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Between the Lines
Is Congress ready for mid-term polls?
By Kuldip NayarIndia suffers from a fallacy: its system is stable but its politics is not. The country is facing yet another mid-term poll. People are talking about the presidential form of government or having the fixed tenure of five years for the Lok Sabha. There is, however, no consensus. As for people, they do not want election, as a sample survey held recently has shown. They have had too many, three in the last three years.
Yet the situation, as it prevails today, leaves no other option. The working of government is like that of lame duck administration. The parliament session showed that it did not want to transact any business, betraying lack of confidence. But when Congress showed interest in the bills on Insurance and Patents, the BJP came alive. As many as four bills were introduced just a day before the end of the session.
After the reverses in the assembly elections in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the BJP, which leads the coalition at the Centre, has lost credibility. Its allies have also begun to embarrass it by criticising government openly. They see other possibilities also. It can be argued that the BJP has suffered because of coalition: the needs of governance could not be reconciled to the demands by the allies on one hand and RSS, the BJP’s mentor, on the other. Yet the fact remains that the Vajpayee government has failed to administer. Even the BJP members have pointed out its non-performance.
Since the bad governance was the plank, which Congress adopted in the assembly elections, it believes it would reap more dividends if it were to push the fight further. The pressure is to do it sooner than later. Even the time for fresh elections is being fixed, some time before October next. The party does not want to wait because there are fears that the atmosphere may change to the disadvantage of Congress.
The argument is valid up to a point — but only up to a point. The vote in the assembly elections was not so much for Congress as was against the BJP. There was no third choice before people. In the Lok Sabha elections, Congress will have to reckon with the non-BJP parties, which have the same secular, pro-minority and pro-backward appeal. In fact, the way in which they have hammered the BJP in the recent months has helped Congress in the assembly elections.
Congress has yet another problem. Four states — Bihar, Tamil Nadu, UP and West Bengal — which return some 200 MPs in the 545-member house, have strong regional parties. Congress has no showing there so far. Assuming that the party is making some headway in Bihar and UP, as Congress president Sonia Gandhi has claimed at the AICC session in Delhi, the gain is not so much as to convince anyone that the party will come to have an upper hand in the next 12 months. It took three elections to decimate Congress in UP and Bihar. It may not take that much time to destroy Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party in UP and Laloo Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar. Still they are no pushovers. If at all, more than one election will be required for Congress to gain in UP and in Bihar, particularly the last where Laloo Prasad Yadav has won all the four assembly by-elections.
How can Congress get an outright majority if it wants to go it alone? Sonia Gandhi is reading too much in the victory in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Congress can go up to 200-220 from the 140 it has at present. Still it will need 60 or 70 more to have a majority in the house. On the one hand, it wants to cash in on the atmosphere and, on the other, it does not want to depend on any other party. The two are contradictory. There is yet no polarisation in the country as Sonia Gandhi sees.
There is no doubt that Muslims, who constitute 14 per cent of the electorate, are returning to Congress, which was their refuge from partition to the end of the eighties. Then they found themselves insecure in the atmosphere where the party began to mix secularism with communalism to placate the Hindus. Sonia Gandhi has sent right message to them through her speeches. She has been able to recapture their attention. But they have neither forgotten nor forgiven the demolition of the Babri Masjid, which took place at the time when Congress was at the helm at the Centre.
The main advantage of Congress is that there is no all-India alternative to it. The BJP and the communist parties are strong in only certain states. In such a situation, the recovery of Congress is more negative than positive. This happened in 1980 when Indira Gandhi returned to power. Although she had committed untold excesses during me emergency (1975-77), yet the non performance of the Janata government had pushed her misdeeds to the background. There was no other party to which people could turn. The emergence of Congress is primarily because of the BJP failure to govern.
True, the BJP did not pursue its agenda of building the Ram temple at the site where the Babri masjid stood once. But the party’s image remains soiled, thanks to Human Resources Minister Murli Manohar Joshi on one hand and the alliance partner Bal Thakerey of the Shiv Sena on the other. Both have not allowed the BJP to live down its old image of purely communal ouffit.
L. K. Advani, the hard core, has done less harm to the party than Joshi, who has further alienated the Hindu intelligentsia and the minorities through his fiats in the fields of education and culture. But he has beaten Advani in popularity with the RSS for his staunch Hindu stance. Joshi is, however, not to be blamed for commending the patriotic song of Vande Mataram, even though the UP government withdrew the order. A fatwa by Muslim theologist, Ali Mian, against the song smacked of fundamentalism, which looks like contaminating more and more Muslims.
The Congress moves to win back not only the Muslims but also women (33 per cent reservations) and Dalits (20 per cent reservations) indicate that the party is seriously trying to rectify its mistake of alienating them. But if the party does not change its habit of playing court, it is bound to come a cropper once again. The AICC session has evoked the same old fears: the durbari atmosphere of sycophancy. Speaker after speaker sang Sonia Gandhi’s praises. Not even once did she object to the adjectives they used. Flattery was the undoing of Indira Gandhi and her son, Rajiv Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi should know this.
Just as power got concentrated in Indira Gandhi, it has happened so in the case of Sonia Gandhi. She is the one who nominated leaders of legislatures in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. There was no meaningful election to find out who had the majority of members behind him or her. The AICC has authorised her to select persons for the party’s bodies, whether in a state, district or city. Even Indira Gandhi said ‘no’ to such a responsibility.
The AICC session has at least ended the ambiguity about who will be the Prime Minister if and when the party comes to power. It was argued earlier that because of her Italian background, she would nominate either Dr. Manmohan Singh or former Speaker P. A. Sangma. Now it is clear that she wants to be the Prime Minister. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh has even set the year: 1999! Whatever message it may convey, humility is not the one.
Successful Ageing
by Dr. Terrence Perera,
F.R.C.P; F. C. C. P.This being the International Year of Older Persons — 1999, a time to disseminate information through the media about older persons, and the fact that I happened to be an Animator of a community based programme for elders’ in an underprivileged community in Colombo-South, which is being funded by HelpAge Sri Lanka, I thought it appropriate to write this letter.
I very much wish to share some information about older persons with the numerous readers of your esteemed journal "The Island". For the first time the remarkable results of the MacArthur Foundation Study of Aging in America are now available in the book recently published entitled "Successful Aging". Although this study is pertaining to the American society, yet its findings have relevance and usefulness to us in Sri Lanka also, in that it would help us to reflect meaningfully on what changes on our own society and lifestyles that would enable men and women to age successfully.
The book is co-authored by Dr. John Rowe M.D. who is president of the Mount Sinnai School of Medicine and Mount Sinnai hospital in New York City, and Dr. Robert Khan Ph.D, professor emeritus of psychology and public health at the University of Mechigan. This study was undertaken under their leadership. The authors define successful ageing as the ability to maintain three key behaviours or characteristics: 1. avoiding disease and disability; 2. maintaining mental and physical function; and 3. to engage actively in life through productivity and strong interpersonal relationships. Each factor is important by itself, and to some extent independent of the others. Having clarified what successful ageing means, they go on to state that in order to make use of the new scientific knowledge and experience the benefits in our daily lives, we must first "unlearn" the myths of ageing that have long shaped individual and institutional attitudes towards growing older. The biggest myth they say that need to be exploded is "The Key to Aging Well is to Choose Your Parents Wisely": There is increasing evidence that environment and lifestyle choices — more than genes — determine how well we age. These choices, such as smoking, exercise, diet, etc. can make a difference no matter how late in life these are made. MacArthur research provides very strong scientific evidence that we are, in large part responsible for our own old age. We have the powerful capacity to enhance our chances of maintaining high physical and mental ability as we grow older.
Myth number 2: "TO BE OLD IS TO BE SICK": The authors say in summary, that decades of research clearly debunk the myth that to be old in America is to be sick and frail. The book discusses strategies to reduce one’s risk of disease and disability, and to maintain mental and physical function.
The authors state that far more than is usually assumed, successful ageing is in our own hands. But, an important corollary follows, namely — what we can do ourselves, however, depends partly on the opportunities and constraints that are presented to us as we age. This corollary has great significance to underprivileged communities. I would, therefore, wish to digress briefly from the MacArthur study, and to give reference to our own community based "Needs Assessment Study of Elders" undertaken in a shanty/slum community recently, in order to illustrate this point. In this study nearly 50% of elders living alone, and 32% of elders living with their families were unsure of a daily meal; the environmental constraints they were faced with were inumerable, the result being that 76% of the elders in this community had a known illness either alone or as multiple diseases, demonstrating that adverse circumstances and environmental constraints are detrimental to successful ageing.
Myth number 3. "YOU CAN’T TEACH AND OLD DOG NEW TRICKS": Research has demonstrated that older men and women can do and learn new skills. The book gives many examples of ways in which older persons can boost their performance when given the right opportunity.
Myth number 4. "THE HORSE IS OUT OF THE BARN": The research findings dispel the false and discouraging claims that old age is to late for efforts to reduce risk and promote health. Many older people believe after decades of risky behaviour — over indulgence in alcohol, lack of exercise, and so on — there is no point changing. They feel that what is lost is gone for ever and cannot be recovered. Fortunately, they are mistaken — they can recover much lost function and decrease risk.
Myth number 5. "THE LIGHTS MAY BE ON BUT THE VOLTAGE IS LOW": This electrical metaphor, they say hints that older men and women are sexless or at least uninterested in sex. MacArthur research shows that whilst there is some modicum of truth to these beliefs, they are far more fiction, than fact. They sift out the facts in their book.
Myth number 6. "THE ELDERLY DON’T PULL THEIR OWN WEIGHT": The widespread belief that older people are relatively unproductive in society are wrong and unjust in three ways — 1. the measures of performance are wrong; our society doesn’t count a great deal of productive activity; 2. the playing field is not level — older men and women are’nt given equal chance for paying jobs; 3. and large number of older people are ready, willing and able to increase their productivity, paid and voluntary. The authors look at the facts that bear each of these claims.
This is a book that should be read by many people, as it is a profoundly important book. A review of this book in The New York Times reads "Once in a great while an outstanding health book comes along that should be featured on every radio and television talk show and in every major newspaper — "Successful Aging" is such a book. It summarizes a decade of solid research, not wild speculation, conducted by sixteen prestigious scientists. The result is a highly readable, myth shattering treatise directed at people of all ages.....
33rd World Vegetarian Congress
Prof. Mahinda Palihawadana
President, Sri Lanka Vegetarian SocietyThe International Vegetarian Union (IVU) in collaboration with the Thai Vegetarian Union will host the 33rd World Vegetarian Congress at Chiang Mai, the ancient capital of Lanna Thai, fabled as the "Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields", from the 4th to the 10th of January, 1999.
The programme will offer "a huge range of culinary wonders without the use of any animal products whatever and a wide variety of activities, ranging from international panels and workshops on the humanitarian, ecological and medical benefits of the vegetarian life style to alternative therapies, cookery and fruit carving, meditation and yoga, excursions to temples and villages and visits to sanctuaries where dedicated individuals strive to care for rescued animals, from monkeys and bears to majestic elephants, and to encourage people to treat them with the respect to which they are entitled".
The lectures and presentations will focus on the economic, spiritual and scientific aspects of vegetarianism and on the search for practical solutions to stem the global food crisis and the increasing ecological and social upheaval caused by wrong food choices and the consequent proliferation of animal farms which constitute a threat to vital eco-systems. The programme will also address different techniques and campaigning methods for the promotion of vegetarianism.
The count of delegates as at l7th December was: UK 38, India 32, USA 29, Australia 17, with smaller numbers from Austria, Botswana, Canada, China/Hong Kong, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Trinidad. Plus a large number of people from Thailand, of course. Sri Lanka Vegetarian Society will be represented by Executive Committee member Mrs. Bandu Masakorala.
In a message of welcome, Mr. Francisco Martin, the Hony. General Secretary of IVU, the parent organisation uniting the vegetarian societies of the world since 1908, says: "It is especially appropriate that this congress should take place in Thailand, a country whose beauty and hospitality are legendary and where spirituality and compassion have traditionally been upheld in preference to the shallow pursuit of wealth and status. It is also appropriate that Thailand should be the venue for the international launch of the World-wide Millennium Pledge for a vegetarian world in which all living beings are accorded respect and the right to life.
The lush country and glorious scenery of Lanna Thai will be a perfect backdrop for a happy and productive gathering at which individuals and families come together from every corner of the earth to have fun, to enjoy the wonders of this amazing country and to promote a better lifestyle than the all too prevalent flesh-eating culture in which millions of living beings are exploited for their flesh, their skins and other unnecessary products, while children starve to death alongside fields of grain destined for the miserable victims of western factory farming.
Historic declaration for a compassionate world in the 21st century
On 4th January 1999, a statement of intent - a mission statement of historic importance - will be made to delegates brought together by the International Vegetarian Union from every continent on earth. The statement sets a goal for the human race to create a world which is compassionate, merciful and planet- friendly. The declaration will inspire and motivate generations of people throughout the world in the coming century until the goal is achieved. The text is as follows:THE WORLD-WIDE MILLENNIUM PLEDGE
"We hereby pledge to bring about a 21st century in which the human race will finally make peace with the animal kingdom. Human beings will no longer kill, maim, torture or exploit fellow beings for food or other purposes. Animals will have fundamental rights which will be internationally recognised.It is clear beyond any doubt that the survival of the human race depends upon the survival of the forests and other natural resources and of the animals with whom we share this planet. We pledge to protect all of them. We oppose the introduction of animal genes into human beings and the genetic manipulation of animals and plants.
The human race will reach the pinnacle of civilisation when it extends the hand of friendship and compassion to the animal kingdom and returns to the healthy plantbased diet best suited to the moral and physical needs of our species, thus avoiding the related evils of animal exploitation, human starvation and environmental destruction.
At the close of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st, let us make a tryst with destiny to create a world free of violence towards all living beings who are dependent on our love and compassion. Together let us embark on that long journey which will bring about a world in which all animals are treated with compassion and mercy and accorded rights that human beings take for granted."
A new regional body, the Asian Vegetarian Union, is also due to be launched during the congress in Chiang Mai, bringing together vegetarian societies and kindred groups from all over Asia to spread the vegetarian message throughout a continent where, in the words of Mr. Martin, "interest in the vegetarian lifestyle is growing day by day and where understanding of the relationship between animal exploitation and human starvation is essential to safeguard the forests and other vital resources and to protect the rich variety of human and non-human life for which this planet provides a home".
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