Communist Party of India and RSS are now 100 years old. Left and Right. CPI gave rise to CPM. RSS guides BJP. Congress and other parties in between. Politically speaking, most of us are mostly confused, ideology neutral. Swalpa adjustments. Maybe centrist. Slightly left of the centre, slightly right of the centre. Whatever that means, whatever that implies. Changing party affiliations, regrouping of coalitions have blunted the ideology edges, whatever was left. Politics of adjustment, rightspeak without commitment-belief, tokenism. Is it simply lip service for equality before law, socialist articulation, ecology, welfare transfers, wellbeing tokenisms, and nationalism? Is it also left speaking right, right speaking left? Is it just open, open-ended politics? To be in power, to take charge of democratic juggernaut. For the powers and their friends to take charge of the economy. Can this be changed, improved, and shifted towards democracy with poor-vulnerable-marginalized having significant agency, with a portfolio of N-way, ecological friendliness, universal basics, localization, customization, collectivization, enterprises, self-employment, communitization, local governance, rights and entitlements, choices, liberty, justice, equity, equality, and fraternity. Not the politics of authoritarianism.
Ageing is progressing in India. Faster in South India. Ageing index is Population above 60 by population below 14. One estimate says? By 2036, India’s ageing index would be 52%. In Kerala – 95%, TN – 94%, Combined AP – 84%, Karnataka – 70%. Median age in TN and Kerala is 40 by 2036. All this translates as the South needs relevant meaningful care, geriatric healthcare, and elderly livelihoods. More pensions, larger size of pensions, more contributions to medical costs/insurance too. South’s presence in Parliament may also come down after delimitation of constituencies. These scenarios call for new fiscal transfer arrangement patterns. Elderly population proportion should be part of the devolution formulas. Can we get ready for these shifts? Can we build architecture for these? Now is the time.
No strokes please. Can we use, consume sabja seeds for relief from bloating, constipation, digestion, detoxification, and healthy heart; methi-fenugreek seeds for hormonal health, controlling-managing blood sugar, and diabetes; coconut oil for stabilizing sugar, thyroid health; room temperature water in sufficient quantities, say 2-3 litres a day; fibre. Can we skip smoking, alcohol et al? Can we maintain a healthy weight, not more than 30 BMI? Can we care about waist circumference, being moderate? Can we walk, cycle, swim, stimulate brain plasticity, et al? Can we read, write, do puzzles, crosswords, learn languages, play ‘music’, sing songs et al? Can we meditate, reflect, exercise breathing, practice hobbies, relax, rest, and sleep well?
Can we be open, in mind, in heart, in body, in diet, in exercise with body, mind, in care, love, in existence, co-existence, in work, and work teams? Can we see the light in and around us? Can we seek truth, light, and life? Truly, with complete hope, faith. Can we keep going? Ekla chalo. Let the teams get going. Communities. Locations, geographies. Related themes. Paradigm(s), paradigm shifts. VUCA world. Can we be led, lead, and kind; can we try, unlearn, and learn; can we live? Can we be trustees, build the next trustees? Can we let go?
Yes, we can. If we coexist, keep flowing open, open arms. In N? chaturiya-tureeyayoga for 7L.
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