I won't give up .... My turn will come .....

M G Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, played lead roles in his movies.  As youngsters we had our own movie heroes; Rajkumar in Kannada, N T Rama Rao in Telugu and MGR in Tamil.  Some would argue even in those days that Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Sivaji Ganeshan were better actors.  As happens with all subjective issues, each one is entitled to his or her opinion. But the fact of the matter is that they were all great artistes and devoted their lifetime to acting and movies. High discipline and devotion alone carried them to great heights and that is why they are remembered even today.  Luck probably played its role, but they made dame luck move in their favor by unstinted efforts and hard work. Their films when screened today, after decades of viewing them again and again, still draw full houses.

MGR was the darling of the masses, as an actor and as a person. The characters he played were generally sober, patient and represented the common man. His films always had a villain character played from time to time by various actors like M N Nambiar, M R Radha, P S Veerappan, S A Ashokan and others. The films usually had some fighting scenes in them.  The characters played by MGR would try their best to avoid the fights but the villains would not listen.  The hero is receiving blows, but does not return them initially.  He tries his best not to hurt the villain and end the fight.  But that cannot happen.  He goes on receiving blow after blow.  At some stage the blow is heavy and severe. There is blood on his body, usually in the mouth.  MGR wipes the wounded part and sees blood.  The expression on his face suddenly changes.  The sleeping giant is awakened.  He is now a transformed man. His turn has now arrived.  This is what the entire audience was waiting for.  Now it is MGR and only MGR.  The villain wants to flee from the scene, but there is no escape.  He is beaten black and blue.  The beating continues until the police come and arrest the villain.  The arrival of the police is a big relief to the villain. He is now safe in the lockup or jail and saved from the rampaging hero.  Sighting of blood was the key. That changed the equation.  But, they were only movies........

***** 

Perry Mason and his clerk Jackson are sitting in the court.  Perry mason's client, an young girl is present as an accused in a murder case.  Hamilton Burger, the District Attorney and his deputies are piling up evidence and reconstructing the gory scenes of murder.   The jury is evidently impressed by the voluminous and detailed evidence accumulating against the defendant.  While they are engrossed in the proceedings in the court, Jackson is worried and perturbed.  Perry Mason is sitting like a statue; his face granite hard.  Court adjourns for the lunch recess.

Mason and Jackson are now sitting at the lunch table in the restaurant across the court hall.  Dishes are served, but Jackson is not eating anything.  His hands holding the knife and fork are playing with the  items served in the plate.  "What is the matter Jackson?  why are you not eating?" asks Mason.  "The case is gone.  We are licked. The evidence being piled by the prosecution is overwhelming.  How can I eat lunch?", Jackson asks.  "Let them do their job.  Enjoy lunch now.  Let us get back to court.  I won't give up.  My turn will come....", says Mason.  They finish lunch and arrive in the court hall just as the Judge enters and hearing resumes.  Jackson is still worried and Mason's face is granite hard.

Hamilton Burger offers Mason to cross-examine his witnesses.  Mason's turn has indeed come now. He demolishes all key points of the prosecutions and raises many questions.  District Attorney has no answers and seeks an adjournment.  He wants an escape for the day.  There is no escape as Mason opposes tooth and nail.  Case is dismissed and defendant is released from custody.  But, that was only fiction.........

*****

Rafael Nadal arrived in Wimbledon this week as World No.1, but seeded No.2 behind Novak Djokovic.  He had lost to others and Djokovic on clay courts before French Open 2014.  Doubts were raised on his capability to win in Paris for the fifth time in succession and ninth time overall.  Djokovic was looking for a career grand slam by winning at Roland Garros.  World No.1 was also at stake.  If Nadal won, he would continue in that place.  If Djokovic won, he would replace Nadal as No.1. Djokovic had beaten Nadal in their two immediate previous meetings.  Pundits were predicting that Nadal's time is over.  Both reached finals and Djokovic duly won the first set 3-6.  Nadal waited and refused to give up.  He fought on every point and every stroke just like the other did.  There was no scope for sharing the cup. Ultimately Nadal's turn came and he won the next three sets and lifted the Paris cup for the ninth time.

But Wimbledon was different, they said.   It is grass and not clay.  Nadal had lost to Dustin Brown on the Halle grass court in less than one hour in first round itself, only a fortnight before.  Pundits said he has a tough draw and may not last the first week. His first round opponent M Kilzan played so well and won the first set 4-6.  Nadal fought every point and waited for his time.  When his time arrived, he won the next three and moved to second round.  L Rosol was expected to end Nadal's journey at Wimbledon in round 2.  He had done so two years ago. Rosol was unstoppable in the first set.  Nadal fought each point and waited for his time.  When it arrived, he won the next three and reached Round 3.

His opponent in Round 3 was another hard hitting player.  Kukushkin had two distinctions; a player who had a double hip surgery and a rare player coached by his wife, Anastasia.  The royal boxes had many celebrities including Sachin Tenjulkar and his wife Anjali, David Beckham and his mother Sandra, Stewart Broad who had taken a hat-trick (three wickets in three balls) against SriLanka in a cricket test match only last week, Sir Bobby and Lady Charlton, Defending Champion Andy Murray's mother Judy Murray and many other tennis legends.  Kukushkin played power-packed tennis and won the first set in tie-break, despite Nadal coming from behind and forcing the tie-break.  Nadal again fought on each point and waited for his time to arrive. Either his turn arrived on its own or he forced it to arrive,  and then demolished his opponent with the identical score line of 6-1 in each set. He won 18 of the 20 games and every service game of Kukushkin was broken, except one.  the final celebration was muted and low key.

All along there was no change in his 18 mannerisms of keeping the water bottles in identical positions, collecting both towels from ball boys and girls and returning regularly, covering the half-eaten banana with its skin fully, wiping his forehead and ears and the jog to the baseline from his chair.  Coach and uncle Tony Nadal did not smile even when Nadal had two breaks in his kitty.  At the end of the match Nadal was indeed a relieved man.  He warmly clapped when his opponent walked off from the court and  threw his sweat-wet arm bands to the crowd.  On the way out he signed every autograph book, small and big tennis balls, yellow ones and pink ones too, magazine photos and many many caps.  He was modest at the post-match press conference and reasoned that he lost the first set because he did not play well.

This was neither film nor fiction.  This was indeed a glorious chapter from something called real life......

*****

Nadal has lost many times to different rivals; it only shows that he is human.  But he can never be faulted for trying his best and waiting his turn in most difficult situations.  he may exit Wimbledon this year in the next match or even lift the cup. How many majors he can still win is a matter of wide debate.  All these are besides the point.   He is making the same doubting pundits to exclaim how he got those angles and service returns in these three matches!   Others are worried about the number of towels he uses on court and violation of the 20-second rule between the points.  He is concentrating on doing his best.  Of not giving up and waiting for his turn patiently. And when the turn comes, en-cashing it with full force at his command. He has already earned the adjective of being the fittest and most determined athlete around for quite sometime.

Champion of yesteryears and one known for his hot temperament on court, John McEnroe paid the ultimate tribute to Nadal.  He said, " How do you teach will, desire, not to quit in any circumstances? You don't see this often, once every ten years if you are lucky.  Nadal has made other guys better trying to compete with him.  In the definition of "Where there is a will, there is a way", he is the picture you are going to see".

The lesson is "Never give up..........wait.........Your turn will come!"  Of course, one has to work for it with a lot of conviction.  As much conviction as Nadal is showing to us.           

           

Forever, yours!

While searching for some old letter in my collection, I stumbled on a sheet of 5 paisa stamps purchased long time ago.  These stamps were purchased probably four decades back when five paisa stamps were regularly used.  In those days, mail was the only easily available communication medium to be in touch with those in distance places.  Keeping a stock of postage stamps and envelopes was a habit for those who had the practice of writing letters regularly. If those five paisa stamps are to be used now, the entire sheet of 100 stamps is to be pasted on an envelope weighing 20 grams. The surface area on both sides of the envelope would not be enough to paste 100 stamps! 

I remember a letter received by my host in USA which had a postage stamp of "Liberty Bell" affixed on the envelope.  That stamp did not have any monetary value or denomination printed on it (Photograph downloaded from internet is given alongside).  Only the words "USA FIRST CLASS FOREVER" were printed on it.  I visited the nearest post office and found that these stamps are presently sold for $ 0.49 (49 cents).   These stamps can be purchased, kept and used forever without worrying what the current postage rates are.  These stamps can be used to mail an envelope weighing one ounce (about 28 grams) regardless of when the stamps were purchased or used, no matter what the price of stamps and rules are in force at the time of use.

The first forever stamp was introduced in USA in April 2007 and went for sale on April 12th.  In 2011, all first class one ounce stamps were made forever stamps with a very few exceptions.  These stamps can be purchased in all Post offices nationwide, online at USPS and also by phone.  They are sold in sheets of 20 stamps.  They can be used for international letters as well, but additional stamps will be required.  These stamps do not show any monetary value or denomination on the face of the stamp.

The practice of using forever stamps is said to have started in 1975.  Forever stamps are in use in many european countries.  It was introduced in UK in 1989. They are in use in Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Russia and scandinavian countries. Canada calls them "Permanent Stamps" with the letter "P" on them, as can be seen in the picture taken from the internet and given here. These stamps can be used for mailing an envelope weighing up to 30 grams. Canada Posts says on its website, these stamps are "Always worth the going rate, no matter when you decide to use them". 

Forever stamps are a good hedge against inflation and rising postal charges and may even be considered as a investment tool too.  "Philately" is defined as "collecting postage stamps or other postal matter as a hobby or investment".  Some stamp collectors have made fortunes through this hobby.  There are stamp valuation services as well as stamp insurance products.  There are exhibitions and competitions involving collection and display of stamps.  Collection of "First Day" postal envelopes used to be a hobby for youngsters and we used to stand in a line at GPO (General Post Office) to buy them on the day of their release, in those days.

When dwelling on the subject of stamps, one can never  forget "CHARADE". Charade means a blatant pretense or deception; a game of riddles.  Charade is a delightful 1963 movie with the fine pair of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn in the lead.  The movie, directed by Stanley Donen and filmed mostly in Paris, is a suspense thriller and has its dose of romance and comedy as well.  It is a gripping story and the repartee between Reggie Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) and Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) is gripping as well as entertaining.  Walter Matthau, James Coburn and George Kennedy provide able support.  This movie is often referred as the "Best Alfred Hitchcock movie that Hitchcock never made"!

Regina Lampert (Reggie, played by Audrey Hepburn) is not happy with her husband Charles Lampert and wants to divorce him.  When she returns home one day, she finds that the home is cleaned up and everything they had is converted into cash.  He is murdered and the cash is also missing.  It turns out that Charles Lampert was one of the five men that went to deliver $ 250,000 in gold to "French Resistance" during second world war but stole it.  The other three (one is believed to be dead long ago) believe that she knows where the money is and threaten her to give them the money. CIA is also behind her to recover the money. She meets Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) and Joshua keeps changing his names and identity frequently.  Reggie finds an an envelope with no contents in it. Reggie gives the stamps on the empty envelope to a young boy to add to his stamps collection.  The boy trades those stamps with a stamp dealer, for other stamps.  All concerned suddenly realise that the money is actually hidden in the form of rare stamps pasted on the empty envelope! The stamp dealer is an honest one and knows the true worth of the stamps. He admits that he knew there was some mistake and duly returns them.  He says he was glad he had the three most valuable stamps in the world for at least five minutes.  When she finally goes to the US Embassy to return the money, she finds that Peter Joshua is actually the american official chasing the swindled money.  The suspense of the movie revolves on the money hidden in the form of the three stamps pasted on the envelope.

May be, one day these forever stamps without any monetary value denominated on them turnout to be as valuable as those depicted in "Charade".  And some of us end up having them with us and be able to safely en-cash them!                     

Fight together, for separation

History is being made today; history was also made nearly six decades ago.  As Nara Chandrababu Naidu takes oath as the first Chief Minister of residuary Andhra Pradesh (some call it Seemandhra) today (8th June 2014), history made on 1st October 1953 and 1st November 1956 are consigned to old history.  New history is now in the making.  What Potti Sreeramulu would have done today, if he were alive, is left to our imagination.

When we gained independence from British rule, Telugu speaking people were scattered under various political formations; a large part under the then Madras Presidency, some other parts under different regions of South India. There was a demand for formation of "Vishalandhra" so that Telugu culture could be preserved and all Telugu speaking people can come under a single political rule.  Many stalwarts fought to realise this dream.  Potti Sreeramulu was one among them.

"Amarjeevi Potti Sreeramulu", meaning an immortal being, was born at the turn of the last century, on 16th Match 1901 to be precise.  Initially he worked for the Great India Peninsular Railway.  He was influenced by the then ongoing freedom struggle and quit his job to join the movement.  His young wife and new born child died at birth time and he felt free to devote rest of his life in serving others.  He divided his property among his brothers and liberated himself from other bondages.  He became a full-time freedom worker and took part in various satyagrahas (agitations) including Salt Satyagraha and Quit India movement.  He was imprisoned several times during these satyagrahas.  He worked in Gujarat as well as in Andhra (part of the then Madras Presidency) for the welfare of the neglected sections of the society. He fought for the right of entry to temples in places where some sections of the society were barred from entering and succeeded in his efforts.  He was known to be a true socialist and fought for the Khadi movement as well as rights of the oppressed. His life style even made some call him a mad man.  But he was his own man, well and truly. He was called as "Andhra Gandhi" by those who loved him.  It is even said that Mahatma Gandhi once uttered, "If only I have eleven more followers like Potti Sreeramulu, I will win freedom for India in a year".  

Sreeramulu took to a lengthy fast to press for creation of a separate state for the Telugu speaking people with Madras (present Chennai) as capital.  Jawaharlal Nehru promised to consider the demand and he broke his fast. But nothing concrete emerged mainly due to the demand that Madras (Chennai) should become the capital of Andhra.  The famous "JVP Committee", consisting of Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhabhai Patel and Pattabhi Sitaramayya, rejected the idea of reorganization of states on linguistic lines.  Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya (founder of Andhra Bank) was himself an Andhra stalwart) and a senior Congress leader. Upset with this line of thinking, Potti Sreeramulu started a fast unto death for the creation of Vishalandhra on 19th October 1952 and died on fast on 16th December 1952.  His fast for 56 days and the resultant death created a violent movement.  His funeral procession in Madras raised huge protests and seven people were killed in police firing in Anakapalle and Vijayawada.  As a result of the heightened agitation, the state of Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1st October 1953 with Kurnool as capital. Demand for inclusion of Tirupathi in Madras State (present Tamilnadu) ensured that Madras stayed with Madras State while Tirupathi was included in Andhra Pradesh. Another Andhra stalwart "Andhra Kesari" Tanguturi Prakasam became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.  Consequent to unification of all Telugu speaking areas under one state due to reorganization of states on linguistic basis, Hyderabad became the capital of Andhra Pradesh on 1st November 1956.  Senior Congress leader and another Andhra veteran Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy became the first Chief Minister of the reorganized Andhra Pradesh.  Since then, 1st November became a day of celebration as "A P Formation day."

Potti Sreeramulu's supreme sacrifice has few parallels in history.  The only other comparable fast unto death is that of revolutionary Jatinidra Nath Das in lahore jail during 1929.  Jatin Das started a fast demanding better living conditions for Indian prisoners and under-trials from the British masters.  He fasted for 63 days and ultimately died on 13th September 1929.  These sacrifices are to be seen in the background of the innumerable fast unto death undertaken nowadays and broken at the slightest assurance even from persons who do not have the authority to concede the demands.  There are also instances of a fast started after a heavy breakfast and broken well before lunch time!  As a mark of respect to Potti Sreeramulu, his house in Royapettah High Road in Chennai was being maintained as a monument by the AP government.  It is a travesty of justice that some time back groups fighting for division of the AP state into Telangana, Rayalaseema and costal Andhra took a oath together at this place to "Fight together for separation". Now that Vishalandhra no longer exists, fate of this monument is a big question.  He fasted for 56 days and yet could not see the united Andhra in his lifetime.  The unified Andhra that came into existence after his fast for 56 days and death lasted 56 years; by 2013 Congress Working committee had already decided on bifurcating the state.

The two states Telangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh have two different formation days now. Telangana was formed on 2nd June 2014 and truncated Andhra Pradesh is being born today.  An instance of a new government of a party with clear majority being sworn after three weeks of declaration of election results is a record in itself.  There will be two celebration and two state songs. There are two governments and two chief Ministers. There will be two cabinets and two systems. There will be many problems of separation and division. Telugu people are again spread under different rules and regulations.

Is there any lesson for the future generations from these events?  There could be many interpretations and explanations for the developments and the climax.  One of them is that edifices built on emotions do not last long.  Human emotions change pretty fast.  Six decades is not too long a period in the history of a state.  New expectations and aspirations have little concerns for history and sentiments.       

102 Floors in 14 Months

Newspapers in Bangalore had a breaking news on 26th May, 2014.  "Bharata Ratna" Prof. C N R Rao underpass, near Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Karnataka and was ready for use by the public. On the next day, my taxi driver took this route to reach Bangalore International Airport.  We entered the underpass with the hope of turning towards Mekhri Circle. The entry towards Mekhri Circle was blocked with barricades and we had to drive around an extra four or five kilometers to get to the airport road!  For the record, the underpass was completed, inaugurated and in use.

The work on this underpass was scheduled to begin in 2008.  Estimated project cost was 300 million rupees.  The estimated time for completion was 18 months.  Work actually started in 2010. Commencement of the work itself was six months after it was expected to be completed.  As soon as the construction work started, the connecting roads were partially blocked  to enable construction work to progress smoothly.  Blocking progressed quite fast but not the construction.  The general public suffered silently, but they truly believed that this is a way of life.  Two Chief Ministers changed and third Chief Minister inspected the progress(?) of the work in October, 2013.  He set a new deadline of December 2013 for completion.  Since the work was not complete by that time, naturally a new deadline of March, 2014 was set.  The work continued even after this date. Fortunately, the work was reported as completed before another deadline was given. After 52 months from commencement of the work, it was declared completed.  Time overrun was only a very low 289% and not allowing it to cross 300% was no mean achievement.  Labor problems and conflict between two contractors were cited as the reasons for the short delay.  Cost overrun is not disclosed, but interest costs alone would be a significant amount.

Bangalore's cricket stadium, known as KSCA's Chinnaswamy stadium was constructed in the mid 70s.  Mumbai's Wankhade stadium was also constructed around the same time.  Construction of KSCA stadium progressed at a snail's pace due to shortage of cement in those days.  S K Wankhade was Education Minister in the Maharashtra government at that time and the Mumbai stadium, though started afterwards, was completed much before the Bangalore stadium.  Wankhade stadium has since been renovated as well and its seating capacity has also been increased. KSCA stadium stands today as if it is a relic from the past and despite the entry fee for matches going up steeply, spectator amenities are woefully inadequate.  Clubhouse and corporate stands are no doubt maintained luxuriously.   

Last month (17th April 2014), another interesting news item was flashed across many newspapers.  A new  Ford Mustang was placed on the 85th floor observation deck of the Empire State Building in New York, USA.(Picture given alongside is taken from the internet).  This was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a similar event that took place in 1964.  As the elevators in the building were not big enough to hold the car, it was broken into six individual assemblies and carried to the 85th floor observation deck.  The deck is open to public to view the Manhattan skyline and the New York city buildings from 8AM till midnight 2 AM (18 hours).  The six assemblies were assembled on the observatory during the six hour interval!

In the background of inordinate delays in completion of projects and ever extending deadlines, the story of construction of the Empire State Building makes a very interesting reading.  This building with 102 floors and standing 1250 feet tall was constructed in only 16 months time.  Construction was done in the year 1930-31 and the technology support in construction industry and civil engineering was nowhere near what is available today.  The building was constructed during the period of "Great Depression", a period of severe worldwide economic distress that started in 1930 and lasted for nearly a decade.  Second World War started in 1939 and "Great Depression" was forgotten in its pressures and fury.

The Empire State building stands on a site area of 83,860 square feet and was constructed after demolishing the Waldorf-Astoria hotel that stood there before construction of this building.  Demolition of the hotel building was  done in 9 days, during the end of January 1930.  Construction of the Empire State Building took only 16 months from that time.  Actual period of construction from foundation laying to 102 floors and inauguration of the building was only 14 months! Construction speed was 4 to 5 stories per week and 3,400 workers were used at the peak construction time.  The building was completed four months ahead of schedule. Actual cost of construction was 25 million dollars against an estimate of 41 million dollars.  Thus there was neither cost overrun or time overrun.  The depression helped in reducing construction costs.  There are 1,860 steps from the ground level to the 102nd floor.  But the 73 elevators in the building moving at the astonishing speed of 600 feet to 1400 feet per minute carry occupants of the building and over four million visitors each year in a flash, to the observatory on 85th floor and beyond.

Time and cost overruns can be curtailed only if there is strong resistance and expression of public sentiment against them.  Otherwise, delays and escalating costs coupled with untold misery to the general public will continue to be an accepted part of life.         

Varanasi and Annam Bhatta

Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is continuously in the news for the past few weeks.  As Varanasi goes to polls tomorrow,  tensions run high.  It was a high profile and big decibel campaign and everyone is looking expectantly at the future.

The first I heard of Kashi (Varanasi) was as a child when someone in our town went there on a pilgrimage.  With no communication facilities except a post card that might be received after several days, those going to far away Kashi and returning after the darshan of Kashi Vishweswara and Annapoorneswari were considered extremely lucky and achieved a coveted goal in their life. When returning from Kashi, they usually brought the water of the sacred river, Ganga stored in sealed copper containers. After a few days rest, they would make another trip to Rameswaram and fulfill the second part of the pilgrimage.  The Ganga water brought from Kashi would be used for the "Abhishekam" of Lord Rameswara.  Thus the twin trips of Kashi and Rameswaram was the dream of many a devout elders.  After completing this ambitious pilgrimage, they usually arranged for a grand function.  The occasion was addressed as "Kashi Samaradhane" or "Ganga Samaradhane". A pooja was followed by distribution of some more copper containers filled with Ganga water to the invitees and relatives.  This was an occasion for celebration and a grand feast used to be the highlight for the youngsters in the locality.  The sealed copper containers with Ganga waters in them, received thus by others would receive pooja in their respective houses everyday. The container would be opened and Ganga water offered with due respects, as the last drops of water and tribute to a family member moving away to the heavenly abode.

Another context in which I had heard of Kashi as a child was with reference to the city being a great center of learning.  It is said that Kashi is one of the earliest inhabited city in the world and its history dates back to several thousand years.  Any scholar from other parts of our country was considered as a true pandit only when he went to Kashi, lived there for sometime and pursued higher studies.  Just as "Foreign Returned" was a distinction some four or five decades ago, "Kashi Returned" was considered an achievement for centuries.  Benares Hindu University (BHU) founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya exemplifies this spirit even today.  BHU will be celebrating its centenary year two years from now.  The rigor of stay and studies at Kashi was symbolically alluded to with the quotation "काशी गमन मात्रेण न अन्नं भटटायते द्विजः", (Kashi gamana matrena na annam bhattayate dwijaha), meaning "A scholar does not become Annam Bhatta merely by going to Kashi".

Who was this Annam Bhatta?  I enquired with some elders but did not receive a satisfactory reply from them.  Many quotations are often used without understanding their actual meaning and this is probably one such.  Many families in the districts of Kolar and Bangalore have the names of Annam Bhatta for generations.  The full name of Annam bhatta is actually Annadana Bhatta, meaning one who generously feeds others. These families have a common Gotra, Haritasa.  On enquiries with them, it is learnt that these families have migrated to these districts from Kurnool area of the present Andhra Pradesh or Rayalaseema. There was a practice of naming a new born after the grandfather or great grandfather and Annambhatta was probably an ancestor of these families.  (Please CLICK HERE to read about "Family Tree" of these families).   Sometime ago, there was a music concert near our house and traffic on the road was closed to accomodate the concert.  i went there to see what was the nature of the concert.  As we were waiting for the artistes to arrive, I saw one girl reading a Sanskrit book in dim light of the street.  I borrowed the book from her and read for a few minutes.  This was a book by name "Tarkasangraha" by Annam Bhatta.  It was a very interesting book on Logic, the science that deals with the principles governing correct or reliable inference. Motivated by this, I studied the book later on and was fascinated by the simple and lucid style followed in the book and yet its scholarly treatment of the subject.

Annambhatta lived in the 16th century and came from a family of Advaitavidyacharyas.  Raghava Somayaji was a well known ancestor of this Telugu speaking family.  He was the son of Tirumala Acharya, and author of several commentaries on "Nyaya Shastra" and Grammar books.  He lived in the golden period of 16th century.  This era is well known for a number of stalwarts and their works.  This period was a very active span of time in philosophy and literature as well with the confluence of masters of all the three schools of thinking; Dwaita, Advaitha and Vishishtadwaita.  Rajaguru Tatacharya was a known Vishishtadwaita stalwart representing the Vishishtadwaita school during the Vijayanagara period.  Vijayendra Tirtha and Vadiraja Teertha were the torch bearers of the Dwaita school in this era. Appaiah Deekshita and Bhattoji Deekshita were acknowledged scholars of the Adwaita school. Annam Bhatta holds his own special place among the luminaries of this distinguished period.

"Tarkasangraha" is a primer and an introduction to "Nyaya System".  An English translation of the book (46 pages only) by Balwant Narhar Bahulikar (1903) is available on the net.  "Dipika" is a commentary on "Tarkasangraha".  A reading of the book makes the meaning of "One does not become Annambhatta by just going to Kashi" very clear.  Annam bhatta did not become a great man by merely going to Kashi.  That many could do.  He worked hard there and came out with very valued works on Logic and Grammar.  he is remembered for the outcome of his visit to Kashi.

Who wins in Varanasi in the election tomorrow is not the issue.  What the winner does thereafter is the moot point. Annambhatta went to Kashi to pursue higher studies.  That was only the beginning.  He spent his time with dedication and succeeded there.  He gave us works like Tarkasangraha and many more.  He became famous and is remembered today not because he went to Kashi, but due to his achievements there.  The one who wins in this election in Varanasi will not be judged on mere emerging a victor in the election.  He will be judged based on what he does or does not do thereafter.  

Kuckoo and the Frog

Another mango season is here.  This is the season of "The king of fruits", as those fond of mangoes call it.  Many varieties of the fruit will flood the market in a few days. Advancement in transportation has made it possible for almost all varieties of the fruit to reach all corners of the country and the world.

Another election season is also here.  We are in the midst of one of the most fiercely contested elections of our generation.  The then familiar sound decibel levels of our younger days have made way for the modern cyber fights.  Internet, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc. have been used both imaginatively as well as brutally to further the prospects of the user's favorite candidates.  This is also one of the longest election process we have ever seen.  We were used to see a new government in place before the indelible mark put on the finger on the voting day moved out of our nails.  Those who voted in the very first phase of this election may not be able to see the mark on their fingers when their votes are counted and the new government takes its stance!

As the mango season and election have converged again, comparison with a similar situation four decades ago appears quite in order.  This is all the more apt in an environment where even the rare breed of civilized leaders are losing their cool and inventing lower and lower levels of words, phrases and jargons to castigate their rivals.

Forty years ago, mango and election season had similarly converged.  I had come home for the New Year festival Ugadi, from a distant place where I had started by work-life.  There was the usual noise of the loudspeakers outside the house, doing their job as part of the election campaign. In a corner of the house my younger sister was rehearsing a verse repeatedly for her forthcoming examination.  That election scene as well as the verse she was mugging up are relevant today.

The two candidates representing the major political parties in that election, belonged to the same dominant community in the region.  They both had many things in common, except age.  There was another interesting twist to the contest; the younger candidate was a disciple of the elder statesman and was an active canvasser for his success in the earlier elections.  Politics had now drawn them apart and the realities of life manifested sharply.  The elder stalwart did not retire to make way for the disciple since there was no retirement age for politicians.  The younger aspirant could not wait any longer and had to migrate to the other party to seek his fortunes.  The other party was looking for a promising candidate and he was the logical choice for them.  Thus the circumstances pitted the veteran guru against the young follower. Though the fight was close and strong, there was no bitterness between the two.  On the day of filing nominations, the junior went to the senior to seek his blessings.  The elder statesman blessed him and said that victory is his if either of them win.  "If I win it is my victory; if you win, it is my victory too!", he said smilingly. The campaign did not have any bitterness at the personal level.

A healthy campaign was followed by brisk voting.  The younger one emerged victorious.  The Guru had probably smelt the result. He was not present at the counting center when the results were declared.  The supporters of the winner had arranged for a public meeting to celebrate the victory of their leader.   But the winner urged his followers to cancel the celebrations. Instead of proceeding to the venue of the meeting, he went directly from the counting center to the house of the defeated guru and prostrated before him.  The guru congratulated him and urged his student to go ahead with the meeting as it was his duty to thank all those who worked for his victory. "There are no victors or vanquished after a democratic election", he declared and said the baton has passed on as per the wish of the people. The public meeting went on thereafter, but was a low key affair.

Now back to the verse my sister was busy mugging up.  It was about the Kuckoo and the Frog:

पक्वं चूतफलं भुक्त्वा गर्वं नायाति कोकिलः|  पीत्वा कर्दम पानीयं भेकः रट रटायते ||       

Pakvam chootaphalam bhuktvaa garvam naayati kokilaha, 

Peetvaa kardama paneeyam bhekaha ratarataayate!     

The Kuckoo bird feasts on the sweet juice of ripe mangoes and yet does not shout with pride or vanity. It only exudes with a sweet voice.  The frog drinks muddy and dirty water and yet continuously makes deafening croaking sound (called ribbit), as if it has achieved something great!

This election is not about Mangoes or Kuckoo birds.  It is only, unfortunately, reminding us of the frogs and their never ending ribbit.              

Quality of Life

What is “Quality of Life”?  It refers to the general well-being of individuals and societies.  It is often confused with “Standard of living”.  While standard of living is reckoned in the context of income and wealth, quality of life is perceived in the context of social environment, physical and mental health, opportunities for decent health care, education, employment, opportunities for achievements in life, social and cultural interactions etc.  Textbooks may give a variety of definitions for the term “Quality of Life”.  For a common man, quality of life ultimately means carrying on his life without running behind routine and mundane things. Running behind routine things cause undue physical and mental pressure and waste of time and money.  A society that treats every member of the community equally and fairly can be said to provide a good quality of life to its constituents.

Having observed the arrival of a newborn child in USA recently and how the system dealt with the various issues relating thereto, certain features were felt very striking and indicative of “Quality of Life”.  This is no value judgment or reflection on any other system and only an attempt to place the facts as they unfolded.

• The first welcome for the new arrival was six months before the birth of the child.  As soon as the employer came to know about the arrival of the child, the expectant mother was allotted a parking place closest to the main entrance of the building.  There was no necessity for her to arrive early at the office complex for finding a parking place near the main entrance, to avoid long walks to the workplace from the parking lot.  (This facility is provided by some of the employers).

• There was no need for an announcing the new arrival.  Mere parking of the car in the dedicated slot was enough for the colleagues to understand and congratulate her profusely.

• The hospital gave the telephone number to be called as soon as the first signs of labor were felt.  This call would keep the system at the hospital ready for further necessary actions, before the expectant mother arrived at the hospital.

• If the expectant mother is alone at home or there is no arrangement for taking her to the hospital, a call to the police or an emergency number would do.  The nearest police patrol car would pick her up from the house and drop at the hospital.

• Hospitals offer birthing and parenting classes to prepare the parents to receive the baby and attend to its initial requirements.

• Each patient is provided a room or shared room,  with all emergency medical facilities.  

• At the time of arrival of the newborn, father of the child is allowed in the OT.  He is provided with the necessary gear and would look like any other doctor on duty.

• Father of the child has the privilege of receiving the baby first, even before the mother!  He is offered the pleasure of cutting the placenta and initiating the first act in the growth of the child.

• The child is not burdened with a long list of prescriptions of medicines and drugs.  The only shots given are for immunizations as per the prescribed schedule. 

• Most employers welcome the baby with some gifts or welcome card as soon as the birth is communicated to them.

• Saturdays are reserved for special attention to sick children at hospitals.  This is to prevent mixing of normal kids with sick ones and to avoid infections.

• Dedicated telephone numbers are available at Hospitals for reaching incase urgent medical attention is required for the child.

• Feeding the child by the mother is encouraged.  Supplements like formula milk are used only when necessary.

• Parents have to fill a simple form giving details of names and address of the parents and name given to the baby, and submit to the hospital authorities.  Birth Certificate issued by the competent authority arrives in the mailbox within a week.  No need of repeated trips to the registrar’s office and no other requirement of formalities or applications. No registered mail and no need to wait for the postman.

•  In the next two or three days, Social Security Card of the newborn arrives in the mailbox.

• Parents can take the child to a local library or town hall and apply for a passport.  The library works till late in the evening and an appointment can be obtained for as late as 8.30 PM.  The formalities can be completed without applying for leave or going to agents to get an appointment at the passport office.  In a week’s time passport arrives in the mailbox. Again, there is no need to wait for the postman or visit the post office if the receiver is not at home during his visit.

• Thus, within a month’s time the child has its basic documents like birth certificate, social security card and passport in place.

• Use of child seat in cars is compulsory and safety of the child is given utmost importance.

• A sign on the car window, “Baby on board”, is respected by all motorists and due deference is shown to the car carrying the baby.

• Each residential area is assigned to a school district.  A child from the area goes to the designated school and there is no need for the parents to search for schools and pay hefty donations for a seat in the school.

• School buses have distinct yellow colors and traffic regulations provide special courtesy to such vehicles.  Speed limits are strictly followed and enforced.

• Priority in boarding of aircrafts, trains and buses is given to parents carrying small children.  This is not the courtesy of some kind-hearted human beings or at the discretion of the other passengers.  It is provided in the systems and the procedures are strictly implemented.  More importantly, nobody grumbles or interferes in their implementation.

• As the child grows, due importance is given for physical activities, sports and games.  All schools are provided large play-fields and attached infrastructure.

• Parents are provided certain relief in their income tax assessments for taking care of the child.  This is the government’s contribution for the welfare of the child. 

To sum up, a newborn is a welcome addition to the society and not treated as a burden.  The above measures and practices make a new arrival a matter of happiness and joy for the parents.  Such joy is shared by the society as well.  This is indicative of an important index of “Quality of Life”, from the very beginning of a new life.