Shame and Statesmanship

Very recently a British court passed a verdict for the British Government to pay a massive compensation of  GBP £ 13.6 Million to the indigenous Kikuyu people of Kenya. The payment is being made by the British for torture and killing of a large number of innocent people in probably one of the cruelest episodes of the shameful period of colonial rule by European countries. 

The impact of payment is small as compared to the admission of  gross inhumanity inflicted on innocent native people by the leading international power of that time.

Image by Ben Heine

My mind is drawn to another terrible massacre by the British. The response of the British authorities after the slaughter was both arrogant and astounding.  

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It was the 13th day of  April 1919 and the local people  had gathered to celebrate 'Baisakhi' the new year in the holy city of Amritsar. General Dyer of the British army in India then in charge on the scene in a display of power ordered the cold blooded massacre of innocent people, many of them women and children.  More than a 1000 were slaughtered and approximately 1500 people were grievously wounded.

What did the British do after they learnt of this massacre?
There was an uproar of sorts and long debates held in Britain.Eventually for this monstrous act,  General Dyer was felicitated by the British parliament. He was given an honourable discharge, a purse of £ 80,000 pounds and a bejewelled sword inscribed 'Saviour of the Punjab'.  A day that will truly live in infamy, and they gave him an award!

A question that always arises is how could a small country could colonise continents and great countries so far away? A journey into history reveals a common thread for all successful conquests of foreign lands and people. The conquerors all possess the following characteristics.

• They have a clear goal and a grand strategy.
• They are extremely greedy for materials, lands and slaves.
• They are utterly ruthless
• They possess advanced weaponry of the times 
• They have adopted political and war management systems which are superior 
• They are very cunning and adept at the art of deception
• They bribe and use select local people and leaders to control the larger native population

By nature, conquerors have to act and to be seen as ruthless so as to intimidate the majority population into total submission.

We often express outrage at the acts of the British, but strangely overlook the negative and divisive role of local kings, nawabs and 'noble men and women', whose descendants still enjoy great influence and  respect in India. Lured by power, status, and money, the bulk of the military, police and administration of British ruled India consisted of local Indians. Britain  ruled undivided India* with a mere 1500 officers.

Not a single Britisher fired a bullet at 'Jallianwalla Bagh'. Sadly the murderers were 
50 Gurkhu and 25 Baluchi soldiers, all of them Indians. The massacre was ruthlessly carried out with shooting directed above the waist into the thickest of the crowds so that one bullet could kill more than one civilian. The shooting stopped only because the soldiers ran out of ammunition.

Britain itself was almost destroyed by World War II and faced the real threat of being itself conquered and occupied. Emerging from the ruins of theWar, the British had to make a choice to remain either an empire or a democracy.  Britain wisely gave up its dreams of remaining an empire and chose to remain a democracy, because it could no longer justify it's own conduct.

With this apology to the Kikuyu people of Kenya, the British have once again demonstrated great diplomacy, adopting an amazing and strange type of humility.

Great statesmanship requires occasional arrogance and sometimes humility. The acceptance of their crimes and the apology that goes with it, is a tribute to the diplomacy  of the British. This apology ensures  that the British will continue to play an important and leading role in world affairs even in the future.

Maybe the time is also ripe for Britain to formally apologise to the families of those massacred on that fateful thirteenth day of April 1919.

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* Undivided India consisted of what is now India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, 

Kill, kill,kill ........

Kill, kill, kill.  If this is what people hear and watch day in and day out then what will be the outcome?

We will calibrate our lives to believe that violence, mayhem and killing are perfectly normal activities.

Add to this state of mind, an easy access to weapons, and further agitate these minds and all hell breaks loose.

The Americans measure and monitor everything and that is extremely informative and educational. A report prepared by the University of Pennsylvania showed that a typical American child by the age of 16 will have witnessed 180,000 acts of violence and 20,000 murders on television. Add to this the violence that is reported in the newspapers, and magazines, the movies, violent video games and we have ticking time bombs.

Starting soon after world war II and promoted by Hollywood and export of this culture to the whole world, violence has become a staple diet for most people.  Imperialism necessitates the glorification of war and violence.  Unfortunately the Americans are not the only ones and the Russians, Chinese, and even we the pacifistic Indians have a big appetite for violence.

Why then should we be surprised by widespread killings and violence, be it in homes, workplaces, schools, and places of worship at regular frequency. People are increasingly using violence as the first step in resolving issues. This insanity harms mainly innocent people who pose no threat nor bear the killers any ill-will.

The violence hurts less when it appears far away, as if we read it in a story book. When it strikes at home or someone we know the effect is usually unsettling if not devastating.

A nephew of mine (at that time aged 10) fancied himself a mini version of some of the killers he saw on television. Much against his mother's angry protests he persuaded his father to buy him an air pistol. Always brandishing the weapon he led his younger siblings and other kids in the neighbourhood playing games of war and killing.

One day while role playing, the young boy shot his younger brother in the face at point blank range. The little boy's eye exploded.  The child's life was scarred, and the family developed irreparable fissures.

Even 18 years later there is a simmering anger within the child and his mother. There is a latent fear and  anxiety in the mind of the nephew who fired the weapon and his parents, for they know what goes around comes around, and there will have to be payback. Not knowing when they will have to pay the price and how, is a fear that haunts them everyday.

 In all of history there has been no instance of violence having effectively resolved an issue permanently. If you do not want innocent people to be maimed or killed, stop glorifying war and violence. Do not expose yourselves and your children unnecessarily to violent behaviour unless you want them to pursue a career or lifestyle which demands violence.

What they said when India won the cricket series with Australia

The Indian Cricket team  recently scored a brilliant 4-0 win over the highly competitive Australian team. The politicians would probably have this to say about the outcome. Manmohan Singh:  Well ..... Salman Khurshid:  This is Sonia Gandhi's win.... I mean our foreign policy is so amazing that Australia was forced to bow before us. Karunanidhi: Ashwin and Murali Vijay must now beat Sri Lanka in the field to avenge the plight of Tamils. Digvijay Singh: We see the hands of communal forces behind this win as  both Ravindra Jadeja and Cheteshwar Pujara are both Gujaratis. Manish Tiwari: This win is because of the Congress party's policy of favouring the youth. Today's young team is playing much better simply because of Rahul Gandhi. Kapil Sibal: Australia beat India 4-0, India defeated Australia 4-0... Zero Loss theory proved. Mayawati: There are no Dalit players in the Indian team. BCCI is anti Dalit. I demand a 30% reservation for Dalits in the team. Arvind Kejriwal: How is it that the Indian team has begun to win all of a sudden? I will reveal the facts soon in a press conference. Justice Katju: The Australian Board of Cricket must forgive the mistakes of it's team because they are a great team. Also Watson has small children. The Left Parties: This 'Left' (Ravindra Jadeja) is amazing. Mulayam Singh Yadav: My U-turn was used by the Indian spinners very well... by the way the Australian team is an honest and true team. Narendra Modi: The Chai which the Indian team had during the tea session was made from the milk which came from Gujarat. Today Jadeja and Pujara have once again proved that Gujarat has always served India. Mohan Bhagwat: This is a victory for Bharat, not India.  Rahul Gandhi: Heartiest congratulations to the Indian football team for defeating Australia 4-0.

Thanks to Prince Chaudhari for this contribution

Remain of 10,000 year old politician found.

An archeological team, digging near Delhi , have uncovered 10,000 year old bones and fossil remains of what is believed to be the first Politician.

Sending children by mail post

After parcel post service was introduced in 1913 in America, at least two children were sent by the service with stamps attached to their clothing. The United States Postmaster General quickly issued a regulation forbidding the sending of children in the mail. (Smithsonian Institution)

Michelangelo's David is being returned to Italy from USA

After a two year loan to the United States,

Michelangelo's David is being returned to Italy

The Babu's bible

1. Rule No. 1. Be reactive and Not pro-active. Hasten slowly.
2. Rule No 2.  Do Not create waves.  Flow with the water. Just be a processor and not be a facilitator. that is NOT your  mandate.
3. Rule No. 3. Have No fixed conviction or commitments or views. At least do not display them.
4. Rule No 4. Process and procedure is most important and not the end result. Stick to them as long as it helps you to remain inactive.
5. Rule No 5. Remain non committal. Act sincere, do nothing.
6. Rule No 6. When in doubt, sleep over the matter and procrastinate as much as you can.
7. Rule No 7. There are NO rewards for good work. If you go wrong your neck is online. Do nothing.
8. Rule No 8. Cite rules. There is some rule for every sin, inaction, action or position that you may be in, to justify it. Look after your own interest and manoeuvre best positions and postings for yourself.
9. Rule No 9.  Accumulate wealth and maintain good public relations with those who matter in the hierarchy.
10. Rule No 10. Avoid controversy and side step when difficult situation comes up. Pass the buck when things get hot.
11. Rule No 11. Things will remain what they are. Your actions/inactions and contribution do not matter.
12. Rule No 12. People and their problems are NO concern of yours. They have been born to live like that. You are the privileged one. Do not identify with common people.
13. Rule No 13. Look after yourself. Watch your back.
14. Rule No 14. Do not trust sincere and dedicated and honest type of colleagues and other activists They are nothing but trouble.
15. Rule No. 15. There is nothing called absolute fact/truth. Everything has many dimensions and sides. Always defend your action by highlighting the side that justifies your position.  Always side with the winner.
16. Rule No 16. Babus NEVER retire. Ensure lining up a cosy post retirement assignment.
17. Rule No 17. Never get trapped in idealism, patriotism, honesty, fair play, professional or personal integrity etc. These are just vague and unrealistic concepts and should never affect your actions.
18. Rule No 18. Never promote or recommend anyone from any other cadre/discipline (other than your own cadre) for any valuable position /post/assignment however suited, appropriate and capable that person maybe for the same. Always maintain parochial interest and promote it to the best of your ability.
19. Rule No 19. Always pull down anyone who may be competent and able to out run you. trip him/her unabashedly.
20. Rule No 20. Be very careful of those who are genuinely good, able, motivated and visionary. They are highly dangerous for our peace and carefree existence.

                                                        _____________  &  _______________

* The term 'babu' refers to bureaucrats and other government officials in India.

As organisations and grow they become more bureaucratic. 
If you encounter more than one of the above symptoms listed above in your organization, you may want to ask some deep questions and probably take and implement some crucial decisions