Authoritarian regimes may differ in ideology and perception, but in effect they are almost the same everywhere. The crack down on the Tibetan protestors by the Chinese government provides ample evidence to the fact that the modus operandi of even (?) a communist ideology led government cannot differ much. From China’s point of view, it can be debated that they are not supposed to tolerate something like a rebellion of Tibetans for self rule on the very eve of the greatest sports event in the world that the country is host. Untimely for the Chinese mandarins only, because there could never be a ripe time like this to raise the Tibetan issue that has been smoldering for over 6 decades and attract international sympathy for the problem. It has been just sour grapes for the Tibetans, and their spiritual leader in exile all these years since China occupied their country, and you cannot expect things to be comfy and regal in Chinese occupied Tibet on account of the Beijing Olympics.
But my question now is: where are the champions of human rights here in India? They have been shouting slogans for the Palestinians, Saddam, Mandela, Gujarat victims, Madani, and a lot others, but not a single voice in favor of those hapless Tibetans. This is where politics comes in, because the protestors’ real concern is votes and not human rights as at least some people may believe.
Ask any activist why is it that the Chinese crackdown in Lhasa is something that will not come under the list of human rights violations that they preach and profess; he/she would certainly admonish you not to interfere in the sovereignty of another country!! Sovereignty, no doubt China enjoys fully in its territory; but will that apply in an occupied land like Tibet and its people in exile? We are smart champions of human rights violations elsewhere in the world if only they could help fan some sentiments here and could be traded against votes. But is it so bad if we start thinking a little more human for those Tibetans?
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Some Reminiscences of Aluva Sivarathri
Yesterday evening as I was getting bored staying home the whole day, I decided to go to Sivarathri Manappuram on the banks of Aluva Puzha(Periyar) where a great fair in connection with Maha Sivarathri was going on. Since my childhood days, as it has been ever since my parent’s and grand parent’s also, Sivarathri time used to be looked upon as a great event - the elements of spirituality, recreation, and merchandise beautifully woven together. One may, at times, find it difficult to draw a clear demarcating line between any of these elements.
Every year, around half a million people assemble there on Maha Sivarathri night, pay libations to their ancestors, make a round of the trade fare going on there, buy something and leave. The giant wheel at Manappuram used to shoot up the adrenaline level of people like anything. I am not sure if the younger generation feels the same now a days because the excitement is far greater in the amusement parks near and around. However, such options weren’t even heard of those days and it is certain that people used to enjoy the wallet suiting merchandise here any how.
There must be something that brings people year after year to a place that would lie almost deserted during the rest of the year. Of course, people come here to perform the last rites of their dear and near. But this much crowd on a single day is something few other places in Kerala can boast of. It is a great wonder that in spite of the well oiled machinery and propaganda of a cadre based political party like the CPM, not more than a few ten thousands of people come for a district meeting at the same place. I was witness to the recently concluded district public meeting of that party and I was amazed to find that less than a quarter area of Manappuram was sufficient to contain the crowd!
By the time I reached Manappuram yesterday, the Sivarathri rush has subsided, but it was brisk business at the stalls there. I decided not to go farther than the book stalls and propaganda stalls erected by various spiritual organizations. Sivarathri celebrations come only once in a year; so why shouldn’t you splurge a little on those days?
Every year, around half a million people assemble there on Maha Sivarathri night, pay libations to their ancestors, make a round of the trade fare going on there, buy something and leave. The giant wheel at Manappuram used to shoot up the adrenaline level of people like anything. I am not sure if the younger generation feels the same now a days because the excitement is far greater in the amusement parks near and around. However, such options weren’t even heard of those days and it is certain that people used to enjoy the wallet suiting merchandise here any how.
There must be something that brings people year after year to a place that would lie almost deserted during the rest of the year. Of course, people come here to perform the last rites of their dear and near. But this much crowd on a single day is something few other places in Kerala can boast of. It is a great wonder that in spite of the well oiled machinery and propaganda of a cadre based political party like the CPM, not more than a few ten thousands of people come for a district meeting at the same place. I was witness to the recently concluded district public meeting of that party and I was amazed to find that less than a quarter area of Manappuram was sufficient to contain the crowd!
By the time I reached Manappuram yesterday, the Sivarathri rush has subsided, but it was brisk business at the stalls there. I decided not to go farther than the book stalls and propaganda stalls erected by various spiritual organizations. Sivarathri celebrations come only once in a year; so why shouldn’t you splurge a little on those days?
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