Thought for the day
“I will give you a definition of a proud man: he is a man
who has neither vanity nor wisdom one filled with hatreds cannot be vain,
neither can he be wise.”
-
John Keats (English, 1795-1821)
Word for the day
Solipsism
(n)
Extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's
feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption.
(Source: Dictionary.com)
Teaser for the day
Has Kejriwal exhausted all arrows in his quiver, a little
too early?
Atone - pepper, seizure
Last week an MP used pepper
spray in the Parliament, apparently to prevent introduction of a Bill to carve
out Telangana state out of current Andhra Pradesh. The cited act of MP widely
criticized as seizure of Indian
democracy by anarchist elements, motivated many elegies; some of them so
eloquent that for once I seriously felt that we are living in a banana
republic.
A week later the anguish and commotion of “concerned citizens”
and “conscious media” over the incidence has subsided materially. Telengana
State has been almost created. Common people, who were little bothered about
the seemingly bizarre incidence for a blink, have moved on. The MP in question has sought to atone himself by apologizing and
quitting politics. Another MP who allegedly feel sick due to use of pepper
spray has lodged a complaint with police to make us feel that we are living in
a civilized world where rule of law still prevails.
I am now feeling much better and find myself in a position to
reflect on the incidence independently (without overwhelming media reports and
commentaries) in my own ways, that many find ridiculous and whimsical.
In my view, this incidence was perfectly normal and encouraging
for the health of democracy. Unlike many popular conscious keepers of the
country, I believe in a democracy the elected representatives should truly and
fairly reflect the social, cultural, economic and political conditions of the
country.
It is only in aristocracy that we look for an ideal man
governing the country, advised by the best minds available. Not in democracy.
Today, if there is widespread anarchy, non-compliance,
corruption, intolerance, degeneration, injustice, inequalities, anguish,
dismay, and frustration in the society – the and Parliament, state assemblies
and elected local bodies should truly and fairly reflect that. Democracy needs
our representatives to mirror us and our state of affair. Let them not be
something “out of our world” – honest, compliant, tolerant, just, equitable,
peaceful, enthusiastic, gratified and facilitators.
To me it is very simple, unless the mirror shows the filth on my
face as it is, how would I feel the need to wipe it off and wash myself clean?
Some readers have suggested, somewhat tacitly, that I am wasting
too much time discussing political affairs. I should rather focus on financial
markets and suggest how to make more money – faster and safer. I see their
point, but feel helpless. In my view, a profitable investment strategy has to
cross this strait. Nevertheless, I will keep their suggestion in mind.
I would like to initiate a larger debate on the desirable
social, political and economic order for the country. I had been accumulating
some thoughts on this for past couple of years. I had initially intended to
present the thoughts in a closed format - in the shape of a book. However, in
past few months I have realized that these thoughts are too utopians and need
to be discussed and modified to suit our conditions. I have therefore decided
to make it an open source like series from which people may pick whatever they like,
debate it, improve it and introduce back in the stream.
I shall begin introducing these Utopian thoughts in coming days.
Trust me it has nothing to do with Arvind Kejriwal’s idea of “Swaraj”.
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