Destino.

Unrest and War.

"Either the economic opportunities with opening economy in India will keep everyone very busy, or it will increase the gap between have's and have not's  so much that parts of country will move towards a civil war."

Over 20 people have died in last 24 hours in West Bengal, India. They have been subject to use of brutal force by over 5,000 policemen who were deployed to enter a group of villages being held by poor farmers, the 'have nots' for whom UN runs programs and we give subsidies, but none ofthat really reaches them. They denied police entry into the villages and were staging a seize, partly due to a motivation from opposing political party, but mostly due to a genunie fear that their families will not benefit from the upcoming industrial plants and advent of capital. Their fears were addressed with undignifying force of the police.

In another state, 200 Naxalites / Maoists killed 50 policemen in an orchestrated raid.  The naxals with their faith partly grounded in Communism and partly displaced with Anarchy. They are officially recognised as 'Terrorist' by goverment of India. Their fear & massacare made the remaining Central Reserve Police Force flee the site.

And we went to Nerina Pallot's 90 minute performance at Mosaic festival yesterday. This song 's doing rounds in my head still:

Everybody's going to war,
But we don't know what we're fighting for,
Don't tell me it's a worthy cause,
No cause could be so worthy.

And I stay disturbed.
Man... just give me a dream.

Qatsi

‘Po.waq.qa.tsi (from the Hopi languauge, powaq sorcerer qatsi life) n., an entity, a way of life, that consumes the life forces of other beings in order to further its own life.’

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A deeply moving and illustrative documentary capturing human struggle in various parts of the world, Powaqqatsi is a series of images from all over the world working to expand your conciousness. It is the second documentary of the Qatsi Trilogy, released in 1988. I randomly got my hand over it while browsing through hmv.

The intention of the documentary is to contrast the daily life around the world by juxtaposition of ancient cultures with modern life. To most people grown in urban landscape in western world, any form of depravity in othe parts may seem easy to be termed as ´ancient culture´, however the images taken in the parts of Africa, Latin America and Asia are only partly cultural (images of harvest and nature festivals in communities) but capture more the toiling men, women and children in low esteem, exploitative and suffering conditions.

The images in movie bring you to a comprehension blink - take you to what resides inside by shaking you a little to discover an emotion and perhaps awaken.

My interpretation of these images 20 years after they were woven into a documentary tell a story of struggle between an urbanizing, consuming, and wasting way of life to smaller harvesting and self reliant traditional cultures. Capturing massive disturbance and changes in human values that define our relationship with each other, nature and our pursuit of happiness.

It is not as expansive in scope as Baraka, though it does not surprise me that the cinematographer - Ron Fricke is the same for the first Qatsi movie and Baraka. I am trying to get the other parts of the Qatsi trilogy. Interestingly a sequel to Baraka is due this year - Samsara.

I've been missing this.

Hey!

Wow, I am back to the blog, and I relish it.

It has been a while since I have posted anything here.  Partly because of living personal experiences that are best shared face to face in a conversation and mostly due to lack of any active journalling, done with a purpose to share with you all.  I admit, there have been 'the ocassional' compelling reasons to opine and bring out 'a' perspective, however I have just refrained.

The last year has been the first sense of transitioning from 'youth' to 'man' and there are a few more to come in, in what remain to be formative years. I would like to understand this 'transition' is not to signify a declining free will or  a growing sense of the inability to influence edifice of paradoxical life; but just a time that carries with it strength & resolve.

Anyways, this is just the 'welcome back' note, so I'd end before my usual limit of A4 page - font 10.  And, in case you did not know, I am now in S'pore and enjoying the way things are coming together here, for us.

I look forward to bringing my usual self to you through this space and look forward to the conversation we'd have.  Do join in :)

Take Care,
Vaibhav (VK)

Life's too fast to play it safe.

Generally what’s going on:

-        In my last week of work in Colombo. It has been fantastic to see what companies can do to make a difference to some of the biggest problems, in this case poverty alleviation.

-        Doing business with poorest people has money & satisfaction in it.. though the consumer insights and organization you need to build to serve them has to be much-much adapted. Irrespective, there is money in it along with gaining positive vibes & solving one problem to move to others. (while creating some you will discover later).

-        Science 'fiction', does not seem fiction anymore but just a coming reality I will be live in a few decades. 2005 bringing in more storms and rains, debates on GMO, abortion, governments paying couples to have a 3^rd child…et all. I am glad to be using the tread mill all these months, not just to stay fit, but to possibly run from natural calamity that is following everywhere. No escaping, damadge is done.

-        Good to be soon over with first project after AIESEC. A bit excessive daily living comfort, ppt’s for each decision, more liquidity, department ‘politics’ and meeting new interesting people.

-        Next in India. Something exciting awaits. Well, it’s India… one can safely say that. Curious.

Adieu!

Silenced Office.

Colombo , November. 18.

Candidate	Total Votes	%
Mahinda Rajapaksha	4,880,950	50.33%
Ranil Wickramasinghe	4,694,622	48.40%
Others	N/A

There are two sections of people I have interacted the most in the last 8 weeks here in and other, the Tamil family running the 'guest house' i am living in.  Both sections are silent today.. their “pro economic reform, peace with tigers” candidate: Ranil has been narrowly defeated.

Thanks to a Tigers who kept many tamils in hostaged North Sri Lanka from voting. The Tigers had declared day of elections as 'day of mourning'. In a city of 500,000 voters, Jaffna had just 250 votes casted by mid-day yesterday.

The Islandcountry is deeply divided..and Colombo is silent today.  Only way people can keep their temper in office is by cracking jokes on the irony of working longer now to pay higher taxes while prices & investments shall remain state controlled. The Tamil family suggests Tigers want to fight and will invent ways ensuring people continue to live under constant fear. The voting pattern has been deeply divided on communal lines.

The office is silent, and many are skipping lunch. People here just don’t feel good.. some say they are tired of their own country now. Right now being here, I could as well be living again in a ‘Mandal Commission’ or ‘Hindutva India’ of 1990-91 right now…thanks to some Engineers from Bangalore fibre optic lines around the globe & man with the light blue turban (Manmohan Singh).. I will go back to an India that is at-least talking different now.  There’s a lot to do.

Upgrading Worldview.

You may have heard this before, but let me join those who have highly recommended you the book: “World is Flat” by Thomas L. Freidman. The book is beyond you reading your weekly copy of 'The Economist' and talking about China / India / USA.

A fantastic real world picture you can endorse with your own travelling and experiences at AIESEC / Work. W-is-Flat creates this urgency inside  you to go beyond understanding the crazy pace at which collaborations and ideas are getting materialized with new technologies and behavior…more importantly, where it’s all coming from.

The book brings to surface at-least one good idea sitting inside of you to start a ‘disruptive venture’ and elbow your way in doing something only you & others like you see.

No 'acquired B.S. opinion' and 'opinion on opinions' on Globalization, technology, emerging economies, eradicating poverty etc. or other immature concerns of bursting economic bubbles. The book is one genuine piece of ‘News’ and it is affecting everyone’s lives. Freidman is telling what is the world we are living in? As just who he is: A journalist. All in all, a great ‘world view’ book giving you new lenses, more importantly, to your dad.

In any case, a rule of thumb.. books that are on NY Times bestsellers list for over 6 months & crack beyond Barnes & Noble / USA are usually worth reading.

Elections in Sri Lanka

I can vote in Presidential elections in North Sri Lanka and join the party to earn 10 Euros for my 'fake' vote.Connected locals inform.

Should i be shocked to learn that? With little contemplation..
NO, I have grown up with it as well, just never came face to face.

Democracy in this part of the world keeps 'unusual' friends.

Lanka goes to poll on 17.11 and if last two elections are any indicator, 18.11 shall bring curfew in Colombo. However, for a generation that has grown up with an ethnic and power struggle, it brings no fear or concern. It's daily life.

Just a day off from work. People are happy.

More on elections here: Local News

Musings

So, what are unsolved problems in 'Philosophy': http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsolved_problems_in_philosophy

hahahahah..Just when I thought we have figured it all out!

Its very assuring to know there are more people confused about these two things (and will always be). Inviting all interpretations, versions and experiences!

DI(GIT)WALI

I was on a call with my sister couple of days back, and this is the most hilarious thing I have heard:

On Diwali day, she was supposed to do ‘puja (prayer + offerings)’ in her office, and the last minute search for a Sanskrit-mantra-reciting-‘pundit’ to ensure a ‘good puja’ was on,….now, each one of the Pundit is ‘in - demand’ on Diwali day by estimated 89% of households of the 3 million strong city - Jaipur, so she could not exactly find who she was looking for… and in such situations as you usually do, she called upon a-revered-someone having a second name ‘Dwi-vedi, Tri-vedi, Chatur-vedi, Pandey or Sharma’.

The usual puja requires you to have prayers for ‘Ganesh’ and ‘Laxmi’… our voracious Panditji recited the Ganesh vandana eloquently to begin the ceremonies, however when it came to Laxmiji.. the Goddess of Wealth and prosperity, the ad-hoc summoned Pundit-ji confided…slightly embarrassed…”I do not know this puja”… ofcourse, neither does my sister or the others participating… ghastly silence in the office…the Indian fateful mind thinking….”would we not have prosperity this year??” 'up-shagun'.

However the Pundit, being a wise-guy had a solution…

He went to his cell phone….quickly browsed the ‘R-World’ digital space.. reached the ‘Devotional music' section.. and there you go! He had the Laxmi puja taken care of in great voice and music :) now with the digital binary coded puja running in the background, one could not help but favourably think…the Goddess has given a ‘sign’ on where prosperity is! ;)

The Gods with their omnipresence have taken the web-space too. ! YaY!!

Dwelling on:

The Flow of money:

-          How are environmentalist lobbies funded? Why the green-peace website does not disclose sources of funding explicitly?

-          How are militant groups funded? Where can they buy arms from?

-          Why don’t they teach anywhere about managing credit cards, insurance policies, tax returns, creditworthiness? Aren’t they not as essential as knowing how to cross a busy lane?

Politics:

-          Why does diplomacy and US relations make countries turn a blind eye to what they see in front of them as an immediate local issue? What are diplomats & politicians afraid of?

-          Why are politicians free to sit on boards of companies or for that matter dacoit gangs without disclosing it in election nomination papers?

-          How relevant are mechanisms of nation states & internal constitutions when real issues we face are global in scope.

-          Democracy and human rights are not recognized in large parts of the world because people don’t know what changes the day once they have them(Actually, nothing changes overnight). Those who have them mostly fail to recognize or use them.

Cultures and Living:

-          Aren’t cultures just a way to get give ourselves an identity and maintain genetic distinction? Which parent is making a better choice in species evolution: One who sticks to them or one who cross pollinates?

-          Why does the Indian government insist on you becoming a Non Resident Indian and so your relatives? We really don’t mind loosing a few million people here and there, do we J

-          If education at school would adapt information and discussion on life values, ecology, humanity, consumer awareness, & generation of ‘happiness’ would the world change for better, faster and surer? Or the planet just becomes one mawkish blue ball.

-          What is inherently different in the make up of Canada and USA that bring such varied visions on ‘development’ & living?

-          Why is clean ‘water’ in stupid plastic bottles a sellable commodity? Now, why should sale of water be allowed? More '02- bars'… anyone?

-          Why is life as artist considered offering maximum ‘freedom’?

-   Aren't religions just selling something to you while buying you?

Ignorance is really bliss. You don’t keep tagging your discontents.

chances, choices, stakes..

artist, architecht, sculptor, Satish Gujral's work.

:)

Can always use some perspective from these guys. 
Wonderful to get a bunch of CnH passed on today.

ANTIPRENEUR.

The 'Black Spot' movement has moved ahead.

If your education, agriculture, health, oil, cows, or greying hair are state subsidised, you owe a visit here. If you feel your state is restraining your entrepreneurial zeal, killing ideas, staying corrupt, buying favours, you still owe a visit here: www.adbusters.org

This straight talking publication on a tilted axis from Vancouver is adding to the critical mass of those imagining a different economic cosmos, it will add to your perspective too. Did to mine.

"Internalizing Mr. Annan" & the Volcker Report

It has been some months since a very hopeful & committed Secretary General H.E. Kofi Annan addressed the world in his speech ‘In Larger Freedom’ (exec. summary here). It was circulating the office then, however I gladly chose to ‘keep it for later’ considering the fantastic engagement opportunities & craziness June & July on AIESEC International provide. I am glad that elusive ‘later’ for a compulsive procrastinator as me has arrived.

The speech gives a simpler and deeper understanding of the oft abused n. ‘Freedom’ and sets a case to understand it in a macro–this-worldly-'life-as-it-is' context. Mr. Annan’s three way understanding on ‘Freedom’ and approach (strategy) to get there:

- Freedom from Want = Development (national strategies / Finance / Debt Relief/ Trade)

- Freedom from Fear = Strengthen World Security / reduce risk of war.

- Freedom to Live in Dignity = Human Rights / Rule of Law / Democracy.

However, Internalizing the Secy. General’s remarks don’t prove to be easy, specially when he sets his & the biggest institution in the world’s focus on “Freedom from Want”.

Stroke of irony, another publication was brought to our attention today…. a tragic drama whose unfolding does not surprise anyone in this play titled “ The Volcker Report”. Mr. Volcker and his two immediate associates report of over 2400 corporations from as many as 66 states to be involved in the Oil for Food Program siphoning funds to Saddam’s regime (how it all happened is in the 630 pg report). The report categorically mentions Govt. of India’s Minister of External Affairs – Natwar Singh as an accomplice. The Orange & Red armies have arrived on lotus and bicycles and are knocking on 10 Janpath, New Delhi since yesterday night.

While Mr. Annan & few hundred-million other are attempting to free the 4 billion deprived from ‘want of necessities’, to survive and be nourished… the ‘top of the champagne glass’ few hundred million are inventing new desires for us humans to want. It is a tougher revolution, I know I want to be a top bubble in this ‘world champagne’, but I think I should reconsider it's causality.

As of current consciousness, Freedom from Want-itself, is a fainting tune from somewhere far behind the mountains which I am unsure I hear, or if I just ‘want to hear’ for its sake. (classic meditation dilemmma on ‘a desire to not to have any desire’) What remains undeniable in all this wanting business is that I still need to inculcate far more human empathy & hope with right time & environment it shall come.

As for now, Mr. Annan, for "Freedom from Want" choose someone else, not me.

A Little Relevant

My project here in Sri Lanka is bringing new information every day.. I have to spend some hours each day reading reports on Microfinance, role of business in development, construction post tsunami, funding from ADB etc etc. Needless to say, I am loving it J 

It’s a project that really has well intentioned objectives..how do we bring a housing solution to the 23% poorest people in Sri Lanka ?.. what are their needs and how can anyone enable them to fulfill them ? The latest publication of WBCSD ‘Business for Development’ carries a case study about this project 'House for life' – I am glad to find myself working on a relevant subject, though for a short while and see a long way to go for us as society..as one people to build the committment & knowledge and mobilize our resources and strengths to solve some of the tough problems in the world today.

Coming back to India, since it comes as a natural point of reference and compass, I was going through the ‘Human Development Report 2005’, released a few months back, it carries out a more balanced assessment of India. I have lived in two of the most backward states in India in terms of economic opportunities & human rights (Uttar Pradesh & Rajasthan), and I relate to what this report says. An interesting short read to balance your perspective on ‘India Shining’, while reinforcing the reality that so much needs to be done... all we are lacking is the willingness to see it and act.