Dearth of A Leader ...

Fiction gives us hints and examples, if not history. Darth Vader showed that the Galaxy needed a leader of substance who could be followed, good or bad, it did not matter, so long as squabbling over petty parochialisms and corruption ceased - thus bringing balance to the force. Thus, Democracy is not the answer like oligarchy isn't; the answer is a Leader to Lead by example.

As for History, Chanakya did indeed replace a corrupt rudimentary democracy (janapadas) by a King, who was virtuous, just, honourable and who led by example, to productively channel the masses in the direction beyond parochialism, towards just and all inclusive development.

As I have always maintained, Julian Assange is an American agent, responsible for the downfall of the Oligarchies of the Middle East & Mediterranean in the name of democracy and transparency, but the true intent being freedom of OIL - by toppling of OILgarchys ... eh!!!

But seriously, what are the masses fighting for, a new regime called democracy, like India, to fall back into the abyss whence it came; be it Colonialism, or Autocracy, a move to Democracy is always good, at least more can reap the fruits of corruption.

On Parliamentary Despotism & the Rise of Democratic Oligarchy

Complacence of the Indian Polity has led to the Rise of a Democratic Oligarchy and has resulted in Parliamentary Despotism. Our elected no longer represent the electorate's interests, primarily due to the electorate's self-induced slumber. However, when the spell of this slumber is broken a stalemate is reached; where the "representatives" do not want to yield to the political supremacy of the Polity, refuse to work in the interest of the People, but merely find it their duty to continue their control of the State, wield their powers without paying heed to the purpose of its grant. The disturbing fallacy then results and eclipses the bright sun of democracy where the means to the end become the end unto themselves. The Electorate on the other hand of such a stalemate seeks accountability, compliance and a return to the call of duties of the State.

History teaches us the drastic fall outs of such stalemates - The American Revolution (primarily a fight against virtual representation, the "No Tax Without Representation" Slogan) and the Indian Struggle for Independence (Purna Swaraj - complete self rule), both bringing about a re-institution of the Grundnorm (narrowly construed as a nation's Constitution).

The current Political Stalemate has now forced us to consider our options, whether to re-institute the Grundnorm, that has served us so well during the era of judicial activism, or retain this archaic machinery only to be reoiled with enactments that bring about transparency, accountability and honesty and weed out corrupt grime that has made the running of this leviathan politically, socially, and economically inefficient.

Bond like the best ...

James Bond, the epitome of the debonair, dashing, suave, philanderer, womanizer, decadent, indulgent, macho, technologically geeky and all that associated jazz. He has inspired a host of Rado Wearing, Aston Martin driving, Bollinger drinking and caviar eating hedonistic generation.

What our culture has failed to adopt from that very character described above is his honesty, loyalty, strong sense of honor, sincerity and integrity, despite his meager salary, and being surrounded by red tape and pompous politicians. He signifies the ultimate weapon of justice, wielded by the MI6, yet his license to kill does not corrupt him into making arbitrary, false or biased decisions.

We humans are very easily blown away by superficialism and most often than usual choose the easy path to glory and success, that hurts no only the weak and un-empowered, but also the deserving and honorable.

The recent Commonwealth Games 2010 at Delhi is a perfect example of how our environment is being sacrificed for the sake of conforming to the superficial, while ignoring the actual need for green cover in Delhi.


References:

SC panel nixes covering of storm water drain for Games

MCD damages 50 trees on Lodhi Road

tuh-mey-toh (tomato) or tuh-mah-toh (tomato): Racisim or Not is the question!!!???

It seems that intolerance to difference is the bread and butter of the West and Caucasian Southern Hemisphere. Australian cops state that "Indian community members here point out that some Indian students do not behave properly in public places, especially in trains and market places. They play loud music and speak loudly on the phone in public transport, some can hardly converse in English and many choose to just stick to people from their own region."

In what civilized world does such behavior warrant assault on a particular community. Singapore does levy fines for public nuisance, a rational and civilized way to regulate public space (hence the name, "fine country"). Uniformity if pursued so vociferously would then leave us no different from the Islamic fundamentalists, the Hindu fundamentalists, and the like!!!




References:

Indians are not the only ones attacked in Australia: Cops

Australia: Indian university students protest racist attacks


Crikey wrap: Indian press on Australia's racism

The Expendables!!!

Labor rights and employee welfare seem to have lost all meaning. These are terms of a now Jurassic era when they meant PF, retirement benefits and performance incentives. Now these terms are synonymous with retention of productive employees, enhanced training, retraining and multiple evaluations. Somewhere it has become more structured and efficient like the computers we work on; elsewhere it has lost that human touch. Is that all there is to business? Has it no heart and life but is merely a monolith? Are we just tomatoes in a packaged tomato soup factory?

Welcome to the time of the "Live & Let Die"!!!




References:

India Satyam has 10 percent extra staff says chairman: report

`Cisco could announce 10% layoffs'

After the Layoff, Infosys Extends Training Period

The Irony of the "best" !!!

Being the best should also account for best in human interest and relations, or have I got it all up-side-down!!!



References:

Infosys fires two thousand employees

Infosys ranked top IT infrastructure; may sack 2100 employees news

Infosys postpones campus hiring from sixth to eighth semester

Thankless freeloaders ...

"There's one in every family, Sire ... actually two in mine" says Zazu (The Lion King, 1994). But its all galore in our economies, be it US or Indian. One refuses to reduce credit rates, others give bonuses. One could never do enough to please these Dalal Street / Wall St. Idiots!!! Neither their employees nor the government!!!


References:

Cabinet Secy to meet bankers in April for easing credit

Govt says interest rates must come down

Who art thou lest a sinner, judge me not for I am like you!

Why was the Vatican silent when India went ahead with stem cell research. Why is it only interested in US posture on the issue?

They were the ones to accept the Earth was finally round in 2004!! Now will we have to wait for another 400 years for stem cell research to be approved. What a ball and chain at the heels of development!!


References:

Obama stem cell backlash

Vatican recants with a statue of Galileo -Times Online