By message from by elections

The new hope opposition received through by election results needs to be objectively interpreted and acted upon by them.
Though there is a confusion regarding what actually public consensus regarding BJP and Congress are, as the results in by polls and assembly elections are 180 degrees divergent, few insights can be clearly concluded:

1. Not everyone has turned bhakt and People are looking for an alternative, if not to elect, atleast to hedge against.
2. Politics of competition among the shattered opposition will never allow them to pose a credible challenge to Modi, while coalition MAY play wonders. But public also understands that coalition government will only try to satisfy their partners and not the voters. So they find single party majority government better, even if they are authoritarian. So, opposition will have to portray themselves as one big unit rather than a mosaic comprising different and divergent colors.
3. Youth (those who can still exercise their freedom of thought and expression and are not Bhakts), specially those unemployed are looking for another leader, but are not able to accept Rahul Gandhi as the same, even after congress trying to hard sell him!
4. These momentary celebrations and adrenal spikes after 1-2 Victories will not create much difference to BJP nor the opposition. Only thing they can gain is experience and a message from its analysis, if done devoid of any self boasting and over confidence.

Now a days Gandhian congress is trying to copy modi’s style of speech, visible in terms of one liner, rhymes etc., and its actually ironic that they are trying to imitate whom they want to replace, despite the fact that Gandhi ji use to say “be the change you want to see in world” and not “be the one you want to change in world” 😀

‘Grey’ move against black money

​Its a dangerous trend that PM modi has set in.  Though he must be applauded for his bold steps towards reforms in governance and fight against corruption,  but with a bit of care.  

His move to de- monetise high value currency is a bold and quite needed step,  but the timing and method is questionable.  Here are few questions that still remain in my mind unanswered. 

1. Timing: This time of the year is well known for festivals, marriages and tourism. Yet,  it was chosen as appropriate time to detonate this bomb which resulted in several deaths in family which were preparing for marriage celebrations,  pushed foreign tourists into utter chaos and forget about festivities, it created dearth of sufficient food and livelihood.  Its well accepted that these are short term issues,  and because of this understanding, i fail to digest and interpret why this period of year was chosen by the intellectuals who could contemplated the problems that people might face quite fairly,  but not these big issues.  This timing makes sense if i attach political motives of BJP to this move of National good! 

Uttar Pradesh and punjab elections are around the corner.  

2. Will this really curb black money in long run? This move will certainly squash the black money, to some extent, in circulation at present moment but does not guarantee anyway that new black money hoarding will not take place in future.  Instead it will be doubly easier for new hoarding with new double denomination currency notes. 

3. BJP fundings: there were allegations regarding the huge sums of money that BJP spent in its election campaign in 2014. And most of it was funded by big corporate families. I do not and cannot buy the argument that BJP did not take ‘preventive’  measure in its favour prior to this announcement. Black money forms a major part of all political parties funding.  In present time,  its not practically possible for a party,  especially national parties like BJP and Congress to contest elections with 100% legal funding. If it is so committed against black money,  why did BJP government went against bringing Political Parties funding under RTI? Charity should have begun at home!

Targeting small hoarders will not serve the purpose. Its the big corporate houses and industries and MNCs who are involved in corruption in form of under voicing and round tripping.  Catching a few of those big names would have served the purpose far better. Bureaucrats and politicians are not going to be the sufferers,  they had avenues to generate black money and also to convert into white through NGOs,  donations and what not. Its just small hoarders who are being targeted. The concept of Common but Differentiated Responsibility should have been fully Incorporates here

There is another link to this,  media gagging. Slapping a day ban on NDTV India after 9 months of incidence and then holding the order was just a method to warn media houses about the consequences they may face in case of non compliance of its circulars and instructions,  like the one,  i suppose,  is been sent to them instructing not to oppose the move under any circumstance and downplay any other person or party doing the same. One can easily recognize this. Media which has a habbit to promote most minor criticism of government action,  seems united and singing in same tone of “temporary suffering and sacrifice for greater good” . Even in the debate shows,  the anchors are not allowing the criticisms to have enough focus. 
Was is not possible to raid a few thousand of bureaucrats in the country simultaneously in a ‘surgical strike’  or a few hundreds of politicians to achieve similar objectives??  
That danger that i talked about in the beginning was about WRAPPING VESTED INTEREST IN THE CLOTH OF NATIONAL SERVICE.  UP being the most significant state in the Union which can even clear the roadblock that Government faces in Rajya Sabha,  is the real target.

It would not be wrong to call this move as “Coloured Anti Corruption Drive” 

Real Patriotism

The heated debate on ‘disrespecting’ national flag triggered by the incidence of defiance to stand by a family in a cinema hall of Mumbai lacks understanding of terms like patriotism, values, show off, respect & disrespect.

Patriotism is often linked to joining armed forces, police, saluting national flag or standing when national anthem is played, etc. Then the question arises, are others unpatriotic? Those who are not joining any forces or any services being disrespectful towards the nation? Certainly not. These are just the symbolic actions that we have attached to a particular value of patriotism. While a value is a subjective term differing from person to person, similarly the behaviour expressing a value varies from person to person. While standing for a national anthem may be a necessary condition for one to be patriotic, for others it may be feeling of love and affection inside for the fellow citizen and the constitution more important.

Not showing off respect does not mean disrespect. A child may not say to his parents that he loves them, but that does not mean he doesn’t! Values are the basis of behaviour one displays. While the spirit of constitution is to propagate this value, we often end up propagating just the symbolic action without the values. Compelling one to stand when national anthem is played in public is just the propaganda. Truer respect would be that a person’s respect for nation is so strong that he could not resist standing, irrespective of being in public or alone, when he hears national anthem being played. That binding force is what our great leaders always tried to propagate during the national movement. If they would have attached nationalism to just saluting national flag, probably we would not be having a flag at present.

As far as laws are concerned, if examined carefully, they restrict the citizens from disrespecting and not force them to display their respect. As our PM himself says, true service to nation can be in any form, even by saving electricity. Then why do we expect each and every one around us to follow and satisfy our point of view or our definition of respect and patriotism? Making an issue of not displaying respect as that of disrespect towards country is actually a disrespect towards the independence of a citizen and the collective sovereignty of  all which constitute the pride and honour of the national flag and national anthem.

COLONIALISM II

COLONIALISM-II IN INDIA : Similarities with previous :-

1. Farmers sidelined
2. Rule of foreign company encouraged, domestic companies, production and export neglected
3. Communal disharmony by government allies
4. Scientific backwardness
5. False feeling of pride been propagated based on mythological stories
6. Orthodox education policy being adopted
7. Censorship of books
8. Top posts only for government’s well wishers
9. Fundamental Right to freedom of speech and dissent restricted
10. Visible government is controlled by a third party organisation (RSS)

Last time it resulted in partition……

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Secular Flag of India

‘Saffron’ & ‘Green’ partitioned India in 1947, but even today both have equal space on the national flag, united by ‘White’ (Peace). This is what we are proud to be.

Any attempt to ‘distort’ their spaces covered will distort the whole ‘flag’.

Hope the communal forces and their supporters will someday understand this.

For a change this time, Silence is louder than words!!

Dear Prime Minister Narendra Modi, you need to understand that you are no more a Chief Minister of a state of Union of India but The Prime Minister of India. More than exagerated words of yours, your silence speaks, dometically and internationally… Hugging international leaders would not earn you or My India respect, but hugging people of all section and religion of society will certainly do.

#Modi #india #secularism

Historic Achievement?

Celebrating Mumbai Terror “Mastermind’s” execution?? Think on some questions:

1. How are we different from those who committed the heinous crime in 1993? Main idea was to punish, or to kill?
2. This is said to be exemplary to any terrorist that in India they would be treated like this. Cant it be taken the other way round? Any person accused of terror activity, later due to introspection or guilt, decides to surrender or help the investigating agency in any possible manner, would now restrain from doing this. What exactly did we achieve?
3. If capital punishment was the only option, why did not we have enough humanity and mercy to give sufficient time to the culprit to at least be mentally prepared? Giving final decisions and judgments hours before execution and striking rays of hope one by one, is this what we call human justice?
4. Making execution of a person a national event, telecasting each and every detail, required or not, to the public and showcasing it as a moment of celebration, is this what freedom of press is for?
5. 257 were killed in blasts, killing sons, daughters, husbands of many. If that was condemnable, and punishable, then why celebrate if cant mourn his execution? He was also a father to someone, husband of someone and those some ones are citizens of India too!

What did we achieve from this? Our objective is end of terror or terrorist??

Tale of Two Modis

Last year, almost same time there was a Modi wave who revolutioniz

Lalit Triology

ed political arena of India, and again a Modi revolutionizing Indian politics in second year. Initially, last year Modi was underestimated, this time again, Modi was initially underestimated. With each rally Modi held seemed like snatching away the governance from UPA. This time again, with each revelation, Modi seems like snatching the governance but from NDA. Indian politics is turning out to be a Tale if Two Modis.

This sleeping “tiger” with a number of secrets under his paws was tickled over Sushma Swaraj and since then a series of “tweet bombs” are being dropped frequently injuring careers if not life, one by one. First Sushma Swaraj, then Vasundhara Raje, then her son Dushyant Singh and many more. When Congress started to mount over BJP he went after Congress with revelations regarding personal relations with Priyanka Gandhi and of course the son-in-law Robert Vadra. This was just a beginning. Names of senior retired judges of High Court also popped up for supporting in a UK court by signing an affidavit. Next on the list was cricket. Raina, Jadeja and Bravo were involved in bribing according to his latest tweet and moreover ICC was informed about this in 2013, which in turn informed BCCI but it did not care to respond. So indirectly BCCI is the accused. All this is happening over twitter. Twitter has become a weapon of mass destruction for him which he is using very economically. Seems like he is enjoying the show.

What should have been the response of various concerned groups?

Every political party is demanding for direct resignation of Sushma Swaraj, Vasundhara Raje. Smriti Irani’s resignation demand is like “gone with the wind“. Nobody is bothered about the authenticity of the allegations put up by Lalit Modi. As congress came up with a proof against Ms. Raje, they must come up with some concrete evidence against Sushma Swaraj to have some strong base for demanding resignation. As a Minister may lose confidence of public in case of allegation, opposition may also spoil their image further by demanding resignation based on tweets of an accused who has been escaping from law enforcement agencies for four years now.

Government has a lot to do at this time. Vasundhara Raje and Lalit Modi have business relations and now Congress have come up with unavoidable evidences against Ms. Raje alleging the misuse of power and public office to benefit her business and also Lalit Modi’s. Dholpur Palace which have always been government property until 2010, suddenly belonged to her and Lalit Modi has a major share in it. Also gift of Rs. 30crore on her birthday, large investment in Ms. Raje’s son Dushyant Singh’s business seems to be suspicious, the price of which has been paid by signing 7-page document for UK authorities to help Lalit Modi. What was most shocking was that while giving an affidavit, Ms. Raje did mention the condition that it should not be revealed to GOI. This clearly shows that she did know that the help provided was illegal and also immoral. Government has now two choices. Either they some how bring back Lalit Modi and save Modi government ASAP, else, they will have to think on demands of the opposition. Morally and also legally, Vasundhra Raje must step down, protecting the goodwill of the party and also her political career. One must not forget, if the court finds her guilty while being on constitutional post, it may declare her ineligible to hold any public office in future and hence ending the career. BJP should respect the mandate given to them by the people of India and not try to benefit their minister, just like the minister misused her power to benefit an accused.

Sushma Swaraj’s clarification should be cross checked. She says it was humanitarian and she only told the UK authorities that they must work according to their laws and it wont affect the relations of the two countries. Why are those documents not made public? Once documents come in public, everything will be crystal clear. There won’t be any allegation. Either she will come out to be a culprit or freed from all charges. Unless this happens, in order to maintain public trust she must step down. This is perhaps the best possible chance for BJP to showcase the promised ZERO TOLERANCE towards corruption. If, in future, they prove the honesty of their minister, she can resume her office any day. Politically and morally, BJP will be benefited from this little sacrifice.

Public who trusted and gave huge mandate to BJP for their promise of development and zero tolerance of corruption, seems no more sure of them. These incidences occurred right after elections. More over, PM Modi who is known for his oratory skills, is silent on the issue which is costing him his image. This is against the his nature. His silence is speaking louder and every person is interpreting this silence in his/her own way. BJP spokespersons cannot defend for long behind the walls of scams during UPA government. Corruption of others cannot validate yours. 

Frequent Attacks on Journalists & Media

Rs. 30 lakhs and 2 government jobs – this is the price of the life of an honest, brave and courageous correspondent’s life set by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. This would have been named “compensation” instead, if a fair inquiry would have taken place and even the Minister alleged in this case would have been sacked along with the police men. This did not happen. How do we set a value of life and truth? 

Media is one of the most important component of democracy. Media is an interface between the government and the people. This time its this interface which has been attacked. Though this is not the first time this has happened but unfortunately no efforts are been made to ensure its the last time. 
An honest and daring journalist was burnt alive at his own residence in Shahjahanpur, by the Police and that too on the instruction of a Minister of UP government because he wrote a post on facebook exposing the illegal mining by sand mafias in which the minister was an alleged partner. This incidence would have never been able to make it to public so much if the fellow media person and agencies would have not taken up the matter seriously. Under immense pressure, government suspended the accused policemen in a planned drama but did not remove the minister from his post on accounts that in earlier accusations ministers were not found guilty so this time he will not be sacked unless charges are proven. Do they really think public is so dumb?

The whole incidence looks extremely dramatic. A journalist burnt alive, family agitated for inquiry, accused policemen suspended, party rejected family’s demand of sacking the minister, Chief Minister invited the family and announced the “compensation”, agitation called off, forensic department’s report suggests self-infliction of the journalist. This way whole scene has been prepared to give clean chit to the accused minister and a step towards reinstating the suspended policemen. Whole incidence as been reduced to suicide, thus ending the case with the victim himself! Isn’t that filmy? Its obvious that a fair inquiry cannot be conducted with a powerful minister holding his position! Results are here.

This gave courage to other similar mafias and several other incidences of assault and murder of journalists exposing illegal activities followed. Journalists exposing them probably did not estimate the price of that piece of writeup.
What is more shocking is, these matters are suppressed by the very government who was supposed to punish the mafias and protect the whistleblowers. Evidences and witnesses are either bought or silenced forever. The relatives suffering from financial security are silenced with heavy “compensations”. On one hand, this financial help might be real support against the problems born out of the demise of earning member, but this cannot be the price of the loss and the culprits who brought this tragedy on the family cannot be and must not be forgiven.

Central government need to interfere in these cases on priority basis and the Judiciary needs to order honest unbiased inquiry by taking self cognizence of the cases. Ignorance and suppression of these cases would prove to be a cancer for the democracy. This is not the case of murder of a human but of truth and freedom of speech. Right to freedom of speech is not only for politicians to speak anything to anyone. It is for such people who are brave enough to expose anything wrong prevalent in the society.

IIM Bill Against Autonomy But In Public Interest Too

Ministry of Human Resource & Development have drafted a Bill having clauses defining various structural and functional details for IIMs. The clause in the draft differ from those of the proposal  by IIM community. Some of the key points of differences are :

1. IIM proposed status of Institute of National Importance only to all the IIMs while MHRD plans it for other esteemed management institutes as well.
2. IIM proposed complete independence in deciding the fee structure while MHRD keeps the final decisive authority with itself.
3. IIM proposed independence and power to create and appoint academic posts while MHRD wishes to have the key to the final appointments.
4. The IIMs have opposed the constitution of an coordinating umbrella body.

These differences are said to be infringing the autonomy of the IIMs by direct interference of the government in the structure and procedure of the premier management  institutes.

No doubt this is interference with the autonomy of the institute but all the interference cannot be  said to be unjust. The proposal of the IIMs that only they should be having status of Institute Of National Importance cannot be justified because if one looks at the ranking of management institutes based upon various parameters, all IIMs are not of equal quality. There are many other institutes like IIFT, MDI, etc. which occupy much higher position than the new IIMs in the list. Denying them the status of National Importance would be unjust.

Secondly, the fee charged by almost all management institutes in India lies in the bracket of 10-15lacks, which is very high for a middle class student. Management institutes including IIMs charge more than the triple than what is charged by esteem engineering institutes. This restricts a large section of middle class students from attempting their career in management. Regulation by the government is expected to lower this extremely high fee, which would help to materialize the dreams of the potential middle class students.

The quality and standard of the IIMs for which they are known worldwide  cannot be compromised at any cost. So in other words, government cannot reduce the fee or total financial input of the IIMs but it can subsidize it. Government, like in case of IITs and IIITs, can provide funds based on the requirements to meet their expenses. But what is feared is that this allocation of funds would some day or the other be politicized and hence degrade the quality of these institutes.

One clause which is completely unacceptable is that the creation of posts and appointment at those posts will be by government consent. In other words, government will decide who will be the faculty and who will manage the institute and will also indirectly determine the curriculum. There were speculations that the Modi governmet is trying to saffronise the education in India with all the key posts acquired by their appointed people. This seems to be one step forward towards that goal adding weight to the doubts. What is the requirement of this interference? IIMs have always been getting the best if the faculties and have functioned brilliantly.

MHRD has also proposed for awarding degree instead of diploma in management which have stayed questionable in certain countries. This is welcomed and also much much awaited move.

Formation of an umbrella body for establishing coordination is not a good idea as it would finally end up in confusion and allegations. This would completely end the autonomy of the institutes. The responsibility in present scenario is distributed among all the members of the same institute and they are responsible for anything good or bad happens to the institute. This gives a sense of belonging to those working for the betterment of the institute. Formation of a separate body would divide the responsibility and hence will result in confusion and interdependency in the system. The passion and willingness to work for the development of the institute by its people would be lost. Self reliance and independent attitude is what makes up IIMs.

This Bill prepared by MHRD shows a mix of intentions. On one hand, conversion of diploma to degree, regularisation of fee and status of Institute if National Importance to institutes other than IIMs also are welcomed, whereas on the other hand the interference in the personal appointment in institutions and formation of an umbrella body for coordination is direct attack on the very basic sense of autonomy of IIMs which have been the face of quality management programs in India. This Bill with some changes would be good unless it is used as a tool to interfere in every internal matter of the institute.