Kashmir: The Paradise and the Paradox

                                            Vipul Shaha, Pune, Maharashtra                                           

                                                                     

My family had made plans to visit Kashmir on a vacation this summer. Since I prefer charting out my own exploratory solo journeys rather than going on organized tours, I wasn’t sure whether I would be joining them.  Thanks to a chance encounter with the father of one of my Kashmiri students at a Krishnamurti School, who very enthusiastically invited me to visit his place that I decided to go. The pride with which he spoke about Kashmir got me convinced to take up his invitation.  Once in Kashmir, I realized that it isn’t just he who holds such immense pride about this region, but it was true for every person I met here.  Everyone was equally welcoming in extending their warm hospitality.  One of the first things I was impressed to observe about the culture in Kashmir was the ease and comfort with which men expressed their affection and brotherhood towards each other through hugs and touch.

Sunset, Dal Lake, Srinagar

What was meant to be purely a fun vacation trip packed with visits to common places of tourist attraction in Kashmir, ended up being so much more than that!  Over the course of 2 weeks that I spent in the Kashmir Valley, I got the opportunity to not only unwind and enjoy myself with my family as a tourist, but also to meet hundreds of local people in different towns and villages, stay with local families in different households, visit schools and dialogue with the young, visit and pray at various mosques, Muslim shrines, read up about Islam, the history and current affairs about the region and many such off-beat engagements which I had not earlier anticipated on this trip.

Visit to a mustard farm

My time in Kashmir left me filled with many mixed emotions, thoughts and questions.  I had discovered a stunningly beautiful landscape and a rich culture which I was completely ignorant towards until I actually came here.  Coming to Kashmir, one cannot escape being drawn into burning issues of this region. I have to admit that my only little understanding about Kashmir had come through news as reported in mainstream media—usually around militancy, terror and political unrest.  Growing up, it was easy to look at the map of India and regard it ‘one whole nation’ and assume it to be so with great pride.  The moment we set foot in Kashmir however, my assumptions began to be challenged and perspectives started to shift.  It was the unsettling self-realization that reality is far more complex and dynamic than what one sees, reads or hears from a distance.

Visit to Mazar-e-Shuhada (Martyr's Graveyard) in old part of Srinagar.  Martyrs' Day is observed in Kashmir in remembrance of the people killed on 13 July 1931 by the state forces.

I spent time with people living together in a tight-knit community with a spirit of kinship very proud of their unique cultural heritage.  At a Kashmiri wedding procession I saw young women dancing on street with utmost joy even as there were fresh incidents of riots and violence all over the Kashmir Valley that day.  A young man told me how Kashmir region has been invaded time and again over centuries and yet their hardiness, resiliency and humbleness have kept them going through tough times such as the ones they find themselves currently caught up in.  Across the Valley, a deep sense of fear, distrust, sadness, frustration, helplessness and even anger towards the way in which successive governments and political leadership have let down the people of Kashmir was very much palpable.  Many individuals I met had poignant stories of loss of loved ones to militancy / army related conflicts.  The youth here were particularly restless and yearning for better opportunities and a different socio-economic-political narrative in their lives—many openly demanding separate nationhood --‘Azadi’ or ‘Free Kashmir’ while many asking for greater political autonomy.  One could see wall-graffiti with many such slogans painted in various towns across Kashmir Valley (more provocative and offensive graffiti expressions were also noticeable in some places).  Somehow, despite the best of intentions perhaps, it seemed that India has not succeeded in making the people of Kashmir feel truly integrated and belong to the larger idea of Indian nation.  Heavy and often intrusive military presence and divisive politics here is being resented by most people of Kashmir who are finding themselves rather oppressed than being heard. Public protests have been violently crushed with the enforcement of long periods of curfew in recent past—severely affecting day-to-day lives of ordinary people.  Schools and Colleges were shut for several months during 2016 when the curfew was administered.   It was a new discovery to me that Jammu & Kashmir State has its own state flag along with the flag of India, the state has its own constitution and had a prime minister of its own until the year 1965.  I read up about the Article 370 of the Indian constitution which grants special status and a degree of autonomy to this region and how over decades it has played out leaving the people in the Valley feeling betrayed.

Organic kitchen garden at my host's place

On the other hand however, there was much appreciation, warmth and admiration for the common people of India—Bollywood, cricket, trade and business, tourism and higher studies related travel to different parts of India has played a big role in keeping the ties intact I believe.  Despite the conflict related wounds and disappointments about their unfulfilled potential, I experienced that most the people I met in the Kashmir Valley have largely retained their innate goodness and have not yet developed bitterness towards the ordinary people of India or among each other.   Some attributed this to the lingering influence of Sufi/spiritual tradition in the Valley and call it the ‘land of rishis’.  We visited some of the very old Hindu temples and a Gurudwara, which were still highly well regarded. Many spoke of how different religious communities have harmoniously co-existed in the region until recent decades when the winds of communalism started to blow over this land. 

Shepherds near a Kashmiri village

Blessed with awe-inspiring Himalayan mountains and incredible natural beauty, forests, water resources, fruit trees and fertile lands, the people here have traditionally been largely content and self-reliant.  Most households still continue to have their own organic kitchen gardens and fruit trees (a big savior during the times of curfew they said!) Horticulture and tourism have been considered the backbones of the economy, although tourism has greatly suffered over past couple of decades due to continuing unrest in the Valley.  Traveling through Kashmir one gets the sense that the region has not been able to fully reap the benefits of economic liberalization and globalization to the extent the rest of the country has been able to do so.  Many places give one the feeling as if they have been‘frozen in time’.  From a mountaintop the lake city of Srinagar offers a beautiful panoramic view of horizontally spread-out human habitation—buildings with traditional architecture not going above 2 or 3 stories—as if it were one large village.  I was told that movie theaters in all major towns had to be shut down due to the rise of insurgency and security threats. I did not come across any big shopping malls either. By coming to Kashmir, I was happy to have escaped the modern urban sprawl, the noise, traffic and pollution and yet I wondered if the young Kashmiris watching the story of growth and modernization taking place in the rest of India may be feeling left out?  Due to the paucity of private sector jobs and corporate opportunities, young college graduates seek security in opting for government sector even as many of them may personally find themselves in conflict with the government establishment in Kashmir.  Some expressed the desire to move someplace else in an attempt to escape the political uncertainty and turmoil that threatens their growth and potential here.

Newly released videos about military atrocities as well as civilian rebellion against military had started to spread like wildfire while I was traveling in Kashmir—forcing the government to block internet for longer periods of time.  Walking through old parts of Srinagar one of the afternoons, we happened to witness heavy stone-pelting and a tense clash between army and the local youth.  We quickly rushed into a local shop trying to seek shelter.  The kind gentleman in the shop tried to soothe the shock and anxiety which we were experiencing—“Please don’t worry.  They won’t harm a tourist.  These are common happenings here.  We are sick and tired of it.  Let’s talk about something else. How I can serve you?”

It became evident from spending time in Kashmir that mere systemic/administrative/legal/political changes, fear inducing strategies, forceful occupation or suppression (as many have come to feel about it) and not even any allure of ‘development and progress’ can truly win the hearts of the people who seem to have lost their faith in the government here.  Only 7% voter turnout in a recently held Lok Sabha seat by-poll election which later dropped to mere 2% re-polling was telling of this fact. If I had the opportunity, it would have been interesting to hear the perspectives of military and state officials on these issues.  Few of the army jawans that we got to talk to definitely seemed to live under a lot of fear and stress themselves.  What must it be like for them I wondered—being at the receiving end of mounting public resentment and having to stay vigilent in tough uncertainty so far away from their own homes, with no real sense of connection or belonging to the local culture or community where they are stationed.

Introspection and reflection on India’s own struggle for freedom from the British Raj may offer many lessons and confidence in India’s ability to remain a light of peace and non-violence in the world.  Ultimately, whose interest does violence and conflict serve and how long can power and force mute the voices and aspirations of the masses?  As a human civilization, isn’t it high time that we grow up and out of our narrow ideas of separateness and conflicts based on religious or regional divisions? What have we learnt from the history of wars and colonial imperialism? Connecting up with some of the journalists, activists, former politicians, community leaders and peace-workers in the Valley offered me hope and glimpse of a different possibility despite the cynicism that is easy to fall prey to under such circumstances.

At a seminar on peace held at Initiatives of Change (Panchgani), the speaker, who had closely worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during civil rights movement in the USA, had said something very insightful which has remained with me over these years and finds particular relevance as I ponder over Kashmir: “Association without understanding breeds conflict”.  Another quote by the commencement speaker at Naropa University--Parker Palmer had made a particular impression on me when he observed that “Violence is what happens when we do not know what to do with our suffering”.  Reflecting on these thoughts, I feel that the healing of wounds in Kashmir requires more than just knee-jerk reactions, quick-fix solutions and tightening of a forceful grip over a region.  It calls for going to the root of the issues and being able to listen to each other and rise beyond apparent divides. A couple of weeks of my attempts of connecting with ordinary people here opened my heart and mind towards their daily struggles, hopes, dreams, uniquely rich offerings and differences and most importantly our shared humanity.  It created in me a desire to learn more and contribute towards our collective peaceful future. More such travels and dialogue between people in different parts of India to Kashmir can go a long way in building bridges, mutual cultural respect and empathy, cultivate trust and goodwill between our fellow brothers and sisters—this would be my appeal to fellow Indians who wish to truly bring to life our nation’s motto of “Unity in Diversity”.  Else, more of the same and business as usual is likely to get this boiling pot to explode sooner than later.  During an interaction I had with Class 8 students in a village school in Kashmir, a young girl said something very moving: “Agar hum sub aakhir khuda ke pass hee jaane wale hai toh aaj mera tumhara karake zagadaa kyon kar rahe hai?” (If we all are ultimately going to God, why do we fight today saying this is mine or that is yours?)

Interactive dialogue with youth at a village school

While I may be naïve in my understanding of the complexity of issues playing their role in Kashmir and my commentaries from the brief time that I spent here, I do wish to draw from my experiences and belief in the transformative power of genuine human-to-human connections.  I also wish to continue to approach these issues with humility, curiosity, openness, courage and respect—in this interconnected world, I cannot choose to remain isolated from what is happening within another part of my own country—if I truly regard it to be so.  Moreover, being in Kashmir was a reminder for me to not take for granted the idea of freedom and to be alert to the fact that what may be happening in a particular region may be a reflection of a larger tide/trend that we as a global community are a part of and may even be unintentionally contributing towards.  It also called me to investigate the seeds of violence and conflict which may be buried deep within my own self.  I had known philosophically that the microcosm and macrocosm are deeply intertwined. The significance of this thought and my own role in this ‘wholeness’ have become more pronounced than ever—thanks all the churning that was set in motion during my brief visit to Kashmir. 

1. For additional historical and political analysis of the situation in Kashmir, please refer to this recently published article by former cabinet minister P. Chidambaram:

http://www.kashmirmonitor.in/Details/121790/across-the-aisle-kashmir-is-sliding-into-disaster

2. Parker Palmer on Five Habits to Heal the Heart of Democracy and his Commencement Speech at Naropa University:

http://www.dailygood.org/story/1409/five-habits-to-heal-the-heart-of-democracy-parker-palmer/

http://www.couragerenewal.org/living-from-the-inside-out-parker-palmers-naropa-university-commencement-address/

What Chance Humanity?

Reflections from Election Campaigning in Delhi--April 2014

                                                                              --by Vipul Shaha, Baramati, Maharashtra
                                                                                                             vipulshaha [at] gmail.com

                                                                                   

(R)-Evolution of the Future

I have come to believe that the real revolution (rather evolution) required in current times of global socio-economic-ecological strife is the (r) evolution of human heart, a collective rise in human consciousness that sensitizes the core of our being, a shift from consumption to contribution, isolation to community, transaction to trust and scarcity to abundance  (in turn a shift from competition to cooperation) as Nipunbhai Mehta has very beautifully articulated from his journey in the space of service. 

Based on my own learning journey so far, I sense the inevitability of, in my own lifetime, a mass movement in the direction of re-ruralization of India…(or rurbanization as a friend conceived it)…a movement of voluntary simplicity and back-to (or forward to!) basics lifestyle, sustainable, holistic ways of being in harmony with the natural surroundings and the glocal (global + local) community.  While that radical movement does not appear to be round the corner as yet, what do we do in the interim term is the question. 

Do we lose all hope and submit to business-as-usual—clinging onto false hope that if only we could get more efficient playing with the current rules of the game, we’ll finally get there (the league of global superpowers maybe)? Do we continue to pretend and live under the illusion that the planet can support infinite GDP growth for the welfare of all its inhabitants—current and future?

The peak oil and climate change crisis are making it harder to ignore the inconvenient reality of the situation. The global economic and political superstructures built through the colonial-industrial era are gasping for final breaths, desperately trying to safeguard their control driven existence.  The change of humanity’s course is inevitable, and sooner it wakes up to it, the lesser painful the transition will be.  The only other alternative would mean accepting a total collapse, tremendous socio-ecological unrest and unprecedented violence.  Ample signs of mini-crashes are increasingly evident in our immediate surroundings as well as at national and global level.  Gross socio-economic inequity and injustice has only amplified over the last two decades of ‘economic liberalization’ in India as highlighted in this extensively researched paper by Kalpvriksh.

Advocating for a new socio-economic model based on trusteeship, Gandhiji writes: “The contrast between the palaces of New Delhi and the miserable hovels of the poor laboring class nearby cannot last one day in a free India in which the poor will enjoy the same power as the richest in the land.  A violent and bloody revolution is a certainty one day, unless there is a voluntary abdication of riches and the power that riches give and sharing them for the common good.”

Unfortunately, the grip of ‘modern civilization’ is so deeply entrenched in our thought and habit patterns that despite intuitively sensing the brewing unrest, it gets mostly ignored or suppressed with either deluded hope or even open ridicule.  Mere intellectual rhetoric or public debate won’t suffice in order to awaken the mind, it seems.  Something more direct and experiential that throws us ‘off-balance’ and challenges many of our pre-held assumptions and conditionings around the ideas of growth, development, progress, may be able to bring us back to our senses and release us from the trappings of our own mind.   Perhaps, that’s the belief that pushes me to serve in situations and explore places that disrupt my own set comfort zones.

The Big Disconnect and The Class Divide

I had never imagined being part of a political campaign.  Politics, to be frank, always seemed too dirty to touch.  Life, however, keeps throwing new surprises and often times I have chosen to rise to the occasion.  Politics touches pretty much every aspect of our life is what I have now come to realize.  During recent elections, I found myself campaigning for Rajmohan Gandhiji, who contested for the Lok Sabha seat on Aam Aadmi platform in East Delhi.  Since many years, my family has been associated with him through Initiatives of Change, which he was instrumental in establishing in India.  Having received so much from that space and knowing about the purity of his intentions in contesting these elections, I was drawn to serve whatever small part I could during his campaign.  His incredibly inspiring life journey only further convinced me why the Indian parliament should not lose a credible candidate like him.  I also took pride in the fact that I was serving with the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, with whom my own grandfather had volunteered in his youth during the freedom movement.

Even at his senior age, Rajmohanji has relentless energy—working from 6 am right until 11 pm or even later at times!  In the mornings, we must have visited hundreds of thousands of hutments, walking tirelessly through narrow and often extremely filthy alleyways in the slum communities and trying to connect with the people at a personal, human level.  Along with some volunteers, we also went to mega-sports complexes, jogging parks, apartment buildings, private housing societies, metro station and mall localities…there was a palpable difference in the way the middle and upper-middle class / educated people responded to our appeal for vote and the more ‘on-the ground’, daily-wage earning, working class people did.  Often times, it was the upper and the middle class, educated folks that we had the hardest time having a cordial conversation with!  There were many exceptions of course.  Sometimes when faced with indifference or rude comments, or doors closed on us, or just sheer exhaustion taking over, I kept reminding myself of the famous Gandhi quote:  “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.”

The 3 weeks spent in Delhi left quite intense impressions on me.  I had numerous encounters with countless aam aadmi (common people) striving hard for their daily survival. There were several instances when I felt utterly hopeless, insignificant, enraged or even guilty about the huge socio-economic divides across the city.  Their pitiable living conditions and the plight for survival kept bringing up several questions in mind. 

Saw this man carrying heavy loads of bricks on the 3rd floor of a building being constructed.  He has lost one of his arms due to an accident.  When we tried to strike up a conversation with the man, his supervisor became quite angry and suspicious of us.

Why is there so much misery despite so much opulence around? What is the interconnection between the two? Why do people choose to live in slums when the countryside is so widespread and beautiful? Do they even have a choice? Where do we begin the process of total transformation as opposed to mere patchwork?  What’s at the root? Why should they even vote, when 60 years of a supposed democratic rule has probably only worsened their situation?  

While at the back of my mind, I carried the burden of these questions, I was amazed and inspired by the sense of optimism, faith, and sheer hard work with which the aam aadmi folks embraced the odds in their lives.  Rajmohanji expressed the need for bridging the apparent disconnect between the slums and the adjacent affluent communities—in the process both would be elevated.  Geographically the two may be not too far apart, but in terms of their respective lifestyles and unique challenges, they were two worlds apart.  Rajmohanji with his kind temperament and ability to see beauty in every being touched an instant cord with the otherwise invisible and hardworking grass-root heroes. 

Time and again we witnessed tremendous entrepreneurial energy and street-smartness amongst common people—a clay artist making religious idols, potters, music instrument makers, bamboo artisans, people who repair and mend items of daily use, fruit vendors, rickshaw pullers, daily wage earners…all aspiring towards a common human desire to not just survive but also to thrive! Unfortunately, the way currently our society is organized, few people thrive (in economic/material terms) on the backs of a vast majority that is caught up in the survival game.

If we consider some of the holistic aspects of human development--mental / physical health, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, even the so called civilized or 'developed' societies suffer in a competitive, consumption driven growth paradigm--as argued by author Charles Eisenstein and many others.

“Violence is the weapon of the weak…” –M.K. Gandhi

Getting into conversations with auto rickshaw drivers, who almost always happened to be very amicable Aam Aadmi Party supporters, I was impressed how politically savvy and fearless they were.  They had tasted in 49 days of Aam Aadmi rule a new possibility of corruption-free governance.  The policemen who used to often harass them, had to keep low during those seven weeks when AAP was in power.  The same harassment, bribe-seeking tendencies sprang back to life immediately after the party resigned from power.  Despite that, the auto-drivers kept freely posting the party banners on the back hoods (for which they had the election commission permission and yet many policemen kept tearing those off!).  The auto-rickshaw drivers often offered to transport us across the city, without taking money, as their way of contributing to the campaign! 

I almost got picked up by the police for allegedly distributing campaign materials without permission, (which was a baseless accusation—because the rule is that you need a permission if you’re in more than a group of 5).  The sense of fear and insecurity was clear in the eyes of the cop who tried to intimidate me.  I could only offer my compassion even as a more stern, law-savvy friend thankfully rushed to my rescue!  From election commission, to media to police force, it seemed as if systemic energies were applied to crush the smooth running of the campaign in one way or the other.  Nothing could have been farther from the truth when false allegations against Rajmohan Gandhiji—a person of highest character and integrity—were being circulated by the candidate from the opposition party (who in fact has 4 criminal cases pending against him!).  They called Rajmohanbhai a separatist force in the country running terrorist camps out of Panchgani! The ugly side of politics was showing its colors.  Why is it so difficult for goodness and truth to prevail in our democracy, I kept asking myself.  When personal egos and a scrambling for money, power, fame and status take over, the very purpose of politics is lost.  

Occasionally, the AAP volunteers had to bear the brunt of public anger, from hard-core supporters of the opposition party.  There is so much cynicism, so much distrust, hatred, sense of betrayal, defeat and weakness among a class of people that when faced with a 'cognitive dissonance' that threatens their heavily protected existing identity—they cannot control themselves and readily vent out their frustration onto another being--or at least that's the explanation I offered myself! We saw people spitting in disgust in front of our eyes, tearing off campaign papers and throwing it in our face, giving nasty words and getting very aggressive.  A friend even had stones thrown at him while another friend had his car windshields smashed overnight.  Again, I wondered what causes so much separation among human beings just based on their political affiliations?  Do basic human values have to be compromised in the name of our loyalty to a particular person, party or even religion?  Deeper down, I sensed a tremendous turmoil boiling in human hearts, yearning for a sense of oneness and healing. Sometimes people getting the opportunity to just being peacefully heard eased the tensions.  Unfortunately, politics and religion have tended to severe those unresolved wounds with their emotive rhetoric.   Navendu, a friend who specially flew down from Chicago for campaigning, narrateshis experiences from being a staunch right wing activist to now an AAPsupporter and how he worries about the communal / divisive impact of politics on youth psyche.

Being a foot-soldier with Jagbir and Navendu...white...blue...saffron...green...yellow...all colors united!

Despite, the threat of violence and ridicule, so many volunteers showed up purely out of strong belief for the cause.  I was truly moved when a volunteer, who greatly struggled while walking (due to his physical disability), spent an entire afternoon with us during our door-to-door campaigning.  People had taken long leaves from work and given their whole self, volunteering for the campaign.  Many spent money out of their own pocket to travel long distances, or to feed fellow volunteers, and contribute towards any incidental expenses.  Some worked part-time, some on weekends or after work, others freely lent their vehicles, office spaces…whatever resources they had.  Independent journalists and filmmakers showed up to offer their expertise! Paid-volunteers from the other parties just could not understand this gift-culture phenomenon and kept asking us all sorts of questions! I observed how when people are fired up with a mission and there is purity of purpose, despite so much uncertainty, challenges, and chaos, somehow self-less giving and service-spirit finds its way to make things happen.

A Bold New Experiment…

I look at the Aam Aadmi Party, as a movement, attempting to (non-violently) dismantle the existing class hierarchy and shift the balance of power from a handful few to the masses.  Even while having to fit itself into the existing political framework, it aims to fundamentally transform the system from within the system.  Personally, this is a topic of theoretical interest to me—how far can a system tolerate change from within itself?  Could AAP succeed in radically transforming the politics in India (and the practice of democracy) or would the politics end up diluting the party from its original purpose and intentions?  Would it remain dynamic and responsive to the rapidly changing needs and the uncertainty of the times ahead of us, or would it become a yet another rigid mammoth that exists for the sake of its existence?

I believe all this will depend upon the collective citizenry of the country—on how far they get involved and actively support the shaping up of this movement, which is still in its nascent stages of development.  And by supporting it, I do not mean simply voting or campaigning for AAP, but actually constructively critiquing it, contributing to its manifesto making, taking part in the Gram Sabhas and Moholla Meetings and so many innumerable different ways of being an active citizen.  By its very conceptual framework, the ideal of Poorna Swaraj calls for responsible power to the people…and it can only succeed as far as the citizenry is awakened and willing to serve and contribute to community and national regeneration.  Those slums and crumbling mega cities for example, cannot be expected to be turned around with a magic wand (or broom!) called AAP / or for that matter any political party—by simply pressing that button on the voting machine…it will need people stepping out of their homes, finding those extra hours after work, on weekends, or even a lifetime commitment to shape up the course of collective action and cooperate (or not coopearate) with government machinery (depending upon the specific situation) and hold them accountable to deliver on certain key parameters.  

Without a renewed sense of volunteerism and living for a higher purpose in the spirit of service (which was widespread during the independence struggle), I do not think that the country can get itself out of the mess it is finding itself in…more despair and frustration would follow otherwise, irrespective of whichever party comes to power.  

Doing rough calculations, I was astonished to think of how much precious human (mostly youth) energy, time and money goes into simply trying to win elections for a single parliamentary candidate…never mind the assembly and other elections that keep popping up constantly and the countless number of hours wasted by people across the country watching news, and reading newspapers that spreads more hatred and distrust than hope and unity.  If only all that energy and resources could be somehow channelized towards a more constructive, longer term, community self-sustained wellbeing!

It would also be interesting to do a little thought-experiment and try to imagine what it would be like if somehow the universal franchise were extended to include the plant and animal kingdom?  What would they have to say about how this land should be governed?

Towards the Future (R)evolution

Vinoba Bhave, the spiritual successor of Mahatma Gandhi, has very thoughtfully laid out in his classic book--Swaraj Sastra--the key tenets of an ideal political order.  “The spirit of service, self-reliance, non-violent strength and commensurate wages for all—these are the four pillars on which the edifice of the State should rest…the aim of Politics is to safeguard the entire good of all men, in every form and in such a way as not to produce conflict.”

That may be a tall order, however, it is not beyond human reach is the conviction with which he led his own life.  Swaraj or self-government based on non-violence (in economic, social and other spheres) is something worth striving towards is what he conveyed through his vision for a just world order while emphasizing that India has to devise its own unique model of self-governance and socio-economic development keeping the village self-reliance at its center.

While the current Aam Aadmi Party Manifesto may be far from the promise of attaining such a Poorna Swaraj and the paradigm shifts required to transition us towards a new sustainable model of socio-economic-ecological equilibrium, it can be expected to take key steps in that direction.

“...At least we see in it (the AAP manifesto) some glimpses of an alternative model of well-being, and given the number of AAP members who have led or been involved in genuine peoples’ movements, perhaps it can be helped further towards such a model,” says a leading environmentalist and researcher Ashish Kothari in his comparative analysis of party manifestos that was published in the HinduBusiness Line recently.

Ideals like Poorna Swaraj, decentralized governance, devolution of political power to common people, an open challenge to crony-capitalism, an economic model that places equal importance on ecology and economy, a stringent policy to weed out corruption, localized, strengthened and self-reliant rural economy, are welcome moves in the Indian political discourse.   Whether the country is ripe for its fruition, only time and our collective effort will tell.  Nevertheless, AAP has definitely rocked the boat and created immense churning in a rather dismal political scene.

I also believe that things are always evolving and cannot be strictly perfect from the get go.  Any infant struggles to find its balance during early stages, it falters for sometime, (and even adults do!) A movement of political overhaul in a country that had almost lost hope in politics is going to be a long, challenging one.  A political competition for power, that does not see beyond 5 year planning (planning for elections in most cases!) is not really going to solve the humungous challenges facing our times.

Ideally, politics (and a way of life) beyond separatist / polarizing tendencies, beyond lose-win situations…is what I would truly look forward to.  It is a continual process, a journey of self and societal transition and transformation however…the purity of intentions, clarity of direction, and most importantly the courage to walk upon it with rightful means are crucial indeed.

While it is important that concerned individuals ‘Be The Change’ and start channelizing their energies in more harmonious, sustainable, honest occupations with a service attitude, I do not believe that is enough for a mass movement to gain momentum.  And even though a mass movement in that direction may appear to be distant and inconceivable in the current scenario, we must explore what some of the key levers and crucial steps might be in preparing the ground for such a collective shift to take place in the least tumultuous fashion.  I am optimistic about the recent churning in political discourse…as a key (r) evolutionary step in that long-term transition which awaits humanity.  It may be a yet another false / deluded hope on my part.  Ultimately though, life cannot be sustained without faith, hope and love! 

Winding up campaigning in Delhi, I went straight to a Vipassana retreat, which was in itself quite a profoundly intense experience…reinforcing my belief that the clean-up task is both an outward as well as an inward process.  What if the misery and strife, visible externally, is merely the reflection of a troubled human consciousness? Well, that calls for a much deeper contemplation and a continual self-inquiry!