BBS And Vesak!

By Malinda Seneviratne -May 24, 2013 

Malinda Seneviratne

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) is alleged to have warned that those who do not adhere to the BBS’s preference with respect to how Vesak should be commemorated will be caned.  The BBS finds the festivities associated with Vesak, especially the frills, the color, the play of puppeteers and other kolam objectionable.  Instead, the BBS advocates a deeper engagement with the dhamma and a temple-based commemoration.

Vesak commemorates the themagula, the three most significant life-moments of Siddhartha Gauthama, namely the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana or the ascendance to the supreme bliss of Nirvana.  Thus, if Vesak is about the Buddha, then it makes sense to reflect on the life and teachings of the All-Knowing One.  The dhamma, encapsulated in both the sutras as well as the commentaries, from the deeply philosophical Visuddimagga of Ven. Buddhaghosa to the more lyrical reflection/advocacy of the Loveda Sangharava, is replete with recommendations for wholesome life-practice as well as enumeration of things that could distract and compromise the same.

The Buddha wachana or the Word of the Buddha (Dhamma), then, is hardly recognizable in Vesak, in the glitter that its present day commercialized articulation, except as manifestation of its breach.  This is of course not to say that all Buddhists have given up on the Dhamma.  The hype is about that which has greater visibility, for example the pandols.  The visible (and the visibly large) naturally attract and make for coverage and commentary.  But just ask the BBS’s visibility and the coverage/commentary it attracts does not indicate that it represents all Buddhists in any way, the spectacle and spectator-appeal of certain elements of Vesak, does not mean that this is what all Buddhists do on Vesak.   The temples are also full of those who observe sil.  Many hang lanterns, but even they would not fail to light a clay lamp at home and offer flowers at the temple and before a Buddha statue or image at home.  Not because the BBS says ‘this is the way!’  but just that they have a different understanding of doctrine and articulation of understanding.

What is objectionable in the BBS’s Vesak ‘manifesto’ is its quite un-Buddhist response to a vulgarized celebration (different from ‘commemoration’ of course) of Vesak.  There is no ‘crime and punishment’ in Buddhism.  There is no confession and expiation.  The Buddha recommends a certain approach to life, elaborates on what is beneficial and wholesome and warns against acts that can be detrimental to the comprehension of truth, ultimate emancipation and even a peaceful journey through life.  It is up to the individual to choose with cautionary caveats about consequences.  No mention of canes and caning.

It is commendable that the BBS objects to the ‘glitter’ (from a Buddhist reading), which is but a mimicking of and even a we-can-do-better response to other ‘glittering’ of other faiths or rather the followers of other faiths (much of what is associated with Christmas is incongruent with the life and word of Jesus, for example).  The BBS’s response, however, is not only inconsistent with Buddhism but amounts to a threat that infringes on freedoms enshrined in the constitution.  The threat is in the public domain.  What say the Police and the Attorney General?   The BBS has demonstrated that they have strayed a fair distance from the Sathara Brahma Viharana (metta, muditha, karuna and upekkha – compassion, rejoicing in others’ joys, kindness and equanimity); there’s none of these in the ‘caning threat’.  This alone scripts ‘failure’ into its project(s), but the state and the law cannot wait on such eventualities.

As for Vesak, we can but hope that it inspires Buddhists to seek refuge and answer, modes of being and choices of engagement in all things in the Word of the Buddha, enshrined in the vast archive that is the Dhamma and obtainable in even a random line.  

The Nation chose the following with metta: Sabbe satta bhavantu sukhi-tatta, may all beings be happy.

*Malinda Seneviratne is the Chief Editor of ‘The Nation’ and his articles can be found at www.malindawords.blogspot.com

BUDDHIST MONK IMMOLATES SELF...

May 24, 2013

A Buddhist monk attempted self-immolation near the Wahalkada of the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in Kandy today (24). The monk was rushed to the Kandy General Hospital with serious burn injuries after he doused himself with petrol and set himself ablaze protesting against cattle slaughter. Police have identified him, through a NIC found in his possession, as a resident Buddhist monk at the Porabe Viharaya in Kahawatta. (Pic by Herath Ekanayake)

Jaffna Vesak Zone by Army

 Friday, 24 May 2013
Defense ministry sources say that a Vesak Zone and over 50 Dansals are held today in Jaffna (24) on behalf of the Vesak Poya day.

Rice, Manioc, Fruits, Cool drinks, Coffee and many other dansals will be held today.  

Sources further say that the civilions in the North have helped the security forces to make and display Vesak Lanterns and Thorana in this Vesak zone.

Meanwhile Sil programs will be held today in Lumbini Vihara in Killinichchi and Jaffna Naga Vihara with the participation of Military and Police families.

 (25) The State Vesak ceremony will be held tomorrow at 2.30pm at Yudangana Raja Maha Vihara in Buttala, Monaragala.

The ceremony will be held under the direction of the Chief incumbants of Malwathu and Asgiri Sectors with the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and with the participation of the Prime Minister D.M. Jayarathne, Uva CM Shashindra Rajapaksa and others.

Sri Lanka Mirror yesterday reported that the stray dogs in the area had been poisoned and killed to prevent them from disturbing the ceremony.

Fiery protest by Buddhist monk over cattle slaughter FRIDAY, 24 MAY 2013  A Buddhist monk set himself on fire this morning outside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy in protest over the slaughter of cattle, police said. Sources said the monk poured petrol over his body and then lit himself. He was rushed to the Kandy hospital with severe injuries and later transferred to General Hospital, Colombo, the police added. Preliminary investigations had revealed that the Buddhist monk identified as Ven. Bowatte Indraratana Thera was a former Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) member of the Pelmadulla Pradeshiya Sabha. He had lost his seat in the PS after he had repeatedly stayed away from council meetings. The PS Chairman said about two weeks ago he received a letter from the JHU saying that the monk had been expelled from the party.(J.A.L Jayasinghe and LB Senaratne)

Figures of Speech of the Buddha

by Vijaya Jayasuriya-May 23, 2013

Gauthama Buddha is a great teacher who has preached the supreme way to relieve the suffering in the mundane work one index of his unparalleled (Anuththar wisdomis the array of teaching methods. He has adopted in delivering His ‘Dhamma to the laymenas has been explicitly, explained by Dr. Thilokasundari Kariyawasam in her article ‘Buddha’s Teaching Methodology’ (The Island 15th instant)

The use of splendid metaphors and cimices is one of the techniques that the Buddha utilized in explaining certain points of Dhamma which had the power of making the recipients grasp the matter instantly and with extreme clarity a famous one. He used is ‘Look, Ananda, a serpent!’ addressing his chief attendant while walking through a forest pointing out a bag of gold coins (ran masu) abandoned at the foot of a tree by a fleeing thief. Comparing money to a snake is a classic way of describing how people suffer in earning and spending it.

The Buddha used the simile of anill-thatched house comparing it to a distracted mind that does not concentrate on Dhamma. Just as such a roof is penetrated by rain the undeveloped mind is affected by lust.The metaphor of an island that does not get affected by the sea-water is preached by the Buddha about the young monk cullapanthaka who was not able to memorize a verse after trying to do so for four months. The Buddha understanding his mental state utilized a practical way to get the monk to achieve the desired end (called task-based learning in modern pedagogic theories) and gave him a clean piece of cloth to keep handing it for some time. When the piece of cloth got soiled the monk realized the impermanence of life and became an Arahant. A person with his kind of discipline and self-control is compared by the Buddha to anisland that does not get flooded by a rough sea, which is again compared to the impurities of mind (klesha).

A wise man with an assiduous mind is compared to one who has climbed to the top of a mountain and enjoyed the views the lowlands clearly. This simile is preached about those understanding the Dhamma who look down from the hill top at the suffering masses down below, having little knowledge of he Buddha’s preaching. This was preached by the Buddha to Ven. Maha Kassapa who was trying to comprehend the phenomenon of the birth and death of beings.

The metaphor of a fast horse is used to illustrate the strenuous efforts made by a monk engaged in meditation in a forest far outperforming his fellow monk who is compared to a slow-moving horse. How an unstable and wandering mind is controlled by wise people is compared to how a blacksmith straightens a bent arrow. The unstable state of the human mind is illustrated by the simile of a fish taken out of water and the wise should shun this realm of the passions that keep the mind unsteady.

Three of speech are used in a single verse to clarity the state of human mind and the body. A group of monks were meditating in a jungle and they were disturbed by some tree-deities. When the monks complained to the Buddha about this he gave them necessary intimations with the use of these metaphorical expressions. The mind is as fragile as a (clay) jar and it should be strengthened like a fortified city ‘Mara’ the evil one who disturbs the mind should be attacked with wisdom which is compared to a weapon.

When a monk was ill with a stinking body too and was deserted y his associates, the Buddha Himself attended to him washing his body with warm water. Sitting an the sick monk’s bed the Buddha delivered this gatha (verse) in which he compare the human body to a rotten log. Human life is compared to foam on water and also to a mirage. A monk was meditating using these comparisons illustrating impermance of human life and the Buddha confirmed his views appearing before him. A man whose mind is distracted by thought of sensual pleasures is compared by the Buddha to a sleeping village which is swept away by a flood. The comparison is made regarding King Vidudabha who killed a number of Shakyas, Buddha’s Kinsmen and was later swept away by the sea together with his followers while camping on a river-bed.

A sage wondering in a villages on his endless journey away from the bondage of materials well-being renders an invaluable service to the villagers. This practice of the ascetics is illustrated by the Buddha with the simile of a bee making use of the honey from the flower without harming its colour or the scent. This preaching was caused by an act of kindness shown by Ven. Moggallana who brought to the Buddha a greedy village leader and helped him to be a follower of the enlightened one.

A potential disciple of the Buddha living among a group of thoughtless people is compared to a lotus flower blossoming on a heap of rubbish. This piece of Dhamma was occasioned by a devotee of an alien cult who was insulting the Buddha and was later made to understand the Dhamma.

‘Digha jagarato ratti-Digham santassa yojanam, Digho balanam Samsaro-Saddhamma avijanatam’ is a beautiful verse from the Dhammpada (Bala Vagga – 60) full of resonant notes and two resounding metaphors. Samsara, the existence of the living being in his continuance of repeated birth is a long and tiring ‘journey for the unintelligent creatures. This journey is illustrated by two metaphors by the Buddha ‘The night is too long for one who is wakeful’ and ‘the league (yojanam-yodund) is too long for the weary taveller. This preaching of the Buddha was occasioned when the king Pasenadi Kosala came to meet the Buddha and said that he had felt that a particular night had been too long being wakeful. A traveler also claimed that a league that he had been covering appeared to be too long. Thereupon Buddha preached to them that just like the two instances Samsara is too long to the foolish who do not know the sublime truth.

Another scintillating simile the Buddha used in his preaching is that a fool even after associating with a wise man for all his life cannot understand the Dhamma just as the spoon does not feel the taste of the soup. A fire hidden under ashes and milk taking a long time to curdle are another two metaphors that the Buddha has used in order to explain the theory of (Akusala) kamma (evil deeds perpetrated by people). According to this theory, the bad deeds committed by peopled onto bear fruit immediately, but take time just as the milk taking time to curdle and the fine hidingunder ashes. This piece of preaching was occasioned by the story of an angry farmer setting fire to the hut where a Pacceka Buddha (A Buddha of a secondary order) was living. As the retiribution this farmer was reborn as a ghoul in the shape of a snake.

Controlling mind without attachment to worldly pleasures is a man concept of Buddhism. This ideal is clarified by three comparisons. Irrigators turn the water to wherever they want; blacksmiths bend the iron-shafts as they want and carpenters turn the wood into shapes they need. The origin of the verse was a novice monk of seven years who keenly observed all three of these examples and explained by his teacher, he learnt to control his mind and subsequently attained Arahantship.

The metaphor of a solid rock not shake by the wind is used to illustrate the wise people who are not affected by praise or blame by those around. The story behind this preaching is an Arahant whose physical appearance being of short stature was ridiculed some novice monks. As the former was not perturbed by those insults the former was not perturbed by those insults the Buddha hearing it preached this verse.

Ascetics have no attachment to any place permanently as they are free from possess feelings denoted by ‘I’ and ‘my’ etc. This tendency is illustrated by the Buddha taking the metaphor of swans who do not stick to one place as their abdoe, but fly away from one lake to another. The need for this preaching was due to some monks misunderstanding that Ven. Kassapa had an attachme to his relatives. The Buddha denied this misconception by extolling the virtue of Arahats not to be attached to anyone oranythir and explained this with the metaphor of the swans travelling from one lake to another.

Thus the Buddha has made use of figures of speech profusely as an effective teaching teachnique as they readily clearify the relevant points of Dhamma while providing a happy sensation too. The most salient feature of Buddha’s metaphors and similes is their graphics suitability for the matter under discussion called ‘upama aucithya’ in literary Sinhala.

References

1. Ven. Narada Thera: 1963: The Dhammapada (Buddhist Cultural Centre)

2. Ven. Bambarenda Siri Seevali thera, 1983: ‘Sinhala Dhammapadaya’ (Gunasena)

3. Ven. Meerigama Gothama Thera "Budun Vadala Dahma"

SL military soldier suspected of Vavuniya child rape
24 May 2013
A Sri Lankan military soldier is suspected to have perpetrated the rape of a 7 year old girl in Nedunkeni, Vavuniya, reports Uthayan. 

The incident led to a protest by local Tamils, demanding that the culprit be arrested. 

Police reported on Tuesday evening that a Sri Lankan military soldier had been arrested.

நெடுங்கேணி சிறுமி மீதான வன்புணர்வு! இராணுவ வீரர் கைது


23 மே 2013, வியாழன்
வவுனியா நெடுங்கேணி பிரதேசத்தில் 7 வயதுடைய சிறுமியை பாலியல் பலாத்தகாரத்திற்கு உட்படுத்திய சந்தேகத்தில் இராணுவ வீரரொருவர் நேற்று மாலை கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளதாக நெடுங்கேணி பொலிஸார் தெரிவத்தனர்.

நெடுங்கேணி இராணுவ முகாமைச்சேர்ந்த இராணுவ வீரர் ஒருவரையே பொலிஸ் குற்றத்தடுப்பு பிரிவு அதிகாரிகள் கைது செய்ததோடு சந்தேகநபரை இன்று காலை வவுனியா நீதிமன்றத்தில் ஆஜர்படுத்தியுள்ளனர்.

இதேவேளை, இராணுவ பொலிஸார் சம்பவம் இடம்பெற்ற நெடுங்கேணி சேனப்பலவு பகுதிக்கு சென்றிருந்ததுடன் அப்பகுதியில் விசாரணைகளிலும் ஈடுபட்டிருந்தனர்.

அத்துடன், சந்தேகநபர் பயன்படுத்தியதாக தெரிவிக்கப்படும் சைக்கிள் ஒன்றும் கைப்பற்றப்பட்டு வவுனியாவிற்கு கொண்டுவரப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தெரிவிக்கப்படுகின்றது.

இச் சந்தேக நபரை கைது செய்யக் கோரி தொடர்ச்சியாக ஆர்பாட்டங்கள் இடம் பெற்று வந்தமை குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.
Protest against child rape, Vavuniya
Tamil Guardian 21 May 2013
Protesters held a demonstration in Vavuniya on Monday condemning incidents of rape and calling for the arrest of the rapist of a 7-year-old girl in Nedunkeni.

Local sources said that an individual had been arrested in Senapilavu in connection with the assault.

In another incident, according to J. Jeyakennedy, officer for child rights improvement, an 18-year-old woman with special needs was sexually assaulted while home alone in Kanakarayankulam, Vavuniya. 

TNA activist in Ampaa'rai abducted, tortured after meeting against land grab

[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 May 2013, 23:33 GMT]

An armed squad that came in a white van on Tuesday abducted a 68-year-old activist, Thangathurai Veluppillai, a supporter of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in Ampaa'rai district. The victim was blindfolded while he was at Kalmunai public market and was taken away by the squad that tortured him to obtain the names of the TNA activists in Ampaa'rai district. The abduction comes a few days after the intelligence of the occupying SL military ‘investigated’ him following a meeting against the land grab by the SL military in his division. After 3 days of interrogations in Batticaloa, Mr Thangathurai was taken back to Kalmunai and released there, the sources further said. 

Informed civil sources in Ampaa'rai told TamilNet that the abducted victim, who hails from Malvaththai in Chamman-thu'rai division of Ampaarai district, was taken to Batticaloa for interrogation. 

The Eezham Tamils at Malvaththai have been demanding their own Tamil division as they have been unable to expect justice from the hostile Sinhala officials who were scheming demographic changes. 

TNA parliamentarian Mavai Senathiraja attended a meeting at Malvaththai on 23 April following the request from the villagers after reports that 70 acres of land, initially earmarked for a radio station in the Chammaan-thu’rai DS division of the Ampaar’ai district is being segmented for the construction of a Sri Lankan military cantonment.

After the meeting, the SL military intelligence, which had been threatening the villagers not to complain against the land grab, obtained the names of the organisers of the meeting. 

The latest abduction is an attempt to trace all the links of the TNA in order to suppress the villagers from protesting against the seizure of their lands and the militarisation of their village.

Genocidal military gets into white garb to observe Vesak in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 May 2013, 22:11 GMT]
The commander of the occupying SL military in Jaffna, Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, together with all of his senior officers and a section of soldiers, observed a ‘Sil’ campaign on Thursday, according to a news release by the SL military in Jaffna. At the event, the SL commander Hathurusinghe and his personnel were all clad in white. In contrast, the occupying SL commander and his officers have been wearing military uniform while entering Hindu temples, an act considered as showing disrespect to the deities and as desecrating the shrines, observers in Jaffna commented. One of the topics discussed by the Buddhist clergy and the academics at the Buddhist religious event on Thursday was ‘music therapy as a remedy to youth unrest’, the news release by the SL military further revealed. 

Hathurusinghe performing Buddhist religious ritual at the Sil campaign on Thursday

Hathurusinghe in half uniform, performing rituals in May 2011 at the Changkaanai Murukamoorthi temple, the priest of which was allegedly killed by SL military intelligence

Hathurusinghe [left] with his officers and soldiers at Sil campaign on Thursday

SLA soldiers at the prayer show at the Hindu temple of Changkaanai Murukamoorthi in May 2011

Together with Buddhist monks, Professor Gnanadasa Perera, a psychologist from the department of Pali and Buddhist Studies at the University of Sri Jayewardnepura and Dr. Gamini Ratna Sri from the same university took part in delivering lectures to the SL military in Jaffna.

All together 2,000 military personnel took part in the Sil campaign. 

SLA soldiers at Buddhist prayers on Thursday

Hathurusinghe behind the visitng Buddhist monk to Vihara in Jaffna on Thursday

Sri Lanka’s War Crimes: US Should Not Dance Around UN And UNHRC

Mervyn under scrutiny for alleged attack on Kelaniya PS Chairman Friday, 24. May 2013 Minister of Public Relations Mervyn Silva has for the umpteenth time come under media scrutiny as his same party opponent and Chairman of Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Prasanna Ranaweera was assaulted on Thursday morning. The local administrator was assaulted in Kiribathgoda town in the morning when he was engaged in decorating the town ahead of Friday's Vesak festival. He was admitted to the Kiribathgoda Hospital and later transferred to the Ragama Hospital However, his condition is not serious, hospital sources said. A group of supporters of the attacked Chairman of Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha following the attack, held a protest demonstration in front of the hospital accusing that the Minister Mervin Silva was behind the assault. Meanwhile, another member of the ruling coalition who is accused of engaging in a brawl with the Chairman of the local council has also admitted himself into the Kiribathgoda hospital. He had said the Chairman had assaulted him. Kelaniya clash rivals face legal music By Madura Ranwala-May 23, 2013, 9:42 pm  Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Prasanna Ranaweera and a member of the same PS, Nadeeka Sampath, being treated at the Primary Health Care Unit of the Kiribathgoda hospita. Pic Kamal Bogoda Yesterday’s clash between Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha UPFA Chairman Prasanna Ranaweera and SLFP supporter Christy Roy Perera, broke out at the inauguration of a project to carpet a road, at Rosmin Place, Dalugama. The Kelaniya PS Chairman and the person alleged to have assaulted him, have both got themselves admitted to the Kiribathgoda hospital claiming that they were assaulted by the other. According to hospital sources, the injuries sustained by Roy had required several stitches. Police spokesman SP Buddhika Siriwardana told The Island that the Kiribathgoda police would investigate the clash by recording statements of eyewitnesses. According to the police, Ranaweera had first made a complaint to the Kiribathgoda police, yesterday morning, claiming that he was assaulted by Roy. The latter had made a counter complaint alleging that the chairman assaulted him first. A few minutes later, another UPFA member of the same PS, Nadeeka Sampath, had complained to the police that when he attempted to intervene and settle the dispute, he was assaulted by Roy. The clash had started when Ranaweera had objected to Roy putting up a banner of the SLFP Kelaniya Women’s Organisation President Damayanthi Perera. Area residents said both Damayanthi and Roy were generally identified with Maverick Minister Mervyn Silva, who has been having running battle with most Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha members led by Ranaweera. Kiribathgoda police, investigating the clash, told The Island that Ranaweera and Roy would be arrested and prosecuted after recording statements. The complaint that Nadeeka made to the police would also be investigated and and necessary action taken, police said.

Rajiv Gandhi targeted while he was touring Mysore: CM Siddaramai​ah

[ Wednesday, 22 May 2013, 03:26.11 PM GMT +05:30 ]

Was former PM Rajiv Gandhi targeted while he was touring Mysore days before his assassination at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991? According to CM Siddaramaiah, there was an attempt to kill Rajiv Gandhi during his visit to Mysore.

Some 10 days before he was assassinated in Tamil Nadu, the former PM was touring Mysore, campaigning for the parliamentary polls. While his cavalcade was traveling on Narasimharaja Boulevard near Lalitha Mahal, an old woman had blocked the convoy leading to a chain of accidents. Senior Congress leader Azeez Sait's car rammed into another vehicle as the woman appeared suddenly, Siddaramaiah said, claiming it to be an attempt to kill Gandhi."Only 10 days later he was killed. It is sad that the party lost a young leader. Only after his assassination was the Mysore incident taken seriously," he stated, after paying homage to the former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi at Congress office on Tuesday. Siddaramaiah praised the former PMs, saying they laid a strong foundation for the development of the nation. "India is democratic country, thanks to Nehru who steadfastly pursued policies to make it a democracy. The former PM was a democrat to the core, he stated, adding that Rajiv Gandhi's dream was to make India a leader among comity of nations in the 21st century. "His administration is a role model for us, he focused on industrial growth and telecommunication, which propelled India's growth," he stated. Meanwhile, Congress party could get a building of its own, thanks to CM Siddaramaiah, who on Tuesday, was witness to angry leaders jibes at the cops for not allowing them inside the party office located at Devaraja Market. The party, which paid homage to former PMs had limited access to the party workers given space constraints. Located on the first floor of the historical building attached to the Mysore City Corporation, the cops had restricted entry as the CM was attending the event leading to chaos as angry workers questioned the police and shouted at them.

Why Alcohol May Doom Putin

by Dr. CESAR CHELALA

Russians’ love for vodka has a long history. Legend holds that vodka arrived in Moscow in the 14th century, brought by Genovese merchants to Prince Dmitry Ivanovich. Legend also says that monk Isidore, who lived in the Chudov Monastery, inside the Kremlin, made a recipe for Russian vodka around 1430. He probably didn’t anticipate the devastating effect that alcohol addiction, mainly to vodka, would have on Russians’ health and quality of life and on the country’s economy and social fabric.

When the Bolshevik Party came to power its leaders tried -without much success- to reduce alcohol consumption in the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin, however, reestablished state monopoly to generate revenue. Mikhail Gorbachev, in 1985, increased controls on alcohol consumption and imposed a partial prohibition through a massive anti-alcohol campaign.

That campaign, which included severe penalties against public drunkenness and alcohol consumption, as well as restrictions on liquor sales, was temporarily successful. It reduced per capita consumption and improved quality of life measures such as life expectancy and reduced hospital admissions. However, the population disliked this policy and ultimately had to be abandoned, its consequences felt again soon afterwards.

Periodically, reports surface on the great number of people who die as a result of consuming fake vodka and other alcohol substitutes. It is estimated that more than 40,000 Russians die every year after drinking such toxic liquids which include medical disinfectants, after-shave lotions and other dangerous substances.

Today, the average Russian drinks 4.75 gal. (18 liters) of pure alcohol a year, mostly as vodka and other black market moonshine called samogon. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this consumption is far above what is considered safe to drink, and higher also than in any other nation in the world.

Russia has now one of the highest rates of alcohol-related illness, which on a long term include neurological, cardiovascular, psychiatric and liver problems, among many others. In the short term, however, and generally as a result of binge drinking, it provokes several kinds of injuries: violence, risky sexual behavior (including unprotected sex,) alcohol poisoning, and miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women.

The connection between excessive drinking and interpersonal violence cannot be overstated. However, due to social tolerance of violent behavior and incomplete or inaccurate information, official statistics only record a small percentage of violence. Some, however, are worrying. Among male perpetrators of spousal homicide, 60-75% of offenders had been drinking heavily prior to the incident.

Among young men, the risk of suicide is five times higher for heavy drinkers and nine times higher for alcoholics. Although men drink more than women, excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy can result in the child developing fetal alcohol syndrome or show fetal alcohol effects which are associated with delinquent and violent behavior later in life.

Russians poor health status has translated in a short life expectancy. According to a United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) Population Division, life expectancy for males in Russia is 61.56 and for females it is 74.03. These figures are 17 years lower than in the western European population. By contrast, these figures in Japan are 79.29 and 86.96 respectively.

In June of 2009, the Public Chamber of Russia estimated in 500,000 the number of alcohol related deaths in the country. This figure highlights a very serious situation particularly taking into consideration that the country is going through a severe demographic crisis –it is estimated that its population will drop by 20 percent by 2050.

Although no precise figures are available, the direct and indirect costs of alcohol abuse in Russia can be considerable. Unless stronger measures are taken soon, Vladimir Putin’s dreams of a greater Russia will not be realized. The situation was aptly described by Oliver Bullough in his book The Last Man in Russia, “One man’s alcoholism is his own tragedy. A whole nation’s alcoholism is a tragedy too, but also a symptom of something far larger, of a collective breakdown.”

Cesar Chelala, M.D., Ph.D., is an international public health consultant and the author of “Environmental Impact on Child Health,” a publication of the Pan American Health Organization.

‘I am not happy about how the northern land issue is being handled’

- By Kelum Bandara-WEDNESDAY, 22 MAY 2013

Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) Leader Douglas Devananda who currently serves as the Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister of the Cabinet speaks to Daily Mirror on a wide range of issues from the planned Northern Provincial Council election to   the alleged land-grabbing in the north. Minister Devananda stood against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) even during the height of terrorism. He survived many a suicide bomb attack that targeted him. He is a former militant who underwent training. He joined the democratic stream after the signing of the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord which introduced the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.


Q:Nowadays, there is talk about the Northern Provincial Council. There are views for and against it.  How important is this election in your perspective?
It is my dream to have the Northern Provincial Council constituted. I look forward to it. It is important in a different context. The Tamil people were confronted with three issues mainly - denial of political rights, absence of developmental activities in their areas    and LTTE terrorism.  Terrorism has been wiped out now. Development of the north has been fast tracked. It means the two problems have been sorted out.  Yet, there remains the political question that needs to be addressed. For it, the Constitution of the Northern Provincial Council is important as the first step.   We can start with the meaningful implementation of the Constitution. I am not asking for the sun and the moon. What I ask for is a practical step.  I consider President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the father of the nation because he defeated terrorism, an act considered impossible by many.  If you demand the pound of flesh at once, you will not get it at once. You should not be adamant in your demand. You get whatever possible initially. That is practical with daily life as well.  

" People in the south will feel suspicious if such powers are given to the north. Likewise, people in the north will feel suspicious if these powers are not given.  Therefore, the devolution of these two powers can be held back for the time being "

Q:Yet, there is opposition in the south against the devolution of police and land powers to the Provincial Council under the 13th Amendment which provided for the establishment of the Provincial Council system.  You are an advocate of the 13th Amendment. What are your views on it?
There is currently misunderstanding between the communities over the devolution of land and police powers. People in the south will feel suspicious if such powers are given to the north. Likewise, people in the north will feel suspicious if these powers are not given.  Therefore, the devolution of these two powers can be held back for the time being until better understanding is created among the communities over the matter. The Northern Provincial Council can be constituted sans these powers for the moment.  It does not mean that I do not want police and land powers. They are needed. For the time being only, it can be held back.  

Q:If the election is held, will you contest the election as the Chief Ministerial candidate?
As I said, the constitution of this council is my dream.  I feel that I should contest. However, the President asked me once not to contest because he did not want to lose a Tamil Minister in his Cabinet. He asked me this right in front of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a couple of years ago in the Maldives, during the SAARC summit.  The Indian Prime Minister is a witness to it.  I still feel I should contest.

Q:Will you make a decision on your own or listen to the President’s request?
The President is the father of the nation.  I have to initiate a dialogue with him on this matter. So far, there have been casual discussions. I should enter into formal dialogues with the government.

Q:At previous elections such as the Parliamentary election, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) won in the north.  The ruling alliance which you represented polled only the second highest number of votes.  Then, how confident are you of winning this election planned to be held in September?
At the 2010 Parliamentary election, I expected to win the Jaffna district with six seats including the bonus member’s. Yet, in the run-up to the election, there was a case in which a youth was abducted and killed.  A TNA politician was responsible for it, but they put the blame on me. I had to bear the brunt of it, although I was not responsible at all. The TNA carried out malicious propaganda against me. That is the main case for me being relegated to the second position.  Still, I polled the highest number of preferential votes.  For me, the TNA stands for ‘Tiger Nominated Agents’.  

Q:At this election, will you field candidates under the Veena symbol of your EPDP or under the Betel symbol of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA)?
 Most of my supporters and well-wishers believe that I can perform better under the Veena symbol. That is the general feeling. However, I should discuss it with the government.  These are matters pending at the moment to be agreed upon.

Q:Are you sure that the government will conduct this election?
When rainy clouds are there in the sky, one can anticipate that it is going to rain.

Q:Also, do you still stick to your demand that the north and the east should be re-merged?
It is up to the people to decide. Yet, it is more like a settled issue now. Nobody talks about it now. Even the TNA refers to it only in their election manifestos.  

" As I said, the constitution of this council is my dream.  I feel that I should contest. However, the President asked me once not to contest because he did not want to lose a Tamil Minister in his Cabinet "

Q:Countries such as the United States (US) and India have taken an interest in this election. What do you think of such interest by external parties?
Everybody is interested in it. They may have their own agendas to have this election. My interest is always different to theirs. I want genuine national reconciliation.

Q:Apart from politics, there are allegations about land-grabbing in the north.  Is there any element of truth in these allegations?
I am also not happy with the way the land issue is being handled by the authorities concerned.   I will take up this matter with the government. The TNA raised this issue. They have a different interest. My interest is different to theirs. They do not want the problem to be solved. They want to thrive on it for political expedience. 

Comatose parliament: system lacks the basics for democracy

Bharat Jhunjhunwala

The Statesman

Publication Date : 23-05-2013

The Indian Parliament has been adjourned sine die despite the fact that 100 Bills are pending. On the face of it, this appears to be a perversion of democracy. It may be quite the opposite though, because it may be better for a bad ruler to remain in coma.

Daron Acemoglu of MIT and James A. Robinson of Harvard University argue that the objective of parliamentary democracy is to prevent social unrest. The ruling elite provides a safety valve for the people to articulate their disenchantment through their elected representatives. Parliament is the forum to voice their grievances with the hope that there will be some redressal. During the 19th century, most Western societies had extended their voting rights. This led to ‘unprecedented’ redistributive programmes.

Our Constitution stipulates that the fundamental duty of the State is to secure the welfare of its citizens. The government appears to be treading a different path, however. The policy is to run the economy in favour of large corporate houses and multinational companies. This is all too evident in the 2G Spectrum and Coalgate scandals. Such welfare measures as the Right to Education and Right to Food have been designed to fulfil this primary objective by setting up a pro-poor fa?ade. There is considerable unhappiness over this development model. And parliamentary proceedings are only a reflection of the underlying unhappiness and disenchantment. The people are implicitly saying that we do not need more of this model; the status quo is better. A government in coma is better than a working government.

Adam Meirowitz of Princeton University says that effective functioning of Parliament requires that both sides share a common vision. Two partners in a business can fruitfully discuss whether to open two big showrooms or four small showrooms if they share a common vision of expansion of their business. It is difficult for them to reach an understanding if one wants to bleed the business for personal gain andthe other wants to use it to support his political ambitions.

There is an absence of such a common vision between the government and the Opposition today. The government wants to develop the country by giving a free run to big corporate houses and multinational companies. The Opposition does not accept this policy, though it does not have a vision of its own. The conflict, therefore, is between pro-rich policies or against them. Meaningful discussion cannot take place in such a situation.

Meirowitz further explains that the two sides are “more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to cooperate for their common good” if they have “externally motivated incentives”. That is, if the real objective of legislators is personal gain, then both sides are unlikely to cooperate with each other. One group will always oppose the other.

In the same vein, Professor Dheeraj Sharma of the Indian Institute of Management has stated that “partial democracy enables small societal groups to make bigger demands on the state for particularistic gains that are detrimental to overall growth and prosperity.” One can imagine an army of workers picking up dry leaves and cleaning the roads in central Delhi while the apology for a footpath in the slums remains unrepaired for years. The politicians of both the ruling party and the Opposition have taken over the resources of the country to the detriment of the common good. But neither side can state this openly. No wonder a very superficial debate takes place in Parliament, often a raucous interaction that can be as superficial as oil on water. Both sides have unstated objectives that are entirely different from what they say. As a result, no meaningful debate can take place in Parliament.

James Fishkin of Stanford University has shown that voting patterns change if voters are provided more information and if they hold a discussion among themselves before voting. This is the model of the Gram Sabha-people get together, discuss and vote. On the other hand, the election process is ‘blind’ in the sense that each voter comes with his own set of information and there is no discussion. The parliamentary system lies somewhere in the middle. There is nominal discussion before voting in the House. Serious and informed discourse, as in the Constituent Assembly, rarely takes place today.

The government appears to have a fixed mindset and the only option the Opposition has is either to accept or reject it. In the net, the members of Parliament are almost invariably unable to reach a decision. For example, one partner may suggest that they open two showrooms to streamline the management, while the other may suggest that four showrooms will improve the image of the organisation. Further discussions might prompt them to adopt the model of a franchisee. The fact of the matter is that such discussions are possible only if both sides are willing to listen and do not come to the negotiating table with a holier-than-thou attitude. The government, it seems, wants to smother and cast aside the Opposition instead of deliberating and reaching a better solution. The Prime Minister often speaks as if he knows all and others have only to follow the policies that he proposes. The only choice before the Opposition, therefore, is to accept the policies proposed by the government or reject them. Since by its very nature the Opposition is in the minority, it stands to be defeated in the event of a vote. Therefore, the Opposition has devised the strategy of obstructing Parliament, one that appears legitimate to me given the rigidity of the Government.

The system lacks the basic requirements of democratic functioning. The government is unable to place before the country a vision that would be acceptable to all. Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru placed a vision that was generally accepted. In 2013, there is no public consensus on the government’s policy of trying to secure development through big corporate houses and multinational companies. Bill Clinton used to sit with selected friends and listen to criticism of his policies. I doubt if that takes place today. The policies formulated by the government are more designed to enable a particular section of society, especially politicians and bureaucrats, to extract the country’s resources for personal gain. There is a disconnect between the stated and real objectives of politicians, irrespective of party lines. The people are not happy; hence the overwhelming distrust of the political system. Faced with this situation, the Opposition has decided to adopt an aggressive stance vis-a-vis the policies of the government. This is at the root of parliamentary stalemate. It might be cynical to suggest that if Parliament functions normally, the country might be saddled with more anti-people policies of the government. But the cynicism may not be wholly misplaced.

The writer is former Professor of Economics, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.