WWW

Religion and Science

2010-03-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

Everything is this world seems to be bounded by limits. Even the limits of Universe are theorized according to modern physics.

No doubt we as individuals should strive for change. That is what actually the concept of Humanism expects. Where as it is highly impossible to achieve ideality and perfection of most things in life it is customary for the humans to make things better and better over the time using our thought process and power of communication.The most advanced faculties we as humans own are ability to communicate in most advanced way and to think, question and experiment. These are the few rare things that have no bounds. That is how we are different from other living things. It is customary for every human individual to utilize these. That is what as humans we are supposed to be accomplishing. This explains humanism.Whereas the religion and spirituality in one perspective seems to be opposing the views of humanism by placing self-satisfaction and complacency in life before any thing. Actually in another perspective they are in parallel. Yes, as I said before that everything is limited by boundaries, religion and spirituality helps us to recognize this. It does not mean that they are hindering human growth. They help us to realize that boundaries are supposed to increase but with a pace that is limited by capacities and durabilities. They allow us to take a little break.Most religious men however think that limiting our material needs is the way to achieve the self-satisfaction. They extend this concept to the desires of wanting it. Their concept has evolved to make even sexual activity look like the most abominable necessity in the world.They in their enthusiasm have some how forgot their own limits. They accepted the worst results of the experiment to achieve self satisfaction.Those that stop the way we can think. They placed boundaries to our the boundless thought process.

Growth and Development of Telangana and Demand for separate state- Consequence of a Renaissance ??

2010-03-03T20:04:00.001-08:00

Recently, there has been increasing endorsement by the Anti-Separation propagandists that, Telengana in terms of infrastructural development is growing faster than other regions. They argue citing data supporting it that Telengana is better developed being united with Andhra than separated. They do provide comparative numerical data in support of their proposition, in terms of GDP growth %, literacy growth%, Irrigated Land Growth% and several other similar parameters. This data in terms of accuracy, no doubt irrevocable, are misinterpreted grossly to denigrate the separate state demand. The data is accurate but a poorly reliable inference is drawn from it. This becomes clear if the absolute quantitative data on the same parameters (instead of percentages) are compared between the regions. Almost all telangana districts stand far behind the Andhra districts in absolute measures.

Notably most of this relative percentage growth data compares the parameters between recent decades. I agree with the data but I carry little enthusiasm towards the inference drawn from it by the Anti-separation propagandists. In fact, this data provides a clue to the actual reason behind recent upsurge of demand for separation after a long perceived silence. It provides a circumstantial evidence to the notion that the present demand for separate telengana is not a carefully designed clever political ploy unleashed by some disdained unemployed politician. The data substantiates the fact about the growing awareness among the people of the region that, their region and people are being unduly exploited, their culture and history suppressed, their rights and due share in resources and employment grossly unappropriated and that their immediate needs and necessities were constantly overlooked and poorly represented for the past six decades in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The demand for separate state is a consequence of this new pragmatic thinking imparted by growing knowledge and education rather than a loosely derived inference that it is based on lies and ill-formed political aspirations.

There is a glaring similraty between current Telangana society/Telangana movement and the European Society following Renaissance movement in pre-modern times. Renaissance meaning "new awakening" was a cultural movement that spread across the Europe during first half of the second millenium, that has opened doors for Scientific and Industrial Revolution, both of which drove the world into modern age of Science and Technology and most importantly, formation of democratic nation states. The birth of Renaissance had given a new breathe to the dying spirit of culture and art in the feudalistic society where most people endured suppression and ignorance from faith due to autocratic rule supported and indirectly governed by corrupt Roman Church. The period of medieval ages was thusly described in historical excerpts as "Dark Ages of Europe". Renainssance brought light of knowledge and wisdom to the people of the entire continent, enabled people to think and innovate their skills pushing forth the entire generations in to modern age of Science and Inventions. The remarkable and crucial component of Renaissance was the concept of "Humanism" which advocates individual growth by encouraging self education through questionning, experimentation and expressionism. It respects individuality against glorification by elite association. It encourages people to question authority. It paved way to pragmatism. This is reflected in all the realms of renaissance, whether it may be art, science or sculpture, the innovations were carried essentially with essence of humanism. The first seeds for the concept were sown in the earliest centuries of last millenium when several universities were established all over Europe. Along with the growth of Universities there came new knowledge that deluged people with awareness of supression and falsehood. The new inventions like printing made the knowledge available to greater populace. Along came proofs to disproove ancient axiomatic beliefs purported by the Church. Authority of the church and kings were openly questioned. Hegemony of the Church in the society ceased to exist with increasing reforms. Kingdoms had to abandon their old autocratic ways by bringing in political reforms like acceptance of Magna Carta. The actual renaissance undeniably started in the field of art during 15th century in Florence, Italy. Variuous geo-political reasons that existed in Italy during the period encouraged the new age thinkers to accumulate in Florence. It quickly passed to major cities in Europe with in next few decades. The concept of unity and strength of nations formed by identical cultures and tradition overwhelmed the warring tribes and feudal lords. With formation of new nation states came political stability and created an arena to develop Scientific Knowledge.
In India, such reforms came with East India Company's rule and followed by the British Crown's imperialistic occupation. The introduction of the new western ideas of Renaissance Humanism in to indian society helped pave way to formation of a strong national identity. Once warring local kings and rulers now came to terms with British and accepted their authority to safeguard their own authority. Outside the princely states however, more common people became aware of the ideas. Eventually they understood the suppression and exploitation the people are suffering under British regime. British regime by establishing colleges and missionaries have themselves helped in imparting the new age ideas to large indian populace. This inturn resulted in Indian Independence movement when more people began to realize the essence of freedom and democracy. This is exemplified by the participation of millions of people from subcontinent in the movement against British Imperialism.
Telangana, then a part of princely state of Hdyerabad ruled by Nizam was a late entrant in to the global world dominated by new thinking. The Osmania University established by the Nizam in 1917 in Hyderabad became the new center for Telangana Renaissance. The newly educated progressive thinkers propagated the concept of freedom in the people, who were long suffering from the ills of feudal society. The new wave of communism that spread across the world after World War -II was gladly accepted by the suppressed agararian society of telangana. They revolted against the Nizam and his feudal lords. The resulting political and communal tensions were calmed down after Police action, there by consolidating the princely state into the Indian Union. After a brief period of independent existence as a separate state Telangana region was merged with Andhra state on the basis of linguistic commonality. However most telangana people were reluctant due to the fears of being suppressed by the more educated and developed Andhra. The indifferences were settled by the promise of safeguards documented as Gentleman's agreement, proceedings were quickly passed to form a new state of Andhra Pradesh. However the bureaucratic and political dominance of Andhra region effectively nullified the safeguards and there was an increasing unrest among the people that resulted in separate telangana movement of 1969.

However the amalgamation of the state in to the Indian Union and subsequent merger with AP brought some benefits to telangana people. New colleges and educational institutions were established and Hyderabad as the capital of the combined state became the nerve center for Industrial growth and development. This helped in a second wave of renaissance that resulted in Separate telangana movement in 1969 that was entirely concentrated in Universities, edcuationally enlightened towns of telangana. After the brutal supression of the movement the region underwent a long period of Naxalite movement that it self had roots in previous telangana rebellion against Nizam.

The economic liberalization of 90's and ensuing Information explosion brought the next wave to the region. The new policies embraced by the indian government successfully rooted out Naxalite movement and there by allowing the knowledge and awareness to reach remotest of the villages in Telangana. However the growing disparities and the marginalization of telangana poor in a combined state became more evident and became popular among the people. That is the reason why, unlike the previous movement of 1969, today's telangana separation movement has reached village level. The Renaissance has reached the grassroot levels and the awareness it brought among the suppressed has pushed them to question the authority. The people today are not simply succumbing to the political leaders and their promises. Instead they are strongly opposing them and pushing them to accept their demands.

If telangana today is better than the telangana 50 years back, then it is true. But the truth cannot preclude the existence of political and bureaucratic dominance of Andhra plutocrats. People are more aware of the truth than ever before, that their resources are not being utilized properly in their region. The people are aware that their safeguards had been unimplemented. They understand that the jobs that rightfully belonged to telangana locals were being continually alloted to non-locals. The agreements of the united state had been circumvented cleverly. Telangana if it is fighting for separate state, then it is because of the growing awareness of injustice and certainly not due to ignorance.

Indian Bloggers and Current Trends

2010-02-04T19:30:00.001-08:00

On the wake of raging Telangana movement, I found my self suddenly involved in surfing blogs immensely in the recent times. Needless to say, I most of the times came across many Indian Bloggers. Here I summarize the various hot topics that are discussed by Indian Blogger community in their posts currently. I am amazed by one thing, the commonality in these posts.
I cannot say my approach has been holistic and it is certainly a narrow one. And of course it is only my point of view. I begin with the most common topic touched by most of them.
1. 3 idiots: One thing, this is no doubt a sensational hit. At least that is what I noticed from the blogs. None of the posts seem to be criticizing the movie to the extremes. Most of them actually find this movie very interesting and entertaining. Probably this is some thing to do with the lethargic attitude current generation has developed towards present educational system in India(the convent kind of). Yes, the movie vehemently criticizes our educational system and no doubt present generations are wary of the system. I do not know what is actually inciting people to bring out discussion on this movie. I suppose , either people are not satisfied with their knowledge and jobs or they are simply nostalgic.
2.Telangana: Here my approach is certainly confounded by my own interests. Whatever, I can only say that there is a big battle of blogs going on here on this issue. People are politically very motivated. They are simply taking sides and presenting long roll of arguments. Pretty interesting though! LOL!
3. MNS: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sangh/Sena, is the hottest of the political issues being discussed on various blogs. Contrary to the previous issue, people are not taking sides. Rather, they are taking a side. I mean, every one is simply against Raj Thackerey. I don't know if Raj is happy with it or if he is condemning the bloggers. But I think it is time for him to think about his way of practicing his principles.
But annoying side of this is that many if not all are illogically clubbing the telangana issue and Marathi Manoos as same. Well I think the bloggers are just confined to the news media to get their information. The very media they some how despise.
Ironic but not strange. It is a common logical fallacy.

SOLUTION FOR TELANGANA!!!

2010-01-27T06:02:00.000-08:00

1. Separate telangana from Seemandhra with Hyderabad as telangana state capital.

2. Hyderabad assumes temporarily as capital of Andhra for two/three years so that Andhra state can develop their own capital in that time. No extensions should be allowed and after 2 years hyderabad will cease to be the capital of Andhra state irrespective of any need for resolutions.

3. For developing Andhra state Capital, Andhra can assume some percentage of revenue from Hyderabad(around 5-10% each year) which would be huge given the amount of revenues generated by hyderabad each year.

4. All the employees who were recruited against the rules in the past 50 years are to be recognized. If still employed they are to be transferred immediately to Andhra. For those who were retired, Andhra state should assume their pensions and PF's. Such amounts calculated should be paid to telangana from the third year of state formation.

5. A consensus should be arrived regarding the fate of Polavaram Project. All the telangana lands that are going to submerge should be compensated by andhra state at telangana's discretion. However, Inchampally project should begin immediately with half of the total capital. Other telangana projects started in 2001 and promised to be completed by 2007 should be immediately realized.

6. Discrepancies in NSR should be corrected by measures recommended by experts.

7. SLBT and other remaining Krishna Projects should be immediately begin with joint financial support.

8. Center should assume some power regarding the Law enforcement(police) in Hyderabad to prevent any attacks on Andhras and their investments.
However the other administratorial activities of Hyderabad and its day to day affairs are entirely the responsibility of Telangana and MCH(acts as subsidary of Telangana state govt.)

Q & A on Smaller States and Telangana

2010-01-27T05:18:00.001-08:00

Questions on Smaller States Answered!

Recently, there were some questions regarding demands for smaller states and their practicality in Indian scenario, posted in a blog named Pragmatic Euphony. These questions no doubt were critical in trying to examine the practicality of present telangana separation demand. I felt that these questions were thoughtful and needed to be answered. Most of the comments were actually positive in asserting the assiduity in the questions but few really have attempted to answer them pragmatically. So I tried to answer these questions in a most pragmatic way I can. However I did not receive any comments on my answers. I am just posting these Q&A in this blog.

Q1. Why has a comprehensive study of the societal, political and economic impact of smaller states not been undertaken so many decades after the creation of smaller states?

A.

Smaller states is a relative term. Smaller by no means indicates a small administrative area or low population. So it would have been better if question was asked in absolute terms.
SRC-I(state reorganization commision 1953) can be considered as one of such first efforts by Union Govt. immediately after independence. Indeed as most people think and propagate SRC did not just look only on linguistic terms but on various socio-political and economic conditions prevailing at that time. Recently three states were created and certainly was based on sustainance and political analysis.
Regarding telangana,
SRC-I recommended that telangana to remain a separate state is beneficial to its people and warned against merging citing differences in socio-economic conditions between the regions and viability of telangana based on its surplus revenues. However,contrary to the reccomendations the merger was done based strictly on linguistic lines. This certainly was the key factor that is the reason for today’s dicontentment among telangana people.
Ofcourse there are several independent studies conducted and published in various journals on these very issue since last 50 years and most of them actually recommend smaller territorial administrative divisions compared to present divisions. Some of them even concentrate on telangana issue and dates back to 1970 to 1997 analysing most aspects of underdevelopment in telangana.

Q2. What is holding the government back from announcing the formation of a new State Reorganisation Commission with eminent personalities on board?

A.

Because of the failure of strictly following SRC -I reccomendations there is a widespread mistrust among political circles regarding a second report especially in present conditions where personal liability and lobbying play major role in decision-making. No one including the organizations, political parties and people are in favor of a Commision and put their complete future on a commision whose recommendations may or may not be actually truthful. Instead they are trying to push the Union Gov. to decide depending upon popular vote and referendums.

Q3.Should a new state not be created only after its economic viability has been established by a non-partisan statutory body and vetted by the Parliament?

A.

Contrary to the demands for separate states after independence that were mostly based on culture, language and ethinic identity, most of the present demands cite economic and social backwardness in their regions. So only stressing on economic viablity would backfire considering the actual economic retrogression that was prevalent in most of these regions due to unequal political and bureaucratic dominance after first state reorganisation. Indeed a special package and policy changes favorable to these newly formed states should be considered. However it is necessary to concede to their demands of forming new states to improve general people’s trust on the policy makers. Also necessary steps should be taken to stabilize the administration and proper channeling of funds in these new states. Moreover given the political and bureaucratic imbalance it is highly likely that these special packages and policy changes will be implemented unbiased. This has been already proved in the case of telangana several times. None of the policy changes and packages were ever implemented in correct dimension, lest atleast implemented.
In all conditions it is in the best interest of all people, Union should concede to these demands.

Q4. Isn’t the public dissatisfaction and discontentment in states — big or small — really about (lack of) governance, and has nothing to do with smaller or bigger states?

A.

Exactly that is what I meant when I mentioned that “smaller” is a relative term. But not considering if the state is really smaller or bigger in relative terms,(unless it is too small and surrounded by a single state on all sides) most of the territories are actually not small in area and population. Territorial division and administatorial sharing provides better decentralization, political autonomy and managerial convenience. Trying to fix the governance with out territorial division would only cause secondary discontentment in other parts of the parent state because to equate the economic conditions the regional govt. and federal govt. has to focus their major resources on to these territories away from other parts.
In all conditions it is in the best interest of all people, Union should concede to these demands.

Q5. If smaller states are a ploy to bring political governance closer to the populace, then shouldn’t empowerment of local self-government institutions provide a more permanent answer?

A.

That is a bigger picture and certainly is required irrespective of the formation of new states. Even though empowerment and self governance are one of the key points in new state demands, they also are because of the political and economic domination of certain parts of the present states. So empowering local bodies is not just enough.
Indeed empowering local government institutions is highly essential presently and in future to attain what Gandhi’s dream of “Grama Swaraj” it is necessary not to correlate this with the demands of separate states which are purely based on economic and social backwardness due to political neglect.