Why do we worry??

An experimental post - I tried using the 5 Why technique to find the root cause of a common problem of worrying.

Why do we worry?

Because we feel we lack control of our destiny  

Why do we feel the lack of control?

Because our plans don’t seem to work at all

Why don’t our plans work?

Because we cannot control things like the economy, people, family problems and other acts of God.

Can we control factors which are outside of our control?

No we need to have patience and wait for things to unfold!

Then why do we lack patience?

It is a lack of faith in our abilities.

Is Faith very important?

The best is to believe in a higher power like benevolent God or at least believe in yourself.

In a terrible situation we lose faith in ourselves and in doing so we also lose confidence in our skills and become a pale shadow of our former selves.

Its remarkable when you need courage the most, we fail. So the only answer to problems in life is having patience, by patience I don’t mean you put up with rubbish but wait enough time for your plans to succeed.

Indeed there will be days when patience will wear thin, those are the days you need to reach out to your friends and family.  Only our true can re-enforce the trust and remind us of our true abilities.

Even Lord Hanuman needed to be reminded of his true nature and skills before He could travel to Lanka to find Sita.

So never be lonely and keep your friends and family close and off course keep the faith

The Nouveau Rich India

The financial crisis triggered in 2008, which has led on an economic slowdown in the developed countries like the US and Europe while bringing emerging countries like India, China and Brazil with impressive growth rates are finally taking their place in the global table of power.

It is definitely encouraging to see the world is getting more democratized and the days of unipolar hegemony are getting numbered.  When President Obama visited to India and gave a speech that India is no longer an emerging superpower but India has indeed emerged.

The media and the growing middle class are trying their best to gloss over obvious gaps in our quest to recognized a super power (economic or strategic) there are things which India needs to fix before declaring itself a super power.

Crony Capitalism

Isn’t it for India’s first F1 race, govt. is providing subsidized fuel and undertaking land acquisition on behalf of corporates. The fracas in the Greater Noida and scams in CWG and 2G cases showing how dangerous is the collusion between corporate India and govt. to serve self-interests.

Is India a sporting nation beyond cricket?

While India is hosting big ticket events but we are not nourishing enough world beaters or even competitive athletes for world events.  Apart from large cities, there is not even access to basic infrastructure to allow young talent to be recognized and get due attention.

Sluggish Judiciary

The most horrific part of the Indian judicial system is the sluggish pace at which cases are disposed of. The thousands of people who are in jail waiting for trail is indeed shocking. The false accused in the Malegaon blasts spent 5 years in jail before been released as innocents. Before we call ourselves a superpower, judicial and police reforms are needed.

Crumbling Infrastructure

The biggest gripe, basic roads and public transport is a mirage. As IT companies are moving to suburbs beyond the major cities, like Pune, Chennai, the sluggish pace at which fly-overs and public transportation availability is been made is shocking.  A Mumbai-Pune journey (150 kms) AC bus ticket is Rs 320/- but 10 km ride from the IT park to Pune city costs Rs 250/- . Not to speak of heavy traffic jams.

A combination of local gunda-ism, corruption in infrastructure projects and general apathy by municipal authorities are making daily office commutes a nightmare.

Are we been Nouveau Rich?

Instead of focusing on real issues or trying to find solutions, India is operating on misplaced priorities, instead of looking at basics, we are trying to showcase to the world about its status as a superpower, the outward focus instead of working hard on solving problems for its own people.

Instead of aping the glitzy/easier symbols of the developed nations like a F-1 race or building large malls, we should look to strengthen our infrastructure, local governance and access to basic amenities of life.  

When there are so many people in India going without two square meals in a day or access to water and healthcare, the excessive focus on glitz seems a lot like French Queen Marie Antoinette “Let them eat cake” 

News Channels Today - Peddling Aspirations or Pure Denial ?

if you follow the news channels in India regularly apart from the politician bashing you will probably be seeing these headlines getting repeated over time with some small variations. 

China fixation / India Superpower
if you see experts in TV studios you would believe India is a superpower and developed nation which is just days from a permanent seat in UN security council. In its flight of fantasy it needs to match China in military prowess and pursue an aggressive foreign policy. 

 Pubs/Alcohol Age 

 If you followed the news about actor Imran Khan who is opposing the increased official age of drinking to 25 as an affront to the freedom of Indians ( I guess adding the right to booze to the Constitution is really the need of the hour) and the draconian laws in Bangalore pubs of shutting down too early.

 IIT / St Stephens fixation 

 Another key headline is the entire IIT debate of Narayan Murthy and Chetan Bhagat and about the quality of students from our premier institutions. Reams of news print and air time spend on discussing mostly Chetan Bhagat's point of view ( not by co-coincidence He is having a book launch soon ) Offcourse some or the other stories about St. Stephens, I am quite surprised that Mani Shankar Aiyer got away easy with his Hansraj BA pass remark on Sports Minister Ajay Makhan. 

 Exclusive Interviews with Actors 

 Another trend is the interviews with actors, its a win win because its easy TRPs and no efforts to research or report and for the actors like SRK, Ranbir Kapoor good marketing for their up coming releases. 

 Reading out Twitter Posts 

 Is it even a real journalist job, reading out twitter posts ?? Actually Twitter is the best thing which happened to 24X7 journalists, verified soundbytes ( 140 characters ) delivered on your smartphone by the celebs. 

 Over Simplification / News for Dummies 

 Even the issue of Rs 32 as the poverty line demarcator was taken as another opportunity to bash the political class but never little attempt made to understand the rationale or economics behind it. In case of the Anna Hazare campaign, some news channels were taking sides with the outraged middle class instead of an objective news analysis. 

 Always going soft on corporates 

 Of all talk of corruption in India, the media is deliberately soft on corporates because one negative report on the house of Tatas or a Reliance will result in massive drop in advertising revenues. Secondly to make the middle class comfortable that paying bribes is because of the system and off load own guilt by blaming only the netas and bureaucrats. 

 

 Is it a delibrate denial ?

Clearly the news and media channels are not naïve or blundering idiots to not having to pick up real issues and deleve deeper (expect CNN-IBN's Karan Tharpar show The Last Word and some shows on NDTV) rest of the News channels just want to indulge the Indian middle class fixation with institutions of higher education, the fantasy of India taking on China and fueling the need become a more materialistic consumerism driven society.

There is a clear whitewashing of the stories of the poor India, health care and rising inflation. For the new middle class paying 1000 Rs to a domestic help is much costly than spending the same at a spa or a pub is not a problem. The increasing hedonistic mindset of the affluent class whilst lack of sensitivity towards the less fortunate is indeed disturbing. The media shows us what we want to see rose tinted picture hiding all details 

that which can make us uncomfortable.

The role of news media has changed from enlightening and educating the viewers to engaging and entertaining but in the race for TRPs and showing quarterly profits, can we blame the media or do we as a society need to evolve as well.

Personal Branding in Public Life

All of us in India and the NRI diaspora witnessed the Anna Hazare phenomenon and in spite of a few detractors but Anna has gathered a cult following and a credibility not shared by his contemporaries in activism Do names like T.N Seshan (Former Chief Election Commissioner )  or G.R Khairnar ( Former Mumbai Municipal Commissioner)  even ring a bell now. 

If you think about it what differentiates an Abdul Kalam from K. Kasturiragan (ISRO), Nehru from Sadar Patel, Manmohan Singh from Pranab Mukerjee or an Atal Bihari Vajpayee from Narsimha Rao. It is the role of personal branding, showcasing an unique eccentricity or quality which differentiates an individual from the other.

Single Status

A person who chooses to stay un-married in political life always seems to have an upper hand in public life and greater acceptability may it be Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi, Anna Hazare or the lady brigade of Jaya, Mamta and Maya.

A distinct Look/Accessory

Be it Manmohan Singh's blue turban, Gandhi's Dhoti, Anna's Topi or Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's funky hair-do or Hilter's Chaplinesqe moustache, having a distinct look creates a lasting image in the minds of the people.

An Armed forces Background

I am sure in all the forwards which glorified Anna Hazare all of them began with the line “Anna Hazare was a solider in the Indian Army ( he was a driver but that's besides the point). George Bush also had a military background which he leveraged well in political campaigns. 

The notion of sacrificing one's life for the country instantly improves the personal brand quotient.

Catchy Slogans/Simple Messaging

The problem with intellectuals like P.V Narsimha Rao, T.N Seshan they speak too long and don't simplify  the message. People do not like to be burdened with the complexity of life, they want a quick fix which is easily understandable. 

• Anna Hazare – Jan lok pal, Anti Corruption
• Obama – Yes we can
• Sonia Gandhi – Aam Aadmi
• Narendra Modi – Gujrat Astima, Vibrant Gujrat

Every one loves an underdog - “Not so priveleged background”

People who come from a tough / poverty stricken or a socially disadvantaged background gain a lot from the sympathy. Any message from a leader from this category automatically gains more credibility vis-a-vis a candidate from a more affluent background.

The debate is already skewed toward the street smart vis-a-vis the Ivy League or the IITian from a middle or upper middle class background. 

Inheritance of a grand legacy

It is also helpful if you can lay claim to an illustrious legacy, the easiest way is off course being born into one like Rahul Gandhi or Omar Abdullah. But the smarter individuals are those who can appropriate them directly from another individual. 

• Jayalalitha – MGR legacy
• Anna Hazare – The Gandhian Way
• Mayawati – The Kanchi Ram/Lower Caste Mobilization
• Abdul Kalam – Success of the Pokhran Nuclear Tests

Intellectuals lose out because they look too much like PLU ( people like us)

Inherently people of India or people in general appreciate a mystical quality and a persona which is not common, so speaking slowly or dressing up in suits / formal clothing will never make the cut. 

Although we may not admit it but its all about the branding. 

Do not let Ajmal Kasab Win !

I swore to myself after the 13/7 bomb blasts in Mumbai, I would not write a post on this topic. People including myself experienced the deja vu feelings after 26/11 and I went on a rant on whats going wrong , there has been little progress but not good enough to prevent such an unfortunate incident.

People are enraged and even more cynical than ever, that is understandable. We want our government and police to do much more, we have all the rights to demand action. 

But instead of addressing the key issues of better policing, improving intelligence networks and how to isolate Pakistan in the international community and people are taking increasingly alarmist positions. 

Subramanium Swamy's Xenophobic views

Dr. Subramanium Swamy who claims to be the one who exposed the 2G scam and speaks of several credentials and a known Sonia Gandhi hater wrote on a piece in DNA  and suggested steps like declaring India as Hindu Rashtra and demolishing mosques as possible solutions to solving the problem.

This bigoted appoarch will create further cracks in our society and push India towards a horrific future.

Kasab and Madani enjoying in Jail

Another mischievous track which began in news papers and blogs is how Indians ( particularly Hindus) are suffering while elements like Kasab, Madani and Afzal Guru are having a great time in jail. Another carnard, sure there has been some delays some justified and some unjustified but instead of seeing Muslims in India as part of our own nation, isolating them is so unfair.

Migrants are the problem

Raj Thackeray playing to the gallery and trying to isolate Mumbai from the rest of the country, also the limited point that we need more policing and focus, there are enough criminal elements who have been born and bred in Maharashtra itself, there is no need to point fingers at northern states.

All Indians who attended Ghulam Nabi Fai's conferences are traitors

It has emerged recented that Mr. Ghulam Nabi Fai a lobbyist in Washington DC who organized conferences on Kashmir issue was on the pay roll of ISI to propogate Pakistan's agenda. Many number of Indian journalists and illuminaries attended such conferences, now an attempt is being made all of them colluded and hence guilty by association they are all traitors.

Shocking indeed, people are ready to buy into the Islamphobia and start dividing the country on religious lines again. No country which is ready to buy into an xenophobic theory cannot be going on the right path, as tommorrow people will even condole rights and ethitic cleansing/geocides.

I dont know when Ajmal Kasab will be even hanged, but I know the terrorists will win if we get divided and fall into the spiral of hate and fear. 

Dont let Ajmal Kasab win and dont let the multi cultural plurality of India get destroyed by the lunatic fringe elements. 

P.S: I recently read that the AIMPLB ( Muslim Body) is planning to protest the Indian Govt. proposal to make right to education a compulsory right and several Madrassas could get de-recognized as they dont have minimum facilities. I hope the government of India does not give into the pressure of vote bank politics. The standards how we judge religious intolerance must be the same for all. 

How Twitter killed the Movie Star

Once upon a time, we had film actors on a pedestal and people would buy film magazines like Film-fare and Star Dust to get the latest dope on them and there was just one channel Doordarshan which ran programs like Chaya-Geet, Chitrahaar and Rangoli which ran songs for half an hour once a week.  Movies ran for weeks and a movie was certified a hit on number of days at the box office. 

Film stars were exclusive in fact reclusive and people craved for attention and information. But that was the year 1991 and now it’s 2011. In the last 20 years, the business of movie making has changed its all about the first weekend and the multiplex audience.  There are so many pressures to market the movie on all traditional mediums and social media channels.


 It is like carpet bombing basically;you cannot miss the cast of the latest big blockbuster on telly, radio, new channels, news papers, TV shows and internet. 


A set of Twitter species has emerged from Bollywood in the new order. A sample below:- 

•  Out of Work Actor/Actresses: There are so many out of work actors/actresses who have precious little to do expect cut some ribbons and becoming good will ambassadors for some events. They keep tweeting about “Love NY”; “awesome Toronto” or "Go Deccan Chargers" to let people know they are still alive.

• Burned out directors/actors: There are 45+ year old burned out gentlemen who are born again social activists who support Anna Hazare and Ramdev in their fight against corruption and black money but won’t make a peep about the string of actresses getting caught in airports for customs violations

• PR junkies: There are unapologetic guileless actors/authors who wake up before a movie/book release and keep tweeting links, new coverage and tit-bits about their upcoming release. Cultivate a positive image to increase twitter followers count and keep advertising it. ( 100 K followers today, 400 K tomorrow)
• Pure Attention Seekers: There are some people who are so desperate for your attention and will tweet sensational junk. There is a director known for his underworld movies who said he will offer a movie to Maria Susiraj ( the girl involved in the Neeraj Grover case) and yesterday was using cuss words to praise Big B's latest movie.

One cannot really help but pity these people from the film industry;Twitter robs them of the sheen and the mystic they once had. You see them for what they really are, human beings just like us, insecure, petty, confused, biased, vain, hypocritical and mostly boring. 

Damn Twitter killed the movie star. I hate Twitter for that.

P.S: 1 Rajnikant has no Twitter account neither does he endorse any brands and doesn’t gives exclusive interviews. He is a bald 65 years old  man who seems mostly like the uncle next door but when he dons the grease paint he becomes and always will be the SUPER-STAR. 

P.S: 2   If you are regular on Twitter you will know whom I am talking about :) 

Why the Civil society must realise there are no quick fixes

As I write this post, the second indefinite fast to death has been started by Baba Ramdev Yoga guru and star of Aastha channel in his struggle against black money.Predictably there time around there is viewer fatigue as we just emerge from Anna Hazare's campaign against corruption took place in Jantar Mantar which was described by eager beaver journalists as India's Tahir Square moment and Anna Hazare as the next Mahatma.

Both eulogies are over exaggerations and India is a not a banana republic or run by despots like Murabarak or Saddam Hussein or Col. Gaddafi. I have read the Jan Lok Pal and it has some major naive assumptions and some cunning clauses to get permanent authority to civil society members without accountability. I doubt how many of us have really read the Jan lok pal draft before deciding to support Anna Hazare.


Points I disagree on the Jan Lok Pal Draft - full draft link

• Lokpal will collect 10% fine on each case of corruption detected and it goes to a Lok pal fund which will disbursed to improve Lokpal infrastructure - (undermine the financial/fiscal responsibility of the govt.) 
• Selection committee to include all Nobel laureates of Indian origin - ( why should people like V.S Naipaul, Prof Venkat Ramkrishnan and Dr. Amartya Sen who have long left India to pursue own interests aboard be allowed to part of such a key decision making process) 
• Selection committee to include Last 3 Magsaysay award winners - ( no surprises includeArvind Kejriwal, P. Sainath and Kiran Bedi amongst others) 
• Lokpal be a super cop, quasi judiciary and even hand out sentences demean all the Indian institutions.
• Section 27 – Protection where the Lok Pal will have complete judicial immunity for acts of good faith - (such a naive assumption Lok pal will be above aboard in such a so called corrupt nation) 

Points I disagree with Anna Hazare 

• Indian Constitution and institutions are so rotten that we need a new extra-constitutional body to be pointed by persons having external accreditation's from Nobel Prize and Magsaysay awards
• The assumption all our elected representatives are corrupt and Indian voters are not sensible enough to vote for the right candidate. Mr. Hazare said if he stood in an election he would lose his deposit
• His flip flops on Narendra Modi shows his lack of a consistent political view
• His left wing friends like Swami Agnivesh who is a known Maoist sympathizer and Medha Patkar a known anti dam/development activist who have agendas of their own

Points I disagree with Baba Ramdev List of Baba Ramdev's demands

• his bizarre demand to ban 500 and 1000 rupee notes, and to declare an ordinance on bringing back black money to India and promoting Hindi at the expense of English . With due respect he is no expert on economics.
• his clear right wing linkage with the RSS and people who were involved in the Ram janam bhoomi moment like Sadhvi Ritammbara 
• He is still to come clean on his source of wealth, his private jets and 18 crore 5 star satyagraha at Ram lila maidan. 

Points I disagree with Arundhati Roy

• her constant glorification of the Maoist moment knowing full well bloodshed is never a long term solution is mischievous and dangerous.
• her support to the Kashmiri separatist moment, in fact she seceded from the Indian republic and declared her self an independent mobile republic way back in 1998.

The cure worse than the disease ??
I agree government has been losing credibility and instead of an constructive opposition which can take on the govt. the fringe voices like Anna Hazare, Baba Ramdev and people like Arundhati Roy are getting even more footage and media space. My greatest fear is these misguided “civil society” members are wanting quick fixes and little accountability, and by targeting the political class institutions there are only creating anarchy in the nation.

I agree there is rampant accountability issues with the political class but the ballet gives us the opportunity to make a change. Democracy is still the best way forward.You need to toil and work closely on the ground, Mamata Banerjee's example of her diligent efforts to end the 34 years of the Left rule. Off course time will decide Mamata's legacy but for a woman with no god fathers and no corruption charges on her as of now yet she represents to me a glimmer of hope and trust on Indian democracy.

I strongly feel before we run out and start chasing any leader proposing a quick fix to nation problems and using anarchy instead of working to strengthen the Indian democracy we must question their motives and tactics as much as we distrust the political class.

With all respect I invite the leaders of the civil society to engage the Indian voters directly and enter the political system to gain authority and accountability of all Indians.It may take 10-20 years not a 5 day media circus to affect real change. 

 
Fasting for complex nations issues is not going to solve issues as quickly as eating fast food.