Features
Messes within; hope outside for Earth
From mess to mess we stagger on. Strikes are still on between pedagogues and farmers. They, particularly the massed principals and teachers, bunch themselves up, masked they may be but the force of their vituperation would surely send germs, viruses, even COVID-19 fat coated protein filtering out of their masks and infecting the entire area. So, we stay-at-home-obeyers of health restrictions too are in danger. To add fuel to the fire of Sri Lankan worker unrest, the news on Wednesday, November 10 was that 50,000 health workers were on a token strike for 24 hours demanding settlement of long-standing grievances. Are these demands that descend in deluges timed before the 2022 budget? Useless now as all of it must already be down in black and white, only to be released by the Minister of Finance who was hailed as the Saviour of the Nation, when he arrived in the country from the US and permitted entry to Parliament as a foreign passport holder. Let us see how he saves us and our almost moribund economy.
Pensioners to be money providers
Calls poured into pensioners’ telephones, ‘have you written to the DG Pensions saying no to the cut off?’ Bewildered were those who do not have access to WhatsApp. These backward guys and dolls were told by the smart-phone savvies that a notice was posted that Rs 600 would be deducted 
To Cass this seems the worst type of money earning: Begging or rather stealing from beggars. Pensioners get such paltry payments that they are perpetually on the brink of starvation and homelessness, unless children and relatives help them financially. She also feels that the pensioners were an easy target for money grabbing. They would not protest, could not march along streets shouting slogans. So off with a part of their pensions. In contrast, what a helluva lot foreign governments do for their elder citizens: Free transport in the UK, old age monetary benefits, homes to be cared for in, and much more.
Every pensioner and even his dog pronounce that a much more effective way of filling the now almost empty Treasury coffers is to get back what has been stolen by politicians mostly and to a lesser degree bureaucrats. Rumours floated around that this Big Wig got this amount from that deal. Not even denied, so sure they were of themselves. But the Pandora Papers have proved beyond doubt that the rich and powerful have stashed away a king’s ransom, mostly acquired through foul, rotten means. If a fraction of this hidden away money is brought back, it will not only replenish the government’s rupee kitty but also help pay dollar debts. So far two names are out; many more may be cited in the Papers.
The Yahapalana government came in beating the drum of no corruption and clean government and the threat that previous rogues will be chased, caught and punished. Nothing was done to keep this election promise, that which Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera was insistent upon. Not only did corruption continue but previous rogues were shielded, mostly on an ‘I’ll scratch your back, you scratch mine’ understanding. Maybe one such back scratcher was not making money to fill his personal coffers but he wanted power and so had to butter up likely future leaders.
Bright spot
When matters turn hopelessly hopeless as they have now, there always shyly glistens a ray of hope. On Wednesday, November 10, The Island reported: “SJB plans major campaign over dismissal of cases by AG and CIABOC: Rahuman alleges manipulation at the highest levels.” Right next to letting rogues get away with corruption including stealing state money, was the unprecedented and all-encompassing dismissal of cases of corruption. Everyone seemed helpless, including law groups and activists. When pending cases against this one and that, from Johnston Fernando to a Rajapaksa Brother, were brushed aside, even a mutt like Cass was surprised. But no comment as it’s a court of law matter.
Brighter spot in Glasgow
Sick and tired of the situation here: Some instances deplorable, some desperate, some even causing malicious delight when farmers tortured and set fire to effigies, Cass spent time watching BBC, more so its programmes on COP26.
Most striking and welcome was the Earthshot Prize awarded by the Duke of Cambridge Royal Foundation. It was inaugurated by Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, in 2020. One million pounds sterling is the prize offered to each of the five most innovative projects, devices or mechanisms that would reduce global warming and pollution in all its variety; in short, for their contributions to environmentalism. The prize is planned to run till 2030.
Many countries made it to the final fifteen, including Costa Rica – protect nature; Congo – alleviate poverty; China – clean air; India – Vidyat Mohan, dealing with toxic gases, and Vinisha Umashankar – solar power; Australia – Living sea wall; The Bahamas – Coral vita; Milan – disposal of food waste; and Bangladesh.
The most newsworthy and for me, the most popular, is 14-year-old Vinisha Umashankar, born in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, in 2007. She was introduced to the audience on the day dedicated to the Prize, by Prince William and he joined heartily in the applause she received and also helped her greet the audience. Her short address was fine, delivered with sincerity and simplicity. She said; “I will not speak about the future because I AM the future. I am not just a girl from India; I am a girl of the Earth.” She blamed world leaders for not doing enough to combat climate change which surely will devastate the earth if not controlled soon. She said we need to move together in this, meaning all countries to cooperate; to build a new world. Her innovation was a mobile iron board which she rides around, ironing people’s clothes. This is a business in large Indian cities, but normally charcoal is used to heat the smoothing iron. Vinisha substituted it with solar power, a non-polluting energy source.
Note about the Brit Royal Family’s involvement
It was Prince Philip who initiated the royal interest in nature and his son Charles took it upon himself to challenge city buildings in London and work for the protection of fauna and flora worldwide. His interest in gardening and scientific farming were even ridiculed but he persisted. And now his elder son follows in his footsteps and inaugurated the Earthshot Prize as an incentive for innovators to protect nature and the earth from the several dangers it faced. The Queen was indisposed about two weeks ago and was advised home rest. She was very keen to attend COP26 but was medically advised against it. She sent an electronic message for the opening ceremony. Her son and heir, Prince Charles, was present and made a fine address with sincerity and knew what he was talking about. Both Prince William and wife Catherine were present throughout and played major roles at the ceremony, presenting awards to the Earthshot winners. The Duchess introduced some winners and as written before, the Duke of Cambridge was almost the mentor and guide to Vinisha Umashankar, obviously showing genuine concern.
Seeing them and their active participation, Cass’ thoughts zoomed homewards. We of course do not have a royal family but there are pretenders uplifted to that level by sycophants. We even hear the expression ‘Heir to the throne’, which sobriquet we believe is cast upon Namal Rajapaksa, who is Minister of Youth as well. He has been introducing ‘things’ like sand-dune bugging and wanted to introduce exercise centres fully equipped with expensive fixtures to every town and hamlet. His latest proposal which was to be presented to the Cabinet, and would surely have been accepted by nods of sycophantic heads, was a Formula One racing track in Hambantota. You can judge who stood taller, the Brit Heir or ours, and did more for the good of the people and, most importantly, for the environment and changed from fossil fuel use to renewable resources. Cass leaves you with that to mull over until we meet again next Friday.