Management
Indian managers have added a new book to their shelves. Sidle over just a little Kotler.
India Inc rediscovers Mahatma Gandhi
There are two theories as to why the Roman Empire fell:
1. Neglect and corruption
2. Poor fiddling
If we want to avoid the fall of the American Empire and proactively tackle the ills that afflict it, then focusing on the music would be a waste of time. It’s all good. Bluegrass is alive, Rock and Roll is thriving, Hip Hop speaks the voice of the nation and electronica trance puts the devils in you to sleep.
If history is a good teacher and learnings can be carried over centuries, it stands to reason that the American empire can fall today due to neglect and corruption in its real pillars of power: corporations. Perhaps it is time for all CEOs to:
a. Come clean
b. Regain trust of the common man/woman
c. Show faith in the current market environment in an atmosphere free of suspicion.
d. Have no people in their vicinity who do not add to the value of the corporation, i.e. are idle dependents
It is not a question of socialism or capitalism. The good thing about a capitalist society is that everyone has something tangible to aspire to and there is little waste of time, energy, emotion and life over intangible things such as religion.
Gandhi's teachings are not only about being good leaders, but also good followers. When people have access to all basic needs and rights they become more tolerant.
It is only then that they say, "It is ok. Let Nero fiddle."
Indian managers have added a new book to their shelves. Sidle over just a little Kotler.
India Inc rediscovers Mahatma Gandhi
There are two theories as to why the Roman Empire fell:
1. Neglect and corruption
2. Poor fiddling
If we want to avoid the fall of the American Empire and proactively tackle the ills that afflict it, then focusing on the music would be a waste of time. It’s all good. Bluegrass is alive, Rock and Roll is thriving, Hip Hop speaks the voice of the nation and electronica trance puts the devils in you to sleep.
If history is a good teacher and learnings can be carried over centuries, it stands to reason that the American empire can fall today due to neglect and corruption in its real pillars of power: corporations. Perhaps it is time for all CEOs to:
a. Come clean
b. Regain trust of the common man/woman
c. Show faith in the current market environment in an atmosphere free of suspicion.
d. Have no people in their vicinity who do not add to the value of the corporation, i.e. are idle dependents
It is not a question of socialism or capitalism. The good thing about a capitalist society is that everyone has something tangible to aspire to and there is little waste of time, energy, emotion and life over intangible things such as religion.
Gandhi's teachings are not only about being good leaders, but also good followers. When people have access to all basic needs and rights they become more tolerant.
It is only then that they say, "It is ok. Let Nero fiddle."
As you can see, Steve Bell is not an embedded journalist or cartoonist. If so, he would very likely be a different person, one that has voluntarily surrendered his opinions to yet another masterstroke by the Bush administration.
The embedded journalist does not have any knowledge of suffering from the Stockholm Syndrome. If only s/he knew of the kidnapping that took place at the beginning of the war, it would help him or her put matters in perspective. This morning, a journalist from the CNN said "our headquarters" before realizing his slip up. He corrected himself and said "The Marine Headquarters", before moving on to some more balanced and objective reporting.
The story that is making the rounds nowadays is the grand opulence of the palaces in Baghdad. They are in stark contrast to the grim conditions that the poor people of Iraq live in. While making a tour of the palace, most journalists get very self-righteous and condemn the "evil dictator" that lived so lavishly while his people suffered.
This is a typical piece that reduces all issues to the platform of "good versus evil" found in the speeches of our President.
Please do not get me wrong. Even though I am against the war, I am glad to see Saddam go. However, I do not see it appropriate to assume the posture of the "Great Good Hearted, Sunny Smiled, Golden Shoed, Trebly Blessed, Benevolently Noble" Liberators. It would do us no harm to look within our countries and see the many Baghdads and Basras that exist at the fringes of our towns and cities. They are normally ghettos inhabited by people, who like the people of Iraq have been deprived of opportunity. African Americans till recently had on an average a lower life expectancy than people in India (many of them still do) despite staying in the world's richest country. Unlike the people of Iraq, they have to contend with the splendor of many palaces strewn all around them. Unlike the people of Iraq many of whom were born into a dictatorship, they are not victims of circumstance. They are victims of deprivation.
Now what was that saying about slapping your own cheek before reaching out to slap another's?
Don't divide, don't rule
BBC NEWS | In Depth | Photo Gallery | In pictures: Euphoria in Baghdad
Understandably the Iraqis were delighted to be liberated from the rule of Saddam Hussein. This was always going to be a very happy day for them. Many of them must have felt like I did at 3:45 p.m. on all school days and on most days at work (we didn't have Internet in those days to kill the time and one can have only so many planets in the solar system).
However, America must also understand that the majority of Muslims in Iraq are Shia Muslims who were being ruled by the minority Sunni's. In fact, the homeland of the Shiite stream of thought is Iraq. Even though the differences between the two sects are basic, they are strong enough to have caused a major rift that dates back to the days when Islam was a young religion. For the Shiite majority, the overthrowing of a Sunni leader is by no means the icing on the cake; it is undoubtedly one of the layers. The other layer of course, is the demise of the Saddam regime. But America must be cognizant of both the layers while analyzing the reasons for jubilation: it is not like eating German Chocolate cake and ignoring the Germans.
An article in the New York Times says that Iraqis feel if America mistakes the jubilation on the streets as an open welcome, there would be an equal amount of hatred for them as the Iraqis had for Mr. Hussein.
Some Iraqis Are Grateful, But Still Wary of U.S. Plans
America must rebuild fast and move out quicker. Iraq is after all the cradle of the first human civilization and Iraqis will not take kindly to the continued presence of an invader. While rebuilding the bombed cities, government and also while distributing humanitarian aid, there should be no effort to differentiate between people of different sects and religions (with good or bad intentions).
Democracy will take time to grow in Iraq. It will grow a lot faster if the seeds of dispute are not planted so early in the process. Making criteria such as sect and ethnicity a major factor in government formulation only pushes Iraq further away from the ideals of a true democratic government. Let the numbers speak like they do in Math: in a universal manner representative of a pure language.
And there will undoubtedly be a stink about the whole oil thing (its not all about a democracy: there are reasons why Saddam got the treatment not Kim Jong Il or perhaps Mugabe). I hope matters such as these will be able to be reported in the media without being viewed as an assault on patriotism.
BBC NEWS | In Depth | Photo Gallery | In pictures: Euphoria in Baghdad
Understandably the Iraqis were delighted to be liberated from the rule of Saddam Hussein. This was always going to be a very happy day for them. Many of them must have felt like I did at 3:45 p.m. on all school days and on most days at work (we didn't have Internet in those days to kill the time and one can have only so many planets in the solar system).
However, America must also understand that the majority of Muslims in Iraq are Shia Muslims who were being ruled by the minority Sunni's. In fact, the homeland of the Shiite stream of thought is Iraq. Even though the differences between the two sects are basic, they are strong enough to have caused a major rift that dates back to the days when Islam was a young religion. For the Shiite majority, the overthrowing of a Sunni leader is by no means the icing on the cake; it is undoubtedly one of the layers. The other layer of course, is the demise of the Saddam regime. But America must be cognizant of both the layers while analyzing the reasons for jubilation: it is not like eating German Chocolate cake and ignoring the Germans.
An article in the New York Times says that Iraqis feel if America mistakes the jubilation on the streets as an open welcome, there would be an equal amount of hatred for them as the Iraqis had for Mr. Hussein.
Some Iraqis Are Grateful, But Still Wary of U.S. Plans
America must rebuild fast and move out quicker. Iraq is after all the cradle of the first human civilization and Iraqis will not take kindly to the continued presence of an invader. While rebuilding the bombed cities, government and also while distributing humanitarian aid, there should be no effort to differentiate between people of different sects and religions (with good or bad intentions).
Democracy will take time to grow in Iraq. It will grow a lot faster if the seeds of dispute are not planted so early in the process. Making criteria such as sect and ethnicity a major factor in government formulation only pushes Iraq further away from the ideals of a true democratic government. Let the numbers speak like they do in Math: in a universal manner representative of a pure language.
And there will undoubtedly be a stink about the whole oil thing (its not all about a democracy: there are reasons why Saddam got the treatment not Kim Jong Il or perhaps Mugabe). I hope matters such as these will be able to be reported in the media without being viewed as an assault on patriotism.
Some facts and then many opinions
1. Saddam Hussein ruling for another twenty years does not bode well for all the men, women and children of Iraq
2. Most Iraqis (being Shiites and hence/also victims of his torture and violence) have reason to celebrate if he is thrown out of power
3. At the same time most Iraqis are part of one of the most ancient cultures and the descendants of the first civilization on earth. If patriotism is driven by the foods, music, religion and scientific progress of a people, then it is plays a major part in the day-to-day lives of people. This pride, having been fostered for many centuries is all the more intense for Iraqis. Many will not like the sight of foreigners invading their soil.
4. There have been many innocent civilians who have lost their lives in the conflict. This has created great anger in Iraq as well as around the world.
All of these are true. It serves little purpose to keep harping about Saddam’s evil nature while branding civilian casualties as a price, “we are willing to pay.” (Or even worse, ignoring them). Long-term national interest matters very little for childless parents and orphaned children. Consolation and coming to terms with great losses are a necessary part of any rebuilding process. And what consolation can prove effective when it is well known that the reformer has vested commercial interests in the region? When the gong rings in the lunchroom, sometimes even the sparrows on far away trees feel hungry. There will probably be more lives lost not only in Iraq, but all around the world as a result of this conflict than Saddam could ever have taken.
There cannot be two ways of looking at the world. It is not fair to look at the West on an individual, microscopic level while confining the developing world to a generalized, macroscopic view. In conflict and post conflict situations the former will present a more accurate picture of the situation. We think of the individual workers, firemen, police personnel, rescue workers and their harrowing tales while thinking of 9/11. We do not think of them as 4,000 New Yorkers.
All you have to assume is that Iraqis for all their appearances (which have changed under the effect of repeated effect of bombs filled with depleted uranium) are normal human beings. For them too, it is all a matter of hierarchy. To justify a fruitful existance, they will innately first choose to be proud of themselves and their families. If there is very little going for them in this regard, they cling strongly to something that is intangible and hence never ending; like a love for one’s country and a hatred for all that comes in between. In this pride, lie the roots of fanaticism that is blind in nature and can take on many forms.
Many Iraqis will not know how to personify words such as strength and prosperity. Many have spent most of their lives facing sanctions and bombs. Both killed. Both deprived. Both confined people to a life of poverty. Saddam could have very well been one of those leaders that the local population once empowered overthrew. The people of Iraq – and not any leader- would be celebrated by the history books (which if you look at it should be the true intent of a democracy).
Instead in conditions where the local populations are crippled, passion runs high and reason is buried beneath rubbles of history, culture, living beings and homes. We run the risk of making a hero out of Saddam. There will after all be history books that will survive the onslaught of the media.
Hopefully it will all be over, before they are ever written.
1. Saddam Hussein ruling for another twenty years does not bode well for all the men, women and children of Iraq
2. Most Iraqis (being Shiites and hence/also victims of his torture and violence) have reason to celebrate if he is thrown out of power
3. At the same time most Iraqis are part of one of the most ancient cultures and the descendants of the first civilization on earth. If patriotism is driven by the foods, music, religion and scientific progress of a people, then it is plays a major part in the day-to-day lives of people. This pride, having been fostered for many centuries is all the more intense for Iraqis. Many will not like the sight of foreigners invading their soil.
4. There have been many innocent civilians who have lost their lives in the conflict. This has created great anger in Iraq as well as around the world.
All of these are true. It serves little purpose to keep harping about Saddam’s evil nature while branding civilian casualties as a price, “we are willing to pay.” (Or even worse, ignoring them). Long-term national interest matters very little for childless parents and orphaned children. Consolation and coming to terms with great losses are a necessary part of any rebuilding process. And what consolation can prove effective when it is well known that the reformer has vested commercial interests in the region? When the gong rings in the lunchroom, sometimes even the sparrows on far away trees feel hungry. There will probably be more lives lost not only in Iraq, but all around the world as a result of this conflict than Saddam could ever have taken.
There cannot be two ways of looking at the world. It is not fair to look at the West on an individual, microscopic level while confining the developing world to a generalized, macroscopic view. In conflict and post conflict situations the former will present a more accurate picture of the situation. We think of the individual workers, firemen, police personnel, rescue workers and their harrowing tales while thinking of 9/11. We do not think of them as 4,000 New Yorkers.
All you have to assume is that Iraqis for all their appearances (which have changed under the effect of repeated effect of bombs filled with depleted uranium) are normal human beings. For them too, it is all a matter of hierarchy. To justify a fruitful existance, they will innately first choose to be proud of themselves and their families. If there is very little going for them in this regard, they cling strongly to something that is intangible and hence never ending; like a love for one’s country and a hatred for all that comes in between. In this pride, lie the roots of fanaticism that is blind in nature and can take on many forms.
Many Iraqis will not know how to personify words such as strength and prosperity. Many have spent most of their lives facing sanctions and bombs. Both killed. Both deprived. Both confined people to a life of poverty. Saddam could have very well been one of those leaders that the local population once empowered overthrew. The people of Iraq – and not any leader- would be celebrated by the history books (which if you look at it should be the true intent of a democracy).
Instead in conditions where the local populations are crippled, passion runs high and reason is buried beneath rubbles of history, culture, living beings and homes. We run the risk of making a hero out of Saddam. There will after all be history books that will survive the onslaught of the media.
Hopefully it will all be over, before they are ever written.
Problem
There was a problem with this blog. It has apparently been sorted out. I was unable to post anything to the Trying to Be like Gandhi weblog.
While my views and writings were not able to go on display to the world, was I busy writing away despite the lack of eyeballs rolling over these lines of broken thought and structured HTML? I fear not.
Maybe it had to do with laziness. Or maybe it had to do with the lack of that one thing (I will resist the temptation of using a word from the dictionary and boxing it up) a performer has when playing to an audience. Either excuse is not valid for a soldier of non-violence.
In a boxing match between Time and Quantity, the latter may score some blows with the judges, but the former has effects that are irreversible. Punches, words and actions and more importantly the lack of all of these are carved (or not carved) for all to see.
There was a problem with this blog. It has apparently been sorted out. I was unable to post anything to the Trying to Be like Gandhi weblog.
While my views and writings were not able to go on display to the world, was I busy writing away despite the lack of eyeballs rolling over these lines of broken thought and structured HTML? I fear not.
Maybe it had to do with laziness. Or maybe it had to do with the lack of that one thing (I will resist the temptation of using a word from the dictionary and boxing it up) a performer has when playing to an audience. Either excuse is not valid for a soldier of non-violence.
In a boxing match between Time and Quantity, the latter may score some blows with the judges, but the former has effects that are irreversible. Punches, words and actions and more importantly the lack of all of these are carved (or not carved) for all to see.
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