Why Vishwa Kannada Sammelana in Belgaum was such a hit?

The recent Vishwa Kannada Sammelana (World Kannada Meet) held in border district of Karnataka- Belgaum- is of great success. With all initial hiccups- associated with choosing Mr.NRN as a Chief Guest- the meet was held successfully by the organizers. In fact, the more jubilant CM of Karnataka announced, on the concluding day, that this meet will be held, going forward, once in five years.

No one imagined this level of success, when the meet was announced. And to increase the anxiety of all, raising the question of Mr. Narayana Murthy as a suitable Chief Guest for the meet brought thicker cloud over its success. In fact, some people- who opposed Mr. NRN’s candidature- held alternative meet in Bangalore just few days earlier to the actual meet.

Before making any effort to conclude why the meet was successful, we need to understand the association of district of Belgaum with Karnataka vis a vis Maharashtra. This makes us to clearly understand as to why meet has succeeded beyond the organisor's expectation.

Karnataka, as a state, is uniquely placed in south India. In fact, during the British time the northern part of Karnataka belonged to the Bombay province and Southern part to the Madras province. The dividing point was the Tungabhadra River. Even today, if you travel along the banks of the Tungabhadra river you find striking difference in terms of food, culture at the both sides of the river.

The association of people of northern Karnataka with Maharashtra, especially western Maharastrian cities, is very deep. This depth encompasses political economical and social layers. Even before the British, the current Maharashtra based king- Chatrapathi Shivaji- ruled the most part of the northern Karnataka region. He still has the dominant cultural influence.

Even after the independence, that association grew significantly so much so that, even today, Mr. Sharad Pawar- a sugar dominant farmer leader of Maharashtra- influences the political future of many MLA’s and MP’s of the Belgaum district. This political clout of Maharashtra politicians is mostly driven by economic dependence of Sugar farmers of the Belgaum district on Maharashtra’s Sugar mills. For the middle class youth, for almost five decades, Pune and Mumbai were the ultimate destination for education, job and a decent life. Eventually, people started sharing greater social relationship as an extension of this political and economic relationship.

If we observe last 10 years development in economic sphere, we can notice some significant changes. More Sugar mills, within Karnataka, have reduced the farmer’s dependence on Maharashtra based Sugar mills. Educated youth now consider Bangalore as a better place to work and live than that of Pune or Mumbai. On a political front also, kannada as a language and a culture has grown as a mass mobilizing instrument. It has the ability, in 24*7 dedicated news market environment, to fuel the passions of the people either real or fake. Socially also, middle class is started having more association with kannada either on meaningful or hypocritical grounds.

Therefore, we need to see the success of this meet as a culmination of above factors in various degrees. It is not just an accident or sudden change in the people's attitude towards kannada. But this is not a denying fact that, Belgaum has got good roads, business reached its zenith in all three days. All thanks to Kannada Meet.

Why we overreact to corruption?

Being a avid reader of the newspapers since my 7th standard, I am seeing the word 'corruption' erupting again, like a volcano, after the PVN's (former PM) corruption saga in 1997-98. After almost the decade later, now, I am seeing corruption has more pervasively occupied the psyche of the people.

Historically, the Indian masses are always against the Establishment- a ruling class or ruling regime. Since, Mughal's time, except the Akbar's reign, people felt that rule is alien to them. This mentality of them has made them to be more betrayer to the Establishment rather than assuming any constructive role. Even, during British or 'brown British'- Nehru's or post Nehruvian era as is known- period, regimes never made an attempt to win over the masses and make them feel as a people of one big country- India. Ironically, all along the history, people have expressed their group belongingness in terms of caste, community, statehood, religion etc. This familiar expression-towards narrow lines- make them to grab more share from the national resources to their group. While doing so, if any one makes some private gain it's just the passing affair.

But my question still remains- why being over reactive to corruption? I think it's because, they are comparatively hypocritical and by making over reaction each group tries to sieze as much power as possible. Moreover, its the expression of their emotional character than the reasoned mind.

What I feel, intuitively, is by the start of cricket World Cup, people will get something to get their mind occupied. They will get the tea time chatter topic of their favourite than these political topics. By the time, CBI submits it's final report on 2G on 31st of March, media may be having little space to cover it, let alone follow it. Even, the middle class- consumer of such stories- will be little interested, as this appraisal in corporate India is going to make middle class much more richer and they will be occupied with their own personal finances and newer responsibilities in their work environment.

But final impact of this extensive coverage of corruption is this- It reassures people that it is wise to carry that betrayal character towards Establishment. And, going forward, they take and give more bribe to get their things done than never before.

INDIA As a Super Power- A Great Rhetoric ?

I have been observing this-India as a super power-somewhat a kind of cliche, in post crisis period. All along, I am seeing more of it in Indian media. Even, very ironically, I wrote essay on similar topic in my UPSC mains. Somehow, I am still unconvinced about India being one.

My observations on this is prejudiced, yet, they are quite intuitive and founded on cogent logic. When you see the super power tag that is being attached to particular country you conceive of an idea- that country will be economically, militarily, culturally strong. I am using 'strong' -in a sense- as a comparative value rather than per se.

If you look at the history, the concept of super power is post industrial revolution idea. In fact, Britain is the first super power in a modern era and post world war-I - it's The USA. This tagging gained greater currency in cold war period. However, it lost it's charm- in a sense usage- in post soviet breakdown, and now seen more in people's attention post economic crisis.

This all happened because, relatively India and China were seen as most insulated from the crisis impact and recovered very quickly- to use jargon 'v' shaped recovery- after the crisis hit in mid 2008. Infact, to make most of the environment, Raghav Bahl of CNBC TV 18 wrote book on this super power topic.

But when you observe keenly the history of US or that of UK, what you notice is people's contribution to make the country really super power. The Christian protestant religion, people's quest for reason and logic in every aspect of the life, the free and democratically influenced culture as an impact of such reasoned life all have contributed their share.

Come back here in India. You get all that to make it subservient nation. Today's super power require the populace who can think freely, logically, innovatively. The countrymen who respect the other's rights as well as quite aware about what rights and duty they carry in civilized society. But here every modern idea and ideals are just rhetorics. We do not cherish them. We don't religiously fight to save, nurture, and protect them. They are all means to reach our ends. To reflect this state of affairs, our education system produces the output which further ensures the status-quo.

I wish India be the super power. But, all that what is happening is not taking it to make one. But still rhetoric is on. Let it be.

Acknowledgment:

I wish to acknowledge the contribution of Mr. Umesh on this topic. Some of the observations are really of him and the discussion I had with him has really helped in shaping my observations.

MGNREGA and Its Social Impact

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), is considered to be one of the biggest social scheme in post independent India. It's huge in its outlay, coverage and promise. Even, the extent of hope it has generated is enormous. Providing a job guarantee to one person in a family, for 100 days in year, in a country like India, is not small amount of promise. In that sense, this scheme is very ambitious in it's intent and quite big in its form.

Since its inception, it has been under the scanner of policy makers, thinkers, and the common man. No one has taken out their gaze from the scheme. Everyone is discussing about the capacity of the scheme to alleviate the poverty. The mainstream media is talking only about the mis-utilization of funds and showing utmost concern for proper use, but is paying least attention to the social ramification it is manifesting in the hinterland. Even, within the intellectual circles, discussion about its social impact is not so appreciable.

The first social impact of the scheme is- increased dignity of labour. Landlords have now started respecting the labourer. Wages have gone up. Working hours have come down. Other benefits have also been given at work site. This is all because of scarcity of labour that MGNREGA has created.

The second considerable change that can be witnessed is caste function in a society. There is no explicit assertion of caste by wealthy or land holders. As every one is assured of 100 days work with subsidised food, no one is under the mercy of any wealthy man or landlord. Though, this hypothesis of mine is much more exaggerating, but still it has substance.

The long term impact of the scheme is very promising. I think, over period of time, agriculture will become expensive occupation. The current landlords will surely feel the shortage of labour. To survive in the changed scenario, one has to be more innovative, enterprising. Our landlords lack both. Thus, they are forced to sell their lands to those who can provide required inputs. For this, Govt. has to impose tax on holding the land, like Minimum Alternate Tax in draft Direct Tax Code. By which every land holder has to pay some percentage of total value of the land as tax. This makes holding costlier and social equity will happen very fast. I feel this might be the vision of the Govt.

Now the point is when all this is going to be more visible. With, UIDIA or AADHAAR, as it has been called, Govt. is betting heavily upon the technology. If Govt. can achieve what it is, either explicitly or implicitly, contemplating even by half a mark; then its going to be most successful scheme of independent India. Our job is just to watch. Let's do that.

INDIA- A "Nation-State" or "State- Nation" or "State-Tribe"?

Sociologically countries are divided as such. Most of the European countries are 'Nation- States'. It means they have evolved from tribe to community then to nation and finally 'State' is created over the nation. It's considered to be very natural phenomenon in a particular country's history.

However, some nations are created after creating the 'State' (Read sovereign Govt.) for it. For example: India. India never evolved naturally as a nation on common ethos. British consolidated it for administrative purpose and when they left; they gave 'State' for this vast geography. In that sense, India is a State-Nation. Thus, State was created; then the Nation.

Sometimes, I feel, Does India even fit to this bill? I mean- 'State Nation' category. Recently, we are seeing, more tribal instinct of the people in India coming open. We see people beating the thief as if no law to punish his or her crime, emergence of khap panchayat's as an instrument to regulate the marriages, etc. are the very visible signs to consider India as tribal country. So, I made another class; State-Tribe. (Sociologically such class exists or not- I have no clue!) Some of these pictures confirm the tribal instincts in our daily lives-

1. Consider you are moving in a bike; suddenly you notice a strange thing- that the person who is coming opposite of your direction; tells you to take diversion because he or she finds that you are not carrying helmet. If you move in same direction, you will be caught by Police. This is one form of tribal instinct.

2. I recently saw Bangalore Police commissioner saying " Criminals will be brought to books"- I saw him saying this in TV channel. The next day one of the Kannada news paper reported- "Criminals will be handed over to the people" (Exact Kannada version" Aparaadhigalannu Janara kaige oppisutteve" This I have made loose translation). It's a another version of expression of tribal instinct.

Post liberalization, when money started trickling down in the hands of the people, tribal instinct of them has been more assertive and, for a worse, more decisive. Now, people feel that they can have their own 'system' because they have money. To make things worse, electoral politics has become more competitive and to keep their currency floating, politicians just patronage these behaviours.

I think this is really a serious problem. To alleviate this, we have to have robust police system, rule of law, and culture to respect such systems. Yes. I do agree that these things are very alien to Indians. But, you have to be, sometimes, too optimist to see these things in reality.

"Necessity is the Mother of Invention and Innovation"

It was an old adage. But, I tweaked it to add "Innovation" and made it much more relevant to reflect the current time. I always wondered with it and asked myself - Was it really true saying? The answer was quite confusing and I used to have more opaqueness than clarity each time I revisited it.

I start with Europe. Most of the European countries were geographically small and lacked natural resources. When, industrialization started in England people started moving to cities and their urge to stay in city and be out of feudal system was their prime concern. In those days- there was 'necessity' to have dignified living. This was fueled by liberal religious thinking, which made the people to let their inquiring mind to work its fullest. Thus, started the birth of technological inventions.

The business modules which were created to accommodate these technological breakthroughs were fat -in a sense- less attention paid to getting MORE with Less. Colonies created to serve these business modules and it was fine till colonies were obedient. Over a period of time, they became unmanageable politically and turned uneconomical as a consequence of former. Thus, most of the colonies, by 1990's got their freedom.

These colonies, once rich in natural resources, were brought to pittance level. They were exploited to their root and left nothing. Most of these countries were now having more people to feed and less availability of people to work. Thus, they started thinking of doing MORE with less. Era of innovation has begun.

Time has taken full cycle. 'Necessity' is now more visible in these erstwhile colonial countries. This has started fueling more innovation than costly invention. Leaner business modules are created to serve the poor people. To add to this drive, these countries businesses come with no legacy. This legacy- I am speaking in terms of already created technology, organisational structure etc. For these countries canvas is quite white, of course, they can paint any picture they like.

With the recent financial crisis, and its impact on European countries, making me to feel that my hypothesis is correct- in most of the terms. 'Necessity' is present everywhere. But it is more forceful in India and China. Moreover, legacy of the European countries is not allowing them to innovate. Conversely, India and China are doing it-innovation- with more vengeance. So , they have lesser impact of the crisis.

I feel, India and China are going to get most of the benefit of this crisis. More European countries are going to loose political clout in world political sphere. Power is tilting towards India and China. Europe and America have to accommodate these new power houses.

Process driven industries, where economy of scale is at heart, are going to be in third world countries. India is acting both- as hub for process driven industries and base for knowledge creating industries- at the same time. However, I feel, western world can come back as a base for knowledge driven industries. Their strength lie in exporting knowledge to the world than anything else.

Still the picture is quite opaque and surrounded with thick cloud. Nothing can be said now. But one thing is sure- Now, my tweaked adage is becoming much more clearer to me. Hope you also feel the same!

Peer pressure and post liberalization era

I wonder sometimes - what if I were to born somewhere in 50's ? I would have reached my 20's by 1970's. At that point in time, India was at the height of socialism. Most of the people did not get the jobs; even if one managed to get one - that was obviously the Govt. job- that was even obviously mean paid. In those days, every one was 'alike'- in terms of getting opportunity and capitalizing it- and hence, there was less peer pressure.

Post liberalization, Indian economy started accommodating people in private sector with never dreamt pay packages. Especially in southern states, it was a bachelor's degree that required to get one descent job. In late 90's, people simply made their career in outsourcing industry with one degree at their disposal.

But, there is one negative social impact of this liberalized era that makes me to think from quite some time-Peer pressure. Now, every parent wants their child to learn English. And after graduation, wanted him or her to start earning. With cheap and easy credit, erstwhile luxury has become necessary. Thus, we see heavy peer pressure to earn, save, and have some 'necessary' things like home, car etc. which once considered to be luxury within Indian psyche.

I think this is unnecessary and uncalled for. Now, we have every opportunity to do what we think we are best at. We get much better education, job, money to fund the ideas, what not. But, still social pressure is huge to earn early and get 'settled' soon! This is more evident in those families who have just moved to middle class post liberalization. There anxiety or even I would rather say- deep rooted fear of moving again to lesser class in social ladder- make them to put heavy peer pressure on their children.

I see this is going to be normal phenomenon for quite sometime- say another 10 years. Hopefully, after this initial bad period, every one can be relieved off this peer pressure and can be allowed to do what she thinks fit and necessary.