Books I read lately

It had been a long while since I read a book. The last I remember was more than an year ago and so it was quite an accomplishment when I finished two books recently.

The first book I read was Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. Gladwell is an engaging writer -- this can be easily seen by reading his articles in New Yorker. Two that I remember most were on SUVs and deception perception -- and his writing is laden with anecdotes that make you feel as if you are reading intertwined short stories. Blink is about the importance of instantaneous and somewhat unconscious decisions we often make, but do not value much, because they are apparently less informed than what we would like them to be. Gladwell presents both sides of the coin: when such decisions are almost as good as what experts, who have all the tools to explain their reasoning, would take, and also when these kinds of knee-jerk impressions cloud our ability to think neutrally. He makes a few suggestions on how to use these instances to the best of our abilities -- I especially liked the one through which you can overcome an unconscious bias against a race or gender by exposing yourself to positive thoughts about those things. The book is about psychology and I like the way experiments in this field try to study our mind by looking at how it responds to external stimulus. A good read and one that has convinced me to read more of non-fiction.

The second book I read was Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe. This is a book about Africa before the British came. Some reviews and Wikipedia page on this book reveals that most books from that era cast Africa as a region where wild tribes lived without any rules. This book gives a human form to their lives complete with a society and its rules. The text is very simple and it is not until you get into the latter half that you begin to realize the depth of Achebe's story. We are led into the mind of Okonkwo, the protagonist of this story who is a powerful figure in one of the villages in Nigeria. There are customs in his tribe that he must obey even though he himself does not subscribe to it. Yet, he loves his village and is proud of their warlike nature. Then the white people arrive. Change brings with it both good and bad things. Where certain barbaric customs are put an end to, the very faith of these people is questioned and even ridiculed. In Okwonko's mind the growing influence of the new faith is not right and he tries to put an end to it all.

Rainbows

Article 377 of the Indian penal code was an archaic law that refused to differentiate between crime and sexual preference. Today, the Delhi High Court struck it down decriminalizing homosexuality in India. A small but highly symbolic step towards a more tolerant society.

Earlier

Bored of exams

I like the idea of making the tenth board exams optional. From what I understand, a student may continue in the same school even if he or she opts not to take the board exams. The students will undergo internal assessment and can proceed with their studies.

Board exams perhaps make sense if you want to change schools. Unless you feel any advantage in changing school for two years, the Xth board is just another stressful performance test of which we have no dearth in our education system. You will definitely feel the heat two years later.

Students and parents alike could consider this a great opportunity to develop other skills and knowledge. Rather than re-cramming stuff you already know you can spend that time fruitfully in some other activities, sports, or even advanced learning.

MJ

Like many in my generation, I too was mesmerized by Michael Jackson at a young age, imitating his steps in front of the mirror and even performing on stage in school. It was fun!

During his time MJ came up with some of the most creative songs, dance performances and music videos. He was original and inspirational. May he rest in peace.

Country last

Elections in India are almost over and we should have some sort of mandate within a few days; but what strikes me as most painful is the way coalition politics have evolved through these past two decades. What should have been a union of like-minded ideologies has reduced to cheap bargaining for the post of PM. The closer we get to the results the more desperate political parties are getting to somehow create the magic number. Congress doesn't care if SP has fielded the most criminals from UP, and NCP doesn't think twice before considering a partnership with BJP who was supposed to be communal until all these years. The smaller regional parties are having a field day. Courted by the big ones, BSP is hoping their chairman is few steps away from the PM post (when asked about what she will do if she gets the top job her reply is that she will bring UP (her state) into the forefront).

The candidates that have been fielded by the parties are even more funny. Just before elections actors suddenly become eligible to parliamentary posts. It just shows how dumb our politicians think we are.

Not that we don't deserve such leaders. Mumbai, where 26/11 happened, voted abysmally low, and it wasn't that great elsewhere too. We forget too fast and the value of life is barely enough for us to sacrifice that weekend getaway.

I personally would hope to have one party (Congress or BJP) to get full majority. That way we'll at least have a forward moving path. Both parties from the past few state elections now very well know that development matters most.

The PM in India is not as powerful as, for example, the President in US. The cabinet, I believe, is one that takes most decisions. Still the PM is important. I like Manmohan Singh -- he is now more accepted within his party which means it should be easier for him to work this time, but he is definitely not strong like Vajapayee was. He possesses vision but that too is diluted by his inability to take big decisions. With him as PM it feels like a compromise. If first shown some scary prospects like the BSP chief, I am sure I'll take Manmohan any day. Advani, BJP's prospective for PM appears stronger. He is in tune with times and comes across as an honest politician. His age is of concern though not that much. I am, however, afraid that it may give Modi, the CM of Gujarat, more power. I personally cannot condone what he did in 2002 let alone think of him as some kind deputy PM. Still I like BJP because it always reminds me that I live in a democratic country and not under some dynastic rule.

Whatever happens I hope the government in power takes some bold steps. I hope Congress is not worried about whether Rahul is ready enough and BJP forgets about hindutva for now. We definitely need to address some basic needs like education, poverty, and infrastructure before we even begin to amuse ourselves with the idea of being an economic power.