Indian politicians -their precept and practice

 It is said "there is a world of difference between precept and practice"- more so with our politicians and the gap widens when they speak about it more.!!

It is generally thought that Political lies are always for exploiting the ignorance of the public. Mostly they are manipulative for winning the elections. But there are times like Obama lies about Health care inorder to push through some legislation to benefit the larger society(link).

However coming to India, Politicians throw promises at the people mainly to win elections and then they renege on the promises made.

In the recent few weeks there are lot of accusations by the Opposition parties against the Central Govt that Question Hour in the ensuing Parliament has been abolished muzzling the freedom of MPs to ask Govt questions about peoples' problems to elicit answers from the Govt. But there are two stark statistics contradicting the so-called champions of freedom of expression in the Opposition. In the last few years Question hour in the parliament has been wasted for 60% of the time by the unruly Oppositions marring the proceedings of the house. Another interesting point is that in the Opposition ruled West Bengal Question Hour has been suspended by the Govt in view of the prevailing pandemic.!!

So this is clearly double standards adopted by the Opposition and it is raised against the Central Govt only to embarrass it and score some brownie points in the media.

Many of the Opposition ruled State Govts prune the budget of the local bodies saying that the State level finances are severely constrained. But if the Central Govt does it, all of them raise their voices against the Centre saying that the Central-State relationship is severely undermined and the trust of cooperative federalism has been betrayed by the Centre. They have no such qualms when they repress the local bodies by not releasing the funds to them. These are the doublespeak adopted by the opposition parties as a matter of right and pride.Our society does not relish this behaviour of politicians which they do not understand.

Centre and States are like two important organs of the body which is India. Both must work in tandem and in coordinated rhythm. Brain cannot let the Heart down and Heart cannot afford to stop blood supply to Brain. They cannot be at loggerheads with each other. This is the fundamental concept which Politicians must keep in their minds while performing and discharging their Constitutional duties.

Open society and its friends!

 Karl Popper wrote in his book "Open society and its enemies"  that Paradox of Tolerance leads to more intolerance. He explained that in order to maintain a tolerant society,the society itself must be intolerant of the intolerant. He openly borrows his idea from Plato's concept of Benevolent despotism or benevolent dictatorship.

Indians have understood this contradiction in governance and according to the best of statecrafts defined by them State Governance has four ways of taking action : Sama,Dhana , Bheda and Dhanda. When it should actively encourage dharmic ways of living, it should seek out and identify those who are bent upon disturbing this peaceful coexistence. It may be its own citizens or enemies from outside. For dealing with them it should employ the above four ways and it can move from one to another subtly, discreetly or sometimes directly. Dhanda is always the last resort and even for criminal acts and for offenders, punishment is a must. This is intolerance of the intolerant. Punishments should be given after speedy and fair inquiry and justice must be seen to be delivered without delay. This will have a deterrent effect.

However the contrast is to see who are Friends of Open society. Friends are Those who forge consensus, those who encourage cohesion, those who believe in cooperation, those who trust collaboration, those who practice transparent communication, and those who want syncretic, synergistic community development.

The tolerance towards genuine failures, mistakes in trying to invent, missteps in search of progress will go a long way in supporting open societies that are productive and supportive in the long run. When the societies are young in age such openness provides the youth power to blossom out full harnessing its potential.

But, many times, these friends of open society work in silence and with lot of patience. But earnestness, perseverance and persistence are their hallmarks. Friends of Open society will always build checks and balances to prevent even unintended misuse of power, influence, nepotism etc.

When Voltaire declared Liberty as the fulcrum of modern human society, he meant , civil liberties, freedom of expression and freedom of religion. He is widely believed to have written "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Those who subscribe to his views are all Friends of Open society.Such open societies will bring forth positive changes in human dynamics and nurture inventions, innovations in all spheres of life from poetry ,arts to physics,biology.All this leads to prosperity in society and the virtuous cycle is set in motion.

It is our bounden duty to identify and safeguard these Friends of Society who are pillars of Tolerance and not to discredit them wantonly by imputing intolerance.

Minimalism-இருந்தும் ,இல்லாமல் இரு!

 Minimalism is an old concept but is gaining ground these days when Covid 19 pandemic is trying to devour the entire world.

Minimalism is all about living with less. This is not a fad but a way of life of renunciation and deep withdrawal from worldly pleasures, which has a profound effect on the psychology of humans.

In India, many of our Saints and philosophers have talked about leading life of penance ,sacrifice and total detachment. Even wealthy persons of yester years led a life like that of a Trustees of their wealth. Gandhiji also said this in his seven sins of life:

"Wealth without work; Pleasure without Conscience;Science without humanity;Knowledge without character; Politics without principle; Commerce without Morality; Worship without sacrifice"

It is said that Gandhiji also laid lot of stress on wealthy businessmen and persons to remember that they are Trustees not owners of their wealth which provide them an opportunity to serve the people at large and for social welfare.

Minimalist philosophy emphasizes on getting rid of excess stuff and living life with less and less of worldly possessions.

This is similar to the concept of leading a life like that of water on Lotus leaf. It is a status of living attached but detached explained in Bhagavad Gita. Nishkamya karma yoga in Gita is a path on the same lines without any attachment to the results. If you stretch it , this will show that the emphasis is on being not selfish but living for the sake of greater good of the society.

In Tamilnadu, siddhars gave a concept of "இருந்தும் இல்லாமல் இரு" which is nothing but minimalism of modern era. Siddhars extended this concept even to knowing the meaning of our existence. According to them God Dhakshinamurthy symbolises total silence and  inward withdrawal of soul to know thyself. Arunagirinathar was delighted at being advised by the Lord "to remain in silence".Even getting rid of words or speech is the best way to realise the truth about oneself.

This is Minimalism at its maximum!

Orwell and Covid vaccine

  "All animal are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," wrote George Orwell in his allegorical novel Animal Farm. the stody in short conveys the meaning that the absolute power corrupts absolutely.

His novel 1984 which is a classic dystopian novel, also wrote about Thought Police to persecute individuality and independent thinking . This novel and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" rank as two of the best dystopian novels of twentieth century. Huxley's novel describes a world where people are born and raised  through engineered artificial wombs and childhood indoctrination into predetermined classes or castes based on intelligence and labour.

In all these novels, a world covered by intelligence which gives it an order and discipline predetermined by its rulers, is a dire prediction.

Coming to Covid 19 driven world of today, our ways and methods are directed by rulers assisted by doctors, epidemiologists and virologists , and we are not at liberty to do and act on our own. The overarching societal welfare notion constrains individual liberty and movements. Since it is viewed as a temporary measure many have been living with it.

But once Vaccine is made available, this may give way to more individual liberties and rights.

However there is a lingering question: "who will get Vaccine first".

Pl. read the opening sentence now again. Some people are considered more equal than others and they are the powers that be and those close to them.

But this notion is against the principles of natural justice and would not hold waters in a democratic society in a free world. The Vaccine adminstration should have a free protocol without any strings of power, money, position pulling it. This is very very important for the society or any country to think they are still democratic and free.Only then future is secure and people can look forward to prosperity guided by a truly compassionate Govts.

Are we still democratic society?