Marxist Rumors

A conversation among a visitor, my father and me...

“I heard your entire family's name was cut from the voters’ list. Did you get it reinstated?” I asked the visitor
“Yes... These dirty tricks of Marxist party!” He exasperated “Many sisters' and priests' name were cut form the list. In the next election, the Marxists want to come back to power by hook or crook. They want to manipulate the voters’ list. They want to do West Bengal in Kerala.”
“But... won't that create a permanent hatred among the people towards the party?! Anyone whose name was cut will most likely never vote for the party!!” I was bemused
“Even otherwise they will never! The communists are shrewd. They are cutting the names of those whom they are sure will never vote for them.”

He had a point. I nodded.

The visitor continued. “In West Bengal the situation is so bad. To construct a house one has to donate an amount to the local party office. Can you believe it?! The party has tried something similar in Kerala. Have you noticed that the number of "bucket-donations" the party used to conduct has come down drastically. How do you think they are compensating for the financial loss they incur?”
“How?” I asked.
“Recently, in Kottayam, they approached a govt.-medical-college doctor and asked to donate 5 lakh rupees to the party fund. The doctor refused and said he can contribute only 3 lakh rupees!! 3 lakh!! Not a small amount!! But the comrades were not convinced. In fact they were furious. They refused to accept 3 lakh. Before leaving they threatened him that they knew how to get 10 lakh from him. The next day the doctor got a transfer order. He had to now settle the row with 10 lakh rupees. Btw, do you know what happened in Baby Memorial Hospital?”
“No”
“Well... the Marxists asked for 1 crore donation. The hospital owner refused. The hospital soon received a show-case notice from the environment department asking them why the department should not take action against the hospital for polluting the nearby canal.”

We were silent for a few seconds before my father spoke. “Whatever be the party, politicians are birds of the same feather. All hungry for money and power. They will do anything for it. One of the worst things the Marxists did was extremely politicize Calicut University. The University now reeks with their filth.”
My father - an ex-professor in Calicut University - shared an incident. “There was this institute with excellent facilities that wanted the recognition from Calicut University. I was the invigilator. I liked their dedication and facilities. I approved. The next step was to get an approval from the Registrar. The institute approached the Registrar. His response was to contact Matahi Chacko - the local Marxist veteran. At that time Matahi Chacko was a Senate member. The institute's officials weren't sure what to do. So they contacted me and requested to help them understand the procedure. I knew the official procedure, which was quite simple. All the Registrar had to do was sign the document. Since I had approved, he had to have a strong reason NOT to sign. And I was sure that there was no reason NOT to sign. Since the institute appeared to have that dedication, which is rare to find these days, I told them I'll check with the Registrar what went wrong. On contacting the Registrar, he asked me to contact Mathai Chacko!! I didn't understand why Matahi Chacko has to have a say here. I communicated the Registrar’s message to the institute. Around the same time the institute came to know that another institute was recognized by the University. The other institute had no basic facilities. Bemused they approached me again. Looking at their plight I thought I'll try to help them. I called Mathai Chacko. He lifted the phone and started speaking in an extremely rude and impolite manner. A typical rowdy language which I’m not used to. I was irritated. I snapped the call without speaking anything further. I conveyed the same to the institute. I don't know whether they got recognized later. But that incident was another reality check. I knew once again that the Marxists are not angels.”
The visitor chipped in. “They are devils. Pinarayi has lot of benami property throughout Kerala. Deepika daily is his benami. The whole world knows it…!”

The phone rang and our discussion thread broke…

***************

This post might be a surprise to my friends who have known me as a leftist. I’m no leftist or rightist. Just a humanist. It is better to let the world know about the rumors that are floating around. Support the good in anything. And vehemently oppose the evil.

A proud Mallu

A bus journey from Ernakulam to Bangalore:

I overheard the following conversation from two North Indian Muslim Businessmen whose business base is in Bangalore.

Business Man1: Here (Kerala), the quality of life is really good!
Business Man2: Yes. True. Initially when others used to tell me, I never believed it. Now I see it. It is far better than any other states of India. The common man of Kerala has a much better quality of life.
Business Man1: Yes. Yes. Sometimes I wonder if Kerala were in some other state, India's Human development Index would have been really low.
Me (in my mind): Hmmm... feels good to hear an 'outsider' talking high about your own state. But this last point I disagree. The HDI will become low for sure. But nor "really" low.
Business Man2: But what I liked most is the peace. I have done business in UP, Bihar, Rajasthan. I had no major (communal) issues there. But when I came here, I felt the real difference.
Business Man1: Very true. The southern states are in general peaceful. But Kerala is much peaceful than any of them.

I wanted to record their conversation and post it. I felt really proud of being a Mallu and the manner in which the keralites are brought up. They are brought up in a communally congenial environment and are taught to make best use of their common sense.

Said that, I don't think everything of a mallu is great. There are quite a few things which I don't like about them. Guess I'll cover that in another blog

Today's Sith

Have you not heard the Story of Dr. Haneef? The poor soul who was traumatized and used by politicians in power to create an opinion wave that favored them; to invoke fear in THEIR OWN fellow citizens and use that to their advantage. All this to get back the power they think they might lose. Human rights, feelings and existence of an individual, doesn't matter to them! What matters is POWER! For them an individual is just a minnow that can be crushed on their overzealous greedy march to power.

All over the world anti-terrorist laws that are anti-democratic, and that goes against human-rights, seem to be the fad. Is curtailing democracy and human rights the solution to terrorism? Isn’t the lack of democracy and human rights the cause of terrorism; not the solution? P V Narasimharao - India's Former Prime Minister - once said: "The answer to the problems of democracy is more, not less, democracy". Aren’t the people aware of this fact? Perhaps some are. And yes, they are trying to “educate” the crowd about the impending danger. But their voices are not heard. They are lost in the cry for "more security". But why? Are people so deaf... or dumb? Are they so lost in their “phobia” of “world not being a safe place”.

The current affairs of anti-terrorist laws reminds me of “Star Wars: The revenge of the Sith”. I see the current affairs similar to the storyline of Star Wars. There are common threads between the Dark Sith Lod - Darth Sidious - and today’s supporters of anti-terror laws, who wield the power.

Let us go through the script of the movie and compare it with what is happening today. [ Note: I have used the term “Today's Sith” (T-Sith) to represent today’s power bearers who support "anti-terrorist" (read anti-democratic) laws ]

Scene1 - First move of T-Sith: In this move T-Sith attempts to gain more power by curtailing the human rights, claiming that that is for improving the "security" of the citizens, and that democracy will suffer "a bit" as they have "no other options"

ANAKIN stands with PALPATINE at his window overlooking the vastness of Coruscant. Several buildings have been destroyed. A brown haze hangs over the landscape.
PALPATINE: Anakin, this afternoon the Senate is going to call on me to take direct control of the Jedi Council.
ANAKIN: The Jedi will no longer report to the Senate?
PALPATINE: They will report to me . . . personally. The Senate is too unfocused to conduct a war. This will bring a quick end to things.
ANAKIN: I agree, but the Jedi Council may not see it that way.
PALPATINE: There are times when we must all endure adjustments to the constitution in the name of security.
ANAKIN: With all due respect, sir, the Council is in no mood for more constitutional amendments.
PALPATINE: Thank you, my friend, but in this case I have no choice . . . this war must be won.
ANAKIN: Everyone will agree on that.
PALPATINE: I need your help, son.
ANAKIN: What do you mean?
PALPATINE: I fear the Jedi. The Council keeps pushing for more control. They're shrouded in secrecy and obsessed with maintaining their autonomy . . . ideals. I find simply incomprehensible in a democracy.
ANAKIN: I can assure you that the Jedi are dedicated to the values of the Republic, sir.
PALPATINE: Nevertheless, their actions will speak more loudly than their words. I'm depending on you.
ANAKIN: For what? I don't understand.
PALPATINE: To be the eyes, ears, and voice of the Republic . . .
ANAKIN thinks about this.
PALPATINE: (continuing) Anakin . . . I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council.
ANAKIN: Me? A Master? I am overwhelmed, sir, but the Council elects its own members. They will never accept this.
PALPATINE: I think they will . . . they need you more than you know.

Scene2 - T-Sith’s second move: Shut the mouth of those who argue for democracy. Assure the supporters of "democracy" that the anti-terror laws are "temporary". That the laws will not be misused. And that they got to "trust" the T-Sith so that he can quash the bigger threat - the terrorists.

PALPATINE listens to a delegation from the Senate, which includes PADME and five other Senators: NEE ALAVAR, FANG ZAR, MALEDEE, SWEITT CONCORKILL, and MON CALAMARI. ANAKIN stands to one side of PALPATINE.
PALPATINE: I understand your reservations completely, Senator, and I assure you the appointment of Governors will in no way compete with the duties of the Senate.
PADME: May I take it then, that there will be no further amendments to the Constitution?
PALPATINE: I want this terrible conflict to end as much as you do, My Lady, and when it does I guarantee an immediate return to democracy . .

Scene3 - T-Sith's third move: With threat and an iron hand crush those who still harp on democracy. Herman Goering, the old Nazi, once said, "People can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. All you have to do is tell them they're being attacked and denounce the pacifists for a lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

OBI-WAN: Anakin, my allegiance is to the Republic... to democracy.
ANAKIN: If you're not with me, you're my enemy.
OBI-WAN: Only a Sith Lord deals in absolutes. I will do what I must.

Guess the same thing is happening now. The philosophy in vogue is: "If you speak against us, you are a terrorist and we will hunt you down". Remember what Bush said. He said exactly what the "dark force" in ANAKIN said.

Scene4 - T-Sith's fourth move, which I believe is yet to happen. This is most likely to happen if citizens of the world don't act now: The T-Sith will prolong the war on terror thus helping himself to play with power and gain more power by using the anti-democratic laws to his advantage. When he is confident that the power with him is absolute, make the anti-democratic laws the norm, claiming that those laws helped the "citizens" to “regain peace”

PALPATINE continues his speech at the podium.
PALPATINE: The war is over. (applause) The Separatists have been defeated, (applause) and the Jedi rebellion has been foiled. We stand on the threshold of a new beginning.
There is a long period of APPLAUSE.
PADME: Well, this is the moment we discover if he intends to return the Republic to a democracy.
PALPATINE: In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society which I assure you will last for ten thousand years.
There is a loud, sustained CHEER from the Senate. BAIL ORGANA and PADME sit, dumbfounded.
PALPATINE: (continuing) An empire that will continue to be ruled by this august body, and a sovereign ruler chosen for life . . .
The Senate CHEERS again. BAIL and PADME are devastated. PADME begins to cry.
PALPATINE: (continuing) An empire ruled by the majority . . . Ruled by a new constitution . . .
The Senate APPLAUDS.
PADME: So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause . . .

I hope the real world democracy will not come to an end like that - with THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE. The responsibility for that lies in our hands.

PS: Also read Arundhati Roy's NY lecture on freedom: Instant-Mix Imperial Democracy

CEOs salary cannot be legislated

Sunil Mittal, in a reply to the PM, stated that "CEOs salary cannot be legislated" (read here). I buy his view and argument. I'm a bit surprised why an eminent economist like Manmohan Singh chose to conveniently forget the demand supply theory. More the demand for a resource, more the bucks one has to pay to get it. This becomes more significant if the resource is human. It is money that differentiates between a good resource and a mediocre resource. Normalizing the pay structure will take out that differentiator. If the differentiator is not there, the motivation will be less. After all, most of the people do not work for charity! They work for money! That gets the best out of them. We, as a nation, have to try to get the best out of the people; not the mediocre out of them.

Regarding inflation, yes government has to control it. And it has to do it through policies and not through micro management. Find innovative policies and set it right. To do that, to be innovative, the government has to bring the best out of it. The question is: Does the government have ‘good resources’ that can achieve this? Can the government get the best out of itself?

God save this country...

A complain is filed against Mandira Bedi for wearing a sari that had the Indian tri-color at the bottom of the sari!! Why can't these buggers - the moral police - look at the spirit or intention behind the act before jumping into preaching and policing.

Another news is: the RSS and BJP, seems to be miffed with the design of the Indian two rupee coin. They claim that there is a "cross" in it! Can someone beat their shallowness?! These political parties come up with the most wierd silly things for the heck of creating issues. And they get away with it!! Thanks to the intelectual pauperism of the Indians.


God save this country...

Funny NITC Notice

Given below is the notice that was published in NITC notice boards on Feb-8-2007. It is kinda funny because college is considered to be the cradle of free-thought and through this notice/order the Director of NITC is attmpting to curtail the freedom of thought and speech - a fundamental right of an Indian - guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. Click here to get a background of the court order mentioned in the notice below

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CALICUT

DO/14/07 February 8, 2007


Sub : Prevention of undesirable activities among the student community - reg


As you are aware, this Institute has an excellent record of academic performance and the Government of India is now in the process of uplifting it to new horizons. In the process of its growth, considering its importance as an Institute of National Importance, the Government of India look on us for input to all their policy matters.

With deep regret, it is noticed that a fraction of our student community indulges in activities which the Law had instructed to be curbed or tabooed for the salvation of educational system through rulings of the Hon'ble Court of Law on student politics in College campuses. Therefore, the Director appeals to the entire student community to keep themselves away from such activities that will tarnish the image of the Institute.

At the same time, it is brought to the notice of the students that acting against the rules of the Institute and Law of the land, that putting flags, posters, banners other than official ones and organizing or attending meetings other than official ones will automatically attract stringent disciplinary action to maintain peace in the campus. Needless to mention that consumption of alcoholic drinks and smoking inside the campus against the code of conduct of the Institute will invite remedial punitive measures. All these undesirable activities will contribute to spoiling of their personal records in the Institute. The student records will be made available to all the prospective employers during placement and later, if necessary. Hence all students are directed to abstain from any illegal activities and be productive and proactive in their academic front.

The Director appeals to the student community to realize the amount of confidence reposed in them, by their parents and the Governmental patronage through poor tax payer's money, and work for the noble objectives expected of each one of us.


Director, NITC


To
All student Notice Boards including Hostel Notice Boards,
All Deans,
All HODs for reading in classes
All faculty members

Copy to: All Parents