Tribute to Bhandaru Parvatala Rao: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Tribute to Bhandaru Parvatala Rao

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Five years ago on this day Bhandaru Parvatala Rao passed away at the age of 71 years in Puttaparti. He was former Director Information and Public Relations of Government of Andhra Pradesh; former Public Relations Officer to five successive Chief Ministers beginning with Congress Party’s Channa Reddy to Telugu Desam’s NT Rama Rao and later to N Janardhan Reddy; former Public Relations Officer to Andhra Bank; former Managing Director State Film Development Corporation as well as Counsellor and Examiner of Open University. Parvatala Rao was also a journalist, consultant of AP Handicrafts Development Corporation and Honorary Managing Editor of the Bi-Lingual News Feature National Information Services.

Parvatala Rao entered AP Information Service as DPRO in 1958 and rose to the highest position in the department. It was for the first time Chief Minister Dr Channa Reddy introduced the position of an exclusive PRO to CM and Parvatala Rao was the automatic choice. He excelled in it and even now who ever occupies that place at some time or other quote him. He authored number of books both in verse and in poetry both in English and Telugu languages. Prominent among them were “Prakasham Gadha Sethi”-100 short biographical anecdotes of Tanguturi Prakasham Pantulu, “Mana Suprasiddha Devalayalu” (Tel-prose)-of Publications Division and “Paramacharya Pavana Gathalu”-108 Anecdotes from the life of late Sri Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

After retirement from Government service and before he decided to settle at Puttaparti Prashanti Nilayam of Bhagavan Sri Satya Saibaba, his expertise was utilized by AP Handicrafts Development Corporation and DR MCR HRD Institute. His greatest contribution to the Handicrafts Corporation was documentation of rich but rare and languishing handicrafts of the state. Parvatala Rao visited places where craft persons engaged in work, talked to them, observed the process studied the reasons for languishing and only then prepared a report suggesting the methodology for their revival leading to establishing Craft Development Centres. This resulted in their survival till this day. The report on three important crafts namely “Veena Making”, “Mridangam Making” and “Leather Puppetry” is now being brought out as a book titled “Languishing Handicrafts of AP” on his fifth death anniversary falling on 21^st August 2011. It is a rich contribution from Parvatala Rao.

Three eminent persons Potturi Venkateswara Rao, Dr CV Narasimha Reddy and Dr AP Ranga Rao, recalled their association in their introduction of author for the book. Former State Secretary AP Branch of Indian Red Cross Society Dr AP Ranga Rao also his nephew says that he was Parvatala Rao’s admirer in his childhood. “Parvatala Rao was someone capable of finding something good even in an evil person and not to antagonize anyone. He had a tremendous potential to become a great writer, speaker, debater, reformer and a great leader. He had the capacity to influence and change for better. He could have become easily any one of those; instead he has voluntarily chosen a path to be a loving human being” described Ranga Rao.

Former Director of Information and Public Relations Dr CV Narasimha Reddy also a colleague of Parvatala Rao said Parvatala Rao was the department’s most outstanding Public Relations Professionals-who not only brought his fierce commitment to the discipline but also a quiet, grace, self-respect and dignity. Narasimha Reddy interprets the decision of Parvatala Rao to settle in Prashanti Nilayam as his inner desire to serve the cause of humanity in tune with the Baba’s Vision and Mission which bears an eloquent proof to the fact, that he committed his life, to the cause of needy and under privileged. “That was Parvatala Rao with a difference, combining in himself many unique features of great Scholarship, intellect, competence of highest standards and abundant aptitude to the spirit of service. In his thoughts, words and deeds Parvatala Rao devoted to spirituality. He was not only a highly non-controversial Person but also a Friend, Philosopher and Guide to one and all”. That makes him a True “AJATASHATRUVU” says Dr Reddy.

Senior Journalist and former Chairman AP Press Academy Sri Potturi Venkateswara Rao described Parvatala Rao as essentially a “Man of Self Respect, an extraordinary and unique personality”. Potturi as a working Journalist came in to contact with Parvatala Rao. “I had a lingering suspicion that he was like a silent volcano with problems and worries inside, a few of his own and many of others. While he never bothered others with his problems, he was always ready to share the worries of his friends” recollected Potturi.

Potturi disclosed that Parvatala Rao was qualified to practice Ayurvedic medicine and also knew certain techniques of healing by meditation. “Parvatala Rao was a great researcher. His expertise in collecting information helped the department he served. His research on the temples of Lord Narasimha Swami in Andhra Pradesh resulted in the publication of a comprehensive work in a few volumes” says Potturi.

Parvatala Rao planned to write a book with the title “Channa to Anna”. Potturi says that it is unfortunate that it did not see the light. Channa means Dr. M. Channa Reddy and Anna was Sri N. T. Rama Rao. The book would have revealed many interesting anecdotes and so far untold political happenings of historic importance. Potturi also narrated an instance that occurred when Anjaiah was Chief Minister. At that time he as Editor of Andhra Prabha weekly offered to publish a feature called “Mukhya Mantri to Mukha Mukhi”, meaning face to face with the Chief Minister. He invited questions from the readers and the Chief Minister was replying to them. Late U. B. Raghavendra Rao, CM Secretary then and Parvatala Rao were assisting Anjaiah in this exercise. Anjaiah used to ask Parvatala Rao for his views also when he was in doubt. The replies provided by Parvatala Rao were simply accepted without discussion. Such was the confidence that the Chief Minister had in Parvatala Rao recalled Potturi.

It was fifty years ago I first met Parvatala Rao while he was working in Khammam. His brother Bhandaru Srinivasa Rao was my classmate in ninth and that was how I came to know him. In later days I married his niece and our association further increased. When Dr Channa Reddy became Chief Minister of AP in 1989 I was PRO to CM. Parvatala Rao then working as PRO Andhra Bank was requested by CM to come back to the department as Director Information and Public Relations. In that capacity he was my boss in the department for about a year. We collected, edited and compiled a book based on the extempore speeches of Dr Channa Reddy as CM.

Parvatala Rao was always a friend, philosopher and guide to one and all who knew him and I am one among those many.

హజారేది సరైన మార్గమేనా?: వనం జ్వాలా నరసింహారావు

హజారేది సరైన మార్గమేనా?

సూర్య దిన పత్రిక (19-08-2011)

వనం జ్వాలా నరసింహారావు

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పార్లమెంటు దిగువ సభలో ప్రభుత్వం ప్రవేశపెట్టిన లోక్ పాల్ బిల్లు, శాసన ప్రక్రియకు నోచుకుని, చట్టంగా రూపాంతరం చెందే లోపునే, సభ లోపల ఎదురవ్వాల్సిన అవరోధాలు బాహ్య ప్రపంచంలో ఎదురవడం బహుశా మన దేశంలోనే జరుగడానికి ఆస్కారముంటుందేమో! నాలుగున్నర దశాబ్దాల క్రితం సంగతి పక్కన పెడితే, వర్తమాన కాలపు లోక్ పాల్ వ్యవహారానికి సంబంధించి నంతవరకు, "ధర్మ-అధర్మ" యుద్ధం ఆరంభమై అప్పుడే కొన్ని నెలలు కావస్తోంది. సాధారణంగా యుద్ధ రంగంలోకి దిగిన ఇరుపక్షాలలో ధర్మం వున్న పక్షానికి నాయకత్వం వహిస్తున్న వారిని "నాయకులు" గా, అధర్మంగా యుద్ధం చేస్తున్న వారిని "ప్రతి నాయకులు" (ఖల్ నాయక్) గా పిలవడం ఆచారం. లోక్ పాల్ విషయంలో జరుగుతున్న సమరంలో అటు పౌర సమాజం నేతలు, ఇటు ప్రభుత్వ సారధులు, తమదంటే తమదే న్యాయ పోరాటమని కుండ బద్దలు కొట్టి మరీ చెప్తున్నారు. అంటే, ఇరు పక్షాల సారధ్యం వహిస్తున్నది నాయకులన్నా కావాలి-లేదా-ప్రతి నాయకులన్నా కావాలి. అందుకే అవినీతికి వ్యతిరేకంగా దేశ వ్యాప్తంగా ఆందోళన చేస్తున్న పౌరులందరినీ ధర్మ పక్షంగా, (పౌర సమాజం నాయకులతో సహా) ప్రభుత్వాధి నేతలందరినీ అధర్మ పక్షంగా పిలవడం సమంజసమేమో! పార్లమెంటు ఉభయ సభలలో, అన్నా హజారే అరెస్టు జరిగిన మరుసటి రోజు జరిగిన చర్చలో, ప్రధాని మన్మోహన్ సింగ్, ప్రతిపక్ష నేతలు అరుణ్ జైట్లీ-సుష్మా స్వరాజ్ లు వెలిబుచ్చిన అభిప్రాయాలను నిశితంగా పరిశీలిస్తే, ఈ వాదనలోని వాస్తవం అర్థం చేసుకోవచ్చు.

అన్నా హజారే ఎంత గాంధేయ వాదైనా, చట్ట ప్రకారం-నిబంధనల ప్రకారమే ఢిల్లీ పోలీసులు వ్యవహరించారని, ఆయన నిరాహార దీక్షకు దిగడానికి ముందే అరెస్టు చేయడం పూర్తిగా సమంజసమైందని, ప్రధాని మన్మోహన్‌సింగ్‌ పార్లమెంటు ఉభయ సభలలో ఆ చర్యను సమర్థించారు. ప్రధాని ప్రకటనలోని ప్రతి అంశాన్ని తీవ్రంగా రాజ్య సభలో విమర్శించిన అరుణ్ జైట్లీ, ప్రజలంతా (?) యూపీఏ ప్రభుత్వం అనుసరిస్తున్న అవినీతి మార్గంతో విసిగి-వేసారి పోయారని, అందుకే హజారే నాయకత్వంలో వీధుల్లోకి వచ్చారని అన్నారు. మన్మోహన్‌ సింగ్‌ ప్రభుత్వం రాజకీయ సమస్యకు పోలీసు పరిష్కారం చూపాలను కోవడం పొరపాటన్నారు. అరెస్టుపై ప్రధాని మన్మోహన్ ఇచ్చిన వివరణ అబద్ధాల పుట్టని, ప్రభుత్వం పూర్తిగా అవినీతితో నిండిపోయిందని, చివరకు అణచివేత చర్యలకూ పాల్పడడానికి వెనుకాడడం లేదని, బాధ్యతను పూర్తిగా ఢిల్లీ పోలీస్ కమిషనర్ కు అప్పగించి చేతులు దులుపుకుంటున్నదని, ప్రతిపక్ష బీజేపీ నేత సుష్మాస్వరాజ్ లోక్‌సభలో తీవ్ర ఆగ్రహం వ్యక్తం చేశారు. అన్నా హజారే తన సొంత లోక్‌ పాల్ బిల్లును పార్లమెంటుపై రుద్దేందుకు ప్రయత్నిస్తున్నారని ప్రధాని మన్మోహన్ సింగ్ ఆరోపించడంతో పాటు, బిల్లు రూపొందించాల్సిందెవరు? ఆమోదించాల్సిందెవరు? అని ప్రతిపక్షాలను నిలదీశారు. పార్లమెంట్ సార్వభౌమాధికారాన్ని ప్రశ్నించడం తగదని హితవు పలికారు. ఎన్నుకున్న ప్రజా ప్రతినిధులను కాదనే రీతిలో, సామాజిక కార్యకర్తలు కోట్లాది భారతీయులకు ప్రాతినిధ్యం వహిస్తున్నామనే దృక్ఫదంతో వ్యవహరించడం అసమంజసం అని స్పష్టం చేశారు. దానికి జవాబుగా, మొత్తం వ్యవహారాన్ని పార్లమెంట్‌కు, పౌర సమాజానికి మధ్య ఘర్షణగా చిత్రీకరించడానికి ప్రధాని ప్రయత్నిస్తున్నారని అరుణ్ జైట్లీ ధ్వజం ఎత్తారు.

అత్యున్నత విలువల నుంచి హజారే స్ఫూర్తి పొంది ఉండవచ్చు గాక! ఆయన వెంట అశేష జన వాహిని నేడు నడుస్తుండవచ్చు కాక! ఆయన వేసిన ప్రతి అడుగులో అడుగు వేసుకుంటూ, పౌర సమాజానికి చెందిన అతిరథ-మహారథులు హజారే చెప్పే ప్రతి వాక్యాన్ని వేద వాక్కుగా పరిగణిస్తుండ వచ్చు గాక! అంత మాత్రాన ఆయన ఎంచుకున్నది మాత్రం చాలా అసలు సిసలైన నిఖార్సైన మార్గం అనే వీలు లేదు. ఇందిరా గాంధీ హయాంలో అత్యవసర పరిస్థితి విధించిన దరిమిలా, అసలే అంతంత మాత్రం బాధ్యతాయుతంగా వ్యవహరిస్తున్న పార్లమెంటరీ వ్యవస్థ- అందులోని ఉభయ సభల రాజ్యాంగ బద్ధమైన అధికారాలను హరించే ప్రయత్నం చేస్తే వారెంత గొప్ప వారైనా వారి చర్యలను ఎదుర్కోవాల్సిందే. పార్లమెంటరీ ప్రజాస్వామ్యంపై ప్రమాదకరమైన ప్రభావం పడే ఎటువంటి చర్యైనా అటు ప్రభుత్వం కాని, ఇటు ప్రతి పక్షాలు కాని, వీటన్నింటి కీ అతీతం అని అంటున్న పౌర సమాజం కాని చేపట్టే, దాన్ని అడ్డుకోవడం ప్రతి పౌరుడి కర్తవ్యం. అవినీతిని రూపుమాపాల్సిందే. కాకపోతే కాన్సర్ లాగా పాకిపోయిన అవినీతికి రాత్రికి రాత్రే అన్నిరకాల చికిత్స ఒకే ఒక చిట్కాతో చేసి, మర్నాటికల్లా నయం చేయడమంటే-చేయాలని ఎవరైనా అంటే, అది మూర్ఖత్వం తప్ప మరేమీకాదు. బహుశా ఆగస్టు పదిహేనున జాతీయ జండా ఎగురవేస్తూ ఎర్రకోటపై ప్రధాని చెప్పిన మాటల్లోను, పార్లమెంటులో హజారే అరెస్టుపై జరిగిన చర్చలో పునరుద్ఘాటించిన ప్రకటనలోను వున్న నిజాయితీని అర్థం చేసుకోవడం మంచిదే మో!

ఇంతకూ తప్పెవరిది? ఒప్పెవరిది? లోక్ పాల్ బిల్లు సుదీర్ఘ చరిత్ర - హజారే ఆందోళన - పౌర సమాజం జోక్యం - ప్రభుత్వ ఏమరుపాటు - రాందేవ్ బాబా రంగ ప్రవేశం - ప్రభుత్వం తొందర పాటు చర్యలు - రాజీ మార్గాల అన్వేషణ - పౌర సమాజం సభ్యులతో కలిసిన సంయుక్త కమిటీ ఏర్పాటు - జన లోక్ పాల్, ప్రభుత్వ లోక్ పాల్ ముసాయిదా బిల్లుల తయారీ - ఏకాభిప్రాయ సాధన - నాలుగై దు మినహా జన లోక్ పాల్ లో ప్రతిపాదించిన అంశాలన్నింటినీ చేర్చుతూ ప్రభుత్వం లోక్ పాల్ బిల్లు ముసాయిదా రూపొందించడం - మంత్రి మండలి ఆమోదం - లోక్ సభలో ప్రవేశ పెట్టడం - మధ్యలో అసంతృప్తి చెందిన అన్నా హజారే నెల రోజుల క్రితమే నిరవధిక నిరాహార దీక్షకు దిగుతానని ప్రకటన చేయడం - అన్న మాట ప్రకారం ఆగస్టు పదహారున దీక్షకు దిగేందుకు సన్నద్ధం కావడం - హజారే ముందస్తు అరెస్టు, అదే రోజు రాత్రి పొద్దు పోయాక ఆయనను విడుదల చేయాలని ప్రభుత్వం నిర్ణయం - ఈ లోపల చిదంబరం తో సహా ముగ్గురు కేబినెట్ మంత్రులు ఢిల్లీ పోలీసుల చర్యను సమర్థించడం - హజారేతో సహా పలువురి నిర్బంధం, విడుదల - పార్లమెంటు లోపల, బయట ప్రభుత్వం, ప్రతి పక్షాల మధ్య మాటల యుద్ధం - చివరకు జైలులోనే వుంటానని భీష్మించుకుని కూర్చున్న హజారే మూడోరోజుకల్లా దిగి రావడం...ఒకటి వెంట ఒకటి జరిగిన పరిణామాలు. వీటిలో, అంతా సత్య సంధులే అనడం నిజం కాదు...ప్రభుత్వం ది ఒక రకమైన మొండి వైఖరై తే, ప్రతి పక్షాల ది మరో రకమైన మొండి తనం...ఇక పౌర సమాజానిది గజ మొండి తనం! వెరసి, మీడియాకు బిజీ-బిజీ-బిజీ!

నాలుగున్నర దశాబ్దాల తర్వాత లోక్ పాల్ బిల్లు ఆవశ్యకతను గుర్తుచేస్తూ, అన్నా హజారే నాయకత్వంలోని పౌర సమాజ బృందం మొదట్లో ఆందోళనకు దిగడం సమంజసమే. అప్పట్లో వారి డిమాండు ప్రభుత్వం లోక్ పాల్ బిల్లును తెచ్చి చట్టం చేయాలని మాత్రమే! సరే మధ్యలో దూరారు బాబా రాందేవ్. అదే అదనుగా తీసుకుని, స్వతంత్ర భారత దేశంలో అంతో-ఇంతో అవినీతి భాగోతం నడిపించిన వారితో సహా సింహభాగం అవినీతిలో భాగస్వాములైన ఎందరో మహానుభావులు హజారే సరసన చేరారు. ఆయన వెంట వున్న పౌర సమాజం సభ్యులు నిజాయితీ పరులే-అందులో సందేహం లేదు. వచ్చిన చిక్కల్లా, వారూ-వీరూ అనే తేడా లేకుండా, తన దగ్గరకు వచ్చిన అందరినీ తన అక్కున చేర్చుకున్నారు గాంధేయ మార్గాన్ని అనుసరించే హజారే! అంతటితో ఆగలేదు..వీరికి తోడుగా, రాజకీయ పార్టీల నాయకులు ఇదే అదను అనుకుని, ప్రభుత్వాన్ని ఇబ్బంది పెట్టడానికి సరైన సమయం అనుకుని, హజారే పక్షాన నిలిచారు. గండం గట్టెక్కడానికి ప్రాధాన్యతనిచ్చే మన్మోహన్ సర్కారు, ఆపాటికే కూరుకుపోయిన కష్టాలకు మరిన్ని తోడవుతావేమోనన్న భయంతో రాజీ మార్గాన్ని ఎంచుకుంది మొదట్లో. "విభజించి పాలించు" అన్న బ్రిటీష్ సిద్ధాంతాన్ని స్వాతంత్ర్యం వచ్చిన నాటి నుంచీ అనుసరిస్తూ వస్తున్న అఖిల భారత కాంగ్రెస్ పార్టీ-దాని సారధ్యంలోని మన్మోహన్ యుపియే సర్కారు, పౌర సమాజాన్ని-ప్రతిపక్షాలను చీల్చాయి అప్పట్లో. ప్రతి పక్షాలను దూరం పెట్టి పౌర సమాజాన్ని దగ్గరకు తెచ్చుకునే వ్యూహంతో ముందుకు సాగింది. ఆందోళనను తాత్కాలికంగా పలచన చేయగలిగింది.

అత్యంత ప్రాధాన్యతను సంచరించుకున్న లోక్ పాల్ బిల్లు ముసాయిదాను ఖరారు పర్చే ముందర, సంప్రదాయ బద్ధంగా-ఆనవాయితీగా వస్తున్న ప్రతిపక్షాలను సంప్రదించే ఆచారాన్ని పక్కన పెట్టింది. కమిటీలో పౌర సమాజం సభ్యులకు మాత్రమే ప్రభుత్వ సభ్యుల సరసన పెద్ద పీట వేసింది. వారిలో కొందరిపై ఆరోపణలున్నాయని మీడియాలో వచ్చిన కథనాలను పట్టించుకోలేదు. ఆ చర్యతో, పౌర సమాజం సభ్యులు, తమ వాదనను వినిపించడంలో బలపడ సాగారు. వ్యవహారమంతా హజారే బృందం చేతుల్లోకి పోతుందని పసికట్టిన, ప్రభుత్వం లోని కొందరు పెద్దలు, ఆధిక్యత దిశగా అడుగులు వేయసాగారు. ప్రధానిని కూడా లోక్ పాల్ పరిధిలోకి తేవాలని పౌర సమాజం సభ్యుల ప్రతిపాదనకు సహితం మన్మోహన్ సింగ్ తలూపే స్థితికి రావడంతో, ఖంగుతిన్న ప్రభుత్వ పెద్దలు కొందరు, అది జరగకుండా జాగ్రత్త పడ్డారు. చేర్చడం-చేర్చక పోవడం అనేది చర్చనీయాంశం. ఎవరి వాదనలు వారికుండవచ్చు. చివరకు అంతా తమదే విజయం అని ప్రభుత్వం భావిస్తున్న తరుణంలో పౌర సమాజం ఎదురు తిరిగింది. జన లోక్ బిల్లు తప్ప ప్రభుత్వ బిల్లు తమకు ఆమోద యోగ్యం కాదు పొమ్మంది! ప్రభుత్వంపై యుద్ధం ప్రకటించింది. తానేమీ తక్కువ తిన్నానా అన్న చందాన, ప్రభుత్వం తన చర్యలను సమర్థించుకునే బదులు, ఎదురుదాడికి దిగింది. అప్రజాస్వామిక చర్యలకు పూనుకుంది. అవసరం లేకపోయినా హజారే ను-ఆయన బృందాన్ని నిర్బంధంలోకి తీసుకుంది. చేతులు కాలాక ఆకులు పట్టుకుంది.

పార్లమెంటు సార్వభౌమాధికారం అన్న మాటను ఆలశ్యంగా తెరపైకి తెచ్చింది. అది కాదనే పరిస్థితి ప్రతిపక్షాలకు కలిగించింది. ఎప్పుడైతే హజారే పార్లమెంటు ఆధిపత్యాన్ని ప్రశ్నించారో, అప్పుడే, ప్రభుత్వం ప్రతిపక్షాలను విశ్వాసంలోకి తీసుకుని వుండాల్సింది. వారి మద్దతుతో హజారేను తప్పు బట్టాల్సింది. ప్రజాస్వామ్య వ్యవస్థల హక్కుల పరిరక్షణలో ప్రతిపక్షాలను భాగస్వాములను చేయాల్సింది. భవిష్యత్ లో నేటి ప్రతిపక్షమే అధికార పక్షం కావచ్చని నచ్చ చెప్పాల్సింది. ప్రతిపక్షాలను హజారే వైపు మళ్లకుండా జాగ్రత్త పడాల్సింది.

ఇప్పుడు జరుగుతున్నదేంటి? లోక్ పాల్ బిల్లు విషయాన్ని అటు పౌర సమాజం-ఇటు ప్రభుత్వం పక్కన పెట్టి, హజారే దీక్ష ఎక్కడ-ఎన్నాళ్లు-ఏ తరహాలో-ఎంతమంది మద్దతు దార్లతో జరగాలనే విషయం మీద రాజీ మార్గాలు వెతకడం. రాజీ కుదిరింది. ఆమరణ దీక్ష చేస్తానన్న హజారే పదిహేను రోజులు మాత్రమే చేయాలని ఢిల్లీ పోలీసులు విధించిన నిబంధనకు ఆయనతో సహా పౌర సమాజ బృందం అంగీకరించింది! దీక్షా స్థలం రాంలీలా మైదానం వుండడానికి ప్రభుత్వం ఒప్పుకుంది. మరో పదిహేను రోజుల పాటు ఆ సినిమా కొనసాగుతుందేమో కాని, లోక్ పాల్ బిల్లు అంశాలు మాత్రం మరుగున పడడం ఖాయం. నీతికి-అవినీతికి మార్గదర్శకాలంటే ఇవేనేమో!

"ఆల్ ద బెస్ట్ టీం అన్నా హజారే"!

“The song of Soongs”: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

“The song of Soongs”

Published in Indian Express on 25^th February 1989

V. Jwala Narasimha Rao

HISTORY is yet to record such a fascinating story like that of the most powerful and formidable trio of sisters-the Soongs of China. The three Soong sisters literally espoused to, and ended up actively espousing the political views of, the three men who played key roles in shaping China’s destiny in the period of revolutionary instability. “The Song of Soongs”, one of the earliest despatches to the Government of India from China by the late K.P.S. Menon, a distinguished writer and diplomat of India as the Agent-General in 1943 described his memorable experiences with them.

Soong sisters - the three "Hakka Chinese women", were married to the three most powerful persons of China and all of whom were Presidents of China at one time or other. All the three sisters played a major role in influencing their husbands, which, along with their own positions of power, ultimately changed the course of Chinese history. Their father was American-educated Charlie Soong, who made a fortune in banking and printing. Their mother was a descendant of Ming Dynasty. Their three brothers were all high ranking officials in the Republic of China Government. One of them was T. V. Soong, a foreign minister of China for nearly a decade.

Throughout their lifetimes, each one of the sisters followed her own belief in terms of supporting the Kuomintang (KMT) or the Communist Party of China (CPC). In the 1930s, two of them, Soong Ai-ling and Mei-ling were the richest women in China at the time. Both of them supported the Nationalists. Soong-Chiang-Ling later sided with the CPC.

The youngest of the “Trinity of China”, as the Soong sisters were popularly known, Soong Mei-Ling, was none other than Madame Chiang-Kai-shek the wife of the ruler of China for two decades before Mao’s Communists seized power to establish the People’s Republic of China. Later, Chiang-Kai-shek fled to Taiwan and continued to fight the Chinese Communists till his death. Soong Mei-Ling, who was born in 1897 and educated in the United States, became the second wife of Chiang-Kai-shek. Thoroughly westernised in every action of hers, she was charm personified. “She turned on her charm as one turns on an artificial fountain, which rises higher and higher until one is wet with the spray”, said KPS Menon of her. According to her, “The only thing oriental about me is my face”. After converting Chiang-Kai-shek to Christianity, Soong-Mei-Ling married him.

After the death of her husband in 1975, Mei-Ling maintained a very low profile. She emigrated from Taiwan to the suburb of New York City in USA where she kept a portrait of her late husband in full military uniform in her living room. Twenty five years later she sold the estate and moved to her New York City apartment where she spent the rest of her life. She returned to Taiwan only three times. She believed that the Democratic Progressive Party, which later took control of Taiwan, had little reverence for her. Her later year’s life was peaceful but somewhat solitary. She had few visitors and passed her time growing flowers, practicing calligraphy, drawing pictures and reading. Mei-Ling, died in her sleep in October 2004 at the age of 105.

During the Second World War, a number of articles by Soong-Mei-Ling of China were published in many US journals. She was the first Chinese (and only the second woman ever) to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress in 1943. She left such a lasting impression on the American public that they honoured her in a unique way. Her name appeared in the list of the “ten most admired women in the world” till 1967 from the year of her address.

In a conversation with Sir Winston Churchill in Cairo in 1943, when he said to her “India is not, and can never be a nation”, Madame Chiang-Kai-shek reacted sharply and replied, “If she is left to herself, India will become as great and as powerful a nation as the United States”. This was narrated to KPS by Madamissimo-the way she was referred by many-herself. Soong-Mei-Ling passed away in 2004. Mei-Ling was best known as ambassador for China (and later, Taiwan) to the Western world.

Chiang Kai-shek’s undivided effort to eliminate the Communists in China during Japan’s invasion put China in a most perilous state. However, he was convinced by Mei-Ling that the immediate task at that point of time was to join hands with the Communists to fight the Japanese. After the defeat of the Kuomintang by the Communists in China in 1949, Mei-Ling together with her husband and many government and military officials fled to Taiwan. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, she moved to Hong Kong, where she organised the Chinese Women’s Anti-Aggression League.

The eldest among the Soong sisters was Soong Chiang-Ling. Like her younger sister she too had her education in the USA. She married Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen who was 26 years older to her in 1914. Sun-Yat-Sen was leader of the Chinese Kuomintang and the first Provisional President of the Republic of China. When the nationalist Kuomintang party was split up Chiang-Kai-shek, who became the leader of the right-wing group, Soong-Chiang-Ling headed the left wing. Thus she too became an equally influential figure in her own right in Chinese politics.

After the death of her husband, Soong-Chiang-Ling felt that the left-wing Kuomintang members had betrayed the ideals of her husband and quit the party and left for the USSR. She did not accept the idea of her left-wing friends merging with the right-wing of the Kuomintang Party and angrily reacted when the Communists were purged. Consequent to the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War in 1937, she started the China Defence League and organised medical relief and child welfare work particularly in Communist controlled areas of the country.

When Soong-Chiang-Ling was in Hong Kong in 1948, she became the honorary chairperson of an anti Chiang-Kai-shek organisation called the “Kuomintang Revolutionary Committee”. Within a year of this she moved to mainland China when the People’s Republic of China was formed. She was held in high esteem as a sort of link between Sun-Yat-Sen ideals and those of the Communists’ People’s Republic. She was made an important official in the government and was awarded the “Stalin Peace Prize” in 1951 for her work on welfare and peace committees.

Chiang-Ling was subjected to some criticism and trouble from the Red Guards during the 1966 Cultural Revolution as a reaction to her “luxurious” way of living. However, she continued her way of life, enjoying her official position, serving China wherever she was and in whatever capacity she was placed. She died in Peking on 29^th May, 1981.

Another Soong sister, Soong-Ai-Ling was an altogether different character. She married H.H. Kung, a familiar figure in the Chinese nationalist government between 1928 and 1945. In China, the Kungs were known for their money. H.H. Kung succeeded his brother-in-law T.V. Soong (brother of the Soong sisters) as Minister of Finance and co-brother Chiang-Kai-shek as President of China for a brief period in 1938 (during the Sino-Japanese war) till Chiang resumed the presidency. Madame Kung was to marry Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen but she preferred money to power and so married Kung, who was one of the richest men in the world in his days.

In 1937 when the Second Sino-Japanese war broke out, all three of them got together after a 10 year separation in an effort to unite the KMT and CPC against the Imperial Japanese army. Soong Ai-ling devoted herself to social work such as helping wounded soldiers, refugees and orphans. The sisters frequently visited schools, hospitals, orphanages, air raid shelters and aided war torn communities along the way.

According to Mr. K.P.S. Menon, there used to be a saying in China that Madame Chiang loved power, Madame Kung money and Madam Sun-Yat-Sen China. The world today is much different from the days when the three Soong Sisters became China’s most powerful women – making headlines around the world.

Lacquer ware of Andhra Pradesh: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Lacquer ware of Andhra Pradesh

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Published in AP Times on 19^th October 1996

The human desire and passion for possession of artefacts has always been a status symbol especially among the different classes. Their patronage had exerted large influence on the growth of crafts. Lacquer-ware craft has been no exception. The rich and harmonious surface decoration, the perfection in design and above all the comparative low price has given an edge to lacquer-ware craft over many other sister crafts.

The term ‘lacquer’ takes its origin from the Sanskrit word Lakcha meaning a protective varnish, a coating which was being given in the past to household articles. The base of this material is resin Lac, the gummy deposit of the insect Techadria Lacca.

The Lacquer-ware craft in Andhra Pradesh has been around for over eight decades. It is being practised as a cottage industry and is concentrated in Etikoppaka and Yelimanchilly in Vizag district; Gummidadala and Bhontapally in Medak district; and Tirupati and Karlapudi in Chittoor district. Around 300 artisans are said to be engaged in this craft producing annually about Rs. 25-45 Lakh worth of articles.

The craft which began modestly with the use of hand lathes later is also practised on power operated lathes. The limitation in size and range of items turned out on hand lathes has compelled the use of power operated lathes which has distinct advantages in optimising production, reducing cost of production and thereby increasing the earnings and crafts persons.

A unique feature of lacquer craft practised in Andhra Pradesh is involvement of women to the extent of painting and lacquering only. The men concentrate on turning and shaping of wood on lathes.

In view of the elaborate production process, the craft necessitates the use of different varieties of raw material. Wood is the basic raw material. ‘Pala Kurcha’, ‘Odde Karra’, ‘Malagu’ and ‘Andagu’ are some of the local species of wood used by the crafts persons. These are basically closely grained and oil less wood which render them most suitable for the craft is taken out. Button Lac, Litho-phone powder, aniline and acremin group of dyes, Kevada leaves, sand paper, poster colours, enamel paints, turpentine and other hardware are some of the other important materials used.

The craft of late has become predominantly mechanised. While hand lathes and power operated lathes form the basic implements, saw, chisels, files and other cutting tools in varying sizes form the accessories. The preparation of coloured Lac sticks is one of the important processes in the craft. Shellac is first melted by holding it over a fire till it is plastic. Then a small amount of pigment (dyes) mixed in water or oil and a given proportion of litho-phone powder is strenuously added over the fire till it achieves homogeneity and consistency of a rubber. The Lac is then made into sticks of required sizes. The craftsmen at Etikoppaka are, off late, using natural dyes in the preparation of colour Lac sticks.

The wood which is cut to desired size is kept for partial seasoning. Later it is shaped on a hand or power operated lathe with the help of chisels and other hand tools. The surface is then smoothened by application of sand paper. The colour stick is then applied on the revolving wood wherein the Lac adheres on the surface due to friction. Thereafter, finer and smooth finishing is given on the surface by the Kevada leaf with small quantity of any sweet oil. For further decorations and designs, oil paints or water colours are used. Belans, toys, tops, birds and animals, kumkum and powder boxes etc., are some of the important items being presently manufactured.

Though the craft has become a viable proportion, it has its own problems. The requirement of good quality wood is becoming increasingly scarce and more expensive. In a haste to execute orders, the artisans use unseasoned wood which ultimately tells on the quality of the finished product. The crafts persons have not been adequately exposed to intermediary technology which has adversely affected production and profits.

However, sustained efforts from the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation, District Rural Development Agency and Crafts Council of Andhra Pradesh provide some relief to the crafts persons. A wood seasoning plant project sponsored by the United National Development Programme, which is in the offing, might also provide great relief to the craft persons in the near future.

On the critical assessment of the craft in Andhra Pradesh, it is observed that items turned out are conventional in designs, crude in finish and cater only to local markets. Design and technology go hand in hand. There is immense scope for introduction of new and innovative designs and appropriate intermediary technology. Regional Design and Technical Development Centre (RDTDC) Bangalore has evolved more than 1300 design prototypes in the craft. It has also evolved simple tools and equipment for the craft which have been systematically disseminated through the handicrafts departmental training centre at Tirupati.

The craft is making progress in design development, technology and market development. The craftsmen on their part are also developing an attitude of self reliance by being receptive to the changes as per the buyers’ tastes. They are even eager and ready to avidly adopt improvement in techniques and methods which are evolved as a result of research and development taking place all-round.

The Regional Design and Technical Development Centre, Bangalore is one of the four such centres, along with the ones at Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi established in the year 1956 to carry out research work with a view to revive and revitalise age old traditional and hereditary crafts. The centre concentrates on the development of crafts like wood carvings, kinhal, stone carvings, Tanjore decorative work, pottery, inlay work, lacquer turning, costume jewellery with metal ware etc. Special surveys are also undertaken by this centre for the purpose of collecting information about the existing and languishing including tribal, folk and other crafts in the region. Survey of languishing crafts including the existing ones in the region are also being undertaken periodically by the technical staff. The centre also extends design and technical assistance to crafts-persons, cooperatives, craft industries, marketing agencies, exporters etc., in the region by providing prototypes of new designs produced at the centre. The centre also provides training facilities to craftsmen to improve their skills.

In order to give a further impetus to the efforts of Regional Design and Technical Development Centre of Bangalore and also to popularise the designs evolved, design workshops on lacquer-ware crafts of Andhra Pradesh were conducted frequently at the common facility centres like the one at Gummidadala of Narsapur taluk in Medak district. Workshop held in such remote places in order to disseminate the designs of as many crafts-persons as possible boost the confidence of artisans.

About 1300 and odd designs in lacquer-ware developed by the Regional Design and Technical Development Centre, Bangalore are on display at these workshops. The centre conducted such workshops at several places over a period. Crafts-persons from various crafts pockets of Andhra Pradesh participate in the workshops as and they are held besides exporters, designers and other developmental agencies to interact with the participating crafts-persons.

Should Every American buy Health Insurance?: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

President Barack Obama planning to fail!

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

After the recent finding of US economy under fire a fortnight ago, pushing it to a near bottom place in the list of economically strong nations, the latest setback was the decision of an Appeals Court striking down as unconstitutional the national health care law mandate that nearly every American buy insurance or face tax penalties. Two out of the three Judges made clear that lawmakers cannot force residents to “enter into contracts with private insurance companies for the purchase of an expensive product from the time they are born until the time they die.”

For Obama the Health Care Law was not only prestigious but also one of the significant legislative achievements. Until the US Supreme Court which opens its next term in October takes up the issue, the have-not American may relax. The Appeals Court’s ruling differed with the federal appeals court in Cincinnati that upheld the individual mandate about a month ago. In fact several lower court judges have also issued differing opinions on the debate. More than two dozen legal challenges were filed against the law since Obama signed the measure in March 2010.

President Barak Obama was able to muster just 218 votes (out of 435 ) needed to pass the controversial Health Care Legislation in the House of Representatives in 2009. At that time some of the House Democrats openly declared that they would oppose the bill along with Republicans and vote against. Obama threw all his official and personal weight against the lobbying effort to defeat it. The division on the so called historic reform was a total vertical and horizontal with all the Obama like minded democrats on one side and the rest-majority of whom are the Republicans-on the diagonally opposite side.

The Democrats were able to introduce the legislation in the Senate and could overcome its first major obstacle. The normal American precedence of Senate conducting its business through unanimous consent was absent in this case which was evident with the 60-39 (out of 100) procedural vote. After 24 days of debate and months of bitter political wrangling, Senate voted the most significant American social legislation. When the Senate approved it boosted Barack Obama on the 2010 New Year eve.

After the vote Obama said that ever since Roosevelt first called for reform in 1912, seven Democrat and Republican Presidents took up the cause and all such efforts were blocked by special interest lobbyists for the insurance industry. He concluded that "with passage of reform bill, we are now finally poised to deliver on the promise of real, meaningful health insurance reform that will bring additional security and stability to the American people."

The health care law subjected to frequent criticisms by Republican presidential candidates and members of Congress, is intended to insure 32 million Americans, bring in subsidizing policies for the poor and requiring insurers to accept people with pre-existing health problems. On hearing the Court’s decision of striking down it as unconstitutional, the White House and the Department of Justice said they were confident that the law was constitutional.

I was on a visit to the Unites States when the Health Care Reform process was initiated by President Barack Obama, was extensively debated and passed. The extensive coverage in news papers and campaigns by power groups, self professed opinion makers was unparalleled. I noticed that, as the debate moved to the floor of House of Representatives, later to the senate, most of the “forward-looking” initial proposals were either diluted or were missing in the final draft bill gone to both the houses. Lobbying by Doctors, Hospitals, Insurance Houses and other Health Care Providers, with typical pressure tactics changed the not only the content but also the prospects of progressive such a proposal.

The Medicare measure of Obama was undoubtedly laudable. When implemented it would take care of millions of uninsured including the senior citizens. The bill was introduced as ‘‘Affordable Health Care for America Act’’ in the House of Representatives and as “Patient Protection and Affordable care Act” in Senate. It was always emphasizing “Affordability” rather than “Availability, Accessibility and Acceptability”. It aimed at providing more security and stability to those who have health insurance, insisting on insurance to those who do not, and lowering the cost of health care for US families-businesses-government. The emphasis everywhere was on “affordability, costs, insurance and business”. Despite insurance except for emergencies for the rest of health problems, even now, it becomes a herculean task to attain “Availability and Accessibility”. Hence Acceptability is missing. Health Care facility of patient’s choice which is important is absent now and even when the reform takes off after three years if Supreme Court upholds the legislation.

The most significant feature of US Health Care is that, regardless of insurance status, everyone in need of urgent medical assistance is legally guaranteed to receive it. The US Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) require hospitals and ambulance services to provide care to anyone needing emergency healthcare treatment regardless of citizenship, legal status or ability to pay. Patients needing emergency treatment can be discharged only under their own informed consent or when their condition requires transfer to a hospital better equipped to administer the treatment.

How the US Supreme Court would decide is a wide open question. It might strike down the entire law, or just few provisions. The individual insurance mandate may be agreed or rejected. The current court judgment in a way suggests any ruling against the law would only touch the part of every American buying Health Insurance.

More and more such unpleasant decisions against Obama mean that it is entirely he and he alone who is to be made responsible for planning his own failures.