Saturday, March 15, 2008

And in some small action with 'Freedom'

(Almost in similar lines with the previous post, now this one written after some time to it)

It was a kind of shock which made me feel like, what to do? What to do? The
philosophies which I believed that there is a hope seemed to be so stopping now.
Not more than two weeks after attending a mass protest by a student political
group, felt like the picture is not clear. What these people telling is wrong
somewhere, just need to find where exactly!! What is this How can I be wrong,
how will the Indians feeding the Cow who’s milk will go to US help India to grow.
What will the monopolies do to exploit or wealth and resources? Not very clear
about what actually I am confused of. But for sure, I am confused !!!. In fact
drowned in it though I keep on trying to believe that there is something wrong with
this people, might be they are funded by capitalist monopolies to spread their
roots over here.

A flash back to a small portion of my thoughts after my first ALSS in Cochin. Beingin hot, heavy and interesting discussions ( fights ) for almost four days since then,
it was the ALSS at Cochin which opened a new door of thought to me, a world
though very familiar but not aware at all (Liberalism) now seemed something, on
which I need to learn and the issue is so urgent that I am on the same track,
moving opposite ☺. Being a part of communist thoughts in my college I had
appreciated the spirits behind it and how the revolution had happened with the
mighty thoughts of Marx and Engels. From my school days itself I used to
participate various organizations engaged in environment protection, art and
culture etc. I had gathered a very good and healthy circle of friends where I (we)
can discuss everything below the skies and sometimes above too. Two weeks
exactly after the seminar – I was in a perfect confusion-excited state.
I pulled back from some of the activities with the college students union. The
thought revolved so much that I slowly came thinking about many real life
scenarios where the roads to hell being made with good intentions. Though before
attending the seminar I have strongly advocated for individual freedom, I never
had a theoretical or say philosophical support from a market point of view to
express it. The seminar made me decide to go for further learning on the discussed
topics. The people I met there where really good to work and discuss various
issues. To be very specific its only after the seminar I came to recognize the
impact of economic decisions of nation and real life. I can say that, after the
seminar I started reading with a purpose to meet rather than my habit of flatnowhere
reading.

I read the material given in the seminar many times; I was slowly making my mind
towards libertarian philosophies. Later I attended the Advanced L S S at Delhi.
The five days of heat again ignited my thought s and I had come out of it being a
libertarian. From then I completely withdrew from the union activities though it
was very less in my college. The return trip from Delhi was excellent and was one
of the most remembered moments ever in my life. At some point of journey I
reached in discussions regarding politics and sports then fortunately!! I thought
CCS Change Makers 12
about Sachin’s Ferrari, which he bought to India without paying tax. I said, Sachin
being rich doesn’t need such a tax exception really.. some one around came up
with saying that he is not just like every one and all.. Then I said the other part of
it, the poor in India, the tax they are paying, the facilities they are getting, their
struggles, the levels of their problems, the governmental miseries and all. The talk
went through many routes. And at the end, I can say “ the happiest part of it” .one
lady, who was passively participating in the discussion said “ its good that collages
are sending students for such seminars, minimum we came to know all these
things”.

Back in my college, I was very determined to discuss and share what I had learned
so far. You may know about the levels of agitation in Kerala against liberalization
of Markets and schools. I did many discussions (organized and unorganized) in the
campus on Liberalization, privatization and globalization. I was successful in
getting many supporters for this too☺. I read the works of Ayn Rand ( now my
favourite) and some other libertarian thinkers. Conducted one session about “L – P – G” by Parth J Shah, one about “liberalization and International relations” by Cristopher Lingle in the campus.

One discussion in OISCA ( a Japan based environment organization, where I am an active member) with senior members of the OISCA Calicut chapter about the liberal views in Nature
and wildlife protection. I took one session about Liberalization of education in the
collage and also in OISCA. When CCS came to Calicut (my home town), for LSS, I
was there with the group in doing some small part of it. Joined hands in organizing
a session by Parth in Calicut IIM. Ya.. Forgot to mention – got 2nd in Liberty in Life
essay contest By CCS ☺ (ie the previous blog).

Most important of all – I started a group in my home town – Group name
“Listeners” – where listening matters . The
group basis on listening to the world, without any discrimination and accepting
what is acceptable to one ☺

The knowledge I acquired after CCS programs was immense, it gave me new doors
and windows which I did used and I changed very much. The idea of freedom had
changed the way I am thinking, the way I see the world, the way I will work and
behave in this world. I can tell u .” Not only just I have changed myself, I have
changed some others too ☺. Now I see myself as a change maker, I can see the
level of scope for me in the scene. One instance – the interest in economics and
joining for Masters in Foreign Trade had happened as I think, is because of my
exposure to libertarian ideas.

Right now , working in software firm though I am not able to part with the
activities I wish to ..I am sure that I will come back once and do my level best for
what I feel should be done.

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Liberty, a revolution in my mind.

(Price winning entry in Liberty in Life essay competition, putting here just to recapture the memories)

I am Ayoob, ALSS, Delhi participant. The Advanced Liberty and Society Seminar by C C S was a great experience to me in all the sense. I am a Keralite. From the beginning of my trip from my home railway station, throughout the seminar and afterwards I really enjoyed it. After the seminar I went to Agra and Jaipur which were of a very fine experience to me. I went round Delhi in two days. I had a good shopping in the streets of Delhi. It was really amazing for me when I got inside the Parliament Of India with one of my friend. Thus I made my trip for ALSS worth it, "in all the sense' as I said.

When I first received the mail from Mana I was not sure that I will be going to Delhi. When I put the subject before my parents they too were not willing to let me go, there were many reasons. First of all I am not used to long trip alone and they thought I am only a kid and can't bear going alone. Another fact was that I was not really able to tell them for what I am going, every one asked me "what certificate you will get after attending the seminar?" see. I cannot really make things work for me. But still there was a hope, I said my father that I am very much interested in the subject and the part I will be having in Delhi will be helpful to me in a great extend , more than that such a long trip " alone " will be of great and great experience to me. He understood my will, also he know my craze to travel and at last "GRANTED". Thank god.

What happened to me after I attended the A L S S? This is the question which can tell what I will be doing after all. After attending L S S Cochin, I had felt there is something
working with Parth, Raj and C C S. and it is actually that feeling led me to know more about. I had gone through some of the websites and read columns about liberal approach in many aspects; I have almost covered the P E R C web. After attending A L S S my thoughts and ideas almost got a strong base which made me able to talk about libertarian approach to anyone I wish and much time I succeeded in doing the same while talking to my cousins and some of my friends and proved it.

What I am going to do next? After A L S S I started reading Economic Times somewhat regularly. My way of thought to many problems around me took the shape of the libertarian ideas and I am so happy that I can prove it works. The part which is going on now is the "analysing part" of those facts you said, like the statistical reports about Indian economy, details about CAMFIRE Project etc. Many lectures in A L S S where worth by itself as they did some finishing works to my thoughts a
nd approaches to problems. But I can never say the work (thinking) is finished and definitely it is prospering may be leaping its hands towards perfection. I wish. I am really proud to tell you what happened in train back to home. I got fine companions in my cabin. There was one family, two teachers and one business man. At some part of our talks we came across Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. There I said about the tax reduction given to him on importing Ferrari and made a talk on that. Hearing Sachin ...Ferrari and all some students next to our cab also joined the discussion. I extended the talk to many other facts we discussed. I enjoyed the whole time being in the centre of the hot discussion. It was really fine to think how I talked and I don't know how, but I was able to prove that there is something burning with the present system and approach. At last one of them said "it's fine that the college people are sending you students for such seminars so that "we" were able to know about all this". We talked about the present education systems, matters regarding different social issues. Throughout the discussion I tried to point out the defects of the present system and asked them how it will be saying the libertarian approach. I think I got a majority with me saying making a law doesn't mean that the whole trouble is solved, they said that the implementation part is greatly misused. Then I asked them, do we want such a law which can be greatly misused? I WON.

Back in home I talked to my cousins and some of my friends who are interested in the topic. I found many of my friends and colleagues turning my side after I talked about all this to them but I cannot say I am having a fine success in all my debates with friends and all. The problem happens in many cases is my lack of knowledge so I will be trying to read and know more about the approach of libertarian principles in much a de
ep sense. I just cannot stop talking about what I learned though my studies on the subject will take its way as it should.

I have planned to conduct some "arranged discussions" for much selected small groups, the plan is on the way and the first one of its kind is planned on next Tuesday in my college. I think I will be able to do it well. The reason why I am doing this is for just nothing but to form a group: may be a small group of Liberals by the help of which, I wish I can spread the message, I will be able to conduct some good sessions by experts about libertarian principles of Rule of Law, Competitive markets etc. I wish and I'll try to bring C C S to my college for the purpose and also some seminars in some of the clubs where I am working. Like OISCA (Nature and environment), Pain and palliative (Health care) like that. Here in my home town Kozhekod, we have a club called "Viewers Circle". We use to screen one or two documentaries or films a week. It is not a big club but the participants (I mean viewers) are those who are really serious about the global and regional affairs. I expect in future I'll be able to bring 'Stossel documentaries to screen in Viewers Circle.

I am very much interested in theater arts, photography and videography. I wish to do some work in those for spreading the message. I have found that a small skit, done well, will work really well than a one hour lecture. I hope I will. Also I have a plan to start "Friends of Freedom" club in my city, but only after fine sessions and classes on the subject. I don't know whether I had undergone a "brainwashing" from C C S, as many of S F I (a student political party) friends in my college say, but I am sure that what I wish to do is for good. As I really feel it by my heart.

Praying to do my part in the play well and with warm wishes....

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