It's Good to be on the Moon!

The proclamation by ISRO chief S Somnath on one fine evening of August declaring that India is on the moon is a distinctive landmark in the last fifty four years journey of ISRO. Indeed it feels good to be on the moon. It's not that ISRO didn't have more impressive feats under its belt including Mangalyaan reaching the orbit of Mars for a cost of just seven rupees per kilometre. But yes the Moon was elusive for a while, quite understandably and inevitably given our enchantment with its poetic beauty forever. 

The successful Soft Landing of Vikram will pave way for greater feats to come.

But in the jubilation of epoch making events we often overlook the process of unwavering dedication of nameless people and their persistence admist countless failures. The journey is not just about rockets, payloads and rovers rather it's a story of overwhelming emotions which could be seen in the tears of the former director K Sivan on the crash landing of Chandrayan 2. The humble begining of this exalted organisation is often circulated on social media platforms in form of pictures of scientists carrying parts of rockets on their bycycle and bullock carts. ISRO is truly a perfect 'Made In India' story working on a shoestring budget amid international bans and embargos over technology and material sharing.

It's quite unbelievable, On a bycycle to moon🌝 

Though it is the sweat and labour of many committed and dedicated individuals to bring ISRO to its soaring heights, but to name a few and share their professional and personal stories is pertinent to unravel its glorious history. First among equals was Vikram Sarabhai who is the founding father of Indian Space programme. Once Abdul Kalam said that when we were continuously failing with our research rockets for almost three years, it was only the staunch belief of Sarabhai that kept our efforts alive. Even his last conversation before death with Abdul Kalam was regarding the design review of satellite launch vehicles, India was never going to find such a charismatic scientist and leader again.

Indeed a Team Work

 Second to none was the pair of Abdul Kalam and Dan Avaramudam who nurtured ISRO like their baby and are synonymous with the  growth story of ISRO. Being close friends apart from associates, they have many interesting anecdotes to share. Once while visiting USA for a training, these staunch vegetarian friends while searching for vegetarian food joint came across a cafe run by an old lady who though didn't have vegetarian food particularly but allowed them to use her kitchen to make the same. Longing for a hearty vegetarian meal now for some time, they put all the vegetarian ingredients in a pot they could find in the kitchen including rice, baking beans, onion, garlic and enormous amount of cheese on the top. What came out of the oven was something surprisingly so delicious that the cafe lady would later sell this as the "the thing", a huge hit among the locals. Abdul Kalam would later become the President of Republic of India and Dan was the chief architect of Mangalyan, the first of its kind to achieve success in the maiden attempt by any country in the world.

 

Dan and Abdul Kalam working together.

Later USSR a friend and strong believer in the space story of India, helped ISRO in many ways including providing it's the first computer. Our maiden satellite named after Ancient Mathematician Aryabhatta was also launched later by USSR. From launching its first satellite through a foreign launch vehicle, polar satelite launch vehicle (PSLV) the 'Chetak'  of ISRO today stands as the most economical and successful launch machine, never failing even in a single mission since the dawn of the new millennium. It has achieved rather amusing feats such as launching 100 satellites in a single mission showcasing impressive dexterity. 

PSLV has proven to be most effecient workhorse for ISRO

Today we are part of the elite world space club that can dream the impossible. With the successful soft landing of Vikram the lander and 'Pragyan' the rover taking joyful stroll across the south pole of moon, it will be soon  "Gaganyan" joining the party, the first manned mission of India to Moon. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that ISRO is the true flag bearer of Indian technological prowess and a hope for developing countries about what they can achieve even with less resources. 

A totally Farzi review of 'Farzi' in these contemporary times!

   An inspiration to print your own currency 

Recently I started watching a TV series named Farzi getting popular on Amazon Prime. Nowadays it takes a lot of guts and immense determination to initiate watching something which has a footage period of more than 30 seconds (regards: Tiktok and Instagram). Interestingly YouTube too succumbed to the pear pressure and started the 'Shorts' format, letting me to imagine who are we in comparison to these multinationals to sustain the pressure of competition heralded mostly by our dear relatives. 

Shared only for Illustrative purpose with no motivation or philosophy at all.

Now at this stage i would like to admit that the first thing which propelled me to watch this series was itself the YouTube/Instagram shorts( just to be clear that i don't hold any grudge against the changing nature of addictions with the latest entry being 'Reels' of all sort of non useful mundane but captivating activities, though I daily take a determination pledge to avoid them at any cost). I don't find anything more addictive than these shorts/reels which are deflecting you from yours goals, which anyhow you have no idea about. Further these are more contagious than any disease or virus that you may have heard about, leaving Covid-19 apart, just because of its celebratory status and no consequential control on it despite the government restrictions as usual, just in a similar manner like my daily resolutions. These shorts and Instagram reels are shared in such quantities on a daily manner to their gullible audience putting the mother's love to shame all around the world. Though these days the love for dogs has already been established as a category to challenge the same.

Now without disgressing anymore from the topic of Farzi, the TV series, I find it quite likable in many senses. First their strategy to share mostly the shorts of 'Michael', virtually the antagonist of storyline though a law enforcement agent viewed with awe and pity at the same time.It has been a common theme these days in TV series to portray their law enforcement agents entangled more in their daily life problems than they could ever have been for the cause of the country. Plus it has always been pretty convenient to leave the main villain alone of the daily life problems as if he has never been married in all these TV series. This concept of non married Villain has been imprinted so firmly in our minds since childhood, in the form of 'Mogambos', Shakaals, and 'Gabbars', almost coercing us the current generation to spend our lives single, given the exuberance of these great people.

Mogambo always happy!

Now coming to Michael, he with his crude hindi accent and the subtle art of not giving a fuck has proved to be a champion for this series. It has proved to be wise for these series makers to rope in the best talent from across the India as has been seen in last many series, and they are literally doing the service to the acting community. Shahid Kapoor is also doing good in the acting department as he has mastered the art of portraying a disheveled and desperate person which may not be very far from his acting status. The girl with the round face Rashi khanna seen earlier also in some good works and not ready to marry under family pressure has also acted naturally for whatsoever reasons.

'Megha Vyaas'

For now that is all i have to say about it as I have not watched the series completely, but had the urge to pen down these inconsequential thoughts. I may have disappointed you in some sense but given the quality of content that you go through on a daily basis, you wouldn't have much to complain apart from the time in excess to 30 seconds that you wasted here.

The Making of a Road!

If there is no other option left and you really need to make a road through that pristine landscape baring it of its lustrous meadows and pouring the molten lava over its naked derma, even then i request you to atleast dig deep trenches along it. Let the rainwater accumulate in it feeding and nurturing the small plants and letting them grow into groves cohabiting with the unbeholden creatures living their own lives oblivious to the death pacing on the metallic track next to them. If this soothing impression doesn't appeal to your barabric heart then maybe a future opportunity to butcher those woodlands to further expand your brutality at the behest of inconsiderate development might be reassuring.

A forgettable Train journey on a cold winter evening!

Generally as soon as the train leaves a big station, the city quickly fades away into oblivion. But then there are some train routes which pass like an artery through the heart of the city. The train moves parallel to the bustling street though in constant apprehension of separation soon. In your own imagination you compete with the vehicles moving on the street while they scram away unmindful to your presence. The shops may not be the biggest ones of the city but are lively enough. The small Tobacco shops littered along the way feeding off on your addiction. The ostentatious display of sweets alluring in their own way. The vibrant crowd gathered around small tea shops for maybe one last sip of Chai to call the day off. No matter what time of the year it is, the city looks like a joyous celebration going on, a decorated bride when looked from the safety of trellised window panes of the train compartment. People often use trains on these routes for local commute in the city, entering and leaving intermittently without making any mark of their existence on your experience of journey. As soon as your train reaches the outer limits of the city gathering speed the brightly lit boards of the shops are left behind forming a beautiful trail of colors. Now only a few houses are left in your view standing alone in their own solitude waiting to be engulfed by the ever expanding urbanism which is unaware or rather unmindful of the feelings and emotions of remoteness. With the moist fileds enveloped with fog appearing on the both sides, now what you are left with is a unending wait for a sleepy town ahead nestled somewhere in your imagination.

Who will win Uttar Pradesh Elections 2022?

Uttar Pradesh Elections 2022 in a nutshell! 

 We eagerly wait for the opinion polls and exit polls to peak into the future and get a glimpse of who will form the government. But we all know that even if the opinion polls are not biased to favour a particular party, their methodology and accuracy is questionable. In the past either they have been proven to be totally wrong (different party than the prediction forming government) or way off the mark in prediction of number of seats for the winning or losing party. Whether this happens due to statistical margin of error or a deliberate attempt to influence voters is food for thought for all of us. But instead of predicting any win for a particular party here we will discuss circumstances which are in favor of the two main contesting parties viz Samajwadi Party and Bhartiya Janta Party.

Circumstances and conditions which favour return of the current BJP government:

1. Almost all major Opinion Polls are predicting the return of the BJP government though with a reduced majority. Even though Opinion Polls in past have proven wrong like in West Bengal elections, they can't be completely ignored.

2. Yogi Adityanath has a very high approval rating amongst all other CM post contestants and especially amongst the core BJP voters. He is also viewed as a future Prime Minister by most of the supporters. Additionally the effect of Modi factor has also to be taken into account, given that he is still the single most popular leader at country level.

3. BJP has very robust election fighting machinery both online and offline viz Digital and having on ground presence. No other party has such a communication network to reach out to people and convey its propaganda. The concept of 'Panna Pramukh' i.e. basically dividing the whole constituency into booths or even lower level has been touted as a revolutionary theory in election management.

4. The National Electronic Media is highly favourable towards BJP, and a great critic of opposition parties. All day along the main motto of electronic media is to question the opposition and tag them as anti national and specifically anti Hindu.

5.  BJP has created it's image as of a Law and order enforcing government as opposed to the loose track record of Samajwadi Party in this regard. Despite of big ticket events of law and order failure in cases of Hathras or Lakhimpur, they are popular among Forward castes and polarised population in this regard. 

6. Many Social welfare schemes like Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhanmantri Awas yojna, Free ration etc. have made available direct cash in the accounts of farmers and other underprivileged people. Cash component has a very high influence on the thinking, pursuation and voting inclination of people at large.

Circumstances warranting Change of Government: 

 1. General Anti Incumbency which is faced by almost all the governments. In the case of BJP , the poor condition of state highways and city roads along with highly inadequate provisions for drainage and water clogging is causing a major dent on the image of the Government. Along with Akhilesh Yadav emerging as a lone challenger to the current government making it a two way contest has made the scenario even more interesting.

 2. Unemployment will prove to be a major election issue, BJP has not been able to project a counterclaim in this regard. Beating of Students in Prayagraj has rubbed salt on the wounds of youth and also shown high handedness of police, the ugly side of the law and order.

 3. Akhilesh Yadav has been successful in pitching himself as a CM candidate against Yogi Adityanath, providing an alternative for the people. It should be kept in mind that Indian elections despite being parliamentary type are fought in a presidential style, with high dependence on the charisma of the contesting leaders. The continuing success of BJP at centre in a major way can be attributed to the fact that no single leader has been able to challenge Narendra Modi at the national level.

 4. This time the Samajwadi party has been successful in setting the narrative of election in favor of caste politics as against the religious narrative being set by BJP in 2017 elections. Many Non Yadav OBC leaders have joined Samajwadi fold such as Om Prakash Rajbhar, Swami Prasad Maurya,, Jayant Chowdhary etc. who can tilt the balance in its favour.

5. The Samajwadi leadership has been successful in convincing it's cadre of the impending victory, which has committed them for election with full vigour and enthusiasm. The result of any election is the function of the hard work and contribution of the foot soldiers of the party. 

6. The ticket distribution strategy of Samajwadi party by opting for Non Muslims and Non Yadav OBC candidates has helped them in improving their image with regard of being a family based Yadav and Muslim centric party. This may also in the long run help them erase their image of being a "Goonda" party.

7. Inflation will prove to be a major rallying point with prices of essential items skyrocketing. Cost of LPG gas cylinder, Mustard oil etc. have almost doubled in last two-three years.

 

7. The Non mainstream media especially YouTube channels with high subscriber base have been providing a counter narrative against BJP propaganda machinery which may be able to influence people at large.

The results are going to be declared on the 10th of March and the next forty days are going to take you for a roller coaster ride with many candidates jumping from one side to the another depicting the uncertainty of the results. 

Next time when you Vote!

Every Vote Counts!

 

Right to Vote

It is one of the most celebrated rights across the world and often considered as a parameter of liberty and equality for citizens. We have to explore whether it is just an exercise of casting your vote on the election day or is it more than this mere process.

Voting turnout is a great marker of people's belief in Democracy

Evolution of the Right to Vote

The genesis of the right to vote lies in the principle of "No taxation without Representation''. In older democracies like the United Kingdom, this maxim was the main plank of their fight for representation or to basically elect the people who will control decision making in the government. The basic concept behind this principle was that since the taxpayers are the paymaster of the government and all decisions of the government are dependent upon the finances paid by them, they must have a say in the decisions made by the government. This principle was also the main rallying point in American and French revolutions which changed the course of history at the global level ushering democracy worldwide.

In the course of time the ambit of right to vote has evolved much further from including only the decisions related to taxation to include social, political and economic rights of the general public and not just taxpayers. Also is has been conferred to all the adults irrespective of caste, colour, creed,sex and religion in the form of Universal Adult Franchise in almost all democracies.

 

Early Genesis of the Voting Rights

The Indian Story of Right to Vote

The story of India's struggle for independence began by the realisation of the phenomena of "Drain of Wealth" by Indian thinkers such as Dada Bhai Naroji and the fight for preserving the rights of native Indian population. This was possible only when Indians had representation in the government and its decision making and thus it was this fight for the right to vote which became our main demand during the National Movement. Various 'Government of India' Charters brought by the British Government gradually provided for the right to vote to some sections and later it became a fundamental aspect of the first constitution prepared by us Indians in the form of 'Nehru Report'. When our constitution was completed and enacted it ushered a new era of Democracy by providing for Universal Adult Franchise, voting right to all adults irrespective of their caste, colour, creed, religion, sex, or regional attributes. It was a way forward in comparison to even many mature democracies which still had restrictions on women and coloured people's right to vote.

 

Concept of Drain of Wealth

The other side of the coin

The right to contest elections is the other side of the same coin. Your right to vote is not complete if you don't have the right to fight elections. We must have the right to free and fair elections in order for democracy to sustain and survive. Every player must have a level playing field and there must be a curb on money and muscle power in elections. Unfortunately the largest democracy in the world, India still lags in this aspect and these loopholes in the election process have restricted our path towards Nation Building. We need a strong Election Commission which needs to ensure that the sacrosanct process of elections is not violated.

First Black President of USA

 

Power Of Your Vote

If our rights are violated by anyone, even by the government then we have a remedy to approach the court for enforcement of our rights. But there is a part of the Constitution in the form of 'Directive Principles of State Policy' which if violated doesn't have any remedy. These are basically not rights rather guidelines for a model state or society such as participation of workers in management, Uniform Civil Code, welfare of children etc. It reflects the vision of our forefathers regarding how India must grow and treat its citizens especially the most disadvantaged sections. Though these are not enforceable in the 'Court of Law' but are definitely enforceable in the 'Court of People'. In every election people decide whether these visions of development are being fulfilled or not and vote accordingly reflecting the power of their vote.

 

"UNITED WE STAND"

Outreach of the Ballot

It is necessary that everyone must get proper opportunity to cast their vote in order or realise their voting rights. Migrants often don't get the opportunity to vote as generally their place of residence and voting places are in different cities. The Election Commission in the past have taken numerous steps to increase outreach of polling stations. During the 2019 General Elections a polling booth for a single person was set up deep inside the forest of Gir sanctuary. Further the facility of postal ballot will be available to aged, disabled and COVID patients during the five state elections to be conducted during February and March of 2022.The judicious use of technology can prove to be a game changer in increasing the outreach of ballots to each and every voter.

 

"Shompen" Tribe Of Andaman voting for first time in 2014

Polling Booth in Gir Forest for a single Voter

The responsibility of every citizen

Though voting is not a fundamental duty  enforced upon us by the constitution, it is our moral obligation to vote in every election. We need to realise the significance of voting and it's far reaching effect on the quality of life in the country. We need to emphasize on the issues of education, health, employment, sanitation etc. through our voting preferences. It has remained the most potent tool of communication to convey the priorities of those being ruled to the rulers. Even in the worst case scenario if you feel voting might not bring any change in the attitude of politicians and political parties, you have the right to vote for NOTA (None of the above).

 

In hope for realisation by Political Parties

Percolation of Hindu-Muslim politics in Historical accounts and the past. Is History only about Mughals and other invaders?

 

It has become a moot question in our politics and society that how do you identify yourself as an Indian, whether through the constitution or your religion? As if this was not enough of a digression from important questions that we want to take this debate to even our past an historical account.

There is no denying the fact that despite being living side by side for centuries and to put it mildly, Muslims and Hindu don't trust each other. I am consciously refraining from using harsh words like hate and animosity. Though this hate has been aptly utilised for centuries by different regimes to keep a stranglehold on their power seats, whether in a form by invaders calling out to eliminate ‘Kaafirs’ (it was the war cry of Babur), or shielding of the religious superstitions and practices in the name of secularism (e.g. Shah Bano case), or equating nationalism to Hinduism (a powerful tool used by the current government). My concern here is that instead of focusing on issues that really concern us whether of education, health, infra etc. we are so mired down in identity politics that even a hope of resurgence to sensible issues seems far-fetched. 

Points shared by Vikram Sampath in India Today Conclave

In this era of innocent/mindless WhatsApp info-transmissions which I am thankful to, as otherwise I would not have engaged with this video about "white washing" of the history of India by Marxist historians, I put up my analysis for your consideration in refusal to believe the following points as mentioned by the celebrated speaker Mr. Vikram Sampath in that video.

Mr. Vikram Sampath at India Conclave 2021

1. It was claimed by him that the presentation of Indian history is made in a very derogatory and demeaning sense. It doesn't talk respectfully about its ethos, nature and events.
2. The second claim is that it's a third party's version of Indian history where it is viewed completely from the eyes of invaders.
3. It doesn't give proper emphasis to local or regional kingdoms that persisted alongside major kingdoms of the Indian subcontinent, such as Ahoms, Nagas, Vijayanagar kingdom etc. Also it is not buoyant enough about the resistance movements like the one put up by the Maharana Pratap against Akbar. The history of India is Delhi centric.
4. There is also a complaint about lack of space given to nationalist historians during the Congress regime of 70 years, also the nascent stage of nation building. This led to the parochialisation of the academic journey of Indian history.
5. Another claim made by the esteemed guest was that the whole of the violent history of Islamic invasion was brushed under the carpet in our historical discourse and it is this disenchantment with the Concealing of facts that is expressed in the form of Ayodhya dispute or changing of names.

 

Purpose of Historical Analysis

Now my rebuttal point by point as discussed below is based on my study of school textbooks that were written primarily by Marxist historians. It is also based on my understanding of the social and political culture of our country which I have been studying since a long time, being an ardent student of it. 

Firstly after reading those history books, I could not have been more proud of our past and culture. It is true that these books don't deal with the glorification of the mythological aspects of our culture and rather find the economic, social circumstances which led to the evolution of the various religions, their rituals and practices through detailed scrutiny of our religious text and symbols such as Vedas, Mahabharata, Ramayana etc. Now how many of us even know the sequence or timeline of Vedas leave aside their teachings and findings. I don't see any emphasis on Upanishads or Vedantas regarded as the backbone of hinduism or hindu philosophy in TV debates rather just hollow jingoism about the threats to our culture from outsiders. I can safely say that Marxist Historians are only all praise about the Upanishads and any person in order to have a clear view about Hinduism should go through them.

Upanishads are the Historical Treasure of our Country

It would have served us no good if these books would have hidden the causes, effects and evolution of harsh realities of our society such as Casteism, untouchability, sati pratha etc. I could quote an example of a family from ancient time where the mother, father and son were all of different professions living together thus basing the Varna system on the foundation of talent and knowledge not on the basis of birth which it later degenerated into.

Indian Social Strata

The other contention is that history of India is the history of invaders. From the early ancient times of Aryans to the Muslim invaders and later Britishers. Now history even in its crudest form is not any story or tale, it is a rigorous and detailed exercise of analysing the administrative and political system, cultural practices, architecture, infrastructure, and major events such as wars, famines etc. and their effects.

 

The Mughals and Britishers for a long time controlled large tract of Indian subcontinent and hence it is pertinent that we study their way of administration and cultural impact they had on our society. Now even today if you go to any government office the terms you will encounter have Mughal imprints such as taluq, pargana, tameel etc. Who doesn't relish the flavours of biryani, kebabs, korma and Naan. Even the quintessential and most innocent Indian snack samosa has its roots in Persia. The tallest of Indian structure and buildings like Taj Mahal, Lala Quila, Indian Parliament, President House etc. can't be just ignored.

 

The Majestic Taj Mahal

Even a cursory study of Indian history textbook will take you the beautiful journey of different architectural styles of Indian Temples and contribution of southern king to the Temple development of India. So next time if somebody claims of lopsided historical account she must be advised to first go through them.

 

A Delhi centric Historical portrayal is definitely true and lack of details of smaller and remote rulers and their administrative system is largely missing such as Ahoms or Nagas. But leave aside the past, tell me how much consideration is given to these remote and distant places of North East or to that extent even southern parts of India in national news even in current times. Isn't our polity even today Delhi centric?

 

Ahoms of North East

How much we know about the cultural diversity of our country even in this era of information technology where information travels at the speed of light. By saying that I though do not imply that we should forget the contribution of small and regional kingdoms, personalities and practices to our culture. It would be practical and wise if these aspects are catered to by state and local governments with due support from national intelligentsia.

 Another issue raised was that of Missing local and regional resistances like that of Maharana Pratap or that of Sikh gurus against the invaders or foreigners. I totally disagree with it as these struggles are unequivocally mentioned with due respect to the valor of small forces against the large and better organised adversaries. The only aspect of these struggles that discomforts the right wingers is that these are not painted as religious or communal struggles. It be would be interesting to know that while Akbar's army was led by Raja Man Singh into the Haldighati Battle, they were opposed by the forces of Hakim Shah Sur an Afghan and Bhil fighters neither of them Hindus.

 

Hakim Khan Suri: General in Maharana's Forces

The claim that the current religious discord and antagonism in our religious and social milieu is based upon distorted history is difficult to digest. I doubt that leaving apart a handful of population, majority of it has any access to authentic sources of history or textbooks to have any mal effect on them. It is the general mistrust and animosity based on experiences of various conflicts and riots which is enough to keep the two communities at loggerheads. The role of politicians of all fervors and their vested interests is enough to sustain the fire for the acrimonious relationship between the communities. The Hindu- Sikh faceoff generated by the politician after the Lakheempur kheeri incident is just a small example how adept these people are to provide religious shade to any incident.

 

Indus Valley Civiliation: A highly Planned city unparalleled even to current times.

Next time if somebody complaints you about lack of spotlight on Hindu Architecture or Religious practices then you should discuss with her our greatest historical heritage Indus Valley Civilisation and the quality of life its people enjoyed in form of roads, sanitation, and security. But it might not become a passionate debate as we have not been able to determine the religious nature of the people of Indus Valley Civilisation.