What does 'Freedom' mean for you?

I am tempted to say “Freedom for me is continuing to sip my single malt and not having to think about writing this blog”. But I fear that would leave you, the reader, feeling a trifle cheated. You don’t buy a movie ticket just to hear the national anthem. You expect more. So, I am obliged to put aside my glass and dive straight into the topic.

I must admit that I am finding it difficult to clearly bring into words where I stand on the topic. I, therefore, take the help of some reading that I did on the topic a few weeks ago.1

Freedom is understood by most people as the absence of any external obstacles to options available to an individual to determine his/her actions. Such obstacles could be moral (“You should not show too much skin in public”), social (“You shall not offend others”), religious (“You shall wear the hijab”), political (“You shall not criticize the emperor”), gender-based (“Women shall not enter certain temples”), legal (“You shall not practice homosexuality”) and so on. Most people agree that there ought to be ‘some limits’ to such liberties but, despite constant argumentation, any consensus on the degree of the limits remains elusive. Because of this inability to arrive at any agreed limits, some people argue that the best way out is that there should be no limits. “Wear what you want, offend all you want, go where you want, do what you want” is their proposed resolution of the impasse. Extreme as this may sound, it is certainly one way to settle the matter.

There is another sense in which freedom is to be understood, but receives much less mindshare. Imagine a person who wants to emigrate and take up a foreign citizenship to have a better standard of living but a feeling of guilt that by doing so he is betraying his nation is preventing him from doing so. Is the freedom of this individual compromised? The only difference here from the earlier examples is that here the obstacle is internal to the individual. Before you completely switch your mind off from this type of freedom impairment (since the obstacles are internal you can argue that ‘a choice’ was made by the individual), consider the fact that it is politically or collectively possible (and indeed common) to influence, manipulate or coerce such feelings. People living in dictatorships or under authoritarian leaders often display an exaggerated view of national pride. Or take the case of an individual belonging to a minority community who has exercised his democratic rights of voting but the majority government which comes into power as a result of this process takes decisions inimical to the individual’s interests. Is he more ‘free’ now by virtue of having gone through the political process than he was without it? From the individual’s frame of reference, it certainly does not appear so. He may believe, with some justification, that living in a democracy has actually reduced his freedom. On the other side, the government may say that “We’ve been voted to power on the promise of these precise actions and therefore it’s only fair that we now go ahead with them”. How can one fault their logic either? In this example, the obstacle is internal to the system.

At this point in my write-up, it is necessary for me to pause and pick up my whisky glass and take a few more sips. This is to buy some time to mentally process this stuff and frame the response on where I stand on all this.

While I would lean clearly towards the concept of freedom being the absence of external obstacles to what you can do or what you can become, I would go further and say that such absence must be guaranteed. It is not good enough that obstacles don’t exist. The probability of the existence of such obstacles has to be very low. I should not only be free; I should also feel free. There has to be a reliable and credible mechanism, which works towards blocking the emergence of the obstacles. In constitutional terms, this could be a strong curtailment of the government’s powers through a judicial process. In social terms, it could be emancipation through education. In religious terms, it could be subjugation of religious rights to constitutional authority. In legal terms, it could be individual rights given higher status over social norms.

And in spousal terms, it could mean being allowed to have another glass of whisky before coming for dinner. ‘Just kidding, honey. I’m coming right away.’

1.(My examples in the write-up are illustrative of the concepts of “Negative liberty” and “Positive liberty” respectively propounded by Sir Isaiah Berlin, the renowned liberal political theorist in the1950s who has done seminal work in this area. Google him for more.)

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE MAHABHARATA CHARACTER

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE MAHABHARATA CHARACTER (Choose from my list and descriptions or add your own in the comments - Anuj). Yudhisthira: Dharmaputra and all that. Sticks by his word. Not someone who’ll get swayed easily. The word I’m looking for is stubborn. Won’t fight unless he has to but somehow had no hesitation in killing everyone in sight during the battle. Turns hugely remorseful afterwards. Kind of wishy washy if you ask me. Wasn’t he actually the guy who started it all in the first place by participating in the dice game and that too playing on the high stakes table? Predictably loses his shirt and wife. Thank god he didn't honeymoon in Vegas. Really should have stuck to playing ludo with Mrs. D after dinner. To be fair, a splendid old chap to have around when you need to get to heaven, even if you are his step brother or a stray dog. Arjuna: Tall and Handsome, a great eye for detail and obviously good at his job. Great reputation and every inch a ladies’ man. Sort of guy who would be nominated for the Fortune 500’s most successful CEO of the year for 3 years running. But when it comes to the crux he chickens out big time. Puts up pretty lame excuses for not taking hard decisions. Finally goes by the advice of his consultant and not really out of any great conviction (probably coz he could pass on the buck should things go wrong). BTW the consultant's report is today an International bestseller. Bhima : Comes across as a strong arm, uncomplicated rustic sort of a guy who wouldn’t mind breaking a leg or two of anyone who dares to tease his woman. One needs a good bouncer to run a show as shady as Mahabharata and they don’t make them better than Bhima when you need some visual display of muscles. Not the sort of guy you’ll hire for your son’s math tuitions, but if you want an elephant killed in the middle of a battle he’s your man. Krishna : Smooth talker, great intellect and foresight. But can be mercilessly devious to get what he wants. Reminds me of Reggie Mantle of ‘Archies’ fame. Has developed quite a cult following and a big fan club by cleverly confusing everyone on whether he is God or man. Acts as the censor board by cutting out the nude scenes but lets the violence remain giving Mahabharata a PG-13 in the US and U/A in India. Finally he dies a rather nondescript death alone in the forest at the hands of a hunter mistaken for an animal. Is the Mahabharata trying to convey a message here? To his credit he (along with Mr. Y) was one of the few who at least tried to negotiate a peace deal before the war. Duryodhana (aka Suyodhana) : Doesn’t he remind you of Pran of yesteryear Bollywood fame. Having been typecast as a villain through some rather ‘bad guy’ roles early in his career, he just can’t shake off the image. Like Macbeth, his vaulting ambition (laced with the poison of envy) proves to be his fatal flaw. But also consider that he was one guy who fought fairly (unlike some of our ‘good’ friends) and stood by his friends squarely (ask Karna). Is it just a matter of chance that stalwarts like Bhishma, Drona and Karna land up fighting on his side? Karna : Born out of wedlock and abandoned by his mother at birth, Karna manages to get your sympathy by posing himself as the ‘wronged’ but ‘rightful’ challenger to Pandavas in general and Arjuna in particular. Sort of the ‘good guy’ in the ‘bad guys’ team. He does not let his tremendous status anxiety transcend his sense of fairness and loyalty. Nor does he let Yudhisthira know that he is actually the eldest son of Kunti and therefore the rightful king. He stands by Duryodhana despite allurements by Krishna, plaints by Kunti and even fakes by Indra . He doesn’t take any shit from Bhishma either and refuses to fight for the first ten days of the battle because of this. But how can one feel sympathy for the guy who slanders polyandrous Draupadi, making her out to be a slut and thus deserving of being disrobed in public. All because she rejected him earlier. Not the sort of guy you’d want your daughter to hang around with. Bhishma :  By the time everyone has settles down in the theatre and the ushers have stopped blocking your view Bhishma is already a grandfather (of sorts), has renounced his right to rule and has voluntarily become a celibate for life. All for selfless causes. Certainly not easy to do that. Like you don’t talk ill of JRD Tata when describing the history of Indian Industry for fear of antagonizing one’s listeners, one doesn’t talk bad of the ‘Pitahmah’ either when televising a Mahabharata serial. His sense of duty is beyond reproach. Or is it? Draupadi when fighting without any help to save her honour, clutching desperately to the last piece of clothing stained with menstrual blood, asks of the elders present there : “What is left of the dharma of kings?”, the only reply that our respected Grandpa can come up with is “Dharma is subtle”. If he had any gumption the old man ought to have stopped it there and then. “Enough is enough” is what the audience wanted to hear - not such ambivalent stuffy stuff on dharma. But then clarity on whose side he was on was never his strong point, was it? Fighting for the Kauravas and at the same time passing on secrets to the Pandavas on how to cause his own death is not only very confusing but just a shade away from double crossing. Draupadi: What a courageous heroine. Placed by her husband in a humiliating and unenviable position she is not the one to buckle down. She starts by chastising her husband (“Whom did you lose first – Yourself or me?”) and then castigates almost everyone present there (“What is left of the dharma of kings?”). Notice the complete absence of a plea for mercy (“Bhagwan ke liye mujhe chhod do”). Finally with a bit of help from an unexplained miracle (some say Krishna’s help) she forces Dhritarashtra to grant freedom not only to herself but also manages to get everything her husband has lost. (Mr. Y of course promptly goes and loses it all over again but that is another story). In the forest she is one constantly chiding Yudhisthira to fight the Kauravas and seize back the kingdom. But is she without blemishes? Remember her at the time of her swayamvar wherein Karna had won fairly and squarely and she arguably bends the rule book, just so that she can marry Arjuna instead of Karna? No wonder Karna is cheesed off with her. (Disclaimer : This is merely for casual weekend reading. No disrespect intended to any sensitivities you may have towards these characters and the epic. Neither is by any means an academic analysis of the story) -- Anuj (Repost - written circa 2010)

The People Next Door (The Curious History of India’s Relations with Pakistan) by : TCA Raghavan - A review

The People Next Door
(The Curious History of India’s Relations with Pakistan)

by : TCA Raghavan 

In this eminently readable book Raghavan (a career diplomat and India’s former High Commissioner to Pakistan), gives a ring side view of the history of the tangled relations between the two countries.

As is made clear by the author in the introduction itself, this is a ‘history’ and not a ‘policy’ book. Hence it recounts the various phases of the relationship chronologically and brings out the roles played by various actors, specially the political and diplomatic establishments of the time. It does not make suggestions or give prescriptions.

As one reads through, one is struck by the cyclical pattern in the diplomatic efforts. Most political heads on either side, in the initial part of their respective tenures in office, have tried to work on improving the relationship despite being handcuffed by historical baggage, mutual mistrust and of course public opinions. Sooner or later setbacks like wars, events and incidents take place which force a stoppage or a course reversal. But after things settle down the thread is again picked up and another diplomatic dialogue reinitiated in the modified context. The see saw battles and discussions continue. Giving up has never been a long term option for either country.

Raghavan does justice to the word ‘curious’ in the sub-title, by drawing out the unusual nature of this history.

For instance, did you know that Kutch Ceasefire Agreement in 1965 was signed for India by Azim Husain, secretary MEA with his brother-in-law and cousin Mian Arshad Hussain signing on behalf of Pakistan. Incidentally Azim Hussain had gone against the trend of migration at the time of partition and moved from West Punjab to India despite being a Muslim leaving his family behind.

Generally speaking, in the initial decades the interlocutors were people who had personal experience and/or relationships on the other side of border, either directly or through their political families. This gave them the advantage of familiarity, which not only came in handy but influenced their actions. Manmohan Singh and LK Advani were the last from the Indian and Musharraf from other side, who had any nostalgic associations across the border. As a new generation represented by Modi, charts a new chapter, changed mechanisms are only to be expected.

Another unique aspect of this relationship has been the use of cricketing ties as not only a barometer of the prevailing sentiments but also as a diplomatic tool used to influence progress.

While obviously this is an account from the Indian side the narrative is very balanced and bereft of any jingoistic assertions. I guess diplomats don’t shout slogans.

Highly recommended.

Mahabaleshwar revisited

With so many new weekend getaways having got developed in the ghats and beaches around Bombay, the old favourite Mahabaleshwar is now considered passe. But Arch and I recently spent a couple of enjoyable days there and have a few recommendations from our trip.

Stay at Le Meridien: It's lovely - though rather steeply priced. Another option you can consider is Evershine Keys resort which looked quite nice too and is priced more reasonably, though we didn’t get a chance to check it out from inside.

Things to do: The usual touristy things like visiting viewing 'points' and lakes are, of course, to be skipped. But a few things which we will recommend are:

Visit Krishnabai Shiv temple. Located in old Mahabaleshwar, just a few minutes walk from the Panch Ganga temple (which is very commercial and can be avoided) is this rather old, quaint temple which the tourists have thankfully chosen to ignore. Depending on whom you choose to believe, the temple can be dated as 5000 years old (as per the priest - certainly a gross exaggeration), 800 years old (as per some sites on the net, maybe true - it looks that vintage) or 130 years old (that's as per wikipedia - though it looks much older).  But age is not as important as the sheer tranquility of the place. Overlooking the valley the lord gets a beautiful view of the sunrise and the river. It is supposedly the spot where the Krishna river originates. When we reached the place we were the only souls with not a sound to be heard anywhere. Even the priest was missing. Arch spent an hour of solitary contemplation while I pottered around the place clicking snaps. 

  

Buy Strawberries from Mohsin at Muskaan Farms. Just as you are returning from the temple before the parking lot, you will see a family packing strawberries on their front porch. Mohsin is the third generation owner  of  this place and very friendly. He showed us around his farm and also his backyard where he grows chamomile tea, rocket lettuce, iceberg lettuce, mustard kale, broccoli, zucchini and the like. We ended up chatting with him and his family for over an hour. 

Mohsin and his dad

Fresh and juicy

Walking around the strawberry farm

Chamomile tea plant

Broccoli

When we told Mohsin how much we liked the Krishnabai temple, he took it upon himself to contact the priest and ask him to hurry back so that he can personally show us around once again, this time inside the sanctum sanctorum. So once the simple looking and extremely polite Mangesh, the priest, showed up we went back with Mohsin to the temple and this time the priest chanted some mantras inside with mesmeric reverb inside the chamber. The fact that a Muslim was sitting with us enjoying the recitation as much as us and explaining the details of the temple did not escape our notice.

With Mangesh - the priest

With Mohsin in front of the temple

Visit Devrai Art Village, Panchgani. On the drive back keep about an hour or so to visit this non profit initiative where adivasi craftsmen from naxalite affected areas of Gadchiroli and Chhattisgarh forge beautiful metal creations. Its called Rock Dhokra - an art form where rock is fused with molten brass. 

It’s run by Mandakini Mathur (who is also a filmmaker) along with her colleague Suresh Pungati.  If you’re game for a short but steep downhill trip you can see the workshop where the craftsmen live and work. There is a small shop in one of the rooms of Mathurs' house which adjoins the 'workshop' where the artefacts are displayed for sale. We also happened to meet her husband Atul Mathur, an ex-HR professional and soon found that we had a few mutual friends in Bombay. Their son Devansh (probably in his early twenties) is a budding filmmaker and he took us to his projection room in the house to show clips from some of his creations. A very warm and creative family indeed.
Honey and spice shopping. While driving around the town we chanced upon this apiary run by the Directorate of Beekeeping. We walked in and they showed us around the small place. We learnt that the best honey of the area is from the nectar of the 'Karvi' flower which blooms only once in seven years. Other flavours are available for sale too in the premises. We picked up a few bottles but haven't tasted them yet. On the way back to Mumbai after the town of Wai at the foothills, as you drive towards the highway, there are a few shacks by the roadside where village women sell spices. Pick up some turmeric which is grown in the region. It's quite nice.

The beekeeper pointing the queen bee

Mix with the locals: They are extremely warm, friendly and uncorrupted - despite the touristry nature of the town.