Wayfarerz

Spectator musings

2008-11-04T13:33:00.004-05:00

Change vs More of the same

Country First vs Career Change

Mavericks vs Eloquence

Of course the heard-it-all sum ups for the Presidential Election '08 in the US of A. With the country taking to polls on this historic election day, just thought a spectator (read no voting rights, but all rights to evaluate, scrutinize and comment) and his musings maybe worth a click.

As the pundits say, this surely is an election with each vote carrying 'far reaching consequences', glittering with 'Hope' for change and direction (to the country and 'few' abroad), and above all abound with promises to revolutionize people's lives, dreams and future.

While candidates continue to hammer away on last minute campaign rallies, I'm awed at things looking from the spectator's viewfinder. The caucuses, the primaries, the conventions (impressive Greek columns btw), acceptance speeches, the debated 'debates', the campaign-defining wall street tumble, the distinguished endorsements, the on-your-face ads and of course the million dollar primetime campaign - all brought forth to this day of Nov 4th 2008 has been refreshing, informative, amusing and moreover thought-provoking for spectators like me. And hats off to Larry King, Letterman and SNL Pres. Bash for added effort and perspectives at this moment.

My musings (and wishful thinking) at this hour is not (maybe not surprisingly) on whether the 'Mavericks' would take over Washington or if the 'Change' would be ushered in. My heart and thoughts just go out to another great democratic & politically charged (even savvy maybe) country, my homeland India.

It was in early days of Fall '07 that my uncle who is a Lawyer cum Politician happened to ask me about the potential president-elects and the popular trends. It may have been surely surprising to him that the real election was to be more than a year later, esp since looking at the frenzied media reports from abroad the picture one gets if of an at-the-front-door kind. The long run up to the Presidential Election is what has amused me the most in this election. I was new to this democratic process of gaining the political party's nomination through a very democratic process and then saving the best for the main race. The long and detailed scrutiny that each candidate is subjected to, deserve a lot of spectator cheer. Many a time I found myself looking back at the campaigns back home in India and at the under-the-lens scrutiny (or lack of) that politicians seldom revel in.

The debates and the official candidate websites were exhaustive in most aspects and I found myself wishing that more politicians across the world should exhaustively explain themselves and debate on open forums on policies in their election manifesto and not just restrict public opinion forming to news flashes and Meet-the-Candidate programs (maybe rarely found in few places). The long and detailed process to make every single voter make an informed and prejudice-free choice (if I may say so) make strong pillars for a nation.

Be it the business-school inspired campaign organization, the back and forth scrutiny on the candidate's past statements/ senate votes tallied against current proposals/ ideologies or the insightful debates, each aspect of the run up to Nov 4, has lessons for many like us to learn from. The prospect of being a well-informed, 'Evaluative' citizen is what more and more people in India crave for than being forever in the 'News Happy' citizen class. To illustrate, in the latter group people may tend to forget the perspectives from a succintly informative newsblog like Rajdeep Sardesai's on Raj Thackerey before the next Mumbai Municipal elections, while the people in the former class is forever alert in evaluation.

Another area in this campaign that has been lauded is the way regular professionals formed the campaign base which is not seen much in elections in India where party workers form the grass roots infantry. Educated professionals form the sideline critics who contribute very little to see deserving candidates get on board. Like the recent heat that the Dog's Own Country blog has attracted, more professionals in India seem content criticizing the ones who attempt to evaluate the polity of which one is a part of. When the buzzword today in US is 'Youth Vote' , it stands to note that an inspired-initiative (even an effort to evaluate political ideologies, leave alone political activism) among the net-savvy, educated and all-else opinionated youth of our country can spark change like none before.

Transparent fund raising is another aspect that would be much appreciated across the globe. Scrutiny might help to some extent reduce the influence of vested interests in policy making or government decisions.

At this hour when different Indian newschannels and websites are replete with questions and blogs on 'Whether Obama or McCain is better for India and Indo-US relations', it might be much more worthwhile to reflect on what we Indians can learn from this election and the different democratc aspects (if not all) of US politics.

The true knights in this election (from the spectator gallery) seem to be the omniversal media. The TV networks, Radio broadcasts, Print media, Blogs, Facebook networks, Twitter feeds, campaign videos on Youtube have all defined this election like none before. Still remember the days when Prannoy Roy's team used to attempt at exhaustive election coverage (with innovation) through the last decade. Like the youth involvement + mobilization that has been pivotal in this campaign, it makes me wonder on the potential that could be unleashed if India's vibrant young (and middle-aged) population who are highly educated, professionally competent and individually opinionated, and with their/our days revolving around e-papers, facebook/orkut updates, twitter feeds, personal blogs, chat platforms and the like, were to embrace the right to informed opinion and politically involved citizenship.

Activism I believe needn't always take the form of slogans/ signs/ public disruption. Self-awareness, excercising one's franchise after much deliberation, rooting for the omniversal media which strives to help voters make informed choice and similar taken-for-granted attitudes and perspectives all form activism for betterment, justice and harmony. Along with renewed individual interest and commitment in national events and politics, it becomes all the more necessary on the part of political candidates to be open to scrutiny (not just releasing educational and tax details), exhibit willingness to participate on debates (on local, state and national platforms), put in effort and time to explain themselves and their election manifestos on official websites or blogs, and to motivate the non-party worker to join the campaign base if he/she's impressed by the candidate/ ideology/policy recommendations/ just the opportunity to contribute to bring forth change.

History is being written in the US as I click away these spectator musings. And more so by informed, motivated and politically charged citizens.To all of us who are tuned to happenings at home and elsewhere, and are open to new learning, let us wish for and work towards a renewed democratic process in which unbiased information, the right to have that, the willingness and motivation among people to involve in nation building, ethical and sensitive political campaigning, and transparent elections, to take us into a better tomorrow!

PS. Btw my heart goes out to McCain the person and the vibrant ideology of Obama. Let the worthy lead!

Image courtesy: Sylvia Wright UCDavis Magazine

Vote to trust

2008-07-23T23:53:00.004-04:00

Amidst all the furore and caucus, what has been described over and again as the darkest and brightest day at once of Indian politics, it was indeed exhilarating to see the nation rooting for the pro-reforms, pragmatic and progressive ruling alliance over the the ideologically starved, regressive 'Left' parties. Oh did I miss the radical 'Right' bandwagon ? Let me see ...guess they'd fit best into the anywhere-nowhere mold.

As the story unfolded over the past few weeks, I was awed by the number game + horsetrading allegations (yeah..innocent till...) and was very much keen for once to see the mixed-bag ruling coalition run down the 'Left' opposition.

Is my heart with the incumbents? Not quite..but the live-to-veto game that the 'Left' had been playing for the past years was finally beyond any logical or emotional tolerance. And when I remembered that these were the same folks who had opposed privatization of industry, foreign direct investment, private sector banking, India's entry to the global market, computerization (yes..using computers in govt offices and other public sector undertakings) it just makes a more convincing argument (than even Dr. Kalam's N-deal endorsement) that the N-deal is as much pro-India as the previously 'Left' opposed reforms were.

The vote to trust, my friends back home say was an entertainer more than a democratic exercise. But I found myself cheering for the ruling alliance for finally deciding to prove themselves to the lifelong-rebels who proclaimed vetoing as the singular democratic + political tool to take the country forward.

Entertainer for sure, but the debates running up to the trust vote were insightful and passionate. Though Omar Abdullah, Laloo Prasad Yadav and Chidambaram stole the show, and Manmohan Singh was crowned the King, Amar Singh I believe had the true crowning glory ( courtesy - cnn-ibn and Rajdeep Sardesai's blog).

The unfortunate suicide by the 'scholarly' 'Left' (Sagarika Ghose cnn-ibn) and the vote to trust the country's managers surely did drive home the point that the 'Left' is finally left with no option but to self-introspect and veto misplaced ideologies. As for the 'Right' I'm reminded of reckless passengers boarding the wrong train and forced to let themselves out at the wrong station.

Technorati Tags: Trust vote,UPA,Left,N-Deal

Sabbatical...

2008-03-15T19:24:00.002-04:00

A jolt back after what seems like a short sabbatical...a year to be precise.

The past months saw me wrapping up my Master's and gearing up to explore new realms in Psychiatry. After all nothing thrills or captivates as much as the depths of human mind itself.

Satirical reflections on life, people and behavior seems to excite me more than ever, especially since the 'futility factor' accompanying very many activities and attitudes is being recognized widely.

Somebody aptly said " Most people go through life doing things, not realizing why they do so or indeed whether they need do it at all..." The neurochemistry and the brain volumes apart, the behavior of human behavior itself exudes much curiosity.

In a day when the DSM V is expected (hopefully) to effectively categorize evolving value-based judgement in mind-states, the spectrum of normal behavior offers no less interest and scope.

With a salute to every single mind involved and devoted to understand, empathize with and help other minds, the wayfarer mindfully moves on..

Technorati Tags: Mind,Psychiatry,Human behavior,DSM V

Whollier than thou!!!

2006-12-01T01:57:00.002-05:00

While praising my Country and Country mates to the Aussie consultant, was forced to reflect on the Grey sides of the story as well.

Leaving aside the all pervasive corruption, unemployment, political chaos and fragmentism I think eyebrows should be raised for insensitive comparisons, senseless competitions, unnecessary envies and discourteous peer interactions that seem to be plaguing us these days.

From the moment a baby is born when people compare his birth weight to a million other babies, to the day when people compare the numbers attending the person's funeral, comparison has become the hallmark of living everywhere.

For most part insensitive and for a very small part encouraging, haven't these insensitive comparisons tired us all?

Competitions which disregard basic human camaraderie or collective consciousness have maimed us beyond recognition! Envy, jealousy and bitterness towards one another have pushed us into isolation from one another.Being a good Samaritan is regarded as the height of stupidity these days.

Will we ever be taught or encouraged to be kind, to empathize and cheer for a fellowmate? Peer interactions are disrupted by all the above vices and discourteous attitudes. Will we ever realise the sincerity behind a thank you or a genuine hearfelt sorry?

HOPE BETTER SENSE PREVAILS!!! AND BURY THE 'WHOLLIER (in all sense) THAN THOU' ATTITUDE !! Maybe CRAP, but a thought nevertheless...And my peers tell me the vices prevail elsewhere too. So maybe not too crappy after all...

A Wayfarerz muse..

2006-12-01T01:45:00.000-05:00

Was pondering over a thought by Khalil Gibran, bout the new generation being like arrows; you may be able to set them on a target/goal but you never can determine their course, their pace nor their final destiny!

People differ, backgrounds vary; aspirations differ, pursuits vary; ideals differ, perspectves vary and above all each singular destiny is as unique from the other as the individuals themselves.

We bump into each other, maybe walk together for a while, gather rich experiences, bid goodbye and move on to differing paths leading to deserving destinies.Experiences remain worthwhile, moments cherished and thoughts seldom forgotten.

Wandering round memory lane I catch glimpses of the days gone by, the names that mattered (as also the ones that never ever did),the events that summed up life and most importantly the thoughts that tagged along with each one of them. Does the introspection yield anything, I'm yet to know; but is nothing short of a stocktaking.Into oneself, one's attitudes, perspectives, relationships (or the lack of them), lessons learnt (or whatever) and most importantly the ticks and crosses.Well..not a futile exercise after all.

So do the ticks outweigh the crosses? Well hard to say... It looks like a perfect mixed bag- a reassuring 'right' for every disappointing 'wrong' that pops out. Guess that's what makes the journey interesting and all the more worthwhile.

With an apology for every single mistake, every single disappointment and broken promises(if any); And with a wide grin for the brighter side of the story,with malice towards none and Cheers to all fellow travellers,the Wayfarer moves on...

The Beginning

2005-10-04T15:13:00.000-04:00

Hi folks,
Gone r the days when the net and all its bounty served purposes limited to few.Communication has taken on a new meaning.

People, i guess r nearer and dearer than ever before.Thanks to WWW!

The saying ' Wandering one gathers honey' is of much meaning today like never .As in life, wandering across the webworld , too brings forth sweet results.(not always,eh.)A triple layered firewall,spy sweeper and reg mechanic shuld protect u from the vagaries of this world and make ur experience enjoyable.

Well i do take this blog as sort of forum to air my views on anything and everything and for whoever may care to read it.Its straight from the heart sans the addressing and formalities of an email and with an unlimited Cc and Bcc( but of course for a chosen few).

So hop on and take a ride with me .Can't guarantee a crap-less experience, though.

So long,
Cheers!