Jugaad' and Tolerance

The Indian ‘Jugaad’ is a much revered and reviled trait. While some consider it the root cause of all the evils plaguing our society, others call it the one redeeming factor that allows us to rise above our apparent lack of resources.

Jugaad is frugal innovation, to put it clinically.What I think it essentially is - having been a schooled in the various aspects of Air Power - is adaptability and flexibility. It is an ability to accept circumstances without bowing to the consequences. It is resilience that accompanies submission rather than create stubbornness. You see, we have always had what the westerners pray for, the will to change what we can, and the wisdom to accept what we can't. Jugaad, to use a cliche, tells you to make lemonade when life tosses you lemons.

For those wondering about the source of this attitude, it is the Karma theory. Believing in Karma doesn’t mean waiting for God or fate to show you the path always. Nor does it imply an unshakeable belief in creating your own destiny. It is the fluid tenacity of water. For water does not stop its flow in the face of mountains or cliffs. Nor does it try smashing them. It flows around them, using their slopes to facilitate its own path. And it gradually weathers them, erodes them, making them accept its path.

Why am I talking of Jugaad and spirituality when we are having a raging debate about our intolerance? Well, I am coming to the point, gradually, like the water we just spoke about. If you accept the Jugaad’ mindset and the spirituality that gave rise to this, you will realise that this society can not be anything but tolerant. For the karma mindset promotes acceptance and accommodation. Whatever be the religion, people living in this society are all bitten by the same karma bug.

This is the one reason why there were minimal imperialistic campaigns launched from this land. Even the invaders who reached here, paused their imperialistic designs and spent more time amalgamating with the locals than they had done anywhere enroute. Sure, there are war mongers, as there were noble warriors. But no other culture or civilisation can boast of a Guru Nanak, a Buddha, an ashoka and an akbar. The Geeta and the Guru Granth Sahab. These weren't people who taught us about acceptance and peace. But they were enlightened enough to observe what was around them and speak about it. No other land has had as many apostles of peace and ‘tolerance’ as the Indian subcontinent.

It can be argued that such a large land mass with a huge population is bound to have a larger number of people of any category. But then, I am not comparing India to say, Greece or Rome, or even Europe. I am comparing India to the whole of the rest of the world. If you look at the history of any of the other older civilisations, the towering figures in there have been warriors and conquerors. India too has had its fair share of warriors, but they all pale into insignificance in the light of the spiritual leaders who taught us acceptance.

Now, we have people accusing the people of this land of being intolerant. Accusing the Govt of being intolerant. And it is not just the vote seeking Indian Politicians doing this. Mr Barak Obama said so too. President of a country where buying guns to shoot school kids and civilians you don't like is as commonplace as a walk in the park, preaches India on tolerance. A country where blacks still find themselves at the wrong end of a policeman’s gun finds us intolerant. Poor guy, doesn't realise that electing one Black President doesn't make the US of A tolerant. The fact that he is the only black president inall these years, that he is seen as an aberration, makes his country intolerant. India has had women, dalits, muslims, Christians and Sikhs as heads of state, and it was never mentioned as something out of the ordinary.

And the  Europeans, ahh…..

But this isn't about comparisons. This is to remind everybody that the only thing India is intolerant to, is intolerance ( and discipline, and cleanliness, and queus, and………., but all that is for later) Discrimination, when practiced here, is either for personal gain, or as a pure animal instinct. That makes it no more intolerant than any other community, country or race. The Indian class system is kept in rein by acceptance, compassion, and of course, tolerance. 

Military History

History isn't just written by the victors. It is written by the more articulate, media savvy, english speaking sides.

We have all read about of the exploits of the allies in the world wars. Most of us have admired the brave american and british soldiers. Some of us would have marvelled at the efficiency of the German armed forces. But nary a thought is spared for the Russians. The largest losses were suffered by the Russians. The course of the war was reversed by the Russians. They retreated from their eastern front right back to Moscow, and advanced again, pushing back the German forces. It was the red army that liberated Poland and freed the inmates of Auschwitz.

Yet, it is only now that the Russian veterans of the great war are demanding their rightful place in history, in public consciousness. They feel they have been denied credit due them, but not in their own country. It's only in the english speaking and reading areas that the contributions of the red army have been ignored. Russia has always held its veterans in high esteem. More than in Russia, it is in Israel that the achievements of these strong silent men are venerated.

Israel declared 09 May, the day of the German defeat, as a national holiday in in 1996. Every Israeli city has a WW-II memorial. For getting their matriculation certificate, all students have to pass an exam in military history. To make sure the younger generations remember the contribution of the soldiers of the great war, grandchildren of these soldiers march with them in an annual parade. They share photographs and stories of their grandfathers and feel a part of the struggle against the Nazi regime.

Recently, Israel celebrated 70 years of Hitler’s defeat.The whole country was able to appreciate the significance of the event due their deep involvement with their veterans and understanding of their military history. The event was attended by the Israeli Prime Minister and President. Not only were all the Israeli war veterans invited as guests, but so were those from Russia and the other allies. Israel acknowledged the Russians and other allies soldiers as saviors of the Jewish people.

Will we ever see such an acknowledgement for the Indian army from Bangladesh? Or our own countrymen? India’s 1965 war celebrations were a much quieter affair, with only the armed forces setting up stalls at the venue.  The actual veterans, camping a few km away, were totally ignored. The tussle between the bureaucracy and the veterans is understandable, but what about the public? They have no idea of the wars fought or being fought. Military history is hardly a priority area, except for career soldiers. The Israeli response to external threat is often quoted on Indian TV debates, and the Entebbe rescue has inspired a few Bollywood flicks. But the Israeli attitude is fashioned through a sound national policy. Israel does not think of the military as an Insurance policy. For Insurance policies are meant to help recover from losses. Militaries are meant to avoid losses altogether.

After all, the Indian armed forces, though well versed in English, aren't any more media savvy than the Russians. And they never marched into a concentration camp to rescue starved, flogged, gassed Indians. One pregnant woman on the rooftop of a flooded house is hardly an Auschwitz now, is it?

Fighter Flying

With my fighter flying days behind me, I am not only able to look at this profession more objectively, but also talk about it with more candour. I would have said 'write dispassionately', but one just cant be dispassionate about any kind of flying, least of all fighter flying.

Fighter pilots have been called modern day gladiators, the last of the lone warriors. But the truth is a fighter pilot is anything but a warrior. He is just someone who gave into his inner child. He does what he does not to satiate a desire to vanquish, but to soar above such petty desires. The ferocity he brings to his job is not the cold fury of a warrior but his desire to excel. As he manoeuvres to get on his adversary's tail, he is only competing with himself.

Given a chance, a fighter pilot would spend an evening drinking with the guy he shot out of the skies in the morning. He would compliment the adversary on a flight well flown, quiz him on his aircraft and manouvres, and revel in his compliments. The aircraft swooping and gliding in a dogfight may seem like engaged in a duel, but are actually enacting a ballet. A ballet choreographed by years of training and executed by instinct.

Most fighter pilots are not bothered about a professional attitude towards flying, because they don't know of any other attitude. While the land (and sea) lubbers only see the glamour, aggression and danger in this line of work, the fighter pilot sees none of this. He does not even see a line of work. For the biggest punishment you can give a fighter pilot is to stop him from flying.

No reprimands, no pay cuts or loss of seniority. Just take away one flight from him. As you see him gazing longingly at the departing aircraft, you know there is no remorse greater than that of a grounded pilot. That is not the love of a workman for his trade, but that of a child for playtime. For every minute spent between raising and lowering the landing gear is worth a lifetime spent watching his peers soar away.

What you see as a violent, aggressive profession is actually filled with so much nobility that leaves but little space for petty feuds. Every flight lends itself to a cleansing of the soul and all grudges are washed away with the sweat stained coveralls.

Maybe I am being a tad melodramatic, but nostalgia does wear rose tinted glasses.

Protocol First?

I don't think the media or anybody shud be making an issue out of courtesies and manners, these two being a matter of personal choice and, more importantly, upbringing. Just as the son of a poor man cannot be blamed for a poor inheritance, the son of an idiot cannot be blamed for bad manners.

So, I would have desisited from commenting on the dignitaries that didn't salute the national flag or those who remained seated while recipients of awards were standing. But the condions on that day and the entire procedure dictate otherwise.
Let's ignore that these were gallantry awards for war heroes, or that grief torn war widows are the subject of this discussion. I have always said that the soldier on the field is only doing his duty, not a favor to anybody, and hence will not demand any special concessions for these fallen 'workmen'. (Though Mr Amitabh Bacchhan reciting his dad's Madhushala is also just doing what he is paid for, yet gets a standing ovation.)

But here we have a person called by the highest office in the nation to receive a token of appreciation, standing, shivering in a winter drizzle. A person who has lost everything that mattered to her. And a few feet from her we have these statesmen sitting in plush sofas with lackeys holding umbrellas over their well covered heads.
Would it be asking for too much if one more umbrella could be arranged to shelter the recipient? Even the lackey would not be required. I am sure no body from any of the three services would mind escorting these ppl holding an umbrella. In the forces, following an outdated code of chivalry, we as it is never allow a lady to walk up a stage unescorted, even if it is to receive a pkt of chocolates for winning a party game. This occasion certainly does rate slightly higher.

As for President Obama, I would love to see him trying such a stunt at home. Let him present such awards, and I dare him to sit down after handing over the award before the recipient has been seated. Another term or not, he would be condemned to ignominy for the remainder of american history.

If protocol demands the treatment meted out to the recipients and for it to be seen by the worldwide TV audience, I suggest leave these presentations to the armed forces. Let the Republic Day be reserved for those smiling brave children atop the bedecked elephants, and leave these insignificant, non voting, bereaved, maimed or killed workmen to their own organisation. An organisation that can maintain protocol without infringing upon chivalry, courtesies and basic human decency.