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Ramya sedition issue and how we got it all wrong, or right.

saskarth
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Ramya sedition issue and how we got it all wrong, or right.

Another week. Another new issue. This time it involves an actor. Needless to say our citizens’ interest in this. Further, it has involved Pakistan too. And as anyone’s guess our media houses are trying their level best to get TRP. Let us dissect the issue.

1. Actor-Politician Ramya returns from a week-long ‘SAARC Youth Parliamentarians Conference’ in Islamabad. (I don’t know what an EX-MP had to do there?)

2. When enquired, in attempt to attack Manohar Parrikar, she said ‘Pakistan is not a hell; Pakistanis are really nice’. (To her offering a glass of juice while her things getting stolen is really an experience to conclude)

 3. Instead of laughing at this, Kodagu Praja Ranga (Yes. There’s an organization by this name) president Vittala Gowda filed a complaint in Somwarpet court.

4. To Ramya, this organization is BJP. And started besmirching BJP for misusing sedition law everywhere.  (Does it mean Bangalore Police is BJP?)

5. Our intelligent people who have no time but to read only the headlines has started feeling that they are living in North Korea or China.

6. Even if the case is quashed, she’ll say justice prevails, truth alone triumphs, BJP has lost etc.

7. BJP will be targeted by media and ‘intellects’ for any sedition law filed against anyone by anyone anywhere in India. (Similar to ‘minority & Dalit oppression’ and ‘Cow-Vigilantes)

Reforms 2.0- India’s subservience to the structural motifs of Modern Nation State is almost complete

Raghav Mittal
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Reforms 2.0- India’s subservience to the structural motifs of Modern Nation State is almost complete

“You can resist an invading army; you cannot resist an idea whose time has come”, this oft quoted statement somehow defines the state of affairs on the Indian soil which is undergoing a series of new-age reforms across the spectrum. They are being, but obviously, claimed transformational by the official propaganda machinery. The die-hard supporters of the ruling disposition are bound by the accord of obedient cheer leading without much ado. The Chroniclers & Commentators on various pay rolls have to tom-tom the official line in the inherent spirit of allegiance. The detractors & opponent are bound to question and reject the propositions or to claim credit of any tangible success. A very few tend to dissect, analyze and advocate for re-evaluations, add-ons and modifications of the current deck. It’s this objective criticism which is getting dearer and endangered.

The wide variegated set of reforms which are dotting India’s Economy, affecting the Indian Society in turn, need to be observed carefully with poise. The indomitable power which Economics wield in the modern era surpasses the midas touch of the institution of Politics by a great margin. This dominant reality shapes the outcomes of the election results which have got not just dependent but almost subservient to the agents of Economics. Society thereby has assumed the third seat of precedence and has rightfully assumed the epithets of being a market for Economists and electorate for the Politicians who control the agents of State to govern & regulate the society.

The sovereign self-sustaining character of society is no more except for the modern day respite of technology enabled social media which connects the vigilant constituents to share ideas & ideals for a more decentralized community based discourse. How long would this liberty be in the hands of the citizens or in the modern parlance, the consumers, remains to be seen.

The traditional belief systems which have lasted for ages have to fall in line with the modern day laws and the subsequent way of life for want of linearity of action on part of the all powerful state. Instead of instituting internal reforms to nurture the societal base, even the most saner of the traditions having a presumable scientific basis are being frowned upon as regressive. The institutions of modernity abhor diversity & decentralization as it scuttles the principle of efficiency & productivity. The saner voices are rather discredited or buried deep down under the deluge of information overload from the organized clamor if not a state sponsored crackdown.

The election of Sri Narendra Damodardas Modi as the Prime Minister of India was seen as a turning point whereby it was expected that he shall desist the advancement of this modern day imperialism shrouded in ennobling precepts of free market enterprise, economic reforms and democratic liberalization and shall nurture a policy deck closer to the civilizational roots of India which has a unique intermix of individual liberties safeguarded at the level of interspersing semi-sovereign communities leading upto a state duly guided & controlled by a spread out institutional base of intellectuals and interpreters of human life. Ironically, this ideal somewhere eludes reality and what all is happening is not fitting the contours of interpretation even.

Deceptions do take time to settle down as the charms and chasms of integrity are multi-layered. After 2 years of immense fanfare supported by a Global cheer-leading, India has been unanimously declared as a Unified Market, a terminology which was probably conceived by the masters of Thomas Roe almost half a millennium back. No Prime Minister ever in the history of independent India has used the term Market for a nation of such antiquity. Polity is to serve the society and not the reckless market forces which change their stands with a shift in the phases of the moon. Even the Constituent Assembly which laid the foundations of a modern republic had disagreements and contesting viewpoints over a vast range of subjects. From sheer blockading to the spectacular unanimity with which the Constitutional Amendment for GST has been passed somewhere signals the advent of extraneous agents of influence hidden from the public gaze but orchestrating their grand designs continuously. Whether they are or would prove to be, certainly remains in the closet of time. No Oracle of whatsoever repute of foreseeing the future can narrate it all.

Before elections 2014, corruption driven black money was the talk of the town. Commissions & kick-backs to public representatives and officials aimed at devising public policy to benefit select private interests was the key narrative which was promised to be unearthed, exposed and decimated. More than the money raised through these dubious means in stark conflict of public faith, it was the entire bouquet of structural fault lines which was expected to be frozen. Interestingly, what came out was an official deflection of the entire narrative making black money a subject matter of sheer tax evasion, expanding the quest to the entire nation to small time traders & businessmen who saved an extra bit from the hawkish eye of the state. The honesty and integrity of the citizenry at large should be the subject matter of immense concern of the government of the day, but leaving the bigger fish unpunished and chasing the small time offenders doesn’t create a public ecosystem of trust & integrity.

On the frontier of social welfare, it was somewhere expected that State shall initiate its retreat from the domain by nurturing and promoting self-help groups and the vast array of social organizations & institutions which are best suited to take charge of such sensitive micro interventions. The State shall simply remain an arbiter of probity and integrity on part of these community led initiatives. On the contrary, the repealing of the 1000 odd laws has been supplanted by yet another repository of legal statutes, a significant set of it comes in the domain of social concerns. Whether it’s due to lack of imagination, vaporization of ideological committeemen or a sheer compulsion of the market forces which need a linearized society adhering to a singular belief and faith in the doctrine of consumption. The spate of legal interventions taken has further weakened the institution of family & community as the State is all out to become the one size fit all nanny for all its citizens.

The thinkers & tinkerers of Indian Policy have given up on the conventional notions of joint-families, families and communities and have simply given in to the concept of start individualism living at the mercy of the all powerful state and its support market oriented agencies. If not, the concept of JanDhan and the subsequent financial products & services could have been easily encapsulated to the levels of family and community.

It’s not that they are oblivious of the power of the family, or else they won’t have utilized the same precept for opening up the Jan Dhan accounts which eventually led to an overdrive. It’s somehow a crisis of integrity in the wake of immense pressure from Global Machinations which is letting them acquiesce and making the vast Indian society subservient to the structural motifs of a modern nation state. The vote hungry Indian Polity is all set to decimate the powers of the community at large. A major opportunity has certainly been missed out at this eventual hour to integrate back the time tested structures of Indian Society.

Janmashtmi Birth of – Nirgun Niranjan

Neeraj Seth
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Janmashtmi Birth of – Nirgun Niranjan

Janmashtmi depicts the birth of joy , love and divinity. Joy of a cowherd boy who lives a life of a simpleton even being cognizant of his pre-eminence. Joy of celebrating Lords pastimes and enthusiasm in a pious way. Joy of getting immersed in the nectar of bliss, contentment, beatitude, allure and compassion. Joy of paying reverence in the lotus feet of Shri Krisha the only avtaar bearing 16 kalas.

As for love, Shri Krisha is himself a epitome of love. Love here does not elucidate to be in constraints of a distinct being. Love here has extensive meaning. It signifies to be humble , to be compassionate, to be a devout and to be saintly, to be loved and to love so as to become precious to the supreme being – Shri Krisha. Love as manifested by gopis – selfless and resolute . Love as bestowed by queen of vrindavan – Radha Rani . Love which energized even the lifeless entities of Shri vrindavan dham. Love as pure and pious as Radha Rani ‘s heart ( vrindavan).

Divinity and Shri Krisha are synonyms. Divine not only in preaching but also in karma. Divine in a sense that cannot contrive. From being a cowherd to become the sutardhar of the wealthiest and most powerful kingdom of Dwarka. Bearing sudarshan chakra one day annhilating evil and becoming a sarthi of a friend in worlds greatest war. His ways are divine .Lord Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Krishna told the epic poem Bhagavad Gita to the warrior Arjuna ,in which he acclaimed : ”Whenever Dharma, or the situation of law and order, is endangered on this world, I incarnate onto this world to re establish Dharma, law and order, and to protect the Sadhus or saints and to destroy the evil elements of the society.”

Though divinity cannot be alienated from Shri Krisha yet Janmastmi in vrindavan is a affair comprising of रस -flowing like bhagirathi of Bliss for everyone. Every temple has their own euphoric way of celebrations. Shri Radha Raman temple where lord resides himself in a स्वयम्भू विग्रह manifested by devotion of sri gopal bhatt goswami ji celebrates janmashtmi with great enthusiasm.

How Handloom and Khadi growing demand have potential to mitigate cotton farmers’ issues?

satyendra
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How Handloom and Khadi growing demand have potential to mitigate cotton farmers’ issues?

Handloom and Khadi business is one of the unorganised sectors, and emerging market in India, constituting an integral part of the rural and semi rural livelihood. After the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tremendous increase in production as well as export was noticed since 2014. In comparison with the rest of Indo-Pacific region, India has largest working handlooms. In fact, 95% of the world’s handlooms come from India and handlooms are the largest employer in the country after agriculture. India could become a heaven for hand-made, pure textile industry with their cotton farmers and weavers. Growing demand of handmade goods and pure cotton across the world, India could be world’s handloom cotton fabric supplier.

Various schemes have been launched after Modi govt came into center focused on handloom weavers:

  • National Handloom Development Program – two components:

–      Revival, Reform and Restructuring (RRR) Package for the handloom sector.

–      Comprehensive Handlooms Development Scheme.

  • Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme – two components:

–      Health Insurance Scheme for access to health care facilities

–      Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana for life insurance

  • Yarn Supply Scheme.
  • Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (Mega Cluster Scheme).

Also, National Handloom Development Program (NHDP) is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Program for development of handlooms. Subsequent to the implementation of XIV Finance Commission recommendations, it has been restructured as Central Sector Scheme in June, 2015. The scheme is having following components:

–      Revival, Reform & Restructuring (RRR) package for the handloom sector.

–      Comprehensive Handloom Development scheme (CHDS).

In the past number of cases of farmers committing suicide and a section of weavers leaving their traditional business has increased. There may be various reasons to correlate, but one of predominant was financial.

Cotton farming has become a high-risk activity due to its dependency on climate. Also, demand of spinning machinery companies, farmers are obliged to grow genetically modified variety, rather than indigenous varieties. Since India’s diverse soil properties and micro-climates, and native varieties were adapted to their local conditions over the centuries, the genetically modified varieties failed to adapt to Indian climate. As a result of poor crop production, this leads to economic loss of farmers.

There must be industry-farmer understanding what farmers must grow, which will enhance the productivity and risk is the farmers if the crop fails. Continued drought was noticed in past one followed by another, the burden become unbearable for farmers at economic and social fronts too. In most of the cases it was shown that a farmer has committed suicide on unpaid debt but analytics failed to understand the depth of physiological pressure the farmer went through. Successive failure of the harvest force family to create such chaotic atmosphere of owning houses that force farmer to take extreme steps.

In case of weavers, it was observed that machines made copies of handloom fabrics, which is illegal, are cutting the demand of handloom in the market. The market values of copy cat fabrics are much lower than the handloom one which declines the demand of handmade fabrics.  A handwoven, Varanasi Saris may cost 5000-10000 or more, while a printed one machine made copy is available for 1000-2000. While private/cooperative entities go to court to protect their brands, whereas in lack of resources handloom weavers communities are unable to do so. After, present government various schemes enforce the law and ensure that hand-weavers must get that they entitled to. Also, various financial schemes to improve the machineries as well as cover insurance have given new boost in community.

Now larger question is how can a farmer and weaver benefit from growing cotton and weaving cotton cloth? As asked for one of prominent Khadi activists, socialist leader GG Park. Mr. Patrick is in his thoughts, share to the state and civil society will not recognize the value of small farmers and weavers conditions will not change. Customer to supplier connection must be honest and felt. In terms of Gandhi, ‘This is not cloth, but a thought’. A single small scale agricultural based firm roughly gives employment to four people directly and three indirectly. With some encouragement from society and state, this could be the basis of decentralized, self-reliant and democratically managed cotton textile production. Dattopant Bapurao Thengadi, a noted Pracharak, expert in the social, economic and political issues, who disenchanted the both western developmental models, namely, Capitalism and Socialism, and propounded in his book “The Third Way” in terms of socioeconomic development based on the ideology of ‘Sanatan Dharma”. In his views on waivers, he asserted in state and society must rejoin hands of community to empower them. Also, he was in favor of the village centric development model so that communities will be self-reliant. As a result, livelihood and economy can be enhanced of dependent communities. Once economic empowerment achieved, social security can also be ensured.

As per recent 3rd Handlooms Census, carried out in 2009-10, out of the 38.47 lakh adult weavers and allied workers in the country, 77% are women and 23% male weavers, 10% of the weavers are from scheduled castes (SCs), 18% of the weavers are from scheduled tribes (STs), 45% are from other backward classes (OBCs) and 27% are from other castes. Therefore, reforms in the sector will work as co-benefit program and enhance the social security too.

Recently, social media noticed huge support on call of Minister Textile Smriti Irani, #IWearHandloom and it was interested to notice that many youngsters participated in the campaign. Indication of awareness in society towards handlooms and khadi products has increased in the recent past.

India’s ecosystem has potential for ecologically sustainable cotton cloth-making even in a time of climate crisis, unparalleled in the world. Change in central leadership, there is a chance to build an ecosystem as democratic, people-owned industries, village centric dispersed throughout the country.  Distribution of production must be reach throughout society, not just confined to few those afford. Also, sector required more mechanism to promote investment in infrastructural development to meet with demand for textile product. We have a government with good intention and a clear vision of development and took steps to empower the weavers’ community. It is time not to miss.

(Author is Research Fellow at India Foundation and views are personal. You can follow on twitter: @isatyendra.)

Balochistan and India

Sumit Kumar
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Balochistan and India

The Prime Minister of India,during his address to the nation on 15th August raked up the issue of human right violations and the ongoing freedom struggle movement in the southwest part of Pakistan,Balochistan. This diplomatically incorrect but morally correct stance of Narendra Modi has put Pakistan on the back-foot,both at the mutual level as well as the international level.

Balochis have thanked Prime Minister for raising their legitimate problem from the ramparts of Red Fort seeking a more vibrant and active support from the Indian side.The hostility of Balochistan with Pakistan goes back to the bloodshed era of 1947 when the “terrorist state” Pakistan was newly established.The rulers of Kalat had refused to join Pakistan choosing to remain a sovereign, independent entity.

But Pakistan unleashed it’s armed forces in the summer of 1948 coercing Yar Khan,the ruler of Karat to sign the Instrument of accession. Though IoA was signed by the ruler, most of the Balochi nationals refused to accept the treaty vowing to continue their fight for a separate Balochistan. On the other side, Pakistan failed to deliver in Balochistan on the issue of development leading to further alienation of Baloch nationals from Pakistan.This mounting disenchantment culminated and then started a militant freedom struggle in Balochistan. Pakistan used their brutal and inhumane methods to allay the militancy leading to the killing and abduction of many unarmed civilians in Balochistan.

Balochis view India as a regional power and hence, are seeking support from us. India,which is pitching for a rightful entry into the UNSC membership cannot afford to condone any barbarism happening in it’s neighbourhood.India should take this opportunity to raise the issue at the global fora.India can also look ahead to form a coalition with Bangladesh and Afghanistan,which themselves have suffered the Pak sponsored terrorism, to shame Pakistan at international fora.

Obviously,Pakistan will not listen to criticism with humility.It could beef up terrorism in Kashmir to teach India a lesson.Pakistan can also cleverly use it to wash their hands off the events in Balochistan to put the onus on Indian spy agencies.Most importantly, any surge in militancy at Balochistan could hurt the working of Gwadar port,thereby hurting the OROB initiative of China.China,as always, important to us as the membership of NSG and inclusion of Masood Azher in the UN designated list of terrorism were stalled because of Chinese resistance.Intelligence agency,Home Ministry,PMO and the External affairs Ministry should work in tandem to prepare a comprehensive plan to support the Balochis cause without any major strategic and security implications.

काल्पनिक पत्रकार राना चौधरी की कश्मीर में बाढ़ पर रिपोर्ट

Puranee Bastee
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राना चौधरी नाम की एक काल्पनिक पत्रकार हैं| चाचा चौधरी का दिमाग कंप्यूटर से तेज है और राना चौधरी का दिमाग चाचा चौधरी से भी तेज है। राना चौधरी के दिमाग के तेज होने के पीछे अफगानिस्तान के बादाम का बहुत बड़ा हाथ है। अब अफगानिस्तान में बादाम पैदा होता है या नहीं इस बात का ज्ञान मुझे नही है लेकिन भारत का बादाम केसरिया रंग का होता है इसलिए वो भारत के बादाम नहीं खाती, पाकिस्तान में तो गेहूँ की रोटी भी नदारद है तो बादाम पैदा करना तो दूर की बात है इसलिए बादाम तो अफगानिस्तान से ही आता होगा। पूत के पाँव पालने में दिख जाते हैं चौधराईन के पैदा होते ही उनके पिताजी समझ गए थे की बड़ी होकर राना अफवहों के बाजार(मेरी अधूरी किताब) का प्रमोशन करेगी अर्थात पत्रकारिता में आकर अफवाह और सत्य को झालमुड़ी बनाकर बेचेंगी।

राना चौधरी का बचपन गुजरात की गलियो में दंग्गा करते हुए लोगो के बीच बीता। राना की माने तो आज तक जब कोई दंगा हुआ है उसमे इंसान नहीं मरते बल्की हिंदू-मुसलमान मरते है। इनकी नजर से किसी के घर चोरी हुई तो वो आम चोरी नहीं है, वो कम्युनल चोरी है जो जरूर किसी हिंदू ने मुसलमान से बदला लेने के लिए की होगी। राना अय्यूब चौधरी इस बात की हमेशा से पक्षधर रही है कि तिरंगे में जो केसरिया रंग ऊपर है वो मुसलमानो को इस देश में दबाने की साजिश है और सर्वधर्म संभव को ध्यान में रखते हुए भारत सरकार को हरे रंग को ऊपर करके अपनी सच्चाई और निष्ठा का साबुत देना चाहिए।

कश्मीर में आनेवाली बाढ़ पर राना चौधरी ने खास रिपोर्ट पेश की जिसमे वो ये बताना भूल गयी कि बाढ़ आने पर हमारे देश के जो सिपाही अपनी जान जोखिम में डालकर कश्मीर के लोगो को बचते है उन्हें वही कश्मीर वाले पत्थरों से मरते है, वो जिन पत्थरों से हमारे सैनिकों को मारते है यदि वो पत्थर अपने घर की नींव में डालते तो उनका घर मजबूत बनता और बाढ़ में जमीन के अंदर नही धसता और उन्हें बचाने के लिए हमारे सिपाही अपनी जान न कुर्बान करते। ऐसे कई तथ्य होंगे जिन्हे राना अय्यूब चौधरी के दिमाग ने कुछ इस तरह प्रोसेस किया उसमे सिर्फ हिंदू मुसलमान ही दिखते है।

बरसात कैसे होती है – मैं कोई विज्ञान का पाठ नहीं पढ़ानेवाला परंतु मोटे तौर पर सूर्य की किरणों से झील, नदी और समुंदर के पानी का वाष्पीकरण होता है, जिससे बादल बनते है। समय के साथ धीरे-धीरे बादल ठंडे और बोझिल होते जाते है और हवा के वायुदाब से बरसात होती है। हवा के वायुदाब के बढ़ने और घटने से बाढ़ और सूखे की परिस्थितिया उत्पन्न होती है।

राना चौधरी की नजर से कश्मीर में बाढ़ की रिपोर्ट।

सन १९४७ में भारत के आजद होने के बाद कश्मीर के हिन्दू राजा ने कश्मीर को जालिम हिंदूवादी विचारधारा के लोगो को सौंप दिया। ये जालिम हिन्दू पुरे विश्व में आतंक फैलाते है और मुसलमनो का नाम ख़राब करते है। कश्मीर भारत का गुलाम है और वहा के लोग भारत की गुलामी से आजदी चाहते है और इसलिए कश्मीरी पंडितो को उनके घर से खदेड़ दिया गया। जिस दिन कश्मीर से सभी कश्मीरी पंडितो को खदेड़ा गया उस दिन कश्मीर के लोकतंत्र की सबसे बड़ी जीत हुई और इस घटना को इतिहास की सुनहरे अक्षरो में लिखा जायेगा। (आप सोच रहे है की बाढ़ का जिक्र कहा है – अरे भाई अभी दिल की भड़ास निकाली जा रही है और सेक्युलर माहोल बनाया जा रहा है बाढ़ के किस्से पर भी मोहतरमा थोड़े समय में आएँगी)

कट्टर हिन्दू हमेशा से कश्मीर की आवाम के खिलाफ थे। इसलिए कम्युनल लोगो ने मिलकर कश्मीर में बाढ़ लाने की योजना बनाई। कश्मीर में बाढ़ लाने की योजना को अमलीय जामा पहनाने के लिए कई कट्टर दलो से बड़े-बड़े पुजारी चुने गए। वैज्ञानिक पद्धति के अनुसार हवा के वायु दाब में छेड़ छाड़ करके बादलो को कश्मीर घाटी में जरुरत से अधिक बरसने के लिए मजबूर किया गया। इस घटना को अंजाम देने के लिए दक्षिण भारत से लेकर मध्य भारत तक और उत्तर भारत में विशेष रूप से यज्ञ का आयोजन किया गया। यज्ञ में लगा पैसा कश्मीर की जनता को पत्थर खरीदने के लिए दिया जा सकता था परंतु कट्टर हिंदू दलों ने यज्ञ में शुद्ध देशी घी का इस्तेमाल करके वायुमंडल में जरुरत से अधिक मात्र में धुँआ भर दिया। इस यज्ञ से वायुमंडल का तापमान बिगड़ गया और कश्मीर में बाढ़ आ गयी। जिस बाढ़ में कई बेगुनाह मुसलमान कश्मीरी मारे गए। insaan

India’s eternal search for Olympic Glory

A Gourav
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India’s eternal search for Olympic Glory

This is Olympic season, Rio 2016. Countries, from all over the world, are competing against each other with their athletes giving their best to bring glory and pride for their respective nations. When we look at the medals tally, it is usually dominated by nations which also dominate the world in terms of economy and politics, such as US, China, Britain etc. With these big nations, there are smaller nations as well, their athletes also make mark in this world arena. So, being an Indian, the question arises, “where is my nation, where is India?”

India, a nation of 1.2 billion citizens and an economy of 2 trillion GDP, can’t produce medal winning athletes in Olympics? India has been participating at Olympics since 1900 and this 2016. 116 years have passed and we still can’t get into top 10 ranks in medal tally, we can’t even get medals in double digits. There have been some very tremendous achievers who brought medals home and made India proud. But they are too little in numbers. The most medals we won in single Olympics were at London 2012, that too in single digit.

So, begs the question, what is wrong with our players and the sports as whole in India. Well, there are many reasons that one gets to hear over the years, while discussing sports policy in India. A few reasons mentioned below:-

1. Politics- Politicians and bureaucrats heading sport associations and making policies for sports instead of sportsperson. Nepotism and flavors through bribes are rampant. Undeserving candidates are chosen for their contacts while deserving ones have to beg and still get disappointed.

2. Infrastructure and lack of resources – since Governments, both at the center and in states, don’t think sports hold priority as much as other issues. So they don’t feel the need to invest in sports infrastructures and grooming talents. Playing arenas, grounds, Athlete hostels, sport gears and materials all are either in pathetic conditions or missing in most states of India. Our players make most from the least.

3. Sports culture in Indian society- As I remember this old saying while growing up, “Kheloge Kudoge to hoge Kharab, Padhoge Likhoge to Hoge Nawab”, which roughly translate to, “ if you are indulging in sports your life is doomed, only studies can make your life better”. Well, this has been the mentality of most Indian families. Sports, as a career, always meets with stern opposition from within own families. It is changing but still sluggish to overcome such mindsets.

4. Some people also argue that since cricket has ruled the sports arena of India, Indians don’t take interest in other sports. Even youths only want to join and play cricket because of fame n money it provides. May be true but there was a time when Hockey used to rule then 1983 happened and Indian cricket teams regularly provided the reasons for Indians to hold interest in the game. That’s how they grew this big and influential.

There are various other factors which will take whole book to write about. Instead we need to evaluate what is lacking and focus on finding solutions to the problem as to what could be done. In my point of view, several things can be done which I will point out below.:-

A. First and foremost, Government should completely stop indulging into sports matters and let professional handle those. For that Government should abolish Sports Ministry and all control over sports associations and game bodies. Bureaucrats who are heading such associations can be better utilized for various other government organizations. Make autonomous bodies with former sportsperson and professionals of the field to overhaul the whole sport policies. Government has no business meddling with sports. BCCI is autonomous. Yes, there are politicians in it too but it still runs completely out of Government control. That’s how it is functioning like no other sports body in India.

B. We, as humans, always tend to seek inspirations from our heroes to make our own names. We do have many such heroes in Indian sports history like Dhyan Chand, Prakash Padukone, Mary Kom and many others. But they don’t get to see as much fame as Bollywood stars or cricketer do. In books, in media, in news, posters, advertisement we usually only read, watch and hear about either entertainment personalities or cricketers. Legends in all fields should be part of our day to day life and also included into curriculum in schools n colleges for our next generation who can be inspired to be the future legends. We get to see very few movies or programs that are based on sporting events or sports culture. A few are being made or are in process of making, usually based on cricket. Dhyan Chand, for example, astonished Hitler with his game, is waiting for some producers to show his story.

C. The mindsets! It’s being said that old habits die hard. That is true. Society and families still don’t accept sports as careers. Only college degrees and paying jobs matters to parents in India. This has to change. Government should involve private sector, more, into promoting and encouraging talents from grassroots level, through scholarships, financial incentives and other such initiative, instead of doing everything by themselves, which always ends up into corruption. Private sponsorship should be promoted more and more and Government should spend taxpayer money into building sturdy infrastructure again with professional help/private sector partnership. College level sports need to be made into professional tournaments and recruitment should be done thru colleges. There are too many levels for a player to compete. School, college, district, states then they get to reach national levels.

D. End of the day it all comes down to wins/medals. One can’t expect people to take interest, participate or encourage different sports without giving them something to be excited about of inspired to. Same way, one can’t expect sponsorship without giving them the reasons that their money they are going to invest is going to bring those results. Wins/ Medal do matter in sport. No matter how much we sugarcoat with sympathies n consolations.

E. Last but not the least, instead of sending such a big Olympic contingent from India, Government should be focusing on smaller team with higher chances of wins. Or take break from participation for couple of Olympics games, which will give us 12 years for preparation. In that course of time, India should focus on national games and make it at par with the Olympic standards. As one of our athlete broke national record while qualifying for a track event. One can only wonder how low national records are that one breaks it while just qualifying for Olympic finals. For international exposure, we do have various other events like World Series or World Cups where one can participate. Also many gaming leagues are emerging in India in recent times where players from all over the world participate. More such leagues in every game should also be encouraged.

Real life heroes can never be replaced with reel life heroes. Be it Military, freedom fight, Sports arenas etc. All those participating in Olympics are fighting very hard and giving their best. It’s not their fault but we the people of India along with our governments are holding them back. I want to dedicate this article on Dipa Karmakar, who never gave up, fought with all odds and created history like never before.

Making India a Sporting Power

Gaurav Sansanwal
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Making India a Sporting Power

India- that is Bharat, occupies the last spot in the per-capita based, all-time tally of medals, at the Summer Olympics Games. In other words, world’s second most populous country has the worst record, in terms of medals per head.[1] This is unacceptable, simply because our under-performing, and often un-recognised talent pool is perfectly capable of giving us many more podium finishes.

Sports is not just an object of national glory. Neither is it only a health prescription for the not-so fit ones. It will be a mistake to dismiss the need for it to be an important policy subject, even in a country like ours, where masses face a constant battle for survival. This is because, investment in sports makes perfect social, economic, and cultural sense. From equipment manufacturing, to generating new forms of employment, it can open up many hidden avenues. That a sport could empower two medal-winning women wrestlers in a male-dominated Haryana (Babita Kumari, Geeta Phogat), is evidence for the premise that it can indeed have societal benefits.

There is, therefore, enough incentive to give sports a chance; for now it is clear, that India’s growth story will be incomplete, without its due share of sporting achievements.

Making India a sporting nation.

Being a sportsperson does not fit into the middle-class Indian dream, of Roti, Kapda, Makaan. So far as the rural Bharat goes, sports is only seen as a tool for utilising free time. Choosing it over academics, is disapproved of. The limited savings that parents have, are used to finance competitive exam preparation at coaching institutes. The success of a school (both government, and private) is judged by the board marks, of its senior students. Another interesting quantifier is the number of IIT-ians, and civil servants, that a particular school has produced. A nation, which is so obsessed with academic achievements, should lead the world in scientific inventions, Nobel awards, new discoveries, medical research breakthroughs, industrial design patents, and so on. But unfortunately, that is hardly the case. Therein lies the tragedy of Indian middle-class dreams. Those who want to study, are not studying what they need to. And those wanting to play, are not getting the support they deserve.

If applying for a peon’s position, even after doing a doctorate, is considered acceptable in the name of fate and competition; why is it that not achieving enough as a sportsperson, and then becoming a coach, is seen as an example of total failure- one that is used by many parents to scare ambitious kids, who take up sports? Sporting nations are made up of sporting individuals, who accept the failures of a sportsperson, just as well as they accept the failures of a student, who does not make it to his dream University, even after trying hard enough.

 

Government needs to be an enabler, not ‘controller’ of sports- The Futsal experience

The most recent example of how government control negatively impacts a sport, is that of Futsal- an indoor variant of football. The sport, which is ‘controlled’ by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), was practically non-existent in the country. It was in this environment that a few Indian entrepreneurs created the Premier Futsal league. They roped in the likes of Luis Figo, Virat Kohli, and A.R. Rahman, to popularise the concept. But let alone cooperation from AIFF, they are now on the verge of being sued by the latter.[2] All this while, AIFF did little to promote the game. Now, when an internationally recognised entity is trying to gain some ground for the sport, AIFF has decided that its exclusive ‘control’ cannot erode.  And while we are at it, it comes as no surprise, that the Federation is headed by a part-time sports administrator, politician Praful Patel.

 

The contribution of sporting Leagues.

 Mention should also be made of Indian Super League (ISL). It is only now, after three years of operation, that AIFF has ‘recognised’ ISL as the ‘premier’ football league of the country. The success of ISL, in promoting the game can be understood by the very fact that is the fourth biggest league in the world, by viewership. It is next only to Bundesliga, Premier League and La Liga. The league is bigger than the ones in countries with well-established football traditions, like Brazil, Argentina, France, and even China- which has a comparable population base.[3]

The commercial success of Indian Premier League (IPL), has led to the emergence of its proto-types in Badminton, Hockey, Football, Kabaddi, Wrestling, and so on. While their success in producing good sportspersons can be debated, no one can deny that the leagues have made these games, ‘watchable’ for the Indian audience. They have drawn decent number of crowds in stadiums, and attracted corporate sponsorship, as well. These would not have been possible, had the government taken upon itself, the task of being an event-organiser.

Corporates need to be given a definite place in sports administration. Their services should be utilised in finding talent, nurturing it, and ensuring implementation of the Federation’s plans. The government will argue that it has made a National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), to raise resources from the private sector, and expect a pat on the back for having done the same.[4] In doing so, what it forgets is that the money will be of no use, if those contributing towards it, have no say in the realisation of plans, which are made with their money.

 

Reorienting the role of the government

The government has to shift the focus of its participation in sports administration, to the lowest of all levels. It has to make the talent pool stronger, trap it in an organised training system, and propel the same to upper divisions, where the private sector can come in. The government’s strategy so far, has been limited to two plans. One, announcing performance-based incentives, in the nature of cash rewards. And two, in building stadiums, primarily for the organisation of sporting events. There is a need, not to build white elephants in the name of large stadiums, but to instead build sporting centres in the remotest of all towns, and the smallest of all districts.

 

Talent hunt: Involving RWAs, and panchayats

Talent hunting is a major challenge, given our population base. Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs), and panchayats need be tasked with finding promising talent, at the grassroots. It will not take the members of these local bodies, more than a weekend, to spot good athletes in their own locality. These bodies can be the necessary feeder systems- up to the district level, where they can be assessed, and trained by professionals. The training centres at the district level need to focus on expanding the talent footprint.

Some areas need to be developed, as centres for a particular sport, with specialised trainers. Haryana is a good case in point. It has developed centres for individual sports, such as academies for boxing in Bhiwani, and wrestling in Rohtak, and Sonepat.

 

Identifying talent in schools

Just like teachers identify academic virtues, there is a need to identify students who have good sporting potential. These students have to be encouraged to take up sports. It is imperative for teachers to understand, that physical literacy, and physical ability are just as important as academics. The New Education Policy, which is due to come out later this year, should bear this in mind.

 

Using traditional sports, for building sports skills

Government of Haryana’s new policy of establishing ‘Sports Nurseries’, at the school level is one positive step, that can be replicated elsewhere. [5] Manipur, which has consistently produced top-class athletes[6], is another example to learn from, on how to leverage traditional sports, in order to build skill sets- like physical strength, footwork, hand-eye coordination, etc., which can then be used for modern sports.

 

Getting sports ‘drop-outs’ back to the field, in Universities

Many talented sportspersons leave sports, as they approach high school. This is mostly due to academic pressures. These ‘drop-outs’ need to be reinstated into the sports ecosystem, at the University level. They may not all become Olympians; but at the very least, will contribute to a lively sporting culture. Our Universities focus on organising cultural festivals (‘fests’), and debates- but very little is done, to get the students back to sports.

Why cannot we have, for instance, a National University Games competition? Medal winners can be given fee remittances, or academic credits. Such a University league was in operation for cricket, a few decades back. Matches between Punjab University, and University of Delhi- were considered most engaging. If the same happens, at an India level, for track and field events, for instance- it will go a long way in creating a sporting culture.

 

Involving the Indian Armed Forces

A total of thirteen athletes are participating at the Rio Olympics 2016, from the Indian Armed Forces.  The Army has, over a period of time, built many training facilities. Army Sports Institute (ASI)- Pune, the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) in Mhow, a cantonment in Indore, and various others are being used.[7] The strict discipline, and mental strength that the Army works with, can be of great help. Indian athletes need good mental conditioning, as can be seen in the close losses, which many of them have endured in the ongoing Rio Olympics.

 

Olympics: The long-term strategy

For the short term, focus has to be on sports like Badminton, Archery, Hockey, Boxing, and other such sports, in which India has a steady participation rate in Olympics. However, for the long term, India needs to start investing in building a talent pool, for sports that have high medal potential. Aquatics, athletics, and rowing are important sports in this regard. It can take inspiration from China’s ‘Project 119’. Launched in 2001, Project 119 was named after the number of gold medals then offered in track and field, swimming and other water-based events like rowing, canoeing, sailing etc., in which China was traditionally weak. [8]

 

It’s time to seize the opportunity

A detailed plan for sports, is expected to be unveiled on August 29, the National Sports Day. The Sports Minister has announced that 1,000 sportspersons will be selected, and given customised training. [9]While such a plan may give limited dividends at 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there is a need to bring about large-scale, systematic changes in sports policy, if India is to become a sporting power.

From winning just five gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Games, China claimed 51 in Beijing (2008), and then 38 at London (2012). India’s story may not be as impressive; for it is a lively democracy. But brick-by brick, India can surely reach its optium potential. One can only hope that it does.

 

 

[1] http://www.medalspercapita.com/#medals-per-capita:all-time

[2] http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/aiff-mulls-legal-action-against-premier-futsal-league-virat-kohli-2843694/

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/dec/23/india-super-league-fourth-biggest-league

[4] http://www.yas.nic.in/sports/national-sports-development-fund

[5] http://haryanasports.gov.in/pdf/BROUSERNursery.pdf

[6] http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/dr-irengbam-mohendra-singh/

[7] http://www.ibtimes.co.in/full-list-indian-army-athletes-participating-rio-olympics-2016-688399#DR6OzRldhxlFUDGr.97

[8] http://www.theweek.co.uk/26287/china%E2%80%99s-olympic-plan-topple-america

[9] http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/youth-affairs-and-sports-minister-vijay-goel-speaks-about-indian-contingent-at-olympic-games-in-rio-2969172/

 

The outrage that was not over the Swachchh Bharat ad featuring Goddess Lakshmi

anonymum
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The outrage that was not over the Swachchh Bharat ad featuring Goddess Lakshmi

The ad for the Swachh Bharat campaign which features Kangana Ranaut and other stars, and has a voice-over by Amitabh Bachchan, has become instantly popular on social media. And rightly so. For it combines creativity at its best with a much-needed message—DO NOT LITTER.

But what if the ad didn’t have the this effect on the viewers? What if instead of respecting the message and creativity, Hindus (who worship Lakshmi) felt outraged that the makers of the ad dared to show their goddess riding pillion on a scooter?

Below are five things from the ad which Hindus could have claimed as offensive in a universe in which they were actually intolerant:

1. Kangana Ranaut as Lakshmi: There is no directive, ban or shloka against human beings acting as god, but why should we let an opportunity to outrage pass? Besides, new reasons to outrage can always be learnt, copied or created with time.

2. Lakshmi on scooter: In all of classical literature and art Lakshmi is referred to either as being driven in a chariot or riding atop an owl. How dare they show her going around on a scooter?

3. Lakshmi walking: Even if the ad-makers couldn’t create a lotus-seat for Lakshmi, they could have at least hired a couple of elephants and made them walk on either side of Kangana Ranaut. The main contention here of course is that the goddess NEVER WALKS. She either sits or travels on her mounts. But never walks.

4. Ad shows devotees of Lakshmi as people creating filth: The very fact that they worship Lakshmi should have put them beyond the scope of criticism. But, the ad clearly implies that those who worship Lakshmi litter their surroundings. This is unacceptable. LAKSHMI IS GREAT and those who worship her are the greatest people. In fact, those who don’t worship her are the ones who need to be rescued and taught lessons in cleanliness.

5. Ad shows that Lakshmi can be contained on a paper: If she can disappear from images, then does that mean that she actually was there?? Do the guys who made the ad really want to say that Lakshmi lives on smoky images in dingy houses and shops?

But that is not the case. . .

Sense of humour is not about cracking jokes on others, but about taking jokes on oneself; glad that the Hindus still have it.

Khizr Khan – Will he harm Clinton’s Campaign?

Naagesh Padmanaban
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Khizr Khan – Will he harm Clinton’s Campaign?

The Clinton campaign takes the cake for creative and often ingenious campaign strategies as well as public relations management. The Khizr Khan episode is one such creative genius that the strategists crafted to influence voters decisively in favor of Clinton. Only this time the strategy backfired.khizr

Khizr Khan is the father of Humayun Mauzzam Khan, the 27-year-old US Army Captain and Purple Heart awardee who was killed while deployed in Iraq in 2004. In a dream moment for the Clinton campaign, Khizr Khan pulled out a copy of the US constitution from his breast pocket and taunted Donald Trump to read it – an act that mesmerized viewers into a speechless awe. It will probably be remembered in the annals of election conventions in the US for a long time to come –  for multiple reasons.

As if on a cue, the cable networks, radio and print media went berserk and gushed at the powerful impact Khizr had created. Clinton’s campaign had pulled off a major coup and seemed to have almost stalled Trump’s campaign on its tracks.

If Team Clinton thought it had executed a coup de main, the revelations on Khizr Khan that followed held nasty surprise. It boomeranged and the campaign appeared to nosedive. Clinton quickly lost an 8 percentage point lead over Trump after the convention, to just a 3-point lead per the much respected Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll published on Friday, August 5th 2016. Surprisingly, at this late stage in the campaign cycle, Clinton has failed to establish a clear lead over Trump.

That bore testimony of a highly and evenly polarized electorate. But as the media uncovered more about Khizr Khan’s background, the unease amongst many Americans only grew and escalated the war of words between the two campaigns.

First, Khizr Khan’s past intellectual leanings were discomforting. His published writings showed his strong support for Islamic Law or Sharia, an anathema for Americans. Through his writings, he claimed the supremacy of Sharia and asserted that it was above the constitution or the law of the land since it was God given.

Secondly Khizr Khan seemed to have been inspired by Said Ramadan of the Muslim Brotherhood fame. Many are familiar with the violent past of the brotherhood. There have been calls by the US Congress to designate it as a terrorist organization. Egypt and the United Arab Emirates too have made similar demands. Khizr’s purported connections to the Muslim Brotherhood has not helped Clinton in anyway.

Thirdly, Khizr seemed to have connections to religious extremist elements in Pakistan, specifically to Allah K Brohi. Brohi, who was a former Minister and advisor to Gen Zia ul Haq, the former dictator of Pakistan, had helped create hundreds of madrassas and restore Sharia punishments in that country.

Fourthly, in a subsequent interview with a Pakistani TV network Khan’s praise for the sacrifices of the Pakistani soldiers – who have often been at loggerheads with US forces in Afghanistan- has only reinforced this hardline image of Khan as a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Lastly, came the exposé in some sections of the media that the Clinton campaign had transferred $375,000 – no small amount – to Khan in early August, although the quid pro quo was not a surprise.

The Khan episode had its share of critical and adverse consequences, albeit unintended. Many Americans, particularly veterans, have been angered that the supreme sacrifice of a Purple Heart soldier was being politicized and have protested it.

Khan, in the meantime, had taken full advantage of his new found but short-lived popularity on prime time television. He appeared in almost every major cable network channel to denounce Trump. But sensing the unease his writings on Sharia had generated among Americans, he quickly made a ‘U’ turn. In the AC 360 show on CNN when asked about his writings on Sharia he said there was ‘no such thing as Sharia’.

Khan went on further to say that the Sharia was nothing but a hodge-podge of British, French and Portuguese laws and could never be implemented in the US. His about turn was complete. But the damage had already been done and there was no winning back the confidence of many Americans – particularly the baby-boomers and large sections of the veterans.

Notwithstanding his denials, Khan’s resume had all the career highlights of a Muslim with strong and yet secret ties to radical Islam. In fact, his denials had only accentuated the problem for Clinton. It is true that none of the intelligence agencies have publicly come out with a possible connection between Khan and the brotherhood or radical Islam. But the Trump campaign has exploited this to the full. Khizr Khan has since refused to meet with the television networks or the media.

The ground reality is that the campaigns face a nervous and a highly polarized America. This nervousness has spawned irrational fears all over. The Clinton campaign is obviously nervous about its inability to prevail over Trump as elections get closer. Hence we are witness to a serving President – a first ever – who is actively on the campaign circuit. While many may see this as inappropriate and a minor breach of ‘Presidential’ conduct at best, it has largely been ignored it in the distractions of a vituperative drama of a highly spirited election.

The Trump campaign on the other hand has been unable to fully exploit Clinton’s gaffes and missteps to its advantage. Americans have been equally appalled by some of his blunt and uninformed remarks – ranging from nukes to NATO.

The Khizr Khan fiasco has some important lessons for both the campaigns. Europe, smarting under repeated terror attacks from radical Islam, has created a society that is ultra-allergic and ultra-sensitive to anything Islam.

Europeans in general and France in particular have been known for the liberal traditions and until recently, had preached to the world the virtues of immigrants – specially Muslims immigrant in creating a diverse society. For decades they have counseled third world countries like India and others about the wisdom and the need to absorb and coexist with Muslim immigrants.

But almost overnight, this allergen of Islamic terror, has drained Europe of any pretense to this liberal embrace of immigrants, especially Muslims. It has resulted in multiple optics –“Brexit”, “Nationalism” and rise of “Right wing” in Germany etc. But the transformation has been quick and complete and there will be no going back. Europe ain’t liberal anymore and the Americans aren’t far behind.

The US has joined the party late and is now fermenting. Clinton’s cynical deploy of Khizr Khan to gain votes oblivious of this fermenting undercurrent has backfired on her and will continue to hurt.  A nervous America can be unpredictable and the even polarization will only make the race to the White House all the more difficult.

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