19

Dear Readers,

                     A few days ago, I got the opportunity to have a meaningful discussion with Dr Najaf Haider(distinguished medieval Historian at JNU, New Delhi) as he had invited me over to his place for a cup of tea. Incidentally, he was a little unwell with a mild cold and so changed his mind about consuming the beverage. This gave me an opportunity to demand a soothing lemonade prepared by Kavita(domestic help at  his home) and by Joe, it was amazing. Kavita had served a chilled lemonade to me exactly about 6 years ago when I was a first sem student at CHS and had visited Najaf's house to participate in a tutorial discussion over our term papers.slllrrrrpppp!!

                    Its great to brainstorm with the erudite Dr Najaf. In a brief while we touched upon most of the queries and doubts I had in my mind. Like the interactions of a master and an apprentice, we covered a huge  array of problems with the minimal use of time and words as the master made crisp comments and I followed the cues. 

                The most interesting point that we deliberated upon was the close association India had with Central Asia during the medieval times. It is interesting to learn from the Rajasthani sources that during the early modern period the society and economy of North-western India was more centrally aligned with regions west of Indus. For places like Jodhpur or Bikaner, Kabul and Multan were far more relevant than Dacca or Aurangabad! The purpose of mentioning this particular observation here is to reiterate the importance of diverting present scholarship towards exploring the historical connections between India and Central Asia. Such research becomes highly relevant bearing in mind the current efforts of our Foreign Policy Establishment to increase India's stakes in countries such as Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan....  

                     

18

Dear Readers,

                     A couple of days ago, Happymon Jacob (Assistant Professor, SIS, JNU) wrote a profound article in The Hindu in reply to Justice Katju's insinuatory piece, "Professor, Teach Thyself", The Hindu, September 3rd 2012. Throughout the discourse, a seasoned and characteristic Jacob brought forward relevant points which dismantled Katju's misalleging views that exhibited the typical aristocratic disdain for higher education in India. Such mirthy denunciation of the entire higher education system of our nation by bureaucrats and Judges over a peg of scotch is an oft witnessed feature at clubs and drawing room politics. 

                      A few of the problems highlighted by Justice Katju are true and there can be no denial of the fact that our Universities and Colleges suffer from an acute quality crunch in the present scenario. However, to hold only the Professor's responsible for this state of affairs would be erroneous. A young and vibrant India which is full of hope should be shown the way to make ammends in the system rather than snub their exuberance by smashing all claims to change together with witch-hunting a select class of teachers or two.

                      Justice Katju finds it utterly unpalatable that faculty in Higher Education Institutes 'live in good houses' and enjoy a 'good salary'. Alike the esteemed opinion of many "bade sahibs" like him, the only way to enhance our education infrastructure would be by rendering Professors paupers with no spine who are left with no business but to frame eulogies for the bureaucracy and the judiciary. 

                       The answer lies in introducing strong willed reforms in the Education policy in terms of recruitment. The thousands of faculty positions lying vacant in Universities and Colleges should be filled with  talented teachers. Moreover, an intellectually stimulating ambience for genuine research should be fostered in the Universities located in the four major metropolitans of the nation as also in those which are located in tier-2 cities all across India.

17

Dear Readers, 

                    My joy seems to have no bounds as I pen down today's post. A phone call just a few seconds ago appraised me with the fact that Jodhpur is engulfed with a thick sheet of clouds and is witnessing incessant rain yet again. You all must be well-acquainted with the fact that this year, Rajasthan has received an above average monsoon. Though this may sound mundane, but it is a highly consequential piece of news for all of us who dwell in the sandy desert and experience good rains only a couple of times in a decade.

                   Most of my fellow Marwaris would confess to this innate tendency within us to inquire about the nature and volume of the wet spells from our friends and relatives during this time of the year. Such inquisitions become more intense and anxious in cases where they come from people residing away from their homes. I believe the underlying reason for this is our unfathomable love and association with our immediate ecology or environment. To ensure that such  curiosities are put paid to, I am posting a picture here.

               While driving down to Jodhpur on last weekend, I was thrilled and elated to see the entire countryside covered with a lush green carpet. The same expanse of land which, a fortnight ago, was a painting comprised of only black and yellow colors had now been transformed into a blossoming garden. Huge depressions caused by formation of sand dunes have now been injected with new life and resemble valleys filled with flowers and fluttering butterflies. Let us bask in the glory of this short spanned nikhlistan because like everything else, even this little pleasure would vanish before we, the people of Thar, could get engrossed in it......

16

Dear Readers,

                     These days I have become a regular listener to Nilesh Mishra on his mesmersing show, Yadon ka Idiot Box on Big FM. It happens so invariably that I return back from work while he is on air. The fact that he can sustain our interest in this age of superfast media with his simple and earthly stories suggests that he is gifted with a unique talent of holding his audience in rapt attention. 

                     His voice is very captivating and soothing at the same time. He knows how to sound potent without being loud whereas, at the same time, he can sound encouraging while at the lowest pitch of his voice. His diction flaunts charm and panache but does not lose the essence of a Hindi speaking son of the soil. No wonder he lends the very same tinge to the stories he narrates. 

                      Speaking of the stories,(while giving due credit to the authors) one can find a true reflection of our society and the nation in them. As a liked-to-be-called-cinema buff, I feel disgusted to watch repetitive stories set up in exotic foreign locales bearing not even a remote resemblance to an ordinary life here in India.  In this case, it is such a heart rendering experience to hear tales which seem to have been unfolded right before our own eyes. We can relate to these stories without much effort. Kudos to this  appeasing creativity spurting out of desi genius. It is a delight to be a citizen of the Yaad Shahar....