The best tribute to Gujral, who appreciated the need for India to blend development efforts with environmental protection, will be to revisit the findings of the GREEN India 2047 project

It was last week that some events and television programmes were organised to mark the 100th birth anniversary of IK Gujral, who served as the 12th Prime Minister of India from April 1997 to March 1998. Those who have voiced their tributes and eulogies for this humane and gentlemanly leader have highlighted not only Gujral’s vision in the field of international affairs but also his qualities as a steadfast friend to those who got to know him. Gujral was not only an intellectual who knew a great deal about subjects that political leaders generally do not read about, but he was also a person who expressed his opinions without fear or favour. It is not well-known that Gujral saheb was a person who held environmental issues close to his heart and fully appreciated the need for this country to blend development efforts with environmental protection.

It was in 1995 that The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched a major project called GREEN India 2047 in preparation for the celebration of 50 years of India’s independence in 1997. This project, which was the effort of almost three dozen researchers working for almost two years, estimated and documented the damage that Indian society had imposed on the country’s natural resources and its environmental quality. It further projected what could happen with business as usual 50 years into the future, that is when India reaches 100 years of independence in 2047. A brief presentation on this project was made before Gujral early in August 1997 at Vigyan Bhavan, during which he also assembled a number of members of his Council of Ministers. At the end of the presentation, which provided startling facts and figures, Gujral saheb stated that this presentation “should jolt us into action.”

At that stage, the media, too, reported on the stark facts and the disturbing trends which had been in evidence during the first 50 years of India’s independence.  One particular editorial in a leading newspaper carried the title as “Filthy at Fifty.”   Much of the media coverage, which undoubtedly supported efforts to inform the Indian public, was clearly the result of the attention provided by the then Prime Minister to the analysis and realities presented to him.

Today it would be useful to revisit some of the findings of the GREEN India 2047 project, perhaps as a salute to Gujral’s appreciation of the fact that India cannot develop without due attention to its natural resources and ecosystems, which not only support human life but a range of biodiversity that this country is blessed with. The truth is that in a range of vital resources, there has been rapid degradation as a result of so-called development. Some important facts need reflection even as 1997 is now 22 years behind us. Even today, almost two-third of India’s population lives in rural areas and while several leaders have highlighted the growth of India’s population as one factor which imposes a larger and larger footprint on the country’s natural resources, we have really not come to grips with what would constitute a sustainable level of population growth and consumption. India’s population, which was 336 million in 1947, was estimated as 953 million in 1997. And today, we are 1.3 billion mindlessly pursuing Western consumption patterns, which impose a heavy burden on the country’s natural resources.

In this respect, the provision of infrastructure and wherewithal for universal literacy and education have been lacking. So, too, the provision of adequate healthcare facilities in several parts of the country, which would have promoted different fertility decisions. At the same time, the consumerist culture, which Gandhiji was totally against, has not only afflicted the growing urban population but has also percolated to our rural areas.

Besides, as it happens, historically, industrial development has been centered around chemicals and fertilisers, paper, cement, power generation and aluminium, which are resource-intensive and polluting.

If we look at specific elements of natural resources, water, as is universally accepted, would be heavily stressed in several parts of the country because of the impacts of climate change. It is now clear that with increased warming of temperatures, we would not only see persistent and more serious droughts but also the effects of extreme precipitation events in different parts of the country. In several cases even those areas, which are drought-prone during most of the year, would see heavy precipitation events in some seasons. These would lead to recurrent floods with loss of lives and property.

During Gujral’s intervention, after the presentation that was made before him, he stated, “Thus, we have come to a stage when there are two lifestyles. The elite in the country can drink water out of a bottle; the common man can drink municipal water; and the worst, the slum dwellers can drink untreated river water. This is the picture that is emerging. Therefore, when we look at the coming 50 years — we are now at the golden jubilee of our independence — we must ask: Is this the lifestyle we are thinking of? Is this the life that we are offering to our people? Is this the future of our children?  And when I say children, I do not mean children only of the elite. The child living in the slum, the child who is walking and sleeping on the street, what future are we offering him?”

Sadly, many of the projections that were made in this project and presented to the then Prime Minister have only become more threatening.  Whether it is the air quality, chemical and toxic pollution of our groundwater, dumping of waste in our rivers, thinning of forests and the huge mountains of solid waste being generated not only by our cities but by our rural areas as well, the outlook for 2047 looks grim and frightening.

While we have widespread opportunities, the inertia in our system is pushing us in the direction of business as usual.  There is, therefore, a dire need for Indian society to shift gears and move towards a path of sustainable development.  That would not only be a fitting tribute to Gujral but a reassurance for our children living a secure existence devoid of the growing risks from human-induced climate change and the catastrophic destruction of our natural resources.

(Writer: RK Pachauri; Courtesy: The Pioneer)

By exposing the BJP, the NCP leader is warning it against topple moves and at the same time reassuring Cong, Sena

They say one can never trust Sharad Pawar, the politician, no matter how large-hearted and generous a host he is on home ground at Baramati. Call him a pragmatist, negotiator, bargainer or flipper, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief is on the high table of all politicians. He may have broken away from the Congress over ideology but knows his mantras are no good without a practical module to execute them. That explains his opportunistic alliances to have a shot at power, aligning with the Congress even though he rebelled against it or even supporting the polar opposite of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). So when he crafted a series of interviews, detailing how he was offered a deal on Maharashtra by Prime Minister Narendra Modi no less, it seemed contrary to his level-headed neutrality. In fact, it seemed too much of an aberrant behaviour. For exposing the BJP, currently being battered over its constitutional misadventure in that State, is one thing, implicating Modi quite the other. That too spilling the beans on a private conversation where the tradeoff was clearly spelt out —  cooperating with the BJP at the State level in return for a Central Ministry for Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule. He has also demanded reopening the Sohrabuddin encounter case and judge Loya’s death, both of which can put Home Minister Amit Shah in a spot. Going by past vindictiveness of the Modi-Shah duo, why would Pawar risk burning his bridges with the BJP leadership that he had bailed out before? On the face of it, it could be read as his game of one-upmanship, one where he was avenging the BJP’s games of poaching on his turf and engineering defections in the NCP before the Assembly polls. Then there was the slew of corruption cases stacked up against his kin. Pushing 80, probably the Maratha warrior thought that he had to fight his last political battle zealously and morally. And he did, winning the bypolls in Satara, the seat of Chhatrapati Shivaji, where he campaigned under the rains and ensured the defeat of his rebel and Shivaji’s descendant Udayanraje Bhonsle. The verdict meant a re-anointment of Pawar as a true keeper of the Marathi legacy, one that drew him to Shiv Sena’s local-centric and cultural vision. In fact, Pawar was careful enough to clarify that Sena was always upfront about Hindutva, too, but did not bring that to governance and administration, carefully separating it from the BJP’s impassioned politics of nationalism. He even reiterated that the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi Government was committed to the Common Minimum Programme. The Sena daily, Saamna, became his spokesman noting how Modi called the NCP as a “Naturally Corrupt Party” and Amit Shah questioned Pawar’s contribution to Maharashtra before the State polls. Its editorial asked, “If all that was true, then what kind of benefit was the BJP anticipating from NCP’s experience?”

However, revenge would be too easy an explanation when it comes to Pawar. He is not explosive but Machiavellian. And at the end of the day, everybody believes that Ajit Pawar’s palace coup was probably stage-managed to build some momentum in the Congress camp to shed inhibitions and join the government. Or given BJP MP Anant Hegde’s wild claim that the temporary swearing-in was done to access Rs 40,000 crore of funds and divert them, making Ajit a fall guy would seem perfect, assuming this hypothetical scenario did happen. Also, contrary to constant rebuttals of the bhakt brigade, it is rather odd that no denial has come from the BJP leadership on Pawar’s expose. Can this, therefore, mean that the deeper understanding of the old warhorses continues while a divergence of opinions is being highlighted on the surface? After all, it is only Pawar who needs to convey that he is indeed worthy of trust. Particularly for the Congress, whose advisers have time and again been warning their chief Sonia Gandhi that she needs to be wary about him and not go in for the Aghadi experiment at all. But Sonia did give in ultimately to the State legislators, who wanted to be relevant and shore up their bases. Are the interviews, therefore, Pawar’s attempt to clear the clouds over his integrity and appear righteous? This serves him both ways, he can still be considered as a strong anchor of the Opposition and by some public shaming, rein in the BJP from getting adventurous about toppling the Aghadi coalition. At least he will be the helmsman till his next masterstroke or chicanery, depending on which side of the prism you are looking at.

(Courtesy: The Pioneer)

Tibetans should be left alone to decide their spiritual future but even if India does not interfere, it does have high stakes in the issue, particularly in connection with the Himalayan region

A few months ago, a board was placed outside a monastery in Tibet; it stated that Government officials and communist cadres were not allowed to enter the premises of the gompa as the Chinese State was atheistic. One can understand that the Communist Party of China (CPC), which religiously follows the precepts of its founding fathers, is not in favour of any spiritual practices. More recently, the CPC issued a notice banning retired Tibetan Government employees from taking part in any religious activities.

According to Human Rights Watch, the notice required “all Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) Government and retired Government employees — regardless of whether those retirees are party members — to submit a list by August 18 of any ‘retired personnel performing the kora’, the Tibetan practice of circumambulating a sacred site.” Though the People’s Republic of China is atheist by definition and does not believe in the return of a soul, it now wants to control the reincarnation of the Tibetan Lamas. Read the “management measures for the reincarnation of living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism” notified by the State Council on July 13, 2007, and you will understand.

Article 1 spoke of “protecting religious concord and social harmony and protecting the normal order of Tibetan Buddhism.” It asserted: “Reincarnating living Buddhas should respect the religious rituals and historically established systems of Tibetan Buddhism.” It insists on an old ritual rarely used, the Golden Urn, which can easily be manipulated. Further, “Reincarnating living Buddhas shall not be interfered with or be under the dominion of any foreign organisation or individual.” In other words, the Dalai Lama is not allowed to be reborn in India.

Is China an atheist or a religious State? The answer is: It depends on the interests of the party. When it is convenient, it follows the Marxist orthodoxy but when its interests differ, the CPC becomes an expert in religious practices, particularly in the “reincarnation” process. Already in 2015, Padma Choling, the then Chairman of the Standing Committee of the TAR People’s Congress and then the only “ethnic” Tibetan and a member of the CPC’s Central Committee, created a flutter when he declared: “It’s not up to the Dalai Lama to decide about his own reincarnation.” He objected to an announcement by the Lama that “his traditional religious role should cease with his death.” Choling affirmed that the Lama’s renouncement was against “the Tibetan Buddhism tradition as the soul of a senior Lama is [always] reincarnated in the body of a child on his death.”

Marx would have shuddered in his tomb had he heard Choling utter this blasphemy. But this does not disturb the Communist leaders “in the new era.” Today, they argue that one can be Marxist and capitalist at the same time. A recent development brought some clarity. On November 29, the Dalai Lama addressed the issue of his reincarnation at a three-day Tibetan Religious Conference, a gathering of 117 Tibetan Buddhist and Bon senior leaders, in Dharamsala. During the closing ceremony, the Tibetan spiritual leader told the Rinpoches that there was no hurry to talk about his reincarnation. He affirmed, “I am fine physically and mentally — is there any hurry to talk about my reincarnation?” He added that he will consult his advisors to decide on his reincarnation when he turns 90.

This is a welcome change from some contradictory statements he had made earlier, particularly those like he was not keen to “return”, that the system was “medieval” or that he would come back as a woman.

On the first day of the conference, the assembled Lamas passed an important three-point resolution to counter China. The first point mentioned was the Karmic bond between the Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan people, which is “unbreakable.” It added that all Tibetans “genuinely wish for the continuation of the institution and reincarnation of the Dalai Lama in the future.” The Lama was supplicated to “come back.”

The second point made it clear that “the authority of decision concerning the way and the manner in which the next reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama should appear solely rests with His Holiness, the 14th  Dalai Lama himself. No Government or otherwise will have such authority.” It was the best way to counteract Beijing’s stance (and new religious “skills”).

The third point the monks’ gathering urged was that “the same unique Tibetan traditional method, which has been continuously used until now, will be followed.”

Though it says that this method conforms to “the basic philosophy and tenets of the Buddha dharma and originated in Tibet over 800 years ago,” no details were provided, leaving the door open to possible manipulation by China. Incidentally, it is regrettable that among the 117 senior monks, the feminine gender was not represented. This is probably one of the reasons why the Dalai Lama terms the system as “medieval.”

The Chinese are aware that the reincarnation system is not purely a religious affair; it has always had a political angle. One historical example is the strife between the ninth Panchen and the 13th Dalai Lama, which revolved around taxes to be paid by the Panchen Lama estate to the Dalai Lama’s Government. As a result of the dispute, the Panchen took refuge in China in 1923; he was well-looked after by the Kuomintang, who had an eye on Tibet. A Chinese scholar recently wrote that “the treatment of the ninth Panchen Lama was further enhanced in response to [China’s] needs on the border [with India]. In June 1931, the National Government appointed the ninth Panchen Lama as an Ambassador and set up an agency which was given a hefty monthly budget of 15,000 yuans.”

The Panchen Lama himself received 120,000 yuans monthly. It was not a salary, said the scholar, but “for his personal expenses and the living expenses of his followers and monks.”

The fact that the US Congress recently passed a Bill on the succession or reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist leaders shows that it is still a highly political issue today. The Tibetans should be left alone to decide their spiritual future but even if India does not interfere, New Delhi does have high stakes in the issue, particularly in connection with the Himalayan region where Buddhism has so far played a stabilising role. The Dalai Lama is hopefully aware of this.

(Writer: Claude Arpi; Courtesy: The Pioneer)

Their greatness lies in the fact that not only have they created profitable enterprises; they have also created brands that are etched forever in the imagination of consumers

One can decidedly differentiate between an ordinary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a great one. Great CEOs are exemplary visionaries, with superlative managerial and leadership skills. They are admired by colleagues and common men alike and are considered idols by millions of young aspiring leaders dreaming of making it big in the corporate world. Their greatness lies in the fact that not only have they created profitable enterprises; they have also created brands that are etched forever in the imagination of consumers. So what are the leadership principles and management philosophies that drive these icons and enable them to take their organisations to stellar heights?

As Brad Feld, an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist, said, “Don’t be afraid to have a big vision, but make sure it’s a clear one”, clarity of vision is one of the main traits of great CEOs.

Taking an example of Steve Jobs, an unconventional leader who demanded excellence from his staff and was controversial for his blunt delivery of criticism. However, his sheer genius; his amazing ability to articulate his vision and dexterity to take his people, investors and customers with him on his journey made him an exceptional leader. Jobs had an exceptional clarity of vision and excelled at designing minimalist devices that broke barriers in computer speeds. He created an ecosystem which could stand alone or work together in an interconnected way-like an iPod connected to a Mac connected to an iTunes store. Apple could manage vast amounts of information through division of labour among the systems. For example, the Mac controlled system administration while iTunes fetched content from cloud storage, freeing the device to concentrate on playing the music. Jobs was motivated more than anything to feel he had made a solid and positive impact on the world during his lifetime. And since he had such high expectations from himself, he was able to achieve excellence.

Jack Welch, perhaps the greatest corporate leader of the 20th century, was the youngest CEO of General Electric (GE) when he took over in 1981. He followed an incremental leadership style and during his two-decade stint, the net worth of GE improved by a whopping 4,000 per cent. He is a management theorist and strategic thinker who championed new initiatives like Six Sigma quality, differentiation and e-business.

Bill Gates, listed as the richest person on this planet for 12 consecutive years, is also a man of colossal vision. He envisioned every person on this planet to have a computer and every computer, a programme, designed by Microsoft. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to achieve his vision. In this process, he has been instrumental in the IT revolution that the world has witnessed. Great CEOs, apart from adding to the bottomline of the company contribute to the society in a big way. It would be hard to talk about the life of Bill Gates and not discuss philanthropy and humanitarianism. Heeding to his mother’s advice before she passed away due to breast cancer, Gates has always taken a selfless approach to his leadership, spending considerable money and time in philanthropic efforts to give to others.  The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated billions of dollars to causes all over the world, making significant differences in the lives of children and adults. This level of giving back illustrates Gates’ character and focus on social responsibility as a global corporate citizen. It also shows that his pursuit of solutions and making life better went beyond just making a profit. Instead, it was about driving significant change in the world that would make a difference for those who need it the most.

Indra Nooyi, who is an iconic leader, consistently ranked among the 100 most powerful women, when she was the CEO of PepsiCo, the world’s second largest food and beverage company in the world, and was at the helm of managing an employee strength of 30,000 and selling in around 200 countries around the world. She believed in developing two balance sheets: One was to provide return to shareholders and the other was to provide return to the environment.Under her leadership, PepsiCo focussed on people and planet in addition to profit. Nooyi had worked tirelessly to reduce the use of energy, water and packaging and simultaneously providing a great workplace for its employees and associates.

Great CEOs show that great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance. “It’s not where you start out in life that matters, but where you end up”.

This adage fits Ursula Burns perfectly. Born in the poor neighbourhood of Manhattan to immigrant parents and raised by a single mother, she rose to become the first female African American CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Xerox and also holds the honour of being the first woman to succeed another woman CEO, Anne Mulcahy. Having joined Xerox in 1980 as a mechanical engineering summer intern, Burns progressed through the corporate echelons to become the CEO from 2009 to 2016. At present, she is the Chairperson and CEO of VEON, a senior advisor to Teneo, and a non-executive director of Diageo since April 2018. She is also the member of the board of directors of Uber. She worked very hard to rise above her underprivileged background and did not use her background as an excuse. She worked with perseverance to reach the top of the corporate world and worked hard to return Xerox to profitability. NR Narayan Murthy, a role model for every Indian, is an apt example of “Simple living, high thinking”. He is a billionaire with net worth of about $230 crore but still flies economy and drives around in a simple car. Murthy’s life is an inspiration to all of us and gives a strong message that world-class businesses can be created based on transparency and good governance. Born in a middle class family in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, the odds of life were no match to this brilliant and enthusiastic person, who, through his discipline and determination created a “Great Indian IT Success Story.”

Infosys, today, is one of most respected IT companies in the world with footprints all across the globe and is the second-largest IT company in India by revenue. But did you know that his first entrepreneurial venture, Softronics, failed to take off? One of the initial challenges faced by Murthy was the inability to take admission in the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) even after earning a high rank and scholarship as the grant was not enough to cover his studies. Since his father was unable to fund his education, he enrolled into a local engineering college but later did his post-graduation from IIT.

Similarly, the failure of his first entrepreneurial venture, Softronics, did not stop him from establishing Infosys and lead it to stellar heights. Murthy follows Mahatma Gandhi’s policy of “practice what you preach.” He has always led by example and believes that the primary responsibility of a leader is to give hope and confidence in the face of adversity.

Taking care of people is one of the biggest attributes of great CEOs. Murthy has been generous in rewarding employees with stock options. Personally, he has given away stocks worth of Rs 50,000 crore to his employees. He reiterates that performance should be rewarded suitably. In Infosys, drivers, electricians and secretaries are among millionaires due to their stock options. Indra Nooyi was also a caring, humane CEO who took care of her employees by being in touch with them and understanding their concerns. She even wrote “thank you” letters to the parents of the employees to show her appreciation to them.

Similarly, Ken Chenault, the former CEO of American Express, believed in reaching out to each employee. He made it a point to answer to each and every mail he received from any of his employees. He travelled around the world to meet staff at different locations from around the globe.To further connect personally with his people, he used to run an open operation where anyone could talk to him.

Great CEOs, because of their innate quality of perseverance and contribution to society, ensure stability and growth of their organisations making them the best in the world. They live by their principles and lead by example, making them exemplary leaders of the corporate world.

Writer: Hima Bindu Kota

Courtesy: The Pioneer

I fled the East for West Berlin and found out that my ‘friends’ had been informing on me to the Stasi, recalls Fanny Melle

I’ve lived in Berlin for 30 years — but have never gone near the Wall or what’s left of it. I spent so long trying to escape over it that I can’t bear to be near it. Like most West Berliners on that night in November 1989, I sat at home alone watching East Germans flood through the gates at Bornholmer Straße on TV.

I found that moment bittersweet: Having finally managed to escape the East in 1985, abandoning my family and friends, it fell just four years later, producing revelations about my life as an East Berliner just four years earlier along with the rubble.

I had grown up in East Germany near Karl-Marx-Stadt (now Chemnitz), but at the age of 28 I was granted permission to leave; East Germany had signed up to the Helsinki Accords, which made it theoretically possible for citizens to apply to emigrate to the West. In reality, though, the process was tortuous and opaque: You had to apply in person every year and usually your application would be declined without explanation.

The first time you applied, you were immediately blacklisted by the SED (the East German Communist Party),  making it difficult to get things like jobs and flats. If, years later, your permission did finally come it came without warning and you were given just four weeks to settle your affairs and go.

So on December 6, 1985 my parents drove me and my then-husband to Friedrichstraße Station, which straddled the Berlin Wall, with platforms in both the East and the West. My parents were very political, both members of the SED. My father was a head teacher and my mother worked as a typist for the party’s Agricultural Department. They were dedicated to East Germany and couldn’t comprehend why I was leaving. It really broke their hearts. They left us at the cavernous glass departures hall at Friedrichstraße station, which we called the “Tränenpalast” (the Palace of Tears). In a very narrow corridor, the GDR authorities stripped me of all my papers, making me officially stateless, and I was free to go.

As artists in the East, my ex-husband and I couldn’t exhibit or publish our work, we weren’t allowed to study and we were under constant surveillance. We knew nothing about West Berlin. All information about the western half of the city was suppressed: on our maps, West Berlin was just a blank white space in the middle of East Germany. When we arrived we drove through the city — it was Christmas and the bright lights made me so dizzy that, on my first night, I didn’t sleep a wink. For months afterwards I had a recurring nightmare that I was visiting my parents in Karl-Marx-Stadt, and when I went to get the train back to the West the door of the station was locked. There was, of course, joy at having left, particularly having the freedom to paint and draw and the fact I had access to proper artists’ materials for the first time, rather than having to paint on old sheets stretched over a bed frame. But there were things I struggled with in the West.

People seemed so uptight to me. Because almost no one in the East had their own phone, if you wanted to talk to someone you just turned up at their flat. Sometimes friends would knock on the door at three in the morning and you would pull on your clothes and head out with them for a drink. I had also never experienced sexism before I left East Germany. When I had my first job interview in West Berlin as a window dresser, they said they liked me but I was 28 so would probably get pregnant soon, and gave the job to a man. It took me months to find work. Although we were free, the Stasi continued to watch us. I later discovered that they had tapped my phone calls back home to my family; one time an old friend from Karl-Marx-Stadt turned up at my door saying that he had been given permission to visit the State Library in West Berlin and could he borrow 10 marks. It turned out he was also working for the Stasi and wanted to check on me and my husband’s whereabouts. Not that we had done anything particularly seditious — we just wanted the freedom to do our work. But in East Germany you didn’t need to do much wrong to attract the attention of the secret police.

The biggest change for me when the Wall fell was that I could see my family again. My sister-in-law came over and visited me in West Berlin and was disappointed by how modestly I lived — I was a window dresser and an artist and earned very little. Where was my video recorder, she wanted to know. Where were my fitted wardrobes?

I went straight over to our town near Chemnitz to visit my mother and father, although my mother was very sick by then. They were still sad that I’d left, but we talked everything through and the best point we could reach was to begrudgingly agree that neither the East nor the West were perfect.

The fall of the Wall meant that the Stasi files were opened up and I was able to apply to the new Stasi Records Agency to view all of the files that had been kept on me.

I’d been part of a large artists’ circle in the East and my first solo show at a local youth club was a sell out. My files, though, revealed that the Stasi had paid the director of the club to buy the drawings to keep my artists’ circle together so they could keep spying on us all, hoping, I suppose, that our subversive meetings and publications would lead to one of us doing something really treasonous. I was devastated. But what really broke my heart was the amount of fellow artists and friends who had informed on me. I cut out anyone that had betrayed us.

Thirty years on, Berlin is still changing so fast that I sometimes wonder how long I’ll have a place here. But I’ve been in the West longer than I ever lived in the East and I don’t see myself as East German anymore. I suppose, finally, I feel like a West Berliner.

Writer: Fanny Melle

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Wildlife enthusiast Latika Nath says that people need to understand they are fighting for their own survival when they look at stories of other species. By Team Viva

Imagine yourself in a forest witnessing the strength of the tiger, the stealth of the leopard, the fragility of the cheetah, the brute power of the jaguar, the assured confidence of the puma, the magical ability of a snow leopard to disappear, the terrestrial lifestyle of the clouded leopards, and the machismo of the lions. It is likely to captivate and bound you to spend more time with them.

Directed by John Downer, the series Serengeti takes you to a similar journey into the unspoilt corner of Africa, discovering the most iconic Savannah animals in the world and examines and explores their daily lives.

An Indian wildlife enthusiasts Latika Nath shares her experiences of visiting the place and its wildlife while the series was being shot. She says that she got struck by seeing the vastness of the savannah grassland, all without human habitation and concrete structures, and the sheer numbers of the wildlife.

The reducing number of tigers is a matter of concern all across the world. Why is nothing concrete being done to save them? “As long as the political benefits from the uses and conversions of tiger habitat are larger than the costs of maintaining them it will not help. It will undermine all conservation efforts for the long-term survival of the tigers.” She further says that we need a leadership where all echelons of the government and all ranks of the bureaucracy are committed to the conservation of our national animal.

The world is facing the issue of climate change, glaciers are melting, there is non-periodic shift in the weather patterns. Latika says, “There needs to be a widespread awareness that tiger is an umbrella species and by affording protection to the forests we are ensuring the conservation of water, gene pools of fauna and flora and also fighting climate change in the most effective manner known today.

Latika says that out of all species that she had encountered the great cats fascinated her the most. “All of them were incredible.” She says that every encounter with a wild species is special. “One of the most extraordinary ones in recent times would be walking with a pack of wild dogs in Africa some years ago. The closest I got to them was three feet on foot, unarmed and alone,” adds she.

Our ecological system is under constant threat. It is very important to understand that it is the need of the hour to save the system from collapsing else it will have long term implications on our sustainable development as well. Latika says, “Man needs to control his greed and learn to act as a guardian for the lands he lives in. He needs to understand that he is fighting for his own survival when he talks of the survival of the species on this planet.”

While the word of wildlife crisis spreads across, the young generation is also taking interest and efforts in its revival. Latika shares that she has been approached time and again by youngsters. She likes spending time with them and having interesting conversations with students of all age groups. “There is an increasing awareness of the need for conservation of species and to fight climate change in children of all age groups today,” she adds.

She always want to be in the field exploring different species all across. She tries to make a difference by making people aware about the revival of the species and natural elements. “It is essential to contribute to the environment, even if it is small and at the grassroots level,” says she.

(The series will premiere on Sony BBC Earth on September 9.)

Writer: Team Viva

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Sanjay Mishra known for his one liners rose to fame as Babli in Golmaal. He then went on giving stellar performances in films like Masaan, Dhamaal and Welcome. He speaks with Musba Hashmi about his debut and best moments of his journey

• How did you come on board for Chanakya (1991)?

I was studying in National School of Drama (NSD). A couple of months before passing out, I got selected for DD National’s historical drama — Chanakya. I was offered the role of Nipunak. When the team came to our institute they were in search of some fresh talent and they selected a few people from my batch. This is how I got my first role.

• And you took 25 takes for a single shot.

Yes. It was day one on the sets and my first shot. It took me 25 to 28 takes for a scene. The scene was that I had to imagine a finger as my mother and had to read out the dialogues. It took forever to shoot the scene. I was facing the camera first time. I didn’t know how it worked. Acting for shows or films is very different from what we do on stage. Though, I had done all my preparations, I had read the script thoroughly before going to the sets, but nothing worked. The people on the sets started questioning my acting skills. I heard taunts like pata nahi kesey kesey log NSD se actor ban kar nikal kar aatey hain, kuch aata jata hai nahin inhey, kyon aagayein hain. But, it didn’t demotivate me. Instead, I feel fortunate that I didn’t receive appreciation for acting back then. Because if I would have then I wouldn’t be here today. I would have become overconfident. From that day I have stopped reading the scripts, I have cut short the expenses related to preparing scripts. (laughs)

• How did acting happen to you?

I am a born artist. I was confused of what to choose — music or acting. I was in search of the right path. It was all of a sudden when I realised that I am an actor — a lazy one. I thought if I will go in the music industry then it will take me at least 15 years to make a place for myself and it was uncertain. The easy way out for me was to enrol myself in short plays and then it got me interested in acting.

• Did your family support your decision to become an actor?

Yes. My whole family was very supportive all through. They still are. In fact, there was a time when I was not willing to leave Delhi to shift to Mumbai. Then my family thrashed me and sent me to Mumbai. (laughs)

• How did things turn out in Mumbai?

I came to Mumbai with only one thing in mind that I need to explore cinema. It wasn’t like that I had to become an actor. It was only my love for cinema that took me there. I wanted to explore the industry. For this, I was willing to do anything — from being an art director to a camera person to an editor, I was open for everything. Also, I had to earn a living.

• What things do you look out for before signing a project?

First and foremost the director. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t read the scripts. I go by what the director is saying. If there is a good director for instance say Satyajit Ray, then he will make you visualise the whole film with his narration. There will be no need to read the script. Second, I see what my character is about. I don’t go for big banners like most people do. The commercial value of the film doesn’t matter to me, the story does.

• You did a lot of commercials too and Mirinda ad with Amitabh Bachchan was your first ad with a celebrity. How did that feel?

I don’t have words to describe that moment. I was always a fan of Mr Bachchan and when I was offered to stand with him in the ad, I was on cloud nine. I remember the product was Mirinda and I was calling it Meranda. Then, Mr Bachchan stopped and asked me if I was from Delhi. I said yes and he replied tabhi aap Mirinda ko Meranda Meranda keh rahe hain. The other funny moment was when I reached the sets, the first thing that I did was to touch his feet and said ek hi ichcha thi ki marney se pehle aap se mil loon. To which he replied kiskey marne se pehle. And we both burst into laughter. I remember after the shoot, he said that I was good and I felt like recording his words but sadly we didn’t have voice recorders in mobile phones back then.

• Your recent film Turtle won a National Award.

Yes. I am highly obliged that the film received a National Award. The film is about the scarcity of water. It was a small initiative to brought the issue to light. It is everyone’s duty to do their part and save nature. Few months back, I also did a film called Kadwi Hawa. It was on pollution. There is a need to make more films on social causes to create awareness. I am glad that my work has been recognised but there is much more that the Government should do to help tackle such issues.

• What are your upcoming projects?

I am shooting for 108 Maryadit. It is the most challenging project for me till now. However, when I take up a new project mujhe bukhaar chadhney lagta hai, ki yeh kya musibat apney sar le li maine. Then there are Bhot Hua Samman, Color Black, Gwalior, Death On A Sunday and #Gadhvi in the pipeline.

Writer: Musba Hashmi
Courtesy: The Pioneer

Choreographer BOSCO MARTIS, who debued with Mission Kashmir speaks with MUSBA HASHMI about his best moments and judging a reality show

You have been in the industry for almost two decades now. How do you think you have evolved as an artist?

It has not been an overnight thing. It takes time. Every day is a learning process. At the end of the day, I analyse the mistakes and try not to repeat them. I learn by seeing myself. I am still evolving. I try to improve and keep progressing.

How has your journey been? Were there more ups or more downs?

The truth is that you have to hit the lows to go high. It is important for one’s progress. If you are already on that high, then there is only downfall. I would rather like lows coming in my life so that it can prepare me for the highs.

You have choreographed for people like Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. How is it like to work with them?

It is more of a giving process since I am choreographing them. While working with actors, you have to understand that this is what they are and you have to bring out the best in them. The audience doesn’t know if they can dance or not, it is up to me see see how to present them. This is when our expertise come into work. It is also a challenge to figure out how to present a particular actor, since everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, so that they come out as a better version of themselves.

Out of all the actors you have worked with, which one is your favourite?

Ranbir Kapoor is my favourite. I love working with him. The reason being he has nothing to say. If I am giving him a step he just does it without any ifs and buts. He just does everything that is taught to him for the love of dance and for the love of what’s happening around him. He knows that he is with professionals who will give him the right moves and what it takes to make the song a hit.

What was the most challenging project for you?

The song Senorita in the movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was challenging. We had to be in Spain and had to complete the song in just 10 days. There was a lot of hard work that went into it and the appraisal was so well done. It also got a National Award for us.

What are some of the best moment of your journey?

I have enjoyed each and every moment of my life. It is not a single memory that turns out to be best for you but it is a collaborative effort of each and everything in your life. It will be wrong to term any particular incident or memory as the best one. But, yes one of the best moments can be the year 2000 when my debut film as a choreographer — Mission Kashmir released.

How do you define dance?

Dance is a way to release your energy. If you are happy you can dance, if you are sad you can dance.

What does success mean to you?

Success is what you embed in yourself and what you derive from it. It is not as if you got a big offer and you become successful. Success for me is the little things that makes me happy. If a child comes and hugs me, it is asuccess.

How is the experience with Dance India Dance?

I am thoroughly enjoying it. There is a lot of fresh talent. Then, there is Kareena Kapoor Khan as a judge this time. It is a wonderful experience.

What is your mindset while judging a reality show?

I try to give the best of my knowledge to the performer. I try to give the best of my expertise to the contestants so that they can benefit from it. And, I hope that I do it the right way.

Writer: Musba Hashmi
Courtesy: The Pioneer

Gauahar khan | Known for her role in Begum Jaan, Khan has won hearts through her acting and bold  nature. She speaks with Musba Hashmi about her latest projects and journey. In order to get fame, one needs to work hard, she says

What is your character in The Office about?

I play Riya Pahwa. She is the boss’ boss. She sits in the Delhi head office. She has a lot of critical decisions to make. She keeps telling Jagdeep Chadda (played by Mukul Chadda), who is a branch manager,  that he has to listen to her advice otherwise the company will suffer losses. Basically, time and again she makes Chadda realise that she is the boss. She is confident and a sorted woman.

What made you say yes?

It is a character that I haven’t played before. In my first film — Rocket Singh, my role was set-up in an office environment but it was of a receptionist and here I play the boss. It is a different role altogether. Moreover, it is a web series and being aired on Hotstar. When the team of Applause Entertainment approached me for the role there was no reason to turn it down.

What is that one thing that is attracting people towards remakes or adaptations of foreign shows?

When you see a movie and if you like it, you want to see it’s sequels too. Same goes for this. If there is a good adaptation people will watch it. The Office is an adaptation of a cult show which was an international format. It’s not as if it’s a scene to scene pick up. You have to make the required changes. Here comes the connectivity with the audience. For example, it is an Indian adaptation so accordingly everything has been decided keeping in mind the Indian audience — be it the characters or the work environment. This makes it an interesting watch. A big show like this deserves an Indian adaptation.

Is there a checklist that you follow before signing projects?

First, the script should be good. Second, I look for the production house. Third, good director is a must. Fouth, the platform on which it will be shown. For web series, the platform is decided at a much later stage but then good names should be associated with a project.

You have worked in films, TV and now web. Where do you find yourself most comfortable working in?

I find myself most comfortable in front of the camera. Medium doesn’t matter. I love playing different characters. I am comfortable working in any medium as long as I am performing. I have also done Zangoora, which was Bollywood’s first musical. I have done everything and I hope I continue to add newer mediums and genres in my list.

You have been a part of a lot of reality shows. Any plans to step into the mainstream TV?

If I am offered a good lead character, then yes. But, the role has to be appealing. I would love to do something around love, drama and romance because I haven’t done that yet.

How was the experience working with Vidya Balan in Begum Jaan?

There were so many lessons that I took back home from her. More than an amazing actor, she is an amazing human being. She takes care of people around her and is very much aware of what’s happening around. I love her to bits. She is very professional, throws no tantrums and never causes any trouble to anyone just because she is a big actor.

A lesson learnt in the industry.

You don’t need to be affiliated to some big name from the industry to earn fame. Your hard work earns you work. Doing good work  brings more good work in your way.

Good, bad and ugly of trolling.

Trolling is only bad and ugly, there is no good. The only good can be that it teaches you how to ignore people who want to bring you down.

How has your journey been thus far?

I only see my journey as a glass half full. I don’t care about the time when things didn’t turn out well. I am a very optimistic person.

What are your upcoming projects?

There are two web series in the pipeline. I don’t want to talk more about it but I have completed shooting for one and have signed the other.

Writer: Musba Hashmi
Courtesy: The Pioneer

Mukesh Ambani looks forward to changing how Indian consumers consume everything. 

At another time, Mukesh Ambani’s announcement at the Reliance Industries Annual General Meeting (AGM) — where he formally announced the launch of his fibre-optic data network for Indian consumers, bringing his war on the telecom incumbents from mobile data networks to landline data connections — would have raised more questions than answers. There is little doubt that Ambani’s long-planned entry into mobile data networks has dramatically changed the way Indians treat data consumption, from carefully monitoring their usage to being carefree about their monthly bill or running out of data as prices across the board have crashed. Ambani plans to do the same with his ‘Jio Fibre’ service, bringing high-speed fibre networks to every nook and cranny of India. His proposals are not just an existential threat to current operators, but when combined with his plans to provide a free 4K television set and set-top box, could fundamentally change the way Indians consume entertainment at home. Just the way he changed the way Indians used their mobile phones. As much as people might complain about how the rise of apps such as Tik-Tok have corrupted Indian youth, the fact is that without Reliance Jio that would not have been possible. For better or worse, Mukesh Ambani has changed the way Indians behave and in doing so, has dramatically changed the way most Indians view him and his monolithic business empire. Once, any association with Ambani and Reliance Industries was pilloried by the likes of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Today thanks to the fact that Ambani revolutionalised data pricing, the general public has a favourable view of him in urban centres.

However, one must not forget that Ambani’s entry has made life difficult for the incumbents. He has indirectly driven the merger of Vodafone and Idea, saddled them and others such as Airtel with massive losses and put others like Tata Teleservices and even his younger brother Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications out of business altogether. And much as many consumers in India do not feel much sympathy for some of the incumbents, as their reputation as money-grabbing operators was not completely unfounded, it is vital that competition in the country survives. For this, the financial viability of other operators must be ensured. At the very top, Mukesh Ambani should not be allowed to dominate the market and become a monopolist. That is not good for the Indian economy and the general sense of competitiveness in India.

Writer & Courtesy: The Pioneer

Sushma Swaraj showed how humanism and politics are never at cross purposes and how women can overcome glass cliffs

“The old order changeth, yielding place to new…..lest one good custom should corrupt the world,” wrote Alfred Tennyson. But in the passing away of BJP veteran Sushma Swaraj, who embodied this philosophy, one wishes that “one good custom” could have, should have continued. For that showed how it could endure and reinvent itself. If only to rescue the faith in our democratic system. If only to believe that compassion and grace are a tougher play than any muscularity of purpose. And that alone makes for legacy. It would, therefore, be unjust to confine Sushma Swaraj to her role in the BJP. No. In the end, she became a global woman politician, who never said “no” to anything that was thrown her way, rose to the top despite challenges, and owned every task as if she were cut out for it and unachievable for anybody else. Most importantly, she kept her humanism separate from politics, which she saw as a way of getting the job done, never letting it define her. In fact, she defined it. So it is understandable why thousands of tributes are pouring in from across the world, even from  nations with whom we have had a troubled relationship, appreciating her ways of engagement and relieving crisis with her direct intervention and action. A people’s person, she helped Indians across the world as much as she did other nationals who needed help at our embassies, particularly those who required medical treatment here. In many ways, Swaraj will forever remain a pioneer in the annals of women’s leadership in India. In a bindi and sari, she wore tradition easily. She chose the difficult option in politics, making her path through the male-dominated leadership of the BJP, an arduous climb compared to her counterparts in the Congress, most of whom had the mantle of entitlement. Swaraj broke through as the party’s first woman Chief Minister, Union Cabinet Minister, general secretary and even spokesperson. She was perhaps one of BJP’s most proactive I&B ministers, ushering in industry status for film producers and propagating community radio. A passionate and arresting orator after Vajpayee, she has had Parliament in thrall with her speeches, particularly as the Leader of the Opposition from 2009 to 2014. The House will surely miss that fire and brimstone. She famously vowed to shave off her head if Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi was made the Prime Minister and fought her creditably from the Bellary Lok Sabha seat. But that didn’t stop Sonia from exchanging pleasantries with her at Central Hall.

Her toughest stint was within the BJP despite her dedication and commitment to every role the party assigned her, particularly glass cliff challenges vacated by her male colleagues. Though she was among the second-rung leaders that BJP has a culture of grooming, she didn’t have the Sangh Parivar’s endorsement, which chose a monolith called Modi. Yet she survived and re-calibrated her loyalties to her one-time peer and newly-anointed leader, compelling him to admire her performance as his Minister. But it was a stifling tenure. Though she was the only woman foreign minister after Indira Gandhi, she was seldom allowed operating space, the bulk of foreign policy being conducted by the PMO. Still, Swaraj pushed the envelope, adding a personal touch to resolving people’s procedural problems and holding her own in forum discussions like ASEAN. She became a pro in social media diplomacy, helping in cases that users put up for her intervention and attention, something that led Washington Post to call her the “supermom” of diplomacy. With tremendous grace under pressure, she bowed out of the electoral race of 2019, knowing full well that it was better to let go of things not meant to be. She was wiser to step back as a protege of the Vajpayee-Advani school than being benched. When she transferred an official for refusing passports to an inter-faith couple, she came into direct confrontation with hardliner trolls, some of whom followed the present leadership and were seen as having their tacit endorsement. With hardly any peer support or defence, that episode highlighted the ideological gap between two generations of the BJP and how she was too different to negotiate a DNA switch. An old BJP leadership, operating in a different contextual dynamic, could afford to be more omnitheistic and share the spotlight. The new leadership, coming as it does on the back of a consolidated verdict, will predictably go by with what it succeeded with in the first place, a presidential style of operations. Yet it could not neutralise her free spirit, one that will continue to inspire us.

Writer & Courtesy: The Pioneer