PHILANTHROPY AS I SEE

Today after reading an article about the federal case against ex Mckinsey CEO Rajat Gupta two very contradictory yet very complimentary ideas about morality reckoned my mind. First came as a reaction to an appeal by Bill Clinton and second was a reaction to appeal by Kofi Annan. Though both of them appeared in same sentence but we shall deal with them separately.

                                Now the first feeling is a thought about the philanthropy efforts of the richest men. It’s a sacred task sanctioned by the infallible Vedas and all other religious treatise around the world. Yet, whenever I read about it something seems amiss to me. The basic objection I have is that when the way of earning didn’t included philanthropy and means were not as honest as they should, then how come the end that is the liberal act of donation considered as philanthropy. My question is having its origins in a quote of Gandhiji in which he has said that the purity and sanctity of an action depends as much on its means as much on its end (product). Thus, when our means includes robbing the downtrodden of their little yet precious wealth in the name of profit as a cost of our entrepreneurship, how could our end in which we share our leftovers with them can be treated as an act of generosity. Well let me put in another way, we can say that this act would be quite similar to the act of feudal lords until last century where left overs were offered to scavengers as a feast. That way we can say that today’s act of philanthropy certainly is feudal in nature which has just changed its clothes.

                                Further, we have the educated middle class also resembles the bards as we also goes on praising these efforts and then in process we inflate their image and make it larger than life. Many would question my thought on the line that it is against the very ethics of the business and a business needs to follow this suit to survive in this world. In that case my reply is very simple that before advent of Europeans and even after their advent before they were a political power Indian merchants with different ethics use to be more richer than them as Virjilal Vohra’s example can be quoted who was suppose to be the richest men in the 16^th century world. These men though were not so honest yet when compared with today’s businessmen they were almost saints as their rate of charging profit was not exorbitant as today but a modest 10-20 %. It was not that they did it suo moto but rather Indian Legal system had over the century considered 10 % as a genuine rate for profit and over and above that was considered illegal.  Actually the act of today’s industrialist was started in 1870’s by many American industrialists who included greats like, Carnegie, Rockefeller etc. Even today we can see that the institutions established by them are considered the base rock of philanthropy but what we tend to forget is that the era in which they flourished is called “Age of Robber Barons” which proves my contentions.

                                                Now coming to the second thought which arises out of Kofi Annan’s remark in which he suggests the federal court not to forget the deeds done by Mr. Gupta in the upliftment of the mankind.  This thought was actually given to me by my father during my upbringing that son always remember that you may do hundred good deeds for this world but it will discard you on the hundred and the first if it’s not up to its liking and your past deeds shall not hold any good what so ever . In this case same words echoed in my mind and I was left wondering that these golden words will never grow old. Since the days his involvement in Graft only good thing I heard about Mr. Gupta was that he has successfully authored struggler’s story achieving all that he wanted but anything about his philanthropy was generally kept under wrap including his work for United Nations. And here I am talking about the Indian media which has no pressure at least visible pressure from Federal authorities of USA.  Such absence of his philanthropy in general manner proves the heights of the materialistic culture we have reached in which we only salute the rising sun even if its redness is out of blood. The moment we realize its setting we leave it faster than rats can leave sinking ship.

                                Well after all this discussion I am really in a dilemma as neither acts of philanthropy can be decided which can be said morally upright nor its end as it will be considered an honour till you are shining high and after your time is over even your best efforts in helping mankind shall be ignored including your past efforts. 

Bijapur operation: a shot at regaining the lost glory

“26 dead”. Must be CRPF. Don’t tell me naxals. 26 naxals ….. which force…. CRPF. Are you sure!

Well since Chintalnaar incident not only the eyebrows but hands & questions were raised, fingers pointed over the virility of CRPF troopers, competence of the men and officers. Further following incidents ensured further degradation of CRPF’S rapport and every personnel of the force had to bear this burn in spite of the valiant fight put up by 62 Bn, what remained in public mind was the massacred bodies.

It was like a shock to CRPF something akin to the Commodore Perry’s expedition to Japan. A shock which changed its modus Vivendi. Just like Meiji restoration, a spurt came in the activities under aegis of its new director general whose emphasis on training actually lead to a complete overhauling of the force. Although few do see this as a reaction to the questioning of CRPF’s training methodology by other armed force senior officers. Yet one can say after this resurrection CRPF rose like a phoenix from ashes. It broke its slumber and leapt out of hibernation in a brand new avatar.  So much so that that the loss of lives incurred in our credit side has been debited back to the columns of naxals in the balance sheet.

          After losing their top ideologue Kishenji last year, now loss of 26 lives (18 bodies recovered) is quite a death blow, which has put a irreparable damages in their prestige. The tactically superiority of the guerrilla warfare seems to be losing space now. It will also require a revamping of not only their tactics but even the strategies on the behalf of Naxals . Though from past experience we can drew a point that they have always done enough analysis of major incidents and that their R&D cell is definitely very advance as well as very much active as it ensures that they mould their tactics accordingly. But the psychological loss cannot be made up.

Hence, In order to make it up, they will soon try to settle scores or rather say regain their lead. It is very much possible that in forth coming days attempt would be made over the lives of the field commanders of this operations to draw consolations. Obviously, CRPF knows this and so do the other forces employed in that belt. Further, It should also be kept in mind that this was the long required elixir which suddenly has given a new zeal , enthusiasm not only to the ones serving in the Chhattisgarh but right up to Srinagar, Kohima & Liberia.

          Further, CRPF have to maintain this momentum to get a foot hold in the alleged “liberated zone”, the undisputed territory of naxals. And for this we need to be very careful in our next planning as ‘Sun Bin’ the Chinese war tactician has very rightly said that ,’I would prefer a general who has lost few battles to the one who had been unconquered for the one who lost knows what mistakes should not be done.’ Also we have to keep in mind that the intoxication of victory is the most lethal one.

          Thus, we can say that CRPF though had recently been recognized as the main actor in curbing the naxal menace. With the recent achievement it has attested its status. Also it has shown that making mistakes, entering debacles isn’t so bad as it gives you a chance to rectify, rearrange and then realize your dexterity to regain your lost glory and this operation has proven that.

The Hunger Games: Demystification of theories

The Hunger Games taught me many things among it it helped me to understand the role of metropolitan in core-periphery theory from the eyes of periphery ... it helped me understand the exploitation as seen from the eyes of exploited in an oligarchy ... further it showcased how talent seems valueless and need consideration of money. The scene about tributary talent showcase reminds me of scholarship sponsoring dinners in USA ... further it also showed the ruthlessness of the system ... the attitude of holier then thou generation ....... in way it gave a complete insight in many areas where it just wanted to touch ....... further the way director has used the sound of shunya(zero/silence) to show the impact of blast or numbness of the critical moment is awesome although it is not new but its usage mixed with blurry video had a lot of capitulating impact as it allowed us to understand the state of mind further people like me actually can relive that moment again ....... all in all I just loved this movie and suggest it to all who can bear action .. obviously those who love its essential watch worth your money ...please watch it in hall for better reception

CAPTURING THE TAO

CAPTURING THE TAO

(A book review of Art of warfare)

The Art of warfare like its predecessor Art of war turns out to be a thin lithograph containing only required information. Though it is thinner then Art of war yet it has fundamental structure of a manual and moreover, its planned structure makes it easy to use as reference despite the fact that few pages of book has been lost with the sands of time.

This magnum opus was rediscovered in 1972, with the discovery of Han dynasty tomb in Yin-chueh-shan. It contains 30 Chapters which covers various aspects of war, army managements. While, doing this author ensured that he is not missing any aspect of military tactics.

Book opens with the capture of P’ang chuan where Sun Bin first time applies his tactics to the ground. In the very first chapter it is realized that like his ancestor Sun Tzu he does not walk on the beaten track of early military theorist but he gives innovation & ingenuity based upon human behavior more importance. In next three chapters he answers various questions asked by King Wei & T’ein chi. These questions & answers by Sun Bin to them were the prime mover in establishing his reputation. As it shows that “Tao” of military is captured by him. These chapters further shows the acumen of Sun Bin , as his answers are not accepted on its face but had to be explained in details to be established and thus, it gives us an insight in the thought process of the author & develop a likewise thinking.

Though Sun Bin’s emphasis is generally upon practicing yet his chapter& emphasis on the astrological impact shows the trends & restrains of age over reason. However, while selecting troops he describes the role of trust & gaining of masses as the very base of the victory along with loyalty & daring. Further his wisdom on usage of terrain is quite exhaustive & accurate. Which allows us to reorient our appreciation of knowledge of terrain .He in another chapter rightly recognizes various grounds & their usage. Further, his categorization of the ground allows easy recall during tough situation by ground. His wisdom is quite evident when he describes the relationship between various grounds, seasons & special features. He insists that to understand and grasping ‘yin’ & ’yang’ is Tao of military affairs.

Similarly he also discusses the four elements of battle, offices, distinction between hosts & guest, virtues & other aspects of a General among other things esp. his distinction of host & guest nations along with their behavior shows us the marked uncanny insight our wise author possessed about the nature of warring states. It gives an enlightened view about the future of war & hence, allows us to prepare our plans in better way.

Though ”Art of War” is considered as the bible of military genius, what makes “Art of Warfare” a equally good read is the way in which the abstract concepts of Sun Tzu are given form & shape of conventional military writings. Further, unlike Sun Tzu, his descendant Sun Bin was actually the chief strategist of a nation’s army . Hence, his methods are battle tested & war hardened while comparing Sun Bin’s magnum opus with the western military classics like military & on war , we realize that “Art of Warfare” has a distinctive Machiavellian taste added to it , which allows it to be used invariably by both guerrilla and conventional armies. Further, various important concepts of Clausewitz’s like “Fog of War” can be evidently seen here. It shows not only then universality of this book but also the maturity about military attains which were achieved so early by Chinese military theorists like Sun Bin.

However, every moon has a dark side too. This moon though has very limited darkness but yet in today’s world small part of its light has lost its sheen, which appears as if it has been dark. Further, at many places, Sun bin‘s emphasis on particular areas also restrain his work but these limitations are only due to the changing times . However, the base of “Art of warfare”, the Tao never changes.