Hawker Nuisance – Hidden Members of the Gang....................Shrikant Soman
We are very familiar of the nuisance of the Hawkers. They occupy the valuable space on the footpath and road causing traffic problems and leaving little space for the pedestrians. They also cause garbage on the road.
We usually blame the police, municipal authorities, local Bhai (goon) and the politicians for this nuisance. These are only the 4 members of the gang. Actually there is also a fifth member hidden from the public gaze. He is the Social Activist (SA) who make a hue and cry for this nuisance in the first place. I have learned it from my first hand experience in tackling the problem in our area. Here is how it goes.
Step 1 : The SA gathers public opinion against the hawker menace.
Step 2 : He takes up the issue with the authorities – police, municipality. He leaves the Bhai untouched for obvious reasons.
Step 3 : The Local authorities take effective steps to remove the hawkers.
Step 4 : The hawkers approach the local politician or the Bhai for being a savior.
Step 5 : The Politician / Bhai pressurizes the municipal authorities for ‘taking it easy’ with the hawkers.
Step 6 : The municipal authorities throw up their hands, expressing their helplessness as the issue is now in the ‘public domain’ with the SA taking an active role in this drama.
Step 7 : The Politician / Bhai then approaches the SA for taking a more humanitarian stand.
Step 8 : The Hawkers Gherao (Human Blockade – indigenous style !) the SA for being the cause of putting their livelihood at stake.
Step 9 : The SA, the Politician, the Bhai, the municipal authorities and the police then make a ‘mandavali’ (private underground ‘financial settlement’) of this whole affair. The SA is then onwards included in the ‘hafta’ (the periodical underground payment in exchange for peace) schedule.
Step 10 : Hawkers are back to business. All the above parties continue to play the game in order to make a smokescreen for the public at large. The SA makes a public scene about his resentment for the lax attitude of the authorities in handling the hawkers menace. He is usually more dramatic than before – lest somebody may have a suspicion of he having joined the gang.
The above steps are usually followed with minor variations and some cross jumps. But it definitely follows the same PATTERN.
I have found to my surprise that usually the municipal authorities are RESPONSIVE to the demands of the public as represented through the SA. They are helpless in this whole drama as explained above. I have actually come across the street enactment of the above drama in a very much theatrical way.
When I was involved in this action, I took a camera with me. I took photographs of the hawkers and how they create problems by blocking the space and littering with garbage. I sent these photographs to the authorities as a proof. This worked very effectively. The authorities were cornered. I made written complaints and made consistent and systematic follow-up. This produced good results. The authorities were very much responsive. The rest followed the above mentioned 10 step ‘procedure’ of peaceful settlement. The only difference was that somebody else SA ‘gained’ standing on my shoulders. Though I kept myself out of the dirty deal, I felt very sad for the whole episode. I can not do much as this is the way the ‘System’ works. I need a team of dedicated firebrand and honest SA. This is a distant dream at present. But I have not given up.
There is also a SIXTH MEMBER in this System. And he is the Public at Large. When the authorities start rounding up the hawkers, invariably some members of the local residents protest to the authorities in SUPPORT of the hawkers. They say that it is a great convenience to the local residents as the hawkers offer day to day conveniences near to the place of residence. Without them, the residents would have to go to the markets few hundred metres away wasting away precious 5 minutes in the process ! There is then a division amongst the public itself. One section supporting the hawkers and other section opposing the hawkers. The SA in between eats the cake and has it too. The word 'hawker' can be taken as a metaphor. It also includes the encroachment by the shopkeeper in the space in front of his shop, any illegal activity in the shop, hookah parlour, liquor shop, ladies service bar and restaurant.
_____________________________________________________
Note of Caution
The above note is based on my actual experience over a period of time at different locations with different people. However, I have rearranged the details, incidences, locations and people from a diverse motley of facts to make a meaningful, interesting and compact presentation, while at the same time not sacrificing the truth in general. It does NOT relate or restricted to any specific location or person and should not be used to draw inferences about the same. This explanation is necessary in order to be fair with honest and dedicated people who are also working in this field.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Front Row Activists - FRATs
Front Row Activists - FRATs..............................Shrikant Soman
I have observed some activists who are skillful to always get the FRONT ROW of any meeting or function. I call them Front Row Activists – FRATs. They manage to get this in a very skillful way in any or combination of following tactics :
1 They make it very specific to the host, in private, that unless they are treated with respect (read FRONT ROW seating, among others + announcing their names on the mike), they will not come. The host knows this in a ‘give and take’ system or learns his way by ‘hard way’ from past experiences.
2 They manage to make their crony come well in time and occupy the front seat. When these FRATs arrive, the crony make a big show and in a theatrical manner get up and offer them a seat.
3 If the front row is occupied, they have the audacity to ask any ‘weakling’ on the front row to actually get up. This they do not do themselves, but manage to get it done through their cronies.
4 If the front row is occupied and strategy no 3 is not workable, they actually squeeze themselves in between two people. This may seem improbable to you. But I have witnessed it happening.
5 They manage to get an extra chair at side of the front row and get themselves accommodated, as a last resort, if all the above 4 strategies do not work.
I have no issues with these tactics. Earlier I used to HATE them. Over a period of time I have started to admire their skill. I am a dumb boy in their company – making myself comfortable in whatever place that is available. However, there is a serious negative fallout of these tactics. I have invariably found that these FRATs considerably restrict their activities and sphere of influence due this attitude. What is a source of strength becomes a source of limitation. This is how it works :
Whenever these FRATs have an opportunity to attend a meeting, they make their own intelligent private assessment for the possibility of occupying the front seats. They feel considerably INSECURE in having to accept the back seats. If they feel that there is little possibility or there is a high risk of being ‘blocked out’ of the front row, they cleverly AVOID the function. As a result of this limitation, they move in a ‘close circuit’. I have seen people who for years are the FRATs but being restricted to a very limited area. They do not grow. When I say front seat, it also means ‘being in the focus of attention or limelight’. On many occasions, the example of Front Seat is a metaphor.
I am trying to get over my limitation of being comfortable as a back bencher. I do not take it as a sign of modesty or humbleness or simplicity. Frankly, I do not have IT and it IS a limitation - particularly if I want to make any dent in this tough terrain. I do not want to make a MERIT out of my WEAKNESS. My weakness in this area probably stems from my attitude getting moulded in Corporate Management Culture over the past 4 decades. There we do not have to try hard in these matters. There the respect is COMMANDED and not snatched. There is a hierarchy of positions and a clear cut definition of authority, responsibility and protocol. This is 70 % true in corporate culture. The balance 30 % is still being influenced by FRAT syndrome. In the case of military, the protocol is nearly 95 % applicable and only a miniscule 5 % is for FRAT system. In the case of bureaucracy and the elected representatives particularly at the high positions of the Govt, the protocol is nearly 85 % implemented and the balance 15 % is for FRAT system. There are microscopic rules of protocol covering conduct which appears to be very much petty to a common man. There is also a ‘protocol officer’ in the case of high dignitaries like President, Prime Minister etc. In the field of social activism, the picture is completely opposite. Here the ‘empty balloon of STYLE’ is very much the hot commodity. It is also a matter of SURVIVAL for these FRATs. If the sheep (read gullible common man) do not see them at front positions, then they risk to lose their assumed ‘Power’. They do not believe in anything such as an ‘intrinsic value’. Everything is a ‘style value’. The most amusing part of this drama is that these FRATs will invariably proclaim that they do NOT care for the front seat. It is only because the other people are insisting that they have to accept the front seat in all humbleness. These are Super FRATs. They go to the extent of informing to the host that they are arriving within few minutes and somebody should receive them and arrange for their seating at the front row.
However, having said this, there is a considerable ADVANTAGE in being FLEXIBLE (read NON–FRAT). I do not feel threatened like these FRATs when I have to occupy the back seat. This opens a vast area of activity for me. I get myself involved in a diverse and wide area. Being new and unknown entity at the initial stages, I occupy the back seat. I use this opportunity to observe and to learn. As it always happens, very soon and in a quite natural way, without having to make any extra effort, I get noticed and get involved with the core group. In a short span of time, I was able to have made a very wide ranging inroads in various field of social activism – and the field is widening. After having studied the activity of the group and its members, I then FILTER out the people and groups and activities based on my VALUE SYSTEM. This is a very long and tedious process. I have to build up ‘brick by brick’. But that is the only way. There is no shortcut if I have to be in this field on a strong foundation.
Coming back to these FRATs, honestly, I aspire to become one – but not exactly in their manner and tactics. I have to learn to make (push ?) my way forward and not be shy of the limelight. It is difficult as it is going against my moral genes. This is essential if one has to ‘command’ the ‘sheep’ who only recognize the FRATs. Most of the people are brought up (through our social and religious system) sub-consciously in respecting and obeying these FRATs. All our politicians are born FRATs. It is in their genes. It is the entrance barrier for entering into the political field. But here we are talking of the Social Activists who are supposed to bust the ghost of the politicians. If these Social Activists themselves succumb to the sins of the politicians, how are we to fight this corrupt system ?
Even if I manage to become FRAT in my own way and manner, my goal will be NOT to get IMPRISONED in my IMAGE of the FRAT. Having become a FRAT, I will continue to have the flexibility of a back bencher for having a wider canvas of my action.
As a part of ‘self diagnosis’ of the IMAGE IMPROSONMENT of FRAT, I make it a point to purposely take a back seat, particularly when I am in my own POWER group and is normally expected to take a front seat. I then make a self observation of my ‘Dis-Comfort level’ for sitting in back bench. If I can be self composed and comfortable as a back bencher, then I can safely say that I am not imprisoned in my image. This is absolutely essential. I have written separate note about ‘IMAGE BUSTING’ exercises. There is great source of inspiration and strength when one is not getting type cast and getting imprisoned in a particular image of oneself. This is a topic of separate discussion and outside the scope of this diary.
When one understands the game and the players by rising ABOVE it, raising one’s consciousness to a higher spiritual level, then instead of hating and getting irritated with these FRATs, we start to get AMUSED with circus of this MAD World.
I have observed some activists who are skillful to always get the FRONT ROW of any meeting or function. I call them Front Row Activists – FRATs. They manage to get this in a very skillful way in any or combination of following tactics :
1 They make it very specific to the host, in private, that unless they are treated with respect (read FRONT ROW seating, among others + announcing their names on the mike), they will not come. The host knows this in a ‘give and take’ system or learns his way by ‘hard way’ from past experiences.
2 They manage to make their crony come well in time and occupy the front seat. When these FRATs arrive, the crony make a big show and in a theatrical manner get up and offer them a seat.
3 If the front row is occupied, they have the audacity to ask any ‘weakling’ on the front row to actually get up. This they do not do themselves, but manage to get it done through their cronies.
4 If the front row is occupied and strategy no 3 is not workable, they actually squeeze themselves in between two people. This may seem improbable to you. But I have witnessed it happening.
5 They manage to get an extra chair at side of the front row and get themselves accommodated, as a last resort, if all the above 4 strategies do not work.
I have no issues with these tactics. Earlier I used to HATE them. Over a period of time I have started to admire their skill. I am a dumb boy in their company – making myself comfortable in whatever place that is available. However, there is a serious negative fallout of these tactics. I have invariably found that these FRATs considerably restrict their activities and sphere of influence due this attitude. What is a source of strength becomes a source of limitation. This is how it works :
Whenever these FRATs have an opportunity to attend a meeting, they make their own intelligent private assessment for the possibility of occupying the front seats. They feel considerably INSECURE in having to accept the back seats. If they feel that there is little possibility or there is a high risk of being ‘blocked out’ of the front row, they cleverly AVOID the function. As a result of this limitation, they move in a ‘close circuit’. I have seen people who for years are the FRATs but being restricted to a very limited area. They do not grow. When I say front seat, it also means ‘being in the focus of attention or limelight’. On many occasions, the example of Front Seat is a metaphor.
I am trying to get over my limitation of being comfortable as a back bencher. I do not take it as a sign of modesty or humbleness or simplicity. Frankly, I do not have IT and it IS a limitation - particularly if I want to make any dent in this tough terrain. I do not want to make a MERIT out of my WEAKNESS. My weakness in this area probably stems from my attitude getting moulded in Corporate Management Culture over the past 4 decades. There we do not have to try hard in these matters. There the respect is COMMANDED and not snatched. There is a hierarchy of positions and a clear cut definition of authority, responsibility and protocol. This is 70 % true in corporate culture. The balance 30 % is still being influenced by FRAT syndrome. In the case of military, the protocol is nearly 95 % applicable and only a miniscule 5 % is for FRAT system. In the case of bureaucracy and the elected representatives particularly at the high positions of the Govt, the protocol is nearly 85 % implemented and the balance 15 % is for FRAT system. There are microscopic rules of protocol covering conduct which appears to be very much petty to a common man. There is also a ‘protocol officer’ in the case of high dignitaries like President, Prime Minister etc. In the field of social activism, the picture is completely opposite. Here the ‘empty balloon of STYLE’ is very much the hot commodity. It is also a matter of SURVIVAL for these FRATs. If the sheep (read gullible common man) do not see them at front positions, then they risk to lose their assumed ‘Power’. They do not believe in anything such as an ‘intrinsic value’. Everything is a ‘style value’. The most amusing part of this drama is that these FRATs will invariably proclaim that they do NOT care for the front seat. It is only because the other people are insisting that they have to accept the front seat in all humbleness. These are Super FRATs. They go to the extent of informing to the host that they are arriving within few minutes and somebody should receive them and arrange for their seating at the front row.
However, having said this, there is a considerable ADVANTAGE in being FLEXIBLE (read NON–FRAT). I do not feel threatened like these FRATs when I have to occupy the back seat. This opens a vast area of activity for me. I get myself involved in a diverse and wide area. Being new and unknown entity at the initial stages, I occupy the back seat. I use this opportunity to observe and to learn. As it always happens, very soon and in a quite natural way, without having to make any extra effort, I get noticed and get involved with the core group. In a short span of time, I was able to have made a very wide ranging inroads in various field of social activism – and the field is widening. After having studied the activity of the group and its members, I then FILTER out the people and groups and activities based on my VALUE SYSTEM. This is a very long and tedious process. I have to build up ‘brick by brick’. But that is the only way. There is no shortcut if I have to be in this field on a strong foundation.
Coming back to these FRATs, honestly, I aspire to become one – but not exactly in their manner and tactics. I have to learn to make (push ?) my way forward and not be shy of the limelight. It is difficult as it is going against my moral genes. This is essential if one has to ‘command’ the ‘sheep’ who only recognize the FRATs. Most of the people are brought up (through our social and religious system) sub-consciously in respecting and obeying these FRATs. All our politicians are born FRATs. It is in their genes. It is the entrance barrier for entering into the political field. But here we are talking of the Social Activists who are supposed to bust the ghost of the politicians. If these Social Activists themselves succumb to the sins of the politicians, how are we to fight this corrupt system ?
Even if I manage to become FRAT in my own way and manner, my goal will be NOT to get IMPRISONED in my IMAGE of the FRAT. Having become a FRAT, I will continue to have the flexibility of a back bencher for having a wider canvas of my action.
As a part of ‘self diagnosis’ of the IMAGE IMPROSONMENT of FRAT, I make it a point to purposely take a back seat, particularly when I am in my own POWER group and is normally expected to take a front seat. I then make a self observation of my ‘Dis-Comfort level’ for sitting in back bench. If I can be self composed and comfortable as a back bencher, then I can safely say that I am not imprisoned in my image. This is absolutely essential. I have written separate note about ‘IMAGE BUSTING’ exercises. There is great source of inspiration and strength when one is not getting type cast and getting imprisoned in a particular image of oneself. This is a topic of separate discussion and outside the scope of this diary.
When one understands the game and the players by rising ABOVE it, raising one’s consciousness to a higher spiritual level, then instead of hating and getting irritated with these FRATs, we start to get AMUSED with circus of this MAD World.
Preamble to the Diary of a Social Activist
Preamble to the Diary of a Social Activist - Artist by Shrikant Soman
I am a Social Activist working with the sense of wonder and an enthusiasm of a child and political maturity of a hardened politician. I try to keep my core clean and pure while getting involved in the muddy waters of social activism. Occasionally, I do use my killer instinct of a Lion ( Incidentally, I am also a LEO by zodiac sign) for making a penetration where nothing less would do. I am driven by my deep love for motherland – Bharat, whom I treat as a Goddess. I am straightforward, to the point, fearless person, because it is my natural self and I draw my comfort from being so. I prefer to take a back seat in a group meeting, trying just to observe and contribute in a low profile manner, but somehow, as it always happens, I get drawn, dragged or thrown up to the front position. I only realise it only after it had happened ! And then I become a changed person. I create many enemies and leg-pullers on the way. This is a very painful process. I fail to understand or appreciate the mental framework of these people.
Most people feel I am intelligent. I feel this a misnomer. Being intelligent is NOT a function of the brain or the genius. Intelligence FLOWS into you when you keep things simple and get rid of the clutter of emotional baggage and get free of the imprisoning IMAGES of yourself you get locked in. Every person is a born intelligent person – getting dumb as he gets older, because of his tendency to always get into the cocoon of his comfort zone, blocking out the possibilities of adventure and uncertain terrain. I am not referring to the mathematical intelligence. I am referring to the LIFE intelligence.
This diary is a notings of my experiences on my journey in the field of social activism. It is written with the curiosity of a child – who is ever ready to learn, energetic, excited with a sense of adventure. Actually I would prefer to call myself a Social ARTIST. The word activism has connotations of the lofty ideas of struggle, hard-work, sacrifice, dedication etc. I HATE to EULOGISE my work. On the other hand, my view of this activity is more like being CREATIVE and EXPRESSIVE of my ideas, drawing JOY from the activity, LEARNING in the process while at the same time getting EXCITED with the new challenges and adventures. I am an AMATEUR ARTIST in the field of social activism.
I do NOT have any big and spectacular achievements to boast of. I do manage to have very good results, but I am abysmally poor in stealing the limelight and the credit for the job well done. I stay away from the scramble of the crowd at top of the ladder, pulling and pushing each other down. I am into this field for just a year. I am NOT a very well known personality. I work at the grassroots, working with the people, most of whom have their own agenda for being in this field. They are the miniscule replica of our corrupt political leaders and bureaucrats. These social activists are the real CAUSE of our corrupt and decadent political and social system. At the same time, there certainly are very good and dedicated social activists. But they are poor in working with the team and have very high EGO sense. I feel absolutely ‘Odd Man Out’ in this group. However, there is no alternative. There is a temptation to become ‘armchair’ activist – to form an elite club, shoot letters to authorities, meet dignitaries and senior politicians, create own flashy and smart web site, be visible in the media and APPEAR to be a firebrand activist, leaving the ground level dirty job for others. However, it will only boost my EGO and false sense of self worth. I will certainly do exceptionally well if I decide to become a member of this elite club and that too in a very short time. However, my inner self will get suffocated in this situation. On the other hand, trying to work on the ground level with these ground level people is also a very frustrating and painful task. But THIS IS THE WAY.
I am applying the principles of Sri Anand Yoga – doing the job as a JOYFUL ACTIVITY, with skill and dedication, passion and commitment, zeal and enthusiasm. Taking life a HAPPY PILGRIMAGE towards LIGHT. This is an absolutely ESSENTIAL PART OF MY YOGA and SPIRITUAL PATH. I am guided by the message of Srikrishna in Gita. I am blessed to have Sri Aurobindo and Mother as my Guru.
In this diary, I will share with you my experiments and wonders on the way. Read it with a FRESH MIND. Become a Child with me. Then only you will really enjoy the journey. Do not expect to have any magical exhilarating experiences, or to climb mount Everest, or anything of the sort which make great men like Mahatma Gandhi or Swami Vivekananda. This is an experiment in the wonderland of life by an unknown LIFE WONDERER.
You are also invited to visit www.shrikantsoman.com for knowing me better
I am a Social Activist working with the sense of wonder and an enthusiasm of a child and political maturity of a hardened politician. I try to keep my core clean and pure while getting involved in the muddy waters of social activism. Occasionally, I do use my killer instinct of a Lion ( Incidentally, I am also a LEO by zodiac sign) for making a penetration where nothing less would do. I am driven by my deep love for motherland – Bharat, whom I treat as a Goddess. I am straightforward, to the point, fearless person, because it is my natural self and I draw my comfort from being so. I prefer to take a back seat in a group meeting, trying just to observe and contribute in a low profile manner, but somehow, as it always happens, I get drawn, dragged or thrown up to the front position. I only realise it only after it had happened ! And then I become a changed person. I create many enemies and leg-pullers on the way. This is a very painful process. I fail to understand or appreciate the mental framework of these people.
Most people feel I am intelligent. I feel this a misnomer. Being intelligent is NOT a function of the brain or the genius. Intelligence FLOWS into you when you keep things simple and get rid of the clutter of emotional baggage and get free of the imprisoning IMAGES of yourself you get locked in. Every person is a born intelligent person – getting dumb as he gets older, because of his tendency to always get into the cocoon of his comfort zone, blocking out the possibilities of adventure and uncertain terrain. I am not referring to the mathematical intelligence. I am referring to the LIFE intelligence.
This diary is a notings of my experiences on my journey in the field of social activism. It is written with the curiosity of a child – who is ever ready to learn, energetic, excited with a sense of adventure. Actually I would prefer to call myself a Social ARTIST. The word activism has connotations of the lofty ideas of struggle, hard-work, sacrifice, dedication etc. I HATE to EULOGISE my work. On the other hand, my view of this activity is more like being CREATIVE and EXPRESSIVE of my ideas, drawing JOY from the activity, LEARNING in the process while at the same time getting EXCITED with the new challenges and adventures. I am an AMATEUR ARTIST in the field of social activism.
I do NOT have any big and spectacular achievements to boast of. I do manage to have very good results, but I am abysmally poor in stealing the limelight and the credit for the job well done. I stay away from the scramble of the crowd at top of the ladder, pulling and pushing each other down. I am into this field for just a year. I am NOT a very well known personality. I work at the grassroots, working with the people, most of whom have their own agenda for being in this field. They are the miniscule replica of our corrupt political leaders and bureaucrats. These social activists are the real CAUSE of our corrupt and decadent political and social system. At the same time, there certainly are very good and dedicated social activists. But they are poor in working with the team and have very high EGO sense. I feel absolutely ‘Odd Man Out’ in this group. However, there is no alternative. There is a temptation to become ‘armchair’ activist – to form an elite club, shoot letters to authorities, meet dignitaries and senior politicians, create own flashy and smart web site, be visible in the media and APPEAR to be a firebrand activist, leaving the ground level dirty job for others. However, it will only boost my EGO and false sense of self worth. I will certainly do exceptionally well if I decide to become a member of this elite club and that too in a very short time. However, my inner self will get suffocated in this situation. On the other hand, trying to work on the ground level with these ground level people is also a very frustrating and painful task. But THIS IS THE WAY.
I am applying the principles of Sri Anand Yoga – doing the job as a JOYFUL ACTIVITY, with skill and dedication, passion and commitment, zeal and enthusiasm. Taking life a HAPPY PILGRIMAGE towards LIGHT. This is an absolutely ESSENTIAL PART OF MY YOGA and SPIRITUAL PATH. I am guided by the message of Srikrishna in Gita. I am blessed to have Sri Aurobindo and Mother as my Guru.
In this diary, I will share with you my experiments and wonders on the way. Read it with a FRESH MIND. Become a Child with me. Then only you will really enjoy the journey. Do not expect to have any magical exhilarating experiences, or to climb mount Everest, or anything of the sort which make great men like Mahatma Gandhi or Swami Vivekananda. This is an experiment in the wonderland of life by an unknown LIFE WONDERER.
You are also invited to visit www.shrikantsoman.com for knowing me better
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