SOCIAL ENTROPY

          Travelling just happens to me. In the last journey; I noticed a girl in the next seat. Her phone was ringing constantly. She picks up her charger and keeps it for charging. Nevertheless, the ringing continues every now and then, disturbing the sleep of everybody in the coach. Finally, making an end to the ring, she picks up the phone and just screams against her dad on the other side. She was having a 'waiting' ticket. Hence, her father was worried about her getting a berth. That anxiety must have inspired the man in calling her daughter again and again. Nobody, in the compartment liked her tone and tenor of talking to her father. The case didn't last long, she got a berth as soon the ticket examiner came. After an hour or two, around  1 o'clock midnight, everybody gets up again due to the ring of the mobile again. but, interestingly, this time she talks in calm, composed, sweet manner. And, again, its a male voice this time. The call lasted for more than 3hrs disturbing the sleep of everybody out there. No doubt, it can be anybody in the world, other than her father. Everyone who was awake there because of the ring of the bell, looks at each other surprised in seeing the change in the communication pattern.

          Entropy is the degree of randomness.This is one thing which is constantly increasing. Thanks to Newton, for lucidly stating this years ago. Let, us be more specific. The type of entropy which is increasing at an alarming rate and is an area of concern is the Social Entropy. A healthy system and practice is there in deciding the President of the country, still there is uncertainty in decision making and randomness in the vote-support of the allies. Interestingly, after all the so called deliberations, the ruling alliance decides to extricate the finance minister from the post and send him to Raisina hill. The randomness, the author sees is not in making the FM, the President; but doing it at a time when there is economic slowdown and policy paralysis. 

          Anything can happen in a country where one witnesses some random man changing into Pinky and grabbing the medals at international level. Two things can amuse us. One, How did he get into the squad, when even for the smallest government job we have all sorts of tests, including the physical ones.Two, still after this disguise, he comes up with no medal in some of the athletic meets. We have an inherent instinct in always picking the right man for the wrong job. Many lawyers in managerial positions, engineers in banks and financial institutions, etc.. The case of Pinky, being an extension of the same. The sudden burst in the tennis world before the championship is yet another case of increasing social entropy.

          The print media reports Kerala as a state which tops in criminal activities. This is randomness; which breaks all the conventional ideas that education, literacy, greater human development, better socio-economic status precedes the formation of a peaceful and non-criminal state. This randomness does not restrict itself to any single state. It has a feature of its own, its an epidemic, highly contagious in nature. Examples don't stop here, they are in plenty. Everywhere we see the peaking of social entropy.

          An ancient Palestinian story goes like this. A traveller, after his days travel, heavily tired, reaches a house around the late-midnight. He knocks the door. At once, the landlord opens the door. Seeing the person very tired, he goes to the kitchen only to understand that there is not even a single piece of bread left in the home. He  tells the traveller to get inside and take rest and tells him that he will be back with some food very soon. He rushes to the neighbour, knocks the door. Palestinians during those days sleep around the fire in a single room. Hence, if any single person gets up, it accounts to waking up of everybody in that room, disturbing the sleep- the only recreation of the poor working class. The man keeps on knocking the door,only to see that no one cares to open the door. Lets pause here, and scan the mind of that individual who is knocking the door for somebody else's' food. This man builds the social chain, he stitches the social fabric. Everyone of us is supposed to play such a role. We forget the role, we forget the script, we increase the randomness, the social entropy. Was she correct in talking harshly towards her parents? Is the government doing right in stabilizing the economy? What is the spirit in getting a medal in disguise? Why isn't education positively correlated to peaceful conditions in a state? Let us introspect.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.


--- Max Ehrmann

Found in old Saint Paul's church, Baltimore, dated 1692 

H.G Dr.GEEVARGHESE Mar OSTHATHIOS Metropolitan: Beloved Thirumeniappachen

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project ,all your thoughts break their bounds. Your mind transcends limitations,your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new great and wonderful world" - PATANJALI

     Sabharathnam Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Metropolitan of the Indian Orthodox Church is widely known in India and abroad as a prophet of social justice and as a propagator of the universal religion of love. His passion for justice, equality, sharing and love is grounded on the Christian doctrine of Holy Trinity. He has given a new approach to the Christian Theology based on the Indian Philosophy and introduced the theory of “Atraita” to complement the theory of Advaita. He is the President of the Malankara Orthodox Church Mission Board since 1979. He taught in the Old Seminary for over 50 years. He has written about 56 books of which 13 are in English. He has participated in so many national and international conferences as a leader, preacher and a resource person. He is the founder of Mission Training Centre, Mavelikara which gives training to lay missionaries of love and evangelism. He also started more than 40 humanitarian institutions, movements and projects all over India for poor people, HIV positive patients and their children, cancer patients, leprosy patients and their children and orphans, old age homes for men and women,Sick Aid Foundation, House Building Aid Foundation, Self Education and Employment Loan Fund, Save a Heart Foundation, Karunya Guidance Centre, Visrantibhavan, etc.He is also a poet who has written more than 50 songs. The spiritual and revolutionary ideas in the songs, of course will inspire the mind of the faithful urging them to repent and dedicate themselves fully to the Triune God.(http://geevarghesemarosthathios.org/images/home.html)

     For the author he was more than a Thirumeni; the transformation happened during the Junior National Association for Mission Studies (NAMS) conferences' held in and around the divine campus of Mission Training Center, Mavelikara, during the last part of the previous century. The best part of the camp was the interaction with Thirumeniappachen every evening which inevitably extended towards night. The way he sits with us all along the camp and even during the dinner time, having the same food in an ordinary plate, the way he takes his own insulin-injection are all now memories. The insights, the ideologies, the songs, the speeches, guidances were much superior and class apart. He was the factor which motivated the author to attend the first three conferences of Junior NAMS. He belonged to a different generation and class altogether with hardly anybody left in the same. He was an individual for whom the IQ-EQ explanations might have rendered redundant owing to his high Spiritual Quotient (SQ). He was the true follower of the Jewish carpenter-his master. He was a true leader of the church who never yearned for positions. He was a leader much like a shepherd. He stayed behind the flock, letting the most nimble go on ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all day along they are being directed from behind. 

     He was inspired by the power of love. He was committed to the doctrine of holy Trinity. His cognitive thoughts broke all the bonds. His consciousness expanded in every single direction. No doubt, he was the citizen of a new, great and wonderful world. A prophet, a great soul leaves us. He walked along the path of love. He did not falter. He has taken us to the apex and has showed us the glorious vista that surrounds the world of love and empathy. It is our duty to take up from where he has stopped. The intercessions of Thirumeniappachen will be always with us.

THE TOLERANT PEOPLE

In a desert plain in Tanzania, in the shadow of volcano Ol Donyo Lengai, there is a dune made of volcanic ash. The feature which makes it the cynosure is that, it moves bodily. Technically known as “Barchan”; the entire dune walks across the desert in a westerly direction at a speed of about 17mts/year. The wind blows the sand up the shallow slope on the side and then as each sand grain hits the top of the ridge, it cascades down on the inside of the crescent and thus the whole horn-shaped dune moves. This dune effectively symbolizes the life of any individual in his 50’s.

            The ominous period which displays the past glories, is equally a light house of future worries. The changing trends, change in living standards, mass media, spirit of realism, spirit of compromise and pragmatism have all contributed equally in defining the 50’s of one’s age, all the more crucial. The essentialities being dealt with it turns out to be the greatest concern of the period. Of all the twitching factors; Disconnection of one’s matured children gains primacy. This is the stage when the individual realizes and recognizes his children to be grown up, physically, psychologically and professionally. The children start taking decisions on their own and show resentment which sends mixed feelings to the parents in question. The 50’s is a stage which witnesses a host of burgeoning important decisions in their child’s life; at least in the Indian context, which is yet to embrace the total individualistic culture of the west. Other than the development of indifference shown by the children, the decision of their marriage is the greatest dissonance producer of the period. This can be manifested in greater severity and can be inimical if the children are the proponents of love-marriages. The fast disappearing arranged marriages has also its share of concern, thanks to the decision-paralysis caused due to the paradox of choices.

            If the indifference of one’s pedantic children were the pushing factors; Compassion demanding old parents, acts as the pulling factor. If one has enjoyed the company of parents at the time of happiness, what is that restricts him from spending time with them in old age (read distress).This rationale working out at the level of super-ego tends to give immediate conformity to their demands. But, the change in the behavior of old people which includes increased stubborn nature, greater reliance on text than on context, fear of isolation, overly time-consciousness, religious adherence to specific  food-schedules, ego-defenses, etc. inadvertently puts enormous pressure on the people who are looking after them and are in their middle age. This essentially is another factor which induces the virtue of tolerance. Ubiquitous work pressures works out as the third important dimension of the theory. This is the period when the individual holds the highest offices in his career, which calls for greater commitment, responsibility and time. The individual in their 50’s who work in perilous atmosphere take a direct hit from their professional side in terms of work pressures. This is a period where he needs to guide, direct and motivate the sub-ordinates along with efficient conformity and effective interaction with the superiors. This is also the period where the inter and intra departmental politics is at the all time high and where speculative colleagues wait for any miniscule errors which renders one to be easily castigated and thereby humiliated. The finality of these pressures leads to the fourth dimension - the inevitable retirement. Psychological studies conducted around the globe, show that retirement is the state which produces maximum dissonance in a human being, after deathbed. Retirement steals away the identity of the individual. This identity crisis ricochets to the next factor; De-individualization of self. ‘Self’ which is an actor, guiding thoughts, feelings and actions, loses its significance and succumbs to the pressure of other two generations. This surrender of both the subjective and the objective self for the family good is outwardly manifested as tolerance. The final factor which magnifies the tolerance of the 50’s is the courage-vulnerability paradox. The word courage comes from the Latin word ‘cor’, meaning heart and the original definition is ‘to tell who you are with your whole heart’. But, unfortunately 50’s is an age in the lives of individuals where the courage takes backseat, which inevitably has become the cosmic law and, makes the individual vulnerable and not venerable. The extraneous pressures are so high that the people in their 50’s are willing to let go of who they thought they should be in order to be who they were. They fully embrace vulnerability. They believe that what made them vulnerable made them beautiful.

            This is the group of people who are always ignored, a group that stands out as a conundrum, a group always in a predicament, a group always ready to strike a Faustian bargain, a group caught in between bellicosity and rigidity of two generations, a group that is highly self-actualized, a group that is the life-force power of the society, a group that galvanizes the lives of near and dear ones, a group that imbues new ray of hope to both the generations, a group that projects more and more peace into the world, a group that clearly displays the Christian ‘Agape’, a group that embellishes human life and maintains the balance of the universe, they are the moving sand dunes of Tanzania, they are the silent directors of the show. The tolerance continues, the show goes on.

MULLAPERIYAR UNBOUND

When individuals blunder, it is unfortunate and then families go down. When rulers fail, it is a National tragedy

There is a haunting story by John Steinback called ‘The Pearl’, in which Kino, a poor Mexican fisherman, discovers to his terrible cost the destructive power of natural wealth. The situation of state of Kerala is very much similar; though it’s not about once a century gem but ‘water’. The whole script recorded is 125yrs old. Oct 29nth, 1889, the water sharing agreement was signed between the Travancore kingdom and Madras presidency. The agreement was forced upon the state of Travancore by the British regime is very much clear from the records of the king. It was a 999years lease agreement. The treaty lost its validity once the British left the country and further a new agreement was cropped in by the Achutha Menon ministry in 1970. This agreement was supposed to be renewed in 2000, but thanks to the political vibrations; has turned out to be a major bone of contention between the brethren states of Tamilnadu and Kerala. The point of concern is essentially the 1200ft long and 155ft high Mullaperiyar dam; which is the highest of the one of the oldest gravity dam situated 5000ft above sea level. The dam which gets its name by the combination of Mulla and Periyar has a poignant history in terms of its construction; where almost 442 people lost their lives.

The commercial aspects can never be ignored. Tamilnadu gains around Rs.1200cr from the waters of Mullaperiyar whereas it pays only a modicum of Rs.30lakhs  in return. Water is a universal asset, transferred from generations to generations and Cyrilnomics never feels that a river or a water body, if flowing through a region’s (state) territory gives automatic authority of its control to the that region. But, an agreement on the distribution of the same is highly recommended to facilitate smooth relationship between the partners. There are two powerhouses running in Tamilnadu, utilizing Mullaperiyar water (3^rd one is under construction). The grape yards of Tamilnadu decide the commercial rates of Indian grapes which inevitably relates its existence to the waters of Mullaperiyar. Districts of Ramanathapuram, Theni, Dindigal, Madurai and Sivaganga find its political unification mainly because of the word Mullaperiyar. Only 2% of the catchment area of Periyar (114sq.km out of 5398 sq.km) belongs to Tamilnadu. A deeper postmortem will show that in 115yrs, Tamilnadu has got 6960tmc water (yearly avg. of 60tmc). The cost of the same, at present rate may come upto 7000cr.Rs 600cr/yr electricity is generated. Taking the statistics further, on a cumulative basis, from 1960, Kerala should have been given Rs 37,000cr (including that of power generated), while Tamilnadu is paying only Rs 10lakhs a year. There is perhaps a danger of excessive optimism giving way to unthinking pessimism.

The analysis of the present day condition of the dam will show us that whether such a hue and cry is justifiable or is yet another political drama. Too much of extreme steps are not desired, as it will readily hamper any progress made towards the construction of the new dam. Strong evidences are the need of the hour which can emphatically show the leakages of the dam and its vulnerability towards any potential disasters. The Supreme Court expert panel report and the study report of IIT Roorkee should act as the authentic documents (than merely getting carried away by animated movies or planetary positions) and since this has a greater overlap with state of Kerala’s concern, it is highly recommended to the state govt. to expedite the process through legal channels than through political gimmicks. The dam inspection was carried out by the apex court appointed technical panel on March 9nth this year. Inner water studies of the dam were carried out by Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). Considerable numbers of fissures were observed during the study. The bigger ones observed at a depth of 110ft were fissures(read holes) with dia of 6-9inches. Unfortunately, how far the fissures have moved inwards could not be found out. The systemic restrictions will facilitate for a study of only up to 15 to 16m from water level (119.7 ft being the avg. water capacity). If such are the cracks observed in the said level, then the condition of the very base of the dam is easily imaginable, which clearly underlines Kerala’s plea for immediate reduction in water level and construction of new dam.  

What may happen if the dam collapses? If the Mullaperiyar and the Idukki dam breaks, Kerala will get divided into two, says Central Soil & Material Research Station Team. The Comprehensive Disaster Management Plan for Mullaperiyar dam hazard estimates that if something happens to the dam, then the debris may reach the Idukki dam, which is 36km downline. Idukki dam, with a capacity of 70tmc, is 79% full already. If the debris alongwith the 15tmc water reaches the dam, it may not show the resilience. If the burgeoning water gushes form Mullaperiyar to Idukki, then it may cause death of around 70,000 people (of which 30,000 will be Tamilians). If Idukki dam also breaks, it may initiate a chain reaction of destruction of 11 dams in line, which tags Mullaperiyar with the name ‘Water Bomb’. This water, if flows down can cause serious damages to Ernakulam, Kottayam districts. Further , downflow may uproot the Neriyamangalam bridge, which connects Idukki and Ernakulam and can cause flood in Alwaye and not to forget Cochin airport. Mullaperiyar dam is facing frequent tremors. If it faces a quake of above 6 in Richter scale, the dam may collapse is the ultimatum given by IIT Roorkee. Experts suggest that a dam has to be de-commissioned after its life (60yrs), but Mullaperiyar has completed 115yrs, which adds on to the conundrum.

Any unfortunate incident can be equally damaging for Tamilnadu. Nearly, 5 districts will face scarcity of water. Both, the alternate forms of govt. reaching the power in Kerala have never denied water to Tamilnadu, shows the history. Kerala, which is dependent on Tamilnadu for commodities including staple foods, fruits and vegetables, can never even in dreams think of denying water to Tamilnadu. As stated by the government of Kerala, the state is ready to give the prescribed amount of water, but what it demands is the safety of its people. Because of the frequent tremors, and the dilapidated condition of the dam, immediate scaling down of water level and construction of the new dam is highly desired. At present, the water level is 136ft, i.e; 21.4cr.cu.m.The present water discharge capacity of the system works out to 49.25lakh cu.m. At least, it will take a minimum of 10 days to scale down the water from 136ft to 120ft (provided the discharge is done 24x7, with the assumption of no influx of water). This shows that how assiduously we need to work for a new dam in no time. All the technical and authentic commissions finally narrow down to the same prescription. A new dam, which need to be constructed 366m downline, with dimensions of 370.1m length and 53.22m height and will incur a cost of Rs663cr. A new dam can effectively give more water than prescribed limit with renewed agreements on international standards. Hence, this is not an issue between two states, it is just a victim of yet another Goebbelsian propaganda , it is just a case of mis-understanding or at best a successful miasmic political playground of regional parties of both the states. Till the new dam gets materialized, lets hope that the British technology along with the prayers of the people belonging to the vulnerable districts will hold the Mullaperyar dam together. When ordinary human being err, it is sad, but when leaders do, it haunts us for generations. At least lets not work for any political mileage here. Please!       

Flipside of the Judicial Delay

A lot has been done to enlighten the public to motivate the actors for improvization in the Indian judicial setup & processes and thereby to bring about structural reforms, higher performance standards and capacity building. But, certain ground realities exist which is creating a miasma of the Indian judiciary. 'Justice for Poor' stands out as a distant dream in the 21st century owing to the increased expenses in the judicial processes, a chunk of it being absorbed as 'lawyers' fees'. The chain of expenses stretch out from the lower tiers to the apex court and consequently the expenses incured, curtails the motivation of the poor. This confines justice to only certain sections of the society. After all, neither the pedantic planning commission nor the venal goverment has kept any margin for the same out of the Rs.26 & Rs.32 alloted for the daily expenses for the said section of the society.

Secondly, the lose of budding and talented younger advocates is an area to ponder upon. Lion share of the Law Graduates, prefer the green pastures of the corporate world. This conundrum observed, is the most threatening 'situation' the judiciary will face in the coming years. The said policy reforms and structural changes should focus on this losing of talent which can mainly be achieved by cleansing the elements of nepotism intruded into the system.

Finally, the lack of awareness of the common man beams out to be the major issue. Media deliberations and public discussion forums can act as eye-openers, but still higher awareness should be generated, especially, at the grass-root level; which is inevitably the need of the hour where more than 70% of people recognize approaching court as a social taboo than as fighting for their rights. Unfortunately, the Indian judiciary in its functioning underlines the precarious notion of Ronald Regan who once said,"When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat". The more we take the responsibility for our past and present, the more we are able to create the future we seek.

**Excerpts of the article appeared in The Hindu (28th Oct,2011) in letters to the editor column

Contemporary Relevance of Gandhian Doctrines

Generations to come, it may well be, scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.

          During the tumultuous period of the first half of the previous century, where power mainly relied on violence and its sustenance, Gandhiji had an old fashioned respect for his own calling. He knew what it was he was doing. Another Gandhijayanti has passed with not much of attention being given, but the ever increasing relevance of Mahatma and his doctrines both inside and outside the country has forced the author to go for a re-visit and contemporary analysis of the Gandhian doctrines. Gandhi never believed in the establishment of any "ism" in his name. Yet, Gandhian core values of what Kripalani has termed the "Gandhian Way" stands out as a distinct ideology of non-violence and peace. Lech Walesa, leader of the Solidarity movement and later President of Poland, observed during his visit to New Delhi that when we fought with violence we failed, but when we fought with non-violence we succeeded.

          The unfettered commitment towards the religious scriptures had  paved way for Gandhiji in developing his universal concepts of Satyagraha and non-violence. Gandhiji was much prophetical in declaring that unity in diversity is not a theoretical proposition but a practical reality. Respect for each nation; be it USA or Libya, China or Pakistan, respect for each language; displayed by the diversities within the country, respect for each political system - all these are the lessons of Indian democracy. Cooperation  and coexistence are what the world needs today. He suggested that all human activities in the administrative domain should be need-centric and not greed-centric. This has direct link to Sustainable development - the need of the hour.Gandhi laid out an important foundational principle in defining the recently much talked about concept of Governance, where he emphasized on the sovereignty of the people over the sovereignty of the state by establishing Swaraj; which was totally people centric and participation centric.The existing governance setup is so complex that a common man will always require a support system just to approach the government or administration. In his framework of governance, the village will be managed by a panchayat which will be a living political entity. These panchayats will be voluntarily associated by an ever widening circle of such village republics. It is not an apex sustained by the bottom, but an oceanic circle where the center will be the individual always ready to perish for the circle of villages and so on. In this dynamic process, the individual must move from consuming  to conserving, spending to saving and depleting resources to sustaining them.

          In the world scenario as mentioned Gandhism or the modern Gandhigiri can be the real problem solver. Conflicts between the nations can be resolved by Gandhian methods; new institutional arrangements or by altering behaviour of the concerned states, initiation of Confidence Building Measures, use of Track-II diplomacy, etc which can open new vistas for durable peace. Trusteeship system envisaged by Gandhiji wherein the rich could contribute for the well being of deprieved sections of humanity.This can also mitigate the demand of a New International Economic Order. Further, Gandhism believes in unilateral disarmament. Change in the perception of terrorism, i.e, seeing it as a socio-psychological problem and changing the attributional errors of the fundamentalist and transforming such individuals is inevitable.

          Having discussed the international relevance it will be highly unfair if Cyrilnomics ignores the recent upsurge of Gandhian values and methodology in India during the movement, India against corruption or better known as Anna Hazare movement. If we apply Gandhian conception of democracy and freedom, all criticisms against Anna's movements would seem most unfair and unjust. After all, by democracy Gandhi never meant once every five years phenomenon; he regarded it as a continuous process of people's active involvement in all spheres of decision-making, though it necessarily won't give a freehand for making a mockery of Gandhian methodology of Satyagraha and extending it to Fast(s)-unto death in terms of hours or days at best. Corruption being a inimical menace; what was seen was the cathartic release of pent-up feelings of the people of both the emerging India and the protesting Bharat. Time will say the degree of Gandhian nature of Hazare movement, as some of late deviations are already being observed. Any visible change to eradicate corruption in the country will be a tribute to Gandhiji whether it is Anna Hazare movement or the ruling establishment's timely response to the cause. But, the fact of the matter is that Gandhism portrays the real Zeitgeist.