists any God my only prayer to him would be to make a subtle change in the process of thinking because if he doesn't do it he will be the man's next victim.

सफ़र

आज जब इस गुमशुम शाम में ठहरे हुए लम्हों के बीच रुक कर सोचा,
तो जाना की हमने तो ऐसे ही जीना सिखा है, गाना सिखा है, मुश्कुराना सिखा है,
पर रोना नहीं सिखा, ये अदा तो बेवक्त, अनचाहे ऐसे ही आ जाती है.
काश के हम रोना भी सीख लेते तो ये दर्द इतनी ग़मगीन ना होती.

तुमने हमे क्या नहीं दिया, ये जिंदगी उन हसीन लम्हों की ही तो कायल है,
लेकिन वो कहते हैं न की हर सिक्के के दो पहलु होते हैं,
हम ये समझ न पाए की हर हसीं शाम के बाद एक काली रात भी होती है,
वो रात जो मुश्किल है, संघर्षपूर्ण और अनिश्चित है, लेकिन खाली नहीं है.

ये बात नहीं की ऐसी परिश्थितियों का ये पहला मौका हो,
और ये नाव किसी अनजान मजधार में हिलकोरे खा रही हो.
नहीं, हम इस छोटे मायूश टापू पे पहले भी आ चुके हैं,
लेकिन कभी कभी लगता है की तब ये टापू इतनी वीरानी तो नही थी.

सुना तो बहोत है की हर रात की एक सुनहरी सुबह है,
 लेकिन इस रात का क्या, ये भी तो सफ़र का ही एक हिस्सा है. 
 हमे मंजूर नहीं की ये रात बस उन शामो की धुंधली तस्वीर बन कर रह जाये,
 क्युंकी हम तो राही हैं  उस सफ़र के, जो मंजिलों की मोहताज़ नही हुआ करती.