Not so long ago, I read somewhere about the downward trend in blogging. Suddenly blogging was not cool anymore and networking sites like twitter and facebook seem to have taken over.Seems true.
Blogging does take a bit of time, at least in the relative sense compared to a status message update on facebook or twitter and the like, thought the comparison is strictly with regards to writing.
Writing; whether generally or on a blog does release a lot of angst, which is in abundance during the college years. But this angst takes its toll on the quality of the writing, although generally enhancing the quantitative output. Quality suffers especially with the general meandering sense of direction resulting perhaps, in a shift of creativity. Though serving a useful purpose, it sometimes takes away the beauty of the writing.
But is this necessarily true? A lot of wonderful writing has been produced during moments of pain, suffering and angst. For one, Bob Dylan seems to be at his best, when his personal life is at its worst."Shelter From the Storm" never ceases to touch my soul and give a wonderful sense of calm.
Maybe it is best to go back to angst and the direction that it should be taking. A cursory (or even detailed in some cases) look at the self help books show them to be talking about similar things such as focus, direction and perseverance. Simple things, yet a source of monetary windfall for those who have put it down on paper. An example yet again of a proper direction. Not that, I believe or claim the focus of these people are a result of angst and anxiety. But mortals without such worldly troubles are but a chosen few.
See, started to write about something and ended up writing something else.perhaps a reduction in angst :) but a decrease in quality; perhaps an increase in quantity but nonetheless nothing creative yet. A need to have a direction.
PS: A self help book might just be on the way, especially to go with the Arindam Chowdhury look.:)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Just Like that
Just settling in, perhaps a bit more focused and things looking for the better.
A lot to write and newer things to ponder.:)
Hopefully Soon and good things shall follow.
A lot to write and newer things to ponder.:)
Hopefully Soon and good things shall follow.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Mooting Experience
-"Submitted your projects?"
-"Ya Dude."
-"Both?"
-" I only had one dude."
-"1???"
-"Moot, man."
-"Oh!"
For quite a while talks such as this were a reminder to me that I had a moot coming and that it was the reason I was being exempt from a project and giving only two of the exams.(Well, having to study for two subjects during the holidays is not fun though!!). However, this entire mooting thing was yet to hit me seriously, you know, in the way that you see all the stud mooters always discussing about their moot issues, problems, arguments and cases. In a way, I was almost relaxed.
Too relaxed, it turned out to be, for suddenly there seemed to be no time and a lot of work left. Backed by the spirit that no matter what surely, things will get done, with lots of hard work, lots of help from friends and seniors, finally we had the memo in hand and were ready to go to Trivandrum.
During the train journey, Adhiti, the other speaker of our team wanted us to practice a bit. Since, our oral practice was virtually nil, I had no option but to comply :). Thankfully, I had to go back to my berth when the doors between the AC and Sleeper section closed and I had a wonderful sleep.
Landing at Trivandrum, the day passed by before anything substantial could be done. KLA was a beautiful place and the students seemed genuinely enthusiastic. Of course, the name tag NLS brought with it awe and also snide comments.After the opening ceremony and the draw of lots, we were asked to argue for petitioner in the first round the next day.
As our lodgings was at a considerable distance from the campus, I managed to get only an hour of practice and asking Basu to wake me up at 4, I fell fast asleep.
Waking up at 6, we made a rush to the college. Thankfully, ours was the last session and we had asbout 3 hours to prepare. Did I just say, thankfully? Well, the waiting hours stretched and nervousness turned to confidence and then back in equal measure. It was then, I realised the intense pressure of moots and the desire to do better than the other teams there.
Finally, sometime around 3, our rounds came up. Seeing Adhiti speak, I was besides myself with nervousness and before I knew it was my turn to argue. I am still not sure what I argued, but at least it seemed to make some sense and after a while, it felt good to try and convince the judges arguments that I had thought over countless times. Thankfully, the round soon got over and we won it with a pretty good score.
To cut it short, we won the next round too, but did not make it further. I was not sad and realised that this moot had taught me that mooting can be fun too. Besides, it was necessary to focus on the nuances and also on aspects like smiling, speaking cordially and the like. And the whole competition factor made the thing even better. At such places, I realised the respect and the buzz that NLS creates and the need to maintain and excel those expectations.
Thankfully, we won the best memo. It felt good having the best memo among 45 other teams and something to show for the combined efforts of the team. All in all, it was a wonderful experience, topped on by the day at the beach and wonderful hospitality by the KLA people.
-"Ya Dude."
-"Both?"
-" I only had one dude."
-"1???"
-"Moot, man."
-"Oh!"
For quite a while talks such as this were a reminder to me that I had a moot coming and that it was the reason I was being exempt from a project and giving only two of the exams.(Well, having to study for two subjects during the holidays is not fun though!!). However, this entire mooting thing was yet to hit me seriously, you know, in the way that you see all the stud mooters always discussing about their moot issues, problems, arguments and cases. In a way, I was almost relaxed.
Too relaxed, it turned out to be, for suddenly there seemed to be no time and a lot of work left. Backed by the spirit that no matter what surely, things will get done, with lots of hard work, lots of help from friends and seniors, finally we had the memo in hand and were ready to go to Trivandrum.
During the train journey, Adhiti, the other speaker of our team wanted us to practice a bit. Since, our oral practice was virtually nil, I had no option but to comply :). Thankfully, I had to go back to my berth when the doors between the AC and Sleeper section closed and I had a wonderful sleep.
Landing at Trivandrum, the day passed by before anything substantial could be done. KLA was a beautiful place and the students seemed genuinely enthusiastic. Of course, the name tag NLS brought with it awe and also snide comments.After the opening ceremony and the draw of lots, we were asked to argue for petitioner in the first round the next day.
As our lodgings was at a considerable distance from the campus, I managed to get only an hour of practice and asking Basu to wake me up at 4, I fell fast asleep.
Waking up at 6, we made a rush to the college. Thankfully, ours was the last session and we had asbout 3 hours to prepare. Did I just say, thankfully? Well, the waiting hours stretched and nervousness turned to confidence and then back in equal measure. It was then, I realised the intense pressure of moots and the desire to do better than the other teams there.
Finally, sometime around 3, our rounds came up. Seeing Adhiti speak, I was besides myself with nervousness and before I knew it was my turn to argue. I am still not sure what I argued, but at least it seemed to make some sense and after a while, it felt good to try and convince the judges arguments that I had thought over countless times. Thankfully, the round soon got over and we won it with a pretty good score.
To cut it short, we won the next round too, but did not make it further. I was not sad and realised that this moot had taught me that mooting can be fun too. Besides, it was necessary to focus on the nuances and also on aspects like smiling, speaking cordially and the like. And the whole competition factor made the thing even better. At such places, I realised the respect and the buzz that NLS creates and the need to maintain and excel those expectations.
Thankfully, we won the best memo. It felt good having the best memo among 45 other teams and something to show for the combined efforts of the team. All in all, it was a wonderful experience, topped on by the day at the beach and wonderful hospitality by the KLA people.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Some Questions
No more games, No more lies
Money or love?,
Thats the question I am asking
Am I impossible or magnificient?
Thats the question you need to answer
Its now or never
And I am not playing
Questions, a lot you ask
And answers so many to seek
You don’t remember the last one
Do you?
Of so many things said
And misunderstood
A perennial drought
Or an overflow?
Never one to be caught out
Gone..
Long gone with the flow
Before this one has been answered too
And I am left
With the questions
The one I am asking
Money or love?,
Thats the question I am asking
Am I impossible or magnificient?
Thats the question you need to answer
Its now or never
And I am not playing
Questions, a lot you ask
And answers so many to seek
You don’t remember the last one
Do you?
Of so many things said
And misunderstood
A perennial drought
Or an overflow?
Never one to be caught out
Gone..
Long gone with the flow
Before this one has been answered too
And I am left
With the questions
The one I am asking
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Will demand for newer States lead to a disintegration of India?
India is an idea, an aspiration, a belief in humanity and its potential to better itself without resorting to forced top down approaches based on imported ideologies and beliefs. If we look to history, the concept of India has been there for a very long time but India as it is today, with its political structure as a nation State is still in a developmental mode. At present, we have a federal India with a strong Centre and with continuing demands for newer States to be carved out from pre-existing ones.
These demands have often been violent and have seen considerable participation from university students with quite a few number of deaths. In this context, it is but natural to ask the question “Will demand for smaller States lead to disintegration of India?”
The demand for a newer, smaller State should be seen in the light of federalism and thus the recognition of the continued wish to remain within India should be recognised. What is demanded is not secession but inclusion and a recognition of the particular needs of the community demanding the separate State. Thus, the idea of disintegration is in direct opposition to the demand for new States.
Despite the presence of a strong Centre, the model of Indian federalism allows for enough control to the respective States to develop and implement policies for the betterment of their States with regards to subjects like education, employment and the like. Thus, disparate developments within a State based on cultural and linguistic differences seem to be the reason for these demands.
There is strong ground to argue against the formation of newer States based on administrative difficulties and unnecessary expenses due to the small size of these new entities. However, only geography cannot be taken into account and reflects a wrong approach. Examples from European countries, which are very small compared to India, have even smaller areas where considerable autonomy has been given. Examples could include Flanders in Belgium, Catalonia in Spain. Thus, the focus only on the size of the new States being demanded reflects a fundamentally flawed thinking.
On the other hand, given the immense cultural ethnic and linguistic differences in India the fear of disintegration seems plausible. After all, proponents of this theory would argue, the example of the Balkans is right before us. The idea of a Balkanised India is however nothing but a wrong way of countering legitimate claims to aspirations. It is also not taking into account historical realities, political culture and ground realities.
Unlike the Balkans, India despite its multitude of ethnicities, language and culture hardly contains any historical enmities. The idea has been of co-existence and accommodation, unlike the Balkans where unity was opposed due to a particular coercive political system. What is present though is a strong sense of local identity along with and not in place of the pride of being an Indian. Thus, there is a need to allow for the feeling of belongingness and a consolidation of the local identity along with the national identity.
Another argument against new States looks at the domino effect that could follow the formation of the states demanded as of now. In fact the current agitations have led to the rise of dormant demands with Vidarbha and Saurashtra prominent among them. This brings us to question the final number that might be reached and whether this process may throw many more such demands. However to deny legitimate aspirations based on these reasons seem to be the failure of Indian democracy. The executive as well as the legislative should be able to analyse between the demands of the people and the vacuous demands of attention mongers and politicians.
In fact, the smallness of States can lead to better administration. Despite the formation of Uttarakhand in 2000, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mayawati has asked for the formation of newer States for the sake of better governance.
The not so wonderful performance of the newer States leads people to argue that this process does not augur any economic benefits. However, economic results should not be taken in isolation and should be seen in light of other factors which affect such performance. Besides, it takes time for the newer States which usually do not have much development to attract investors and produce better economic results.
A sense of paternalism is being seen with other people deciding what is best. It should be left to the people concerned. Although such decisions affect the rest of India and other Indians as well, the primary people to be affected are the residents of that particular place.
Rational aspirations and the capacity to fulfil them make a democracy. India is a vibrant democracy and has been due to its citizens. The right to protest and demonstrate forms a part of this nation and has been the fabric of the nation since pre- independence times.
The question of newer States is also a test of India’s democratic credentials, which is among the least tainted one in South Asia and the immediate neighbourhood. The initial demands of State reorganisation based on linguistic basis have not brought about disintegration. In fact, it has allowed for the development of democratic principles.
Despite all the reasons in favour of new States, it is imperative to look for alternatives especially when creation of newer States may lead to more problems than solutions. In this regard, if the demands for States are made by a geographically small area, which is administratively unfeasible, there could be the creation of special districts according to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Hence, the demands for newer States should not be seen as a demand for smaller States leading to a disintegration of India.. Rather it should be viewed in light of its historical, cultural and political scenario reflecting the wishes and aspirations of the people. Only economics cannot be the deciding factor and it should be balanced with the emotion of the people as well.
These demands have often been violent and have seen considerable participation from university students with quite a few number of deaths. In this context, it is but natural to ask the question “Will demand for smaller States lead to disintegration of India?”
The demand for a newer, smaller State should be seen in the light of federalism and thus the recognition of the continued wish to remain within India should be recognised. What is demanded is not secession but inclusion and a recognition of the particular needs of the community demanding the separate State. Thus, the idea of disintegration is in direct opposition to the demand for new States.
Despite the presence of a strong Centre, the model of Indian federalism allows for enough control to the respective States to develop and implement policies for the betterment of their States with regards to subjects like education, employment and the like. Thus, disparate developments within a State based on cultural and linguistic differences seem to be the reason for these demands.
There is strong ground to argue against the formation of newer States based on administrative difficulties and unnecessary expenses due to the small size of these new entities. However, only geography cannot be taken into account and reflects a wrong approach. Examples from European countries, which are very small compared to India, have even smaller areas where considerable autonomy has been given. Examples could include Flanders in Belgium, Catalonia in Spain. Thus, the focus only on the size of the new States being demanded reflects a fundamentally flawed thinking.
On the other hand, given the immense cultural ethnic and linguistic differences in India the fear of disintegration seems plausible. After all, proponents of this theory would argue, the example of the Balkans is right before us. The idea of a Balkanised India is however nothing but a wrong way of countering legitimate claims to aspirations. It is also not taking into account historical realities, political culture and ground realities.
Unlike the Balkans, India despite its multitude of ethnicities, language and culture hardly contains any historical enmities. The idea has been of co-existence and accommodation, unlike the Balkans where unity was opposed due to a particular coercive political system. What is present though is a strong sense of local identity along with and not in place of the pride of being an Indian. Thus, there is a need to allow for the feeling of belongingness and a consolidation of the local identity along with the national identity.
Another argument against new States looks at the domino effect that could follow the formation of the states demanded as of now. In fact the current agitations have led to the rise of dormant demands with Vidarbha and Saurashtra prominent among them. This brings us to question the final number that might be reached and whether this process may throw many more such demands. However to deny legitimate aspirations based on these reasons seem to be the failure of Indian democracy. The executive as well as the legislative should be able to analyse between the demands of the people and the vacuous demands of attention mongers and politicians.
In fact, the smallness of States can lead to better administration. Despite the formation of Uttarakhand in 2000, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mayawati has asked for the formation of newer States for the sake of better governance.
The not so wonderful performance of the newer States leads people to argue that this process does not augur any economic benefits. However, economic results should not be taken in isolation and should be seen in light of other factors which affect such performance. Besides, it takes time for the newer States which usually do not have much development to attract investors and produce better economic results.
A sense of paternalism is being seen with other people deciding what is best. It should be left to the people concerned. Although such decisions affect the rest of India and other Indians as well, the primary people to be affected are the residents of that particular place.
Rational aspirations and the capacity to fulfil them make a democracy. India is a vibrant democracy and has been due to its citizens. The right to protest and demonstrate forms a part of this nation and has been the fabric of the nation since pre- independence times.
The question of newer States is also a test of India’s democratic credentials, which is among the least tainted one in South Asia and the immediate neighbourhood. The initial demands of State reorganisation based on linguistic basis have not brought about disintegration. In fact, it has allowed for the development of democratic principles.
Despite all the reasons in favour of new States, it is imperative to look for alternatives especially when creation of newer States may lead to more problems than solutions. In this regard, if the demands for States are made by a geographically small area, which is administratively unfeasible, there could be the creation of special districts according to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Hence, the demands for newer States should not be seen as a demand for smaller States leading to a disintegration of India.. Rather it should be viewed in light of its historical, cultural and political scenario reflecting the wishes and aspirations of the people. Only economics cannot be the deciding factor and it should be balanced with the emotion of the people as well.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Crash
A dose of reality
With a crash of cards
Destruction
Splashed all over
Struck once again
How paths go awry
And everything just
Crashes down.
No second chances abound
Neither do any happy endings
Just the wind, the fall
And then complete silence.
With a crash of cards
Destruction
Splashed all over
Struck once again
How paths go awry
And everything just
Crashes down.
No second chances abound
Neither do any happy endings
Just the wind, the fall
And then complete silence.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)