Notes from an Observer

ভিন্নবাসর পত্রিকার পক্ষ থেকে মমতা বন্দোপাধ্যায়ের উদ্যেশ্য খোলা প্রশ্ন

2009-06-07T03:00:00.000-07:00

আজ ৭ই জুন, ২০০৯। স্টার আনন্দ চ্যানেলে মমতা বন্দোপাধ্যায় এর মুখোমুখি সাক্ষাতকার। চ্যানেলের পক্ষ থেকে সাধারন মানুষের উদ্দেশ্যে প্রিয় এবং অপ্রিয় প্রশ্নের আহবান করা হয়েছে। তাই এই সাধারন পাঁচটি প্রশ্ন পাঠানো হল। উত্তর পেলে সেই উত্তর প্রকাশিত হবে। না পেলে আমরা বুঝতে বাধ্য হব যে নেত্রী এবং চ্যানেল "অপ্রিয়" প্রশ্ন এড়িয়ে যাওয়া শ্রেয় বোধ করছেন

১। সিপিএম এর রাজনৈতীক ঔদ্ধত্বের বিরুদ্ধে আপনি সোচ্চার – সাধুবাদ জানাই। কিন্তু আপনার নিজের দলের ঔদ্ধত্বের ব্যাপারে আপনি এতো উদাসীন কেন? (উদাহরনঃ স্টার আনন্দের পর্দায় ধরা পড়া মদন মিত্রের ওয়ান টু থ্রি বলে আই টির প্রতিনিধিদের কার্যতঃ তাড়িয়ে দেওয়া)
২। আয়লা নিয়ে আপন প্রথম দিন থেকে রাজ্য সরকারের সমালোচনায় মুখর – স্বাভাবিক এবং সঠিক। কিন্তু এই রাজ্য সরকারের দুই মন্ত্রী প্রথম দিন থেকে সুন্দরবন এলাকায় প্রানপাত পরিশ্রম করছেন – সেই বিষয়ে আপনার একটিও বাক্য খরচ করতে বাধা কিসের?
৩। পি এম টু ডি এম – রাজ্য সরকারকে এড়িয়ে ত্রান বন্টনের এই দাবী কি শতকরা ৪৫ ভাগ মানুষকে (যাঁরা বামপন্থীদের ভোট দিয়েছেন) এবং ভারতীয় যুক্তরাষ্ট্রীয় কাঠামোকে অপমান করা নয়?
৪। রেল মন্ত্রী হিসাবে আপনার স্ট্র্যাটেজী কি? কিভাবে ভারতীয় রেলকে আন্তর্জাতিক ভূতল পরিবহনের সমকক্ষ তৈরী করবার লক্ষে এগিয়ে যাওয়া সম্ভব?
৫। এই মুহূর্তে পশ্ছিমবঙ্গের মুখ্যমন্ত্রী হলে প্রথম পাঁচটি কাজ আপনি কি করতে চান?

মমতার নূতন আবদার - পিএম টু ডিএম মাইনাস সিএম

2009-05-31T21:58:00.000-07:00

কলকাতাঃ ১লা জুন
চিত্রগ্রীব চট্টোপাধ্যায়

মমতা বন্দোপাধ্যায় নূতন আবদার করিয়াছেন - ত্রাণের অর্থ রাজ্য সরকারকে এড়াইয়া সরাসরি জেলা পরিষদের সরকারী আধিকারিকের কাছে পাঠাইতে হইবে। কারন - রাজ্য সরকার চোর - তাঁরা টাকা মারিয়া দিবেন। তাহার সঙ্গে তিনি ইহাও মনে করাইয়া দিয়াছেন যে তিনি সংবিধান বিশেষজ্ঞ নন (যদিও তিনি কেন্দ্রীয় মন্ত্রী!) তাহার সঙ্গে রাজীব গান্ধীর নাম জুড়িয়া দিয়া তিনি পরিবারতন্ত্রের আবেগকে উশকাইয়া দিয়াছেন।
ধণ্য মমতা - নির্বাচনে বিপুল জয় মানুষকে কত দাম্ভিক করিয়া তোলে ইহা তাহার সর্বাপেক্ষা বড় উদাহরন।
বাংলার অগ্নিকণ্যা নেত্রীকে কয়েকটি প্রশ্নঃ
১। ভারতবর্ষ এখনো যুক্তরাষ্ট্রীয় গণতন্ত্রের কাঠামোয় বিশ্বাসী। ইহাতে কেন্দ্র এবং রাজ্যের মধ্যে ক্ষমতা এবং দায়িত্বের বিভাজন করা হইয়া থাকে। স্বাধীনতা পরবর্তীকাল হইতে ক্ষমতা বিকেন্দ্রীকরণের দাবীতে রাজ্য সরকারগুলি (শুধু বামপন্থীরা নন) সোচ্চার হইয়াছিলেন এবং কেন্দ্রীইয় সরকার নীতিগতভাবে তাহা মানিয়া লইয়াছেন। ইহা আজও কেন্দ্রের সরকারের একটি "ওপেন অ্যাজেন্ডা"। ত্রাণ ইত্যাদি বিষয়গুলি রাজ্যের এক্তিয়ারে পড়ে - নীতিগতভাবে কেন্দ্রীয় সরকারের রাজ্যকে এড়াইয়া যাওয়া সম্ভব নহে। কেন্দ্রীয় মন্ত্রী হিসাবে তিনি কি তাহা সম্পর্কে অবগত আছেন?
২। তাঁর এই দাবী মানিয়া লইবার অর্থ কেন্দ্রীয় সরকার রাজ্যের কর্মক্ষমতা এবং বৈধতা সম্পর্কে সন্দীহান। সেক্ষেত্রে রাজ্যপালের উচিৎ তাঁর সাংবিধানিক বল প্রয়োগ করিয়া রাজ্যসরকারকে বরখাস্ত করা। তাহা না করিয়া পিছনের দরজা দিয়া পাইয়ে দিবার রাজনৈতীক খেলা কতটা নৈতীক?
৩। পশ্চিমবঙ্গের ৮৫% শতাংশ মানুষ এখনো বামপন্থীদিগকে সমর্থন করিয়া থাকেন - সংখ্যাটি নেহাৎ কম নহে। এই অবস্থায় একজন দায়িত্বশীল মন্ত্রী এবং রাজনীতিবিদ হিসাবে কি করিয়া তিনি সরকারকে চোর অপবাদ দিয়া থাকেন (কোনও প্রমান ব্যাতিরেকে) তাহা জানাইবেন কি?
৪। ৩৫৬ র দাবী বহুদিন ধরিয়া করিয়া আসিতেছেন - কিন্তু সফল হন নাই। সেই সুত্র ধরিয়া ইহাও সম্ভবতঃ আপনি জানেন যে এই দাবীও সফল হইবে না। সাংবিধানিক বিশেষজ্ঞ না হইয়াও ইহা বুঝিতে অসুবিধা হইবার কারন নাই। তাহলে এই অগনতান্ত্রীক দাবী করিয়া আপনি কি চাহিতেছেন? রাজনৈতীক মাইলেজ - আর স্টার আনন্দের সঙ্গে মধুচন্দ্রিমা?
৫। রাজীব গান্ধী শ্রদ্ধেয় ছিলেন কি না তাহা বিতর্কের বিষয় - কিন্তু পরলোকগত মানুষকে নিজের ক্ষুদ্র স্বার্থে ব্যবহার করা কোন নীতিপাঠের অন্তর্গত?

বঙ্গে একটি প্রবাদ আছে - "অল্পবিদ্যা ভয়ঙ্করী" - মমতা দেবীর বিদ্যা সম্পর্কে প্রশ্ন তুলিবার ধৃষ্টতা করি না - কিন্তু তাঁহার এই অগনতান্ত্রীক সামন্ততান্ত্রীক দাবী এবং মানুষকে অবহেলা করিবার সাহস দেখিয়া বিশ্মিত হইতে হয়।

বঙ্গের বিধি আর "বাম" নয়

2009-05-16T03:23:00.000-07:00

বঙ্গের বিধি আর বাম নয়।
৪২ টির মধ্যে ২৫-২৬ টি জিততে চলেছেন বাম বিরোধী শিবির, বাম ১৫-১৬। দেশব্যাপী কংগ্রেস হাওয়া বাংলায় এসে ঝড়ে পরিনত হয়েছে। আমাদের মতো অনেকেরই জীবদ্দশায় এ এক নতুন অভিজ্ঞতা।
এমন কেন হল?
খুব সোজা ভাবে বললে ঃ
১। ইউ পি এ তে মন্ত্রীত্বে না যাওয়া। নিউক্লিয়ার ডিল নিয়ে বামদের ইউ পি এ থেকে বেরিয়ে আসা। বিশ্বায়ন এবং সেই বিষয়ে বামদের প্রবল কনফিউশন - এখনো সেই কনফিউশন বিদ্যমান।
২। নন্দীগ্রাম এবং সিঙ্গুরে প্রমানিত "উইক গভর্নেন্স"
৩। পাড়ায় পাড়ায় বামেদের অহংকারী এবং উদ্ধত রূপ এবং সমস্ত বিষয়ে পার্টির কন্ট্রোল
৪। সবচেয়ে বড় কারন - সিপিএম এর কায়দায় মমতার রাজনীতি। পুলিশ এবং অন্যান্য সরকারী সংস্থাকে পকেটে ভরে ফেলার এবং তাকে রাজনৈতীক কারনে ব্যাবহার করার যে রাস্তা সিপিএম দেখিয়েছে - সেই পথে মমতার সফল পদচারনা।

এর পর কি?

মমতা
১। মমতা দাবী করবেন বিধানসভা নির্বাচন এগিয়ে আনার
২। পরের বিধানসভা নির্বাচনে তৃণমূলের জয়ী হবার জোরদার সম্ভবনা। মমতা বন্দোপাধ্যায় পশ্চিমবঙ্গের পরবর্তী মুখ্যমন্ত্রী
৩। যে ঔদ্ধত্ত্ব এবং সরকারী প্রতিষ্ঠানের রাজনৈতীকরণ এতোকাল সিপিএম করেছেন - এইবার সেটা মমতা করবেন। সিপিএম ডিসিপ্লিন্‌ড বলে সেটা দেখতে পাওয়া কঠিন - কিন্তু মমতা এবং মদন মিত্রের দলের ক্ষেত্রে আমার দাহ্রনা এই ব্যাপারটা খুব জলদি দেখতে পাওয়া যাবে। ফলে সাধারন মানুষের কোনও ইতরবিশেষ পরিবর্তন হবে বলে মনে হবে না

সিপি এম
১। অনেক বেনোজল পার্টি থেকে বেরিয়ে যাবেন এবং তৃণমূল করতে শুরু করবেন। পার্টির পক্ষে তা হয়তো ভালোই।
২। সিপিএম বিধায়কদের মধ্যে কাজ করার ধুম পড়ে যাবে। সকলেই চাইবেন মানুষকে খুশি করার। মানুষের পক্ষে সেটা ভালো
৩। সিপিএম পার্টির মধ্যে বেঙ্গল লাইন এবং প্রকাশ কারাতের মধ্যে বিভাজন বাড়বে। বেঙ্গল লাইন চাইবে যে কোনও মূল্যে কংগ্রেসের সুনজরে থেকে বাংলায় প্রকল্প নিয়ে আসতে এবং পারলে পরের নির্বাচনে এই জোট ভাংতে। প্রকাশ কারাত এই "কংগ্রেসের লেজুড়বৃত্তি" র বিরোধীতা করবেন। আশা করা যায় বেঙ্গল লাইন ফলের পর শক্তিশালী হবে।
৫। বামফ্রন্টের মধ্যে পুনর্বিন্যাশ হবে। খুব অবাক হব না যদি আর এস পির মতো কিছু দল বামফ্রন্ট ছেড়ে বেরিয়ে যায় এবং মমতার সঙ্গে জোট বাঁধে। আবার উলটো দিকে পিডি এস এর মতো প্রকৃত প্রয়োজনীয় দল হয়ত ফ্রন্টে যোগ দেবেন।

দেশ
১। রাহুল গান্ধীর উত্থান অবশ্যম্ভাবী। পরের নির্বাচনে ভারতের প্রধানমন্ত্রী হতে চলেছেন।
২। রাজ্যের দাবী আরো বেশী গুরুত্ত্ব পাবে ভবিষ্যতে।
৩। অর্থনৈতীক সংস্কার নতুন মাত্রা পাবে।

সব মিলিইয়ে এই নির্বাচন সব অর্থেই নতুন পথের দিশারী ...

৪।

নির্বাচন - ২০০৯ - তিন পয়শার পালা

2009-04-18T14:27:00.001-07:00

http://www.vinnobasar.org/content/election%202009/election%202009%20-%201.pdf

REMO --- Here I come

2008-11-16T00:20:00.001-08:00

Windows Live Spaces

অভিনন্দন ওবামা - সেলাম আমেরিকা

2008-11-05T05:47:00.000-08:00

পৃথিবীতে কিছু মুহূর্ত আসে যাকে শুধু দুচোখ ভরে দেখতে হয় – ভাষায় তার বর্ণনা করা যায় না।
পৃথিবীর সবচেয়ে উন্নত গনতন্ত্রের উচ্চতম পদটির জন্য যখন একজন মাত্র সাতচল্লিশ বছর বয়ষ্ক কালো মানুষ নির্বাচিত হন – যাঁর আনন্দে কেনিয়াতে রাষ্ট্রীয় ছুটি ঘোষনা করা হয় – যাঁর বিজয় উৎসবে প্রায় এক মিলিয়ন মানুষ জমা হন এবং আনন্দে আত্মহারা হয়ে পড়েন – যখন পৃথিবীর দিকে তাকিয়ে সেই শীর্ণকায় মানুষটি বলেন “All Things are Possible” – তখন বোঝা যায় এই সেই মুহূর্ত...
যখন সমস্ত রেকর্ড ভেঙে দিয়ে ৮৫-৯০% ভোট হয় আমেরিকার মতো ব্যক্তিকেন্দ্রীক সমাজে, যখন ভিড়ের মধ্যে দাঁড়িয়ে চোখের জল ধরে রাখতে পারেন না জেসি জ্যাকসনের মতো বহু যুদ্ধের পোড়খাওয়া রাজনীতিবিদ্‌রা – কিম্বা msnbc তে বিশেষজ্ঞের মতামত দিতে গিয়ে খেই হারিয়ে ফেলেন রাজনৈতীক বিশ্লেষকরা – বোঝা যায় এই সেই মুহূর্ত
যদি কেউ ভাবেন যে এই জয় বর্ণবৈষম্যের বিরুদ্ধে জয় – তিনি ঠিক
যদি কেউ ভাবেন এই জয় তারুণ্যের জয় – তিনি ঠিক
যদি কেউ ভাবেন এই জয় জর্জ বুশের আট বছরের তুঘলকী শাসনের বিরুদ্ধে ফরমান – তাও ঠিক ...
আনন্দ অনেকের সঙ্গে ভাগ করে নেওয়া সহজ – তাতে আনন্দ বাড়ে ...
কিন্তু অন্যের সঙ্গে চোখের জল ফেলতে পারলে দুঃখ কমে – কিন্তু পারে কজন?
তাই দুঃখ, না পাওয়া আর ব্যার্থতা মানুষের খুব ব্যাক্তিগত ... আর সেই চোখের জলই স্বপ্নের আঁতুড়ঘর ...
পরিবর্তন সেই স্বপ্নের বহিঃপ্রকাশ ... আর বারাক ওবামা নামক শীর্ণকায় কালো মানুষটি সমাজের সর্বস্তরের মানুষের কাছে সেই স্বপ্নের হ্যামলিনের বাঁশীওয়ালা ...
এই স্বপ্নের বাঁশী শোনানোর জন্য বারাক ওবামাকে অভিনন্দন
এই স্বপ্নের বাঁশী শোনবার ক্ষমতা থাকার জন্য পৃথিবীর সবচেয়ে উন্নত গনতান্ত্রীক রাষ্ট্র আমেরিকাকে সেলাম ...

Is Democracy relevant in India?

2008-11-02T23:32:00.000-08:00

Asia's largest Steel plant was inaugurated yesterday in Salbani, Midnapore, West Bengal.
The Maoists blast the convoy which was taking the VVIPs home.
Around a month back, disgusted with the unreasonable movement of Mamta Banerjee, TATA motors announced relocation of their dream NANO project away from Singur - West Bengal.
Same party is building up similar movement in other parts of West Bengal ... namely Katowa, Bardwan, Nayachar etc.
They failed in Salbani as most of the land came from Govt. and people rejected them anyways.
And to earmark this date, they rallied in Singur. And that turned out to be a bloody battle between them and ruling party backed "Nano Bachao".

When we all are trying to figure out what's in there in the brain of Mamata Banerjee ... someone just shouted ... "It's democracy idiot" ... Even an idiot (read mad idiot) has his (read her) right.

Yes ... CPI(M) and left front did things that are similar to what they are doing now. Yes ... CPM has many idiotic leaders (read Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechuri) who has no clue what people's politics means. Yes ... CPM has many absolutely rude unpalatable leaders (read Biman Bose, Bikash Ch. Saha - I guess, Binoy Konar, Surjokanta Misra etc). Yes ... CPM and Left Front has good but irrelevant acadamicians (like Asim Dasgupta, Manab Mukherjee, Ashok Ghosh etc).

And Yes, 32 years of power did let CPM gain many loompen fat in their organization.

And YES ... Mamata's increased support is really based on those facts.

But fact is ... CPM also has folks like Nirupam Sen and to some extent Buddha Bhattacharya. Somehow they were able to understand that there is no point battling economic tide ... rather use it. So they turned towards industrialization.

Unfortunately, we have Mamata - our opposition leader. Don't expect any understanding from her anyways. Only thing she knows is local politics ....
Words like economics, Vision etc are alien for her.

So she suddenly saw an opportunity ... what CPM did so many years, she is now replicating them.

And as it's "democracy idiot" ... she can stop things ... she can send TATA away with no legal ground even with minority support.

Though difficult, but if somehow we can get over the fact of party and their agenda ... real question comes around the whole notion of democracy!!!

We have a democracy in India ... we actually are proud to be "largest" democracy in the planet. But quantity is not always proportoinal to quality. So what's the "quality" of this democracy?
This democracy produces leaders like Mamta, Mayavati, Mulayam, Jaylalitha, Raj Thakrey etc. All of them has their own absolutely un-democratic way of running things ... they are all known as supremo in their parties ... but take the advantage of Indian democracy whenever needed.
Being a pre-dominantly feudal society, heavily overshadowed by religion and hypocratic tradition, I would really argue ... are we at all worth/deserve democracy?

I may be beaten up heavily, but I think democracy is a cult that works in urban educated world, to some extent in a highly capital incentive world, may be in socialistic structure ... but surely it doesn't work in an environment where social structure and traditional hieararchy decides opinion on pretty much everything!!! And that get's shaped based on special initerests as well as politicking.
In other words, we don't have any space or ready to give any space for healthy debate for any issue (except few urban issues like gay marriage or something irrelevant like that) that matters.

In that scenario, do we really have any democracy ... or is it more activist noise suppressing real voices and getting their things done?

I think we are paying too much for democracy !!!

আসুন স্বপ্ন দেখি - বারাক ওবামার সাথে ... WE CAN CHANGE

2008-11-02T22:15:00.000-08:00

প্রথমে বিশ্ময়, তারপর অবিশ্বাস তারপর অনিচ্ছা - এইসব পেরিয়ে বারাক ওবামা এখন সাধারন মানুষের কাছে নেতৃত্বের আসন পেয়েছেন - বলা ভালো গত প্রায় দু বছর ধরে ক্রমাগত লড়াই করে প্রতিষ্টা করেছেন। ফলে অস্বাভাবিক ভাবে প্রকৃত "লাল" অর্থাৎ রিপাব্লিকান রাজ্যেও তাঁর জনপ্রিয়তা উর্ধগামী।
এই অবস্থায় তাঁর জয় সম্পর্কে বিশেষ সন্দেহ নেই - যদিও আজকের অ্যামেরিকা অনেক পোলারাইস্‌ড্‌ - তবু সেই পাটিগণিত উলটো পালটা করে দেবে কিছু বিশেষ ডেমোগ্র্যাফি - নতুন ভোটার, যুব ভোটার, ল্যাটিনো এবং অবশ্যই কালো ভোটাররা ... ফ্লোরিডাতে শোনা যাচ্ছে যে তাঁরা আগে ভোট দিচ্ছেন না যাতে তাঁদের ভোট বানচাল করার রাস্তা রিপাব্লিকানরা কোনওভাবেই না পেতে পারেন।
আর একটা কথা ঘুরে ফিরে আসছে - সেটা হল সংগঠন। আমরা বাংলার লোকেরা তাতে ভীষন অভ্যস্ত - কিন্তু পৃথিবীর সবচেয়ে শক্তিশালী গনতন্ত্রে কিন্তু সংগঠনের ভূমিকা অনেকটাই কম। ভোটার রেজিস্ট্রেশন হয় বটে - কিন্তু এই সাংগঠনিক প্রচার কেবলমাত্র চিঠি, টার্গেটেড ফোনকল এইসবের মধ্যেই সীমাবদ্ধ থাকে। অন্ততঃ এতোদিন থাকতো। কিন্তু বারাক একজন সংগঠক - তাই তিনি তৃণমূল স্তরে সংগঠন তৈরী করায় জোর দিয়েছেন - এবং ফল পেয়েছেন হাতেনাতে। প্রাইমারিতে বিপুল সংখ্যায় ভোটারদের ঢল তার প্রমান ... গত নির্বাচনে যে কাজ করেছিলেন কার্ল রোভ ইভাঞ্জালিক্যাল খ্রীস্টানদের ভয় দেখিয়ে - সেটাই করছেন বারাক ওবামা - শুধু এবার দেখানো হচ্ছে জর্জ বুশ নামক আগ্রাসী চেহারাকে - এবং সঙ্গে রয়েছে পরিবর্তনের স্বপ্ন।
সংগঠক বলেই তিনি এটাও জানেন যে রাজনৈতীক নেতার আসল জোর মানুষের মধ্যে ... মানুষকে যুক্ত করার মধ্যে রাজনীতির প্রকৃত জয় ... কেবল টেলিভিশন কিম্বা লম্বা বক্তৃতা দিয়ে যদি রাজনীতি হত তাহলে র‌্যালফ নেডার এর মতো বিদ্বান কি দোষ করলেন? এখানেই ম্যাকেন এর সঙ্গে তাঁর তফাৎ - ম্যাকেনের রাজনীতি নেহাৎ ওয়াসিংটন ভিত্তিক - ব্যাক্তিগত। আর বারাক মানুষের নেতা ...
এই নির্বাচন
কিন্তু সে তো হল নির্বাচন পূর্ববর্তী আলোচনা ... কিন্তু আজকের প্রশ্ন -
বারাক ওবামা - একটি স্বপ্নের নাম না কি একটি নেহাৎ শস্তা জাতিগত লড়াইএর অভিমুখ? এই নতুন প্রেসিডেন্ট কি পারবেন নতুন প্রজন্মের স্বপ্নকে বাস্তবায়িত করতে? নতুন অ্যামেরিকাকে পৃথিবীর সামনে তুলে ধরতে? নতুন চোখে আর্থ-সামাজিক পরিবর্তনকে দেখতে ? নতুন অর্থনীতিকে প্রকৃত অর্থে গ্রহন করতে?
আচ্ছা বারাক ওবামা কি কম্যুনিস্ট কিম্বা সোস্যালিস্ট কিম্বা লেফটিস্ট?
আচ্ছা - বারাক কি পারবেন দুই দলের মধ্যে প্রকৃত সমঝোতা তৈরী করে দেশকে এগিয়ে নিয়ে যেতে?

প্রশ্নগুলো ঘুরে ঘুরে আসছে বারবার

আসলে এতো কনফিয়শনের একটাই কারন - বারাক ওবামা একজন নতুন ধরনের রাজনীতিবিদ - যিনি বারবার মানুষের কাছে আসেন - তাঁদের প্রত্যক্ষ সহযোগিতা প্রার্থনা করেন - শুধু তাই না - সংগঠনের মধ্য দিয়ে সেই সহযোগিতাকে বাস্তবে পরিনত করেন। সংগঠন থাকার জন্য মানুষের মন বুঝতে পারেন - বুঝতে পারেন কিভাবে তাঁদের জন্য কাজ করা যায়। এবং সম্ভবতঃ সেটাই করেন ... অন্ততঃ শিকাগোবাসীরা তো তাই বলে থাকেন!!!
এই পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে ওবামা সাদা না কালো না হাফ্‌ সাদা সেই প্রশ্ন অবান্তর - যদিও ঐতিহাসিক কারনে সেই আবেগ তাঁকেই সাহায্য করছে। ওবামা সোস্যালিস্ট না কম্যুনিস্ট না ক্যাপিটালিস্ট সে প্রশ্নও অবান্তর - যদিও অ্যামেরিকার মেডিক্যাল ইন্স্যুরেন্স এর ক্রমবর্ধমান দাম এবং ফ্রি ফলিং ওয়াল স্ট্রিট তাঁকে সাহায্য করছে। মজার কথা হল এই যে - ইরাক যুদ্ধ কিম্বা সামাজিক প্রশ্ন (গে-লেসবিয়ান ম্যারেজ, অ্যাবর্শন) অনেকদিন বাদে পেছনের সারিতে ... এমনকি অর্থনীতির এমন খারাপ দিনেও অর্থনীতি স্পটলাইট ভাগ করে নিচ্ছে ওবামার স্বপ্নের স্লোগান "we can change" এর সঙ্গে ...

তারুণ্যের স্বপ্ন আজকের সবচেয়ে শক্তিশালী গণতন্ত্রের সবচেয়ে বড় ইস্যু ...
বারাক ওবামাকে পন্ডিতরা সোস্যালিস্ট বলবেন না অন্য কিছু বলবেন কে জানে ... আমি শুধু দেখছি এক রাজনীতিবিদ যিনি স্বপ্নে দেখতে এবং দেখাতে জানেন ...
আর স্বপ্ন দেখে বলেই তো মানুষ মানুষ - তাই না ?

চিত্রগ্রীবের বাকতাল্লা - বঙ্গের বিধি বাম

2008-08-24T23:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.vinnobasar.org/read.aspx?linkid=57

Prakash Karat: When will he fight an election?

2008-07-23T23:19:00.000-07:00

When I grew up, being a communist was more than a fashion statement in West Bengal ... It was something that people use to respect. It was perceived that those students who walk in the ralleys are really good knowledgable and caring folks. It was percieved that they are the idealist types.

Ideology use to have it's place in society.

It was a time, when communism sort of synonymous with liberal thought process and lifestyle. It was almost synonymous with and social welfare and progressive activity. It use to be the voice of people that was screaming for justice in a socio-politically confused and economically backward generation.

It was a dream that people love to dream.

Well, time changed. Communist came to power (well they were in power always) and mastered the trick of keeping themselves in the power. They called that "tactical" moves ... we accepted that. They started playing with the system, started putting their people in key positions ... we were surprised but still accepted those as "tactics". They started selling people's interest and mastered the politics of favoritism ... we hated and hurt but as we looked on the other side, we had no real choice. They even started the politics of killing ... and by that time we all got disgusted with everything and let it go (just because it was not hurting me personally).

Time changed, Communism has become synnonymous with a party called CPI(M) ... or in other words with the leaders of that party.

Time changed, the dream of socialism got transformed to hope for capitalism and consumerism. They started selling that to us ... and we gladly accepted that because we all knew that gets us to some living.

We accepted everything with a hope against hope that this party still have some good folks who are trying to get things right. So we sent them to the highest govt. institute.

But then things started going wrong. Multiple times we saw the party is been run by some people who cares less about us and more about their self defined ideology. They stopped Jyoti Basu from becoming prime minister of India. They started alliance with the caste politicans like Mulayam and Lallo. And got caught into the typical UP politics of horse trading.

It became evident when we saw the great leader Prakash Karat (believe me at some point I use to be his fan) almost flirting with somebody called Mayavati and participating in same horse trading to topple govt. And when they failed, they expelled the most honored person in parliament (Somenath Chatterjee) and next day vowed to fight election projecting Mayavati as Prime Minister.

Well, here is the thing ... the school from which I came, I don't trust caste politics. The school from which I came, I do respect the country, the constitution and the trusted leaders of the party. The school from which I came, I believe in humane treatment of your comrades. And over years I finally understood one simple thing ... individual is more important than party, because if one can't serve individual, serving the society is utopia.

Mr. Karat and his close associates in CPI(M) central committee unfortunately went to different school. They live in their own glass house of idealism. I had no issues with that (just like I don’t even care what a hooker do in street). But unfortunately he now owns the party and because of his utopian thought party is loosing it’s credibility.
Here are some questions to Mr. Karat :
1. If you decided to expel Somnath, why you didn’t do it before trust vote? Don’t give me “tactical” bullshit … we are all tired of that. I think you didn’t have balls to fire him before and now taking all of your grudge on him.
2. Why you are having an affair with Mayavati, knowing well about her caste politics? Again … we are tired of “tactical” bullshit … let’s call a spade a spade. You want to get more importance and play kingmaker role again.
3. Why you didn’t topple the govt. on inflation ?
4. Why CPI(M) CM in Kolkata almost sleeps with American Investors every day while you are so anti-american in policy?
5. And finally, how do you dare to expel someone like Somnath and dig real deep grave for the party? After all this party was built at the cost of blood of sweat of thousands of Bengalis who trusted (wrongly) on you!!! They gave you power – but not to misuse!!!

Finally, Mr. Karat, when will you get elected from any constituency in India (forget your own state – where people don’t even know you) ?

Will you take the responsibility of stopped development in West Bengal?
Will you take responsible for expedited cast and horse trading politics in Delhi now?
Will you take responsible for loss of CPI(M) in West Bengal – which in my opinion will result lost election first time in thirty years and slap us with someone like Mamata?

I know … You won’t … because that word really not belongs to your dictionary !!!

So, Mr. Karat … how about conducting an election within the party and ask the party members if they want you as supremo or not ? It will be easier than fighting common election which you never did anyways …

CHANGE and EMOTION Sells – OBAMA 08

2008-06-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

So it is over now … Finally Clinton are ready to give up and accept the unbelievable fact that the forty six year old black boy is running for the president and if present trend says anything, most probably he will become the next president of the free world.

Here are few reasons why – though unbelievable, Barak Obama won over Hillary and will over Uncle McCain:

1. Believe it or not, raw emotion do sell in America – in 2008 and yes … over clear agenda and 15 point program. Believe it or not it is the emotion, hope and “dream for change” brings record number of people to the polling booth. Believe it or not emotion still drives politics and even business. Barak Obama represent that notion of raw emotion – and that’s why he won and will win.

2. As someone in CNN pointed our rightly, this election will be a generational change. For probably first time after long, this won’t be about Vietnam record or Gay Marriage. It’ll NOT be about economy or war either … although they surely play role. It’ll be about “change” … a battle between youth and politics as-usual. Economy is tanking, gas price is hiking, Health Care cost is skyrocketing and America is in War – but guess what, these are all old news. People already are in that, facing and living that more than the politicians. And people are already divided on that – go to any pollster and they will tell you that you have a divided America between urban and rural lifestyle. One side believe in abortion, gay marriage, anti war, anti gun policies. Other side believes in god and thinks reverse. But both are tired of this same discussion around same issues every four years.

They need a change … and more than ever because of their daily hardship and hurting American way of Life. So war or no war, healthcare or no healthcare – they need a change in their perception. That’s where Barak Obama has a great advantage over all of his opponents. He do represent change … at least perceived to be a change agent. And I think he gets that. That’s why he stays abstract about his policies (with some specifics obviously) and pitch on change and people involvement in politics. He knows that his power lays in people and their perception … not in the close doors of Washington DC.

3. So finally we will see a real battle between two ideologies … or rather two generational mind sets. One side will tear him down on his connection with Trinity Church and such, pitch on his “inexperience”, his “naive” appearance foreign policies and politics. But these are campaign issues … that can be dealt by the campaigns by themselves … Just like “Evangelical Christian” base, Barak also has his black american base in Chicago. They will produce hate speeches and rightly so as this country do have racial divide in between. That will consolidate base around him. Along with that added economic hardship during last few years will make typical American Family think over economy and rising gas price and immigration bill and such. Add media and millions of dollars of campaign contribution to that – Barak Obama campaign will produce a playbook to handle all the above questions.

What Barak will do is – stay out of those low level questions … project himself as the “change agent” pretty much suggesting that even these typical narratives are “ol’ Washington Politics” – we are out here for a bigger change and bigger cause. He will promise to people – NOT a 10 point plan and perfection and strength NOR readiness … BUT a honest “change” of doing business of politics. He already said many times that he won’t be a “perfect” president – but he will be a different and transparent one. He will NOT shy away to come to people and apologize for his wrong decisions and make sure people are heard.

How, whether and when are questions and needs to be seen :)

However it’s in his luck if he can make that case in front of people. That will give him the presidency of America.

In this time of confusion – two things really matters … TRUST and PERECPTION.

So far he has both … If he can keep those, he will beat McCain by phenomenal margins.

I love when politics is played in TV … better than SOAP and sometimes even better than sports…

Time for reality ....

2008-05-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

So the initial honymoon is over ... The spices of Hyderabad merged with terrible heat took enough toll and brought sympathy from folks all around. However, now it's reality time ...
So go get an apartment ... Brokers are everywhere. They will catch you in the office, guest house lobby and everywhere. And then there is Deccan Chronicle which lists hundreds of Ads. However call them and be ready for shocks. In a place like Gachibowli, where there is nothing but offices and apartments, the avg rent for a decent apartment in a gated community is around 15-22K per month (around $550 - same as midwest). Add three month's security deposit and host of athenic woodwork in the apartment. Somehow folks in South India love woodwork ... and it's very hard to find an apartment without some sort of wooden arch in the apartment. And there will always be some sort of "puja" room ...
Another beuty is the floor plans ... Any apartment with superbuilt size more than 1500 sft will have three rooms and generally three full bathrooms. Typically one will be common (Indian style) and two attached! Typically there will be a large (in length) hall which is suppose to be your living cum dining room. Closed kitchen with a wash area and multiple small balconies (don't ask me why).
Not a single apartment has central air conditioning ... You get provision for window A/C below windows ... which is suppose to throw cold air from below.
Adding three bathrooms with puja room and no open kitchen make a large 1800+ s ft apartment look small ... but who cares it still has 3 bedrooms, cement walls and virtified tile flooring for our pride of living.
Sometimes you will feel why on earth they don't even think while designining the apartments ?

So we got an apartment in a good neighborhood - close to office ... and it was 20K per month with all above mentioned amenities (except wood work as we wanted minimum amount of woodwork anyways).

Now come to the basic stuff ... Get a gas connection - I mean gas cylinder account from a dealer. More surprise ... Getting gas cylinder from a govt authorized dealer (like HP) requires bribe or purchase of stove and some idiotic stuff from them in double price and usually long waiting. However you can get that immideately from some private dealers ... but each cylinder will cost you more than double. And here is the catch ... each dealer will sell "regulators" separately which fits only with their cylinder. Reminds me AT&T and TMobile locking game in US mobile war.
We were lucky that we got HP gas through some very clever move of a close associate.

You will need aquaguard or some sort of water purification process immideately as you move to your place. They typically supply "borewater" and "Manjeera water" (meaning corporation water for drinking) ... which you will never trust.

Now get maid(s) ... after all that's why we came back to India ... ain't it? Dude ... maid will cost you around 1.5K per month ($40) who will come clean your apartment each day and wash your clothing and do the dishes. Yeah its cheap ... but remember YOU NEED THEM because of dust and pollution that you have to deal with here. If both of you are working, you may look for a cooking maid. Be prepared to spend similar amount for that too. We skipped that one and so far only living with the first one.
But the catchline is ... you have to manage that girl ... which is more painful than a dishwasher or washing machine.

Also you will need broadband ... right? right ... so there are many options. Dude ... look through the fine prints. They all promise high speed (256K+). But if you are getting a real high speed plan, there is a cap in download - around 5GB or so. So be aware.
Luckily we got BSNL (had to wait for 2 weeks) with real good speed so far (around 2MBPS real speed) ... Don't know how fast it'll eat the 5GB download that we have.

But the most interesting thing is CAR ... you will need that to live in this part of town ... and it'll be interesting experience. That will be my next blog ... stay tuned...

Landing Hyderabad

2008-04-11T02:20:00.000-07:00

So time finally came ... and with drops of tear we passed the security in SFO to start a new life in a totally new city that we never saw and heard so much about.
I won't bore you with the experience in international flight ... because people who fly international airlines already know how "enjoyable" the economy class is. KLM is not different in any way. So I leave that to your imagination

It was late at night and to our disappointment KLM flight landed the old Hyderabad Begampet Airport. We were actually one of the last few airline that landed in the ol' airport -
While we all were eager to smell some fresh air, to our disappointment it was stuck in the runway for little less than an hour as the terminal was not ready. I think it was a crash course for us to prep for the future.

The airport, although not great looking - but was decently clean and the immigratioin process was slow but orderly and steady. This was a different experience as everytime before we dis-embark in Kolkata airport which is - well Interesting.

Innova was a comfortable car with large space and driving in the night was a breeze. The roads were smooth until he took turn to the guest house which will be our address for next month. Things were all in order ... and we reached our temp home safe and securely.

Just made some phone calls to parents and went to bed ... trying to understand what's going on.

Then came next morning ... woke up and opened the window. The view was filled with temp living space for construction workers ... and first thing came into our mind was the so desired San Mateo Bay Bridge view from our Foster City apartment. While it took few moments to understand, we found something to laugh at. There is a little school (probably as the board is in Telugu) which has a closed gate. I haven't seen that gate to open so far. The access road to the school for everyone is ... guess what ... the wall around it. First day we were surprized ... then laughed and now accustomed.

So we thought we should order something to eat. Tried calling the front desk ... (the number was 100). I pressed many numbers and suddenly got a prompt that said "you are third in line". Well ... this is cyberabad ... so may be guest houses are hi tech - I thought. After sometime when my tirn came, I heard someone talking in Hindi with south Indian accent and then I realized that I have called local police station (equivallent to 911 call in US). That guy cursed me ... and I apologized with a mixed feelings. First I was really impressed by the fact that service "100" do work and they have an electronic system to manage que. On the otherhand suddenly we felt outsider in our own country ...
This reminded me an incident when someone called 911 by accident while trying to call India from US (the country code for India is 91 which you typically need to dial before the umber).

Well ... life does come in full circle ...

More later ...

Ballot Bowl

2008-02-19T10:13:00.001-08:00

It's ballot time again in US.
At this point we have only three real contenders ... Barak Hussain Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and the veteran John MacKain. I am not a citizen so I don't get to vote ... but being in this country for 10+ years and unsure about residency (thanks to a broken immigration process), I can't keep my eyes away from this process. It's interesting how things are developing.
If you look closely, these three candidates really fall under two catagories ... experienced typical politickers and brand new leadership. Both Hillary and MacKain fall under first category ... they are running campaigns that show off how they solved problems before or how they will solve the problems later. With that they also include touches of negative campaigns whenever they need or think so.
They are acting like managers in large corporates ... unlike leaders they are too much busy defining the problems and forgetting the direction part. For example you can have any flavor of Universal healthcare ... but unless they are percieved well by people, it's another measure setup for bleeding money from federal and increase tax and finally fail misarably.
They are forgetting fundamentals ... this is about people ... so they need to take control of their future. Government just supports that.
And that's where Barak is making his stride. He is basically telling people to take ownership of their future and their life. He is talking about acountability and sustained involvement of people. Although he has his own specifics and plans ... but his basic message is ... if people get excited and get involved with positive attitude, problems will get resolved by itself with minimal intervention of "politicians". That's quite different message than seasoned politickers.
Can it be successful? Well ... nobody knows yet. But this world have seen revolutions many times ... when people spoke loud and clear and politicians and economists and technocrats had to follow them. If we see that in the land of opportunity ... that would be a earmark of history.
So Barak is pointing on leadership while Hillary and MacKain on management.
There is a point when management needs to give way to leadership ... and that's how new rules are created.
If Barak wins ... we will probably notice that.
If not .... we are back to old school politicking.

One single end point ... Last two days Hillary's campaign attacked Barak Obama on "words" and "pledgerism" ... and that's about a person who is known for his "words" ...
But beyond that ... this shows desparation on their campaign and disconnect from real people.
I think this will work against her. A negative campaign, that too in such a ridiculously petty issue got to backfire.
I think this will seal Hillary's 2008 venture ... She will go back to upstate New York and see the "black boy" leading the wealthiest and probably the most inspired country in world.

FOSAAC.TV

2007-12-28T22:07:00.001-08:00

So let me introduce fosaac.tv mirrored to fosaaclive.net ... Its now the official media representative of FOSAAC (Friends of South Asian Communitues). Launched yesterday and publishing audio - video content.

But why am I excited?

Because they are using my BinodonTV code for that. I spent around 2 days to change the database and some alterations here and there to make it work for them. And to my surprise its working.

Which basically shows that when I do code - I do well. But I don't do that a lot anymore.

Enough self propaganda.

This site is built for few purposes:

Promote Business in India - mainly Foreign Investment in India. Their delegation right now is in India talking to the ministers. And guess what - delegation team size is around 80 including around one third each worth more than 100M. Not bad ...
Promote a conducive dialog between people and business community in US who all know that India has huge opportunity (not only in Software but other sectors too) but have no clue how to be part of it.
Let people express their opinion about things happening around the globe.
And finally just have fun (which I like most)

So ... if you read it so far ... you should visit us there are share the excitement that people are enjoying.

Happy NEW Year to all ...

Microsoft and Reliance - new era for IPTV in India

2007-11-06T18:44:00.001-08:00

This may be good news for many of us who closely follow the IP TV offerings. Microsoft and Reliance are two largest companies shook hand for building a new industry that is trying to stand up in its feet.

It started long back ... sharing video over ip. Youtube brought that into living room. 14% of TV viewing is already captured by YouTube. No single popular show or movie is NOT available in Youtube. However this do cause issues in terms of legal revenue. Creation requires money ... especially when it's in the size of Spiderman or Harry Potter or SA RE GA MA. If free sharing of video causes dried up revenue for producers, like other corporate operations it may create other issues.

However who wants the middlemen to make money by just trading rights? That's where IP TV plays big role. Legal distribution of on demand video content can reduce many overheads around distribution of video.

But here is a wishlist that needs to happen :

High Bandwidth broadband connection (Reliance is drawing fibre to the homes)
Most importantly ... easy access of content to TV. In my mind, this is the real uphill battle. Conventional TV gives a level of ease that is convenient and normal for people. Connecting PC to TV requires various extra steps and understanding - and that's generally a turn off for people.
Good Streaming server and huge storage - which is I think quite available in today's date.
Suite of tools that helps user experience. As a Microsoft developer that's the biggest good-news for me. I am sure Silverlight, WCF and AJAX are going to play big role here.

Bill Gates and Ambani's are now richest people on earth ... and when they combine force ... I am sure they did their hard work behind the scene.

I am waiting to see the fun ...

Pocket-full of Imagination

2007-11-03T10:49:00.001-07:00

Have you looked around? Talked to people? Do you even remember when you did speak to a stranger last?

We get used to talking to same people and circle around same list of thoughts - same domain of discussion. We tend to talk same language - with same people - in same topics. Forget about commute or work or even lifestyle - we tend to seek comfort zone even with people with whom we talk. We try to ignore things which are happening around us that falls outside our self-imposed domain.

You may ask "SO WHAT?"

Nothing !!! Only you are limiting yourself. Unless you look into other people's perspective you won't even know what's out there. As you avoid listening to someone whom you don't know you are missing the opportunity.

Yesterday as I was traveling in late afternoon BART to the city, I was talking to a guy with whom I would never talk in normal circumstances. Not because of my superiority complex or anything ... but most likely we will never meet up ever in life. He was unemployed and works in some store in the City in some blue collar job. His language is quite inappropriate for the civilized world where I live in. But he has a six year old who wants to be a Marine Pilot ... and he is proud of him. He works mid-night shifts to feed his family. In his word ... he does three things ... "Work, Sleep and Take Care of his son" ...

That's clarity in my books ...

Your imagination can take to some level ... but with others you can reach to a different height.

Its a shame ... we forgot that !

Cheap Phone call to India

2007-04-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

কম্‌রেড, মৃতদেহকে সম্মান করতে শিখুন

2007-03-27T11:40:00.000-07:00

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দেখার মত চোখ

2007-03-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

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তিস্তার গল্প

2007-03-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

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হেথায় তু রে মানাইছে না রে ...

2007-03-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

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দেখা ...

2007-03-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

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চরৈবেতি চরৈবেতি ...

2007-03-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

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এতোদিন কোথায় ছিলেন?

2007-01-14T17:29:00.000-08:00

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তোমরা শিক্ষিত হও

2007-01-14T17:28:00.000-08:00

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সূরঞ্জনা - তুমিই আমার সেই পরী

2007-01-14T17:27:00.000-08:00

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ফেলিজ্‌ নেভিদাদ্‌ ...

2007-01-14T17:26:00.000-08:00

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তেপান্তরে একদিন ...

2007-01-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

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দূরে কোথায় ...

2007-01-14T17:24:00.000-08:00

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আর একটু পা চালিয়ে ...

2007-01-14T17:22:00.000-08:00

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তাই তো আমায় জাগিয়ে রাখো গো

2007-01-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

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“লেবু পাতায় করমচা”

2007-01-14T17:16:00.000-08:00

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সুর-রিয়্যালটি এবং গ্লোবাল ওয়ার্মিং

2006-11-26T19:14:00.000-08:00

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সেই থেকে ন্যাকা হয়ে আছি ...

2006-11-15T17:46:00.000-08:00

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মন চলো যাই ভ্রমণে

2006-11-07T19:25:00.000-08:00

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স্নেহের খোকন ...

2006-10-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

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লাল্লু পারিলেন - আমরা কি পারিব?

2006-10-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

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আমার সোনা চাঁদের কণা

2006-09-30T22:19:00.000-07:00

আমার সোনা চাঁদের কণা

অতসীদি - নীলাঞ্জনা গুহ

2006-08-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

কেমন আছো অতসীদি?

অবাক দুধপান

2006-08-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

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চর্যাকথন - ১০ (মৃত্যু, রাজনীতি এবং ধর্মের বেলেল্লাপনা)

2006-07-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

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সন্ত্রাস, সার্বভৌমত্ব এবং একটি প্রশ্ন

2006-07-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

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মহারাজের গোঁসা

2006-07-23T23:49:00.000-07:00

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চর্যাকথন – ৯ (“জানো নি সেই বন্ধুর বাড়ী – আছে কোন জা(য়)গায়”)

2006-06-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

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চর্যাকথন – ৮ (চিন্তা আমাদের ধারন করে – তাকে বলি ধর্ম ...)

2006-06-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

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চর্যাকথন – ৭ (খেলি না তো কি হয়েছে?)

2006-06-15T16:49:00.000-07:00

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চর্যাকথন – ৬ (স্রষ্টা, কমলাকান্ত এবং অধিকারবোধ)

2006-06-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

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চর্যাকথন – ৫ (স্বদেশ – স্বাধীনতা – ভারতবর্ষ)

2006-05-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

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চর্যাকথন – ৪ (“আমি বাংলায় গান গাই”)

2006-05-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

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চর্যাকথন – ৩ (“ইনদা দেবলীনা হেমব্রম ...”)

2006-05-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

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চর্যাকথন– ২ (অপাপবিদ্ধ আর্শিনগর)

2006-05-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

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চর্যাকথন - ১ (প্রবাস-পরবাস)

2006-05-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

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29 years and stronger ... 2006 election in West Bengal

2006-05-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

How a communist party stays in power for 29 longs years in a half baked capitalist country with many many residues of feudalism in it? How they do it?

The simple answer is ... connection with
people. They live with people day in and day out ... with their disgrace
and defeats and with their happieness and wins. "Party" doesn't really portrays
something super ... its their daily life ... its their way of life. CPM was
successful in establishing this ... You don't have to preach anybody because
party means their closest friend or family member to a remote villager in West
Bengal.

However ...this years election is a landmark in my mind ... It showed changes in voting patern after long time and here is why:

I think after long time good portion of left vote was a POSITIVE one ... I mean CPM won not because of negative image of Mamta or Congress. They had a solid campaign of "development" and people bought to that dream of our CM.
People voted for folks who stayed close to home and made themselve available ... example - Sudip Bandyo for Congress and Subhash Chakr for CPM. I think Rajdeo Goala lost because of the same reason. So people start treating their representatives as their employee and reward/reject them based on their performance that touches their life.
First time that I remember media (especially ABP) was sort of in favor of ruling party. I can't comment on TV channels as I was not there. But probably some portion of polarization really happened because of tat stand by media ... which in turn shows that media really has some power to turn people heads. That's a good feelings because it really shows that people of WB still thinks politics ... which essentially is a good thing for a society.

Good thing is we are out of the whole business of "scientific rigging" and all ... even hardcore anti-left can't say that there is any abnormality in voting this time. This established left front (and CPM) in undisputed leadership.

Personally I think this is a double edged sword for WB. Probably it will send Mamta to "banaprastha" and make her write more poetry/chhara ... or if she grows up a little become a "responsible" human being and politician. But frankly ... I think this seals her political future ... even BJP will resent her now.

Congress is messed up as before ... and until present generation is going away ... they just won't change. They just don't have a leader. Pranab Mukherjee knows Delhi is a safer place for him that WB.

This basically makes WB a opposition less state ... I feel narvous about it because it has a potential to make CPM more arrogant. But I still have faith on Budhhadeb and Biman (yeah even him) and essentially on the structure of CPM party. Good part is ... they still have educated people in their party (like Nilotpalda, Manabda etc) ... who has the capacity. Hopefuly they understand that and deal with it.

But a communist party with great grassroot level organization and with no opposition - Its a volatile and deadly combo ... watch out for that.

But whatever it is ... right now feeling really nice ... trying to enjoy the moment

বাংলা ব্লগ

2006-01-22T06:41:00.000-08:00

রাহুল নীলান্জনা

No body were Tolerant !

2005-10-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Historically India was a country "invaded" by aryans ... and they established a "lifestyle" which we call "HINDUISM" today. They installed concepts like division of labor (like 4 castes), lifestyle guidelines (4 ashramas) etc. They did reach to the epicenter of intellectualism and science ... Vedas are proof of that. However, with due respects, here are some questions:
1. How much influence or reference do we see regarding "native" Indian religions or lifestyles in Vedas or any such documentations? Very little. That indicates that either there were nothing that "intrigued" Aryans ... or they were just too "proud" and "indifferent" to even recognize their influences. My logical mind points me to the second possibility.
2. The notion of "tolerance" came much later in religion ... even in Hinduism (which I think is a pioneer though). Hindu loyalists were as bad as anybody else with power. Caste system is something that is still causing us problem. We heard the stories of Ajatsatru (who banned any buddhist activities) and even Parashuram (who killed all Bramhins multiple times). I am sure these are only few examples of "intolerance" and many can be found out if we really go in the path of history.
3. The influx of Buddhism from Hindu is a perfect example of what happens as a result of such a "stringent" and "intolarant" system. As all power centered into the hands of Bramhins and Khastriyas, they did made life of other castes really misarable. Social injustice was something that sometimes grows bigger and even shadows the economic system. That's exactlywhat happened then ... numerous people became buddhist to combat social injustice. Actually if you look into history, that happened number of times in number of sectors of Indian social life. Conversions were caused and accelerated by those issues ... be it to Buddhism or to Muslim or later to Christianity. Even the development of sub religious concepts (like Baul and Fakir) were essentially a result of that intolarance.
4. Yes, Hindu rulers didn't go invade foriegn countries ... and most probably the reasons are ... they didn't need to. India was a gold mine (compared to its neighbours) ... it was a agrecultural country ... and with so much wealth ... why they need to go and take the trouble of invading other countries. And for the same reason, India was invaded number of times by foriegners. It was NOT religious ... it was economic. And probably that was the reason why they failed misarably to protect their land ... multiple times until they almost lost everything. Our wealth caused so much intellectual growth that even today world becomes amazed by it ... and rightly so. But what our forefathers didn't have to do was ... go live a real tough life in the deserts and mountains ... which surely makes one stronger as well as generate different types of intellectual concepts.

So I really don't buy the fact that "Hindus" were more "tolerant" ... because its just NOT fact. Frankly speaking they showed same human nature and other types of intolerance as others. It was wealth that allowed them to "show off" their "tolerance" ... but if that was a true fact, then we wouldn't have seen so many conversions to other religions ...

Just a different Cavaet ... sorry if I caused any heart burn to anybody

Gregg Chappel's EMail Text

2005-09-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

Gregg Chappel's EMail Text

Two Bengali Movies ...

2005-07-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

Last week we watched two movies … Hotat Nirar Jonne and Bariwali … (courtesy one of my friend who just returned back from India).

I was curious about “Hotat Nirar Jonye” as the poem itself was one of those which I liked/like immensely. Also I was curious how a poem can be transformed to cinema. Previously I watched “Sajhbtir Rupkathara” … which left a mixed impression to me … actually to a better side. Although I didn’t like much of the storyline … I liked most of the treatment of that one.

But I was immensely disappointed with “Hotat Nirar Jonye” … we all were. This movie lacks almost everything … and I don’t know where to start. The acting was awful … (except the newcomer girl was pretty and good in acting). Bikram Ghosh … is such a failure (especially compared to his father Sankar Ghosh … the Tabla Wizard). Also I expected little bit of poetry from a movie made out of a successful poem … and when I also saw that Suneel Ganguli was part of prod team. But what we got was a half porn … midlife crisis e bhorti nakami … It was a great disappointment. I suggest everybody around … do yourself a favor … don’t watch that movie … If you watch … please keep your children away.

On the other hand … Bariwali was one of the greatest movie I ever seen. I won’t put that in the level of Pather Pachali/Meghe Dhaka Tara … but next level of good movies. It’s a very well balanced movie … well built well written … well edited. I loved watching it and liked to see the details and experimentation he made with the movie. I would even compare it with Charulata … and call it onbe of the perfect movies.

"Stay Hungry - Stay Foolish"

2005-06-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

Its a quote that I read from Steve Job's Stanford Commencement Address (2005). It stuck me because of its simplicity and naiveness.
Innovation at the end of the day has to be really simple and naive. And to get a feel one need to be fool enough to look outside of his/her comfortzone and hungry enough to fool around in those unknown and unreliable areas. Its the hunger that drives you in those areas ... and its your naive follishness that let you put your guards off to recieve the outcome rationally.
Its all about attitude ... Its all about commitment. Success is an interesting benchmark that is defined by the social attributes ... indicated by how much money or power you have; how many cars or how many square footage of house you own and so forth. But its the meyonise that never been counted in the measure of success. How much happy you are ...how well you sleep in night ... how much love you have for your wife or children or how much commitment you have for your family and work.
These are all simple things ... but they serve the connecting line between dots in life. Your passion for something ... in a follish way creates things ... builds the world ... makes the differences. Its your incredible hunger that keeps you moving ... its your unrelented tendency to "do" something makes you different in the crowd ...
Its you that make you successful to yourself ...
Its all about attitude baby ... so keep your foolishness ... keep your naiveness ... and remain hungry for whatever you love ...

Why CPM is still relevant in West Bengal and Why they will rule in next decade ...?

2005-06-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

Political parties need to play "change agent" for economic and social aspcts. It also need to represent thoughts of common people ...

In sixties, Congress was playing the national party role ... and following Neheru's half-baked socialism ... which created this huge "License Raj" and in turn helped corruption and created so called "national capitalists" ... who were doing business in govt. money. In West Bengal congress party became really corrupt (after BC Roy, Atulya Ghosh etc) ... and CPM played more like "honest" people's party. It represented thoughts of youth and students (which usually is anti-establishment) and also consisted with many serious folks who dedicated their life for that politics. So there was a point when distinction between CPM and Congress was quite clear ... all the "good" people were CPM and all "ritten" eggs were Congress ... at least from perception level... even we saw that in our childhood. It was less "communism" and more "honesty" ... I think their win in 1977 and some of the subsequent wins were because of that perception ... which I think quite logical.

But while "good erson" image work as opposition, that doesn't work well when u come to power ... because now you hv to deliver ... right? So they did things like "Land Reform" and "Nationalization" of almost everything. While the first one still working for them ... second one showed their lack of economic vision and wrong assumption about accountability. That time they followed Russia and China models ... and came up with that. I think they really had no idea that it will go out of their hand.

But as time went by, they themselve became corrupt (quite understandable based on social structures and dynamics ... ). So people started disliking them ... but guess what ... when they looked into the other camp ... they are even worse. So the negative votes won CPM some more elections.

During end of nineties (mainly with the exit of Basuji from the scene) ... market economy was induced in India with bigger extend. It started long back ... but got real momentum with software boom and India's sudden advantage of being a Non-Muslim country in a sensitive area and being close to China (which is probably most important threat to US now). CPM really was confused about that for initial few years ... I think their central leaders (like Prakash Karat and all) are still confused ... but people lile Budhhadeb/Manab Mukherjee/Nirupam and above all Anil Biswas etc understood the pulse of people. They embraced this economy with the hope of investments and new jobs. And hey ... it worked ... and working. WB is getting investments back ... and people are getting jobs to some extent. They even took some decisions which embarassed their CITU counterparts ... and may raised some eye brows in aged central committee ... but CPM in bengal knows one thing very well ... it is not communism that kept them in power ... its their connection with people ... and its their ability to deliver people's dream. In other words the "good guys" image pays for them ... nothing else. Just before Buddhha took over, CPM's image reached to a point where they had no difference from Congress. But from then, they made significant changes ... and now everyone thinks that Budhhadeb (and his collegues) are the "smarter" bunch ... and that image is working even better than "good guys" image because ... today in our society we value "smartness" more than "honesty or goodness" ... where that leads us ... that's a different discussion.
Where Mamta or Somen fits here ? No where ... they will be busy fighting CPM's streetfighters ... whom CPM state leadership want out anyways. So they will watch these fights ... and applaud ... like many other people. In the meantime, they will build and keep their image stronger than ever.

I think that's actually good for WB ... because after long time we are seeing some people getting jobs (not only software ... but supporting industries too) ... and people are not relying on employment exchange no more.

Accountability --- and Family

2005-06-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

Accountability --> To me it is related to ownership and responsibility. To give an example ... a father is responsible/accountable for his nine year old son's behavior ... an engineer should be responsible/accountable for his specific li'l area of work ... a JU teacher should be responsible/accountable for the knowledge and attitude of his students ...
Excuses are inevitable ... but those doen't make any difference really. We can debate all over and all day and justify for "not being acountable" ... but that really doesn't buy anything really. Just like in family inspite of all kind of "social injustices and corruption and what not" and all excuses we still move on ... and find some way out. And we do that because of our commitment to our family. But we same people lack that level of commitment when we are at work or in social interaction. I think that essentially reduces our capability of being "committed" to our families in long run and can't even call ourselve honest. But question is ... whether do we care about being called "honest" anymore?
"How Many Roads a Man Should Walk ..."

Bengali Publishing Industry and its problems

2005-05-20T06:40:00.000-07:00

There was a time when I was involved in Bangla Little Magazine. At that point of time I had many many "sahittik" friends ... some of whom are still writing in various Patrika ... and I still have contact with them. Also being an ex-employee of ABP, I studied a little bit about Bangla Prakshana as business. Here are few observations that I made over years. Please note that these are mostly my opinion and understanding ... no authenticity claimed:
1. Bengali Publishers had great opportunity in sixties/seventies and eighties too. The book fair movement, library movement gave them great legs up. But do you guys know that except Ananda and Dey's, very little Publishing Houses at all pay their writters? Recent exception is Punascha. I am pointing this to show how unprofessionally these companies are run. And unfortunately that shows up in all aspects ... from editing, to production and marketing. And if you talk vision ... well that thing never existed in Bangla Publishers ... Here is an example ... in mid 90's ABP use to compete with Times in many aspects ... we had top selling magazine (Sunday and Business World), we had very competing Business Newspaper (Business Standard) and newspapers (ABP and Telegraph). ABove all we had Ananda Publisher which hosted great literatures and probably better than Times Publishing. Also we had a partnership with Penguin. After ten years now ... I think ABP doesn't even relevant in Indian publishing marketplace ... some of those came from cange in readership habit, some from Times money some from Internet boom. But as a company that's what you are suppose to look for. ABP never understood how to encash or engage with Internet Publishing or the notion of Internet ... and Times probably has least dependency on their Print Media. I call that vision.
Long story short, Bengali publishers had (and has) serious problem in vision and innovation.
2. Yes ... readership and habit changed a lot ... English magazines and books are becoming more and more popular. There are millions of reasons and discussions about it ... which I don't really care. But I see that as an opportunity ... If people like English material ... why we are so reluctant to deliver that? Remember, if someone likes literature, he will like it in any language. Someone who reads english literature in Kolkata, will start reading the Bengali literature if you can market that to him properly.
3. One of the big gap that was created in last few years was just the lifestyle change. EVen when we grew up, reading book was sorta style/fashion. But today books are not in fashion anymore at least not Bengali books. Probably humility, hinimonnota ar sheer kupomondukota caused this transformation. On the other hand, look at Bangla Gaan ... it was becoming non-existant same way ... but this bold statement from Jibonmukhi and Band gave it a great boost. I think bangla publishers has to come out of closet and start producing high value high marketing strategy to bring bangla boi into mainstream. Boier dam 50taka hobe na 60taka hobe seta niye dukhho na kore ... I would spend 40 on marketing and packaging and sell the book at 120. Do I like it or support it morally? NO ... But I think today's day, that's the only approach that may work.

Where are the HAPPY EXPERIENCED SOFTWARE GEEKs in India?

2005-03-30T21:28:00.000-08:00

I think in India we fail to value technical knowledge properly in terms of money or recognition. That drives most of the tech. gurus to move to management position to deliver to their peer pressures (which is a reality). So we don't see many very good experienced happy developers.

Then comes this whole notion of "buy vs build" which (in my mind) converting real developers to some configuration entry operators. If you don't work in real product companies, and if you are working in large corporations, most likely you will be maintaining some huge ERP package or configure some web server or use some rules engine and may be some canned package that will do most of things for you. Somehow I feel that today's developers are becoming too much tool dependent ... and may be missing or loosing the fun in programming ...

Or may be I am growing too much gray hair ...

CPI (Corruption Index) and Infidelity

2005-03-08T16:27:00.000-08:00

As far as I know CPI of Finland is best (most honest country). I think US is somewhere in 20s. India probably around 80s or 90s. Bangladesh/Pakistan are behind India.

I think CPI has very close relationship with economic condition and ssytems. I am NOT saying that corruption is poor man's charectoristics ... but poverty and insufficiency do lead people to corruption. Does that mean cheating is more in those societies? While I see some connection ... I doubt if that's the closest catalyst or indicator. Economic depression causes someone to steal or take bribe or whatever ... but subcontinental context prohibits heavily about infidelity ... and that's why I think the effect of corruption and degradation in moral values gets offset by social prohibition and discouragement. In short, Indian social structure accepts bribing, corruption and even sometimes stealing (unfortunately) ... but I think still prohibits infidelity vehemently. Please note that, by social strcuture, I don't mean any religion or ethical group ... I mean just the society as a whole and
its present values.
Also the notion of "ethics" differs from country to country ... and from culture to culture. Copyright protection is an ethical issue in US ... but who cares about it in China or even in India? "Learning" from imported product and "implementing" them into indegineous product are rewarded by society and ethics in developing country.
Does CPI calculation treat those as corruption ... ? Probably yes ... and I think that beats the notion of CPI. For me "corruption" is something that is defined (prohibited) by the society (which changes with time and space). The boundary line do
shift with time ... and we see parents boasting about bribing in lakhs for their child's school admission in Kolkata.

Coming back to infidelity, I do think male from subcontinent are frequent visitor in dating sites. But probably that's an outburst of the taboo and lack of sex education. b(n)adha goru chhara pele ja hoy. I studied in Narendrapur Ramkrishna Mission ... and lived a boyhood without any woman contact. So I (and probably many students from Narendrapur), had weired idea about women ... and it took me years in Kolkata to get those hangover out. So I can understand how it feels to come out of closet.
But do you label visiting dating sites as infidelity ? I don't ... Then why watching Priti Zinta or Tapoor Tupur Karina Kapoor is not infidelity ? I think we grew up with many taboos and they defined few boundaries in our behavior ... with darkest intent or colorful thoughts , probably very few cross over that laxman rekha ...
I may be wrong ... but then I shall be really shocked !!!

Pandit Ravishankar Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

2005-02-19T00:58:00.000-08:00

Pandit Ravi Shankar has been nominated for "Nobel Peace Prize". It's quite interesting and brings up question about what criteria really governs the nomination process!!!
My logic says, Peace prize should be given to someone who worked for peace. Ravishankar have great role in popularizing eastern classical music in west, he is a Music guru ... and a great artiste ... no question about that. However how did his work helped world peace ? Well, indirectly yes ... but directly ... I am not sure. Argument for including performers in a category that traditionaly populated by activists or politicians is probably an interesting choice ... but I am just not convinced! Activists touch many lives and work for peace ... that's their life's motto. Creative performers work for their performance ... and express themselve in their own form of art. They are great ... and probably more dear to me ... but peace is probably a by-product of their work ... not a direct one. And then there are people who are both ... surely they should be considered for nobel prize for peace.
However, unfortunately Pandit Ravi Shankar is a genuine performer and probably even he never expected to be making a difference in world through his music. He worked and did his job well, but didn't do it for peace ... but for his own interest. His work might have given comfort to millions of people ... but again, it gave comfort to the artiste first ... and those were meant for art ... not for peace.
So even being an Indian, I don't want him to get the prize ... He may get prize in other catagories (not sure if there is a music catagory) ... but not peace!!!

But anyways ... they made this nobel peace prize a joke by awarding it to Koffii Annan last year ... I am waiting to see Bush being awarded for nobel peace prize shortly! I think they are just giving it some different spin by including creative folks into that !

When we will ever get rid off politicians and politics and be "human being" again ?

http://responze.com
http://rahulguha.net
http://www.tuneindia.com

Kyoto Protocol

2005-02-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

Today is a great day for mother earth ... finally the self proclaimed "intelligent" citizens of the planet earth showing their "intelligence" and agreed to do something about "green house" gas. I really hope "better late than never" ...
Some interesting facts :

However one significant absence from the treaty is -- US. Their official position says

The world's second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases is China. Yet, China was entirely exempted from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. This is a challenge that requires a 100 percent effort; ours, and the rest of the world's. America's unwillingness to embrace a flawed treaty should not be read by our friends and allies as any abdication of responsibility. To the contrary, my administration is committed to a leadership role on the issue of climate change. Our approach must be consistent with the long-term goal of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

On the other hand ... the facts are :

China emits 2,893 million metric tons of CO2 per year (2.3 tons per capita). This compares to 5,410 million from the USA (20.1 tons per capita), and 3,171 million from the EU (8.5 tons per capita). China has since ratified the Kyoto Protocol, and is expected to become an Annex I country within the next decade. The US Natural Resources Defense Council, stated in June 2001 that: "By switching from coal to cleaner energy sources, initiating energy efficiency programs, and restructuring its economy, China has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions 17 percent since 1997".

Unfortunate ... sad ... and disbelief that comes into mind. This is probably much more important issue that politics or economics ... Its our responsibility to our next generations ...
I strongly hope one day they will understand ... and hope against hope that it won't be too late ...

Bengali Poetry

2005-02-10T16:41:00.000-08:00

If you read bengali, you can view latest "bangla kobita" in http://banglakobita.blogspot.com.
Other good sites related to Bengali Literature are:
1. http://banglablog.blogspot.com
2. http://www.boipara.com

Bengali BLOG

2005-02-09T23:00:00.000-08:00

This is a good effort ... check it out ... http://banglablogs.blogspot.com/

Transformation of Bengali

2005-02-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

The bengalis whom you (or me) saw in our childhood ... who had money but never believed in showing it off ... did that because of two probable reason. One ... They belong to real "bonedi" culture and never really knew how to show off. Two ... Bengali society discouraged it ... and didn't put much value on showing off money. Social recognition for money was way less than other things (like education, literature, creativity, culture even politics) ... and actually money and being rich was some sort of "social discredit" at that point of time.
But things have changed a lot in last 10 odd years ... and became really different in last few years. We have stopped valuing education and culture ... and give much more importance to money and being rich. The definition of "success" have changed significantly in last decade ... and probably aligned much more with "non bengali" definition of success. The tremendous success of malls and other consumer events in Kolkata proves that. Everytime I visit Kolkata, I see these changes. Even when you look into our "culture" ... and read signature literature in ABP and so forth, you will see those changes. Look into the popular prime time TV program ... how badly they try to copy gameshows and hindi serials? Except few, mainstream Bengali film probably doesn't exist at all ... Uttam/Suchitra is still a better business than recent movies ... similarly Rabindranath/SaratChandra are better business than Suneel Ganguli.

Bottomline ... we bengalis don't value our "culture" anymore ... we don't teach our kids that success means "becoming good in education, honesty, values, awareness etc" ... we don't provide them tools to expand their imagination so that they can value these things ... we even sometime teach them fraud by discussing "bribes" that we put in for their school admission ... So what do we expect or what should we expect? I won't expect to see any difference between a Delhi kid with bengali (calcutta based) kid at all ... It was different before ... not anymore.

In other words ... you (and me) may not like Bhangra/Bhajan ... but young kids do like 'em ... and giving spot to non-bengalis in pujo will server that purpose only. And that was true in all time. I remember in our childhood ... Hindi artistes were preserved as "late night" program when most of the old generation went to sleep ... and younger guys can shake their body off a little bit ...

X1 Search

2004-11-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

Way to go ... I would like to search the software. The way we are dependent on emails and IM, I need something to enhance my search experience. Here it is ... http://calacanis.weblogsinc.com/entry/4349135256845547/

Pujo Pujo

2004-10-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

etai holo pujor moja ... bhat ... bhat ebong bhat ...

Ami kolkatay boro hoyechhi ... jake bole east and north calcutta y ... Salt Lake er ashe pashe ... kintu amar mofoshholer pujo dekhar kichu obhiggota hoyechhe (jehetu amar dadu/thakuma Ashoknagar bole ekti jaygay thakten ... bangaon line e) ... Sei smritita ghire achhe kemon ekta bhije bhije sokal ... siuli ar khub poriskar akash. kemon ekta pobitro ghum theke otha ... niyom na mana din katano ar tar jonno kono bokuni na khaoa. onno bhai bon der sathe ei pandel theke oi pandel e ghure barano ... etc ... ar hyan ... notun jama kapor pora ... kintu she shob onek chhoto belar kotha.

Kolkatay pujo mane chotobelay chilo pujobarshiki ... anondomela/desh/kishore bharoti/ kishore gyan bigyan etc. Probol agrohe opekhha kore thaktam oigulir jonno ... ar berolei oguloke urdhoshashe pore fela ... jani na karo mone achhe ki na ... Pandob Goyenda/ Gogol er ... kimba Kakababu/Santu r adventure. Amader chotobelate TV chhilo na ... prochur khelna chilo na ... kintu jeta chilo seta holo BOI ... ar aj mone hoy how lucky we were !!!
jokhon boro holam (mane pakha gojalo) ... tokhon chorte sikhlam ... otoeb pujo manei adda ar rongin aloy Chitrangoda'r focus (jara dadar kirti dekhechen tara bod hoy relate korte parben). Kintu tao sokal belata kemon pobitro pobitro lagto ...Siuli chhilo na ... Kashfuler math ami omon kore konodin i dekhi ni ... kintu tao bohu porichito sobkichui kemon jeno notun lagto ... notun jama na poreo amader jirno sohor kolkata kemon jeno ujjol hoye uthto.
Ekhane pujor dine pujo hoy na ... ar amrao bhishon basto. Kintu tao ... pujote gale sobar songe dekha hoy ... adda hoy ... sei pobitro bhabta jeno khanikta holeo fire ashe ... kichukhoner jonno. Setukui paoa ...
Saktida'r koyekta line mone pore galo ...
"Badle Jay ... Bodle Jay
Bodle Jete Jete
Ekti Manush Thomke Daray
Jibone Hat Pete
Din Bhikhari Manush bole Ichhe moton pari
Bodol Bondho din katate ... kichhu na ghor bari ...
Kimba khoro ghor o
bodol bondho murti te rong koro"

aj eitukui ... pore aro kotha hobe

Alaska Pictures

2004-09-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

1. Alaska Trip...
2. Denali National Park
3. House of Jade
4. Prince Williams Sound
5. Seward / Resurraction Bay
6. Rahul and Runa
7. Rahul's Pictures
8. Runa's Pictures

An Angry World - Part 1

2004-09-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

Did anybody conducted to measure anger of today's world and compared to same from few years back? Is there something called "angermeter" ?
I think level of anger of individuals gone quite up in last few years. And same time tolerance level went down drustically. We tend to have more "strong opinion" on almost everything ranging from carwash to foriegn policy, from gay marriage to sports shoes and from internet taxation to level of benifits that companies provide. Its quite interesting to watch.
It's not healthy ... right? Anger causes stress and stress causes many things that we don't want.
But why is that? Why we are becoming more angry and more intolerant?
One reason may be availability of choices ... Todays world present huge variety of choices with finer differentiation between almost similar products. What difference does it make if I use Office 2003 and Office XP? We hardly use any new feature of newer version ... but just the availability of the same in affordable price makes us crazy about it. Ten years back we had only charecter based Wordstar or Xywrite and really never had options. So we didn't have the craze for that.
I hardly heard about big brands like Nike or Reebock when I grew up in Kolkata ... and for me shoes were just shoes that help my civilized feelings and little bit of protection. But now I find various types of shoes ... for almost every purpose.
Televiosion meant only one (or two) channels for us ... that too for cetrain period of time of day. Today we get more than five hundred channels with almost each providing 24 x 7 x 365 coverage.
I can see the reason for such differentiations ... it not only provide certain services but also evolve the economy ... But this comes with certain price ... which is "distraction". One product use to serve us so many years, we usually became master of that ... and utilize probably every bit of it. That helped our mind to concentrate on certain areas ... and excel. It was a laid back lifestyle with smaller yet sustaining goals and likings.
Take reading ... it is a slow process ... but has tremendous power to affect someone's brain. It's not instant ... It's not easy ... and it's just not fast. It gave us the power of imagination ... that we carried through our life.
I miss that today ...
And guess what ... when we have so many options our probability of dissatisfaction grows exponentially. I may play basketball once in my lifetime, but the cool new basketball shoe with Michael Jordon brand imprint (made by some people in Malayesia who never can afford that) bears great appeal to me when I play my once in a lifetime basketball game. And even worse, I feel that I would play better if I had that shoe ... and what it finally cause is anger that I may spit to my family for a different reason.
Business deals with people ... and their mindset. We ought to preserve our humanity to participate in business and economic processes. I have a feelings that we are pushing that notion of humanity to its extreme which may finally present challenge towards common economic principles.
That would be truely interesting ...
More later ...

Bread and Tulips

2004-08-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

Watched this movie last week ... liked it. Here is what I have to say about it ...

In America

2004-08-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

This is a new movie that intrigued me ... read it all here

On Golden Pond

2004-07-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

My comment on this great movie after coming out of its spell ... Read all here

Eight and Half

2004-07-06T18:26:00.000-07:00

Just watched Eight and Half by Fellini ... Read my BLOG on that ...
Eight and Half Review.
I am actually starting a new blog called http://paglamovie.blogspot.com for keeping my comments on movies separate.

Democracy and Religion --> Do they go hand in hand?

2004-07-02T13:24:00.000-07:00

I view this topic from a little bit higher level and want to discuss about two basic items ...
1. Democracy
2. Religion

Democracy is a concept which was conceived and publicized by ancient Greek philosophers ... which actually is the ancestor for many "democratic" processes that we practice even today (like two houses of congress etc.).

The main concept of democracy can be summarized by the famous phrase - "Govt. By the people For the People" ... Very sweet and logical theory isn't it?
Let's ask why we need(ed) the whole notion of govt. or "framework" (social or political) ? Why we can't just live without law or regulation or anything? Probably that represents the ultimate and Utopian version of "freedom".

Being intelligent animal, people understood very early in the game that they need this framework to preserve their energy and effort to practice better lifestyle. They understood that by creating the notion of law and govt and social institutions (basically various framework), they can standardize the behavior to many cases and utilize the "lessons learnt" from previous experiences and ensure those mistakes are avoided. This is very much in practice even today and we see it working in the form of constitution amendments and new legal statues coming up. Most importantly, the structures were based on the economic relationship and production processes in place in the community. The structures were created (or got created) to support the production processes. The "Kings" were mostly the large feudal lords ... With their knowledge and maturity , they defined the notion of "freedom" and "lifestyle rules".

It was not the "ignorant, ultimate and Utopian" freedom that our ancestors were after ... they were looking for a "prudent, realistic and comfortable" freedom ... And that's where these "structures" have role to play. We may call it democracy or not ... but it was a "self imposed" structure and underlying need and idea were to produce an "acceptable solution for individual lifestyle conflicts and limit the notion of freedom to some areas resulting huge possibilities and opportunities".

Eventually we see creation and growth of three important agents to support this structure ...
a. Govt/Political --> Collective Interests of a community and its interaction and interface with with external communities
b. Social --> Collective and Individual behavior and interaction between each other.
c. Religion --> Collective and Individual behavior towards "unknowns" including natural forces, emotional behavior and (may be) spiritual conceptions.

And there were obvious overlaps between these various agents ... and that caused tensions around the globe for number of times (and still now happening). The key of success of this process is based on few important very high level assumptions about the interplay between these various agents. Like many other elements, mutual respect as well as tolerance with a focus to the higher level objective (which is essentially the economic system and production process) are key. But history of mankind shows that it is challenging. Sometimes religion become more powerful and rule the political process, and sometimes vice verse.

In my mind, "democracy" is more related to the first one "political" ... although we tend to extend it to Social level (and sometimes individual level). Democracy is a way to run the "govt." and political process ... and deals within its boundary. In that notion, social values or religion really doesn't have any bearing to "support" democracy. I don't think any religion can support democracy because they essentially cater two different areas of life. While religion deals with the "unknowns and abstracts", politics deals with hard reality and other physical stuff. And both are there to support the economic system.

I think root of all these problems has attachment with imbalance of these three institutions ... That blurrs the focus and creates a rigid structure and tend to think itself as "absolute" ... and creates all kind of issues. That point the whole structure (taken over by one agency -- mostly religion) become "irrational" and stop "adapting" new needs for change. However as economy and production process changes with time (mainly thru technology), the superstructure need a different political/social/religious structure ... which the existing agencies disagree. SO the tension begins. As political process can't take place ... no longer it remains "democratic".
In very polite manner we see "generation gap" between father and son ... and in large scale we see these terrorist acts ...

To summerize, I think:
1. Religion is NOT suppose to be "democratic" or "scientific" ... It is based on human mind which is not yet defined and it is meant to define the "unknowns" through abstract concepts. Right or wrong, there is no link between democracy with that.
2. Religion did intrude into social and political arena through out the history and created all kind of problems and bloodsheds and awful customs like "Sati". It also engulfed political processes ... and prevented it to be democratic because religion itself can't be democratic. But we must note here ... that they were NOT suppose to be there in the first place. In other words ... religion doesn't support democracy as they were not suppose to be bothering about democracy at all!!!
3. Intrusion of religion into every part of life created the real heavy handed religious structure with millions of explanations and mis-interpretations (examples can be found in any religion). Probably religion is not the culprit but the people who practice it and their natural pursuasive power is the key. Although folks like Hitlar and Stalin are monsters but they had there sheer talent and qualities which were utilized in wrong direction.
my 2 cents
Rahul

Solitude

2004-06-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

This world is an interesting place ... everybody has their own solitude here.

Trust ... you can trust only yourself although you should trust everbody. That's the secret of success and growth. But actually its trust without expectation that matters ... you never expect anything from anybody. Not even expect him or her to understand you properly.
Its not that the other party is wrong and you are right ... but its just way of thinking ... growing up ... what's priority and what's not priority and so forth.

So if the fact of the matter is communication in personal level is almost impossible or difficult ... finally human being lives in solitude ... right?

And that's probably true for everybody. We build teams and do things together ... but end of the day ... we are alone ... and terribly alone.

Its scary ... but probably truth !!!

Suneel Ganguli ... few questions

2004-06-26T02:50:00.000-07:00

Just read an interview with Suneel Ganfguli in Parabash in this link ... http://www.parabaas.com/BAUSHONTO/NOFRAME/LEKHA5/bAkar.html
I had few questions for Suneel:
1. He mentioned that Desh publishes 25 poems in every issue. But why we keep on seeing same names over and over? What kind of "innovation" we see from him as a "poetry editor" of Desh to get or discover new poets from little magazines? Does he feel "pride" of his contribution for "Bengali Poetry" and Desh ?
2. I don't see a single mention of Bibhutibhushan or SaratChandra or Bankim or not even Subhash Mukherjee (except once in the context of Parichay) in the whole interview. Does he consider them "insignificant" in Bengali Literature? Yes or No, what is his comment on exploding sale of "Classics" in bengali language which are mostly of these "insignificant" writers ? Why Saratchandra is still most translated writer in India and he never cares to even mention him?
3. What is his comment on various complaints from the readers about the degrading quality of his work with time?
4. As he mentioned that he wrote numerous articles and pieces for running his family. Does he believe that compulsion (then) and present compulsion of "pujo sankhya" causes lower quality of his work?
Just asking ...
I am sure he will never reply !!!

Diversity and Acculturation - Its all good.

2004-06-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

For folks like me who doesn't know what Acculturation means ... here is the definition which is borrowed from a friend of mine:
-------------------------------------------------
1 : cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture; also : a merging of cultures as a result of
prolonged contact
2 : the process by which a human being acquires the culture of a particular society from infancy
--------------------------------------------------

When we say culture, its quite broad terminology. So lets try to define some level of specificity in that. For me culture has two major areas ... individual thought process (that includes emotions, feelings, community practices like marriage, lifestyle etc), and second is more physical (like language, dating, food habit, movie watching pattern, collective activities etc). To give a more specific example, Many Indian parents here become really upset when their daughter moves out of their home (or want to move out) at the age of 18, while they are quite happy (and may be proud) with their kid's American accent and inability to speak bengali or hindi. I think we can map these two into two different categories quite easily.
I think the second part is easily transformed with time just because quantity and diversity gives you more choice and we all like choices. And fact of the matter is ... American English and lifestyle have become immensely popular (thanks to Hollywood and Internet) throughout the world and percieved as a "smart and modern" lifestyle. And the way of life in US is so well defined that you can live a very diverse lifestyle out of your home (like eat cuisines from various parts of world, hang out with people of many countries and so forth) and still can keep your legacy value system in your home without any real problem. They usually don't collide. That's why, the physical transformation is easy and it happens almost right away ... whoever comes to US, becomes an "American" irrespective of which part of globe they are coming in.
However, its really interesting even in US, this external cultural signatures vary from one place to another. It is a real melting pot of social values and practices coming from almost every part of the globe. For example, if you visit southern part of US (especially border areas), you will see huge hispanic population and culture is quite bent towards them... you will get real good mexican food, almost everybody speaks (or at least understand) Spanish, You will hear spanish announcements in almost all public places (like airport etc). If you observe closely and over time, you will see even difference in workplace, Amusement Parks or other places where people mix. But, there are many undocumented rules of the game that are followed without question which shows the "americanization" of their social values.
But internal change is quite different beast. It takes probably generations to really change this piece. It involves the emotional and psychological aspects of an individual which was built from his/her upbringing and deeprooted social values. Without going to the debate of right or wrong ... its a part of identity of the person. Sometimes those emotional attachments are universal. For example, love for parent (or children) is an universal thing ... which exists in all culture around the globe. But the expressions are different. And that makes things complicated. I had a friend with mexican origin, whose first GF was an Irish. Her parents were not comfortable with his mexican family value structure (which is quite similar to us and an example is ... when parent visits the town where the couple lives, they stay with the couple not in a separate hotel ... which is logical for the Irish culture). His present wife is a white caucessian too ... but as her upbringing is in Northern California (in some small town), she is familiar with these lifestyle and is a no brainer for her. So they are immensely happy. But, I don't think either of them love less or more their parents ... these are simply different types of expressions... and hey, we learned to respect both.

So yes, this diversity do present challenges ... which seems to be difficult. But this diversity also teaches one to be patient and respectful to others and other's culture. That's the greatest lesson I learnt from here.

Regarding Indian "tradition" and "value system" ... it can be really dangerous and misleading if we throw away our rational thought process. I would recommend you all to watch a movie called "Missisipi Masala" ... where it shows a love affair between an Indian Girl (Sarita Chaudhari - who immigrated from Kenya with her parents) with a black guy (Danzel Washington) ... and guess what .... her parents as well as Indian community were not ready to accept that. The twist was ... they were ready to accept an affair with a white guy ... but not a black. And my friends ... this a pathetic reality. This discrimination is deeprooted in our mind. Probably 200 years of Brit slavery caused that ... and I am sure it will go away. But it will take time. Actually an ABCD (America Born Confused Desi) is much better off than people like us on that respect as they grew up with the diversity from their childhood. My friend's son counts one to ten in bengali, english and spanish in same fluency ... I think that's great.

In summery ... I think yes, it presents challenges ... but those challenges are good to have than keeping age old and backdated and pre-concieved ideas. Diversity teaches respect and challenge and confidence ... I ain't gonna trade that for "peaceful" and "traditional" lifestyle.

GMail ... privacy and competition

2004-06-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

Last few months, suddenly the boring web based free EMail market became little interesting. Google beta launched GMail brought few cool features as below:
1. Autocomplete in address bar ... just like Outlook. I am amazed that finally something is taken from Microsoft too.
2. 1GB storage ... don't delete anything. Way to go.
3. Message Labels ... This is alternate of folders ... Although I think its cool approach, it will take me some time to get habituated to that.
4. Speed ... GMAIL is too fast ...
5. Clubbing conversations togather ... Way to go. Nobody else does that ... not even Outlook.
6. Rating of messages (Star) ... way to go again.
However it doesn't support one feature which bugs me is ... Rich Text Editing and HTML editing. I am sure they will offer that moving forward ... and then it will be very difficult to even beat them.
BUT ... Yahoo came back with their offering ... and is offering 100M from today. They actually upgraded all of their members to 100MB space limitation. This is way too good. They also have a new look and feel and offering autocomplete feature. However, in first few hours, it seems that new look and feel has caused little slowing of their system. Checked with few friends too ... it became little slow especially when you are sending emails. But I am sure they will fix that ...

Then comes "Privacy" issue. Segmented marketing is a beast of consumerism ... it is every marketer's dream to figure out someone's "reserve price" for a product that he/she wants to sell. Analysis of emails will surely help them. But why complain now? We have given up our privacy anyway in many other areas. Even renting an apartment causes a "credit check" ... and reduce your credit rating (meaning if u move from one place to other ... u are "less" likely to pay back your debt ... ridiculous). The corp. emails are routinely analyzed (from other perspectives). Online subscriptions are scrutinized not only by computer but by human being with the intention of figuring out one's preference and reserve price. And probably the web based emails are already analyzed for finding "context sensitive" advertisements ...

So why cry now? Let's try to rip off the advantages from this thing ...So far I am good if someone finds out which digital camera I like and offer me at the price that I want to pay ...

Question is what we will do with 1.1GB storage space now? How people can make money through web based emails anymore ?

Why do I care ... ? I say ... go google ...

Muir Woods

2004-06-14T01:46:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Muir Woods and Stinson beach. Here is the link for all of my pictures ... .
Liked it ... and will visit it again if time permits. It reminded me few things:
1. How small we are with respect to nature
2. How less matured we are compared to nature
3. How nicely something like this can be kept alive ...

Siddharta - The Movie... Wait/Think and Fast

2004-06-10T23:50:00.000-07:00

Just watched the movie called Siddharta. I saw that long back ... forgot most of it.
The only way I can describe it is ... "Philosophical" ... and so true. Don't try to find story per se ... its based on the backdrop of Lord Buddhha ... but doesn't preach any ism. Few key takeaway:
1. Wait ... Think ... Fast
2. Live in "present"
3. Stop Searching ... start living and giving.
Its very absorbing ... and affects psychological ... and has a different kind of mood ... very different from typical movies. Although Bthe book was even better ... but the movie is also worth watching and owning.
If you want to understand INDIA ... this is the real thing.

Pointless Harmful Rituals like Sati

2004-06-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

This is in reference to an interesting Article by Avijit Roy of Mukto-Mona yahoo group ...
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/avijit/shotto_khojey_MuktoMon.pdf

I bear similar level of disgust and hatred for such ridiculous and harmful "traditional rituals", But while we all know these things, probably our hatred is not enough for stopping these things from Indian Subcontinent, which is evident from our day to day experiences.
I would like to take a stab on "WHY" part of these happenings ... and I think that's the only way we can approach this problem in a logical and effective manner. In my experience I have seen that while condemning someone for his/her action may be of some effect, it may cause more apathy and distance. But going to the roots of the action (the "why" part) may be more useful and make sense.

If we look into ourselve ... human beings ... "intelligence" is something that we like to practice and be proud of. But, pragmatically, we are NOT in a position to explain many things (probably most of the things) that happen around us. This is no way limited to physical world ... but extends to the metaphysical layer (which in my mind includes human emotions, thought process and allegence to past and tradition and so forth). As an "intelligent" animal, we try to "explain" things with our "limited" intellect ... and obviously fail at some point. To keep our "intellect" satisfied, we try to explain it anyway ... and that gave birth of all these religions and rituals and what not. Suppose it didn't rain one year ... and the peasants facing draught ... which is completely beyond their control and capability. So they go praise the god of rain for rain, with an expectation. If it happens (which is totally by chance) .... well ... you have a cause-effect relation right there. Five years later, similar situation happens ... they worship ... nothing happens. But do that change their faith? No way ... because they don't have anything else but faith. Please note that in this kind of situation faith is NOT a choice ... but a compulsion and probably only way to push the problem back. And surely this huge baggage builds up over years and generations to create rituals like Sati and Dowry and what not.
I strongly believe this behavior is true for emotional orientation as well as human relationship too. Its amazing how this "inability" to explain things take various shapes and figures that finally affect our lifestyle or "way of life".

And then surely we have real "intelligent" people around who takes advantage of this "innocence" and create social "rituals" and sell them in the name of religion as well as social behavior. Our "closely knit" social values prevent us think clearly ...

If we go one level deeper, in my opinion, economics drive everything and this too. When we talk about social injustice and poverty and nexus between religion and opressors and all ... I see them simple micro economics. Economic structure creates certain social framework ... and all these elements (including religion/social values/rituals and even human emotion) are all components of this big puzzle. None of them independent and can exist by itself. That's why when economics change, social superstructure also changes ... and gives way to a new form ... we call that "renessance" or "liberation" or whatever ... Make no mistake ... the notion of "Freedom" is the base for American Capitalistic economy and it persists only because Amrican economy is thriving. I do think probably its one of the most practical and scientific structure that we have ever seen ... but finally ... its the economic structure that drives social behavior ... not the other way around.

Why India never saw "slave movements"? That's an interesting question. Where did we see slave movement in the world and at what time and at what context? Slave movement was needed for the capitalist economy for creating more demand as they were essentially missing a whole lot of potential market because of povert and restrictions on slaves. Along with obvious human reasons, I strongly believe that was one big reason for success of fight against slavery. And it happend at that juncture of human history, when western world moved away from Feudal structure to a capitalistic economic structure through the invention of steam engine and through the passage of Industrial Revolution. The formation of labor force as well as technological innovation and growth of market economy accelerated the slave movements which created comparitivly better distribution of wealth and created a new bunch of people called "middle class". If we look closely, this "middle class" are the main consumer of products and main producer of it. We pretty much decide what product should come and go and persist. And I think, that came more from the "slaves" who were restricted because of economic structure. Now in India, we see the Feudal structure still very much alive in parts of the country. Although we all boast about our spiritual excellence (which I agree too ... but that's beyond the scope of this discussion), I think the main reason of not seeing slave movements for a while is lack of economic reason. Why one would come out of slavery if the other side of the woods are not that green anyways. Why one would go through the pain and agony of this huge struggle (which usually lust for one or two whole generation and lifetime) for almost nothing except "freedom" which separated from "financial" term probably means very little to 80% poor people in mother India.
But, I think we are seeing forms of "slave movements" in India nowadays ... and its happening in a really wrong way. I am talking about numerous "dalit" movements happening in Bihar/UP etc which includes some Naxalite movements, some purely caste based movements and some very regional movements. These are essentially movements that represent frustration of 80% poor people of India and its in my mind same as "slave" movement although theoretically we don't have "slaves" in India anymore.
Actually things have gotten to certain point when probably economics is getting overwritten by the agony and pain and probably the fact of the matter is ... both sides of the woods are evenly worse ... so why not try to get some possible fruit by taking an action. Its pathetic ...

Bottomline ...I strongly believe that religious or any kind of "hypocracy" will remain to the society until we can figure out or reach to some sort of acceptable economic condition of the society. It happens in bits and pieces ... but will never succeed. I am NOT surprized to see "Sati" in Indian village ... and I am sure its happening even today under the cover (there are actually reports of human sacrifice moving around).
I do appreciate the article ... but I am sceptical how much it helps us in solving the problem. Well, one can argue that pointing out the problems is part of solution ... and I see that.

My new GMail Account

2004-06-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

So ... finally I got my GMail Account ... My sincere thanks to Rob ... http://rob_jones.blogspot.com/. He sent me the invitation ... which allowed me to get the GMail account.
Please send me EMails @ rahul.guha@gmail.com ... don't spam it please :).
I think it has quite a few interesting cool features. To start with ... it adds the contacts right away after you type the email addresses in. And allowes "Autocomplete" when you start typing ... just like Outlook. It was cool.
It also have better organization and more features in terms of catagorizing your emails. I haven't used the search feature yet ... as I don't have enough mail there yet.
One missing element that I noticed was ... lack of rich text editor. I am not sure if I am missing it or it's not there because most of the email client have that and it's cool.
Whatever ... I gig is quite an amount of space ... and I love that.
I shall update later once I use the account more and dive into features more. In the meantime ...
California is sunny ... and so do GMail and Google ...

True acceptance of Diversity ... A liberal needs to be cautious too

2004-05-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

I think we are going through a time of integration and communication between various cultures and lifestyles and maybe ideologies. As a result various dogmatic ideas are coming in contact and causing many frictions. The notion of "mine is better than yours ..." is probably a result of that. I think ... and that's where I probably stretch this notion a little bit ... this might be also in play in the mind of "secular" and "free thinking" minds too. There are situations when we do discard religion or religious thinking just because it is "religious" and "cliche' ". Logically in many cases ... I agree with that ... In many cases (may be almost in all cases) religious bindings doesn't directly relate to common day logic. BUT ... we must not forget that religion has a huge impact and bearing in common man/woman's life and thought process. From the history of world, we, common human being tried to define the "unknowns" or "undefined" or "uncontrollable" items in the light of religion and god. Without even going to the discussion of whether it is right or wrong ... I think it has social/spiritual/practical values. I am after that ... and that's why I don't discard religion altogather.
A person living his/her life with a notion of religion/value system suddennly just can't change his thought process because it is "not logical" ... they need something more. Unfortunately that emotional break out is NOT served by defying a belief. For an example ... if my aunt feels good by doing some puja at the fag end of her life, and thereby following all those "fastings" and all ... I don't want to disturb her belief and lifestyle just because it is "not logical". At that point, probably "veiling the truth" is better than "unveiling" it.
But if she starts controlling somebody else's activities who doesn't want to do that ... I have a problem. That point religion transforms from being "personal" to "collective" and that's imposition. In my opinion, that's unacceptable.
So in "true" acceptance I mean accepting other folks beliefs as it is until they screw me up. If they expect me to do something that I don't want ... I can't really accept it anymore because one pre-condition of acceptance is "mutual acceptance" ... and the moment they don't follow that ... they violate my basic right. But I don't want to violate that either by interferring into their lifestyle. I like Susi .... and if another friend of mine hate it and trys to convince how bad those raw fishes are ... that is ridiculous ain't they? I think its same for religion too.
Education has importance ... no doubt about it. However educating any sort of dogma ... either pro or anti religion actually creates more dogma. Being a strong atheist and preaching others atheism (and convincing them and taking actions to prove it and thereby hurting them) is probably similar to a strong Taliban mindset. There were stories of "young bengal" movement in early days when athiest urban folks use to throw pieces of "beef" into bramhin houses. I see that same as bramhins not drinking water from a lower caste house. That's a delicate point where one may loose their free thinking power by getting caught into something they have strong opinion about and may loose their compassion and common sense.
So by "diversity" I not only mean various religions and cultures ... but I do include various dogmatic thought process too.
That's where compassion and common sense plays a very important role ... we gotta keep our "basic instincts" up while dealing with these. I can't go and preach my seventy year old aunt that she is wrong ... because its wrong and it will hurt her and finally I am NOT sure either. So I would rather get along with her ... talk to her in her words. Its just common sense and compassion for me.
Actually the word "Freedom" is quite vague and it also changes along with time/place combo. Freedom in Rural India is prison in US. So we need to be careful applying the abstract while talking about various cultures around. It is a comparative study and needs to be compared along that line.
I think ... again true free thinking is based on notion of respect/acceptance and introspection on literally anything. I believe in the idea of "Live and Let Live" which basically teaches me to understand somebody from their perspective ... not from my perspective.

Democracy - Should Majority always rule?

2004-05-22T23:39:00.000-07:00

Let's talk a little bit about "what democracy means" ... shall we? Although it is sometime percieved to be a decision making process by taking the opinion of "majority" ... I think one very important piece in democracy is "protecting minority voices". It is as important as upholding the majority rulings.
On that premise, it was seen that "majority" doesn't speak right things always. Mass usually is quite caught up into media frenzy as well as their own little limitations. Actually if we look closely, in many cases if majority was to decide ... many important things would never had taken place. Example ... Anti-Seggregation law in US. If they listened blindly to the majority, probably even today we would have experienced seggregation. This shows that any "mature" system just can't depend on "majority". It needs to recognize feeble but correct voices ... it should be able to find out those appearantly silent voices and judge them in the light of people's interest.
Stepping a step back, then how the concept of "govt. by the people and for the people" works in conjunction with democracy? Actually in parliamentory (or other form) democracy, we select people to "THINK" for us. The way things are organized, after we send them to the houses (upper and lower), we allow them to make almost any policy decisions for us. Its an understanding that we create through our vote (and they sign up) that they will do whatever they "think" is good for us ... NOT whatever "we say them to do". And that's why the election process and getting right people out there is very important and that's where (in my opinion) Indian Political process is failing as we are seeing MPs coming from known smugglers and so forth.
Essentially we do need people in those houses who understand and have knowledge about things like history, economics, finance, foriegn affairs etc ... You just need to know these things (or at least should have basic understanding and interest) for running the darn show. That's why I am glad that finally we have a "good literate person" in the position. However, you also need proper mix of people in the bandwagon who can roll up real problem as well as keep the connection to lowest level alive. Its interesting how it works ... even in the most porous and inefficient form that we see in Indian political system.
Assuming bjp is a minority in today's India ... and they don't want Sonia to be PM is a democratic issue. Its a legitimate issue as minority speaks for that. So any democratic process needs to address that. I am NOT advocating that she shouldn't be PM just because they screamed. But the process of electing PM has to take this strong issue into account and consider and address that. Unfortunately, in Indian political perspective, dramatic presentations are normal and natural and that's why we saw various interesting (and entertaining) happenings all around this incident.
And I think finally democracy prevailed ... and Sonia did the right thing (for any reason whatever it may be) by not taking the PM position. But this thing surely started a debate of "qualification" for the position of PM ... and that should NOT be stopped. It should be pursued and discussed and I think this is a very good candidate for nationwide voting on an issue.

India - How things are shaping up?

2004-05-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

I am scared to death with Congress because of their age old inefficiency. And combine left's pre-historic ideas ... we probably is set to see real weired things.

I noticed one very interesting fact in this year's election? Everybody is surprized ... Political Parties who lost didn't expect such a huge loss, even the winners (left and congress) didn't expect such a win. Worst of all, even the media and exit polls didn't know what was going on.
This, in my opinion shows two things ...

One - Compelete disconnect between people and political parties (all of them). That's scary because that essentially points out serious vacuum in our political scenario ... which gives birth of extremist and disparate movements like Naxals. I won't be surprized to see more Janajudhha cropping up here and there.

Second - If we really look into the matter closely, its actually a huge polarization between Rural Agriculture based India vs Urban Industrial India.

This time the rural India, represented by the Feudal forces won ... which will surely take the win towards their advantage. But, fact of the matter is, this disconnect and polarization is again NOT good for the country. Historically, we need this feudal forces to go ... even communists should look for that because of their theory. Capitalism is anyday better than Feudalism. By creating this huge gap, we are basically caught into a virtual war between these two forces. This will eventually slow down growth in both the sides.
Regarding the populist measures ... well, I think we have seen so many such things (from Rs 1 Kg Rice and so forth). And we all know those ain't gonna work. Whatever measures these political leaders will take are essentially directed to the rich farmers and most of the advantages will be taken by them only. Regarding Interest rate ... it is almost impossible to make people aware of the fact that Interest Rate is NOT an isolated matter ... its based on many other factors. The prime rate determines essentially the rock bottom of the interest rate in which the industries and financial institutes borrow money and that is prolifirated to the other areas including small scale savings. The fact is, increase of interest rate on that will eventually increase prices of every item and may (and I see that's a real possibility now) drive us to hyper inflation which we saw in earlier days of Congress and Third front rulings.

I seriously feel that our financial institutions haven't done good job of reaching out to the middle class people to create a "comfort zone" for investment (other than CD and savings). Nine out of ten people in US invests in Stock while the ratio is just reverse in India. This brings money work harder ...with more risk obviously. But by portfolio management they can distribute the risk. And do you think individuals do that? Nope ... common people are equally ignorant in this country too and equally sceptical about this investments. The financial companies (like AMEX etc) plays a great role on balancing their customer's portfolios (for a fee ofcourse) that minimizes any risk. I haven't seen that in India ... that's very important. So low interest rate (in US typical savings account interest rate is around .75% and that's there for last almost two years) and one year CD rate is max 2%. And it actually came down from 7.5% at 2001. People never cried about it because they don't have any option but acepting it.
As I mentioned before for any economy to run, we need financial infrustracture. While NDA took many good measures (like cutting down interest rate), they failed to create proper infrustracture which will allow common people to participate in the economy and make them comfortable on how things are moving. They should have taken measures (except useless speeches from their leaders) to separate the idea of cult/voodoism which is somehow got clubbed with Stock Market. They failed to create a credit rating system which would have created a better environment for small businesses. They failed to create creative policies for small businesses ... which is essentially the backbone of our economy.

Another important thing is ... we have a parallel economy going on in the form of black money. And when we say 8% GDP and 4% inflation, its based on govt. benchmarks which may be reflecting partial picture of the economy. That's something needs to be fixed. This parallel economy has grown to such an extent, it is having its own social and political impacts and that comes in the form of various sold out MPs as well as common transaction of those black money. I understand its very difficult and I really don't know how to get this working ... but we need some creative way to cater that area. Its not only huge amount but also makes the whole process of economy non-functional.

Finally, I don't expect much (or anything) from COngress govt. except enormous inefficiency. But if they can at least start some of these infrustractural processes that would be good. Also I am sure that the financial institutes on India will do better job in future in getting middle class involved into real investments. Finally I think, our media should take a hard look at themselve and figure out why and how they too missed this whole change in such a poor manner. And I hope (really hope) BJP won't go back to its Ram issues (although I see that as a possibility) and become a more communal party. I am scared because in this vacuum of politics, communal forces has great potential and can really take over the country because probably that's the only issue with which common people cal identify themselve.
Its a time for reconciliation ...
But this essentially shows what democracy and people can do ... even in this age and even in the age of strongest ever mass media ... Right or wrong ... its undobtately peoples' verdict and that's phenomenal. We can be proud of that ... at least.

Another irresponsible mistake by Left Parties in India

2004-05-15T01:31:00.000-07:00

After independence, this is the first time when left alliance bagged considerable amount of seats in Parliament. Although it was a surprize to even themselve, they, following their age old thought process, decided not to join the ministry. They will support the largest alliance "Congress" for getting their required majority. They will support that alliance on the basis of "issues".
We are seeing the same mistake once again.
People vote for getting things done ... and one way of serving that purpose is to "take responsibility" in parliamentary democracy. When the communists will understand that?
They are worried about their strongholds in West Bengal and Kerala where their main opponent is Congress, and so joining Congress ministry would result sort of "ideological banckrupcy" to them ... at least in their mind.
Being from West Bengal, I can say that they have shifted sufficiently from their "ideology" and that's why they did so good in West Bengal in this election. Secondly, in WB, they win because of lack of opposition. People of West Bengal got bored with Mamta Circus for quite a while and rejected them altogather. So unless some miracle happens, left will be in power for next two elections ... without any real challenge.
However, people wanted them to go work for the country ... and one form of that is by joining the ministry. In past, they failed to do that once. They are making same mistake again. They are shying away from responsibility. That way they are trying to keep the exit-path open for their politicking.
My disappointment is ... still today, they couldn't come out of their "cranky" kid mindset.

Sonia Gandhi - Need more time to prove

2004-05-14T14:28:00.000-07:00

Here is what I got (from a friend) about Sonia Gandhi ... New probably Indian Prime Minister

1.. Sonia Gandhi is ONLY a high school graduate. It is not even sure if she is Matric pass or fail. Cambridge University has confirmed that they have no Sonia Maino on their alumni list.

2.. Her sister, Nadia Mario, who had never visited India before rushed to New Delhi, after Vajpayee govt.fell, to be by her side amidst reports that she might soon become India's Prime Minister.

3.. Should Sonia Gandhi become Prime Minister, her relatives in Italy would be fully entitled to round-the-clock protection by the Black Cat commandos at the Indian taxpayer's expense.

4.. She worked as an house maid in UK while taking classes to learn English in some no name school. She was from a poor family in Italy but now has almost as much money as Bill Gates (guess whose money is it).

5.. During the 1971 war, while all Indians stood ready to fight for the Indian cause Sonia Maino and her husband Rajiv Gandhi went on vacation in Italy.

6.. In 1977, when Indira Gandhi and Congress lost elections, Sonia Gandhi with her children and husband in tow took refuge of Italian embassy in New Delhi. Only after Indira Gandhi, Sanjay and his Indian wife Maneka convinced her that they came back.

7.. Sonia married Rajiv in 1968 and was eligible to become Indian citizen 5 years later yet she did NOT become Indian citizen till 1984 I.e. 16 years after her marriage) This late bloom of Sonia's love for India also was out of political consideration. In 1984, Rajiv, was heir apparent and most likely next Prime Minister. It would be awkward for a PM to have a foreigner wife. Voila, Sonia became an Indian Overnight.

8.. She has not given a single interview or offered any ideas on a single issue facing India now. Her only qualification is that she married a Gandhi. No newspaper has taken up the issue; no political party is opposing this, people are falling in line as if this is nothing unusual.

9.. Sonia became an Indian citizen in 1984 but did not surrender her Italian citizenship. She continues to be simultaneously a citizen of India and Italy as Italian law does not require her to surrender her Italian citizenship or passport. Simply put, Sonia is a dual citizen of India and Italy now dreaming of becoming the next Prime Minister of India (she can also legally become the prime minister of Italy!)... too

Spiritualism and Some thoughts ...

2004-05-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

I think, and as time goes by I am getting confident, one key factor for child grooming is book reading. As you mentioned, you read books in your childhood. I consider myself lucky to spend my childhood (and most of boyhood) without the aggression of TV ...and I eventually grew up in Books. Reading books was a sacred thing in our family (and with the people around us). We were not rich ... but we had books of many types and from many areas. Above all, we were never prevented reading any kind of books ...
I think that (reading books), opens the mind to a great extent which eventually teaches to ask questions and think rationally. History creates a mental framework of imagination and drives someone's rational thinking. These are invaluable ...
Rational thinking (imro) is something that probably comes from childhood ... you don't born with it .. but you grow it in first few years of your life. Conservatism too gets rooted in the same period of time. That's why child grooming is so important. I don't expect a "conservative" person turning to "rational" becasue of logic ... because essentially he doesn't believe in logic. However, incidents may turn him into rationalist ... but its very rare.
I don't know about BD, but in Kolkata, unfortunately, children are literally abused nowadays. First of, they are exposed to a wacky level of competition where so called "donation" have become a "way of life" and "social issue". People nowadays boast for paying more bribe to get their children into schools ... and they do that infront of their children. Do you see the effect on the child? See, I am not saying bribe is good or bad ... that's a different discussion (based on specific context) ... but notion of "socially acceptable bribe" is painful and sign of a decaying society. Secondly, they are literally stumped with so many assignments (forced) ... from school to extra curricular activities and so forth. Each child spend around eight to ten hours a day on all those things (including school) ... do you believe it? That takes out any possible time that they would have had for themselve or with their friends or with their parents. Finally, remaining few hours goes directly to cartoon channels (courtesy our cable movement) ...
So we are grosing a generation who learnt how to perform in competition (irrespective of values or ethics), who never had any thought process by themselve (as they spend most of time on forced assignments which are mostly routine work) and whose dream is superhuman and fantasy is based on cartoon charectors (which arguably good or bad based on specific program ... but any day worse than our childhood books and world classics). They don't care about any sort of religion ... and what I mean by that is ... if they feel that being Hindu helps him ... he will act like that and vice-verse. He don't care about his family too (because he never learnt how to care).
I won't go more ... but the fact of the matter is ... this aggressive generation of modern age reminds me many charectoristics of fanatics and extremists with religion bias or political bias. Again, this whole process takes out rationality from a young person and makes a dogmatic individual. That's painful for him (the person) and the society. Success can't be a replacement of peace and love. That's what I think.
Spiritualism plays an interesting role here. Without going into the so called voodoism ... I think some times it makes you think (that was my experience with Ramakrishna Mission). Right or wrong ... acceptable or not ... this thought process atleast takes you to some sort of logic and rationality. It seems to me like sort of a cleaning process of the society (obviously in true manifestation .... ) ... like dyalisis of kidney. It is needed just to clean things up ... and similar notion is true for society. Fact of the matter is ... common people doesn't take/understand the rationality unless it's imposed in the name of some sort of superpower ... be it God (religious ) or British/American (colonial backlash) or Boss (economic) ...
We live in a cynical world ... but by practicing "active optimism" we can make this living little better ... don't we?

2004-05-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

Violence (Religious/Political) and Poverty --> Chicken / Egg --which comes first?
In the mist of election year voilence in the name of religion or political activities have become part of our life. I think essentially these are based on economic mal-function and poverty of a community. Poverty leads to frustration which essentially brings people to some sort of "higher order" power ... which is provided either by religion, or political parties or some crazy ideology (like neo nazi) . As each of them essentially based on "subjective perception" of social construct, none of them essentially explain the root cause of that frustration. And instead of explaining their incapability, they essentially try to find some external entity for the problem ... and recommend violence. In other words, each of these entities, at some point encourage violence extended to wrong audience and for wrong cause. We have seen the examples in various parts of the world many times.
I am NOT suggesting that any of these entities are fundamentally right or wrong ... that's just beyond the scope of discussion here. If we assume that man by nature is "non-violent" creature ... obvious deduction is some external reasons make them violent ... isn't it. Although the root-cause of that (in subcontinent) is essentially economic condition, our "faith oriented" nature bring us to the religions or political entities, which in turn encourage violence as they can't solve the daily problem.
Same deduction holds (to some extent) true for social-injustice towards women.
Although I understand that violence is a very complex emotional state of human mind (which is attributed many other factors like ego, needs, circumstances, sarroundings etc), and I have no idea how much distorted it can get to take another life (and I don't want to feel that either) ... I think economic reason is the paraount one.
Any takers ?

2004-05-09T14:18:00.001-07:00

MONEY TALKS

Indian politics today is controlled by few specific interest groups ... corporate companies who want to establish their economic colony in India (becasue we have a good english speaking market), bunch of feudal landlords who care about their control over land and money (and want to rule some illitrate rural folks) and bunch of mafias who care about their power and territories (and take color of caste from time to time to validate their political identity).

I see a great nexus of all three forces in BJP (and in other paries and political forces too) ... and I am amazed by the fact that how easily these different forces can co-exist togather. I am amazed by the capability of the ruling parties were able to bring all these three forces togather and keep them togather with such an ease.

In good (or bad) old days these guys had some bizarre sort of "self esteem" which can be almost compared to "ego" ... that sometimes stood between these sort of nexus. But in last few years, BJP (and its allies) very successfully taught "common sense" to those folks ... so that they came out of the backlash of "ego" and acting like matured criminals ...

I am truely hopeful becasue at least they are getting "matured" ...

2004-05-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

MONEY TALKS
Indian politics today is controlled by few specific interest groups ... corporate companies who want to establish their economic colony in India (becasue we have a good english speaking market), bunch of feudal landlords who care about their control over land and money (and want to rule some illitrate rural folks) and bunch of mafias who care about their power and territories (and take color of caste from time to time to validate their political identity).

I see a great nexus of all three forces in BJP (and in other paries and political forces too) ... and I am amazed by the fact that how easily these different forces can co-exist togather. I am amazed by the capability of the ruling parties were able to bring all these three forces togather and keep them togather with such an ease.

In good (or bad) old days these guys had some bizarre sort of "self esteem" which can be almost compared to "ego" ... that sometimes stood between these sort of nexus. But in last few years, BJP (and its allies) very successfully taught "common sense" to those folks ... so that they came out of the backlash of "ego" and acting like matured criminals ...

I am truely hopeful becasue at least they are getting "matured" ...

2004-05-09T14:06:00.000-07:00

Rational thinking vs Faith
Science, with its limitations of assumption and knowledge try to explain things which are eternally unexplained. Anyday human imagination and power of thought is greater than "proved" facts. But that's not an excuse for NOT trying to prove facts or trying to explain things that we don't have any hard proof ...

So, while science ideally should never have any comments on existance of GOD ... by its fundamental nature, would try to explain things which we usually describe (or accept or submit) as work of GOD (of various form). ANy prudent and mature mind would treat that as a proper way of approaching unknowns.

Rational thinking is NOT same as defying something ... in my mind it is rather keeping an open mind for new and eternal journey of human innovations. Understanding Big Bang or Quantam theory needs years of study, which is true for any philosophic theory too. The difference between rationality and "faith based" lifestyle is ... the first one expects one to understand (at least from the 20K ft level) the theories while the second one doesn't have even that requirement.

So faith (in my mind) is an easier path which became (and remains) very popular as it needs very little understanding and knowledge. However I must admit that that's very practical and useful for social structure and people.

Saying that, we always have people who hate to follow the status quo ... and they come from various disciplines of life. The major portion of vocal rationalists from the "arts" departments of the universities probably just shows that they think more in this area than others. A science worker or student doesn't really qualify to be a "rational" thinker by the fact that he/she is knowledgable in science. Rationality is something MORE than just knowing the theories of science ... its based on their capabilities connecting the dots ... which needs "rational thinking" and that's different than scientific knowledge. That's why we see the scientists turning to philosophers at the fag end of their life ... when through their life they connect the dots.

The example of Plato is an interesting one as this surely shows that he was a "rational thinker" ... and yes he was way off from reality. But the process he started was known as rationalism (or atheism as mentioned by some folks here), and its still up and running. He was man enough (for the lack of better _expression) to question the unexplained ... and he was not well recieved by the majority.

Its funny how people still love bashing the rational thought process while they even know the history of mankind. If few bizzarre folks didn't pursue the conquest of physics and metaphysics we wouldn't be posting these messages and would live in wilderness with our faith.

I presume that questioning GOD is within my rights, and that's how I may enrich myself to understand this unexplained force (what may be called as GOD). Rational thinking teaches me just that ... and I am sure any GOD (with his/her abstract existance) likes that.

We can be asking questions and labelled as "rational" or we can stop asking questions (sue to any reason beyond my knowledge and understanding) and be labelled as ... well I won't go there :)

2004-05-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

Change is Inevitable
They say "Change is the only static phenomenon" ... and we all know that's absolutelyt correct. However, every change has its shades of impacts. While economy starts the ball rolling, other aspects like social and religious issues adjust itself ... adopt to the new world. That may not be "acceptable" for the people who prefer "status quo". But, probably we don't have any real choice here ... economy and globalization is a wave that not only engulfs our economy but also affects our "way of life" ...

While economical move towards globalization (or should I say Consumerism) breaks various taboos of society, it imposes then new ones. Incidentally, as a mass, we just follow it ... without even knowing what we are giving up and what we are getting. Please note here, that I am NOT talking about the merits and demerits of anything ... but I am amazed by the fact that as a society and collection of "matured" individual, how easily and quickly we adopt to new "RULES" without even thinking about its pros and cones. We call it "synthesis" ... but sometimes when I watch Bollywood movies or lifestyles in Indian metros, I rather see a "takeover".

I am envisioning a "universal" culture and language evolving in next few years (may be 15-20) which will become a de-facto standard for the whole world.

That's probably good for women in India just becasue of the fact that it will be heavily weighted by American social values and culture (just becasue internet is pioneered in US and will (and is) act (ing) as a key transforming agent); and as we all know, american society empowers women more than our eastern societies.

Rate of divorce is one more indicator ... which essentially may indicate the "lack of compromise" between couples. I personally think it should depend totally on the respective couples and the related individuals threshhold limit...However, our feudal social structure use to supress the individual feelings by creating various pressure points (which includes religion). But the new Rules will enhance individual mental freedom ... which in turn will create more "less" patient couples ... and so I expect to see more divorces.

And please note that ... I don't see anything wrong here ... I am not those people who believe in "sacred institution" called marriage.

However, we may loose other nice pieces of our social tradition like our language and emotion and the sheer concept of "simple living" and may be spiritualism. But hey ... that's the price we all agreed to pay for the economic "freedom" ... didn't we?

If you have reached upto this point reading my post, you may be ready to distinguish me as a person opposing globalization. Let me clarify ... I am not; I am amazed by the power of Internet and its effects. But I am euqlly belong to our age old tradition and beuty of expression that we all have . But I see how things are changing ... and I at one hand I see how it is helping us economically ... on the other hand I see my old city is transforming.

So I am just confused ... and unsure of what is good or bad ...