Fault in Our Stars

It has been good long 19 years since the spectators or rather crowd, at India’s cricket Mecca – Eden Gardens – decided that they will not let Sri Lankans complete their annihilation of the Indian squad at the semi final game of the World Cup.

Stands were burnt, bottles were used as missiles and ultimately the game was called off in favour of the Lankans, who later went on to clinch their first and only World Cup title.

But that was 1996, the Indian economy had opened just a few years ago, India’s youth was still restless, jobless and perhaps – there is nothing official about it – resonated with the public at large.

History, as they say, repeat itself and for us it took just three years and that too at the same dubious venue. This time, the crowd cannot digest a run out. They decided it was unfair and that was it.

Those who dig for cricket trivia may know that that the boorish behaviour of the crowd at Rajkot in 2002 was not because India was on a slide. Let us, however, agree that 2002 was a year of aberrations and more so for Gujarat.  

Since then, we hoped and assumed that we have moved on, learning from our mistakes, or simply letting bygones be bygones.

After all in this while we have sent a probe to Mars, won the World Cup and elected a leader to prove that we believe in giving second chances.  

But after the latest debacle in Cuttack, when the spectators again transformed into a rioting crowd, maybe now the time has come to pause and reflect on the fact that somehow, we have missed an evolutionary phase.

And perhaps, in some way what happened at Cuttack and Dadri, is a reflection of our stunted growth. It takes a few runs on board, or a rumour to incite our animal spirits. We catch fire quickly than it takes sodium to burn in air.

So, are we not only sore losers and get hurt easily but also naïve and equally intolerant? 

Some may argue that it is not so, after all, arson and rioting does happen in the more civilised West. In sports, fans of soccer teams are renowned for that. The latest such incidents have, however, been reported from Malaysia and Egypt and both countries are already battling their own demons.

This, however, is not about comparisons. It is very easy to be outside the field and call judgements. Kohli is not playing well cause Anushka or they had beef in their refrigerator – are not aberrations. It is a mindset. And with each passing day our belief in passing on the blame, or making someone a scapegoat is strengthening.

We intuitively practice it in our daily routine. There is always someone there who can be blamed. A section of the stadium, some incited mob, one party ideology, or even a road, named after a king long dead 300 years ago.

August 15, 1947 was supposed to be our day of awakening to life and freedom. But in no measure we have kept our pledge. We are still fighting on the same issues that eventually led to partition and the unfortunate fact is that the trust deficit among ourselves is widening every year. We feed the Brutus inside us and yet we claim that the fault lie in our stars and not ourselves.

Maybe now it is time to have another tryst with destiny, first as individuals and then as a country. The Prime Minister perhaps needs to redefine Swachh Bharat. The journey from an uncouth nation to a progressive one cannot be limited to cleaning the muck on our roads. But then again, do we need someone to tell us that?

Helen & Faust

“A face which launched a thousand ships,” – is attributed to a German character, ‘Faust’, made immortal by a British play writer, in reference to Helen of Troy, for which Greeks waged a war.

If Faust had to vote in the recent referendum, I bet he too would have chosen ‘OXI,’ after all he made worse deals than this. And at this moment, Grexit, looks like a better deal than any on the table.

Germans, meanwhile, have become bilingual. “Humanitarian aid,” has already emerged as a key word, and may be it will be the next ‘Trojan Horse.’ 

While those defending Greeks are narrating that how Helen or Gretchen was betrayed. It was the cupid, or the devil. She was innocent, never knew what hit her. And then even if she willingly enjoyed all the attention, or in this case, benefits, that is not her fault.

As for Faust, he knowingly made a deal with the devil. And when the term ends, he has to go with him. Germans perhaps will not like to embrace this fate again…

Tspiras and Greek can don the role of being wronged, but they will need to admit that the mess they are in is because of their own shortcomings. A humanitarian aid at this junction cannot be bestowed on them only on the notion of ‘eternal femininity.’ 

Stricter tax laws, self-imposed austerity measures and a return to drachma may just be the beginning. 

When the victorious Greeks started to return from Troy, most of them fell during the journey. The one, who returned unscathed was the righteous, Nestor. According to the Odyssey, it took the protagonist a decade to reach home. And this time it will take more than “Deus ex machina,” to set things right…

Grexit

As I had argued previously, Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras are running in the same marathon – against their electorate’s expectations. By calling for a ‘referendum’ on whether to accept the strict conditions imposed by lenders, Tsipras has unburdened his responsibilities on the people of Greece. 

All across the globe, whenever a question on relinquishing basic amenities – “do you think we should cut your salary for a possible better future?” – will be asked to the populace at large, the answer will be resounding ‘No.’ It will come as a big surprise if the Greek think and vote contrary to this, and perhaps in the future this may serve as an indicator to other struggling nations in the Euro Zone.

Back in New Delhi, Kejriwal’s government, is also taking a leaf out of Tspira’s book. Decisions which an elected government should take on its own are being posed backed to the voters. The recently presented Delhi budget is also said to be formulated after taking public opinion on various issues. We have already seen the party’s attempt to remodel their strategies based on feedback over the phone. 

Seeking public opinion is welcome, it is a part of the overall democratic structure. In some cases it may help to gauge the public mood, which the elected representative, may not be able to convey for reasons of fear, sycophancy or simply that they do not have an ear to the ground. But going to the electorate repeatedly defeats the very purpose of the whole election process. 

A voter has voted you in power because he trusts you, or he thinks that you are the lesser evil amongst all others. In politics it is ok to take a step ahead and retreat two, but to shrug off responsibility and tell your voters to decide on nearly every issue is equivalent to abdication. On that, Tsipras is close to the finish line, Kejriwal still has some time left.  

Athens-2-Delhi

One of the common denominators between Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, is – they both have promised the moon to their electorate. 

It is also clear from the very start that the stated mission of both these leaders, is going to be, if not impossible, then a real challenge to meet.

Tsipras has assured to renegotiate the terms of the Greek bailout deal, raise the minimum wage, re-hire public sector workers and reduce taxes. In Delhi, Kejriwal is no short of promises too, he is expected to dole out 20,000 litres of free water a month to all household, cut electricity rates by half, create 500 new schools, 20 new colleges and to top it all, abolish contract labour everywhere.

The common man in both Athens and New Delhi is hopeful and impatient. Neither they understand implications of freebies and nor do they care. 

Renegotiated bail out in Athens will not come, only on the symbolism of Tsipras not wearing a tie. Similarly, the now iconic muffler will not ensure reduction in electricity rates.

The Germans have already rejected Tspiras demand for $11 billion of Second World War reparations, calling the Greek government’s claims “baseless”. Full statehood for Delhi, given the security constraints will also not come on a platter. 

The situation in New Delhi may not be as desperate as in Athens but empty promises will soon start pinching and an effort to give immediate doles, will put at risk, of what can be salvaged through pragmatic decision making. 

Kejriwal’s party in its manifesto promises to look for innovative solutions, spend efficiently and raise revenue. For starters, however, they have asked for Centre's support in the swift regularisation of unauthorised colonies and aid for the development of rural areas. 

Singing a similar tune, Tsipras is already shifting the burden of performance on others and said that it is essential for all of Europe, not just Greece, that his government succeeds in reshaping its bailout programme.

As both leaders move ahead, they should know that blaming others for non-performance may not settle well with their voters. Greece has already seen six elections, Delhi should not go that way.

On a lighter note: 

“Delhi mein Shah Alam; Lal Qile se Palam”