nudigudi

How stupid can Nokia get?

2007-01-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

I don't know whether to laugh or cry looking at Nokia's product strategy for India. It's funny how they think they can market mobile phones with Hindi keypads all over India! Most Kannadigas just hate to see Hindi on the handset (I don't hate it, but I hate paying for something I'll never use). What Kannadigas prefer - no points for guessing this - is Kannada.

Ironically, Nokia did come out with a decent phone (Nokia 6030) which has a Kannada keypad, user-interface and SMS capability. Although the phone has its share of bugs, it is one of Nokia's best phones. Funnily though, these phones are extremely difficult to find in Karnataka itself - retailers present you with one or the other stupid Hindi phone which nobody really cares for.

And of course, Nokia needs to understand that Kannadigas would like to have better phones with Kannada enabled on them - the latest gadgets and gizmos are definitely compatible with Kannada, aren't they?

Nokia, are you listening?

Aryan Invasion Theory or not, Dravidian languages are different

2007-01-05T22:09:00.000-08:00

What are Dravidian languages?

Dravidian languages are a family of languages spoken (very much so in 2007) in South India, Central India, parts of North India and the Baluchi province of Pakistan. The major Dravidian languages are Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam. Dravidian languages are classified under one family basically for linguistic reasons, i.e., similarity of grammar and day-to-day words. The list of Dravidian languages is pretty long. Wikipedia goes like this:

Southern

South Central

Central

Kolami-Naiki
- Naiki
- Northwestern Kolami (India)
- Southeastern Kolami (India)
Parji-Gadaba
- Duruwa (India)
- Mudhili Gadaba (India)
- Parji
- Pottangi Ollar Gadaba (India)

Northern

Brahui (the only Dravidian language spoken in Pakistan; in the Balochistan province)
Kumarbhag Paharia - (India)
Kurux language (India)
Kurux language Nepali - (Nepal)
Malto
Sauria Paharia (India)

Where are Dravidian languages being spoken?

The linguistic map of India is shown below (for further maps of world languages, click here):

The parts which appear reddish are areas where "Dravidian languages" are being spoken. Of course the most important Dravidian languages - Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam - are easy to see. But a closer look reveals more Dravidian languages being spoken even in Central India as well as in present-day Pakistan (the Brahui language of Baluchistan is Dravidian).

The Aryan Invasion Theory

Mostly because of the presense of Dravidian languages in North India and Baluchistan, linguists have had to come to the conclusion that an "Aryan Race" invaded India which was mostly Dravidian. They are of the opinion that the Aryans drove Dravidians to the south. This, in short, is the Aryan Invasion Theory.

Opposition to Aryan Invasion Theory

The theory is not liked by many, notable among whom are BJP and the Sangh Parivar, who think of this theory as a tool used by the British to divide North and South India. There have been many attempts to disprove the Aryan Invasion Theory, including recent claims (which have their share of opposition) of having decoded the Harappa-Mohenjodaro inscriptions about whom the "Aryan or Dravidian" question is raised by many.

Support for Aryan Invasion Theory

South Indian universities and centers of study support the Aryan Invasion Theory. In some universities, it is taken for granted. Nobody even questions the theory. For them, the difference between the two language families - Dravidian and Indi-Aryan - is enough proof for their stand about history. These universities have come up with many a PhD thesis, many a book about Dravidian languages, how they're unique, how all Dravidian languages have similar grammar, etc.

The theory is also supported by linguists all over the world. See references for details. It is these linguists who are called as people who "divide-and-rule" by the opponents of the theory.

Unscientific approaches of both camps

Both opposers and supporters of the Aryan Invasion Theory have shortcomings. It is funny how these shortcomings exist only in the Indian researchers.

The opposers of the theory (BJP, RSS & Co), although they've gone to lengths trying to disprove the Aryan Invasion Theory - something for which there is neither proof nor factual evidence, have failed to explain the similarity among Dravidian languages, and their marked linguistic difference between languages of the North which are called Indo-Aryan by linguists. In fact, the opposers even hide the fact that Dravidian languges fall into a different language family. I'd be darned if you find a map such as I've posted above in any publication of the Sangh Parivar. But the Sangh Parivar, if one has to take it seriously, must necessarily explain how their opposition to the Aryan Invasion Theory is consistent with linguistic facts. It's high time the opposers take a course in linguistics.

The supporters - people from South Indian universities - must take a scientific approach towards the theory instead of blindly agreeing with foreign linguists and historians. It is high time these people conduct deeper research into history and linguistics. Although the similarity of Dravidian languages has well been analyzed and researched, it's a pity that the Aryan Invasion Theory has been implicitly - and explicitly - assumed by these researchers. It's a grave mistake to take such things as given. It's a pity that these researchers don't come to conclusions about history on the basis of current linguistic proximity of Dravidian languages. What I mean is - they could use the fact that Dravidian languages are related in order to come to speculations - if not conclusions about the history of the speakers of Dravidian languages.

Why the Aryan Invasion Theory doesn't matter

The Aryan Invasion Theory - whether true or false - is useless in determining the future of speakers of Dravidian languages, unless it is politically engineered to determine. Why do I say that?

Whether the Aryan Invasion Theory is true or false, nobody can hide the fact that Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and every other Dravidian language is a "linguistic cousin" having not much to do with Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and Bengali. Nobody can discount the fact that day-to-day words in all Dravidian languages are linguistically proximate. Scientific proof exists for the similarity of these languages, and only those who care a hoot for science can bring other theories to hide the similarity. It is such people who go around trumpeting the falsity that Samskruta is the mother of all languages (funnily, the rest of the world doesn't think so - they class Samskruta along with other european languages and provide linguistic proof for their similarity (maatru, mother, etc etc.)

Nor would it be politically correct or desireable to prove that Dravidian languages are derived from Samskruta (as the Sangh Parivar thinks). Dravidian languages are on the rise - contrary to what the English media led by the Times of India tries to propagate. Kannadigas, Tamilians, Telugus and Malayalis are becoming increasingly aware of their uniqueness and fighting for linguistic rights.

Truth alone wins. satyamEva jayate.

References

1. http://www.nvtc.gov/lotw/months/april/DravidianLanguageFamily.htm
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dravidian_languages
3. Dravida Bhashavijnana - Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah, D.V.K. Murthy Publishers, Maisooru - 4.
4. Toulanika Dravida Bhasha Vijnana - Dr. K. Kempegowda, Bharati Prakashana, Maisooru
5. Dravidian Etymological Dictionary - Burrow and Emeaneau

Karnataka’s linguistic inferiority complex

2007-01-05T17:15:00.000-08:00

Just as the effect of hundreds of years of environment can be seen in the bark of a tree, the effect of hundreds of years of history can be seen in the linguistic inferiority complex that prevails in Karnataka today. I use the term linguistic inferiority complex (LIC) to denote inferiority complex relating to one’s own language, its utility, its boundaries and its importance. The disastrous effects of this inferiority complex can be seen in our education system, our society, industry, and in general just about everywhere. LIC is so second nature to the so-called “thinkers” of Karnataka today that even its existence is not acknowledged by them. LIC in Karnataka is made up of the following four unwritten linguistic inferiority complexes, not one of them scientific or democratic or supported by commonsense or fact:

Kannada can be used only for “simple conversations and light stuff like poetry, drama and other non-scientific things”
English is the best language for “conversations between intelligent people; definitely the language for any scientific topic”
Samskruta is the only language for anything even slightly spiritual
Hindi is more important than Kannada in India

The first inferiority complex can be traced to India’s colonial past. The British who opened English schools instead of Kannada and Samskruta schools sowed the seed of linguistic inferiority complex. School students used to get punished for speaking in Kannada (this is seen even today in most of Bengalooru schools) and rewarded for every small achievement in English. With this a sense of achievement got attached to English and a sense of non-achievement to Kannada. Kannada came to be slowly regarded as a language fit only for simple conversations and light stuff like poetry, drama and other non-scientific things – because the British simply didn’t let anything other than that to go on in Kannada. They truly didn’t think Kannada was fit for anything at all. Even after independence and consequent formation of linguistic states, Kannada is not fully implemented in administration, education or industry.

Since the British introduced English as the panacea in the atmosphere of inferiority which they themselves created, it slowly replaced Kannada as the language for conversations between intelligent people; definitely the language for any scientific topic. The English education system was nothing but an engine producing more and more people with this fatal inferiority complex, fit to serve the British crown. Those who came out of the system took pride in hating Kannada, making fun of Kannada and being able to speak English. The flawed arguments that English (as opposed to knowledge) is the strength based on which we can win global markets today, that English is the language of science and technology, stem from this very same inferiority complex continuing to pollute a Kannadiga’s blood. Although examples exist of countries like Japan, Israel, France, etc., which have all their systems in the language of the land, a Kannadiga is blind to this because of this second inferiority complex.

Samskruta enjoys a special place in Karnataka because of the huge corpus of spiritual literature which exists in it (not that we read or understand it). Almost every spiritual thinker of India – real or fake – has resorted to Samskruta as the language for his spiritual literature. This has been disastrous from the point of view of dissemination of true spiritual thinking among Kannadigas. Even today, most of Karnataka remains spiritually challenged because of this single mistake. Kannadigas have come to believe that spiritual literature cannot exist in Kannada, that our Gods understand only Samskruta! We are so spiritually blind and so mesmerized by Samskruta that we think anything and everything written in Samskruta is divine, that even the language and its grammar are divine and worth imitating in Kannada. It’s a pity that even our grammarians have bought into the flawed theory that Kannada – a Dravidian language – is derived from Samskruta, a theory proven totally wrong by linguists all over the world. This is our third inferiority complex.

The issue of Hindi (at best a budding language when it comes to age or achievement compared to Kannada) is more recent but reminiscent of British imperialism. Although there is no constitutional provision granting Hindi the status of “National language”, Karnataka has been made to believe so. Hindi is merely – but undemocratically – the only official language of the Indian Union, but schoolchildren in Karnataka are taught the blatant lie that Hindi is the National language of India. The central government invests hundreds of crores of rupees every year to impose Hindi on Kannadigas in education and central government institutions, even banks, using every medium possible. In the name of urbanization, entertainment media has very tactfully imposed Hindi on Kannadigas and made us believe that real entertainment can exist only in Hindi. Slowly, therefore, the suicidal feeling that Kannada is “not enough” to get on to Mainstream India has crept into a Kannadiga’s thinking. Kannadigas have come to believe that Hindi is a more important language than their mother-tongue in India. This is our fourth inferiority complex.

Linguistic inferiority complex is draining the life-blood of Kannadigas, turning us into inferior individuals building an inferior Karnataka. It has already brought about a class divide in Karnataka. The “higher class” slights Kannada and Karnataka, experiences physical pain living in Karnataka, is devoid of self-respect, cannot compete with westerners in true intelligence because of having to use a foreign language, and is waiting in long visa queues to escape from reality. The “lower class” – which cannot slight Kannada and Karnataka – is removed from education, science and technology (due to English) and commerce (due to English/Hindi). Both classes are removed from spirituality (due to Samskruta). It is clear that linguistic inferiority complex must be rooted out from the mind of every Kannadiga if at all we wish to progress. There is no option but to think of ways in which Kannada can completely replace English in education, science and technology, and Samskruta in spirituality and religion. Hindi together with the baggage of lies must be removed from school syllabi and the constitutional priority of Kannada in Karnataka must instead be taught; Kannada must replace it in central government offices, banks and commercial institutions.

One resolution worth making this new year

2006-12-31T18:51:00.000-08:00

We are all set to welcome 2007, the 51st year of Karnataka's statehood, the 51st year of the recognition of Kannadanaadu as a "stand-alone" state wherein Kannada can flourish.

However, it is a sad fact that Kannada's flourishing is fast receding from the realm of possibility, let alone entering the realm of visibility! A day's visit to Bengalooru confirms this: Kannada is virtually banned in the Malls, shopping complexes, commercial establishments, central government offices and MNCs! Of course nobody has the guts - like the British had - to put up apartheid-ish signs saying "Kannada speakers and dogs not allowed inside", but every other instrument of linguistic oppression against us in our own land is well in place: no customer service in Kannada, no banks in Kannada, no receptionists speaking Kannada, no roadsigns in Kannada, you name it: it's either not there in Kannada at all, or Kannada is hidden away from where you can see it like dirty underwear. English and Hindi are taking up those "primetime" slots.

Some people (well, actually mostly the newspapers and tv channels) attribute this to globalization and the emergence of a "resurgent India". But what kind of resurgence is this, when our own language is being wiped off our own state? This is not progress, this is the sign of doom. This is the sign of a disintegrating India, the disintegration catalysed by the so called "educated Indian".

It is sad that up-and-coming Kannadiga youth are buying this suicidal theory. They've got money in their hands, but fail to understand that that very money is an instrument with which to resurrect Kannada in Karnataka. That money works wonders in this capitalistic world: customer is god!

So let's make a new year resolution, one resolution worth making this new year, and stick to it:

"I will not use any language other than Kannada for interacting with anybody, anywhere, for any reason inside Karnataka. If this is not possible at my workplace, I shall not let that interfere with the world outside work. Even at work, I will not patronize any language other than Kannada. Outside work, I will demand service in Kannada in banks, malls, central government offices, while obtaining customer services, everywhere! This is my birthright, and this is the least I can do to serve Karnataka, and thereby India."

By sticking to this basic resolution, Kannadiga youth can work wonders in resurrecting Kannada in Karnataka. And when that happens, we can be sure that we're progressing - for it is Kannada with which Kannadigas can communicate and cooperate and rise higher; not english, not any other language.

Derecognition of schools and prostitution on paper

2006-12-28T20:07:00.000-08:00

About 4000 schools in Karnataka which have violated government rules and illegally run English medium classes (after signing on bond paper to run Kannada medium classes) have been slated to loose recognition starting next academic year, which means sometime around April 10th, 2007.

However, the newspapers - all the English papers and a few Kananda papers - have behaved in such an irresponsible way (and upheld going against law) that one almost starts developing an aversion towards newspapers in general. It is a known fact that the Indian press has turned to virtual prostitution - selling every inch of its body, especially its vital parts - the editorial and opinion columns. The Times of India and its "sister publications", Vijay Times and Vijay Karnataka, have been leading the pack.

What have the newspapers done?

First of all, they've removed focus from the actual problem, which is that the erring schools have actually been illegal in not doing what they signed on bond paper. After having removed focus from this, they've tried to make this a "philosophical question" about "which medium is better: Kannada or English"? The fact is - irrespective of that question, nobody can get away by violating law. If this is let go of, the courts will have to let go of every mistrust case: you don't need to do what you said you'll do on your apartment's sale deed, etc etc!
Next, they've tried to wage a childish war against minister Basavaraj Horatti and politicians in general, trying to "bring them to their knees" on the point of them sending their children to English medium schools! How childish, how irresponsible this is! What has that got to do with a set of illegal businessmen (yeah, that's what those who run the school are) defaulting? Again, this too is nothing but a trick to "lead" the "reader" away from the real problem and fill public minds with the agenda of those businessmen. Why would the papers do that? Because they've bought the "body" and the "vital parts" of the newspapers, that's why.
Then, the papers ask as to why the punishment was not given for all these years (the legislation against English medium schools was passed in 1993), knowing fully well that the politicians cannot answer this question in public - the reason being those traitors have been made to shut up by these illegal businessmen by way of bribe - the same businessmen who have bought the newspapers. For a moment, let's forget about all this bribing which has happened, and just ask: "What's wrong if the policeman finds out a little late that someone has stolen his neighbor's son's golden ring?". Instead of focusing on the fact that the ring has been stolen and that the police have finally managed to track down the criminal, is it a display of post-adolescent behavior to ask why the police are so late?
Next, the papers, especially Vijay Karnataka, ask as to how punishing the schools is going to help Kannada. This is a cheap trick to make Kanandigas feel that the government is doing nothing to help Kannada - whereas the fact is that the papers don't really care a damn about Kannada. Again, the strategy is to defocus from the real issue, manipulate mass sentiments and get away by doing what the bribing businessmen want them to do.
Then these papers (this time led by Vijay Times) ask how, if it's okay to legalize illegal buildings, it's not okay to legalize illegal schools! What a display of responsibility! What a way of "guarding the reader"! Instead of bringing the corrupt politicians down to their knees for the anti-people act of legalizing illegal buildings, these traitors want illegal schools to be legalized! What a display of puberty! What a display of ethics! What a display of concern for people! What a display of democratic thinking!

It is high time we wake up and realize the damage being done by this harem of publications. It's high time we Kannadigas realize the real agenda of the press today - the complete destruction of Kannada, Kannadiga and Karnataka.

Hindi - Myths and Reality

2006-09-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

1. What is Hindi Divas? Why is Hindi Divas organized?

Hindi Divas is organized by Government of India on 14^th September every year. Hindi Divas is organized at all Central Government offices across the country and general public is encouraged to participate in it. This event is organized to promote usage of Hindi in administration and for general communication by all Indians, irrespective of whether Hindi is their mother tongue or not. This event is funded by the tax payer's money, most of whom are not Hindi speaking.

2. Why do we need to oppose the Hindi Divas / Saptah celebrations? Why should we oppose this official patronage to Hindi?

Although India prides itself as a democracy in the community of nations, it is a sad fact that the Indian constitution calls Hindi together with English as the only two Official Languages of the Indian Union, to the exclusion of the mother-tongues of more than 75 % of India. A close look at India's language policy betrays the sad but dangerous truth of Hindi imperialism, which is but the new face of English imperialism. The very rule that knowledge of Hindi (or English, but preferably Hindi) is an absolute must for entry to Central Govt. jobs is a defeat of democracy. The concept that there should be one and only one administrative language for central government purposes simply does not apply to countries with plural cultures, languages and peoples. Disregarding this basic fact, the central and state governments have geared up to destroy our language and culture, to name our places in Hindi, to use only Hindi in our central govt. offices, to impose Hindi in very way possible, through every available channel, every available medium. Since Hindi imposition is anti-democratic and defeats the pluralistic nature of our country, we need to oppose Hindi imposition. Since Hindi Divas / Saptah are instruments of the Union Government to impose Hindi, we need to oppose this event.

3. Is Hindi the "National language" of India?

India as a nation comprises of various languages and cultures. Every individual represents his language and culture likewise language and culture are symbols of ones identity. India considers itself a federal republic because it comprises of different states which have their own language and culture. There was a strong cultural and administrative reason to form the states based on linguistic affiliation, because of the vast diversity in culture and language. Thus each state has its own official language which mostly differs from that of other states'. That language is the lifeline of the people of state and it represents its culture, since language is the media for communication and inheritance of culture.

Hindi was accepted as official language in some states and it represented the culture of only those states. Nowhere in the constitution is Hindi mentioned as the "National language". According to Indian Constitution, 22 languages are accepted as scheduled languages. Among these 22 languages a single language does not represent India's culture in its entirety. A situation where a single language can represent India's culture can only be made possible by suppressing India's diverse cultures. Hence Hindi is NOT the "National Language" of India.

4. Being a strong votary of Hindi as the national language is considered the litmus test to one's patriotism towards the country? Is this right?

This is absolutely wrong. Efforts of Hindi speaking people to force non-Hindi speaking people to accept Hindi as the sole National language is against the national spirit. In fact those who do this are not patriotic. Linking acceptance of Hindi as National Language & the knowledge of Hindi to a citizen's nationalistic credentials is dangerous and unacceptable.

5. How is Hindi being imposed on on-Hindi speaking people in India?

Hindi has been and is being imposed on non-Hindi speaking citizens of India through various means.

The three main vehicles of imposition are:

Through Administrative system
Through Education system
Through Media and Entertainment

1. The central government through its directives has been encouraging central government offices, banks, insurance companies to transact in Hindi. All these were under the control of the Central Government for almost four and a half decades. The control on these institutions has been fully utilized by the Central Government in its attempt to use Hindi for all official transactions / communication. These departments provide incentives for employees who implement Hindi, promote those who ensure Hindi implementation, provide leave to attend special courses in Hindi, etc.

2. Central Government through its three language formula has been systematically forcing Hindi on non-Hindi speakers. Students in the Hindi speaking states never learn a third language whereas students in the non-Hindi speaking states were / are being forced to learn Hindi. Also, wrong information is being taught to students across the country that Hindi is the National Language

3. But the most successful way of imposing Hindi on non-Hindi speaking people has been through media and entertainment sector. For almost four and half decades after independence, due to the socialist moorings of the Union Government, there was monopolistic control of radio & television by the Central Government through AIR and Doordarshan respectively. This has been utilized by the Central Government in providing news and entertainment to non-Hindi speaking people ONLY in Hindi for almost 40+ years. This has resulted in creating a huge market for news & entertainment in Hindi which both the Government and the private sector are NOW encashing at the expense of other language media and entertainment industries.

7. What is the impact of the imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking people in India?

This three pronged approach (through administration, education and media / entertainment) to impose Hindi has met with success to a considerable degree in some of the states of India. Many of the languages like Bhojpuri, Maithili, Santhali, Rajasthani, Haryanvi, etc have been systematically reduced to "dialects" of Hindi. Many other languages like Punjabi, Marwari, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi have lost their entertainment industries and are happy entertaining themselves in Hindi, an alien language to most people living in those states. Students in most of the states have been brainwashed that Hindi is the national language of India. Loyalty and patriotism to the nation has been reduced to acceptance of Hindi as the sole "National" and "Link" language. Any Indian having a different opinion on this is branded as not being nationalist enough! A bigger problem this has created is the false sense of superiority in the Hindi speakers. Their expectation that the whole of India speaks Hindi, their reluctance to learn the language of the place they settle in, arrogance that they display in their interaction with fellow non-Hindi speaking Indians is the biggest threat to national integration.

8. I never knew all this was happening. I am aware of this issue now. What should I do?

• Be aware that Hindi is not the ONLY national language of India. All the languages spoken in India are National languages. Please create this awareness in people around you.

• If you are residing in non-Hindi states, ensure that you conduct all the transactions at central government offices and banks in the language of the land or English. Do not use Hindi.

• Boycott Hindi films and music in non-Hindi speaking states. Encourage the media and entertainment industry of the place you live.

• Boycott schools and colleges that teach ONLY Hindi and not the local language in non-Hindi states.

• In non-Hindi states, converse with Hindi speakers in the language of the land or English. Do not converse / transact with them in Hindi.

Kannada must reign on state highways

2006-08-29T01:37:00.000-07:00

The Bengalooru - Maisooru state highway (not BMIC, mind you - that requires a special blog) has improved quite a bit after long years of putting up with crappy work and uncaring governments. However, the current government has made a four huge mistakes w.r.t. the signboards on the highway.

Mistake #1

Do you understand what "TRUCK LAY BYE" means? It's a signboard which appears 4-5 times on the highway. Now, I've been around the world - travelled in four continents (two of which have quite a few english speaking countries) on this planet, and never found this sign anywhere else. People of Pandavapura, Srirangapattana, Melukote are supposed to understand this goddamned sign. It doesn't even have a translation in Kannada! It's a huge mistake that this sign is in ENGLISH. When the govt. itself has rules which dictate every signboard to be displayed in Kannada with Kannada being more prominent than English, it's a pity that it doesn't follow the rule itself.

Mistake #2

The signboards indicating names of places have both Kannada and English names written on them, but the English sign is on top and Kannada is at the bottom. For e.g., "Pandavapura" is written in English on the top and in Kannada script at the bottom. This is the second huge mistake. What is the explanation for having English on top? Fools may argue that it doesn't matter which is on top, but it does matter - the Kannadiga eye scans a write-up from top to bottom, and it's imperialistic to make the eye encounter English instead of Kannada. It's a continuation of British imperialism.

Mistake #3

The signboards referred to above not only have English names on top, but the English writing is in a bolder, bigger font compared to Kannada. One has to be near striking distance of a "Pandavapura" board to be able to read the Kannada script. It is clear that the govt. doesn't want people to read the Kannada name from a distance. This is the third huge mistake.

Mistake #4

The English translations of the names stink of British imperialism, and are tailored for pronunciation by foreigners rather than Kannadigas. For instance, "Sirangapatam" is the name given to Srirangapattana. Why be so slavish as to change the name of Srirangapattana so that it can be better pronounced by a British "dore"? This is the fourth huge mistake.

Verdict by Q&A

Who is the govt trying to impress by putting up these cryptic english signboards? The answer is - everybody who is not a Kannadiga.
Is it trying to lick American asses? Yes.
Is it trying to lick British asses? Yes.
Is it trying to lick non-Kannadiga asses? Yes.
Why does the govt. not understand that Kannada must reign on state highways? Because it lacks self confidence. First of all the govt. doesn't believe that Kannada (an instance of "anything our own") can be used for anything "high tech" like a good road. Secondly, it doesn't care for Kannadigas. Thirdly, it thinks people who use the road are English speakers.

Swabhimani Kannadigara Samavesha - Bellary 19-20 Aug 2006

2006-08-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike is perhaps the only organization really working for the cause of Kannada, Kannadiga, and Karnataka in today's Karnataka. We still remember the way in which its kaaryakartaru went and poured black on MES activist Vijay More in Belgaum. The whole of Karnataka appreciated Vedike for standing for the unity of Karnataka and teaching Vijay More the lesson that Karnataka is not mutely watching the illegal actions of MES.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike is conducting its 5th Swaabhimaani Kannadigara Samaavesha in Bellary on 19th and 20th August this year. Perhaps nobody understands more than the Vedike how important it is to strengthen our border areas. Important issues related to Kannada, Kannadiga and Karnataka will be discussed in the conference. Vedike workers and the who's who of the Kannada world from not just all over Karnataka, but also from abroad will be attending it in large numbers.

The conference is open for participation for all Kannadigas. We wish the conference success, and urge you to participate. It's also a good idea to mix a visit to Hampi on the trip! For further details mail kannada@karnatakarakshanavedike.org.

The problem of Samskruta in Kannada

2006-07-31T01:20:00.000-07:00

Samskruta is undoubtedly a language with great literature (note that I don't call Samskruta itself a great language; there is no language which needs to be specially called a great language; all languages are great in their own right).

But unfortunately, it is becoming more and more of a differentiator of the haves and havenots in Karnataka. We are witnessing an explosion in the number of Samskruta words being used in Kannada literature. Whenever a new word has to be coined or a headline or a sentence has to be made "more attractive", it has become common practice to turn to Samskruta.

Worth special mention is the fact that Kannada is not a language derived from Samskruta. This is a total misconception/lie which is going around within and outside Karnataka (See "Kannada Barahavannu Saripadisona" by D.N. Shankara Bhat). Thousands of years of work on Kannada Grammar has been proven mostly wrong by Shri. Bhat, who argues that earlier grammarians have tried to apply Samskruta Grammar to a language which has really not much to do with Samskruta.

The problem with Samskruta words being used in Kannada sentences is twofold:

They don't fit in well into Kannada sentences because of Mahapranas, Samyuktavyanjanas and Samskruta's inherent differences with Kannada (See "Kannadakke Beku Kannadadde Vyakarana" by D.N. Shankara Bhat)
They're alien to most Kannadigas (For e.g., "horabaanu" is understood by most whereas "baahyaakaasha" is not!)

People end up using Samskruta words while writing/talking in Kannada for 3 reasons:

They don't know the Kannada equivalents or can't coin them
They think Kannada equivalents clash with common-usage
They want to show off

All the above reasons are invalid, and continuing usage of Samskruta words in Kannada is taking Kannadias away and away from their souls.

Note that there is nobody really forcing Kannadigas to use Samskruta - it doesn't have the kind of market appeal which English has. Here, it is only the lack of real understanding of Kannada which is killing Kannada and Kannadigas and therefore Karnataka.

So go ahead and add Samskruta to the list of Kannada's problems.

Nothing said above should be interpreted to mean that we should not use a single Samskruta words. As Shri Bhat argues, Samskruta words can and must be used after necessary modifications in Kannada when there's no other go; but this usage has to be conscious and not an offshoot of a feeling of eliteness.

I've not tried to document examples of Samskruta usage in Kannada in this blog. The percentage is too much. The best way is to read Dr. Bhat's books.

We've got more work to do than we thought. Over and above the fools who are arguing that English should be taught from day 1 in school, we also have to fight the fools who think it's impossible to coin acchakannaDa words without the help of Samskruta (I was one of them until today).

ಮುಂಬೈ ಸ್ಫೋಟ - ಕಲಿಯಬೇಕಾದ ಪಾಠ

2006-07-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

ಮುಂಬೈನಲ್ಲಿ ಇವತ್ತು ೭ ಕಡೆ ಸ್ಫೋಟಗಳಾಗಿ ನೂರಾರು ಜನ ಸತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಏನು ಕಾರಣ? ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಗೊತ್ತಿರುವ ಕಾರಣಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳಲು ನಾನು ಹೊರಟಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ ಆ ಕಾರಣಗಳಿಗೆಲ್ಲ ಮೂಲವಾಗಿರುವ ಕಾರಣವೊಂದನ್ನು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಡುತ್ತೇನೆ.

ನಾಲ್ಕು ಜನರಿಗೆ ಒಬ್ಬ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯನಿರಬೇಕೆನ್ನುವುದು ಸನಾತನಧರ್ಮವಿಹಿತ. ಹಾಗಿಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ಮಿಕ್ಕ ನಾಲ್ವರಿಗೆ ಅಪಾಯ ತಪ್ಪಿದ್ದಲ್ಲ. ಆ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯನು ಹತ್ತಿರದಲ್ಲೇ ಇರಬೇಕೇ ಹೊರತು ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿ ಏಲ್ಲೋ ಅಲ್ಲ. ನಮ್ಮ ಭಾರತೀಯ ಒಕ್ಕೂಟ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ದುರದೃಷ್ಟವಶಾತ್ ಪ್ರತಿ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯರು ದೂರದ ಭಾರತ-ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನ ಮುಂತಾದ ಗಡಿಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಬೇಕಾದ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಿದೆ. ಮಹಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರವನ್ನು ಕಾಯಬೇಕಾದ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯರು ದೂರದ ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನದ ಗಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗಿ ನಿಂತಿದ್ದರೆ ಮಹಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರವನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸುವವರಾರು? ಮಹಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರದ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯರು ನಾಯಿಗಳಂತೆ ಜಗಳಾವಾಡುವ ರಾಜಕಾರಣಿಗಳಾಗಿರುವಾಗ ಮಹಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರದ ರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಹೇಗೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯ? ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯರು ಹತ್ತಿರದಲ್ಲೇ ಇರಬೇಕಾದದ್ದು ಮುಖ್ಯ.

ಭಾರತದ ಗಡಿಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯರು ಇರಬಾರದು ಎಂದು ನಾನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ; ಅಲ್ಲಿರುವವರು ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಇರಲಿ, ಇಲ್ಲೂ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯ ಪಡೆಗಳು ನಿಲ್ಲಬೇಕಾದದ್ದು ಅತಿಮುಖ್ಯ.

ಪೋಲೀಸರು, ಇವತ್ತಿನ ವಿಧಾನ ಮಂಡಲ/ಸಭೆಗಳ ಅಯೋಗ್ಯ ಬೊಗಳುವ ನಾಯಿಗಳು ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯರಲ್ಲ. ನಿಜವಾದ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯರು ಎದ್ದು ನಿಲ್ಲಿ! ಓ ಮಹಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರದ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯನೇ, ಎದ್ದು ನಿಲ್ಲು!

ಓ ಕನ್ನಡನಾಡಿನ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯನೆ, ಎದ್ದು ನಿಲ್ಲು! ನಿನ್ನ ಕ್ಷಾತ್ರಧರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಪಾಲಿಸು! ಶತ್ರುವನ್ನು ಸದೆಬಡೆ! ಎದ್ದೇಳು ಕನ್ನಡನಾಡಿನ ರಕ್ಷಕನೆ! ಎದ್ದೇಳು!

Vijayakarnataka is dead; Times of India has started fixing Kannada news

2006-07-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

On the day the Times of India (may its tribe decrease) took over the reigns of Vijayakarnataka, the newspaper died.

In a clear case of reporting only partial facts and facts which are inimical to the future of Kannada, Kannadigas and Karnataka, the 6 July 2006 edition of Bengalooru Vijaya, a supplement of Vijayakarnataka, reports that the 5th year celebrations of Radiocity 91 FM happened in Bengalooru. The paper completely hides the most important event of the day, viz. the attack by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike on the event site, the ensuing breaking of microphone sticks, the fact that the entire stage was uprooted by the workers of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. It is known to everybody in Bengalooru, why Kannadigas all over the world that THE FUNCTION DID NOT HAPPEN, AND RJ'S AND THE AUDIENCE HAD TO RUN IN FEAR.

Why didn't Vijayakarnataka report this at all?

The Times group, which has taken over the paper, owns Radio Mirchi which has also come under the Vedike radar. Mirchi has been given an ultimatum to start airing 100% Kannada programmes or else...
The boss of Vijayakarnataka is a Malayali. What else do you expect?
Vishweshwara Bhat has become a pawn in the hands of TOI
Ka. Ra. Ve. would have got quite a bit of publicity if it had reported it.

Arise, O Kannadiga! Look at the way outsiders are walking away with all this nonsense! Look at how your own fight for equality in your own land is being subdued by outsiders! If you have the slightest concern for Ka-Ka-Ka, stop buying Vijayakarnataka, stop buying the Times of India. They are out to destroy you column by column, news item by news item.

Reservations: the king's mistake and Sir M.V's stand

2006-06-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the earliest instance of a Karnataka government screwing up on the issue of uplift of dalitaru is to be found in the wrong move made by His Highness Krishnaraja Wodeyar Bahadur of Mysore. Because of the king's unscientific though well-intentioned stand on the topic of reservations, Sir. M.V. resigned from the office of the Dewan of Mysore.

I quote Sir M. Vishweshwaraiah from his "Memoirs of my working life":

About the years 1916-1917 there was an agitation in Madras against the Brahmin community in view of the predominant position they enjoyed inthe Government services. This agitation spread to Mysore also. I was aware that non-Brahmin communities were backward on account of lack of higher education. The education problem had been vigorously attacked ever since I came to Mysore. I had arranged for the Mysore Government granting liberal scholarships to backward communities and depressed classes to encourage their education. Special steps were also taken to advance the prospects of mebers of backward communities in Government service. It was true that there was considerable inequality in preferment to offices and the Brahmin community had worked their way to the front. The policy adopted of spreading education rapidly was showing some results. As stated before, the school-going population had been nearly trebled. There was a desire in some quarters to hold back the proressive community by restricting their admission to educational institutions and otherwise reducing their opportunities for acquiring education. With this aim it was impossible to sympathise because it was an attempt to put back a section of the population which by its own special enterprise was going forward.

There was a definite proposal put forward by several leading members of the non-Brahmin community in Mysore to adopt the policy of the non-Brahmin leaders and their Press in Madras. A committee, presided over by Sir Leslie Miller, Chief Judge of Mysore, was appointed by His Highness the Maharaja to consider the question of adopting, in Mysore, measures similar to those advocated by the non-Brahmin leaders in Madras. My idea was that by spreading education rapidly and adopting precision methods in production and industry, the State and its entire population would progress faster. By ignoring merit and capacity I feared production would be hampered and the efficiency of the administration, for which we had been working so hard, would suffer. There was never any complaint that I favoured any particular community in making appointments. Nevertheless, I felt opposed to the establishment of the Miller Committee. His Highness the Maharaja seemed anxious to placate the backward communities and the leaders in the State who supported the policy advocated by the non-Brahmin leaders of Madras. After prolonged discussion and exchange of views for a considerable time, I obtained His Highness' consent to retire from service. Some time was required to arrange and place all new schemes in operation and other contemplated developments in a safe condition before I actually laid down office. So itw as agreed, some eight months beforehand, that I should retire at a convenient date at the end of the year. This arrangement was kept a closely guarded secret.

There is no doubt that Sir M.V. was right in his approach to solving the problem of the "backward communities". It is enlightening to note that one of the greatest sons of this soil opposed reservations - of the kind which is still in vogue - right back in 1916.

However, I am yet to understand Sir. M.V.'s stand on the application of Kannada in higher education. There seems to have been no work done by him which proves his undeterred belief in the fact (I'm saying that it's a fact) that Kannada is the only language through which his concept of "spreading education rapidly" would have been possible to his heart's content. If Sir M.V. hadn't realized it, he would have in due course of time. I think. Even if he wouldn't have, it's time we realize it.

Malayali nurses in Karnataka's hospitals: a closer look

2006-06-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

[This blog avoids the fact that Malayali nurses are decent enough to learn Kannada in our hospitals. That's good, but that's not good enough.]

Ever been to a hospital in Karnataka and consciously counted the ratio of Malayali nurses to Kannadiga nurses? I believe the ratio is atleast 20:1. If you don't think this is disastrous news, there's something wrong with you!

Karnataka seems to have taken it for granted that the Nursing profession is made for Malayali women. What a suicidal thought this is! Of all the questions that arise in this regard, the most important ones are:

What are the kannaDiga women doing? Why are they not getting into Nursing Schools and becoming nurses?
Are kannaDiga women finding other jobs because of some sort of widespread dislike for Nursing?
Are nursing schools partial to Malayali women in some way?
Are kannaDiga women discouraged from working at all?

I don't know all the answers, but I believe the answers are all pointing in the direction of Karnataka's hospitals having more and more Malayali nurses as time progresses, and that is a disease which will consume our women and thereby our entire state.

We have to stop this decay. We need to encourage our women -- most of who are jobless, hopless, destitute, penniless, illiterate -- to take to Nursing as a serious profession. We have to educate the people to come out of the illusion that women should not work. We have to educate our women well so that they can start playing a greater role in the society -- a role greater than that of a baby-machine plus cook.

I leave you with two important questions:

Is the strong influence of Christianity in Kerala -- of which the most important thing here is the English language -- giving Malayali women an edge over Kannadiga women? Are they winning the ratrace to Nursing schools simply because the schools teach in English and our women are further removed from English than Malayali women (who come from a state with a strong Christian/English influence)?
If the answer to the above question is "Yes", do you advocate for converting our Nursing schools to Kannada medium or do you advocate for making our women learn English or converting them to Christianity?

If your answer to the second question above is "making our women learn English", you are an absolute fool with no faculties of futuristic thinking. You are too short-sighted to be able to tell right from wrong. Your short sight will give you good rewards in the short run, but in the long run you shall suffer. This is my claim.

If your answer to the second question is "converting our Nursing schools to Kannada medium", you are a serious thinker of Karnataka's good. Your long-sightedness gives you the faculty of telling right from wrong. You tend to cheerfully suffer in the short-run, but will have the last laugh when the fools have long started reaping the bitter reward of short-sightedness.

Disconnected hospitals must learn to use Kannada

2006-06-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

There's a constant wail among Electronics/Electrical/Computer engineers that their work doesn't find application in their immediate surroundings. For example, they say, their software is for foreign companies which ply in "advanced markets".

Such claims are made only by fools, but that's not the topic of this blog. Let's talk about doctors and hospitals.

Do doctors have to search abroad for an "advanced market" in which their "advanced skills" can be sharpened/used? No sir, no madam! The advanced market for doctors is right here in Karnataka! The most important trait of this advanced market is that the patients speak Kannada and not goddamned english. Then why are all the admission forms in English? When they are also in Kannada, why is the Kannada part on the wrong side of the sheet? Why are all the signboards in English? Why is it a Labour Room and not "herige-mane" or "prasooti kONe"? Why does the receptionist who answers the phone talk English to begin with?

[I will come to the issue of Malayali nurses in a seperate blog. But I would be wrong in saying that they don't speak Kannada. The Malayali nurses are decent enough to learn Kannada in most hospitals.]

Hospital management in Karnataka must start from first principles: Use Kannada in Karnataka. It is very important for you and me to oppose the use of English in our hospitals. It is important for doctors to realize that there is no Englishman trying to pat their backs and throw a biscuit more into their mouth (any more) for their excellent display of English signboards all over the hospital. Service to patients includes speaking to them in Kannada to begin with.

Reservation: a plot against hiMduLidavaru

2006-05-15T06:31:00.000-07:00

According to the opinion of most people I know, the recent increase in the mIsalAti for "backward classes" in centers of higher education has no impact on the numbers in karnATaka since the supreme court has ruled that the total reservation percentage cannot exceed 50%. This means that the reservation percentage stands at 50% irrespective of the central govt. ruling. Things change in the North (which is one of the two reasons why you hear most protests from the North; the second being the inherent asaDDe of kannaDigaru) If you differ, I'd like to hear from you.

I dedicate this blog to expose the corruption, impotency and consequent lack of vision of the central government and that of the "backward" fools led by politicians of karnATaka which instigates them to step in the direction of reservations. Only in the context of future harm to be wrought upon by the politicians is this blog relevant to ka-ka-ka.

Corruption

These ignorant gods (yeah, you know what I mean!) are corrupt to the last blood cell. If they can stay in office for one extra day, they're ready to do anything it takes for that day's sake. They simply ask the question: how many votes will I get if I pass the reservation bill? The answer is obvious, and it clearly shows that it is in the complete interest of these gods (yeah, yeah, once again!) to sing "may their tribe increase" for the backward classes.

The "backward classes", in general, are not to be blamed for not recognizing the corruption behind the reservation idea. They are easily fooled by the low-lying fruit of reservation, without an inkling of the fact that it's actually bad for them in the long run (more on this presently). I say "in general" so that I don't consider those bastards who mint money, black or otherwise, but get a fee-cum-passing-mark-waiver for their sons and daughters. Those are the adhamOdharu, and those are definitely to blame for not recognizing the corruption behind the reservation idea.

Impotency

This is the second, and hidden, reason behind the mIsalAti-vAdigaLu. What impotency am I talking about? It's the impotency to really solve the problem of backward classes. What are they doing instead? First they give them a free ticket to institutions of higher learning. Second they lower the bar on the passing marks inside those institutions. Third they create an illusion that the lowered bar itself is good enough for them to get jobs in posh software companies or hospitals (in this third they will miserably fail). In all this, all they're trying to tell the "backward classes" that "it is okay to be impotent; hey, you know what, please remain impotent and keep on voting for me! I'll get you an entry to whichever institute you please; and hey, you know what? I'll get you a job in Infosys or AIIMS!". Basically, they're trying to create a country of eunuchs who vote for them.

I have argued that reservation creates a country of incapable fools sitting in offices demanding capability. This is not what the "backward class" wants. Even if it does want this, that want has to be disregarded and it taught that it should want capability instead of its fruit directly. There is no short-cut to the fruit of capability. You can't be incapable and demand the fruit of capability. That is foolish and childish.

The govt. is basically proposing a shortcut to a hiMduLidava's success. There isn't one.

What is the right way, the "long cut" then? Listen.

The right way to empower the hiMduLidavaru is to ensure good education from prAthamika-shikShaNa all the way to unnata-shikShaNa, in kannaDa. The whole kannaDa-mAdhyama education system today is not built in order to create the greatest scientists and doctors and engieners. It is built only to create ignorant voters. It is built only to perpetuate a votebank of faithful dogs who will vote to power, who will lick the feet of the master who is the corrupt and ignorant politician. No politician in karnATaka today has the required number of balls to start real education in kannaDa and continue it.

Why? This is a difficult task. It demands work from the goverment, starting from hiring real people instead of fake educators. It demands work from the government to bring out real textbooks, hire real teachers in kannaDa schools.

The government doesn't have what it takes to really solve the problem. It's trying to hide this fact of incapability but is still trying to prove that it has the capability. This is the impotency I'm accusing the government of.

Verdict

The concept of reservation is a plot against the hiMduLidavaru by a corrupt and impotent sarkAra. The real agenda of the government is to retain them as hiMduLida nAyigaLu who will come back to lick its feet and press the button against its election symbol.

Arise O kannaDiga kShatriya!

2006-05-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

Isn't there a tamilian around you? Didn't you see the astronomical difference between his political awareness and yours? Didn't you see his jubilation over DMK's victory?

The tamilian, wherever he is, however he is (ellAdarU irali, eMtAdarU irali), is always concerned about developments back home. Unfortunately kannaDigaru are not at all concerned about the politics of karnATaka even when they're living in karnATaka! How many times have you felt elated over the victory of your favourite party in karnATaka ?

Actually speaking, I wouldn't blame you much since there is no party in karnATaka whose victory would be a reason for widespread celebration all over karnATaka. There is no party in karnATaka today which is concerned truly with the affairs of karnATaka-kannaDiga-kannaDa. The political parties of our state are mostly local offices of bhAratIya parties whose lifeblood is the destruction of not just diversity but also public political awareness in the false march to unity.

As pointed out in an earlier blog, peope like UR Ananthamurthy who are getting into politics lack the sAmarthya to start real political parties. Arise, O! kannaDiga kShatriya! We are in need of your kShAtra. Without real kShatriyaru, fools, corrupt fools, impotent adharmigaLu are dictating our day-to-day woes. Arise O! kannaDiga kShatriya! Form a good political party of kannaDigaru. Form a polictical party which is ready to give up its life in protecting the interests of ka-ka-ka.

The height of irrelevance: tamil numerologist answering stupid kannaDigara questions in tamil

2006-05-09T18:33:00.000-07:00

Today I had the displeasure of witnessing the height of irrelevance on TV. On C-Bangalore, a TV channel run by our cable operator, there was a show about numerology. It went something like this:

There's a tamil-speaking numerology "expert" who doesn't understand a word of kannaDa. There's a kannaDa-speaking woman who is sitting by his side and taking phonecalls from people with all sorts of ignorance about what's controlling their lives and what not. kannaDigaru call and start asking questions in kannaDa. The woman mediates (but sometimes you'll be puzzled into thinking she's the numerologist) until the tamilian takes over. Then this tamil "expert", in front of the whole of beMgaLooru, answers in tamil! The foolish callers, even though they don't understand head or tail of what he's speaking, try to understand it and reply in broken tamil!

And what's the braHmavidye being discussed? The "expert" fool tries to convince the caller that if it weren't for a missing "a" in his name (written in roman letters, mind you), he'd be minting money!

The following irrelevancies stare at your face, even if we grant (only for argument's sake, mind you,) that numerology is a science:

1) kannaDiga caller, tamilian "expert" talking in tamil mixed with butler-english.
2) The fact that this is happening in beMgaLooru
3) The discussion is about names written in a highly irrelevant script, viz., roman (this single point suffices to overthrow the tamilian's "science")
4) The kannaDiga tries to understand the tamilian's tamil and even tries to reply in tamil
5) This programme is aired on primetime TV

All the tamilian "expert" has is some money from somewhere, with absolutely nothing between his ears. kannaDigaru are falling prey to this fool.

Kannadigas: plan for the future and buy sites now!

2006-04-29T23:32:00.000-07:00

This blog gives the reasons why kannaDigaru must buy residential/commercial sites in their own hometowns as soon as possible, preferably today.

Economic and environmental reasons

karnATaka is facing a severe problem today, the problem of land grabbing by people from neighbouring states, viz., Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Before you complete reading this blog, one tamilian, one mallu and one gult will have bought a 60x40 site in your own city, whether it is beMgaLUru or maisUru or hubLi or naMjanagUDu. Remember that the migrant is not richer than you. He's only smarter; he's only more careful about his own future. Even he has to take a bank loan to buy a site, not just you. Only, he's ready to take the pain now to ensure a better tomorrow for himself (which, unfortunately, is turning out to be a worse tomorrow for us).

The above doesn't seem to be reason enough for some kannaDigaru who have the money to buy sites, but who think it's a display of either (a) violence or (b) hatred to run in this ratrace and grab land. Such kannaDigaru are mistaken, as will presently be argued. But before that, I want to point out to a few more reasons why we should buy sites

We feel most at home in our own hometowns. So it's logical for us to buy a site in our own hometown (the string "...before the tamilians buy" is not attached here).
Slowly but surely, karnATaka is becoming increasingly prosperous and beMgaLUru increasingly choked, and there is no need for everybody to go to beMgaLUru for a job. This only means that we're going to see increasing need for us to settle down in places other than beMgaLUru. Before the prices soar, this is the right time to buy sites in our hometowns.

Reasons in the dharmagraMthagaLu

Some gRuhastha kannaDigaru have a more basic flaw in their understanding of gRuhasthAshrama, driven by which they claim, almost like a saMnyAsi that it's not correct to go behind property, acquire wealth, etc. The basic flaw in their understanding comes either from (a) sOmAritana or from (b) ignorance of one's own duties -- rather than from any deep understanding of the upanishattugaLu or the bhagavadgeete or any dharmagraMtha. All our dharmagraMthagaLu shout at the top of their voice that a gRuhastha must acquire as much wealth as possible. I shall quote two examples:

(1) taittirIyOpanishat:

tasmAdyayA kayA cha vidhayA bahvannaM kurveeta |

- Which means that the gRuhastha should obtain as much "anna" (which is nothing but wealth) as possible. The upanishat goes into detail as to why this is so.

(2) mahAbhArata:

UrdhvabAhurvirOmyEtannahi kaSchit shruNOti mAm |
dharmAdarthaScha kAmaScha sa kimarthaM na sEvyatE ||

- This is vEdavyAsa saying "I'm shouting at the top of my voice with my hands raised high, but nobody is listening to me! Why are you not enjoying kAma and artha which is obtained through dharma?". vEdavyAsa makes it very clear that kAma and artha (money, "anna", 60x40 sites!) should be enjoyed by the householder as long as they are obtained through rightful means (by not robbing, for instance).

Flawed understanding of the "freedom of choice"

2006-04-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

Coming back to Amartya Sen...

Does Sen argue that the freedom of choice should be given to anybody and everybody? Does he argue that the child should be allowed to play with the knife because it lives in a democratic country?

Sen's theory of the freedom of choice presupposes the ability to make an informed choice, whatever that means. Now, how informed is informed? That I haven't seen Sen get into, so I will get into:

An informed choice is not the choice of a careful selfish individual. An informed choice is the choice of an individual acting for the good of all mankind. An informed choice is the choice of an individual who will not give up the cause of his brethren in favour of unsustainable individual gain.

This being the case, the public cannot be allowed to have what it asks for always - things like driving on the wrong side of the road, killing innocent people, inappropriate sums of money for trivial service rendered, and, among other things, to choose to give up kannaDa and kannaDa music and kannaDa movies and other things kannaDa.

If such stupid choices are made by the public because of the "freedom of choice", it will ultimately lead to its destruction. That destruction has to be prevented, even if it is at the cost of curtailing the freedom of choice.

The knife should be kept away from the child even if it weeps in consequence. The child which is playing with the knife and cries when it's taken away does not have the freedom of choice at all. If it had the choice and it knew that playing with it is harmful, it would exercise that choice and opt to not play. The right way to go ahead is to give the child the freedom of choice. How? The answer is education.

The child is the non-true-kannaDiga and the knife is his taking kannaDa lightly and embracing a different language. Even if the child cries, the knife has to be taken away from him.

So, to summarise:

Flawed understanding: Everybody should be allowed to decide what they want, irrespective of whether they're capable of making a decision or not. If anarchy ensues, nothing can be done about it.

Correct understanding: Everybody should be enabled to make the right decision by giving them education and empowering them, even if the process of education seems harsh on them. In this scenario, anarchy cannot ensue.

Radio Mirchi: what's in it for us?

2006-04-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

By us I mean kannaDigas.

Radio Mirchi has started transmission a week or so ago. One good thing about the channel is the fact that the RJs speak mostly in kannaDa (atleast whenever I've tried to listen to it). But there stops the association of the channel with kannaDa. The music played is mostly hindi and english music.

The question is - what does that mean for karnaTaka and kannaDa?

It means the following:

1) When the govt announced that they're going to put up 4 (or was it 5?) FM channels for grabs, there was no true kannaDiga who had what it takes (whether it is the enterpreneurship or money or ability to bribe the bastards) to grab a channel. This is the first and foremost thing. This fact should not be forgotten, and corrective measures against this fact should not be neglected irrespective of the course of action in the wake of radio mirchi.

Note that I say "true" kannaDiga, since I don't know for a fact that the guy behind Mirchi in Bangalore is not a kannaDiga. It is not surprising if a kannaDiga boss has to plead with his bosses to scrape through with the paltry garnishing of kannaDa on the channel.

2) There was a non true-kannaDiga who took up the channel.

3) Market research in Bangalore actually shows that the real demand is for hindi and english music, not kannaDa music.

The right way to correct this situation is twofold:

1) Enable kannaDigas to be able to grab channels from now on. What this means is - good education, better exposure to the tricks of the trade, entrepreneural skills, etc. Make the kannaDiga want to start a kannaDa-only FM channel. Make kannaDa film music more popular. These form what can be called as the long-term solution.

2) In the short term, it's important to see to it that the long-term solution is not nullified and all attempts at a long term solution thwarted. This includes demanding Mirchi to play kannaDa music for atleast 50% of the time irrespective of what its market research shows. Why is this important? It's simply because if Mirchies take up 100% of the FM bandwidth, there will be no scope for kannaDa to shine. This is an interrelated thing: (a) if you let go of the fight to get Mirchi to play kannaDa, kannaDa music will not get enough encouragement and people's appreciation for it will be hijacked by other languages, and (b) if you fight Mirchi to play kannaDa, they will ask for enough audience. The channel creates the audience and the audience creates the channel. Hence, it's important to attack the problem from both sides.

IITs and the needy: the real way

2006-04-26T18:31:00.000-07:00

Recognizing that education is its only saviour, Japan spent 41% of its budget on education immediately after the war. It didn't try to find out the "downtrodden", the dalitaru, hinduLidavaru, alpasaMkhyAtaru in its population and foolishly rush 'em to the universities. [And I have reason to believe that atleast 90% of the money allocated was actually spent on education]. And the effect of this prudent move is clearly visible in Japan today.

That's exactly what is needed in karnATaka today. We have to spend a lot more on our education system, clean it up from the very bottom and create avenues for higher education in kannaDa. Once this is done -- and it will take atleast two decades -- and only two decades if done correctly -- the IITs will voluntarily reserve seats for kannaDigas! And we'll have institutes better than the IITs all over karnATaka, teaching technical stuff in kannaDa itself.

The Siddharamaiahs of karnATaka doesn't recognize this fact at all; and as I said in my earlier blog, UR Ananthamurthy is making a big mistake by clapping hands for/with fools.

It's healthy that we're seeing statements about higher education in kannaDa from the minister for higher education, D H Shankaramurthy. But we've seen a similar statement from Dharam Singh. In fact, it was replete with details as like 25 people each for Civil and Mechanical Engg, etc etc. What happened to that? It just slipped out of the spotlight. What's pitiable is the fact that the public doesn't question such things at all. Why will they question, when they are themselves stuck with the feeling that technical education means "in english"?

U R Ananthamurthy - standing on the shoulders of corrupt fools

2006-04-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

Unless UR Ananthamurthy is using Siddharamaiah and his band of illiterate, ignorant fools as pawns in a game we're dying to see, it can be concluded that the jnAnapeeTha awardee has gone nuts. It's embarassing and shameful to see him trying to fit into their fold. It's amazing that even with URA's presence, the party is making such stupid moves as to ask for reservation in IITs and IIMs!

I can only hope that reason dawns on URA. It's strange what time has turned URA into.

URA can do better than rub shoulders with Siddharamaiah, Ibrahim, VP Singh and Raj Babbar (incidentally we could hear Mr. VP Singh bark around in Hindi - a very familiar scene of Hindi imperialism making its way slowly into karnATaka -- something we've seen too much on TV). There's lot of real political talent in karnATaka which he can tap. If at all he is seeking a decent political career, he should start a kannaDapara pakSha on his own and get together a good think-tank of kannaDigas. URA, wake up!

shrI bhagavAnuvAcha --

yatatO hyapi kouMtEya puruShasya vipaSchitaH |
iMdriyANi pramAthIni haraMti prasabhaM manaH ||

Even the mind of a man who is trying [to escape from the grip of the iMdriyANi] is prone to getting hijacked by them. Then little wonder that UR Ananthamurthy's mind is getting hijacked by these corrupt fools masquerading as saviours of the downtrodden.

Seek the truth, URA, the truth is amara. The truth is infinitely strong. The truth is within you. Why seek it in the sound of the clapping hands of corrupt fools?

Britain's multiculturalism: lessons for Karnataka

2006-04-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

Obviously this blog is also inspired by Sen's book.

In the book, Sen talks of how Britain has come "a long way" from its strong intolerance towards other cultures to now being a pretty decent multicultural nation. He does raise doubts that part of what seems multiculturism may actually be just plural monoculturism (with people of different cultures crossing each other like "ships in the night" without any real interaction).

In any case, Sen completely misses the point about language. He completely misses the fact that whatever multiculturism is seen in Britain is seen in a 100% English language environment. If immigrants decide to impose, say Punjabi or Urdu on Britain, go about painting roadsigns in that language, start flooding Britain with people from their home-countries in an uncontrolled fashion, we'd be seeing absolute opposition to any sort of multiculturism. The British would have booted out each and every person not respecting the English language.

Here is where a lesson lies for karnATaka and immigrants to karnATaka: Respect kannaDa and then go about using whatever religion you prize, whatever dress you wish to wear. Multiculturalism is okay in karnATaka. That is very healthy indeed. But if immigrants come to karnATaka with an imperialistic feeling of superiority over karnATaka and kannaDa, such bastards must be thrown out of karnATaka.

And we as kannaDigas must learn to be linguistically (and only linguistically) intolerant to imigrants. There is no question of giving kannaDa a second place. No Hindi, no Tamil, no nothing. kannaDa should reign supreme here. The idea of India is not against this claim at all. Fools claim that Hindi is the national language of India. That is bullshit. There is no article of the Indian Constitution which stakes such a claim.

Am I saying that the fact that the British "would not have tolerated a different language", is license for us not tolerating? No, that's not what I'm saying. The message I want to pass on is that the right way to build a multicultural environment is to first respect the most important ingredient, viz., language, of the most important culture which forms part of the "multiculture" idea - the language of the land immigration into which is being discussed, viz., kannaDa.

"Identity and Violence" by Amartya Sen and Karnataka

2006-04-25T03:59:00.000-07:00

This book caught my attention and I picked it up almost immediately. A superficial whisk through the pages told me that I've finally found something readable from Sen (if you want something unreadable, try "On Ethics and Economics" by him). The central theme of "Identity and Violence" is the provable fact that humans necessarily possess multiple identities (like woman+vegetarian+hindu+...) and that trying to fix/impose/singularly focus on one and only one identity is the reason for violence in the world.

I'm taking up two important themes concerning the book and its application to karnATaka.

1. The real face of violence

There is no doubt that Sen's theory is correct, as is shown in the case of violence during the partition of India, which the book alludes to.

But what is to be doubted is whether Sen understands the real meaning of violence. This doubt cannot be answered by reading "Identity and Violence..."

Is killing a person X violence? That is not necessarily so. If it was violence to kill duryOdhana, kRuShNa must be dismissed as a violent person. Nay, violence is not violence which breeds non-violence. There is nothing wrong in planned and last-resort violence as long as it goes to protect the peace and calm of a larger people. It is not violent to kill the miscreants, the corrupt and the irrepairable adharmi. Indeed, such violence is the dharma of a kShatriya. Gandhi (for whose steadfastness in his own principes I admire him) was terribly mistaken in calling for a complete eradication of kShAtradharma. As one could imagine, in his gItAbhAShya he argues that kRuShNa never ever asks arjuna to kill. That is of course pure nonsense born out of irrepairable steadfastness in his pet principle. That his single-minded devotion (nay, singular identity) was good for the military zero that was India then is a different thing altogether.

Blind followers of so-called non-violence must be reminded of the fact that their very existence is contingent on "violence" performed by our army. Such must also read The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins.

Coming back to the book, I agree with Sen that we must focus on alternate ways of knitting people together. Within Karnataka, for instance, a whole forest of violence-breeders exists. They're the champions of the so-called jAtyateeta political parties who act just opposite to jAtyateetate. They are the ones who breed jAtivAda. They end up imposing a violent identity on the clueless kannadiga, thereby breaking up karnATaka into pieces in the hope of being able to rule atleast one of the pieces. Bastards. O for the real kShatriya who will suppress these bastards!

The real way of knitting together karnATaka is through kannaDa. kannaDa is that identity which can be non-violently imposed on almost every kannaDiga. Fools will definitely oppose its imposition, but fools always oppose what's good for them. And if it comes to embracing violence to suppress those fools, it must be embraced by the true kShatriya for the true cause of the sarvAMgeeNa abhivRuddhi of karnATaka. If it comes to killing those fools who form 1-2% of karnATaka's janasaMkhye for the sake of the 98-99%, such a sacrifice is the purest form of ahiMse. Remember, it is not only the knife or gun that kills. Words and policies of the government also do.

2. Globalization and karnATaka

Sen handles the topic of globalization (jAgateekaraNa) with finesse. He shows that there's neither "nothing good at all" nor "nothing bad at all" about jAgateekaraNa. In short, he shows that the effects of jAgateekaraNa have to be measured using the following yardsticks:

Is jAgateekaraNa more inclusive or more exclusive? Meaning - does it help the majority of karnATaka get the benefits or does it help only a minority?
Even among the minority which enjoys the benefits of jAgateekaraNa, are they getting a fair deal?

So posing these questions to karnATaka, we see immediately that both the answers are negative. Indeed, as Sen argues, more kannaDigas are excluded from benefiting from globalization than included. And indeed, as pointed out in the book, the way to solve this problem is not to shoo away investors coming to your door, but to solve the problem internally in karnATaka. How? By making education better, for instance.

Although Sen doesn't point to the fact that the main engine of an education system is the medium of instruction, we can conclude that good education - and by education I mean not just primary but all education whatsoever - in kannaDa is crucial for karnATaka to reap the benefits of globalization.

jAgateekaraNa is not a bus we can afford to miss. But it's our job as kannaDigas to see to it that all our brethren can make it to the bus.

What? purOhita is not blogging in Kannada?

2006-04-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

No sir, no madam, he's not. The reason is simple, though: there is no kannaDiga software engineer who has the requried number of gray-cells between his ears to enable Kannada on my Ubuntu Linux box. Being a non-software-engineer, I've tried my hand at

a) SCIM
b) IIIMF
c) ISIS

but nothing really works.

I shall write in English (with a generous usage of kannaDa) until the day I setup my Ubuntu box to display/input kannaDa decently. I seek help from whoever is ready to help.