MY ISSUES WITH ANNA HAZARE AND HIS “FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION” BRIGADE

From Poonam Pandey to the so called watchdogs of Civil society, anyone who goes against the system gets celebrity status in India.

I though, as usual, have a different take on the issue of Fight against corruption. I have issue at two places with this so called “Movement”.  One is the Cause itself and the 2^nd is the method.  I would like to address the method first

AUTOCRATIC METHOD:  PROBLEM IS IN THE PROCESS BEING ADOPTED

India is an “Unnatural Country”. I have used words of Ramachandra Guha from his book "India after Gandhi". He along with many others have always believed that we are a union of many “countries”, each with its own language, culture, social fabric, etc. I know it is a cliché but I will use it. There is nothing in common of a person in Chennai with that of Srinagar. A man from Mumbai many times cannot even pronounce name of a person from Tripura properly. Very few people gave India a chance to survive. The basis show it shouldn’t have remained one. Yet 63 years and counting we are one country. We have shown the world true mean of another cliché “Unity in diversity”. Having said all that we have had our set of problems in keeping the country one.  Especially during the recent reorganisation of states crisis, we have seen people have taken regional stands which has threatened the sovereignty of India itself. Demands from Kashmiris and those from Chennai  are all well documented. Mumbai and Hyderabad have had their share of problems. Apart from the above we have fought almost 6 wars during this period.

Unlike our neighbours, Pakistan, we have done one thing right ensuring we are the biggest developing nation of the world.  We have kept our processes and our democracy intact. In fact I am sure most of you will agree that without democracy we wouldn’t have reached where we have. Yes we as a nation have made some mistakes in the past. But it is we who has done the same. Our leaders are elected by us every 5 years and we write our destiny. I am sure not many will argue the value “Democracy” has bought to us. Having said all that, if you read my previous blogs, I would be among the very few who actually don’t enjoy the decision of the masses. I am not fond of the choices this country makes. But then thats for some other day. We as a country, I am sure, are proud of our democracy.

The recent “Fight against corruption” movement is denting “Democracy” in its core and that is what I am not happy with. I will use three examples that I faced today

On the social networking site Facebook, I read this as status message from one of my friend, Atul Ravi. “Its incredible and so fascinating that Gandhian methods are still relevant. A man with no weapons has stood against high and mighty. Ladies and Gentleman please take a bow to the greatest man of our times-Anna Hazare Saheb”

Then I was forwarded a youtube link of a press release of the “Jan Lok Pal Bill” drafted and forwarded by so called who’s who of civil society. The link of the video is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoYiYes01MU&feature=share. This is a hate speech. Mr. Arvind Kejriwal very passionately, in the 1st minute of his speech says, PM and leader of opposition have vested interests in ensuring corruption is prevalent. If this is not denting the very pinnacle of democracy then what will be.

Then I also had my brother in law, Alok  who was debating with me on the issue and according to him 

“You say its like maoist movement except violence. Yes it is. So what is wrong? Do you support only one group of the freedom fighters between those who chose satyagrah like Gandhi or those like Bhagat Singh who decided to kill them before getting hanged? I support both. The question is, was it right as per the rulers of that time? The Britishers. No, obviously Gandhi was putting them on ransome so was Bhagat singh. Its just that it was easier for them to hand Bhagat Singhs and alike. Besides, in a blanket statement you have colored the whole maoist movement as something evil. Who are we to do that? do we even know what they are fighting for? If Kashmir becomes a free state tomorrow (which in all likely hood it will), aint the terrorist of today will become martyr tomorrow?”

Now just for ease of understanding for most of you, the 1^st statement is by Atul Ravi, a Kashmiri Pandit whose family had to abandon Kashmir in the 90s. Interestingly, both Atul and Alok who do not know each other have same view on Anna Sahab. However on Kashmir violence I am sure, Atul will have a lot to disagree with Alok. That is complexity of India.

To me both of them are wrong. Both Alok and Atul forget there is a major difference from when we were fighting the Britishers and today. The problem that Mr. Gandhi had in pre 1947 era was fate of India was decided by “House of Commons” in London where we had no representation. We were “RULED”.  The stand of our leaders especially the revolutionary types was understandable then. I have never been a fan of Fast unto deaths but then at that time you could at least justify them.

Today things are totally different and my fear is people don’t appreciate or accept this. Please for God’s sake own up your government. Unlike in pre 1947 era, no one is ruling us. We are ruling our selves. Please read the previous sentence again because what I have found in the Genext- the youth is as if someone from a foreign country is ruling us. This is a process by which we elect our leaders and there is a process by which these elected members make legislation for the country. The govt which is executive, then executes the law made by the parliament.  If someone’s rights are violated, there is judiciary for that. There are various system for checks and balances. Again I repeat, your leaders have been elected by you.

If you have understood this only then read ahead. I couldn’t elaborate much as here I am assuming that people have read their civics. We also need to understand the mechanism present in the sytem when the legislative or executive fails to perform it functions. One of the easiest and most effective way to punish them is to keep them away from parliament when they come to you for election.

If one has understood the system, then one can easily understand that Shree Anna Hazare’s fast unto death is against the spirit of democracy. No individual can take government on Ransom and get his demands met. No matter how legitimate the demands may be. There is a way to put across demands and I am sure if they are correct, there are hundreds of methods one can get them implemented. We once gave in to the terrorists during the Kandahar crisis. We came out weaker and the incident haunts us to date. Lets not repeat that. Having built my case I am sure you have understood that we are on cross roads of history. If the govt will budge to “Fast unto death” or say “Maoist type violence”, this will set a very very bad precedence. An irreversible degeneration process will start. People argue that these are extraordinary times and hence require extra ordinary methods. No cause is bigger than the nation itself. Only if the nation survives, would question of corruption remain. If we listen to language of Mr. Arvind Kejrewal, he seems to be agent of some foreign country who intension is to destabilise the nation itself. When you target PM and leader of opposition with such hatred, you are romancing with the idea of Tahir’s Square. People forget political system of Middle East and India are quiet different.

Autocracy has no space in Democracy. Just because some individuals want a certain law and again I repeat no matter how legitimate their demands may be “Fast unto death” and violence have no place. In fact the way I look at it, both are the same. Peaceful protests, Cyber activism is ok. If you have people’s support go for Civil disobedience.

CORRUPTION: THE PROBLEM ITSELF

There is a view in public and a dangerous one. That is the problem of corruption is something created by the politicians. The astronomical figure of 2G scam seems to have got to people.

My take on this was and I put this on Facebook too

I sincerely feel fight against corruption is waste ..... I seriously enjoy getting away with Rs 100 been given to mama than a Rs 2000 traffic fine .... I enjoy a Rs 500 AC 1st class ride from Jhansi to New Delhi to Rs 1000 Ticket where I might not have got the seat any ways...... I enjoyed getting birth Certificate in 2 hours in Rs 250 when normal time is 7 days.....

The statement is cynical. I used my self as a metaphor for any normal Indian. We have been corrupt like  any other politician and the day we accept this fact, we might look at the problem a bit differently. To me that approach is required. 

BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD

One of my class mate from my school, Swati writes on my above stand

Vikas I have never supported corruption theoretically and practically, several incidences occurred where I had to give an immediate decision which decided my future, right from passing on my every proposal from one table to another for PhD or simultaneously alone procuring my fathers death certificate, I never bribed....in spite of situations making me collapse but i feel light and happy now, because I believe that charity begins from home, every genuine act should begin from 'u' then it would be 'us' and finally the 'country', as a citizen of India we should shoulder moral responsibilities irrespective of anything, superunlike Your  stand!

No one should like what I said.... it was cynical. But do we know whom we are fighting. Corruption or the politician or the Corrupt politician. How many of us can say what Swati said. Not me.

No one is against law against but will it be effective if the people don’t understand that they cannot pass on the buck to the politician when they have been part of corruption in each step of their life.  Trust me hundreds of Jan Lok Pal will not resolve India’s issue of corruption. The epidemic is in the DNA of the country and it needs more of an inside out approach and not the other way round. We as a country cannot shy away from the same.

My problem with the movement is that hate speeches as those given by Mr. Kejrewal are sensational and they do nothing to address the issue of corruption.  When I said the Fight against Corruption is wrong, I meant the fight against only the political corruption is a waste. This is because the only thing targeted by Mr. Hazare and associates are politicians and bureaucrats as evident from Mr. Kejrewal’s hate speech. Infact even they will find a way out of any law. When shall we address the problem that lies within us. How many of us will not bribe a traffic poilice man with Rs 200 when the actual fine would be Rs 2000/-. How many of us will not bribe the TC in a train when you don’t have a confirmed ticket and you so desperately need the berth to sleep?  How many of us will wait for 7 days for a marriage Certificate when you need to fly next day to Dubai with your wife with the certificate?

We are a responsible 21^st century super power and we need to act accordingly. We will continue having challenges but there is a way address the problems. I disagree to go the Anna Hazare way.

INDIAN TEST TEAM OF 2009-2015

From Mid 70s to the late 80s, there were no ICC team ranking, but then no one ever argued that West Indies team then was the best Test team of that era. Similarly the cricket of the 90s and a good part of the 2000s was dominated by Australia. It has been 1 year since India has become no.1 team as per the ICC test rankings and yet people don’t think it deserves to be there. As a fan of test cricket I agree. India has not done enough to prove its outright superiority over others.

“Test” of the Indian Test team starts from 15^th Dec 2010, when India takes on the no. 2 test team South Africa in 3 test. Indian team will then be distracted by the world cup but after that we go to West Indies for 3 tests in May to July 2011. India then head to England from July to Sept 2011 for 4 tests. Later in October India host West Indies for 3 more tests. Finally in End 2011,India tours down under to meet the Oz in 3 tests. These 16 tests will determine how great Indian test team is.

There are two main questions that need to be addressed if we are to ensure, test team is at No. 1 position.

We all know that tests are won by bowlers. While the batsmen can ensure that they make enough runs and save the test, one has to take 20 wickets in each test so as to win it. Our bowling department is spearheaded by Harbhajan Singh. Now Bhajji has scored two back to back 100s against the Kiwis and thats what is worrying me. Harbhajan will need to guard against believing that taking two wickets and scoring 45 is good enough. Taking five wickets and scoring 15 would be a more valuable contribution most times. This is not to suggest that he ignore his batting. Merely that he needs to regard himself as a bowling match-winner first. Harbhajan is now 12 years old in the test arena and now  your tricks become familiar, your metaphors tired, your slower balls predictable. But it is also a phase that separates the best from the very good. It is a phase that Harbhajan is going through. In the last two Test matches there has been a hint of a new dawn, but South Africa will be the challenge. Harbhajan’s revival as a test bowler will determine India’s success in next year. I am more assured of our fast bowling spearhead Zaheer. Zaheer now has a correct mind on his shoulders and hence, one can rely on him. The only concern will be his body. Hope he is not over burnt.

The “Test” lies beyond these two as well. India does not have a defined No. 3 and No. 4 bowlers. Munaf, Sree, Ishant, Ohja, Nehra and Ashwin are the alternatives we have. On the test level, not very good alternatives to have. Ishant and Nehra have struggled to come back and swing the ball, the trait which separated them from the rest. Munaf on the other hand is not consistent enough in his performances and also he has lost that zip of the surface. Ashwin is too flat to be a test bowler at this time and as it is with Bhajji in the team, it is very unlikely that India will ever opt for 2 right arm offies in their team.

In short India’s no. 1 worry is its bowling department and its depth.  I will put my neck out here. Groom Deepak Chahar, from the looks of him, seems to be a bowler hungry for wicket and I have heard hi is nippy as well.

While the amplitude of the team will be decided in the next 12 months, the duration of time at which India can remain No. 1 test team will also be interesting. In all probability, the big batting guns of Indian cricket should play in the next 12 months. What happens after that will determine the depth of India. We need an answer to fill in slots of Sachin, Rahul and VVS and trust me its a daunting task for even reputed international stars to fill in their slots. But then the show must go on even when they leave. A disclaimer that I would like to put here is that I am going to suggest a shape of Indian team after these greats have left, but we should not get in to the trap of comparing the young players to the greats. One can never fill in shoes of Dravid, leave aside Sachin and VVS.

Shewag and Ghabhir are most likely here to stay for 3-4 years. Rahul- the wall isn’t getting any younger and its time that Chitteshwar Pujara is groomed for the no. 3 spot. Similarly, Rohit needs to get his act together to play at no. 4, a place which Sachin has made of his own. Virat Kohli and Raina should look themselves to be at 5 and 6 with Dhoni at 7 and Bhajji at 8.

While the above line up isn’t as impressive as that we have now, but then I don’t think we will ever have a time to have a line up which is any where close to what we have now.

The greatness of this team shall lie on the shoulders of the bowlers. While the void created when Sachin, Rahul and VVS leave can never be filled, bowlers will determine our Ranking in 2015.

T20 WHOSE GAME IS IT ANYWAYS (REVISITED)

Today, to be able to say you are a Test match fan requires the kind of courage that was needed a decade ago to articulate an alternate sexual preference.But then when a purist like me who derives his spirituality from cricket, from Test Cricket, there is very little you get following T20 cricket. 3 years back I wrote a blog with the same title. At that time I was new to T20 Cricket. But 3 years down the line I have seen enough T20 cricket and here are the reasons I do not like about T20 Cricket.


Uneven Contests between Bat and Ball
A batsman is considered as great when he scores his runs in tough conditions against good bowling attack. Why is Sir Don Bradman considered to be arguably the best batsman world has seen. He scored his runs in the worst of conditions- pitches were uncovered then. He had to face bodyline attack. He stood there where others would have left. Ask Sachin about his favorite 100 in any form of Cricket and he will tell you that he rates his 100 against Australia at Perth in 1992 as his favorite. Why? Setting: Perth,'92… World’s fastest and most bouncy track of the world .. Craig McDermott, Merv Hughes, Mike Whitney and Paul Reiffel formed the attack. Sachin scored 114. Aussies bowed to the master and his craftsmanship.


T20 Cricket is all about bat. In a country like India, we believe that if the majority likes it, it should be right. No wonder we have leaders like Mayawati and leagues like the IPL. Mindless hitting though and across the line makes people happy. Its like tying a tiger and then throwing pebbles at it. Cricket is at its best when both the bat and the ball have equal chance to win. T20 Cricket fails to provide that.


Character of the player is never tested in T20 Cricket
A character of a player is tested over a period of time when he is down. The T20 game gets over in a little more than 3 hours. How can it “test” the character of a player. 3 years of T20 Cricket and do u remember even one inning that you remember that a player’s character was revealed.

Game of Chance and not of ability
Lets see this Statistics. Bangladesh won 3 tests so far out of 66 tests. One against Zimbabwe and the other two against depleted West Indies team when they had no international player. Compare it with their T20 record where they have won 3 of the 14 T20 matches they have played. A 20% record in the T20 against a 4% record in tests. Clearly you can be lucky on the day and win T20 matches. Tests are won by ability and not chance. While T20 is like gambling, Test Cricket is a real Sport.

Docile Pitches
One of the great adventures of cricket was the test of a player in varied conditions. In India ball would turn, in Sri Lanka it would come slow, English pitches assisted Swing where as Aussie pitches were fast. Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Shewag, Ricky Ponting, Brain Lara, Muralitharan, Shane Warne became greats not batting and bowling on docile batsmen friendly pitches. T20 pitches are prepared in such a way that it hardly matters where you are playing, its almost the same thing. Adaptability of a player, his ability is hardly getting tested in T20 Cricket.

No 2nd Chances
You can be unlucky once, so tests gives you two chances. In 1999, Chennai, India V/s Pakistan Test, Sachin got out of duck in the 1st innings. Like life, Cricket gives you a 2nd chance. Sachin made 136 in the 2nd innings and yet to be defeated by 17 runs. Tests gives you that 2nd chance. To take it or not is in your hands. T20 is far from all this.

Heros are made and forgotten in a Day
Lets remember those moments etched in our memory about test Cricket

• India Beat invincible Aussies in 2003 where they were on a 17 test win rolling streak
• Laxman’s 281 and Rahul’s 181 and Harbhajan’s Hatrick in the same match
• Shewag’s Triple Ton at Multan
• Sachin’s 114 at Perth
• Kumble’s perfect 10 at Kotla


Well I can go on and on. How many such incidents do you remember of T20 cricket. The only one that comes to my mind is Yuvi’s 6 Sixers in an over. Heros are made of people making a quick 20s/30s. Fortunately they are forgotten the next day. People cannot and do not forget the above achievements of tests


Boundaries and Good Shorts do not mean anything
A Cover drive of a short of a length ball with 3 slips and 2 gullies on is such a great short in Test Cricket. Does a Dilliscoop any match to the same.


Intolerable Language
T20 has commercialized the game so much that even the literature of the game has been adversely affected. “Citi moment of Success”, “Karbon Kamaal Catch”, MRF Blimp is what I get to hear when I watch T20. I miss the days when commentators described Saurav’s off side play as “on the off side, 1st there is God and then Ganguly.”Where are those days

However I also know that as long as I choose to be a cricket fan, I got to make peace with T20 cricket. But then the administrators of Cricket throughout the world need to remember that no business that takes its core customers for granted can survive long. If Tests go, cricket dies.

Why an NRI?

Why did I leave my country? Why does any one leave his country? The possible answeres I could look were

1. Better opportunities for quality of life.
2. Better Job opportunities.
3. Better health care facilities.
4. Cheaper living conditions.
5. Moving next to / with a person you care about (family, friend, lover).

Stupid!!!! Wasn’t I when I left India. None of these reasons applied to me. I left India because I was bored.

Bored !!!!…… Bored of what? Of being at a place where I grew. Where I learnt what it is like to work and earn your bread. I wanted to explore. Test my knowledge and skills. Challenge is what I was looking at.

What I forgot was I am a man of few needs and desires. I never wanted hundreds of horse powers taking me to office. Nor did I ever wish for a palace to live in. No, I do not have an ambition to leave my GenNext with a sliver spoon.

I came to Dubai in 2007 with no major dreams. Just wanted to work and collect my self. Before long I realized, I couldn’t bear my loneliness. I always thought I could. Trust me an alien land makes you more lonely than a single man could be. Got married. Earlier I had one lonely soul to tackle. Now I have two. Like me, my better half isn’t a big fan of ultra modern life style.

Why am I here? When I am not learning anything anymore. When I am not growing as a person. When the roads don’t own me. When the people don’t seem mine. When my parents are not with me. When they are growing old and sick and I cannot take care of them my self. Am I selfish? No I am not. I am giving them everything that money could buy. But they do not need money. They need me. But then, they might live with some shortcomings.

Money has its own attraction. I wont be earning even half of what I do here. I have everything in abundance now. Hence I may overlook power of money. Tomorrow, I might not have the strength or adaptive nature to go to a new land to earn. I need money for the future. For myself. For my next generation. For my parents. They deserve the best. I might slog but they need to be cozy. They need to be protected.

I shall continue to slog. To live in an alien land. To survive unpleasant climate. As they say “ Apno Ke Liye…. Apno se Door”

From An NRI

INDIA FAULTERED, PAKISTAN FOULED : CRICKET HAS BECOME POLITICAL

What happened today in Mumbai was shameful and every Indian must be ashamed to the treatment given by the IPL franchises to the 11 Pakistani Players on Auction. Pakistan is not slated to play any international Cricket in the IPL 3 slot and hence the excuse that availability of Pakistani players was an issue is totally false. The decision by the franchises is not only incorrect cricketing wise but has insulted Pakistan as a nation.

Why were the Pakistani Players asked to get NOCs from the Pakistani Cricket Board, why were they are to get their VISAs sorted out, why all the drama over the deadlines when you knew that the franchises would not be able to pick the Pakistani players under Government pressure.

India accuses of Pakistan of 26/11 but then we cannot be at war with our neighbours indefinitely. It is so easy in India to create an Anti Pakistan Environment. Activist television channels package anger. Many seek hot pursuits of terrorists and the destruction of terror camps across the border, the government finds itself besieged. Sending troops across the border is, of course, not an option, but the popular mood usually demands a demonstration of action, and it was very easy for our politicians to use cricket as a tool of appeasement. Today the franchises took an easy option ….. an option to please the people and the government.

In the end, I must say Cricket will be a causality. Make no mistake, Pakistan is World Cup T20 champions and they were runner up in the 1^st edition. No one knows to play T20 better than the Pakistanis. We have been stolen with an opportunity to see the best in action.

Pakistani Players and nation as a whole would be upset with the way they were treated by Indians. I, as an Indian apologise. Initiatives like Aman Ki Asha need to reach more people than they are doing right now. I hope common sense will prevail and we get to see people to people contact between the two nations.

KAMINEY: LIKE IT OR DIFLIKE IT BUT YOU CANNOT IGNORE IT

When was the last time you came out of a film wishing you could go back in and watch it again immediately so the excitement in your stomach stays longer?

Vishal Bharadwaj's Kaminey is a film you'll either love or passionately despise.

Shahid Kapur is cast as both twins, each saddled with a speech impediment. Charlie, the small-time gangster has a lisp, he pronounces every 's' as 'f'; meanwhile Guddu is a timid NGO worker who stammers when he speaks.

Kaminey is bold, stark, funny and unpredictable and that's what works in its favour. It is not the usual masala film. Sure, it's a well-made film, but there's no spoon feeding here. One has to be attentive, very attentive to grasp the goings-on and also the twists in the tale

The real strength of Kaminey is its writing. The non-linear screenplay is filled with unfamiliar twists and confusing turns that are likely to baffle you along the way; yet they're all neatly tied up and culminate in a thrilling climax which is violent and comical in equal parts.

The film's dialogue is top-notch; writer-director Vishal Bharadwaj finds a way to make the lines humorous without ever seeming to ask for a laugh.

With unchoreographed action scenes and dances, and long portions with no background score at all, it's a wildly imaginative, original offering from a fearless filmmaker who doesn't insult your intelligence.

Kaminey boasts the best performance you will see by an ensemble cast in a long time, and that includes even the bit players. Of the central cast, Amole Gupte is fantastic as the demented Jai Maharashtra-spouting gangster-politician Bhope,.

Shahid Kapur rises to the challenge of creating two entirely different characters out of Charlie and Guddu, and delivers a credible performance as each. Breaking out of his chocolate-boy image, he gives evidence of his potential when trusted with well-written roles.

Springing a delightful surprise in a smaller part is Priyanka Chopra as the feisty Sweety, who sprinkles her lines with a smattering of fluent Marathi and emerges one of the film's most lovable characters.

For an audience numbed by predictable Bollywood potboilers week after week, Kaminey might take some time to settle into; . It's not one of those lock-your-brains-at-home types, for sure. And that might not be too appealing a thought for those who swear by candyfloss or meaningless ha-ha-thons. So beware that you are intelligent enough before you enter cinema hall.

A must must watch as far as I am concerned….. Would love to hear from you.

T20 WORLD CUP 2.0

The stage is set again and this time the battleground is England. As we get ready or the non stop action to start from tomorrow I was wondering on the importance of T20 game.

I really don't want to sound either like an old bore or a cricket snob. But at the beginning I didn’t like the idea of a compressed version of the game. I must confess, I began the T20 World Cup 1.0 with a mild sense of cynicism, which was due to my reservations about Twenty20 as a form of cricket.

Yet it's easy to see why Twenty20 has a future. It is far less demanding on the spectator: it requires much less patience, engagement, and understanding of the nuances. And it has no history or tradition to intimidate new audiences. Most of all, it is short and something is happening all the time. If you are not burdened with cricket's past and the knowledge of its finer, complex aspects, Twenty20 is pretty good entertainment.

Growing up watching cricket, I understood that Cricket, especially batting, is a combination of 3 Ts viz. Talent, Temperament and Technique. The shorter the game gets, the balance shifts from Temperament and technique towards talent. While some amount of Temperament and techniques is required in One Day Format, T20 Cricket is a showcase of talent. And to add to it… it is fast, exciting and is more often than not competitive.

Wherein Version 1.0 of T20 World Cup was surprising for the audience, people are now expecting the unexpected in version 2.0. This can never be a easy job. Ask any successful Film director…….. Its never easy to repeat a Blockbuster with another. Version 1.0 saw a bowl out …….2 major upsets ……. 2 unlikely finalists and a memorable nail biting Finals…… Could it get better ….. That is something that we get answer within next 20 days.

As of on my thoughts on the shorter version of the game well let me put it this way

Sport is about skills and possibilities. Tests provide the best platform for a full exhibition of cricket skills. Twenty20 shrinks that range. But spectator sports are also about enjoyment. People having a good time can't be such a bad thing after all.

I enjoy the contests and so does my mom …… and that’s what T20 Cricket is about…. Its about the masses ….. Class we can decide later.