India Census: One Step Forward or Backward?
Caste system and its politics are medieval malpractice to bully the uneducated, asserts Caetano de Abreu
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With the arrival of the 21st century, one would expect drastic transitions on the mindset of the Indians with the ushering of the promised future. That it would make the world stand up and listen to the voices which earlier were those of the downtrodden, but are now creating ripples in the economic, creative and social forum. Alas, leaving aside the imposed glamour, the same is a poignant lesson in fantasy and ridicule as Indians by and large are still vociferous and adamant about continuing their lifelong practices and traditions with the embodiment of modernism waylaid to bring forth that absurd rhetoric about who is the best and who is not, to sanctify that obnoxious caste system which is doing nothing good for India except that it is reverting back to stone age solutions.
The Census is a must for the government to rule the Country (with all the lurching evils) by assorting all sorts of data for development to take place unhindered. The Country can then march in the right direction with the exception that the same Census is erratically undertaken with the introduction of that malicious caste system which is divisive and derogatory in context when unity in diversity and goodwill amongst the fellow Indians could have been brought forth. I say unity in diversity, as India consists of various type of populace with its own language, traditions, usages, and habits, which should not be a deterrent in grander schema of things.
India has changed for the better in terms of economic stability and all-round development. But in day-to-day routine, the mindset remains as stoical as ever, with not an inch to brighten the outlook which retraces back to their age old ancestry. India values its Caste System brought to our land by the Aryan invaders, although it can be firmly assured that it was never of its own. Nevertheless, they adopted that vile system to suit their purpose and convenience by imposing the rituals over the lower caste (where even a wild animal could be vexed over the ignominy) so as to maintain the status of the higher castes and nothing for themselves.
India entrenched its caste system within the social fabric for well over a millennia accepting the whims of the kingdom ruled through vested interests and never diverting from the mainstream politics which was the realm of the upper caste echelon. However, democratic politics in modern India which otherwise should have been the agent of progressive change is just ushering the opposite by keeping the classes of ST, SC, BC, and OBC stifled under their thumbs with no outlet to vent their ire nor to display their inherent talents. And, to aggravate the matter, the bigots in their own system, are suppressing still further the aspirations of the people with imperialistic attributes which are making mockery of the governing system.
No person can dispute the need for the State to help the economically backward. But when the same is based on the caste factor, it strengthens the regressive force in the Country regardless of all the work undertaken by the founding fathers of the Constitution to eradicate the Caste syndrome for the Nation to progress in a free and transparent society. It is to be delineated that caste politics have exploited the virgin and honest minds of the people to grab dominion by electoral arithmetic of the powers that be, in variant hues of degeneration although our Constitution clearly lays the emphasis to outlaw caste discrimination. However, now with caste analogy included in the Census, the ghost of the past is coming in full force to haunt us again.
It is to be analyzed that by including one’s Caste in the Census, the Government is encouraging increased demands for reservations which will create a greater social divide, and no genuine human intention can ever revoke the same. It is a betrayal of all that the Constitution stands for, just for the sake of the political survival of the hamstrung who care two hoots for the people who elected them and who continually faithfully elects them.
These hamstrung political gimmicks are brought forth by the Yadav Troika sullying the cow belt of India and who are capitalizing on political expediency out of their own exigencies. Or else, how can one explain the existence and sheer dominance of Khap Panchayats and its malign intent sowing within the Gotra (patrilineal clan that traces lineage to a common ancestor to make me wonder if by chance Adam is involved) of the northern belt where predominance is given to Jots and other evils? If it is not a Caste prerogative then what it is? We already had the Mandal Commission, the most blatant format of social engineering. Can we afford now the aftermath of Mandal-ll which could be in the offing?
In 1931 the British Government initiated the India Census to aggrandize their divide and rule policy thus the Castes were mentioned. And, when the same was consolidated to get a better pie from the British chart, it was found that it was worth belonging to the upper caste rather than be left behind which in contemporary circumstances is just the opposite as the Government in its drive to alleviate the plight of the underprivileged, is equally giving an impetus for the others to carve a niche for themselves as members of the lower class when they are not, thus leaving the actual needy in the lurch.
The inclusion of Caste criteria do not bide well in the general ambience of things as the Caste system should be shunned upon if we are talking about equality, fraternity, and justice for all. It is to be noted, that economic success is not reliant with the caste quantum, as one’s own aptitude, attitude, and adequate education is sufficient to make a profitable living, bar caste baggage which is hindering one’s road to progress.
Luckily we in Goa, are not hampered by the Caste quotient as Caste is a has been, nothing less and nothing more, thus in our daily grind we are not bothered about that caste baggage and other infirmities. What we are concerned with, is how to live life in relative comfort through hard work and not bragging and loud-mouthing about our Caste credibility which is obnoxious in the present context. Thus I say, if India should attain what it aspires for, it should take that high road in abolishing the Caste system which is nothing but medieval malpractices. Nevertheless can India do it, when the equation of coalition compulsion is playing havoc amongst the level headed politicians and when the politics of power grabbing is at stake?
Caste politics is an exercise to bully the uneducated to cast their precious vote and bring those vile elements back to power. India through the Caste census should be brightened by disallowing that practice if we at all want to see the changes that we seek, and for that basic education from any Academia or home will do, is that asking for the sky?
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The ‘spirit’ of football!
By Dr Mohan Krishna
The flags were flying, the drinks were flowing, and the bets were on (illegally). It was World Cup time, and that means football saturation as the beautiful game dominates screens everywhere, from family living rooms and shops to huge outdoor venues and packed expat pubs.
The start times for this year’s games – in South Africa – allowed fans to enjoy the World Cup as it should be, in the company of a crowd of hollering football faithful, rather than home alone in the middle of the night with volume barely audible in deference to sleeping non-fans.
For some, sports bars were the favoured venues; from outdoor fan zones to slick pubs, these top venues were the ‘in thing’ to enjoy every moment of football triumph and heartbreak.
All over the world, celebrities, fashionistas, models and ordinary people alike flock to big screen TV venues to catch the spirit of football. Brewers and distillers from all over the world promote regional specialty spirits to football revellers at hotshot pubs; with big screens and small shots!
Most sports bars across the world lure audience by “most TVs per square metre of floor space”. They turn the tunes down and the TVs up for the World Cup. Undoubtedly, they are the point of origin of many a post-game hangover, as they give free tequila shots with every goal. Sometimes, wearing a football jersey also gets you a free drink.
Poolside? For some this is an attractive option to poky pubs. They show all the games along with a buy-two-get-one-free happy hour, serving a range of hot and cold snacks designed with a World Cup theme. They have specials to coincide with some matches, like Mexican Tequila, Argentinean wine, Scotch Whisky, Sake, pub-brewed beer, etc.
Supporters of England, the United States and Australia usually throng pubs, but the same cannot be said for fans of other nations, many of whom settle for the smaller screens of affiliated restaurants. Supporters of Germany cheer: “Die Mannschaft” at old German ‘biergartens’, which are packed out when the national team plays.
Innumerable Tequila festivals do the rounds at venues, to educate consumers about Tequila and how to enjoy it ‘responsibly’. Big screens and small shots toast triumphs and soothe the pain of defeats.
The USA and Mexico are the biggest markets in the world for Tequila. Outside these two, South Africa rates as among the top emerging markets for Tequila in the world. South Africa is still developing in terms of consumption behaviour and education, but it is making positive strides.
Tequila brands are renowned for their international association, and often host fashionable events and exclusive parties. With customers from both the celebrity arena as well as high spending fraternities, Tequila promises visitors a first class experience.
Tequila promotions are OK, but not fraud lotteries. Many people received emails and SMSs from ‘FIFA 2010 World Cup promotions UK’ that said: “You have won”. The reality is that they want your money!
During one of the most eagerly anticipated games of this year’s World Cup – England vs USA –many pubs offered special promotions for the big game, co-sponsored by the South African, British and American Chambers of Commerce.
Tequila is the new fashionable white spirit globally, which replaced vodka, just as vodka replaced gin a decade ago. Undoubtedly, Feni could be a global rage if Goa gets its act together…
