I walk with you this day!


My brothers in trade,
Today you stay away,
You do not sell your wares,
And hope an uncaring state,
Will worry you make no sale !

My brothers in trade,
You are hurt & in pain,
The uncaring state,
Inflicts more pain,
One more time, again;
Their ultimate aim,
To make the oligarchs gain!

You cry out in anguish,
As minions shut you down,
You implore them, spare me!
I have goods that perish,
My life’s hard work here
But they hear you not;
The sealers warm the lac,
And put the red stamp on !

As you walk the streets,
The mogul of India glows on TV,
Talking glib on growth, fisc and gdp;
For the listeners in Davos,
And  jets in there to say;
‘Invest in India’
But what he does not say,
The state is deaf in here!

Walk bold this day,
Wake the sleeping Goliath,
Let the  Davos world see;
India,
A country made by you and I,
And a state that cares not its people!

I walk with you this day!

Stay hungry, stay foolish !!

Stay hungry, stay foolish !!

If I were asked, what is the singular most fundamental change that took place the 21st Century, my answer would be communication!!

Whilst on an average human knowledge is doubling every 13 months, each day the time is reducing, and for example; 'the internet of things' will lead to a doubling of knowledge ever 12 hours! 

Living in such an era of hyper connectivity, and super appetite for knowledge & information, can we remain uninformed? The obvious answer is no, and the more we communicate with each other, the better for both; the information giver, and the information recipient.

The term IEC; Information, Education, Communication is a term often used for dissemination of educative information by various mediums of communication. Such mechanisms are successfully used by corporate bodies, social organisations, government instrumentality's to reach large audience bases. Social media is an abbreviated form of such information dissemination, however, its left to the recipient to filter the good from the bad.

A most recent example of poor communication was the sordid 'Indigo' (Airlines) episode. The communication teams within Indigo failed to rise to the occasion and contain damage; competition made hay, and tore the airlines to bits. Indigo took a big hit; share prices dipped, the company lost substantial goodwill built over years of excellent aviation, and became the but of ridicule.

Below reproduced is a letter from a leading Kolkata Club; which rightly recognizes the power of communication and its members hunger for information; the President in a very courteous and differential manner, communicates with its members using extremely polite language; "we are conscious of the responsibility and trust you have reposed in us....."  and goes on to give information which is reproduced below. Rightly, Kolkata is considered the last bastion of genteel and decorous behavior; from where we could lift many a leaf! 

'So friends, lets not hesitate in communicating between ourselves; remember, more information is better than no information!! Here I  remember Steve Job's classic Stanford University speech "stay hungry, stay foolish"!! 

And the hunger Steve alludes to is not the food we eat !!

Sincerely,

Rajeev Suri

I am your Samarak,

I am your Samarak

I am your Samarak,

You built me, now I shall stand,

Through rain and hail and storm, through thunder and lightning,

Through heat and cold, sun and ice,

For ever and ever, I shall not die,

I am your Samarak.

I shall stand guard, I am your symbol,

Of victory over evil,

Of triumph over oppression and injustices,

Tyranny and hatred,

Of unknown enemies,

I am your Samarak.

Come to me Oh friend,

When you are weary and despondent,

I shall give you courage and fortitude and strength,

To fight and win,

For I am your soldier that never dies,

I am your Samarak,

I am your Samarak.

(The Lt. Puneet Datt Samarak was consecrated on 20^th July 2017, in Defence Colony, N Delhi through a community initiative. The writer views this as a symbol of hope to fight the other enemies of the state, other than those at the borders of our nation.)

rajeevsuri.cbms@gmail.com

Home Coming after 20 Years

Umbrella

Umbrella

As the thunder claps

And the clouds get darker,

I wonder,

Is it necessary to carry my umbrella?

I trouble myself with this decision,

A trifle longer that I should,

And then I think of birds and beasts,

huddled together, under trees,

in Kruger and Serengiti,

silent and resolute, feeling very safe,

in face of nature’s onslaught,

Then why do I worry, about my umbrella?

As I hop and skip my way through the meadows

And enjoy the beautiful grey skies,

The rain, predictably comes down,

But I have no umbrella,

So I share,

The comfort of a tree, with bird and beast,

Silently understanding each other’s need,

Listening to raindrops drum their beat!

The sun shines, the trees glisten washed and fresh,

the birds ruffle their feathers, and break into song,

And I am on my way,

Why did I ever want an umbrella,

When nature provides one at every nook and cranny?

rajeevsuri.cbms@gmail.com

"To fight the darkness do not draw your sword, light a candle"   

Rain man

Rain man

On this glorious morning of June,

A gentle breeze wafts my cheeks,

in the skies above, the clouds are silver and grey,

move with urgency, almost to say,

we have miles to go and promises to keep,

to this parched land, man and bird and beast,

that look at us, imploringly, as if to say;

Oh clouds, when do you rain on us?

I lift my sickle and hoe,

And load my cart with plants,

For I must follow the clouds, that tell me,

You have not accomplished your mission,

You have not planted;

Then why do you expect me to rain?

As I head to my fields,

The melodious Koel calls out; Hurry,

We want rain; why do you delay?

And I have to accomplish; what nature expects of me,

what I have not done; in the years of my life;

I hurry with my sickle and hoe, and head for the fields yonder,

The clouds above, grudgingly, approve and smile.

Nationhood and Patriotism

Nationhood and Patriotism

At the creation of our nation the two were indivisible; synonyms to each other; Nationhood and Patriotism.

70 years of independence and complete security from foreign invasions has lulled the country into compartmentalising the synonyms. Nationhood stands on a separate pedestal, and patriotism? ‘Well, yeah that too’

The departure of patriotism from the national discourse is the first sign of a nation in decay. So, what is nationhood? A nation is variously described as:

‘A large group or collective of people with common characteristics attributed to them; including language, traditions, customs habits and ethnicity. It is a cultural-political community that has become conscious of its autonomy, unity, and particular interests’.

Or:

"A nation is a soul, a spiritual principle. Two things, which in truth are but one, constitute this soul or spiritual principle. One lies in the past, one in the present. One is the possession in common of a rich legacy of memories; the other is present-day consent, the desire to live together, the will to perpetuate the value of the heritage that one has received in an undivided form", "A nation is therefore a large-scale solidarity"

A nation therefore is an amalgam of people of common heritage, common shared ideology, and a desire to lead a particular way of life through social and political action. This does not allude an amalgam of people boxed into a narrow minded, parochial, insular discourse; rather people so diverse; yet conjoint by a cord of shared  ideals; of thought, action, and practice.

This is nationhood.

This is India; so diverse in ethnicity, religion, social habits, political ideology, yet so united by common cherished ideals of Secularism, Freedoms and Rule of law; the Doctrine of Egalitarianism in which fairness permeates every section of society and life.

Then what is Patriotism?

Patriotism is devotion to one's own country and concern for its being. When the liberties of our country, the freedoms of our Constitution, borders of the nation are worth defending. Patriotism is when your heart swells at the name of your country; when your eyes get moist whilst singing the National Anthem in a cinema hall; when viewing ‘Beating Retreat’ makes you burst with pride at listening to ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha’  your nation, your country. This is patriotism.

So where do Nationhood and Patriotism conflux? Is there a convergence point of the two? The truth lies somewhere in the centre; each one is so interdependent on one another, that each without the other is an empty shell. It is the heart and lung of our being; a body cannot survive without the heart and lung being in complete synchronicity with each other. So be it with nationhood and patriotism.

Cutting to Today. A reality check;

The space for liberals is fast narrowing, a nation transfixed in its energies to cow vigilantism, patriotism have now become an extension of demagogy, intolerance; the true ideals of Nationhood and have been pushed into dusty recesses of our minds. A complete apathy for the lives being laid down by the Army at our borders, or Para Military combating the Marxists in the Red Corridor with a common refrain, ‘Well they are meant to do that’ or, ‘look at the good perks the services enjoy’. Effectively the nation has subcontracted is Defence to an opaque structure called the Armed Forces, and indifference beyond that.

No wonder on a memorial for our martyrs; we witness farcical platitudes and clichés, callous indifference and apathy, a section of disputatious citizenry who create mayhem to pursue their narrow pedantic agenda. No wonder we witness cattle being put on the centre stage of governance, and brave hearts who defended and died for the nation being consigned to cattle class.

When Patriotism dies, a Nation is bound to fail.

rajeevsuri.cbms@gmail.com

World Environment Day 5th June 2017

The notion that we must conquer or dominate nature has governed human behaviour for a relatively short period of our 150,000-year history on this 4.5-billion-year-old planet. It's an understandable impulse. Our intelligence and foresight allowed us to develop complex societies, and gave us a sense of control over our existence in the face of powerful, often threatening natural forces.

Unfortunately, our lack of attention to the intricate and interconnected ways of nature has led to widespread devastation that now threatens the very systems that support human health and survival. We have become disconnected from our own true nature.

The more science reveals about the natural world, the more we learn what many indigenous peoples have long known: that everything is interconnected and interdependent -- from the tiniest microbes to the largest carnivores, from plants that sequester carbon, prevent flooding and feed us to the carbon, hydrologic and other large cycles that keep the planet in balance.

There's no going back to simpler times, but our survival does depend on respecting our place in this miraculous world. To heal the disconnection, we must reconnect. It's fitting, then, that the theme of this year's World Environment Day on June 5 is "Connecting People to Nature."

Renowned American ecologist Edward O. Wilson used the term "biophilia" to describe the innate kinship people share with all other life forms. Because we are more likely to care for the things we love and see as important, we must rekindle this biological imperative if we are to protect the biosphere that keeps us healthy and alive.

How do we accomplish that when many of us are moving further from our natural connections daily -- when more than seven hours in front of a TV, computer or smartphone screen, and when many adults spend their days driving to and from work where they sit in front of computers for hours on end?

Understanding the benefits of time in nature is a start. Studies show time outdoors can reduce stress and attention deficit disorder; boost immunity, energy levels and creativity; increase curiosity and problem-solving ability; improve physical fitness and coordination; and even reduce the likelihood of developing near-sightedness!

The story of ‘Bill Gates’

Once upon a time,

A man of councils, loved Gates;

And concrete;

All of which could be billed;

Not surprisingly,

He came to be called Bill Gates.

The man of councils; gleefully pulled down

Old and aesthetic gates,

Just to replace them with ‘Ornamental’

Monstrous concrete structures,

But could be billed pretty heavy;

So,

Bill Gates and his merry men had a field day.

And one day he began to pull down the Gate

Of the park yonder, besides the canal;

Sledgehammer and crowbar, pick axe and spade,

His merry men began their dastardly act,

Till a Samaritan of plants and trees,

Said; Halt!

You do what you cannot do; beware

The merry men now chary,

Slunk away sheepishly;

Looks like this gate can’t be billed, Bill Gates,

We have to look for greener pastures.

So the booth that sold milk seemed fertile hunting grounds,

For nary a man or beast would object.
So down came crashing the gate at the booth of milk,

And a moon craters dug,

To take many a truckload of concrete

So the bill of the gate would be heavy

And the gate horrendous to the spectator,

Just the way of Bill Gates.

The people stood by

impervious, nonchalant,

Whilst Bill Gates

Raised Bill on them Gates pretty heavy,

And laughed all his way to the bank.

With malice to none and all

Of Presidents and an uncommon man

Once upon a time;

There lived in a colony; called 'Deaf Call'

Presidents and,

one uncommon man.

And the Presidents had with them;

glitzy cars and chauffeurs and guards,

an entourage of underlings; which they variously called;

Absolut nothing Committee (AC) and;

Exempt everything Committee (EC)

The uncommon man went to them Presidents;

Sire; the parking man wants Rs 20 for parking;

Will you My Lord, spare me from this tax?

And the Presidents and their men;

in unison exclaimed;

We shall impose the tax, not they;

'But sire they do not let us Park'

Woe be gone;

the entreaties of the uncommon man,

fell on the ears of Presidents as a 'Deaf Call' 

And the Presidents and their kinsmen

in all their glory,

sat back and drank their scotch whisky

the common man implored;

My lords, Rs 1500 is required to maintain 'Deaf Call'

​

Only once in the year,

The Presidents retorted,

be gone wastrel,

can you not see; we are busy;

with our scotch and soda,

We are the Lords, the Barons, the Presidents,

we do not pay to maintain our kingdom, 'Deaf Call'

It you O serf; 

who pays the taxes in ‘Deaf Call’,

Be gone

And as the uncommon man trudges home, despondent,

meets on the way; the Commissioner

in benign hope and supplication, the uncommon man implores;

Sire;

you are our last hope;

free us from the parking tax;

Ha; Serf, you want the yoke off your neck?

Then sign away your lands to me;

where I shall construct shops and plazas and parking;

and you can park free;

but your lands of 'Deaf Call' forever and forever shall be mine;

The Presidents drank their fine scotches

in sublime indifference,

the uncommon man headed home

Woe be gone.

​

Yes I Can !

Yes I Can

He came, he saw, he conquered.

Here was this dashing young man with drop dead good looks who didn’t know the meaning of no. ‘Yes I can’ was his standard answer to any and every request made to him by residents.

Initially, a bit chary of this young politician, quick on his feet, answering every call in two rings, and always replying in the affirmative, we watched in amazement. Within minutes of the call being over his trusted lieutenants Harish or Shukla would be there to survey the job, and shortly thereafter, it was carried out.

Was he for real we asked one other? Refreshingly different from the stereotype politician who ran constituencies as their personal fiefdom, condescendingly getting jobs done after sustained doses of ingratiation or gratification, this young man was surely not for real. But real for sure he was.

Residents quickly found this one point call centre attended to their grievances in a jiffy, opposed to the creaky, slow, inefficient redressal systems of yesteryear. Magically the civic body had been energised, efficiency and an air of urgency manifested itself; a new generation politician was rewriting the rulebook. Social media savvy, approachable, affable and ever ready to please; yes it was none other than Abhishek Dutt.

Five years came and went by; all good things must end, and the winds of change swept in; the magic had to move on, to conquer more hearts and build a newer vibrant India.

The Japanese say it the best; ‘Sayonara’ roughly meaning, ‘if it is to be that way’. So Sayonara Abhishek Dutt; go conquer the world, you have left an indelible mark in our hearts.

Defence Colony misses you dearly.

Rajeev Suri: rajeevsuri.cbms@gmail.com

The Eagles - Kennedy Center Honors 2016

Republic Day 26th January 2017

Where The Mind Is Without Fear

Beautiful Saturday

A beautiful crisp winter morning this Saturday 10th Dec '16, visibility a 6.30 near zero! Nonetheless
a brisk walk with nature, pollution levels down good breathing air quality seems like a perfect way to have started the morning.

Boxy my dog, found her Golden Retriever friend Buddy, and both frolicked with each other, enjoying the freshness of the morning.

Back home now, a cup of tea, and off to the park to do gardening with my mali friends.

I thank thee Oh Lord, for this beautiful morning, and the greatness of the Universe.

Sunday Morning: Watering Green Belts

Air Quality Index (AQI) or Apathy Quantified Index (AQI); the choice is ours.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

Or

Apathy Quantified Index (AQI); the choice is ours.

With casual indifference amongst us urbanites, the very high pollution levels of PM 2.5 > 500 (severe) has come to be accepted as the new normal. Instead of the state of the art, real time monitoring system by the Ministry of Earth Sciences serving as a tool for taking enlightened decisions, it has become just another stock market ticker.

So what can you and I do to improve the air quality of our neighbourhood? Well, quite a bit really, and inversely nothing at all;

For starters, lets understand vehicular pollution is a major contributor to pollution, and living 200 to 500 meters from a major road, (Ring Road in our case) Diesel fumes is a major contributor to the Nitrous Oxides the carcinogenic substance that causes lung cancer. Residents living in the vicinity of the Ring Road are most exposed, and hence prone to Lung Cancer, which will begin to manifest itself amongst residents (unfortunately) over the next few years.

On monitoring the AQI (air quality index) at night, a sharp increase is noticed when trucks are permitted to enter and ply through the city, the Ring Road AQI peaks at approx. 3 a.m. with a toxic haze overhang in the adjacent areas.

Hence, quite obviously, vehicular pollution in our vicinity is a great risk, and despite efforts by NGT to ban 15 year old diesel vehicles, or impose an environmental tax on trucks entering the city, implementation remains tardy, and trucks continue to transit through the city. The Eastern and Western Periphery highways are yet to become a reality, so till then we will have to bear the indignity of breathing noxious diesel fumes.

Long journey’s start with the first step, as residents we can take tiny steps, as desperate times call for desperate measures. In the first instance the most attainable goal within the realm of our possibility would be to plant trees & roadside shrubs all along the periphery of the Ring Road. Again before you flick you hand and say ‘Oh that’s passé; be assured this is the single most effective step residents can take, no permissions required, no red tape and sustainable technology  for all to participate, therefore largely doable. Roadside trees and plants are the first line of defence against vehicular fumes and pollution; are carbon sinks, sequestering Carbon, and releasing Oxygen! Imagine, once these plants establish themselves in the soil, they require very little looking after, acting as sentinels, guarding us against noxious gasses, taking upon themselves the burden of pollution, and giving us Oxygen in return! Truly this is the benevolence of nature.

On the larger picture, we the residents of Defence Colony have to petition the Government of Delhi and / or the Courts for a complete ban the passage of trucks on the Ring Road, which is our constitutional right. Article 21 Right to Life guarantees us the right to clean air, right to a clean environment, and if we are being denied these rights by apathy and negligence of the State, the Courts can direct appropriate authorities for necessary implementation.

Two measures discussed above; one to be done by us residents; with our hands, and the other to coerce a recalcitrant administration.

Shall we leave our armchairs and begin?