Excelsior... Nation

Modi roadshow-a heady cocktail of
regionalism-nationalism

AHMEDABAD, Nov 3: Children cheer loudly, youths jostle to shake hands with him and women shower flowers on him as he waves at them to the accompaniment of drums and trumpets.

Vignettes from an Amitabh Bachchan roadshow? no. But scenes from Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Gaurav Yatra’ as his juggernaut rolls on through rural Gujarat on its eighth phase ahead of the crucial December 12 Assembly elections.

Announcers hail him as the "pride of five crore Gujaratis" as Modi’s DCM Toyota convertible `rath’ approaches motley crowds along the roadside in Anand, Khera and Ahmedabad districts.

He dismisses small crowds with a wave of his hands, addresses medium crowds from the vehicle’s rooftop using a hydraulic lift and large crowds from an inbuilt-stage which opens on the sideways of the vehicle.

The vehicle comes to a screeching halt as it is stopped by little girls with ‘Mangal Kalash’ on their tender heads and Sannyasins in saffron robes at Barthal - the birthplace of the founder of the influential Swaminarayan sect where the religious leaders present him with a cheque of Rs 1.5 crore.

"Can such a crowd be stage-managed,? he asked this PTI correspondent who accompanied him during the `Yatra’, pooh-poohing the opposition allegations.

Modi, who has been widely criticised for his role in the post-Godhra violence, uses a heady mix of regionalism and nationalism to woo the crowds, charging Congress and "pseudo-secularists" with projecting Gujaratis as "killers and looters" and promising to teach Pakistanis a lesson their seven generations would remember.

As the ‘rath’ traverses through Chaklasi and Mahudha along the 175 km route, an excited modi says, "this is all congress stronghold but see the crowds."

Besides a convertible stage and hydraulic lift, the ‘rath’ is equipped with a bed for the Chief Minister to rest, seats for party leaders to hold a meeting and a kitchenette.

Boiled vegetables are his staple diet as he journeys across the state, escorted by a few security personnel and an ambulance, leaving little room for opponents to pin him down for violating the model code of conduct.

The language too has undergone a visible change. From the post-Godhra rhetoric to a non-communal approach.

"Look at that road - that is the country’s first expressway between Ahmedabad and Vadodara, which will have an interruption free traffic flow," he says and asserts "we will seek a positive mandate from the electorate based on the four-and-a-half years performance of the Government."

Asked to compare his ‘Gaurav Yatra’ with senior party leader and now Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani’s ‘Rath Yatra’ on the Ayodhya issue which overnight changed the party’s electoral fortunes, Modi says in all humility, "every yatra has an objective. I am a small worker inspired by leaders such as Advani. I have to learn a lot from them."

"There is no full stop in social and political life," modi says as he signs an autograph and poses for photographs before embarking on the next leg. (PTI)

Asean artistes’ ballet testimony to relevance of Ramayana

NEW DELHI, Nov 3: The Ramayana, though uniquely Indian, holds universal appeal. That the story transcends time, culture and countries became apparent when performers from ten Asean Nations staged the epic interpreted in their unique style.

The Ramayana is unchanging yet ever new. This was demonstrated in "realising Rama", the ballet presented here earlier this week by performers from the Asean committee on culture and information who sought to interpret the story in the present day context, showing its relevance in this age.

"Its basic theme — the archetypal fight between good and evil — holds relevance to this day and can be retold and refashioned. Hence its enduring charm," said Dr Nicanor Tiongson, a cultural historian form Philippines while elucidating on why the Asean artistes chose to stage the epic.

The story continues to have a deep impact in the South East Asian region where it has inspired many performing visual art forms. Each country has adopted the ramayana its own way with local artistes interpreting it in oral and written literature, music and dance. It has, over the centuries, been assimilated and transformed by local history, geography and way of life.

The epic found expression through Dr Tiongson who felt the Ramayana could showcase the spirit of cooperation of asean. "The Ramayana continues to permeate the region deeply and is woven in the basic fabric of local cultures," he said.

The much-acclaimed production which premiered in Hanoi in December 1998 and has since toured other countries in the region and Europe in 2001 was presented for the first time in the capital on Thursday.

The ballet begins with lord rama competing for the hand of Sita and goes through several artistically lavish scenes to the epilogue, "Rama realized" where tempered by his ordeals and glowing with inner strength, Rama becomes the leader of his people. In contrast to the Indian presentation of the Ramayana, the ballet has stylised movement and at the same time is very lyrical. The influence of the martial art forms of the region is also evident in the movements of the artistes. The ballet involves some very innovative choreography and stunning production values.

The ballet was presented by the delhi tourism in collaboration with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and Indian Airlines.

Talking about the uniqueness of the Asean presentation, managing director of Delhi Tourism Rajeev Talwar said two sequences, in particular, were outstanding.

The building of the bridge to Lanka by Hanuman’s ‘Vanar Sena’ has been depicted with bamboo poles placed on the shoulders of the artistes over which Ram and Sita walked after he rescued his beloved from the demon king Ravana.

The other was the decisive battle between Rama and Ravana which has been depicted in an extraordinary manner, he felt.

"The artistes portrayed the final fight using martial art forms of the region. Their agility and grace was a treat for the eyes," he added.

The costumes too bore the stamp of the region — rich, flowing silk and brocade in vibrant shades.

"Realizing Rama" looked at the theme of selfless leadership and presented it in contemporary South-East Asian context. Such leadership is what Asean countries require to combat their problems, the directors felt.

Artistic director of the ballet Denisa Rayes, a choreographer from Philippines, said, "while having a contemporary touch and enriched with details from various Southeast Asian versions of the epic, the production closely follows the original."

Mr Nestor Jardin, project director also from Philippines, felt, "it is an allegorical presentation. Rama is the ideal statesman who undergoes a process of self-purification and overcomes the temptations of wealth and power. He conquers his ego, acts with wisdom and compassion and thereby attains a balance of heart (Sita) and mind (Lakshman)."

Acclaimed Indonesian composer Rahayu Supanggah, who gave the music, used the influences found throughout Asia with traditional instruments of the region. The striking sets were designed by Bayu Radjikin from Malaysia. (UNI)

Sarod maestro’s collection of rare musical instruments

NEW DELHI, Nov 3: She has mingled with Rajas and Fakirs and travelled far and wide to put together her treasured collection of rare musical instruments which are now on display for all connoisseurs of the arts.

So you can treat your eyes to some exquisitely carved ancient sitars, sarods, flutes, tablas among the 300 odd Hindustani and carnatic classical music instruments that Sarod maestro Sharan Rani Backliwal has donated to the national museum from her personal collection painstakingly put together over two decades.

The petite musician, who has been playing for over six decades, since the age of eight, says, "while on tours I used to enquire from all and sundry if anyone had old instruments belonging to musicians from Rajwadas (principalities) and which they were willing to part with."

"I was able to obtain some treasured possessions like Ayodhya Prasad’s Pakhawaj, Lakshmi Prasad Misra’s Veena, Shambhu Maharaj’s Ghungroo’s," says the artiste from the Senia-Maihar Gharana who trained under the great Ustad Allaudin Khan.

She has already donated some 150 instruments in 1980 to the museum where they are on display in the Sharan Rani Backliwal Gallery of musical instruments. The new collection will be added on to the earlier one.

Since childhood she was fascinated with anything musical and used to collect such items. "There is music in everything," she says. "I even have a metal foot cleaner and a kumkum container which have tinkling bells attached," she smiles.

Ms Backliwal admits it is difficult to part with such treasured possessions, but, "people should know the variety and depth of our music which is exhibited through these instruments ."

She says several museums abroad had asked approached her for the instruments but, "I refused as I wanted them in India, housed under one roof for people to appreciate."

among the priceless treaures, there is a Mayuri Sitar (1850) acquired from the Royal family of Bengal. It’s neck is shaped like a peacock, covered with maroon velvet with intricate ivory work. Also among the items is an uncommon Durbari Sitar (1850) with a mehrab design.

"The earlier instruments used to be more decorative and somewhat larger in size," Ms Backliwal points out.

The collection also houses some uncommon instruments that have either disappeared or are rarely heard these days — a Rabab (1840) painted with figures and having a tiger head, an exquisitely carved Dilruba (1825) from Kashmir, a brass drum with figurative panels (18th c) painted with gold and having ivory bridges and a tortoise type "tumba."

"It is an onerous task to take care of the instruments and keep them in good playing condition, especially as most are old and worn and need to be handled with care and devotion," says Ms Backliwal who has single handedly put together the entire collection.

There are also some western instruments that the artiste acquired on her trips abroad including an UD (1900) from Iran, a harp from UK, flutes known as Shakohachi from Japan, Bamboo instruments from Africa and strips from Kenya dating back to the early 19th century. There is even a harmonium made in France

The piece de resistance, however, is an enchanting collection of miniature instruments — a gramophone complete with LP records, a conch shell, an entire band, a piano, sitar and dholak, among others, all crafted and designed to perfection.

"The instruments, ranging from the 15th to the 19th century, span different states, regions and gharanas (musical schools). They show the forms, styles and evolution of the instruments over time, allowing for comparative and developmental studies," Ms Backliwal points out.

Citing ancient literature, Ms Backliwal says the origin of dance and music in India is attributed to Gods, Goddesses and gandharvas. There are references to different musical instruments in our literature and murals, paintings, excavations also depict a large variety of instruments.

Bharat Muni, the author of the Natya Shastra, classified instruments into four types — Tata Vadya (chordohones or stringed instruments), Susheer Vadya (aerophones or wind instruments), Ghana Vadya (idiophones or solids struck against each other to produce sound), and Avanaddha Vadya (membranophones or percussion instruments). The collection has instruments from all the categories. (UNI)

Law and order cannot be a ground for
postponement of polls: SC

NEW DELHI, Nov 3: Apparently keeping in mind the premise on which the Election Commission had postponed polls in Gujarat, a constitution bench of the Supreme Court has ruled that law and order should ordinarily not be a ground for deferring elections.

Giving exclusive jurisdiction to election commission to conduct polls and fix its schedule, a five-judge constitution bench comprising Chief Justice B N Kirpal, Justice V N Khare, Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice Arijit Pasayat unanimously held on October 28 last that "ordinarily, law and order or public disorder should not be occasion for postponing the elections...."

The Election Commission in its 40-page order on August 16 had deferred holding of polls in Gujarat to November-December on grounds that the electoral rolls in the state were defective and that the law and order situation was not normal.

The EC in its order had said "the law and order situation cannot be said to have become normal as fear in the minds of large sections of the electorate, particularly of the minority community, is still a palpable reality and the riot victims would be extremely wary of going to the polling stations to cast their votes fearing risk to their life and property".

Justice Pasayat and Justice Balakrishnan, who wrote separate but concurring judgements, also indicated that law and order situations engineered by certain persons should be sternly dealt with and "should not normally be a ground for deferring elections....".

The Supreme Court also rejected the stand of the Election Commission that "article 174 of the constitution must yield to article 324 in the interest of genuine democracy and purity of elections".

While article 174 mandated that six months should not lapse between two sittings of a house, article 324 gave exclusive jurisdiction to the commission to superintend, direct and conhile holding that "elections should be held within six months for constituting Legislative Assembly from the date of dissolution of the Legislative Assembly", the court said "article 174(1) and article 324 operate on different fields and neither article 174(1) is subject to article 324 nor article 324 is subject to article 174(1) of the constitution."

Expressing inability to hold elections in accordance with the mandate of article 174(1), the Commission had stated in its order that "the non-observance of the provisions of article 174(1) in the aforesaid eventuality would mean that the Government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the constitution within the meaning of article 356(1) of the constitution and the President should step in".

The constitution bench said "it appears that the gratuitous advice of article 356 by the Election Commission in its order was in all sincerity, although now in our interpretation of article 174(1), we find that it was misplaced".

Justice Balakrishnan in his judgement said "reference to article 356 was incidentally made by the Election Commission to point out that if article 174 cannot be complied with, the possible alternative is to invoke article 356 and declare a state of emergency."

"I do not think that the solution suggested by the Election Commission is appropriate or justified. Article 356 has no application under any of these situations," he said.

Justice Pasayat, agreeing with the other judges, said "mere non-compliance of article 174 so far as the time period is concerned, does not automatically bring in article 356."

The bench also rejected pleas by Election Commission as well as Congress and other parties that questions in the presidential reference were not framed properly and hence should be returned without expressing any opinion on it.

Justice Khare, writing the main judgement, said "the questions raised in the presidential reference are of public importance and are likely to arise in future.

"Further, there being no decision by this court on the questions raised and a doubt having arisen in the mind of the President in regard to the interpretation of article 174(1) of the constitution, the reference required to be answered."

On the arguments by several leading counsels that the reference was "inherently incapable of being answered", Justice Pasayat, quoting an earlier judgement of the court, said "it is necessary to deal with some wider aspects of the problem which incidentally arise and the decision of which will assist us in rendering our answers to the questions framed in the present reference". (PTI)

Time to ease tension on border as army prepares to return!

JAIPUR, Nov 3: It is time for easing tension on the Indo-Pakistan border as the Indian army prepares to return to peacetime locations from forward positions where it had been deployed 10 months back in the wake of the terrorist attack on Indian Parliament.

Although the deployment of the army on the border along Rajasthan caused some problems for the farmers in terms of losses to agricultural produce and also human lives due to land mine accidents, the residents in Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Barmer and Ganganagar districts will fondly remember the assistance they received from the units deployed there on several occasions.

The withdrawal of the army is likely to be completed in phases with strike core and armed regiments returning to barracks first, a report from Jodhpur quoting official sources said.

To facilitate easy movement of special trains carrying army goods, the Railways have cancelled Jodhpur-Bhatinda and Jodhpur-Bhopal trains till further order.

The withdrawal of the army would pick up when the Railways provide rakes within the next one or two weeks.

Preparing for their return, the armed forces have started packing up arms and ammunition, another report from Jaisalmer said.

The report quoting army sources said the engineering wing had started removing anti-personnel and anti-tank mines laid in the wake of the army deployment.

While the army is preparing to return from forward locations, the villagers in the border areas are saying goodbye with a heavy heart to the jawans they shared their moments of joys and sorrows with for the last 10 months.

Villagers in border areas in Jaisalmer said they would feel a void after the jawans return as emotional bonds had been created between the men in uniform and the local residents who started depending on each other heavily for their daily needs in the most inhospitable desert environment.

The local village economy had flourished due to the presence of army jawans who depended on local markets for their daily needs.

The local village economy in border areas could be sustained in the period of slump in tourism trade only by the presence of the army, said a trader Prithvi Raj.

The army’s presence also ensured medical and health facility to the surrounding population, said a villager Abhay Singh. "We got help of army medical doctors and also medicines from them in our hour of need," he said.

The residents of far flung desert villages also got the most precious commodity in the land of sand dunes - water -which was regularly rushed to forward locations for the jawans.

An army brigade, deployed near village Bhojka in Jaisalmer district even organised a "welfare fair" as a parting gift to the villagers this week. Free medicines were distributed in the fair which had a big attraction of an exhibition of smaller arms.

The brigade also gifted a computer to the local village school.

The people of the desert are "Bahut Acchhey Aur Milansaar" (very good and cooperative), commented an army jawan Moti Singh who recalled that once he mistakenly left behind his valuable goods in Ramgarg area but the villagers helped him in getting them back.

On Friday the army jawans rushed with their crane and lifted a passenger bus that had overturned near Jaisalmer town killing four passengers. Had the armymen been not (not) there the death toll in the accident would have been higher, police sources said.

However, many villagers who inadvertently strayed into the areas where land mines had been laid lost lives or limbs and would bear the scar for life. (PTI)

Few takers for Indian brands as Chinese
crackers hit market

NEW DELHI, Nov 3: After cracking all other industries, the Chinese dragon has hit the Indian crackers market this Diwali with imported guns, bombs and sparklers ruling the trade.

Chinese guns, which have barrels almost like the original one with light and music emitting shots, snake crackers and multi-coloured sparklers have come out the favourites this season, says Sajjan Kumar, a shopkeeper in West Delhi.

"The demand was so high that we ran out of stock almost a week before Diwali," says Kumar, noting "the cheap cost of Chinese crackers is the main factor behind their increasing demand".

"Due to strict enforcement by the Government and the police, not many people were given licence for setting up cracker shops this time. Because of this the cost of Indian crackers has gone up as branded crackers are available at very few places," says Ram Babu, a seller in Sadar Bazar.

"On the other hand, the Chinese guns, a favourite with the children are easily available everywhere - from cracker shops to imported goods shops in Karol Bagh - and are very cheap. A gun with 12 shots for just Rs 40," says Babu.

"People are also becoming conscious of pollution which crackers emnate... That probably is another reason why parents are buying these guns for the children," says Kiran Singh, a teacher.

But all this does not mean that Chinese crackers are any less polluting. There are some which have 127 decibel noise level and have been blacklisted by the Supreme Court.

Even other banned crackers like ‘hydrogen’ bomb and electric crackers are available but selectively and at a higher price. "All the shopkeepers claim that they are selling within limits (125 decibel), but there is no way to find out the noise limit of crackers except for specific tests," says Shiv Kumar, another retailer.

Though policemen are posted everywhere in Sadar Bazar and Jama Masjid, vendors in the age-group of 16-18 are able to escape their vigilant eyes and sell bombs in the by-lanes nearby.

Claims Iqbal, "my bombs will make the maximum sound" and is ready to bargain to any point to sell his stuff immediately lest a policeman may come.

Small-time retailers too are wary of police harassment. "I have been setting a small stall for the last ten years. But no policeman came except for taking hafta. This year suddenly they are all talking of rules," says Suraj.

"Though big licenced shopkeepers can claim that they are adhering to all rules, what do we do... Most of the local manufacturers do not specify the noise limits. We sell whatever is available in the market," says Suraj.

"... If the production of such crackers is banned, they will automatically not be available in the market for sale," he suggests.

All this is leading to a slump in sales. Whether it is the small retailer or the big shopkeeper, the statement is the same - sales are down between 25 to 50 per cent.

"But it is not just the ban on noisy crackers which has lead to low sales. People are not willing to spend money on crackers... Strained relations with Pakistan, economic slowdown are all to blame," says Kumar.

"That is also the reason why people are going in for cheap crackers (Chinese) though quality wise they do not match the Indian brands," he says.

And it is not just the crackers market, which these imported brands have penetrated but also the local illumination business during this festive season.

"While a string of local decorative lights is available between Rs 50 - 80, the chinese musical and coloured string is cominehta, an electricals retailer.

"Since last two-three festive seasons, the imported lights had started coming in the market, but this year because of so low costs, the local strings are hardly to be seen," he says.

The Diwali is surely Indian, but with a Chinese touch. (PTI)