Author: farooq Page 14 of 45

Irom Sharmila losing is no surprise. That’s how politics works!

There’s a general outcry on the Internet for Irom Sharmila. People expressing their outrage because Irom Sharmila got just 90 Votes in Manipur.

Just stop, right there.

Have a look at the candidates in your own constituency who were contesting in the last elections. How many of those candidates have criminal records against them? How many of those have been powerful industrialists-turned-politicians or reformed-criminal-turned-politicians?

Going by an article published in the guardian, before 2014 General Elections, 1/5th of the candidates had criminal charges. Even the recently concluded Uttar Pradesh elections saw 322 out of 403 ‘Crorepati’ MLAs winning. Out of these 143 have criminal charges against them.

The idea of a politician, in the general population’s head, is a powerful figure. Someone who isn’t easily scared by others. A figure which people respect and fear. Fear and respect go hand-in-hand, in our democracy. Sadly.

To be fair, in every election, we do have a few candidates who are honest, have spent years in social work, and now hope to serve a constituency. Right ? But if their image doesn’t echo a sense of power with their target vote-bank, irrespective of how good they are, it’s difficult for them to gather votes.

Elections in India aren’t about policies. People hardly scan through the manifesto of the party they are voting for. Did you read BJP’s 2014 election manifesto? Or INC’s?

[BJP Election manifesto: Click Here]

[Congress Election Manifesto: Clik Here]

People want leaders who can ‘speak to them’ and ‘speak for them’. If their answers address insecurities, hits the nail on the actual needs of the masses and simplifies the problems to deliver a quick-solution, then that’s the kind of leader they believe in.

When Donald Trump says, he’ll build a wall to keep immigrants out, people who actually know how big the border is, might find it ridiculous. But not all of them. When someone like Modi says, demonetization affected the ‘corrupt’ more than the poor, people will believe him. Be it Trump or Modi, or any other politician, it is about finding those simple solutions that can make people believe them.

Coming back to Irom Sharmila and being blunt, her sacrifice doesn’t mean anything to the people in that constituency. She was on a hunger-strike for years to get her demands accepted. People might assume that she won’t be able to get the work done.

Look at what happened with Kejriwal. His image, even when it is clean, is associated with Dharna and cribbing. Occasionally, he raises some valid points in his criticism but his image has already been made.

Same goes with Rahul Gandhi. His image is that of a fool and is popular as Pappu. How will people take him seriously? Even supporters of Congress cannot defend him with the same zeal like a Bhakt or Aaaptard does, because of this. No one wants an association with anyone who makes them appear to be another fool.

Of course, it doesn’t take more than a good investment in PR to change your image. Maybe an Adani/Ambani on their side might help ?

How did BJP Win UP? (Or other states)

By farooq

On March 11, 2017

In Politics & Social Issues

Even without being a BJP supporter, I can clearly count their poll promises on my fingers. Promises which they declared before elections with hopes of making it good when they get power. They have been successful in getting their message across. Specific message of “15 lacks”, “Jailing Scam-tainted ministers and even Robert Vadra”,“Making sure Pakistan gets a strong message” and a long list of other promises.

From an election-stand-point, it clearly does not matter, whether those promises will ever be fulfilled or will be termed as another Jumla. BJP, mostly thanks to Amit Shah, has figured out the template for election victories. He has busted the myth of the “Muslim Vote”. At the same time, he’s been successful in orchestrating a consolidation of Hindu-vote by giving Developments as well as the “fear of the growing minority” as primary motivators.

Vote-bank politics isn’t restricted to India and is done worldwide. Every party happens to do it and blames the other for it. When Congress, SP, or BSP was trying to hold on to its loyal caste base, BJP went one up, and consolidated them on religious lines, instead of caste.

And no, it isn’t a one-election strategy but a concerted effort that they’ve driven for years. RSS, Bajrang Dal or VHP, are all separate and non-political entities, which have been on the ground working tirelessly to join all the castes together.

Inherently human beings have programmed themselves to be part of a homogeneous group. Groups, separated by National boundaries, regions, linguistically, faith, caste, color, etc. Over time, we all learn/realize, we are essentially the same. Humans. But this journey of realization, overcoming the varied differences, is long. On the back of our minds, we see ourselves as separate and occasionally superior (as well). There’s a constant tussle between what we’ve been made to believe and what we should, based on our experiences and education.

You must be thinking, why am I telling you all this? Just bear with me as I paraphrase.

We are a divided lot. A large section is even racist! But everyone’s evolving to not appear as that racist bigot. But, when an ideology touches upon our fear or makes us envision scary future, for example, Muslim population growth or influence of ISIS, we’re taken aback, and this reason sticks. Irrespective of how far away from reality it might be.

When a reference to Shamshan vs Qabrastan or Electricity in Diwali vs Ramzaan is being made, it isn’t something that hasn’t been said or thought before. This only confirms the existent thought of favoritism to one community. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not. The confirmation bias is strong enough to make it believable.

And that has essentially worked well for the BJP in getting its message across. Of course, good PR and media management, and a very vast Social media network has contributed to that as well. The proper messaging directed towards their target audiences worked.

Our anxiety and FOMO, along with the Fake news machinery, no doubt, contributes to this as well.

The opposition to BJP, couldn’t even make use of Demonetization which affected everyone across the country. BJP was successful in making people believe “it was for the good”.

The regional players need to come out of the bubble of remaining limited to their supposed “stronghold”. No one is going to watch a Ranji Match when a t20 is on, bro!

We don’t live in times when “this should be ideally done” works. Figuring out “what would work” is key. Do you think a deodorant would sell if they were to advertise it as “controlling body odor” or when it makes “women want men”, it’d sell more?

Exam

By farooq

On March 10, 2017

In Random Philosophy

The exam season is here. The supposedly deciding day for a lot of kids out there. Irrespective of whether they’ve studied or not, anxiousness will be at its height.

I’m sure like me, most of you must clearly remember, your 10th and 12th Boards! That build-up of 10th since we were kids as if the world’s going to change, was high AF!

We just kept going to the next level with the same anxiousness. 10th kuch nahi, 12th matter karta hai, was what everyone kept saying.

When I loosely floated the idea of taking up Arts, although I wasn’t sure of it, people went like, “You kidding, right”. There’s this stream-hierarchy, right?

Science> Commerce>Arts!

And in a system where marks decide what kind of a student you are, thinking of taking anything other than Science is like, committing a sin.

From worrying about leaving that one objective question till 10th, to slowly tranitioning into paas hojaenge na? attitude over time. But, of course, when shit got real sduring my PG, it was scary.

Before this point, I was never scared of exam results. But sabka time aata hai! And this wasn’t the best of times. On hindsight, the biggest life lesson, but man, it was too scary. I realized what depression actually meant!

But then one phone call changed everything. It was a call from my Abbu.

Just for context, we don’t talk that often on the phone. Our conversation during college used to be like, “Khaana khaaya? Mausam kaisa hai? Paise hain ?” And in that particular order, everytime.

So, almost a week or two before the final semester, he called me up and said, “What’s the worst that’ll happen? You’ll have to repeat only, right ?”

And then post that night, this thought sunk in. Slowly.

It wasn’t as if I stopped worrying until the day results were put up on that notice board, but that call brought me back from a weird thought process to a reality that this wouldn’t be an end of things.

If you know of anyone who might be feeling scared of the repercussions of exams and what-after, talk to them. It makes a huge difference.

After effects of Demonetization

By farooq

On March 9, 2017

In Politics & Social Issues

How long has it been since Demonetization ? 4 months!

Apart from the politics of Demonitization, taking credit or transferring blame or disowning it, we’ve seen quite a lot. In the years since this government came to power with a whopping majority, this has been the biggest move by them, before GST ‘kick’ed in.

So, what were the immediate effects of Demonitization?

No Discrimination: There wasn’t any discrimination in how people suffered. Sure, it varied, if one had jugaad or the lack of it.

Increased Awareness: More than anything demonetization gave us a lot of awareness. I had hardly bothered about knowing how much a card swipe actually cost! The hidden charges were finally out in the open and when I finally added it all up. Woah!

Savings Opportunity: I realized why people say that paying with cash helps in keeping track of your money. I guess we aren’t as ‘digitally sound’ as we’d like to be. Stopped spending

Increased Patriotism: What numerous JP Dutta movies couldn’t do, Demonitization and their fans surely have. Standing in line like how the Jawans at the border, gives me a similar feeling. I mean, if they are not complaining, why should we? Can we not do just this?

Becoming Responsible: Before “D” happened, I hardly used to carry cash. No, not because of “making India a cashless economy” but just out of laziness. I mean, who’ll go to ATMs, unless there’s an urgent need! Over the months, I’ve become responsible. I now keep extra cash with me, just in case I run out of it, and the ATM sign says, “No Cash”!

Knowing your neighborhood: And now, I know the locations of innumerable ATMs spread across Kormangala that I can give you directions to it sitting at home. I should thank my landlord for accepting only cash payments for gaining this much knowledge.

Still, old habits die hard, right? Today, when the POS machine failed while paying at a restaurant, I had to shell out the entire cash out of my wallet. Probably I’ll have to visit the ATM soon, as the guy down the street selling groceries who was advertising, “PAYTM accepted” a few weeks back, says, “Bhaiya, Cash dena hota”.

Window

By farooq

On March 8, 2017

In Random Philosophy

Windows are the best. Be it on a train, bus or a flight. Or even the window next to my bed, which I finally have access to, because I got a bed. Yes, it took 2 years and my sister’s arrival, for me to get 2 beds put into our 4th floor flat, via our tiny staircase. That was something.

The struggle for me to get the window seat is not only for the view but to let the thoughts flow down through these. They are such a great friend when it comes to giving you clarity. Life fundas.

Windows, more than being an outlet to the moving world outside, are peculiarly thought-machines. They transport you into an alternate world of thoughts. It’s like you’ve got access to an altogether different self of you.

From witnessing the falling raindrops, top to bottom, and symmetrically making our eyes follow suit. Almost robotically pleasing to watch. It’s like our own version of viewing the world in slo-mo.

Our innate desire for the rain drops on the ceiling outside join each other. Cheering, silently, to make it happen.

Also cheering for the unfortunate obstruction of the paper boat that got stuck in the overflow of the drains. Can someone call for help?

You see, I was about to talk about the window next to me, and what I see from it. But got transported to a window of some other time and found myself dropping down lanes of nostalgia.

That’s the effect windows has!

Growing up, Superstitiously

By farooq

On March 7, 2017

In Random Philosophy

Nothing baffles me more than grown ups following superstitious practices without questioning.

We’ve all grown up with the idea of a black cat crossing our paths as a bad omen, or not cutting your hair or nails on particular days of the week, to treating our sickness with an okhli mussal and mirchi, and going, “Ados ke, pados ke, Ghar ke baahar ke, jiski nazar uske deede pe challll jaaa”. Your own house version of utarofying nazar, or the number of steps one needs to go back, before one is out of danger of that “Evil cat” might vary, but I hope you get the picture of how superstitiously we’ve all been brought up.

There’s an often used term that all Dakkhani households use. Darindaraagi. Loosely translated as “lack of prosperity”. All the elders of the house regularly use it as part of their Takia-kalaam to add reason to their superstitions.

And since, we’re also asked, “Not to question the elders”, in a lot of ways, we end up imbibing those practices.

Today, while having dinner, my sister asked me to not to use my jhoota hand to take out the bhindi from the bowl. Her reasoning, “The food will get spoilt”. On being asked how, “this has been experimented” Where? “At home”. So, just to prove my point, I took half of it on my plate, from my jhootha hand, and kept the rest in the fridge. Now, this is an experiment and we’ll see the results tomorrow.

Meanwhile, my nails are getting bigger, but I’m waiting for Thursday to cut it off. #BreakingSuperstitions

What should be our Life’s Metrics?

By farooq

On March 6, 2017

In Random Philosophy

Whenever there’s an analysis to check fluctuations in website traffic or leads, at work, there are benchmarks against which comparison is made. The metrics.

When there’s a drop in numbers, everyone is their panic-mode-on busy, in finding the needles in a series of haystacks. The reasons.

No, I’m telling you about my work. Just an inference on which I’m extrapolating the life’s metrics.

As far as work is concerned, the metrics or standards are decided by Industry leaders, which over time, become the norm.

The world order is no different, carries a similar list of pre-defined metrics for everything. School, College, Job, House, Marriage, Retirement. All of it, defined by a metric of the famous “4 log”!

Every decision taken for you or decisions that you think you’re taking are defined slash influenced under the microscopic guidance of these metrics. The barometer of your success or failure is always micro-analyzed at every stage of your life. The vicious circle just doesn’t let you think beyond. Once you strike gold in one metric, there’s another waiting to matched. Levelling up.

Remember that time when they said, “10th clear karlo, aage ka sab set hai ?” and then, “Science lelo, bohot scope hai” or “12th matter karta hai” and then a series of generally agreed set of principles for everyone. A new metric, every effin time.

And it just doesn’t stop even after you’ve become an adult. When you cross 25, you think, Phew! Finally, right!

But then new metrics! Got a job? Baahar kyun nahi chale jaate ? (Foreign currency).

And then the shocker, Aur bete ki shadi kab kara rahe ho? Which is like the favorite of all!

Leave aside the inquisitiveness of the people, the problem is with the metrics. If the name of the company you work for, doesn’t ring a bell in their heads, “Unka beta to Infosys me hai.. acchi tankhwaah hai”. Which gets followed up by, “Tum kitna kama lete ho?”!

Even my mother doesn’t know how much I earn!

And this frenzy of metrics doesn’t stop with one generation. Our own generation defines success and happiness by metrics, for instance with, how much someone travels around with remarks of, “Yaaar, teri life sahi hai”!

Who’s stopping you from living the life you want to? No one, but you!

The only reason for us to not do anything is our changing priorities. Cribbing or comparing our lives is something that we should leave it to the other generation and its 4 log.

The only metric to consider is “what makes YOU happy” and the need to make your own people help see this very metric.

The need to win

By farooq

On March 4, 2017

In Random Philosophy

In one of the latest episodes of “Real time with Bill Maher”, he talks about how the Republicans have always gotten away by doing unspeakable things, while the democrats make people resign at the whiff of trouble. And how they shouldn’t, if they want to win!

You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6z9ngWGmnc

Maher’s premise is, if Trump, even after doing so many “Non-presidential” things, can occupy the white House, why should the liberals be left behind ? Comparatively, they’ve done far less dangerous things!

To sum, he basically says, leave aside your values and have the balls to do what it takes to win back.

Politically, this strategy sounds very effective and can reap rich dividends and even help Democrats win!

Why just limit this to a Republican Vs Democrats issue, parallels can be drawn in many other scenarios around the world. Even closer home.

Many like to make themselves think that one political party is different than the other and how each one has a certain ideology. Certain sets of principles that they follow and which are liked by their respective fan boys and disliked by their haters!

But do they ? Are they really different ?

And if winning is the only goal left, whom should the average voter trust ? The principle the party represent or the party’s drive to be relevant by changing its own narrative!

Applauding the Hidden Figures

By farooq

On March 3, 2017

In Movies & Entertainment

I was watching “Hidden Figures” few days back, before the Oscars, in a bid to finish off all the nominated movies in the category. And I did finish all of them.

And I liked all of them. Yes, a few of those are my favorites, but they all were good.

The reason I mention this particular movie is, it blew open a new thought in me. The story is about 3 Black women working at NASA who rise against all odds and succeed. Even with the system designed in a manner which can deter anyone. It happens to be a true story and is so commendable that this inspiring story was told.

From segregated washrooms to a separate coffee container, to not being able to attend college along with the superior “whites”, were just the tip of the iceberg of discrimination that loomed large in America at that time.

While their story has to be applauded and the inspiration used to structure even more people to rise even further, I’ve had this question since watching the movie. The question is, “What if they would have failed?”

Would this story still inspire others to strive for the standards of greatness? To work hard and achieve something? To contribute to something substantial?

Would people have tagged them as “Just not good to compete”?!

The struggle for them to rise above those challenges are substantial and there can be so many of those other stories that might have never been glorified. We care for something only when it succeeds, when it doesn’t, it just doesn’t pique our interest.

Applauding an effort is equally important. We might not be able to put those in metrics, but maybe one extra applaud might help in pulling someone up, who has lost hope of ever making it.

Why Urdu is not a “Muslim language” ?

By farooq

On March 2, 2017

In Politics & Social Issues

Few days before, I was with Abbu , to get his ECG report. The doctor asked me something in Kannada, which I half-understood, and replied back in English, to which she said, “Parwa nai, Urdu maalum merku”. (No worries, I know Urdu).

Since I was with Abbu, who sports a beard and a skull cap, she made the assumption that we would know Urdu. Of course, what she meant by Urdu was Dakkhani, the Hindustani dialect spoken mostly in the southern part of the country, centered around the kingdom of Nizams’ at one point in time.

Everyone assumes a Muslim HAS to know Urdu! And that too, irrespective of which part of the country they come from.

Even the Muslims themselves think the same. Many from the North side who visits a mosque in the southern part of the country is like, “Why are they not speaking in Urdu?!”

Over centuries, Urdu has somehow acquired the status of the “Muslim language” and for the sake of differentiation, it has been accepted by even the Muslim community.

The fact that the widely spoken Khadi Boli or Hindustani, which we all speak in our day-to-day life, is the culmination of Hindi and Urdu, which were at an earlier time in history were practically the same language!

From what I know, just as Sanskrit was the language of the elite and educated, back in the day, post the Mughal rule, a version of Persian (which varied greatly from how it was spoken in Iran, and Iranians even made fun of the language), started slowly amalgamating, giving rise to a common tongue, the Hindi-Urdu.

The Hindi-Urdu (not called as such, waise), still didn’t have any religious connotations to it. But then, the British, which thought it be a necessity to differentiate between the two, and the subsequent Sanskrit-movements, helped shape the languages. Over time, they were Urdu (which had origins from Persian and Arabic) and Hindi (which had origins from Sanskrit and Pali).

But then again, these two again culminated in becoming the Khadi Boli.

I’ve just simplified the whole thing and if you dive deep into details about it, you’ll find that there are multiple facets to it!

Coming back to my point, on why Urdu isn’t the language of Muslims! The biggest problem with this is, limiting or association with a particular religion tends to limit Urdu to select few. When ideally it shouldn’t be.

Not only this, it can become dangerous too. Check this picture from a college in DU! It reads, “DU me Urdu Banner lekar naara lagane walon se azaadi” (Freedom from those shouting slogans with banners written in Urdu). Now, who will tell them that the words they’ve used are in Urdu!!

It goes like this: Urdu: Muslims. Muslim: Pakistan! Yes, I’m generalizing and a lot of educated folks might not think this way, but a lot of the do.

A colleague in Office sported a beard for a while. He has been mistaken for a Muslim (when he isn’t) and jokes like, “You look like a Terrorist” can be heard with a cry of laughter!

Same has happened with Urdu.

The beautiful language has become one of the many identity symbols of Muslims in India and even Pakistan, where a vast majority speak one or the other form of Punjabi! Just like Indians are assumed to speak Hindi where around 60% speak some other language! And yet, India is associated with Hindi! Thank you, Bollywood.

The beauty of any language doesn’t stay if confided in a few (communities) it has to be democratized. No one community should claim it’s right over Urdu! It is an Indian language, which is as Indian as Hindi.

And the next time you ask a Muslim for the meaning of an Urdu word, do check if he’s googling the answer or not!