Applause, if you would, for free market principles as espoused by cricket's Indian Premier League (IPL).
These lines, in particular: "The BCCI has shunned official contact with ICL players and last year, refused to let VVS Laxman appear for Nottinghamshire because the county had ICL players in its ranks. The Indian board banned players associated with the unsanctioned league from all forms of official cricket and barred them from using any of its facilities. The BCCI also used its influence within the ICC to ensure that other national boards banned ICL cricketers and officials alike."
How proud I am about this continuing evidence of the continuing expansion of market forces into cricket. About the flowering of such things as competition and freedom of choice.
Update: Actually, what I wonder about is, why didn't Sachin T insist on playing this T20? Who's going to stop him if he says he wants to play, regardless of IPL's notions of "bans"? What penal action is the BCCI going to be able to take against an icon like him? So why didn't he play? Any thoughts out there?
February 27, 2009
Baburao Samant
One more of the old guard passes on. Baburao Samant died on February 26 2009. Last night, hundreds like me made our way to his Goregaon home to pay our respects to a dogged, clear-headed, forthright and upright man.
My late father, JB, worked with Baburao on Baburao's dream, a large low-cost housing project in Goregaon (I referred to it here, towards the end). Over the years, they developed a deep respect and affection for each other. I know how saddened Baburao was by my father's death; I know too that were he with us, JB would have been devastated today by Baburao's death.
As ever, go well, Baburao. You touched many many lives, and in that sense, you live on.
My late father, JB, worked with Baburao on Baburao's dream, a large low-cost housing project in Goregaon (I referred to it here, towards the end). Over the years, they developed a deep respect and affection for each other. I know how saddened Baburao was by my father's death; I know too that were he with us, JB would have been devastated today by Baburao's death.
As ever, go well, Baburao. You touched many many lives, and in that sense, you live on.
February 26, 2009
The good doc
"She was a leader of the mob and ... instigated the mob to commit the crime and therefore was in the main role.
"[S]he had fired from her pistol and it was further revealed that she came in her car and distributed swords to the mob.
"[The mob killed] 95 people ... 38 were injured and three are still missing. ... [A]nticipatory bail cannot be granted in a serious offence of mass murders."
These were just some of the lines from an affidavit submitted to the Gujarat high Court by the Gujarat government, quoted in this news report.
Question: What was this mass murder?
Answer: The killing of "at least 95" of your fellow Indians in Ahmedabad in 2002, by "a mob of 15,000 to 17,000 rioters."
Q: Who was this lady the affidavit refers to, who led this murderous mob?
A: 53-year-old Maya Kodnani.
Q: What does Ms Maya Kodnani do for a living?
A: She is a gynaecologist (a doctor, yes) and currently Gujarat's Minister for Women and Child Development ("child development", yes). She is currently carrying out those elected ministerial duties, probably attending the Gujarat Assembly as I type these words.
Last November, a team of terrorists launched an attack on Bombay. They carried guns and fired them. By the time they were done, they had killed about 170 of your fellow Indians. All of the terrorists were themselves killed, except one by name Kasab.
Question: What is the difference between, on the one hand, this Kasab who fired his guns and, with his pals, slaughtered 170 of your fellow Indians; and, on the other hand, this Kodnani accused of firing a gun, distributing swords and leading a huge mob that slaughtered about 100 of your fellow Indians?
Answer: Your guess is as good as mine.
***
Update: Chandru Krishnan of Toronto, Canada, who sometimes also refers to himself as Varun, had a response to this post. Since he sent it to me by email and since I believe it is an important contribution to this debate, I am pasting it here, in full and verbatim.
From: Chandru Krishnan
Subject: Gujarat and Mumbai( The Gyenacologist)
Date: 28 February 2009 12:56:43 AM GMT+05:30
Just read that bit in your blog comparing some killing in Gujarat with the recent Mumbai massacre. YES, there is a big difference between the two incidents. One is a quasi- act of war, with a degree of official support, from a neighbouring country, which itself is bigoted, fanatical and military dominated, and was in fact born in, and sustained by, anti-India, anti-Hindu and anti-secular hatred. The Gujarat killing was the response to an horrific terror attack, and the result of years of experiencing frustration at Islamic terrorism and rioting. Just a few months before, India's parliament had been attacked, if you remember or care to remember.
I've noticed, and you are a prime example- other notaries are Ammu Joseph, Ashley Tellis, John Dayal etc- that however much Moslems and Christians have hated each other historically, to the extent of indulging in the most sadistic mass killings, when it comes to India, they find they have a common opponent, namely of course the wicked Hindus, who are not 'people of the book'. Ah yes, that 'book', which delineates believers in the one, true, monotheistic, prophetic, historical, authentic 'religions', from the believers in false Gods and false books of the devil. The Hindus qualify.
I can see through that,
Chandru K
"[S]he had fired from her pistol and it was further revealed that she came in her car and distributed swords to the mob.
"[The mob killed] 95 people ... 38 were injured and three are still missing. ... [A]nticipatory bail cannot be granted in a serious offence of mass murders."
These were just some of the lines from an affidavit submitted to the Gujarat high Court by the Gujarat government, quoted in this news report.
Question: What was this mass murder?
Answer: The killing of "at least 95" of your fellow Indians in Ahmedabad in 2002, by "a mob of 15,000 to 17,000 rioters."
Q: Who was this lady the affidavit refers to, who led this murderous mob?
A: 53-year-old Maya Kodnani.
Q: What does Ms Maya Kodnani do for a living?
A: She is a gynaecologist (a doctor, yes) and currently Gujarat's Minister for Women and Child Development ("child development", yes). She is currently carrying out those elected ministerial duties, probably attending the Gujarat Assembly as I type these words.
Last November, a team of terrorists launched an attack on Bombay. They carried guns and fired them. By the time they were done, they had killed about 170 of your fellow Indians. All of the terrorists were themselves killed, except one by name Kasab.
Question: What is the difference between, on the one hand, this Kasab who fired his guns and, with his pals, slaughtered 170 of your fellow Indians; and, on the other hand, this Kodnani accused of firing a gun, distributing swords and leading a huge mob that slaughtered about 100 of your fellow Indians?
Answer: Your guess is as good as mine.
Update: Chandru Krishnan of Toronto, Canada, who sometimes also refers to himself as Varun, had a response to this post. Since he sent it to me by email and since I believe it is an important contribution to this debate, I am pasting it here, in full and verbatim.
From: Chandru Krishnan
Subject: Gujarat and Mumbai( The Gyenacologist)
Date: 28 February 2009 12:56:43 AM GMT+05:30
Just read that bit in your blog comparing some killing in Gujarat with the recent Mumbai massacre. YES, there is a big difference between the two incidents. One is a quasi- act of war, with a degree of official support, from a neighbouring country, which itself is bigoted, fanatical and military dominated, and was in fact born in, and sustained by, anti-India, anti-Hindu and anti-secular hatred. The Gujarat killing was the response to an horrific terror attack, and the result of years of experiencing frustration at Islamic terrorism and rioting. Just a few months before, India's parliament had been attacked, if you remember or care to remember.
I've noticed, and you are a prime example- other notaries are Ammu Joseph, Ashley Tellis, John Dayal etc- that however much Moslems and Christians have hated each other historically, to the extent of indulging in the most sadistic mass killings, when it comes to India, they find they have a common opponent, namely of course the wicked Hindus, who are not 'people of the book'. Ah yes, that 'book', which delineates believers in the one, true, monotheistic, prophetic, historical, authentic 'religions', from the believers in false Gods and false books of the devil. The Hindus qualify.
I can see through that,
Chandru K
February 24, 2009
Point zero zero
Last week, I got a bill from a corporate entity that sends me one every month. The amount due, for no reason I can figure out, is Rs 0.00. (Zero rupees and zero paise).
The due date is March 3 2009.
The "Amount Due Before Due Date" is, as I would expect, Rs 0.00. (Zero rupees and zero paise).
The "Amount Due After Due Date" is Rs 112.36 (One hundred twelve rupees and thirty-six paise).
I have two questions.
* What happens if I sit back and don't pay the amount due, Rs 0.00, before March 3? Will someone come after me to extract Rs 112.36 from me because I didn't pay nothing?
* What happens if I get off my butt and pay the amount due, Rs 0.00, before March 3? Will someone come after me to extract Rs 112.36 from me because I did pay nothing?
As you can tell, I am faced with an acute dilemma. All said and done, I'm inclined towards sending in a cheque for Rs 0.00. Better, I suspect, to pay nothing than not to pay nothing.
Still, any advice will be gratefully accepted.
The due date is March 3 2009.
The "Amount Due Before Due Date" is, as I would expect, Rs 0.00. (Zero rupees and zero paise).
The "Amount Due After Due Date" is Rs 112.36 (One hundred twelve rupees and thirty-six paise).
I have two questions.
* What happens if I sit back and don't pay the amount due, Rs 0.00, before March 3? Will someone come after me to extract Rs 112.36 from me because I didn't pay nothing?
* What happens if I get off my butt and pay the amount due, Rs 0.00, before March 3? Will someone come after me to extract Rs 112.36 from me because I did pay nothing?
As you can tell, I am faced with an acute dilemma. All said and done, I'm inclined towards sending in a cheque for Rs 0.00. Better, I suspect, to pay nothing than not to pay nothing.
Still, any advice will be gratefully accepted.
Embarrassed
In the midst of all the news about Oscars for Slum Dog Millionaire, there's this story about ... three days.
Quite something.
Incidentally, after hearing about the Oscars, we ran into a friend while out for an evening walk. She hadn't yet seen the film, but was planning to. She mentioned that several of her relatives in the US had told her that they had seen the film in that country. Told her not to see it. For watching it with a "primarily white" audience, they confessed, left them acutely "embarrassed".
Why?
Anyone out there who felt embarrassed watching the film in the US? If so, care to explain?
Quite something.
Incidentally, after hearing about the Oscars, we ran into a friend while out for an evening walk. She hadn't yet seen the film, but was planning to. She mentioned that several of her relatives in the US had told her that they had seen the film in that country. Told her not to see it. For watching it with a "primarily white" audience, they confessed, left them acutely "embarrassed".
Why?
Anyone out there who felt embarrassed watching the film in the US? If so, care to explain?
February 23, 2009
110 words
Part of the recently-concluded Kala Ghoda Arts Festival was a flash fiction contest. 55 words to tell a story.
My first time trying something like this, and in my enthusiasm I submitted two entries. One of them won me a third share of the third prize, so no I'm not complaining. (Actually, I'm sort of ecstatic). Both entries below, and you can take a shot at telling me which one got that third share.
***
Unbearded
One letter separates your names, sure, said the acolytes, but you must become him. Practicing relentlessly in my Afghan hideaway, I perfected every mannerism. Today they cheer, these fatuous millions, shivering in the Washington chill. Intoxicated, deluded cretins! Not even she, elegant in yellow beside me, knows. Wise the advice to shave my beard!
***
Redoubled
"She'll never know," I tell her. "Fifteen years we're married, she's like a doorframe." Like always now, our tryst is mechanical. Later, I let the kids go, halfway through class, and walk home. Her bike's parked outside. Panicky, I eavesdrop. "He'll never know," she tells her. "Fifteen years we're married, he's like a doorknob."
***
You can read the other prizewinning entries -- and, incidentally, find out which of my two the judges chose -- here.
For what it's worth, I didn't agree with the judges. Of the two above, I preferred the one they ignored.
My first time trying something like this, and in my enthusiasm I submitted two entries. One of them won me a third share of the third prize, so no I'm not complaining. (Actually, I'm sort of ecstatic). Both entries below, and you can take a shot at telling me which one got that third share.
Unbearded
One letter separates your names, sure, said the acolytes, but you must become him. Practicing relentlessly in my Afghan hideaway, I perfected every mannerism. Today they cheer, these fatuous millions, shivering in the Washington chill. Intoxicated, deluded cretins! Not even she, elegant in yellow beside me, knows. Wise the advice to shave my beard!
Redoubled
"She'll never know," I tell her. "Fifteen years we're married, she's like a doorframe." Like always now, our tryst is mechanical. Later, I let the kids go, halfway through class, and walk home. Her bike's parked outside. Panicky, I eavesdrop. "He'll never know," she tells her. "Fifteen years we're married, he's like a doorknob."
You can read the other prizewinning entries -- and, incidentally, find out which of my two the judges chose -- here.
For what it's worth, I didn't agree with the judges. Of the two above, I preferred the one they ignored.
February 20, 2009
Destruction
Read this.
What will it take for a nation to stand up to those who say they are "sons of the soil", and they are "defending" culture, and they are "restoring" honour, and plenty more in that vein -- but whose only intent is to destroy us all?
Scratch that.
What will it take for you and me to stand up?
Power to Saugata Chatterjee.
His account reminds me of a smaller encounter I had, six years ago, with bashers of women.
What will it take for a nation to stand up to those who say they are "sons of the soil", and they are "defending" culture, and they are "restoring" honour, and plenty more in that vein -- but whose only intent is to destroy us all?
Scratch that.
What will it take for you and me to stand up?
Power to Saugata Chatterjee.
His account reminds me of a smaller encounter I had, six years ago, with bashers of women.
February 18, 2009
War, peace and journalism
Infochange India publishes a regular dossier on a selected theme, called Agenda. The theme for the current issue is "Reporting Conflict". I have an essay in there, War, peace and journalism.
Comments welcome.
Comments welcome.
February 15, 2009
Spelling beeline
Meanwhile, yet again at the Kala Ghoda Festival:
* I'm lost in it.
* Some spelling dilemmas.
* It's a puzzle: Who hates?
* I suspect queasiness.
On the way home, we pass a small truck with this emblazoned atop its windshield: "GOOD CAREER".
* I'm lost in it.
* Some spelling dilemmas.
* It's a puzzle: Who hates?
* I suspect queasiness.
On the way home, we pass a small truck with this emblazoned atop its windshield: "GOOD CAREER".
February 14, 2009
Of dreams
Mint (you know who you are) asked me to do a Valentine's Day essay for their Saturday travel section, covering ... well, what you might expect a V-Day essay to cover.
So take a look: The girls of his dreams.
As usual, comments welcome.
(When I find the time, I may have some more about V-Day. For the time being, I'm in the throes of yet another blogging slowdown).
So take a look: The girls of his dreams.
As usual, comments welcome.
(When I find the time, I may have some more about V-Day. For the time being, I'm in the throes of yet another blogging slowdown).
February 11, 2009
The car, then the soap, then thumbs
Meanwhile again at the Kala Ghoda Festival ...
* It might be Ganesh's car and an art installation induces guilt.
* Two women don't fit in a frame, there are more postcards, and I still wonder about soap.
And as a parting shot, this advice from the city's traffic police, flashed in red on big signs at various busy traffic junctions:
"Avoid 90 degree turn of right hand thumb to honk."
I'm scratching my head about this, though not with my thumb because I fear a subsequent injunction saying "Avoid 90 degree turn of right hand thumb to scratch head."
If you have an explanation, I'm all ears. Or all thumbs. One or the other.
* It might be Ganesh's car and an art installation induces guilt.
* Two women don't fit in a frame, there are more postcards, and I still wonder about soap.
And as a parting shot, this advice from the city's traffic police, flashed in red on big signs at various busy traffic junctions:
"Avoid 90 degree turn of right hand thumb to honk."
I'm scratching my head about this, though not with my thumb because I fear a subsequent injunction saying "Avoid 90 degree turn of right hand thumb to scratch head."
If you have an explanation, I'm all ears. Or all thumbs. One or the other.
February 09, 2009
Spirit in There
India Currents, in its February issue, carries Spirit in There, an article I wrote for them two months after the November terror attack on Bombay.
Your comments welcome.
Your comments welcome.
February 08, 2009
Black horses for courses
Meanwhile, at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival '09:
* There's evidence that someone Misses You.
* At least one person wants to Eat Bananas with Pakistanis.
* There are dilemmas about Baywatch and a pair of Billys.
* There's evidence that someone Misses You.
* At least one person wants to Eat Bananas with Pakistanis.
* There are dilemmas about Baywatch and a pair of Billys.
February 03, 2009
A maturing
The film just stunned me. I couldn't believe I was actually watching a Bollywood (never mind if one of the characters doesn't like the word) production. Where's the ham-fisted acting, the item number, the nonexistent story, the man who takes half an hour to die and everybody cries over him? Instead, there's spot-on acting from every single member of the cast -- I mean, from big star to cameo appearances to make-up people played possibly by make-up people. There's a believable story treated seriously and realistically. There are clever lines, funny lines, simple and yet profound lines. There's an ending that's not sugar-coated, not calamitous, just thoughtful and moving. And like all good films, it keeps your mind buzzing, keeps you discussing it with others, for hours after it ends.
I've liked plenty of Bollywood films over the last several years -- Fiza, Lakshya, the Munnabhai pair, Chandni Bar, Rab ne Bana di Jodi, Swades, Dil Chahta Hai come to mind. Still, all have had their flaws (well, Lage Raho Munnabhai was an exception). But there were plenty of predictably lousy films too. (Particularly execrable was this one from 1999, but last year's Om Shanti Om was way down there too).
But this film I saw yesterday was pretty much flawless. OK, it was somewhat long, especially in the second half. But leave that aside, and it seems to me that this is a film that ranks with anything anywhere else in the world. This, and not Lagaan, is the Indian film that could legitimately compete for an Oscar. To me, this is the film that represents the maturing, finally, of Bollywood. The commercial marriage of superb technical film skills to, finally, realism.
I don't know if it is a box office success, but I hope it is and will remain a smash hit. Because it deserves no less, and because that will encourage more Bollywood film-makers to give us more like this.
So go see Luck by Chance, won't you? I want to believe there's a large audience that's been waiting for such a film.
I've liked plenty of Bollywood films over the last several years -- Fiza, Lakshya, the Munnabhai pair, Chandni Bar, Rab ne Bana di Jodi, Swades, Dil Chahta Hai come to mind. Still, all have had their flaws (well, Lage Raho Munnabhai was an exception). But there were plenty of predictably lousy films too. (Particularly execrable was this one from 1999, but last year's Om Shanti Om was way down there too).
But this film I saw yesterday was pretty much flawless. OK, it was somewhat long, especially in the second half. But leave that aside, and it seems to me that this is a film that ranks with anything anywhere else in the world. This, and not Lagaan, is the Indian film that could legitimately compete for an Oscar. To me, this is the film that represents the maturing, finally, of Bollywood. The commercial marriage of superb technical film skills to, finally, realism.
I don't know if it is a box office success, but I hope it is and will remain a smash hit. Because it deserves no less, and because that will encourage more Bollywood film-makers to give us more like this.
So go see Luck by Chance, won't you? I want to believe there's a large audience that's been waiting for such a film.
February 02, 2009
Better
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