The 74th

Activism and engagement is highly reliant on using the power of words and empathy to get results. Used strategically, the right word or phrase can unlock results much faster than simple activism can.

In Episode 2 - a Word Power episode - I share fifteen words or phrases which can act as a hammer or a chisel, depending on how they are used, to carve a path to real results from officials.

In case you don't want to listen to the episode, here are the fifteen words or phrases anyway. Enjoy!

1. It is the law
2. It is in the rule book
3. You MUST follow the spirit of the law
4. You MUST follow the intent of the law
5. We cannot afford to lose another year
6. What about the next generation?
7. Can we afford to postpone this for the next generation to deal with?
8. This is what the public expects
9. What would you do in my place?
10. We cannot miss this opportunity
11. You are suffering as much as we are
12. Will your boss/board/voters/investors buy this?
13. Fight vs Struggle
14. This is all I have
15. Actions have consequences

Bengaluru is angry.

People are debating, sometimes fighting, over the language of business in Karnataka. Immigrants are asking for Hindi while native born residents resent Kannada's loss of primacy. It is starting to get ugly.

In this bonus episode, I add my two cents to the debate as a natural born immigrant - someone who is ethnically a Tamilian but has no connection with his home state. I also offer two solutions to the problem of language which has reared its head in India multiple times since independence like the anti-Hindi riots in TN in the 1960s.

The first solution is to create a Kannada language test for those desiring to work in Bengaluru and Karnataka much like IELTS, TOEFL, and other language proficiency tests.

The second suggestion is to evolve from being a society of norms and majoritarianism to a society strictly governed by rule of law.

Sandeep Anirudhan is a sustainability advocate, community organizer, civic activist, and the founder of consciouscommunities.in.

Over four interviews across four days, Sandeep broke down exactly what went wrong with the city of Bengaluru and why he still has hope for a better tomorrow.

If you have ever wanted to see and hear about the risk, rewards, and rigors of activism, this episode is where you should start.