Some images from the protests

Mr. Hazare is eating again, and there is debate in Parliament about corruption, but my expectations are pretty low. However, it was quite something to see so many people energized, here are some images from around town.

Lots of signs and billboards.
Impromptu marches of students.
Walking, two-wheelers.
Around many cities, students took to their bikes to drive around town to inform folks about the movement.
I didn't see any of the human chains that appeared in some parts of Bangalore, nor did I go to Freedom Park, where folks here were gathering, and which had its own group of folks fasting. Brilliant images used -- truly sacred -- Gandhi and the Indian flag.
Tee-shirts worn in support.

Anti-corruption protests throughout india

Hello to all, sorry for the long absence ... a bout of bronchitis and travel both contributed, along with lots of turbulence all around. The world economy continues in a mess, silly US political debate and economic policies ensure a double dip recession, European tension threatens the existence of the Euro, and I'm convinced that some weird anti=matter cloud has enveloped Bangalore and caused irrationality to rule (even more than usual). For example, Yeddy says that he is joining the Anna anti-corruption fight. Huh? One of the most corrupt chief ministers saying he is going to the join the swelling anti-corruption movement.

Anyway, for those of you not in India, you need some background. And this is perhaps an amazing positive thing -- India this weekend is a country with protests and marches all over the country supporting an old man (Anna Hazare) on a hunger strike, fighting corruption. He is effectively invoking Gandhi in image and style, and I think these are the largest protests nationwide since Independence. NDTV, a leading Indian television channel, I think provides some of the best coverage, at least images. TimesNow provides more too.

Today is 6th day of his hunger strike, and the government is boxed in but doesn't want to give in. While many can correctly note that most of the protesters are middle or upper middle class in an attempt to downplay the scale or importance of the protests, that doesn't mean that it isn't relevant. However, within the Indian political discourse, this is like the kiss of death. The poor are courted for their votes -- since there are SO many of the time -- while the rich have access to influence policy, but the middle class -- which is growing rapidly as a result of booming growth, but generally criticized for apathy, and now lashing out in anger -- generally have been ignored. Indian representative democracy seems to forget people in between elections.

Graffiti at JNU

Jawaharlal Nehru University -- commonly known as JNU -- in Delhi has a lively campus with impressive graffiti of all stripes. In the Center for Economic Studies and Planning, there is a red brick wall, the "Hallowed Red Wall" that contains the terms and names of its center's proud marxist tradition. I spent some time with students, and was impressed with their background in all stripes of economics.

Even the right wing graffiti was more progressive than one might find elsewhere, quite surprising when fundamentalist Hindutva types feel they might have their share of signs against female foeticide and crimes against women.

This one shows Sonia Gandhi pushing Prime Minister Singh in a wheelchair.

But most of the student driven posters and artwork were definitely lefty, some more so than others.

Political activism is alive and well, and up-to-date.
From another group.
And yet another.

Obama in India, part 1

Diwali and even the end of Dusshera will have wait until Obama's gone probably, sorry, but this is too important. As I write this, President Obama is meeting with students at St. Xavier's College in Mumbai, emphasizing the moral imperatives, the responsibility that we all share, and the possibilities. These students probably have never heard an Indian politician say things like this, especially to them.

Here are some images from the pre-visit coverage from Indian TV.

First, the Indian view that the Republican victory in the House in the US is positive news. Not my opinion, but this is consistent with the nostalgia for W. They remember the nuclear deal, but not how he got the world (and the US) into the mess in Iraq, Afghanistan, or the financial crisis.
Setting expectations low. Smart politics.

Excitement about the visit.

The countdown on some channels was day by day, and then minute by minute.

When they first arrived, they had a hard time getting the stairs to the plane. This took a while.

I didn't take any pictures of his interaction with the students unfortunately. Now, though, I have to shake my head as I hear the post-town hall discussion dissecting the performance.

ALL the discussion is about Pakistan, and a little about how there are no "big ticket items" so that means that India has nothing to gain. NOTHING about his call to engage with the world in responsible ways, about his attempts -- which he admits fall short -- to emulate Mahatma Gandhi, or about the need for respect for all people.

More to come.