This blogger

There are many reasons why this blogger is not a fine journalist, here is one of them

PS. This blog sux, sincerely

Tolerance

“We must be tolerant”. This statement always amuses me. No doubt the intention is noble, but logic is rather shallow.
Why is tolerance such a noble and vaunted virtue? What does it mean when we say “tolerance”? Does being tolerant means to tolerate liars and thieves?
And if we can not tolerate thieves why should someone tolerate non-believers?

This is not to say that thieves and people of different religions are equivalent.
Rather the purpose of the rhetoric was to emphasize that contrary to mistake made by most people, tolerance by itself is not sufficient.

Tolerance should be derived from the fundamental premise or idea which is the driver behind civilization. Hence tolerance is a derived or secondary characteristic.
The difference how we place the importance is in sequence and this difference is not trivial. The reason for this is that growth of civilization and development of philosophy, spirituality and science is dependant on the idea civilization is founded upon. The great civilization are founded upon exalted ideals, the creed which follows false or dishonest ideals is either vanquished or morphs into a nihilistic cult.

There is no unique or universal ideal for civilization, however an ideal can be judged (approximately) by its effect. A sound principle promotes freedom, encourages contemplation and argumentation and certain respect even for opponent (at least initially). However on the other hand certain ideals and behaviors are discouraged, we frown upon lying, we are severe on cheaters, and we mock superstitions.
Therefore a noble idea enables the civilization to judge or analyze between two optional path and member between different virtues.

On the other hand when tolerance is established as a principle of highest import, shorn of a validating ideal, it is not a virtue. In fact, in the absence of ability to judge or place moral weightage on ideas, tolerance withers away and becomes indifference and intellectual sloth.

Update Also Related Posts here,here and here

Confounding Secularism

This is a public announcement

Ref

To whomsoever it may concern,

Secularism is not equal respect (or contempt) to all religions.

Secularism means either

1) (In specific context) Seperation of temporal authority from religious authority

2) (In broader ) Detachment of certain human actions from religious context.

Further the concept of equal respect to other religions doesn't exist in traditional western civilization (There is only one true god and one true religion)

Even further the concept of equal respect to all religions doesn't exist even in Indic civilization nor it should exist.
 

 

Category : Aside, Religion, Secularism, Society

Marxism (Ditto)

Previous post,

It is remarkable, considering how Marxists emphasize that their theory is scientific , its similarity to religion, especially to uninitiated.

In marxism as in religious doctrines, the present in space and in time, is in no uncertain terms the "worst of all the possible worlds", this is attributed to "the other", the other being the prevalent system, and direct challenge to growth of the new system.The "other" is determined and denounced depending on the power struggle. Premises are secondary.

Second, history is analyzed in terms of the "correct" doctrine, and inevitably the failures are attibuted to "the other", hence by persistent sophistry a truth, however fallacious its premise or inadequate its logic, is established.

Having accomplished this, the emancipation from all the inequities is guaranteed only by strictly adhering to each and every formulae as "derived by" the "anointed" clique using the theory.
Ofcourse derivation is adjusted according to circumstances even if it results in contortions, the anointed circle itself changes with vagaries of palace intrigues.

The difference between religion and marxism is that in marxism there is no fall, because prior to the advent of theory to the rescue of humanity, there was never a paradise, it was not even possible because all the earlier systems were not only unscientific their foundation was exploitation. Therefore humanity had no option but to groan under yoke of tyranny and greed of few untill now.

This obsession with projecting past as a continuum of bleakness in effect makes marxism even more dangerous to civilization. Marxism is nihilism even if it was not intent of Karl Marx.

Case of puerile analogies

Hindu == Nazis
Bankim Chandra == Hitler
Muslims == Jews

My question why doesn't the gentleman join Indian cricket team, last heard it was lacking a spinner

Update While I did write about the spinner thing in jest, I think the gentleman has real potential.
For ref comment (on this post), unbelievable.

Ofcourse to put things in perspective, he might have a real point, after all strange is logic of journalism.

Passion

I crap with lots of passion.

PS Apparently if I use my real name it makes me a hero even if it is pure crap. Such enlightment

PPS But this there is a silver lining, all the morons of blogdoms are coming out , all the easier when I decide to oppress them.

The Oppression Begins

[Update. On second thoughts, I think it is high time that all the oppressors come out with their tales of cruelty. Hence this post desrves to be permanently displayed.
Owner of this blog who is a sick man and lots of time will like to share your sordid saga, do share. Either by writing in comments or just leaving a link to your gruesome and inhumane acts ]

For ref this post by confused

I have realized that as Hindi speaking, upper caste, middle class, male Hindu (hence forth knowns as HUM),I am in an unenviable position

Any way I define my identity I belong to a group which has always oppressed others, therefore by a rather strange quirk of circumstances I belong to select class of oppressors.

In the bygone days, when I was young I used to pray (to God) to grant me atleast one identity where I too could claim victimhood and pour scorn on the oppressors.

Alas that was not to be and I am living the horrible life of a disgusting suppressor.
To add to my inherited vileness, I am now also a capitalist and "rightist" (an euphemism for being an unabashed shill of BJP).

It was not until much later that I realized that God had a plan for me. That plan was to make me a master oppressor. Since I am very slow in comprehending obvious (or for that matter not so obvious) , the realization dawned pretty late in the day. But once having realized my destiny I have decided that not only I will oppress, I will make up for the time that I lost.

So here is first (in many) act of oppression.

I proudly admit that I frequently eat outside, thus depriving treatment to poor children suffering from life threatening illness. I must say that this act of vile oppression makes my (veg)biryani delicious.

Category : Aside, Humour, Politics, Chronicles.Of.Capitalist.Oppressor

Selective outrage

Atheist: Religion has caused too many bloodsheds

Atheist meets eugenics

Redundant rhetoric

This is a public announcement

To whomsoever it may concern

To speak of organized religion is redundancy at its worst,

because there is no freaking disorganized religion.

Meeting Musings - II

One more quip from our bade sahib - In 1947 there was partition because Jinnah wanted to be Prime Minister but Nehru wouldn't let him be.
I really think that History as a subject should be scrapped from school syllabus.
Nothing but non sense comes out of it.

Meeting Musings - I

1) Hypothetically if Dante knew about persons who will ask nonsensical and long winded questions, what place in hell he would have assigned or he might have to invent 10th circle for them.
From another perspective are such people means by which God(s) punish us.

2) Our bade sahib quipped during his talk that if some one were to sell a car to customer by explaining on what is the latest innovation in engine or profile of the body it will be futile.
According to him customer will be more interested in date like price and milage. This statement depends on the assumption that customer seeks relevant information. That is he displays rationality or he is a homo economicus.

However as advertisers, market gurus and salesmen over world will vouch, more often than not customers can be persuaded by irrelevant statistics, the trick is to include the buzzwords in fashion along with loads and loads of data. This is because customer not only doesn't look for relevant information, he doesn't want relevant data, because that will call for judgement and it is a hard thing.

This brings us to the conclusion that customer is a subset of new species "Homo Ignoramus".

SNAFU

Via rediff

Amarnath Yatra: 5 hurt in grenade attack .

The next steps of the sequences are

1) PM condemns the attack.

2) Media condemns the attack.

3) BJP condemns the attack.

4) Sonia Gandhi condemns the attack.

5) For few days the attack gets coverage in print media and television. More if heavens forbid there are casualties. Our esteemed and honourable journalists will write articles on need to combat terrorism.

6) Politicians of all hues will be united in warning Pakistan that any further attack will not be tolerated. BJP will attack GoI

7) A new scandal will surface, everyone will move on.

When matters of national import get the same time as trite gossips, one should not be surprised with the results

Category : Security, India, Politics, Society

Religion (Present Tense, Future Perfect)

[Wiki]

One of the common themes in all the religions, without exception, is that of paradise-banishment-redemption (or perdition)

The scenarios may differ depending on the specific religion but the broad narration is same.

1) A paradise is located, in the distant past, in this location no miseries exist and everyone is happy. Here misery and happiness is expounded in terms of context of contemprary culture.

2) Then at some point in time some action causes event of banishment. This event expels the group from paradise and bring forth the misery. Action which brought banishment violated some cardinal rule (in some form established by divine sanction) and in most cases the human is made to act in such a fashion by an agent which is symbol of ideals which are anti thesis of ideals behind aforementioned rules.

3) Redemption or return to paradise is guarateed by the strict observance of the rules laid down by the religion, the rules are sanctioned by divine authority and interpreted by intermediaries. Failure to observe these rules will however open the wide road to perdition.

Now this scenario need not be explained for Christianity or Islam (because it is abstracted from them) In Judaism also the scenario is almost similiar though the concept of "end of days" is understood in different ways.

While Hinduism is different from Abrahamic religions in doctrine related to universe, there too this scenario is played out.

While creation and destruction of cosmos occur in cycle, the existence is divided in four parts,
the precursor to destruction and subsequent regeneration is Kaliyuga. The pecularity of ages is that they are measured in million of years.

It is not known (to me that is ) by what contortions these figures were calculated, however one result is that according to this doctrine since dawn of civilization humans are living in KaliYug, this ofcourse means that all the customs prescribed in scriptures to propitiate the cosmic imbalance.

The aim of these is simple and obvious, to enforce compliance on believers.
I do not believe in either of them (except in the metaphorical sense, which is the essence of cycles in Hinduism).

However of these two, promise of redemption is relatively harmless, it is the inducement of guilt through premise of banishment which is objectional (to me). Ofcourse the guilt is neccessary to make the follower contrite. Contrition is the enemy of questions.

By inducing guilt human being is made docile, but with this he also loses the life-force. Depending on the extent his will is undermined, he can not grow and with him civilization.

The premise of fall is like lobotomy of civilization. It is this which must be fought.

What Rubbish !

Hey Bhagwaan !

One more survey to measure the rudeness of cities and it places the Mumbai at top !

While I do not think citizens of Mumbai belong to "pehle aap pehle aap" variety (no wonder with crowd like this), in general I found them friendly and helpful in general, taking into account difference arising out of culture specific issue.

What is even more bizarre that the survey finds New Yorkers as the most coordial, since I have never been to NY I can not be sure, but my impression has always been that New Yorkers were reputed to be somewhat "brusque".

Also I think as far as rudeness is concerned Delhi should be far ahead of Mumbai (this from second hand sources, ironically I have never lived in Delhi)

One more reason to take these stupid surveys with pinches of salt.

Update Here we go ! Indian media has started doing what it is best at,

Via rediff Is Mumbai world's rudest city? Tell us

And Slimes (But of course !) Do you feel that Mumbai is the world's rudest city?

Let our latest slogan be "Garv se kaho hum rude hain"

Another Update: Confused clarifies and puts the survey in perspective. More on it later

Walls???

In this post Gaurav Sabnis explains the rationale behind Shiv Sena.

".....The Sena just filled a vacuum. Most of the educated Maharashtrian middle class doesn't like the Sena. But most of us also shudder to think of an alternative scenario in the 80s and 90s without the Sena's existence....."

".... Sena's problem was the growth trajectory. An army is useful during times of conflict, but put it in charge during peace times and you have a cauldron of nitroglycerin in your kitchen. The last decade or so has been a time of relative peace, and it is peace time that has discredited and vilified the Sena in the eyes of its most ardent supporters."

There can be two explanations.

One, Shiv Sena acted as counter point against militant trade unions.

Two, Shiv Sena defended home turf of Marathis against outsiders.

I hope it is the first explanation and not the second one.

I can not view Shiv Sena too favourably in light of my experiences in Mumbai. Shiv Sena is a virulently anti-immigrant party. The actions of Shiv Sena are comparable to a school bully. Shiv Sena activists harass migrant labourers from South or Gangetic belt, these generally being engaged in menial jobs or fairly modest occupations and therefore unable to protect themselves.

The reason I feel uncomfortable is, while in Mumbai I found that even among middle class residents of mumbai (i.e. not limited to Marathis), there was a latent support for tactics of Shiv Sena, and dislike for migration.

Since I have been a migrant for more than 8 years now, I am always sensitive about issues of migration.

PS. Wrt. my observation regarding Mumbai it might have been due to cultural differences or my over sensitivity

Right of Body

This post by confused reminded me of Friday

A detailed writing on the subject is postponed for a later time.

I do wonder however that given,

1) Sexual gratification is no more different than day to day activities. Further it can be traded like any economic good.

2) The social taboos to sex either do not exist or are minimal.

By what order (if at all) should a sexual offense (i.e. molestation) be considered more heinous than a non-sexual one (i.e. beating the shit out of someone).

PS. For some reasons, nowadays most of my posts refer to confused, this ought to change

PPS. Due to condition 2 this is not a real-case scenario. Also my post on Robert Heinlein is pending

Deconstructing deconstructing

Deconstructing Modi (Via rediff).

Mind boggles at such stupidity. The article is so pathetic that the writes makes no pretense of embellishing this tripe with political buzzwords so as to obscure its purpose. The purpose is clear, to do a particularly absurd Marc Antony on Narendra Modi. Unfortunately it is not even amusing.

"To Modi's critics -- and there are lots and lots -- Israel's endorsement of Modi cannot come as a surprise. Israel is a military industrial state, pogroms, anti-Muslim;[What is she smoking - ed] Modi is… (geddit? geddit?!). But for those of us who are uncomfortable with labels like pseudo-secular, communal, secularist, and so on, it is galling to admit that Modi represents a challenge. He needs to be deconstructed to be understood fully in context."

I do not object to that. Media and journalists are free to criticize and flog Narendra Modi, what infuriates me is that these guardians of public conscience do not have honesty to admit their convictions, instead of that they take shelter behind smokescreen of truth and higher calling.

Indian public more than anything should be wary of these pimps foot soldiers of journalism.

State & Society - I (Different Filters)

Previous post

Related posts here,here,here, and here

Immediate reasons for the post ,this post by Nitin (Also read this post by confused)

In most of the discussions on social institutions (to be specific on the restrictions on right), I have noticed scope of social intervention gets little mention.

In my view this is a serious error and one which might arise from a misunderstanding of nature of state. To be specific the usual analysis have two variable (or opposing influences), one the individual and the other state. The inherent assumption is that state is a true representative of social ethos in a democratic republic and therefore by considering state, effects of society are taken into account of. However a distinction must be made between state and society.

Since the state has monopoly on use of power by virtue of enacted laws, its extent of power should be limited, so as to minimize the infraction to individual members. Broadly this should mean that laws should be enacted to punish only the most serious offences.This means that at best as a representative of society, scope of state is very limited.

However most of the traits that are essential for growth and peace of society can not be ensured through enforcement, as this will cause a serious infringement of rights of individual, what is more serious concentration of power in hands of few is an invitation to tyranny. For example, while state can punish for destruction of property and breach of contract, it can not (and should not) ensure politeness or day to day honesty. These and other traits may seem trivial at a cursory glance; however a functional society is dependant on these traits.

And it is here that social intervention comes into the picture. Peer pressure ensures that individual has considerable disincentive for breaching accepted social protocols. By exerting its influence society can ensure compliance.

There is a caveat though, the social pressure promotes behavior in accordance with established ethos and discourages acting against it. This doesn’t mean that social ethos is always right (ofcourse the meaning of right is debatable).

To use an analogy from communications engineering, state or society is just filter to separate noise from information, where noise is content free rhetoric and information is insightful commentary. State filters out most of the noise, but in doing so there is a significant loss of information.Society on the other hand doesn’t filter all the noise, but on plus side retains most of the information.

Middle Versus Common

This relates to a recent discussion on a particular site (not linked intentionally)

A very basic mistake people make in discussions is conflating “middle class” with “common” people. This is (for most part) incorrect assumption esp. in context of India.

By googling (needs further citation), I came with following data for “per capita income” and its distribution in India, the data presents an interesting picture,

Per Capita Income of India in 2004 was Rs 23,000. However top 20 % of Indian population was earning Rs 48,000. If we narrow the range further top 10% of Indian population was earning Rs 63,000. This is in contrast to conventional wisdom, as the data clearly implies the “middle class” , assuming that it consists of urban professionals employed predominantly in service sector* and the range of income for that category (assuming it to be more than Rs 1,00,000), actually occupy less than top 10% in terms of income.

The reason there is incomprehension about “middle class” and “common people” is twofold,

First is the simple one, “middle” in “middle class” is understood in context of income; however “middle class” is a historical term. [Wiki]. This was used for the new class of professionals such as lawyers, doctors, bankers which emerged at the end of feudal age in Europe, as this class gathered strength it caused a drastic shift in power balance which resulted in end of reign of monarchy and church, at the same time it was a precursor to industrial revolution and radical shift in social, political and philosophical theories.

However, in my view there is another reason which is much more subtle than simple confusion over context.Being common implies being part of majority. Therefore by aligning with majority there are greater chances of further the agenda specific to the particular class.Another aspect is that by being part of the common people, the middle class can become a part of the oppressed, victimized masses and hence a cause celebre, this is just one of the regrettable consequences of the applying egalitarianism without thought.

Post- Enlightenment Delusions

Musharraf's wish: Treat Pakistan at par with India ,

Yeah, we are right on it!

However assuming that the Indo-American nuclear deal goes throught (a possibility if latest media reports are to be believed) then one can assume that China will strike a bargain with Pakistan on the similar lines. This will just make official what has been so far covert carried out by China in order to encircle India. One of the possible scenarios is unravelling of non-proliferation regimes. This is a serious concern, because without doubt China (and also Pakistan) will spread the "love". This consideration is already generating much opposition to the Indial deal, and the fear is not ill-founded.

Category : International, India, Foreign_Affairs, Politics

Losing face (But saving the rest)

I support Indian government's decision to promote Shashi Tharoor as a candidate for UN secretary general(Via Nitin). This is how GoI should act.GoI should pro-actively push through his candidature. Our honourable ministers and babus should leave no stone unturned in working for the cause and Indian state should push all might it has in support of Mr Tharoor.

Indian media can also help by covering this in its usual objective manner. Our journalists can analyze this till it has been discussed threadbare and there is no aspect which remains from being dissected. GoI and Indian media by acting in tandem can generate the right amount of hoopla and induce mass hysteria thus raising expectations of general masses.

Next I hope (infact wish) that Shashi Tharoor is defeated, preferably by Pakistani candidate.
If the Gen Secy is Pakistani (or supported by land of "enlightened moderation"), he should raise issue(s) such as Kashmir/Atrocities of Indian Army/Narendra Modi on every available opportunity. He should also try to get a resolution passed against India (with the help of usual bunch of India baiters) for any real or imagined infraction by Indian state.

In short, I want India, her government and her citizens to be humiliated, thoroughly and unambigously, in short rubbing of face in the manure. I want an act so clear in its import that none of Manmohan lovers Indian media diversions or spins could distract from the fact.

Because unless shaming of such magnitude occurs there is no way in heaven that Indians will wake up from their delusions and start taking international affairs seriously.

Japanese have a phrase called "loss of face", it refers to public indignity and is considered worst kind of injury to a person which must be avenged. This is a very superficial concept ofcourse,
sadly most of the times civilization is obsessed with public image.

India is a worst case of this malaise, I sincerily hope that the drubbing will wake up Indians to

1) Pakistanis are "not" our brothers.
2) Distinguish between accomplishment and media manufactured hype.
3) Realise the irrelvance and futility of symbolic gestures like pat by US or victory in UN.


Now, seriously speaking I can just concur with Nitin. This (jockeying for UN post) is devoid of any intelligence. The benefits from successful outcome are hardly substantial. Even if assuming that Mr. Tharoor has the kajuns enough for hardball politics (doubtful if this comment by Sandeep is to be believed), there is not much a Secy General can do to change the opinion in favour of one country. Recent experience shows that UN is not much effective against determined powers and international craft.

However the investment by India is bound to be significant, even if India secures support from US, getting support from other members will be nothing sort of herculean (esp. considering ASEAN is also gunning for the post). When I talk about investment it is not in terms of pegs of scotch or even dollars, but diplomatic concessions (or quid pro quos) to different groups. Also the fact if stakes are raised (which most probably will be), India may have to concede more "pound of flesh" to save its face.


PS. Sandeep writes here.


Category : India, Foreign_Affairs, International, Politics
 

State & Society (Prelude )

This was supposed to be written earlier. Immediate reason is this post (by Nitin), also read this post (by Confused)

Assuming that you are a staunch supporter of right of individual freedom and think that it should be an inalienable right. Now consider following cases. One condition Don't cite Indian penal code


Case 1. A girl is standing at a bus stand, a man physically assaults her.

Verdict: The man is culprit.

Reason: He has violated the girl's freedom.

Case 2. Same girl is standing at the bus stand, the same biy comes. Instead of physically assualting, this time he passes vulgar and crass remarks at the girl.

Verdict: The man is culprit.

Reason: He has indulged in slandering and defamation.

Case 3. Same scenario. However, this time boy passes lewd and suggestive remarks but they are not personal in nature.

Verdict..... ????*

Reason .......??

Case 4. Girl standing at the bus stand, boy looking at her from his room on the seconds.
Fantasizes about ravishing her.

Verdict.... 50% reservation for girls in IIT)

Reason.... Because nerds with dysfunctional social skills also deserve a chance


* Personally I support kicking the boy's posterior, however I am not a supporter of inalienable right, for anything (I am not particularly brave either), also I do not consider sex as a commodity or some "stuff."

(अ)धर्मयुद्ध

नास्तिकों को सूचित करना चाहूँगा की आपकी लाख आपत्ती एव क्रोध के बावजूद धर्म और धार्मिक कुशल मंगल से हैं एवं भगवान की कृपा से आगे भी ऐसे ही रहेंगे अतः रक्तचाप न बढ़ाएँ. धन्यवाद !

(संदर्भ)

State as shylock - II

Further to the previous post

This is concerned with the skewed tax-structure. The reason state imposes taxes and rates which can only be called unreasonable for the simple reason that it has to fund itself.
This means to finance the vast bureaucratic set up as well as ambitious welfare projects.

Since India has a bloated machinary it translates into inflated bills which are to be funded by taxation. This is aggravated by ever increasing numbers of welfare programmes and subsidies doled out on regular basis body politic consisting of fossils from socialist era, believers of competitive bankruptcy through populism and practitioners of ancient art of corruption.
Since oil is one commodity whose demand is relatively unaffected by the prices, it can be easily taxed*

And this is the reason that all the parties opposing the price hike whether BJP or Left are hypocritical, for they do not propose any viable solution. It is not their aim to downsize the babucracy or fold up the myriad schemes created solely for garnering votes (without which it is next to impossible to rationalize the tax structure).They are opposing the hike from purely opportunistic motives, trying to counter populism by populism. In the end, the only losers will be Indians.

* Not sure on this point

तू तडाक

बात को दिल पर मत लीजिएगा
मराठियों के लिए मेरे दिल मे बहुत सम्मान और आदर है.महाराष्ट्र का लोक संगीत, साहित्य,रंगमंच वगैरह वगैरह में अपना अलग स्थान है.
सब कुछ ठीक है, सिवाए एक चीज़ के, कुछ मराठी सज्जनों का "तुम" और "तू" का प्रयोग.मैं मराठी का जानकार नही हूँ इसलिए दावे के साथ कुछ कह नही कह सकता परंतु मैने सुना है की अंग्रेज़ी के समान मराठी में भी आप के लिए कोई शब्द नही होता. यह समझ में आता है, जो समझ में नही आता वो यह कि हिंदी में "आप" (जो कि सम्मानजनक है और हमेशा अपरिचतों तथा सहकर्मियों के साथ उपयोग करना चाहिए) होते हुए भी कुछ सज्जन इसका प्रयोग क्यों नही मरते. इसका परिणाम यही होता है कि सामनेवाला अपमानित अनुभव करता है और बात करने से कतराता है.

State as shylock - I

This is in part prompted by this post written by confused

In response to the post, I had raised a doubt that whether the quantum of rise in petroleum products is really justified given tax structure and restricted market.

This article (via Indian Express) by Ila Patnaik confirm what I supsected.

In brief there are two points

One The tax/duty on fuel prices is imposed as a percentage of oil price. This means a windfall for both central government as well as state government when the oil price rises.

From the article

" Of the Rs 43.49 per litre that the consumer in Delhi was paying for petrol before the hike, the value of the petrol was Rs 20.42. The Central government levied Rs 14.63 (an excise duty of 8 per cent plus a specific tax of Rs 13 per litre) and Rs 0.30 as education cess. Sales taxes of 20 per cent were levied on the resulting price of Rs 35, which meant that Rs 7.25 went to the Delhi government. When the value of petrol goes up, both the excise collected by the Centre and the sales tax collected by the state go up. "

The author also highlights the remedy

"The Rangarajan Committee on pricing and taxation of petroleum products has also recommended that there is a need to shift from the current mix of specific and ad valorem taxes to a pure specific levy. It recommended that a specific levy of Rs 14.75 per litre for petrol and Rs 5.00 per litre for diesel may be imposed. "


The second point is that oil sector remains protected resulting that there is insufficient competition, thus driving up the oil prices. Trade in oil (whether crude or product) is restriched by barriers explicit as well as implicit.


Therefore while it is nobody's contention that Indian consumers be allowed to have a free lunch, it is only reasonable to expect reform & easing up of restriction in oil industry as well as rationalization of tax structure.

PS Just to clarify, this post is not a rebuttal to the post by confused. Rather it was my attempt to have a better understanding of the issues involved.

Our honourable despots

Stop pro-quota stir: SC orders Centre,

This kind of encroachment by judiciary into realm of legislation and even right of dissent is just a further arguements into why Judiciary should stick to interpreting laws and not enacting new ones.

Sadly while our judicial system remain in tatters, the esteemed lordships seem more concerned with public posturing. One would have thought that with amount of jurisprudence they have they could have proposed way to simplify our legal statues thus removing a big hurdle in ensuring justice for all.

When Martyrdom Is Reprehensible

Via Slimes

Zarqawi gone, Al-Qaeda pledges to continue 'holy war'

"We want to give you the joyous news of the martyrdom of the Mujahed Sheik Abu Musab al-Zarqawi,'' said the statement, signed by "Abu Abdel-Rahman al-Iraqi,'' identified as the deputy "emir'' or leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq. "

Martyrdom... is the only way in which a man can become famous without ability.
George Bernard Shaw The Devil's Disciple (1901) act 3


It is the cause, not the death, that makes the martyr.
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821)

The "other" other half speaks

Although I am not particularly nostalgic about my ulma Alma-mater [boy do I suck -ed], there are some moments when I feel proud of my association. The following article gives me such pride.

You have made me feel low again, Mr Arjun Singh (Via Indian Express)

It is truly one of the positive accounts in the reservation debate by Gautam (OBC and ex-IITian)*

No one opposing reservation claims that caste and caste based discrimination is not a reality in India, however our main contention is that reservation is not a very effective remedy for it. Worse it aggravates the disease instead of curing it.**

It is now five decades since reservation was adopted and still pro-reservationist are reluctant to supply statistics.

Instead of helping in a caste free society, today we find India more fragmented than ever on caste lines, with even the brightest (this doesn't include me) and talented group facing possibility of division. And does it really matter to some one who is being persecuted whether his oppressor is a jat or yadav instead of a thakur or kayastha*** ?

When someone says that injustices of 3000 years can not be wished away in a day (in itself very inaccurate and misleading meme, but more on it later) it sounds a serious case of shuffling to me.

Does this imply that reservation are open ended. Are there any parameters to decide that reservation is not required. What is the logic for providing reservation for second generation?
All this requires sane analysis, not pandering but this is not going to happen soon.

IITs because of talent they attracted were one of the few shining points in otherwise socialist India (cursed by Nehruvian penalty), they were also places where forget caste discrimination even caste identity was for all purposes non-existent. Sadly, due to misguided do-gooders and pandering politicians there is serpent of caste in the paradise.

* I really cringe identifying a talented young man by his caste or creed. Infact I find it really humiliating as an Indian that one has to go to IIT to what is his right.
One of casualties of the reservation will be the students like Gautam who qualified on merit, but will be counted along with the reserved category.

** This is obvious to most, however in the end reservation is solely a political issue

*** I have mentioned caste just for purpose illustration, no offense or implication is intented.

PS It is not to claim that every poor boy can come to IIT. However if someone thinks that IITs are full of rich spoilt kids or casteist middle class, then (s)he would be surprised to know the number of students from very modest background. Students from backward places of states like Bihar and UP (where there is no employment) put their sweat into studies to qualify for the JEE.

For reference see the story of Patwatoli, from which one of my best friend hails. (Some stories claim that it is a village of Dalita, I am not sure about it. As my friend told me it is a village of weavers (Patwa ki Toli), OBCs though not numerically superior, which is why they will not be heard, who settled here from Rajasthan one hundred years back)

Sandeep writes about it here

Update: An article by a IIT professor (who happens to belong to "OBC")

Category : Politics, Media, Society, India

Breaking news... (fake but accurate ™ )

Nitin (who is a capitalist oppressor) in this post disclosed that one more enemy of proletariat will be joining the hegemonist portal (http://www.nationalinterest.in/). Although he declined to reveal the identity of latest danger to kleptocratic socialist character to Indian republic. This blog has through old fashioned investigative journalism unearthed probable list of future blogger. The list of the candidates are below.


1) Lord Voldemort - Known to be an aggressive merger & acquisition specialist in the world of wizards, he has long been hailed as a role model for a free market enterprise. From his modest begining as an orphan to his rise as most dreaded dark wizard, he might have come long way but he remains commited to idea of a society based on capitalist ideal. On being asked about the possibility he refused to answer, significantly however, he was seen wearing "I heart acorn" T Shirts.

2) Ghost of Gengis Khan - One of the earliest supporters of gloabalization, his spirit has responded favourably to the prospect of joining the portal of dreaded extremists. However difficulties owing to non availability of interface which support blogging for ghosts.

3) Hannibal Lector - An avowed anarcho-libertarian, he has been known to cook up interesting albeit provoking dishes. The blogger did not approach the professor, not being enthused by the prospect of possible transformation into gastronomical delight. However, the experts consider him to be a strong contender for the den of evil portal.

4) HAL 9000 - Rational, logical, cold, inhuman in other words an ideal capitalist.

5) Darth Vader - While his views on market are not known, he has terrorized millions of viewers by endless (and meaning less ) saga of stars wars. This is reason enough to include him in the legion of vile profiteers

Update On suggestion of Cynical Nerd The other hegemonist here are two additions

6) Mogambo (not this, but this) - As anyone (who was not too busy Sridevi-navel gazing ) will vouch, Mogambo was the lone warrior for free market and global trade in a socialist India.
While Mr India (clearly a lame attempt to present nationalist parochialism in egalitarian set up)
was able to thwart his plans to bring Wal Mart to India, Mogambo is quite upbeat about his prospect of oppresseing the oppressed Indians.

7) Zakhaku - Main antagonist of Captain Tara in Space City Sigma (Which was lifted by Gene Roddenberry to create Star Trek and before wimpy Milind Soman enacted Captain Vyom, a blemish on Sigma) With the exception of Darth Varder all the villains above were limited to creating misery only on a planet level. In contrast this great figure operated on a galatic level and in the true tradition of capitalist low lifes sucked the lifeblood of billions.

Nightmare on Friday the 13th

Recently rediff, on the joyuous occasion of 6.6.06, asked its readers about their favourite (what a word to use) horror movies.

My favourite (or most dreaded) horror movie is yet to come.
Details are bit hazy but the basic plot will be based on Karan Johar marrying Ekta Kapoor, their spawn will unleash unadulterated horror on this earth and most probably will be called Karan Kapoor.

Like father and mather he will helm sappy and inane movies (and soap operas). His works will create melodramatic banshies of mortals. Worst effected by this menance will be ladies, however gentleman who dare to watch the stuff (due to coercion by girlfriends/wives) will be at equal risk.

Like all good stories this film will be made into a trilogy thus threatening to kill viewers by ennui (and resulting oxygen deprivation) if not raw fear.

Right now I am looking for a producer.

Freud Behind Quota (Atleast For Some)

(This is a rant and may be offensive)

I wanted revenge. I wanted revenge for all the ignorant comments I had heard about "Hindus" on my trips to Pakistan. I wanted revenge against all the people that think being part of the Islam actually means something, or is worth mentioning in casual conversation.
I wanted the innocents muslims to protest and I wanted them to ultimately capitulate. I feel bad for them and feel it is unfair that they should have to shoulder the brunt of Islamic history, but even society has a collective karma. As many know well, bad karma cannot be protested away and doesn’t care about hunger strikes. It must be worked off, often through the suffering of those that appear to be innocent. Maybe it is a good thing that there is no easy solution to this conflict.

Fear not, I am not channeling Ann coulter or Praveen Togadia.

This is just a reworking of this stupid post by an idiot who claims ignorance about India and yet goes on to indulge in worst kind of crassness and stereotyping which if the import was not so serious would have been hilarious.

Here are some helpful suggestions,

1) If you do not know about something do not write about it.

2) If you write do not be a pompous prick and/or self righteous posterior orifice.

3) If you get pilloried (justly) for doing it, do not whine and seethe in an effeminate way, do not cry "mommy mommy" either.

No wonder this goes for typical enlightened discourse from the leftards. They are filled with hate and when one doesn't buy their tripe they respond with incohrent emasculated rage.

I found this illuminating post via this hero of social justice.

Thanks for clarifying, it was always clear what was the intention behind pontifying about oppressed, now it is in open. You are filled with rage because people refuse to ingest your bromide and you want revenge, it is not about dalits, it is about you and your impotent ego.

Now please do not whine about how cartel is condescending or how TTG is foul mouthed. People like you do not deserve the respect of serious arguements, you deserved to be kicked and slapped.


PS.
1) I have been banned by the referred diaspora site, so if you wish take this rant with pinches (or shovels) of salt.

2) Ofcourse not all minorities are equal.

3) I do wonder how both gits are assuming holier than thou attitude, when they themselves are in all probabiliy from the upper castes. I assume since they are excretion from Arundhati Roy (Substitute with agitprop of the season) they are absolved from sins of their forefathers.

4) Yes I put them on couch,in reality they deserve to be locked up for being criminally insane

5) Yes I indulge in Type M arguments. That is why this is rant.

Congressification of BJP

Swapan Dasgupta in his latest op-ed hits the nail on the head.

Pramod Mahajan might have his good points, but it was beyond ridiculous on part of BJP to project him as soul of BJP.But this incident taken in context with directionless posturing of BJP after loss in election is symptotic of malaise far greater than current mess up.

In simple words, BJP has simply lost it. As I have said earlier, the rot has set in earlier when it came to occupy power at centre but the glamour of crown helped in embellishing the decreptitude. BJP followed and embraced the same culture of nepotism and endowments that it accused Congress of.

It is a kind of double whammy, BJP squandered the godsend opportunity to occupy the place for centre/ right.

While being a part of coalition meant that it couldn't push through its core ideologies,
it did not make a concerted effort to evolve either. A firm line on security, pragmatic approach to foreign policy and commitment to economic reform would have provided not only a coherent ideological platform but also a resonance with post reform middle class.While during the period it ruled, it did take tentative steps towards reorientation, they fell far short of what was required.

The other shortcoming was the failure to recognize its transformation from a cadre based to mass based organisation and grasp the underlying dynamics.Failure to address both the issues coupled with clash of egos and lure of power essentially hollowed out the core and vitality of the party.

It would not have got any notice but for 2004 defeat, in this sense it was fortunate that NDA lost the elections (thanks to hare brained campaigning and hubris).

What is not fortunate however is that BJP refuses to get a clue.It is still stumbling along the new way, making idols out of Pramod Mahajan and warrior out of his son. Most unfortunate is pathetic attempt of A. B. Vajpayee to brush off the incident as folly of youth. I take serious objection to this attempt at whitewashing.

The way out of this for BJP is not to go back to RSS (which as I noted earlier is woefully out of date), but to go ahead and formalize it position as right of centre political formulation.*

* Unlike majority I do support Ayudhya movement (for mainly emotional reasons), however it can wait. What is more important is to foil the attempts of intellectual (seduced by songs of west) to fragment India into mutually hostile or indifferent demographic segments.

PS M J Akbar writes on culture of money in Indian politics.

Fragmenting Hindus ....and India (Added)

M J Akbar in his editorial writes, what in my view is one of most significant aspect and intention (implicit or explicit) of this policy of providing reservation.

"The British divided Hindus and Muslims in order to survive. Dr Manmohan Singh's government is pouring acid on the divisions of Hindu society in order to protect its power."

This fragmentation has two aspects.

One for politician, by transforming political process in terms of caste identities, he is relieved of (comparatively) uphill task of framing competent policies and delievering result.

However the other reason is that of resident marxists or europhiles, they at best are dismissive of Indic civilization (and at worst they abhor it). They have implicity or explicity internalized western civilization as the only path to human progress. They wish to transform India in terms of western tradition. In this they face obstacles in form of adherence of masses to tradition.
By encouraging fragmentation they weaken the unity and hence the bond. Also this enable them to capture the power of the state which they use to undermine Indian ethos.

PS. However this is not only about Hindus, this sort of mentality is infectious and ends up in fragmentation of whole society.

This is not to say that Indian society is not inherently fragmented, however the ideal should be to unite rather than divide further

Category : Media, India, Society, Politics, Civilization

Shahadaat interrupted

(Previos posts on Aamir khan, [ 1], [2], [ 3], [4])

Alternatively titled "Martyr martyr everywhere, not any stakes to burn" (With apologies to ancient mariner)

Really this is an embarassment of riches (in economic speak buyers market or demand constraint). One of the familiar spectacle in India is pontification of deluded and self obsessed pretendors to intellect and two penny celebrities.

Latest in this charade is Aamir Khan (or "pretty boy" turned "muslim on self discovery" turned "last man standing for downtrodden and oppressed"). His thought process is incoherent and ideas are half baked, yet by vitrue of being an actor, he has assumed the mantle of a thinker.

However just being thinker is not enough, you have to prove your street cred and the easiest way to do that is to claim instant martyrdom. For this reason the bleeding hearts have a fetish with floogging and stoning and victimhood. Getting stoned is not very difficult in India where democracy veers towards mobocracy.

So when Aamir Khan doned the mantle of lone ranger or boy on the burning deck, he expected to be pilloried and achieve a quick canonization.

However to his dismay Modi did not deign to indulge him. What he witnessed instead was resistence by youth wings of BJP and Congress.

This fell far short of an outright state ban, to make matter worse there was a financial dispute between multiplex association and yashraj films delaying the release of films.

Now in true tradition of guardians of public conscience, he tried to frame it into coercion by state. This attempt was punctered by persistent and consistent denial of Gujarat multiplex association.

The final straw was the SC, which refused to become party to this publicity mongering.

And with this his act of bravura has ended as much as he may pose to contrary.
 

Category : India, Politics, Society, Secularism, Cinema, Media

The Nihilist Creed - I

It is hard not to feel amused when Arundhati Roy claims that India is not a democracy.

No, it isn't because India is perfect rather it is because of her ideological compass.

One admits that even if after five decades of independence Indian society is far from being based on eqaulity and Justice to all.

Discrimination exists today, in far villages and in the the hearts of cities.

Amidst euphoria of booming stock exchanges and glowing prediction, a reality check is needed.

However one questions the intent of the dissentors like Arundhati Roy.

The very world view of her and others of her ilk is not beased on improvment of Indian society, but mindless guilt trips and self loathing.

It is understandable considering that the modern intellectual pretensions are based on mistaken assumptions of altruism.

This flawed view embraces altruism not by transcending narrow concepts of self identity, but renunciation (even denouncement) of group identity . This modern nihilism elevates shallow rhetoric and mindless posturing to pedestal. Any appeal to rationalism and logic is great treason.Emotions suffice, in fact chest beating is the most sanctified ritual of bleeding heart liberalism and attempt to informed debate is frowned upon.

Ironically this secular creed has parallel in history, it is almost a replay of the past nihilistic sects and cults which embraced self flagellation and abnegation as a path to emancipation.

The goal then became not enlightenment but mind numbing obfuscation. The paradise was sought in ignorance and seeking was shunned.

Arundhati Roy and her band of comrades are inheritors of such traditions. The pantheon and dogma has changed. Earlier it was God and salvation. Now it is poor and egalitarianism. Now the prophet of post -enlightenment discourse is Marx or Angels, but the aim and assumption remain same.

Life is not something to be cherished, suffering is a moral virtue and comfort is a mortal sin.

It is from this morbid creed that our bunch of do gooders emerge.

I think, it is only appropriate that with such diseased mentality at helm, we find ourselves in the pit.

Fanna (Or much ado about nothing)

Supreme court dismisses petition of secular retard Mahesh Bhatt Ji
(Via Slimes)

Does this mean that Indian Supreme Court has turned fascist and anti-secular!

*gasp*, This for sure is depth of KalYug...

Category : Secularism, India, Society, Politics

Maya maha thagini

Mayawati tells OBCs to beware vote politics

If this report by pioneer is true, I will consider to be ironical...

"Addressing a Press conference here on Sunday, Mayawati said that her partymen were not on the streets in support of reservation as her party had always advocated social equality and did not want a confrontation between different communities."

"If the Government initiates steps to reserve seats for economically-weaker sections of upper classes, the BSP will support the move," she said."

Ofcourse I think reservations for anyone poor or rich is a bad idea, more on it later.

Legislative robbery

Via Indian Express

Defying SC orders, Karnataka works on Bill to grab country’s first private road project,

This is democracy in action ofcourse....

अभी अभी

उग्र दक्षिणपंथी गंभीर संदीप के इस लेख से ज्ञात हुआ कि बीतें दिनों मुंबई के एक कुख्यात अड्डे में कुछ उग्रपंथी इक्कठे होकर प्रति-क्रातिंकारी योजनाएं गढ रहें थे.उनका लक्ष्य समाजवादी भारतीय गणराज्य से समाजवाद हटाना है.

एक मानदतावादी होने के नाते मेरा दृण विश्वास है कि, बिना परिश्रम दूसरों का माल खाना हमारा जन्मसिद्ध अधिकार है.

भारत के कई जयचंदों, कांग्रेसियों, कम्युनिस्टों महान नेताओं नें भारतीयों को यह अधिकार प्राप्त हो इसके लिए कितने बलिदान दिए.

परंतु आज इस अधिकार को कुछ पूँजीवादियों के घृणित प्रयासों से खतरा है. यह लोग तर्क एव आकडों के माध्यम से भारत में "फ्री मार्केट" तथा उदारीकरण लाना चाहतें हैं. यह विश्व विदित है कि तर्क और आंकडें सर्वहारा के शोषण के लिए एक अमरीकी "कान्सपीरेसी" है

अर्जुन सिंह और दूसरे भारत के विद्वजन हमारे मुफ्तखोरी के अधिकार की रक्षा का पूरा प्रयास कर रहें है, किंतु इन साम्राज्यवादियों के छल प्रपंचों के आगे अपने को विवश पातें हैं.एक भारतीय का यह कर्तव्य है कि वह इनका प्रतिकार है ताकि हमारे गणराज्य के डकैतवादी समाजवादी स्वरूप की रक्षा हो सके.

आखिर मे यह शब्द

अजगर करे ना चाकरी पंछी करे ना काम, दास मलूका कह गये सबके दाता राम.


नितिन जी ने भी इस पर लिखा है, परंतु षड्यंत्र के बारे में कुछ नही लिखा है. सच तो हम कबूलवा ही लेंगें, चाहे इसके लिए उन बुर्जुआ लोगों को करन जौहर की फिल्में क्यों न दिखानी पडें

विशेष सूचना

कुछ तकनीकी कारणों से दूसरा ब्लोग फिस्स हो गया है, इस कारण से हिंदी में प्रसारण इधर ही होगा

Ban for goose....

This post was originally supposed to be admonition to BJP youth wing, however later events have necessitated the change

So!

When Gujarat branch of BJP youth wing goes hyper (for sake of publicity), the peddlars of secularism media goes on a turbo mode giving fair reporting a go by (for example intentionally claiming that Fanna has been banned in Gujarat) and try to make a martyr of that dolt Aamir Khan [ 1,2]. (Irrespective of the fact how some bloggers may be impressed with him, he is a dolt*)

However when Punjab, Meghalaya, Podicherry, Nagaland, Andhra Pradesh ban Da Vinci Code, not a single peep ! [ 1]

This despite the facts that a) Gujarat government never said anything about banning Fanaa (which if reports are to go by, is latest in the series of politically correct "secular" raptures) and

b) The reason multiplex owners refused to screen the movies was the dispute of profit sharing between multiplex association and Yash Raj films. (Ofcourse why would Messers Ra'y'kesh Mehra and Kunal kohli say this, deprives them of sanctimonious pedestal, you see)

c) Da Vinci Code has been banned by the state governments.

So where is that dumbass Shekhar Gupta and hyperventilating Barkha Dutt.

Or is it that some animals are more equal than the others.

Truly despicable

Update Varnam's take. Aamir Khan continues his martyrdom act (note the twist to SC judgement in order to claim victory and shuffling to put moral onus on BJP)

Category : Secularism, Politics, India, Cinema, Media

End of debate

I haven't participated in any debate on reservation.

Initially this was because at that time I had yet to formulate a coherent viewpoint against reservation and possible alternatives (in fact even now I am not sure).

But debates hardly matter, Karan Thapar might have rubbed Arjun Singh's nose in manure but it is the old stinking reptile who is going to have last laugh.
His was a political decision intended solely for vote bank politics. As far as he was concerned no political party will dare oppose this and that's what mattered to him.
That he bulldozed through the proposal with no statistics or model for the policy of reservation should have been a clear indication of what it was really all about i.e. tyranny of majority.

Therefore debates do not matter, the die is cast. That many deserving students will suffer all because of greediness of politicians or unexorcised guilt of bleeding hearts is inconsequential.

It is ironical considering how this government is all about protecting the minority.

The Arjun Effect - II

Previous post

Now after reservation in IITs & AIIMs, we are going to have reservation in private sector too (Via Slimes)


NEW DELHI: The issue of reservation in private sector could hot up in the days ahead with the government telling the business and industry to voluntarily opt for it and not to force on it the option of a legislation. "You have to do it amicably. I am the last person to do it by legislation. Please don't force me to a situation where we have to think of legislation. I have great regard for captains of industry and they should do it. I think they understand their moral responsibility," Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar said.

Just what was needed.

And please don't bother pointing out that Meira Kumar is a nobody, there is no greater "nobody" than our kept PM.

I hope this gives satisfaction to those dolts and morons (secular-right for lack of better words) who were slobbering over triumph of "secularism" and deluding themselves with how the poodle of Sonia Gandhi is a honourable man.

The only course of action for me and other upper caste members is to emigrate and leave Arjun Singhs & Ramadoss to fornicate among themselves, as far as I am concerned whatever my ideological position, I refuse to get sodomized.