Saturday 31 December 2011

Election Season in India

The elections to five Indian states have been announced and the Indian Polity at its unscrupulous best is on show as usual. This time the whole show has become all the more glamorous because of the high voltage drama the nation witnessed during deliberations on Lok Pal Bill in both the houses of parliament which showed the dubious character of all political parties of the country. It is absolutely clear that no body is interested in Lok Pal, for nobody wants to put his individual interests on the back seat for the sake of national interests.The nation expects them to be honest and sincere to the country whereas they are true to  H.L. Mencken 's most apt description of a politician “A good politician is as unthinkable as an honest burglar.” 
Everyday we hear leaders changing their parties without any feeling of guilt simply because our politicians unabashedly subscribe to the latter part of Winston Churchill's famous saying "Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others change their principles for the sake of their party." While we hardly find anyone conforming to the first part of the statement, the examples of belief in the second part have come forth in plenty during Lok Pal debate. In principle all politicians and all political parties of the country agree to fighting corruption and having a strong Lok pal, but on ground the position taken is entirely different and dirty politics and fooling around of public for vote catching histronics comes to the forefront.
I do not know if the politicians all over world are as bad as the Indian one's but the description of politicians and politics by many famous people are definitely more applicable to our political class.


“Politicians are like warts on the body of society. And the only thing worse than warts are lawyers and lobbyists.
” 
― Jarod Kintz
“In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.” 
― Napoleon Bonapart


A few classic and note worthy examples of true colours of our polity are reflected in the following:
  • Uttar Pradesh chief minister has sacked some 20 plus ministers on charges of corruption after a full term of 5 years just on the eve of fresh elections.
  • Every day news of a few politicians resigning from one party and joining another pours in, all because of personal principles ?
  • Lok Pal war - Is it for the betterment of country or danger to the very existence of Indian Polity.
In these circumstances what should be the response of a common citizen during elections? I have no direct answer to this national quizz but definitely a small beginning must be made keeping in mind time tested observations and thought processes of universal wisdom.


“Society and political class is like a stew. If you don't stir it up every once in a while then a layer of scum floats to the top.” * ( poltical class inserted in indian context by yours truly)
― Edward Abbey
Politicians and diapers should be changed frequently and both for the same reason.  ~José Maria de Eça de Queiroz, translated from Portuguese




Friday 30 December 2011

Lok Pal Bill : A Matter of Life and Death

Lok Pal Bill is a  matter of life and death for the country, its financial health, its general citizenry and  above  all India's mighty and powerful class though for different reasons. While the country and its citizens see in Lok Pal Bill, which is a definite nucleate for India's war against corruption, a big opportunity to catapult country's march to become a  prosperous and developed nation in a decade and a half  because the money unearthed  through checking and recovering corruption,  graft and  allied black money  can  make substantial difference to India's annual budget and make available tons of funds for developmental activities and   The corrupt and those who are colluding with corrupt and corruption for reasons best known to them and who incidentally happen to be in vast majority amongst those who have a chance to indulge in graft, corruption and black money have all the reason to opt for status quo. 

Tuesday 27 December 2011

Heard On The Street: On Politics and Polity

Politics is the best business in India. All that is required to be successful in politics is the capacity to fool people and kill one's honesty and  conscience and there lies the secret of success.

Do not compare politics and social service. Expecting from politicians a selfless service to the country and its citizens is perhaps asking for a little too much. After all politicians are also human beings and like all human beings  invariably fall prey to one or more of the baser instincts like lust for money, wine, woman and power.

'Give me your blood and I promise you freedom', said Netaji Subhash Chander Bose. Present day leaders of India seem to be saying, ' Give us your vote and we promise you eternal miseries' 

Being Incorruptible is a possibility for a single individual. But in a democracy running a government and making laws is a collective activity and needs a lot of compromises and many a time closing your eyes and ears.

Monday 26 December 2011

INDIAN DREAMS Vs REALITY: UPA Economic Reforms : End of an Era?

INDIAN DREAMS Vs REALITY: UPA Economic Reforms : End of an Era?: The economic reforms in India were started by Dr Manmohan Singh in 1991 when he was the finance minister of India. The same were carried f...

Friday 23 December 2011

ANNA'S CRUSADE and EXPECTATIONS from INDIAN CITIZENRY

"One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who have only interests."
Anna Hazare the main crusader for India's fight against corruption is fighting a major battle against a system and the Indian politicians who appear to be perpetuators of this corrupt system. All kind of rhetoric is being resorted to and his movement is many a times being referred to as being anti constitution, anti Parliament, anti democracy and what not. To a normal citizen it appears to be a wait and watch game and the politicians by and large are hoping that the movement will die down with the passage of time. Lok Pal institution if properly constituted with sincerity, honesty of purpose and a real concern for the nation and its poor masses can provide an embryo to the end of corruption and black money menace which is vigorously pulling down India's march towards development, inclusive growth and socio economic cum political empowerment of the Indian citizenry. But who cares? Certainly not the politicians.
The movement for an effective Lok Pal and ending corruption must go on with utmost vigour and strength and that is the most sincere appeal to the poor, deprived  brothers and sisters of India who want to live prosperously with self esteem and dignity in the near foreseeable future. The guys in power do not deserve any sympathy or cooperation for they fit into Mahatma Gandhi's thought "For me every ruler is alien who defies public opinion".
'No doubt the task is very difficult, dangerous and demanding particularly when the government is wrong 'rightly said by none other than Voltaire but it is certainly worth your while when we realise what the results can be. Every where in this world the political class is the same and the following wise quote is applicable to them all the time.
Politicians and diapers should be changed frequently and for the same reason.  ~José Maria de Eça de Queiroz, translated from Portuguese

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Heard on the Street on Indian Polity

Government is not the owner of the citizen's income and therefore, cannot hold a blank cheque on that income 
AYN RAND


INDIAN POLITY and ITS MOTTOS : 
Leave everything to the collective wisdom of 800 people in the parliament and another few thousand in the state legislatures. We have done it patiently for the last 64 long years and this is what we have got; Country being devoured by the demons of black money and corruption, a thoroughly corrupt executive and legislature specialising in bad economics,still worse politics and worst governance with the sole motto " Everything for self, party and saving the government of the day and nothing for the nation and its helpless poor millions.

Heard many times from topmost national leaders that more than 80% of subsidies, doles and freebies by the State do not reach the target group but no corrective action is ever thought of. Hidden agenda and ulterior motives whether financial or political, for self or for party do not require rocket science to understand. " We will assure you bare minimum food and doles for subsistence out of government kitty. We will not give you education, we will not do anything that will ensure more earning power in your hand to taste the fruits of prosperity. But you promise to give us power to ruin the country in lieu of our benevolent actions.

All promises made in election manifestos are universal truths and universal truths do not change with time. So learn to live only with slogans of Garibi Hatao, Roti Kapda aur Makan, (Provision of clean drinking water, Provisioning of food and shelter), Jai Kisan Jai Jawan, Improvement in medical care and sanitation etc. etc. till eternity and keep on voting us to power.

WE are the rulers and not the servants as envisaged in a democracy and constitution and we subscribe to the age old adage " It is better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven ".

Appear to be honest, sincere and well meaning to the country and its masses but act for your own financial and political gains.

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Lok Pal:The Most Contentious Issue

Lok Pal happens to be hottest issue of the day in India. Although every body from the government, politicians and intelligentsia keep on telling the nation that it cannot all alone destroy the demon of corruption, yet they spare no effort  in raising so many frivolous issues like who all will be covered in its ambit, regarding its selection procedures, its investigative and judicial powers and agencies etc. etc.. The basic idea behind Lok pal is that if ten or fifteen thousand of the most powerful and mighty of this country, with an effective check will be denied fruits of corruption and black money, they will see to it that others also do not enjoy this fruit and they will create necessary laws and mechanisms to destroy the demon of corruption.
Today CBI Director and CVC have met the prime minister of India and impressed upon him that their organisations should not be a part of Lok Pal on the premise of their autonomy, functioning and ---------. After all who will like to be associated with an office which cannot reward him for good work which is going to be against the mighty and powerful of the nation who are the only ones having powers of rewarding. One just cannot fathom out whether it is some hidden agenda or instigation by vested interests.
In all governance and administration when a particular job is referred to an expert, he wants to know whether the job is to be done or it is not to be done if he is not sure as to which side of the bread is buttered. For every  job there could be hundred ways of doing it and another hundred ways of not doing it. Our politicians with all their wisdom, experience and concern for the nation and its poor millions for once can find out those hundred ways of doing it and let the country have a sharp toothed Lok Pal.

Monday 12 December 2011

Indian Concept of Equality

Indian constitution guarantees to all its citizens equality in all respects, but in actual practice the story is quite different:
What we have is something like this
  • All men are equal but Some are more equal than others
  •   Different rules for different people
This once again came to light after the unfortunate fire break out at AMRI hospital in Kolkata. Six directors of the hospital face charges of culpable homicide and were refused bail. Officials have suggested that the hospital did not meet safety regulations. Incidentally no such action has ever been taken after major train accidents and plane crashes. No blemish has ever been put on the ministers or board members of the managements of concerned entities, an action of this kind is simply unimaginable.
For a moment we presume that we have been lax in our attitude towards such incidents and this new yardstick will be applicable to all future disasters . In this context let the government and the nuclear lobby carry on with nuclear energy security concept they have been advocating vehemently.

Sunday 11 December 2011

Now 200 units of Free Electricity to 15 Lakh Families in Punjab

Strange are the ways of Indian polity and governments. Free 200 units of electricity per month to the 15 lakh  poor households of Punjab. What a step to show the world that we really have graduated from bad governance to corrupt governance. A loss of about Rs 1000 crores annually to the government revenues legally when the industry and business is crying for power all through the year in the state.The pilferage, theft and losses are in any case no concern of government.
Do all these households have meters installed or the lump sum charges are just doled out to them and the power finds its way to other powerful consumers for free. Incidentally a four room house in Chandigarh with fans, refrigerator and television hardly manages to consume 100 units a month. Strangely the opposition parties also do not want to contest this. Perhaps because they know that the same loot in the name of poor will be there for them to enjoy in case they come to power. God Save This Country.

Saturday 10 December 2011

Free Electricity to 15 Lakh Families in Punjab

Punjab has decided to extend the benefit of 100 units/month of free electricity to 15 lakh families. Which are these families who will consume more than 3 units of electricity a day particularly when two bulbs of 50 watts consume 1 unit if they are switched on continuously for 10 hours which is quite difficult in a normal day. Surely these are not BPL families, for this level of consumption is the case with many low middle income group families.Is this a case of overdoing dole giving for political gains or most of the electricity finds an outlet somewhere else. What ever it is, it surely is a case of bad governance for ulterior motives known only to the government.

CHANDIGARH ELECTIONS:FDI in RETAIL ISSUE

The election fever in Chandigarh MC elections is picking up and strangely the candidates have got involved in FDI in RETAIL ISSUE without understanding the subject and with misrepresentation of the facts. Firstly, the organised retail sector's share will only be 7-8% of the total retail from the present level of 3-4%. Out of the  total 40 million people who are dependent on Kirana  business, about 70% are helpers and employees who will get a chance of being employed in the organised sector with all the benefits of better environment, better perks and work culture. In addition they are consumers first who will reap the benefits of goods being available to them at cheaper rates at these stores. Also the competition will force these Kirana shopkeepers to reduce their prices. So the opposition to retail by some politicians is just a vote catching slogan which puts unwarranted and false fears into the minds of India's poor masses just to benefit their financial supporters. These very people will ultimately be rewarded with all the possible favours  and the poor of the country will just be taken for a ride and left to rot till next elections.

Municipal Corporation Elections

Election time and the same old agenda from candidates from various parties. Everybody seems to concentrate on matters like cleanliness of streets, lack of good roads,unhygienic living conditions, garbage removal, neglect of parks and green belts, street lights and water shortage etc. etc.. Ever since the corporation came into being the same story is repeated before each election. These things should be addressed to in the normal day to day working of the engineering wing. Why is this department sleeping? Are these things deliberately kept alive so that our representatives do not have to think big and try to bring the city at par with the best on this globe? Or the solutions and quality of work is so poor that  the problems keep on surfacing every now and then and need funding over and over again without any permanent respite for the citizens. Let us wake up, for it is our money which is being squandered.

Corruption - Acceptance in Real Life 1

When I bought my first car, a second hand Fiat I went to the concerned authority for its registration in my name. I was shocked when the clerk told me that all the papers were in order but I will have to pay Rs 300 as bribe for getting the job done. I was shocked because I never subscribed to the idea of a bribe. I took up the matter with higher authority but to my dismay I was sent back to the same clerk. Like a true warrior I approached a Judge of High Court who was a friend of mine and was overseeing the judiciary in that very district. Instantaneously he told me that touts around these offices get the job done for a measly sum of Rs 300 or so. Why bother a man of his status for such a trivial job.When I insisted that I will not pay any money for a perfectly legal job, he instructed the Chief Judicial Magistrate to look into the matter. With this intervention I was told that the change in the name of owner of the car has been reflected in the file but the old Registration Certificate submitted by me along with the application has been lost. I had to get a fresh duplicate Registration Certificate made through a tedious procedure of registering the case of theft with the police, getting no dues certificate regarding road tax payments and once it was done it took the official just five minutes to change the ownership of the car to my name. Agony of nine long months and harassment on innumerable visits to the concerned office and various other offices which were put into this loop for not coughing up Rs 300 is perhaps a little too much for not accepting the reality of life in India.

SUKHNA LAKE CHANDIGARH : A DYING LANDMARK

Sukhna lake has been reduced to the level of a big pond over the last 55 years of my stay in the city. Its grandeur and beauty are nowhere to be seen now. In my young days the water level used to be confined to the present bed level after the monsoons and the depth of water would be around 4-5 metres. After the summers the stairs leading to the water front and those on the other side would look almost equally steep and long, for no excavation was carried out and the lake was formed by just blocking the passage of Sukhna rivulet. With all of much boasted water body management expertise and engineering skills available in the country we could neither manage the silting problem, nor keep the weeds away. Over the years only piece meal efforts have been made to address this problem while a concerted well thought out plan is required to make it into a meaningful lake. If we cannot do it wholeheartedly let us not waste our precious national wealth on half cooked measures which find favour with the present day polity and bureaucracy for serving their personal interests for short term gains. 

Chandigarh - A Symbol of Independent India


The city was created in early fifties of twentieth century as a symbol of inspiration of free India.  Over the last six decades it has grown into a city conglomerate of more than one million population thereby engulfing many good aspects of a city's growth but losing very heavily on almost all aspects associated with governance, policy making, planning and maintenance.
Chandigarh has problems associated with degradation of cleanliness and sanitation standards, water availability, road maintenance, traffic management, electric supply management, shortage of housing to name only a few. we should not be satisfied with the fact that Chandigarh is having best infrastructure and living quality index amongst the other Indian cities. Because other cities do not have even the basic environment and facilities that each citizen of the country is entitled to and are not even entitled to be called cities and towns according to the 20th century definition of a city or a town. Over the years we should have achieved some improvement rather than succumbing to the basic Indian syndrome of never maintaining what ever we create by spending scarce national wealth.