Monday, June 25, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Some Mallu Jokes !!
1) What is the tax on a Mallu's income called? IngumDax
2) Where did the Malayali study? In the ko-liage.
3) Why did the Malayali not go to ko-liage today? He is very bissi.
4) Why did the Malayali buy an air-ticket? To go to Thuubai, zimbly to meet his ungle in Gelff.
5) Why do Malayalis go to the Gelff? To yearn meney.
6) What did the Malayali do when the plane caught fire? He zimbly jembd out of the vindow.
7) How does a Malayali spell moon? MOON - Yem Woh yet another Woh and Yen
8) What is Malayali management graduate called? Yem Bee Yae.
9) What does a Malayali do when he goes to America? He changes his name from Karunakaran to Kevin Curren.
10) What does a Malayali use to commute to office everyday? An Oto
11) Where does he pray? In a Temble, Charch and a Maask
12) Who is Bruce Lee's best friend ? A Malaya-Lee of coarse.
13) Name the only part of the werld, where Malayalis dont werk hard? Kerala.
14) Why is industrial productivity so low in Kerala? Because 86% of the shift time is spent on lifting, folding and re-tying the lungi
15) Why did Saddam Hussain attackKuwait? He had a Mallu baby-sitter, who always used to say 'KEEP QUWAIT' 'KEEP QUWAIT'
16) What is the Latest Malayali Punch Line? " Frem Tea Shops To Koll Cenders , We Are Yevery Where "
17) Why aren't Mals included in hockey and football teams ? Coz Whenever they get a corner , they set up a tea shop.
18) Now pass it on to 5 Mals to get a free sample of kokanet oil.
19) Pass it on 10 Mals to get a free pack of Benana Chibbs.
20) Pass it on to 15 Mals to get a set of BROGUN bones....
From: Satyen Gautam
2) Where did the Malayali study? In the ko-liage.
3) Why did the Malayali not go to ko-liage today? He is very bissi.
4) Why did the Malayali buy an air-ticket? To go to Thuubai, zimbly to meet his ungle in Gelff.
5) Why do Malayalis go to the Gelff? To yearn meney.
6) What did the Malayali do when the plane caught fire? He zimbly jembd out of the vindow.
7) How does a Malayali spell moon? MOON - Yem Woh yet another Woh and Yen
8) What is Malayali management graduate called? Yem Bee Yae.
9) What does a Malayali do when he goes to America? He changes his name from Karunakaran to Kevin Curren.
10) What does a Malayali use to commute to office everyday? An Oto
11) Where does he pray? In a Temble, Charch and a Maask
12) Who is Bruce Lee's best friend ? A Malaya-Lee of coarse.
13) Name the only part of the werld, where Malayalis dont werk hard? Kerala.
14) Why is industrial productivity so low in Kerala? Because 86% of the shift time is spent on lifting, folding and re-tying the lungi
15) Why did Saddam Hussain attackKuwait? He had a Mallu baby-sitter, who always used to say 'KEEP QUWAIT' 'KEEP QUWAIT'
16) What is the Latest Malayali Punch Line? " Frem Tea Shops To Koll Cenders , We Are Yevery Where "
17) Why aren't Mals included in hockey and football teams ? Coz Whenever they get a corner , they set up a tea shop.
18) Now pass it on to 5 Mals to get a free sample of kokanet oil.
19) Pass it on 10 Mals to get a free pack of Benana Chibbs.
20) Pass it on to 15 Mals to get a set of BROGUN bones....
From: Satyen Gautam
There is no Love?
While discussing about the understandings of love and marriage, my idealistic vision got yet another blow when I pointed out that love is nothing but mutual trust and commitment. "Of course not, there is no Love. It is all about mutual interests" says a friend of mine. Though not a Marxist, his materialistic interpretations of human relationship was surprising. Frankly speaking, I exactly do not know what to write.It is pretty simple saying that the understanding of social phenomena is subjective and thus the opinions vary from person to person and in context. However, the question is, is there a sense of truth in what he said, which I never though of. I could not, for long, take it for granted that human relationships, especially related to love and marriage can take the form of materialistic exchange and mutual interests. I realised,he may be true in some sense. Analyse the unsuccessful relationships between husband and wife which broke off because the husband was unable to fulfill the needs of his beautiful wife OR the groom who left the marriage because the brides parents were unable to pay the required dowry OR the amount of dowry you need to pool together to find a suitable groom for your daughter. I may sound very materialistic but it is the truth. I donot claim that all relationships are grounded on economic interests. It could take any form. I watched this movie called "the Blades of Glory" where the successful scaters utilise their sister to pretend loving the opponent who have the chance of winning the competition. They also asked her to have sex with the partner of her lover; so that the relationship will be broken and they would not be together to fight the scating championship.
Relationships have always been primary to my "self". I grow with them and learn from them. I always thought love and marriage bring some of the moments in human life which expect mutual, unconditional commitment and trust. But... the word "unconditional" hurts you when the word "mutual" cease to exist. You love someone but if the other pretends doing it, the result, then, becomes painful.
Relationships have always been primary to my "self". I grow with them and learn from them. I always thought love and marriage bring some of the moments in human life which expect mutual, unconditional commitment and trust. But... the word "unconditional" hurts you when the word "mutual" cease to exist. You love someone but if the other pretends doing it, the result, then, becomes painful.
Friday, June 08, 2007
The Col. James Tod International Award
The Col. James Tod International Award was instituted in 1996-97. Ten notable individuals have been awarded to date. For the detailed list, see the previous honor roll list. This year Maharana Mewar Foundation is proud to give this award to famous scholars from USA, Prof. Lloyd I. Rudolph and Prof. Susanne Hoeber Rudolph, jointly for promoting the values of "Eternal Mewar" through their scholastic brilliance.
Prof. Lloyd I. Rudolph and Prof. Susanne Hoeber Rudolph are Professors Emeritus of the University of Chicago, one of America's leading research universities. Susanne Rudolph is a past president of the Association for Asia Studies and of the American Political Science Association. The Rudolphs have been contributing to knowledge about India in general and Rajasthan in particular since 1956 when they arrived in Jaipur after an overland journey by Land Rover from London. The journey took six weeks and took the Rudolphs across Europe into turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and over the Khyber Pass into the Indian subcontinent. Research in India and Rajasthan in subsequent years resulted in two of the Rudolphs early books, The Modernity of Tradition (1967 and 1983) and Essays on Rajputana (1984).
Prof. Lloyd I. Rudolph and Prof. Susanne Hoeber Rudolph are Professors Emeritus of the University of Chicago, one of America's leading research universities. Susanne Rudolph is a past president of the Association for Asia Studies and of the American Political Science Association. The Rudolphs have been contributing to knowledge about India in general and Rajasthan in particular since 1956 when they arrived in Jaipur after an overland journey by Land Rover from London. The journey took six weeks and took the Rudolphs across Europe into turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and over the Khyber Pass into the Indian subcontinent. Research in India and Rajasthan in subsequent years resulted in two of the Rudolphs early books, The Modernity of Tradition (1967 and 1983) and Essays on Rajputana (1984).
Lloyd, Susanne and the King - Arvind Singhji Mewar
By 1968 it became clear that scholars studying Rajasthan in the US, Europe and Japan would benefit from improved knowledge about each other’s work and research interests, As a result the Rudolphs launched the Rajasthan Studies Group, an informal network that facilitated the exchange of information, analysis and interpretation. In 1982 the Rajasthan Studies Group was formally constituted as an affiliating organization of the Association of Asian Studies. Over the next few years the Rudolphs with Karine Schomer of the University of California, Berkeley began planning for an international conference on Rajasthan studies.
The result was the first international seminar on Rajasthan studies in 1987 and the launching if the Institute of Rajasthan Studies. The Rudolphs secured substantial funding for the first conference from the Ford Foundation and the National Science foundation and Professor Chandra and Dr. Joshi secured financial support from the Indian Council of Social Science Research. The first conference was the source of most of the papers published in the two-volume work, the idea of Rajasthan. The second international conference, held in Udaipur, was funded in part by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation Udaipur. Subsequently there have been three more international conferences for a total of five. In addition to the two volumes work that emerged from the first international conference, four edited volumes were published based on papers presented at the subsequent international conferences.
Starting with their first research year in 1956-57, the Rudolphs have returned to India every fourth year through 1999-2000 to conduct research. Of their thirteen books, three have dealt with Rajasthan. Subsequent to 2000, they have returned on an annual basis for the months of January through March to their residence at Jaipur. One result of those years of research in Rajasthan is their recent innovative volume (with the late Thakur Mohan Singh of Kanota), Reversing the Gaze: Amar Singh’s Diary, A Colonial Subject’s Narrataive of Imperial India (oxford 2001, 2002, 2005). Another is the co-edited path breaking two volume work – The Idea of Rajasthan. Currently they are at work on Col James Tod that will include several of their essays on Tod’s East India Company letters in Selections from the Ochterlony Paper (1818-1825) in the national Archives of India, N. K. Sinha and A.K. Dasgupta, editors; and annotated versions of hitherto unpublished Tod letters, manuscripts and financial records.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Transformation
Enough of this worldly aiffair! Now time for Transformation into Babadom!! Time of Enlightenment on the banks of river Ganges. You must be thinking that I am loving this babadom. But, I hope you could guess from my smile.......Friday, June 01, 2007
Love to Kill
Garima and Sahoo
Killing brings fear on the face of the victim. And this of course not. This was a deliberate act of showing something which was not happening. Just like when get hurt your trouser is untorn but your skin is scratched........similar lah........ I was pleased come down (as a result of their meditation) to kill the devils from their mind and heart. Loves Being Captured
Vitasta
She loves being captured in the Camera! I enjoyed her company though. She is intellectually stimulating and intensely caring. They (She and Garima) always asked me questions and the instant reply I offered was "Why Should I tell You" which later became their tag line for me. And they teased me that way the whole period they were in Rajasthan.Here, I Come ........
Vitasta, Bapi and Garima on Meditation
See my religious desciples - Vitasta and Garima. This Picture is taken at the Shiva Temple at the top of the mountain. Well, we all are pretending to be doing meditation. Guess what? When they started the meditation I was not there. And you know a girl coming to a Shiva Temple and doing meditation means what? And thats why I am there........Look at the smile on their face.....Eyes not open but they can feel me........Being Religious for a While.......
Mata Garima, Vitasta and Bapi
I am not a fundamentalist, but love going to religious places and attending functions and cerimonies - be Hindu, Islam or Christian. Luckily I met these two beautiful ladies beside me who had the same instinct. Vitasta was indeed much more than me. She was very religious and forced me and Garima to go to a Shiva Temple at the top of the mountain which is more than 14 k.m up and down. Well we did it. This was inside the complex of another Shiva temple beside the river. Its called the "Badrana Mahadev".
An Evening in Delhi
Aletha
It was in Delhi, Aletha visited me. And we had a wonderful Ice Cream and Masala Tea at Nirulas, Cannaught Place. I remember her being a wonderful friend but more as a person with "Cultural Confusion". She always had hard time understanding the confusing Indian way of giving signs to a girl. I hope she has managed to overcome those confusions.
The Little Krishna
While doing my fieldwork in Jhadol (Udaipur), We came accross a religious congregation which continued for few days and we became a familiar face at the function. This is the picture of a little guy who was dressed like Krishna at the function and dancing all through. I called him the "Little Krishna".
Nehru and I
Don't wonder about the heading! I was never Nehru's friend. This is a new Statue which came up recently at the Jawaharlal Nehru Univesity Administrative Building in New Delhi. People were forgetting him and his contribution and it was just a soft way of imposing to remember the dead. Being an Alumni, thought to have him beside me and remember his contribution of making India a modern Nation-State.
Setting Sun
At Home, with causins, on the rooftop, I was watching the setting sun; its changing colours and dying moments. Death is inevitable - but the Sun was dying to reborn the next day. It was disappearing from some people's lives to appear in some others; to illuminate their lives. Similar is the life of the human beings. Some die to reborn (I believe in the theory of "Karma" and "Rebirth" parhaps); Some breakoff, to find a new one; and so on.......
Sex Symbol
It has never been easy for me being a sex symbol. Of course I tried, and tried and tried in my ignorance. I never thought about what I was doing untill the day when they brought it to me. They acknowledged my hard work and recognised the fact that "ITS NOT EASY BEING A SEX SYMBOL".(Kidding Lah.....)
Kicking Off Together
You must be wondering what is this get together? Well, these are some of my friends in the department (all bastards) who got together to kick me off to India when I was supposed to go for field work last year. They were sick of me and same was the feeling in my side. I wanted a break from them and they wanted from me. Well, the good thing was that the feeling was mutual. This place is called "Al-majilis" - its a fine Arabian Restaurant at the Bugis Street. The food is indeed delicious. We often escape to refuge here from the Permanent Head Damage (PhD).
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The Chinese Beauty!!
They say "beauty is only skin deep". Women in China have traditionally been associated with the pursuit of beauty. It is impossible to conceive of beauty in the absence of the body and its perception or sensation of the beautiful. Whether in Enlightenment definitions of beauty as mental harmony or in postmodernist repressions of the body in encountering the sublime, the body and beauty are inseparable. If beauty is concerned with transformations occurring within the body, it is also the body itself that is necessarily the closest site of the desire for beauty. Furthermore, the link between certain types of bodies and the feelings they arouse is central to the experience of beauty. The body is therefore at the core of human creativity and desire for its modification into an object of beauty is an essentially human creative practice.
However, standards of beauty have changed significantly throughout Chinese history. From slender to plump and frail to graceful, shifting ideals of feminine aestheticism in Imperial China can be traced through paintings, sculptures and contemporary accounts of women famous for their beauty. Although such women appeared as leading politicians and warriors, it was nevertheless from within a predominantly male-centred society that expectations of femininity were constructed. Conversely, the emancipation of women since the 1920s and increasing globalisation in the twenty-first century have effected further changes in ideals of beauty and fashion in modern China (www.beautymatters.blogspot.com).
However, standards of beauty have changed significantly throughout Chinese history. From slender to plump and frail to graceful, shifting ideals of feminine aestheticism in Imperial China can be traced through paintings, sculptures and contemporary accounts of women famous for their beauty. Although such women appeared as leading politicians and warriors, it was nevertheless from within a predominantly male-centred society that expectations of femininity were constructed. Conversely, the emancipation of women since the 1920s and increasing globalisation in the twenty-first century have effected further changes in ideals of beauty and fashion in modern China (www.beautymatters.blogspot.com).
The Skull Bike
I call it the "Skull Bike". It was on display at the National University of Singapore Museum. I went there for a training session on Photography and got it clicked. It looks like a bike and the lion is riding the bike. The Head of the bike is a skull. Thought it would be apt saying the "Skull Bike".
Bastard!!
Do you see any other guy in this picture except Shane Pereira? Gues what? We call him Bastard!!(See www.kahneenah.blogspot.com). He never goes anywhere where there is no girl. This is the picture taken during the open house. He loves teaching ....but only to girls. I kind of like the way he takes his classes. As usual Shane always competes with me... and complains that all the girls go to Sahoo's class and none turn up for his. This was the time when I was absent and Shane clicked.....Have Fun Shane!!!
The Symbol of Sovereignty
What is the meaning of symbols in the life of human beings or in the life of a nation? You may call it a piece of metal but it is that binds the unknown people of a land. It creates a sense of we-feeling and togetherness. It is that gives people an identity. It is that you carry with you. This is the symbol of Singapore that brought together the migrant communities of different countries to create a sovereign territory ruled by the rule of law and subjugated by none. This is the symbol that identifies Singapore as a sovereign Nation-State with its own distinct identity.
The Queen's Lake
The Chinese community presented the statue of Queen Victoria to the Governor, Sir Cecil Smith in the Jubilee Year (1889) of Her Majesty's rule as a memento of their loyal affections and gratitude for the benefit of her rule. The 6 foot high statue in Sicilian marble was the work of E. E. Geflowski and is one of the most lifelike statues of the Queen ever made. It used to be placed in the alcove of the State Room (then called Victoria Room) until the 1960s.
It was then moved to the Victoria Memorial Hall and subsequently to the National Museum store in the mid-1980's. When located in 1994, the statue was found to have sustained damages to several parts, including the nose. The damages probably occurred during the various shifts over the years. The statue was restored in 1995 by a specialist sculpture conservator from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (http://www.istana.gov.sg/IstanaGrounds/QueenVictoriaStatue/).
It was then moved to the Victoria Memorial Hall and subsequently to the National Museum store in the mid-1980's. When located in 1994, the statue was found to have sustained damages to several parts, including the nose. The damages probably occurred during the various shifts over the years. The statue was restored in 1995 by a specialist sculpture conservator from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (http://www.istana.gov.sg/IstanaGrounds/QueenVictoriaStatue/).
The Place Where the First Citizens Lives........
It is the place where the first citizen of Singapore and his family live and the place is called ISTANA. Well, he does not live here but symbolically this is called the President's House which remains open for the visitors during some selected public holidays. This is the place where the visiting head of the states are invited for dinner and state meetings.
Canons on Display
It was May day when I visited the President's House in Singapore. This canon was the center of attraction which I kind of liked. Well, I did not include the picture when it was crowded. It may have lost its significance but the symbolism still stands prominent.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Wah Taj
As a Bachelor
Takdir hai, magar kismat nahi khulti
tajmahal banana chahata hoon
lekin mumtaz nahi milti!
As a Lover
Takdir hai, magar kismat nahi khulti
tajmahal banana chahata hoon,
mumtaz mil gayi hai magar
woh shaadi nahi karti
As a married one
Takdir hai, magar kismat nahi khulti
tajmahal banana chahata hoon
lekin mumtaz nahi marti
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Sociology Open House
All the Departments at the National University of Singapore, once in year, compete with each other to tell the prospective students how useful their subject is in the present day society; so that they will enroll in their department. This is called the Open House, where the research, publications and everything related to the subject is displyed out in the public.
The speciality of this functions is Free Gifts, Free Food and the new comners freedom to shop around. It is the time when they have the sovereign power to decide their choice; and once they choose, they lose.......their freedom to shop around........The authority of positions suddenly gets reversed. The power shifts - from the students to the department........to the faculties......This is the day of marketization of education in the public; and at the end of the day you evaluate.....who had a good business????????????
I was asked to showcase my research on the Indigenous peoples of India, especially the notorious Bhils Tribes popularly know as the Bow Men of Rajasthan. I shared this poster with Alice - a Malaysian friend who is also working among the indegenous people. This Pictures below show some of the attractions of the day.
The traditional wedding costume of Indonesia was competing with the Indian Saree. Its really a beautiful day when you get to see students are dressed in their traditional indegenous outfits. It looks so colourful and amazing.......
I am sure someone must be liking the reddish colour of Indian Saree. It looks beautiful on....
The speciality of this functions is Free Gifts, Free Food and the new comners freedom to shop around. It is the time when they have the sovereign power to decide their choice; and once they choose, they lose.......their freedom to shop around........The authority of positions suddenly gets reversed. The power shifts - from the students to the department........to the faculties......This is the day of marketization of education in the public; and at the end of the day you evaluate.....who had a good business????????????
I was asked to showcase my research on the Indigenous peoples of India, especially the notorious Bhils Tribes popularly know as the Bow Men of Rajasthan. I shared this poster with Alice - a Malaysian friend who is also working among the indegenous people. This Pictures below show some of the attractions of the day.
The traditional wedding costume of Indonesia was competing with the Indian Saree. Its really a beautiful day when you get to see students are dressed in their traditional indegenous outfits. It looks so colourful and amazing.......
I am sure someone must be liking the reddish colour of Indian Saree. It looks beautiful on....
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Wish I Could See Life Ahead...."Next"!!
What would happen if we could see the future? No war, no conflict, no misunderstanding and no separation. Life would be as smooth as a bed of rose and as safe as a prison (deliberate use) – though with a predictable pattern. This is the story of movie “Next”.
Nocolas Cage – a Las Vegas magician with an uncanny ability to see the future happenings, has been forced to foil a terrorist bomb plot. The problem is that he can only see the happenings in the ‘next’ two minutes. Not beyond….. Cage falls in ‘love’ with Jessica Biel who eventually gets kidnapped. He tries to rescue his soul mate; and for some reasons, he can see farther than two minutes in regards to her. Can Cage save his beloved Biel and the world from the danger of death and destruction? Well, he could, as it is shown in the movie; but the story never happened, since he could see it before and stop its happening.
I wish, if I could see my life ahead and stop(ed) the happenings of what has happened or about to happen……...
Nocolas Cage – a Las Vegas magician with an uncanny ability to see the future happenings, has been forced to foil a terrorist bomb plot. The problem is that he can only see the happenings in the ‘next’ two minutes. Not beyond….. Cage falls in ‘love’ with Jessica Biel who eventually gets kidnapped. He tries to rescue his soul mate; and for some reasons, he can see farther than two minutes in regards to her. Can Cage save his beloved Biel and the world from the danger of death and destruction? Well, he could, as it is shown in the movie; but the story never happened, since he could see it before and stop its happening.
I wish, if I could see my life ahead and stop(ed) the happenings of what has happened or about to happen……...
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Combating Contagious Corruption
N. Vittal, the former Vigilance Commissioner argues that there are five players on the corruption scene in Indian system that makes for a vicious circle. These are –
(1) the 'neta", the corrupt politician;
(2) the "babu,' the corrupt bureaucrat;
(3) the "lala" the corrupting businessman;
(4) the "jhola", the corrupt NGO; and
(5) the "dada" the criminal of the underworld.
Alternatively, Indian corruption system can be categorized into four 'Ps' in terms of quantum of money exchanged. These are –
(1)Political corruption (e.g. kickbacks, donations to political parties from individuals and industries, use of black money in elections etc).
(2)Programme corruption ( e.g., food for work, rural development, relief schemes, grants and subsidies to NGOs, etc);
(3)Project corruption (e.g., commission to be paid for approval of contract and grants).
(4)Petty corruption (e.g., chai paani (bribe/tips for prompt access and service) for obtaining an application form or submitting application form, making a FIR in police stations etc).
Source: Vittal, N "Combatting Corruption", SEMINAR, No. 485; http://www.india-seminar.com/2000/485/485%20vittal.htm
(1) the 'neta", the corrupt politician;
(2) the "babu,' the corrupt bureaucrat;
(3) the "lala" the corrupting businessman;
(4) the "jhola", the corrupt NGO; and
(5) the "dada" the criminal of the underworld.
Alternatively, Indian corruption system can be categorized into four 'Ps' in terms of quantum of money exchanged. These are –
(1)Political corruption (e.g. kickbacks, donations to political parties from individuals and industries, use of black money in elections etc).
(2)Programme corruption ( e.g., food for work, rural development, relief schemes, grants and subsidies to NGOs, etc);
(3)Project corruption (e.g., commission to be paid for approval of contract and grants).
(4)Petty corruption (e.g., chai paani (bribe/tips for prompt access and service) for obtaining an application form or submitting application form, making a FIR in police stations etc).
Source: Vittal, N "Combatting Corruption", SEMINAR, No. 485; http://www.india-seminar.com/2000/485/485%20vittal.htm
Monday, May 07, 2007
Dusting Off the Memory Lane!!!
Public memory is conserved and transmitted through history. It is significant for the psyche of the nation. How about the individual memory? I always think about it. It is subjective though. Human life constitutes a variety of experiences; and it is from those experiences we learn and live life. It does not always constitute rosy episodes; it is a collusion of colorful experiences and costly liabilities. We often do not like thinking about the bitter memories of the past – whether it is a traumatic childhood or a bad break off of relationship. The sensibility, however, lies turning these liabilities into invaluable assets. For me, cherishing the past memories have had two functions – recollecting the happy moments in life; and evaluating the past which sometimes give inspirations to move on. It also tells me about the stages of evolution in the structure of my relationship. Bedtime recollection abstains them holding dust; and if nothing, gives me some good sleep.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
"Babadom"
I watched the "Holy Smoke". Its a movie which depicts the religious life in India (with familiar pictures from Delhi, Rajasthan and Dharmashala) and rise of cult culture. The Gurus are coming up and leading a varieties of people in their search for spirituality and happiness in life. This has acquired a comfortable space in the middle class social life. Some may call it worshipping false Gods, but others find meaning in it. Despite these contradictory perceptions and ideologies, a certain cultural consensus has emerged among the middle class and elite sections of Indians on the norms of religious practice in modern life. These norms made it possible for the leading groups in society to make distinctions between acceptable ritual behaviour or doctrinal belief and unaccetable superstition and irrationality. As a result these new groups have become more popular religious communities often by delegitimising their counterpart aborigins.
The movie does not make much sense though; the protagonist (Kate Winslet) has still not been able to find an answer. Her search for truth, her quest for happiness and meaning in life, and her journey to unravel the mystery behind the 'babadom' continues to go on......
The movie does not make much sense though; the protagonist (Kate Winslet) has still not been able to find an answer. Her search for truth, her quest for happiness and meaning in life, and her journey to unravel the mystery behind the 'babadom' continues to go on......
Saturday, May 05, 2007
The Turtle Island
A giant sea turtle saves two shipwrecked sailors – a Malay and a Chinese. As an act of thanks, the two men build a Chinese temple, a Malay shrine and a huge turtle sculpture.
So goes the legend behind this island. Today, Taoists still make annual pilgrimages to the Tua Pekong Temple during the ninth lunar month while Muslims visit Kramat Kusu, the Malay shrine.
So goes the legend behind this island. Today, Taoists still make annual pilgrimages to the Tua Pekong Temple during the ninth lunar month while Muslims visit Kramat Kusu, the Malay shrine.
A Lovely Twist
I am what I am
Not what you want to see
If I wansn't, as I am
Then, what would I be.
What twist and turn
Do you think I fit right
So, better get used to it
And, take like.
From the movie Nishabd
Not what you want to see
If I wansn't, as I am
Then, what would I be.
What twist and turn
Do you think I fit right
So, better get used to it
And, take like.
From the movie Nishabd
Nishabd - The Silence
What makes people silent? I remember a lunch time real life story – He was 27 and she was 20.The guy was in love which made others wonder – she is so young?????? And then silence – perhaps the guy felt embarrassed of falling in love with someone who is so young; and the friends felt unwise entering into someone’s private life.
Nishabd reflects such a story. He (big B) is 60 and she (Jiah Khan) is 18. She was a friend of her daughter who came to spend the holidays. They fell in love. Without saying much, they said so much. What struck him was, not the beauty and youthfulness of her body but the innocence of her heart, the childishness in her behaviour; the smile on her face, and the rebelliousness in her mind. Her bravery came not from having loved but from being intensely lonely. It was not one needing the other, but both needing each other. What dragged them together is their loneliness in the crowd – the loveless childhood on the one hand and the tied-up adulthood on the other where people forget the real reason of life. And, this loneliness is expressed through insecurity, stubbornness, lack of fear for death, and a search for love.
This is what the big B has to say – “Why an old man feels attracted towards a young girl? And the girl’s youthful body is not the only reason. The reason is that after a certain age every person fears his aging and death. And he wants to runaway from that fear towards youth. But this cannot happen. We all get so entangled and stuck in the worldly matters that we forget that the real reason of life is to be happy. And may be this is the reason why we feel a bit jealous of children and youngsters. Because, unlike them we lose the capability; spending time with Jia, I had become like a child. I thought I have gotten another chance to be young”.
She failed to have him because he was a “hypocrite” – As she says quoting the big B – “you must live your life with your own decisions. It’s not necessary the world accepts it. Was all that only talking? The truth is that you are a hypocrite”. This particular moment of being leveled as a hypocrite also brings tears to the eyes of her daughter. She cannot also stand by her father since his personality has now been compromised.
What made him a hypocrite? It was not that his love for her was fake, but he was shackled by the values of morality and structure of relationship which in our society defines our lives and restricts our autonomy. He may have been a deviant by falling in love, but he did not have the courage to break the second rule. However, neither it helped him saving the breaking of his family nor did it help him expressing his feeling for her. The result again is a suffocated loneliness which persuades him to end his life. As he says – “Jia’s thought are eating me up from within. To free myself from this pain, I regularly try to give up my life; but I can’t do it! Not because I am scared of death, I can’t do it because I want to live a little more with Jia’s memories. I want to some days more with Jia’s memories. That’s it”!
Nishabd reflects such a story. He (big B) is 60 and she (Jiah Khan) is 18. She was a friend of her daughter who came to spend the holidays. They fell in love. Without saying much, they said so much. What struck him was, not the beauty and youthfulness of her body but the innocence of her heart, the childishness in her behaviour; the smile on her face, and the rebelliousness in her mind. Her bravery came not from having loved but from being intensely lonely. It was not one needing the other, but both needing each other. What dragged them together is their loneliness in the crowd – the loveless childhood on the one hand and the tied-up adulthood on the other where people forget the real reason of life. And, this loneliness is expressed through insecurity, stubbornness, lack of fear for death, and a search for love.
This is what the big B has to say – “Why an old man feels attracted towards a young girl? And the girl’s youthful body is not the only reason. The reason is that after a certain age every person fears his aging and death. And he wants to runaway from that fear towards youth. But this cannot happen. We all get so entangled and stuck in the worldly matters that we forget that the real reason of life is to be happy. And may be this is the reason why we feel a bit jealous of children and youngsters. Because, unlike them we lose the capability; spending time with Jia, I had become like a child. I thought I have gotten another chance to be young”.
She failed to have him because he was a “hypocrite” – As she says quoting the big B – “you must live your life with your own decisions. It’s not necessary the world accepts it. Was all that only talking? The truth is that you are a hypocrite”. This particular moment of being leveled as a hypocrite also brings tears to the eyes of her daughter. She cannot also stand by her father since his personality has now been compromised.
What made him a hypocrite? It was not that his love for her was fake, but he was shackled by the values of morality and structure of relationship which in our society defines our lives and restricts our autonomy. He may have been a deviant by falling in love, but he did not have the courage to break the second rule. However, neither it helped him saving the breaking of his family nor did it help him expressing his feeling for her. The result again is a suffocated loneliness which persuades him to end his life. As he says – “Jia’s thought are eating me up from within. To free myself from this pain, I regularly try to give up my life; but I can’t do it! Not because I am scared of death, I can’t do it because I want to live a little more with Jia’s memories. I want to some days more with Jia’s memories. That’s it”!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Are We Not a Stupid Democracy.......
These were the questions I once received with the same subject title – (1) What happened to our Nation and when we shall have abundance for all; (2) All problems stem from our Constitution that cannot separate criminals from the rest. It is the very same Constitution that once we celebrated; (3) Biggest Democracy! Where people cannot choose their representatives and leaders are picked by the Boards and common people do not have any say; and (4) Why are we not revolting like the French Revolution. Are we a nation of soft people, born to bear all this shit and would continue doing this, etc, etc.
There is a saying, "when you are around your mother, you do not really feel her absence". Similar is the case. Those who ask the question, are we not a stupid democracy, are, as I feel, really stupid. It’s because they have not experienced the situation in a non-democratic country. They are the privileged sections of our society. My brief answer would be –
(1) What have we done with the extra money we earn beyond our necessity? Have we distributed them among the poor and hungry people? No, it’s easy to say than doing anything concrete.
(2) Its not the Constitution which needs to be blame. It you and I - we the people are to be blame. We should be thankful that this Constitution has provided us the freedom to speak and because of that we are allowed to criticize. Neera Chandhoke (2003) makes a distinction between the authoritarian and democratic countries. According to her, the former grants you the economic rights by providing a comfortable living. However, it snatches away the civil and political rights of the citizens. And this kind of state can also snatch the economic rights of the individuals in society. The citizens lose their right to assert rights. However, the later may not guarantee the luxurious living standard of the authoritarian states, but it does guarantee the citizens to assert their rights in the court of justice. The most marginalized of the citizens can also demand the accountability of the state. Democracy does not guarantee you economic wellbeing; but it does guarantee the civil and political rights to its citizens within the sovereign political territory. Go to the non-democratic/ authoritarian countries and experience; they will tell you what you are and are not allowed to speak. Do not blame the Constitution; blame ourselves that we have not done anything to implement those rights and duties enshrined in the Constitution. Instead, we have twisted them for our personal benefits.
(3) Again, it is not the democratic system to be blame. It is the people who decide how the system would work.
(4) Why do not we revolt? It’s because people like you and me are bonded by patronage relationship. We get our work done through the patron-client relationship and our "self" has been compromised. We have no moral to raise fingers towards others. As explaining the ‘politics of patronage’ in rural Rajasthan, Mr. Ajay S. Mehta (2007) – the Executive Director of NFI – told me, “many, many people over past sixty years have been compromised either with an extra samosa or with an extra muster roll where you have not worked and you have got the wage. If you have got half the wage, you are happy because you got it by standing in the shade. And none of us – civil society activists or voluntary organizations – are telling the workers that this is the way that you are compromising the autonomy”.
To make democracy work, we need to rethink about the structure of power in society. Who holds the power? Who controls the society? To conclude, When authority will make its way to the hands of the autonomous mass, all these questions will lose their relevance.
There is a saying, "when you are around your mother, you do not really feel her absence". Similar is the case. Those who ask the question, are we not a stupid democracy, are, as I feel, really stupid. It’s because they have not experienced the situation in a non-democratic country. They are the privileged sections of our society. My brief answer would be –
(1) What have we done with the extra money we earn beyond our necessity? Have we distributed them among the poor and hungry people? No, it’s easy to say than doing anything concrete.
(2) Its not the Constitution which needs to be blame. It you and I - we the people are to be blame. We should be thankful that this Constitution has provided us the freedom to speak and because of that we are allowed to criticize. Neera Chandhoke (2003) makes a distinction between the authoritarian and democratic countries. According to her, the former grants you the economic rights by providing a comfortable living. However, it snatches away the civil and political rights of the citizens. And this kind of state can also snatch the economic rights of the individuals in society. The citizens lose their right to assert rights. However, the later may not guarantee the luxurious living standard of the authoritarian states, but it does guarantee the citizens to assert their rights in the court of justice. The most marginalized of the citizens can also demand the accountability of the state. Democracy does not guarantee you economic wellbeing; but it does guarantee the civil and political rights to its citizens within the sovereign political territory. Go to the non-democratic/ authoritarian countries and experience; they will tell you what you are and are not allowed to speak. Do not blame the Constitution; blame ourselves that we have not done anything to implement those rights and duties enshrined in the Constitution. Instead, we have twisted them for our personal benefits.
(3) Again, it is not the democratic system to be blame. It is the people who decide how the system would work.
(4) Why do not we revolt? It’s because people like you and me are bonded by patronage relationship. We get our work done through the patron-client relationship and our "self" has been compromised. We have no moral to raise fingers towards others. As explaining the ‘politics of patronage’ in rural Rajasthan, Mr. Ajay S. Mehta (2007) – the Executive Director of NFI – told me, “many, many people over past sixty years have been compromised either with an extra samosa or with an extra muster roll where you have not worked and you have got the wage. If you have got half the wage, you are happy because you got it by standing in the shade. And none of us – civil society activists or voluntary organizations – are telling the workers that this is the way that you are compromising the autonomy”.
To make democracy work, we need to rethink about the structure of power in society. Who holds the power? Who controls the society? To conclude, When authority will make its way to the hands of the autonomous mass, all these questions will lose their relevance.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Shifting Identities
Identity of an entity is neither monolithic nor fixed. It is ever changing and can simultaneouly acquire plural and multilayered levels. It is a product of social construction in a particular time and setting.
Not only the identities of human beings become different over time and context but also the identities of non-living entities change. This is the picture of the famous Fullerton Hotel Singapore whose identity has passed through a long, pluralistic trajectory. It was born in 1928 with a colonial identity and now enjoying the transformed identity of a luxurious Hotel situated at the mouth of the Singapore River and at the heart of Singapore’s financial and arts districts. Its history shares the level of multiple identities such as the General Post Office, The Exchange, the Chamber of Commerce and The Singapore Club all of which played important economic roles in ensuring that Singapore remained the trading hub in South-east Asia at the time.
Not only the identities of human beings become different over time and context but also the identities of non-living entities change. This is the picture of the famous Fullerton Hotel Singapore whose identity has passed through a long, pluralistic trajectory. It was born in 1928 with a colonial identity and now enjoying the transformed identity of a luxurious Hotel situated at the mouth of the Singapore River and at the heart of Singapore’s financial and arts districts. Its history shares the level of multiple identities such as the General Post Office, The Exchange, the Chamber of Commerce and The Singapore Club all of which played important economic roles in ensuring that Singapore remained the trading hub in South-east Asia at the time.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
"History" of Nations
Imagine, why did I not take up History as a subject of study during my Undergraduate days? Thought, its useless studying History which is nothing but the life of "Dead Heads". How would it be useful? Today, I feel its absense not because of the fact that I donot know the life spans of the dead heads of history but because of the fact that it is important for understanding the present status and future direction of a society. The techno-managerial sciences do not understand its relevance as they are somewhat socially crippled. This is the reason why Mr. Chandrababu Naidu - one of the progressive Chief Ministers of an Indian state thought of closing down the the History Departments in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Ask today the Chinese and the Japanese what History means to them? What's behind the growing conflict between these two societies? And the answer is - HISTORY - The history of war and Japanese occupation of China. There has been continuous protests on the streets of China against the Japanese attitude towards the "past". The Chinese did not like the former Japanese premier Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni - a shrine to Japanese war dead that includes war criminals and portrays Japan’s colonization and conquest of Asian neighbors as a noble effort to free Asia from Western dominance; and the Japanese government’s approval of a junior high school textbook that whitewashes Japanese atrocities committed against Chinese and other Asians from the 1930s through the Second World War.
These feelings of antagonism against atrocities goes back to the hisotry of nationalism and colonialism. The culture of Colonization was justified on the ground that it is the "Whiteman's burden (though not in Japanese case) to Civilise the Oriental Savage". Modern Nation-states were born as the endproducts of long anti-clonial nationalist struggle. As Partha Chatterjee (1993) tells us, "the forms of the modern state were imported into these countries through the agency of colonial rule". This does not mean that Nation-states in the east would not have come into existence, if the Orients had not been colonised. There are countries who qualify the characteristics of progressive Nation-states, but never experienced colonialism. However, I would say, Colonialism strengthened the feelings of Nationalsim in the east.
"History" is not about the dead heads; it is about the rich cultural past and uniqueness of identity of a particular Nation. It is the very reason of our existence in a society.
Ask today the Chinese and the Japanese what History means to them? What's behind the growing conflict between these two societies? And the answer is - HISTORY - The history of war and Japanese occupation of China. There has been continuous protests on the streets of China against the Japanese attitude towards the "past". The Chinese did not like the former Japanese premier Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni - a shrine to Japanese war dead that includes war criminals and portrays Japan’s colonization and conquest of Asian neighbors as a noble effort to free Asia from Western dominance; and the Japanese government’s approval of a junior high school textbook that whitewashes Japanese atrocities committed against Chinese and other Asians from the 1930s through the Second World War.
These feelings of antagonism against atrocities goes back to the hisotry of nationalism and colonialism. The culture of Colonization was justified on the ground that it is the "Whiteman's burden (though not in Japanese case) to Civilise the Oriental Savage". Modern Nation-states were born as the endproducts of long anti-clonial nationalist struggle. As Partha Chatterjee (1993) tells us, "the forms of the modern state were imported into these countries through the agency of colonial rule". This does not mean that Nation-states in the east would not have come into existence, if the Orients had not been colonised. There are countries who qualify the characteristics of progressive Nation-states, but never experienced colonialism. However, I would say, Colonialism strengthened the feelings of Nationalsim in the east.
"History" is not about the dead heads; it is about the rich cultural past and uniqueness of identity of a particular Nation. It is the very reason of our existence in a society.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
French Dilemma?
One of Europe's most powerful country is graplling today in finding a leader for the nation-state. The French society is affected by ethnic clevages, political apathy, lack of direction and most importantly a dilemma between Capitalism and Socialism. This dilemma is reflected in the Presidential election candidature of Mr. Sarkozy and Ms. Royal. The decision of almost 45 million voters will decide not only the fate of these candidates but also the course of direction that the country wants to take. Italy and Spain expect Ms Royal; where as Germany, England and the director of (nations)states - the USA prefer Mr. Sarkozy. As globalization and with it the open market economy leaps forward, and the people's apiration for consumerism grows across the globe, the question is how far the socialist policies Ms. Royal appeal people beyond the the working class? To add here, the French working class is becoming negligible and most importantly vulnerable before the regulations of the capital. On the other hand, what vision Mr. Sarkozy has in rescuing France from economic and political crisis and in advancing what France was once known for - equality, liberty, and fraternity?
Resolving the dilemma depends on the decision of the French citizen....
Resolving the dilemma depends on the decision of the French citizen....
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Shopper’s Paradise or Learning Center? Deconstructing Stereotypes
Not long back; recently while doing my fieldwork among the so called notorious and criminal tribes (Bhils) of Southern Rajasthan, I had the opportunity to meet varieties of people – academics, journalists, NGO activists, people’s representatives, tourists, donor agents and most importantly the ‘subjects’ or we may call the ‘objects’ of government and NGO welfare programmes – the tribals. It was not my research which surprised most of the people, rather it the place from where I am currently receiving my academic trainings. It is Singapore. Many of the people came with the same surprising question that “I have never heard anyone going to Singapore to continue with their higher studies”. A lady activist of a NGO also asked me that “I thought Singapore is a place for shopping and tourism”.
My implicit feelings of pleasure and satisfaction of studying abroad were shattered into pieces by their remarks. It, frankly speaking, let me feel embarrassed. I, however, had an answer to their questions – it is true that Singapore has long considered as a “shopper’s paradise” and none has recognized it as a center for learning and education. We have always looked upon America and Britain as our pathfinders and solution providers. The reasons for this could be the ‘history of colonialism’ (colonization of mind) and the economic and political dominance of these countries in the world order (hegemony). It is also associated with the ‘history of modernity’. I do not deny their role in educating the young mind around the globe. However, what I want to suggest is that it is not a matter of where you learn but what you learn. I agree that the American and British Universities still play dominant role in the field of higher education, but at the same there are many other universities which are important centers of higher education. The center of education has decentered. Singapore is not only a shopper’s paradise but also an education hub with immense opportunities and respect for talents.
In 2006, three Asian Universities have been ranked amongst the top-twenty Universities of the World conducted by the Times Higher Education Supplement. The criteria used for this year's rankings include research quality; teaching quality; graduate employability; and international outlook. The National University of Singapore (NUS) has been ranked 19th amongst the World’s top 20 Universities. In Technology it is at 8th and in Biomedicine it stands at 9th position. In Social Science it is at 11th; in Arts and Humanities it is at 22nd; and in Science it also stands at 22nd position (see http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/headlines/0610/ranking_07oct06.htm).
What we need is to deconstruct the stereotypes by deconstructing the popular psyche….
My implicit feelings of pleasure and satisfaction of studying abroad were shattered into pieces by their remarks. It, frankly speaking, let me feel embarrassed. I, however, had an answer to their questions – it is true that Singapore has long considered as a “shopper’s paradise” and none has recognized it as a center for learning and education. We have always looked upon America and Britain as our pathfinders and solution providers. The reasons for this could be the ‘history of colonialism’ (colonization of mind) and the economic and political dominance of these countries in the world order (hegemony). It is also associated with the ‘history of modernity’. I do not deny their role in educating the young mind around the globe. However, what I want to suggest is that it is not a matter of where you learn but what you learn. I agree that the American and British Universities still play dominant role in the field of higher education, but at the same there are many other universities which are important centers of higher education. The center of education has decentered. Singapore is not only a shopper’s paradise but also an education hub with immense opportunities and respect for talents.
In 2006, three Asian Universities have been ranked amongst the top-twenty Universities of the World conducted by the Times Higher Education Supplement. The criteria used for this year's rankings include research quality; teaching quality; graduate employability; and international outlook. The National University of Singapore (NUS) has been ranked 19th amongst the World’s top 20 Universities. In Technology it is at 8th and in Biomedicine it stands at 9th position. In Social Science it is at 11th; in Arts and Humanities it is at 22nd; and in Science it also stands at 22nd position (see http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/headlines/0610/ranking_07oct06.htm).
What we need is to deconstruct the stereotypes by deconstructing the popular psyche….
Piety of "Self"
“Self” is not an isolated entity. It grows with every passing moment and every new experience. Its immaturity and growth is contingent upon time and space. What I think today right may not be the same tomorrow. But it was right when I thought of it. We cannot judge the actions of our past in the lenses that we wear today. It may be true that we sometimes pay a huge price for the irresponsible actions of our immature self (in today’s context) and makes us regret what we did. But we forget the fact that this is a comparison between two different timelines. If we go down the timeline and ask ourselves about our actions, I am sure that we will be getting exactly the same answer what we offered then to ourselves. This is how we learn from experience. No regret, no expectation. Take life as it comes ....
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