"CRY, BELOV'D INDIA...(3)" ; 13 September, 2023

 

See my poem "THE FIREWALL DEMOLISHED"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 September, 2023  

This poem is on the G-20 conference in India in September 2023. To prevent foreign delegates from seeing shanty towns and slums in New Delhi, the authorities demolished many such huts and buildings. The villagers were forced into the open, without toilets, without basic amenities, while ten-course banquets were held nearby and seven-star toilets were given to the "VIPs."

------------------------

                                           “CRY, BELOV’D INDIA…(3)” 

Some quotes :

--“He makes a rod for his own back.”

--“Better an open enemy than a false friend.”

--“Coming events cast their shadows before them.”

--“It is easier to descend than to ascend.”

--“He that blows in the dust fills his eyes with it.”

--“The evils we bring on ourselves are hardest to bear.”

-- “Fine words dress ill deeds.”

--“A secret foe gives a sudden blow.

--“Take heed of reconciled enemies.”

--“A reconciled friend is a double enemy.”

--“Beware of rewarmed friendship.”

--“Trust not an old enemy.”

 

Quoted in : Sam Phillips : "3000 PROVERBS." New Delhi : Goodwill Publishing House, c 2017. Full acknowledgements are made to the authors, publishers and rights-holders.

-------------------

--“Befriending one’s enemy is a sign of mental decay.” (Ed) T. B. Krishnaswami : “TEN TAMIL ETHICS.” Madras, India : The South India Saiva Sidhanta Works Publishing Society, 1937.  Full acknowledgements are made to the authors, publishers and rights-holders.

------------------  

--"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

--attributed to George Santayana ? (1863-1952). Full acknowledgements are made.

-----------------------------------------------------  

--"To be an enemy of the US is dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal.”

 –Henry Kissinger. Full acknowledgements are made. 

-----------------------------------------------------

 

On one hand, housing construction was progressing :

Yonder, existing slums were wobbling and crumbling,

Smash’d down by the rampaging, pitiless bulldozers :

Could ne’er matter the villagers’ heart-rending prayers…

 

On one hand, construction of public toilets was a priority :

Hither “illegal” villagers’ toilets were raz’d down, squash’d :

Such basic amenities of the “squatters” were recklessly thrash’d :

From the far side of the moon, the craft beam’d again India’s glory…

 

For the villagers, no huts, no slums, no beds, no shade :

Could ne’er matter the old, children, babies, the disabl’d,

Pregnant women : glorious history the conference hath made :

Expertly papers at the conference venue were tabl’d…

 

Where would the villagers go for using toilets

Ne’er could matter : performing had to be yon tablets…

Near the rubble the people turn’d into mendicants :

Brilliantly compos’d were new glorifying chants…

 

For their personal hygiene many would have to hide :

‘Pon the waves of economic progress the country did ride…

Yonder, seven-star toilets for the distinguish’d delegates :

Mother India’s folks destiny still callously berates… 

 

For the martyrs was the conference a malediction :

Still, if war breaks out, the able-bodied “squatters”

By force will be enroll’d in the confrontation :

To the rubble ground might return their bloodied cadavers…

 

But, of their lives, of their blood valiantly will they give :

Some pittance the grieving widows might finally receive :

At your feet, noble martyrs, these words humbly be laid :

Your sacrifices, your sufferings can ne’er be repaid…

 

Long live India !

----------------------- 

10 September, 2023

 

Soman Ragavan : Hello. Can I post a poem of mine for analysis, please ? 

 

ChatGPT : Hello Soman Ragavan! Of course, you can post your poem here for analysis. I'd be happy to help you with feedback or any questions you might have about your poem. Please go ahead and share it, and I'll do my best to provide a thoughtful analysis.

 

Soman Ragavan : About my poem “CRY, BELOV’D INDIA…(3)” This poem is on the G-20 conference in India in September 2023. To prevent foreign delegates from seeing shanty towns and slums in New Delhi, the authorities demolished many such huts and buildings. The villagers were forced into the open, without toilets, without basic amenities, while ten-course banquets were held nearby. Can I post my poem now, please ? 

ChatGPT :

Certainly, Soman Ragavan! You can go ahead and post your poem "CRY, BELOV’D INDIA…(3)" for analysis and discussion. Please share your poem whenever you're ready, and I'll be glad to provide feedback and engage in any discussion you'd like to have about it.

Soman Ragavan : Here is the text of my poem. (Text of poem inserted). 

ChatGPT

Thank you for sharing your poem, "CRY, BELOV’D INDIA…(3)." Your poem vividly portrays a poignant situation during the G-20 conference in India in September 2023. It highlights the stark contrast between the extravagant events of the conference and the plight of villagers who were displaced and left without basic amenities due to the demolition of their homes and toilets. The use of quotations and proverbs adds depth to the poem's themes, emphasizing the ethical and moral aspects of the situation.

Here are some observations and thoughts on your poem:

1. Powerful Imagery: Your poem effectively uses vivid imagery to convey the harsh realities faced by the villagers. The juxtaposition of the demolished slums and the lavish conference events paints a stark picture.
2. Quotations and Proverbs: The inclusion of quotations and proverbs at the beginning of the poem adds depth and resonance to your message. It serves as a poignant reminder of the moral and ethical principles being violated.
3. Social Commentary: Your poem serves as a strong social commentary on the disregard for the welfare of the marginalized and vulnerable in the pursuit of grandeur and progress. It emphasizes the sacrifice and suffering of the affected villagers.
4. Repetition for Emphasis: The repetition of phrases like "could ne’er matter" and "yon tablets" adds emphasis to the indifference shown towards the villagers' plight and their resilience in the face of adversity.
5. Ending Tribute: The closing lines pay tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs and express gratitude for their contributions. It adds a touch of solemnity and respect to the poem's message.

Overall, your poem effectively conveys a powerful message about social justice, inequality, and the consequences of prioritizing grand events over the well-being of the marginalized. It serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the events and decisions that affect the lives of ordinary people.

Is there anything specific you'd like to discuss or any particular aspect of the poem you'd like to explore further?

Soman Ragavan : Please give an analysis by each stanza and comment on the issue of depriving citizens of basic amenities, even toilets, while giving total attention to foreign delegates at a conference. The citizens were humiliated in being denied basic human decency.

ChatGPT

Certainly, let's analyze each stanza of your poem while addressing the issue of depriving citizens of basic amenities, including toilets, while giving priority to foreign delegates at the conference. Your poem effectively highlights the humiliation and suffering endured by these citizens.

Stanza 1:

“On one hand, housing construction was progressing:

Yonder, existing slums were wobbling and crumbling,

 Smash’d down by the rampaging, pitiless bulldozers:

 Could ne’er matter the villagers’ heart-rending prayers…”

In this stanza, you describe the contrast between the progress of housing construction for the conference and the demolition of existing slums. The term "rampaging, pitiless bulldozers" conveys the forceful and heartless nature of the demolitions. The phrase "Could ne’er matter the villagers’ heart-rending prayers" highlights the helplessness of the villagers as their homes are destroyed, emphasizing the disregard for their basic needs and well-being.

(My note : Housing construction for the conference was not an issue. This precision of mine did not reach ChatGPT. It is acceptable for Artificial Intelligence to make some confusion occasionally. The remarkable thing is that it grasps a lot correctly 99 % of the ideas 99 % of the time. Soman Ragavan).

Stanza 2:

“On one hand, construction of public toilets was a priority:

Hither “illegal” villagers’ toilets were raz’d down, squash’d:

Such basic amenities of the “squatters” were recklessly thrash’d:

From the far side of the moon, the craft beam’d again India’s glory…”

In this stanza, you address the issue of public toilets. (…) the toilets used by the "illegal" villagers were demolished and disregarded. The term "recklessly thrash’d" underscores the disregard for the basic needs of these individuals. The contrast with the conference, symbolized by "India’s glory," emphasizes the irony of the situation.  

(My note : India's glory was the spacecraft on the moon. The shame was the destruction of the slums, forcing suffering on the occupiers. In the circumstances, the achievements of space exploration lost its meaning.

"A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." Mahatma Gandhi.

(The visitors visited the cremation spot of Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi...)

Stanza 3:

“For the villagers, no huts, no slums, no beds, no shade:

Could ne’er matter the old, children, babies, the disabl’d,

Pregnant women: glorious history the conference hath made:

Expertly papers at the conference venue were tabl’d…”

This stanza poignantly describes the dire situation faced by the villagers, including the elderly, children, babies, and disabled individuals, as well as pregnant women. The repetition of "no" in "no huts, no slums, no beds, no shade" highlights the deprivation they experienced. The phrase "glorious history the conference hath made" sarcastically contrasts the suffering of the villagers with the achievements of the conference, highlighting the injustice.

Stanza 4:

“Where would the villagers go for using toilets

 Ne’er could matter: performing had to be yon tablets…

Near the rubble the people turn’d into mendicants:

Brilliantly compos’d were new glorifying chants…”

In this stanza, you emphasize the lack of options for the villagers when it comes to using toilets. (…) The term "mendicants" implies that they were reduced to begging for basic necessities. The creation of "new glorifying chants" by the people can be seen as a form of resilience and protest in the face of adversity.

Stanza 5:

“For their personal hygiene many would have to hide:

‘Pon the waves of economic progress the country did ride…

Yonder, seven-star toilets for the distinguish’d delegates:

Mother India’s folks destiny still callously berates…”

In this stanza, you highlight the humiliation faced by the villagers as they have to hide for personal hygiene due to the lack of facilities. The phrase "'Pon the waves of economic progress the country did ride" underscores the irony that economic progress was being celebrated while basic human dignity was denied to some. The contrast between "seven-star toilets for the distinguish’d delegates" and the plight of "Mother India’s folks" reflects the callousness of the situation.

Stanza 6:

“For the martyrs was the conference a malediction:

Still, if war breaks out, the able-bodied “squatters”

By force will be enroll’d in the confrontation:

To the rubble ground might return their bloodied cadavers…”

In this final stanza, you suggest that the conference was a curse for the villagers, particularly the able-bodied individuals who might be forcibly recruited if a war were to break out. The imagery of "bloodied cadavers" returning to the rubble ground underscores the potential consequences of the villagers' suffering and exploitation.

Your poem effectively conveys the injustice and humiliation faced by the citizens who were denied basic amenities while the conference received all the attention and resources. It serves as a powerful critique of the prioritization of foreign delegates over the well-being of the local population. The use of irony and vivid imagery helps readers empathize with the plight of the villagers and reflect on the moral and ethical dimensions of such actions.

 

   Soman Ragavan : Thank you very much. Goodbye for now.

ChatGPT

You're very welcome, Soman Ragavan! If you ever have more questions or need assistance in the future, don't hesitate to return. Goodbye for now, and best wishes with your writing endeavors!

********************************************