War and Peace
I attended a wonderful documentary film today. It’s called War and Peace (Jang Aur Aman) and is about the tit for tat nuclear testing oneupsmanship between India and Pakistan back in 1998. The film’s focus on Hindu nationalism was too much for the Indian censors who wanted to make 21 cuts to it. Eventually, the director, Anand Patwardhan, was able to prevail in a court case and have his movie screened. War and Peace was filmed in India, the US, Japan and Pakistan and has won several awards. Patwardhan was on hand for the screening. The video is available from First Run Icarus Films.
I was intrigued by the social class issues that permeated the film. It seems that many of the lower castes and the “common people” are not very supportive of what took place and the enormous amounts that the Indian government pours into nuclear science and weapons development. The upper classes seem much more susceptible to the type of belligerent nationalism examined in the film. I got a laugh out of an Indian-American friendship society meeting with Indians wearing fedoras and what not. If I were to return to Thailand, I’d probably fall right into this particular class–Raised and educated in the West with certain personal background characteristics that can only be overcome through reeducation and dilligent self-criticism.
My interest was also piqued by one scientist shown in the film, Dr. Abdul Kalam. [Yes, he's Muslim.] He’s apparently one of the fathers of India’s nuclear arsenal and became President of India in 2002 (India’s Prime Minister is head of government). Check out his website. Also, click on the link in the left hand column that says Rashtrapati Bhavan–the enormous mansion complex that used to be the home of the British Viceroy, but that now serves as the Presidential compound.
I really like Abdul Kalam’s haircut. You know you’re the shit when you can have hair like that and be President. Perhaps I might let my mane grow out like that.
The Indian president is elected by an electoral college of about 5,000 central and state legislators.
The president is a titular head of state with few actual powers but his authority to decide which party or individual should be asked to form the central government after general elections gives his post significance.
This is especially the case when no single party has an overall majority in parliament.
Dr Kalam has no political experience and is known for his strong personal discipline. He is a strict vegetarian, teetotaller and a bachelor with a reputation for working day and night. Although a Muslim, he is well versed in Hindu scriptures, which appealed to right-wing Hindus in the former ruling coalition.
Anyway, check out this film if you find it interesting. For dates and times, click on the Events link in the director’s site linked above.