WEEKEND LIGHTER: A SILENT REVOLUTION!

WEEKEND LIGHTER: A SILENT REVOLUTION!

(February 11/12, 2017, No.6/2017)

Weekend Lighter is posted every Saturday @mgwarrier.blogspot.in

Feel free to mail your views on this edition of WL to mgwarrier@gmail.com

Section III:Yogi’s vision of equality

I

Opening remarks

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/A-sudden-lightness-of-being/article17264086.ece

 A silent revolution!

This refers to Neera Chandhoke’s article* “A sudden lightness of being” (The Hindu, February 9). For me this is the first serious analysis of the changes on the Indian political landscape during the current decade, appearing in the mainstream media. The India Against Corruption(IAC) movement and the role of the youth in churning the perceptions of citizens about the role of “WE THE PEOPLE” in governance was practically ignored by analysts and media persons of repute, who belonged, by and large to old generation.

While, besides media, political leadership, bureaucracy and even judiciary continued to be dominated by those in the age-group of 50 plus, thanks to the advent of social media, the below-fifty population in India having no baggage of legacies or ‘respect’ for the conduct rules inherited from the British, have come to the forefront and many are in leadership roles. One can trust them and their role as opinion-makers who will not mortgage their conscience in the name of ideologies or fear of losing a position. Narendra Modi to Viral Acharya (the new RBI Deputy Governor) owe their elevation to them.

People of India have accepted the leadership of the new generation which is willing to take diversions when a dead end is in sight. The change is irreversible and the earlier the members of the old school take cognizance of the mood of the nation and readjust, the better for them.

M G Warrier, Mumbai

*Use the above link to read the article

II

Recent responses

February 11, 2017

Abuse of raincoat!***

It is almost certain that Opposition in Parliament may keep away from future debates on Budget 2017-18, citing Prime Minister Modi’s “Raincoat remark against MMS” as an excuse. It has become a tradition for legislators in India, especially when  they are in opposition, across geographies and party affiliations, to find some excuse or the other to avoid serious in-house debates. Some of them, who are professionals, from lawyers to movie actors and anchors, businessmen to sportspersons, consider membership of the legislature as a reward for performance in their original professions and use spare time for sharpening their skills in the areas of their choice.

It is high time someone pointed out that legislators are paid for their work and they should give priority to the works relating to legislative process. Remaining in limelight through media interactions or by creating controversies, though unavoidable in the democratic processes, should be secondary to the main task of participating in the main work assigned to them.

Just as the Apex Court has admitted last week that judiciary should not be wasting time on adventurous PILs when more serious issues are pending, legislators need to manage their time judiciously and help legislative processes to happen smoothly.

M G WARRIER, Mumbai
***A brief, edited version published in Economic Times(CHAT ROOM) on February 13, 2017

Time management**

Be it gram panchayats or the Rajya Sabha, their normal functioning is being frequently obstructed for some reason or the other. Elections and democratic institutions can serve public interest only if legislative functions, in which debates in legislatures have much to contribute, are allowed to proceed without hindrance.
These thoughts came to my mind in the context of the withholding of debates in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on days following the address to the joint session of Parliament by the President and the presentation of the Budget.

The matter points to inadequacies in the handling of the situation after former minister E Ahamed’s collapse in the House and later death in the hospital. The matter needs to be debated by both Houses of Parliament so that if a similar situation arises in the future, it may be handled appropriately.
 
What is objectionable is a pattern in the functioning of the legislatures. It gives the impression that there is no effort on the part of legislators to ensure that proceedings of the House are not skipped in the name of protests. Why not have a parliamentary committee study the conduct of business while Parliament is in session? The Committee could examine the possibility of:
(i) A consensus on completing the day’s business before other matters are taken up for discussion (emergent issues or condolences could be exempted).
(ii) Other important matters that are at present raised through adjournment motions or calling attention motions could be taken up immediately after the business scheduled for the day is over.
(iii) Through consensus, give a gap or holiday for running into the well of the House and walking out of the House as part of a protest. Use the entire time available otherwise for debates on issues that come up for discussion.

M G Warrier, Mumbai

**Business Standard, February 6, 2017, Letters

III

Spirituality

Yogi’s vision of equality***

The eighteen chapters of the Gita are divided into three groups of six chapters each. The first deals with the means of attaining self-realisation through the paths of karma and jnana, the second with the path of bhakti, and the last is a recap of the earlier teachings with the focus on bhakti to be practised with the aid of karma and jnana.

In the sixth chapter, it is explained that the ultimate purpose of the yoga practice is to gain ‘atma sakshatkaram,’ an intuitive vision of the nature of the individual atma and of the Supreme Brahman, pointed out Velukkudi Sri Krishnan in a discourse.

In this state of yoga, when the mind is fixed in yoga, one sees equality everywhere. A yogi’s vision is one of equality. He understands that equality is the truth, though there is so much diversity and disparity in the marvel of God’s creation.

When differences are obvious, when there is so much diversity in creation, how is one to see equality? Krishna explains that it is difficult to attain this vision of truth. But, by stages, a yogi, who has practised karma and jnana, is able to see the equality behind the differences. That is, the yogi understands that the atma in every being, in its liberated state, is of the essence of jnana and ananda. That is why he sees no difference between the nature of the atma in him and in other beings.

He realises that this true nature of the atma is eclipsed in all the jivatmas who exist in their present forms with characteristic functions owing to the consequences of their individual karma.

When the jivatma is rid of its karma in total and attains liberation, the atma alone, which is of the essence of jnana and ananda, remains eternally as such.

***The Hindu, February 7, 2017, Faith

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