Looming Himalayan Crisis: War, Weather or Water Projects

Himalayan Crisis: Fire on the Roof

Himalayas are close to a severe crisis that could affect the world immensely. Himalayan mountains hold the largest water-mass near the tropics, which gave it the name of third pole. Due to this reason, Himalayan ranges give rise to a number of rivers that water most of Asia, including the most populous countries of South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, supporting almost 2/3s of the world population. It would be a demographic disaster if the Himalayan glaciers were to melt, and flood these countries. In addition, as one of the undisturbed biospheres of the world, Himalayas are native to a number of animal and plant species that do not exist any where else in the world. Anything that may affect this ecological balance will prove devastating not only for the Himalayas, but the wider South Asian, East Asian and Southeast Asian region.

Two issues need the attention of policy makers to change the status quo in the Himalayas and move towards protecting the environment and biomes of the Himalayas. The first issue that needs to be immediately addressed is the industrial development (Mega Hydroelectric projects), infrastructure projects (Roads, oil and gas pipelines, etc.) in the Himalayas. The second issue that needs immediate attention from the international community is peace process in the Himalayas.

The first issue needs involvement of environmental protection groups to to bring forth united action from the rival nations surrounding the Himalayas, i.e. Pakistan, India, and China along with smaller nations such as Bhutan and Nepal.
A number of recent articles in popular media note the Himalayan environmental crisis and melting glaciers due to excessive industrial development and carbon emissions (check the web links below for further information). However, no constructive action is initiated as the world remains a mute spectator.

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1929071_1929070_1945667,00.html

http://www.thethirdpole.net/climate-change-poor-policies-multiply-himalayan-flood-effects/

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/himalayan-states-also-face-risk-glacial-lake-outburst-floods

The second issue is establishing peace in the Himalayan region by resolving disputes between Pakistan, India and China. The disputes between these three nations are in the back burner for a number of decades since 1950s although a couple of wars were fought between these three nations. It is necessary to resolve the issues and establish peace in this region since the disputes are not only disturbing the human life, but the biome of the Hindukush-Himalayan region. Any war in this region will spell disaster to the environment of the Himalayas, and will have lasting repercussions for the larger Asian region dependent on it for the water resources.

In any case it is good for the world to not let fires rouse on its roof, Himalayas in this case. The effect of the devastation in the Himalayas will not be localized, but will be felt far outside the region with tremendous repercussions. The world should take a closer look at what is happening in the Himalayas and form an international committee to protect the Himalayan ranges.

Kumbhamela

The Largest Festival of World Concludes

The Kumbhmela comes to conclusion. Estimates of attendees range between a 80-100 million. It has been a fascination for ascetics, common people, politicians, the rich and the poor to attend this festival and partake in bathing in the Ganges river in Allahabad. An extensive first hand description of this festival is recorded by Xuanzhang who visited India during 620 C.E., about 1400 years ago.
Please check the following links for coverage of the event:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/d1e949a0-86bd-11e2-b907-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2NLpPWBXw


http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/03/04/carnival-of-the-soul-at-india-s-maha-kumbh-mela.html

India: The Women Question

The Women Question!

When one is born born in a country which has inherited a longstanding ancient heritage, life could be hampered with the unnecessary burden of carrying this innate heritage. In the modern world this could be very challenging, and demeaning at times. This is especially true for the women of India. Their every step is measured in view of the inherited culture, and their life is supposed to be led by the inherited wisdom of the past.

Democracy is only 60 years barely past its midlife crisis, if compared with a human life span, and could not be expected to have solved all the social issued India had inherited. The women question came of age only during the past decade owing to the slow, but stead work of feminists and strong women's rights advocates.

When India became an independent democracy in 1947, universal franchise was adopted, but the women question was not addressed, due to the lack of a strong women's voice. If women were given constitutional enactments that gave them certain rights and privileges, such as those given to the Scheduled castes and Tribes, it would have done miracles for the development of women by now. Women were ignored then and are also being ingnored now, where a comprehensive act for the Women's welfare is not taken up by any of the 16 successive governemnts in India. Women's issues are dealt with on an ad hoc basis as and when they come up and deemed necessary, leading to haphazard flood control measures rather than comprehensive attempt to address, and change the core concerns. There is no planned program of education, family and child welfare, and development focussed on women. Until the government of India enacts a comprehensive policy addressing a number of issues concerning women it is impossible aspire for any change in the condition of women in India. This then brings forward that lack of safety, and security for women, which made newspaper headlines recently, making it a law and order issue. Even though women's issues are brushed off as an issue of culture, the crux of the matter is that it is a law and order issue. Until the government establishes a separate judicial body and police infrastructure to address the women's issues the status quo would remain with little change.

Amnesia Afflicts Historians of India including R.C. Guha!

It is a common feature of Indian historians that they always forget their history and learn it from their neighbors, especially from the west. Recent article by Ramachandra Guha is an obvious example of this sort. He compares, Chief Minister of Gujarath, Narendra Modi, with Indira Gandhi, dynastic representative and descendant of Nehru family, although conveniently positioned herself as a Gandhi. This may have made Indira Gandhi turn in her grave, I am sure. Cheif Minister Modi is as different from Indira Gandhi, as a cucumber from a carrot. Mrs. Gandhi is a carefully crafted successor to Nehru, which she successfully nurtured in her children, and grand children and foresaw a successful continuation of her dynastic politics, by not letting any other politicians or power centers emerge in Congress (I) party, which is the sole survivor of the numerous fractions of the Original congress Party founded in 1881.  Comparing Indira Gandhi To Narendra Modi is the most superficial understanding of Indian History, ever undertaken. Ramchandra Guha had shown quick wit matched with incomparable critical assessment of historical figures and events. But this comparison is something unexpected and unimaginable from Guha.

India, The Land of Festivals!

India, The Land of Festivals

Kumbhmela and Jaipur literary festival enthrall large gathering of people early this year. 

India is a land of festivals, which attracts large gatherings of people, for an allotted period of time. India loves gathering. People always find an excuse to gather. Families gather for festivals, and rituals (marriage, funeral or birth) usually, but now there are more, and varied functions to gather, and the crowds are as varied. 

I grew up attending a variety of festivals in and around my home town. Religious festivals, drama festivals, river festivals, temple festivals, and school festivals, in addition to the family celebrations. Every festival is celebrated with great fan fare and reverence. Each temple, each goddess, and god have annual festivals, so also the trees and rivers in our home town. Every river in India has its own festival, although the greatest is the Kumbhmela. Floods are scary every year. However, I watched it every year, when the flood waters come into town, families, especially women and children visit the river and pay their respects with flower offerings.

Festivals of any sort are a big draw for crowds in India. In the recent years there is a new genre of festivals added to this usual festival fraternity, the literary festival. Major cities such as Jaipur, Kochin, Calcutta become the vaunted destinations for literary connoisseurs, and enthusiasts alike, while literary circles in smaller cities are organizing their own festivals of this sort. A well known cousin of the literary festivals is Film festivals of India. Of course Film festivals are well established and well celebrated in India. Film actors are larger than life, and could turn crowds at their every move. Nonetheless, something similar is happening with literary festivals. Controversial authors, scholars and TV dignitaries (Salman Rushdie, ... and scholars of repute such as Gayatri Spivak) are adding the spark of their own to the success of literary festivals. The fanfare, and hungama (remember Oprah's visit to Jaipur literary festival last year!) in bringing electronic media personalities (connected mostly with TV and internet personalities although sometimes it may involve some film personalities) and literary personalities (writers of various kinds- academic, news, and fiction). This is a welcome turn of events for India as the literacy levels of India improved tremendously over the last two decades with English as the medium of education. Hopefully this trend continues and grows multiplying the books and their writers.

The literary festival fever is also spreading to Pakistan and Bangladesh recently, although it would be interesting to see how long they would last, before they are attacked by fundamentalist groups. In a country where music, and theater celebrations became rare, or a big security issue for the police forces, it is hard to imagine that the literary festivals would  have a different outcome in the foreseeable future. 

Hinduism at AAR?!?

Ancient India at the AAR: Are Ancient Hindu Texts, and Traditions Irrelavant for Understanding Modern Hinduism?

I attended the recently concluded AAR (American Academy of Religion) Annual Conference at Chicago, Nov 16-20, 2012, as a scholar of Hinduism. 'What is Hinduism?" asked the hotel clerk who helped me check in as I tried to explain to her about the purpose of my visit to Chicago. I was confounded with the same or similar question, which continued to repeat itself continually for the next three days, more than once a day sometimes during my stay in Chicago. There were a variety of presentations on Hinduism, Yoga and comparative studies on Hinduism, which would be discussed below, but traditional Hinduism is missing from AAR. It seemed AAR itself is wresting with the idea of Hinduism, and coming to grips with the definition and finding balance between different aspects of Hinduism.

While AAR (American Academy of Religion) panel presentations on Hinduism focused on understanding contemporary practices of Hinduism, especially that of Hinduism abroad, DANAM (Dharma Academy of North America) panels focused on philosophical and ethical aspects of Hinduism, and interaction of Hinduism with other Indian and international religions. However, what seemed to be presented about Hinduism at this year's conference overall is that it showed a dedicated focus to current events, and modern ethics with emphasis on current events. It is not clear if this was intentional or merely coincidental, that some of the panels' titles read like newspaper headlines and address issues from recent news coverage. For example, "Its the End of the World as We Know it," or "My Kundalini Made Me do It," sound as catchy as news headlines or movies titles. The Hinduism Group's panel presentations address texts, deities (major or minor), or ritual Hinduism indirectly, since contemporary understandings of Hinduism organized around thematic subjects predominate this year's panels. For example, the following panel presentations including, "Is There a Tradition of Change in Hinduism?" or "Authority, Tradition and Innovation in Hindu Traditions," focuses not on original themes from any religious texts, but transmission, while "Modern Social Interpretation of Bhakti Traditions," examines modern adaptations of Bhakti practices rather than theological or ritual questions of Bhakti in relation to Hinduism. Another panel, "Religion, Toleration, Progress: "Liberalism In and Against Hindu Thought," jointly organized by Hinduism Group with Liberal Theologies Group is an examination of Hinduism through the understandings of Liberal Theology. Anyone attending panel presentations of Hinduism at this year's conference would not be mistaken to think that Hinduism as a modern religion is an independent phenomenon, barely related to its textual, philosophical and theological strands.

Religion in South Asia Section panels address general issues from Indian Religions, and also focus on modern and contemporary themes. The panels, "Re-figuring Bodies That Matter: Sex, Gender, and Alternative Bodily Identities in South Asian Tradition," "Indian Religions and the Limits of Royal Patronage," "In Good Taste: Aesthetics and South Asian Religion," show this partisan approach to modern culture of India. While the joint panel organized by Religion in South Asia Section with Science, Technology and Religion Group, addresses "Religion and Science in South Asia," which is another approach to understanding modern cultural approaches of India.

A number of panels also included panel presentations on Yoga, which also included some panels addressing contemporary concerns: "My Kundalini Made Me Do It: The Intersection of Yoga, Psychology, and Medicine," and "The Commodification of Yoga," and "Innovation and Transformation in North American Yoga". The film, "Yoga Inc.," goes well with the presentation panels on Yoga. Anyone attending these panels, having watched the film would leave with a sense of clear understanding of Yoga as it transformed itself in modern day America.

Other panels address the relationship of Hinduism with other religions as Hindu-Christian, Hindu-Judaic Studies Groups. Society for Hindu Christian Studies panel, “Interreligious Ritual Participation: Reverence, Flippancy and Betrayal," brings together papers not only from different religious traditions, but also from across different time, space and political traditions.

The DANAM panels also included comparative studies such as: "Hindu Dharma, Yoga, and the East-West Transmission," "InterDharma, IntraDharma, and Interfaith Dialogue as Forms of Transmitting Dharma," and "Kundalini Yoga Movement of Yogi Bhajan".

While the conference is productive and successful in showcasing the contemporary research strides made in recent years on the subject of Hinduism through its thematic panels, it would have been helpful to include panels on primary sources of Hinduism and global Hinduism. 

China Irks its Neighbors: 'Troika' Emerges as Indian Ocean Powerzone

The China Passport Debacle: Troika Emerges in Indian Ocean Zone
China has done it again with imprinting a map on its new passports including regions that were not part of its territory. China long claimed these regions as part of People's Republic of China, but resorted to crystalizing that claim only recently in this map. The result is not only strong but compounded. Its neighbors India, Indonesia and Australia finally came together to form a trilateral alliance (Troika) to curb any further advances or territorial claims by China. Is this a sign that China is asserting its superior position in the region, while sending a subtle warning it neighbors?
India-Australia-Indonesia
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-27/india/35386419_1_peter-varghese-uranium-issue-east-asia-summit