Honest and Efficient:The Endangered Species of Bureaucracy;

Posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The commitment of PM in protecting the Tigers, the endangered species of the Indian Jungles, is appreciable. But the issue raised today is of an other jungle called Indian Bureaucracy. Its functioning has raised alarm bells which, if not attended immediately, may result in total extinction of another species: The honest and the efficient.

After independence the steel frame of India, though continued to be based on the same British model contributed maximum in the nation building process. But with 70s and 80s the deterioration started which peaked in 90s.Now there are very clear products in the market( I am mentioning about the government bureaucracy only). These products can broadly be categorized as combination of four factors.

(1)   Honesty,

(2)   Dishonesty(here identified with corruption),

(3)   Efficiency,

(4)   Inefficiency,

Though there can’t be a watertight compartmentalization still the following combinations can be traced;

(a)   Honest and efficient,

(b)   Honest and inefficient,

(c)   Corrupt and efficient,

(d)   Corrupt and inefficient,

(Before giving details about each of them it may be made clear that there may be movements from either of the category to the other depending upon time and circumstances).

 The first breed of honest and efficient witnessed there golden days after the independence and up to 60s. With the concept of committed bureaucracy introduced with Indira Gandhi there decline started. A shock came with the mandalization of Indian polity when they had to concede more space, than the other categories, to accommodate the adjustment of a new species in bureaucracy as well as to the dictates of the new breed of political masters. But the real death blow came with liberalization when the fast changing consumerism changed the very course of life for the government servants too. This breed is getting endangered with every passing day. The efforts of these officials are seen astonishingly by the larger society. The political masters consider them a big threat because not only they(such officials) fail to be facilitators in the misdeeds of the politicians but also try to usurp the role of the politicians as then public fails to throng the premise of the politician. 

           The second breed is that of Honest but Inefficient. Honesty is a virtue which primarily is intertwined with the basic character of the man but critics say that honesty is by force also. “You don’t get opportunity to be dishonest and so you are honest.” This breed in bureaucracy is more self centered. It hardly is interested in mitigating the problems of the public. Primarily these type of officers are pessimistic in outlook as they are also helpless watchers of the loot of the booty by others to whom they can’t do anything except criticize. With the democratization of Indian society which is manifested in domination of primarily money hungry, inefficient and low quality(primarily without any knowledge or with superficial knowledge) politicians at every level of bureaucracy, such officials prefer to withdraw from the mainstream, remain indoors and keep on cursing the system and the society. This breed is low in demand these days.

Against this breed for whom the world view is pessimistic there is another breed which is not only corrupt but efficient. This type of officers not only do hard work but also make fast money. Their concern for public and their duty has a cost which the organization and the society has to bear. They are dear to the political bosses and their own bosses as not only they listen to them but also help them in becoming rich and fulfilling other worldly needs. The relationship with all interested parties is fantastic. The only left outs are society and the organization. But neither the collectivity of the society not the invisibility of the organization can tell them about the loss incurred due to these deviants. At times the bubble bursts. But that is one in lakhs. May be a novice like poor  Gautam Goswami. He earns the fury of the other peer group who then ostracize such persons for a while just to give vent to people’s ire but with passage of time the problem is tackled. This breed is fattening by leaps and bounds. Whether it is the growing consumerism or excessive liquidity without a proper regulated system of checks and balance a cause for their growth or sectoral imbalance created in society where some sections are rising fast, this breed is the most sought after as now it enjoys the social sanction also.

Last is the breed of those officials who are both inefficient and corrupt. They are a liability on the system. Lack of knowledge is coupled with corruption. They take money, don’t take any decision and pass the buck. Many a times such breed gets the support because of caste or religious or regional affiliations with the decision makers. However a new specialty is seen in this breed and that is of talking and posturing in a copy book style. The expression impresses others deeply. The excuses are the mandatory theme of deliberations with such persons. However it is said with such a finesse that one is compelled to say” see he spoke so nicely and gave respect that even when the work was not done I am happy”. A substantial proportion in bureaucracy, these days falls, in this category.

Of the four the first i.e. the honest and the efficient are living in the most pathetic condition.  They are sidelined as they fit in the schemes of nobody except the invisible organization and dumb society. Not only they are dumped by the organization but at personal level they are short of finances to meet their expenses. They are  also despised by the efficient but corrupt category. On the whole is the danger of enquiries against them which in today’s India anybody can get instituted against anybody. Even anonymous complaints are taken very seriously against such officers as they suit neither to their bosses nor the political masters nor the corporate world. These officers are in the worst state as unlike the third category( corrupt and efficient), they have neither the money nor the attitude to give as a part of the settlement of the issues. Their claim of an efficient and honest person is also widely disbelieved due to prevalent cynicism. Even if believed, nobody of worth comes out for help as they fail the test of usefulness for the helper.

Mr. Prime Minister, protect this breed also like you are protecting the tigers. Don’t let them disappear. Create conditions where they are considered the most respected in the society. If country fails to protect them country will be doomed to exploitation.

(If you like the article then may e-mail it to two more persons, if your conscience allows you to do so- Thanks)

Pass The Buck and The Buck Stops At You;

Posted on Monday, June 27, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Retired Justice Hegde was giving  a TV interview. The learned Justice while deliberating on the relationship between Legislature/Executive Vs Judiciary, blamed the former as shifting the issues on Judiciary where it doesn’t want to take a stand. Of the most prominent examples he cited was the Ayodhya issue.

The justice was right in totality. Of the recent issues if you see the trend, the Ayodhya issue, the Kaveri dispute, the political issues like Bihar and Goa etc.( the list is indicative and exhaustive) all confirm to what the learned Justice said. The instances at middle and lower level of governance is growing and fattening. The underlying idea at every level is:“ see what can I do, the court said so and therefore I am doing(or not doing) a particular thing”. Both legislature and executive are failing in their duty and looking upon Judiciary as saviour. The pillars of democracy are limping.

The causes, behind this trend, are very many:

The majority of political masters of the day are incompetent and inefficient. Their world view is narrowed and limited to their personal interest. Pragmatism is being used to the hilt. They themselves are not motivated to take on the problems and solve them. The lack of knowledge and understanding of how to run complex society and its institutions but at the same time the urge to maintain their popularity amongst the limited support bases like of caste/religion is driving them to create disputes in the various sectors of the society. With neither the capacity nor the necessity to resolve them the best  is to get the dispute shifted to the judiciary. The reservation to muslims in Andhra Pradesh is a case is point. The dispute may ultimately go to the court.

The sincere politicians are becoming a rare commodity in the political market. And why not? Neither they are allowed to work nor are they encouraged. Manmohan Singh is their because of the inner strength, integrity and the urge to give the best to the country. But without support, these qualities have their limits. Resultant is that the rare breed of politicians are overpowered by the gang who love to let the society live in anarchy of disputes.

The bureaucracy of the country, from top to bottom, primarily loves that the issues must be created, should not be resolved at their level and it is better is they are thrown to the court. The latest trend in bureaucracy is that an officer gets the heavenly bliss when he comes to know about the matter before him is taken to the court and gleefully he would say ”sorry, I could have helped you if the matter were not in the court”. The corruption too is  a contributory in this. At times money is paid just to delay the decision and to facilitate in taking it to the court. Many a times for escaping from the dictates of the political bosses the matter is allowed to go to the court.

It is not that the officers who love resolving the disputes don’t exist but they are the rare species these days. Always discouraged and sidelined. They are becoming the untouchables of society.

The consequences, of this pattern, are dangerous for the Judiciary itself. Judiciary is getting overburdened. The superficial issues are diverting the attention of the judiciary from the serious ones. People are failing to get justice in time. On rise are the complaints of corruption and inefficiency. The standards of judgments are stooping low. One small case becomes the issue of life for a man in the street and life looses its meaning for him in other senses. There are chances that there may be conflict between judiciary and legislature/executive itself. The recent incidence between speaker of LokSabha and the supreme Court is case in point.

The fed up judiciary has started feeling the heat. There are growing number of cases where judges are seen annoyed in the courts. The annoyance is caused by the failing executive. The latest trend is that in most cases the petitions are being decided by sending the petitioner back to the office from where it originated with the direction that it should be reconsidered in light of the rules and regulations. And so the buck again comes back to where it originated from. Only the public  suffers in the whole tamasha.  

Mr. Mahajan: Mother RSS May Understand These Realities:

Posted on Friday, June 24, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Pramod Mahajan, one of the most vocal voice in BJP, in a TV interview recently, reflected on the recent controversy of RSS and BJP. He drew the analogy between the social organization RSS and the political party BJP as one between mother and son. For him the relationship between mother and son can never be severed and mother could have admonished the son in private if there were any issues.

In the forthcoming paras an attempt is made to discuss the analogy of mother and son in the given context.

The concept and role of mother has broadly two connotations (A) Biological mother who reproduces (B)mother responsible to up bring the child in the society in such a way so that he can survive with dignity,

Regarding the first, the relationship of RSS with BJP can’t be denied and so the issue is not debatable. The only point debatable is the nature of relationship with respect to second.

Once the child is born, the primary role of mother is to nurture the child both physically and mentally so that he can grow as a healthy man.

 The role of RSS from the point of view of physical nourishment to BJP if judged is far from satisfactory. The ideological ground of identifying the Hindu religion with Indian nationalism is rejected by the majority of Indians. The demolition of Babri mosque could not ensure victory in the four assembly elections held after the incident. The concept of swadeshi has no more takers in the fast changing and greatly integrated world where the idea of trading with other countries and having a positive balance is more dominating. The political proponents of this philosophy have faired badly both in comprehension and implementation whether it is Kalyan Singh, RamPrakash Gupta, Babu Lal Gaur,Uma Bharti, Arjun Munda. Modi attempted to tread on the road to economic progress but his failure to understand the Indian social reality  is the biggest road block to realization of his vision, if his vision is the ultimate economic emancipation of all sections of society.

RSS has also failed to grasp the socio-economic realities both within the country and abroad, the need to modernize the country in all respects(of course within the parameter of Indian spirit and ethos),how to allow minimum hurdles in the process of transformation (the hurdle may be created also by raising the social issues of no or little relevance) and raising some issues beyond proportion so that they create reaction in the society which in turn hampers the  process itself.

So the mother herself has to learn the social realities and the course to progress or else she can’t bring up the child properly. Here it seems that the mother is failing.

Mother has to realize that if she can’t keep pace with the changing realities then the child finds it difficult to adjust with the mother which after marriage often results in separation. The same may be seen coming true with the RSS and BJP relationship. If the mother, here RSS, is thinking that she won’t allow the child(BJP) to change then it may be suicidal for the child as the child will neither be acceptable by the  peer group nor by the larger society. On the other hand the child will fail to survive in the larger world. So mother should set the child free when the child is grown up. Mother should only preach the child about the broad moral values for treading in the path of life.

Mother can’t be dogmatic. She has to be progressive in thought and expression. This is required both ideally and per force. Mother should teach Babu Lal Gaur that singing of Vande Martram shall be helpful only when it is required. This is not the right time to sing the national song on daily basis. Country is not facing a national crisis where her existence is in question and so singing the national song on daily basis is required to consolidate the society. Madhya Pradesh requires freedom from corruption, inefficiency and delivery in all sectors of life and so only those tunes should be made mandatory. Mother should teach Arjun Munda that changing to bigger and flashy cars may have gone in fulfilling the dreams of few individuals but it can’t fulfill the dreams of millions. And these instances are only indicative and not exhaustive.

Mother allows her progenies to become mother and father and if need be allows setting up their independent home. If the mother thinks that the child will always remain a child then she is wrong as this is against the biological and social demands of the child. So here the mother should also allow the child(BJP) to change her status  and mature.

 Mother retires and resigns herself to the caring hands of her child. When mother grows old she herself becomes a child for the progenies whose duty is to take care of his mother. And she does it without protest unless the care is proper.

Mother is not immortal. Ultimately she looses her existence in the panch tatva. Here also the mother may realize the facts and limitations of  life and play a dignified and naturally/socially accepted role. Mr. Mahajan may now understand the consequences of his analogy between RSS and BJP to mother and son in a deeper sense.

Don’t Make Road and Rail Untouchable:

Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The Indian sky is experiencing jams these days with buzz of more air traffic. And why not, when the cause is not unfounded. Unlike the Government of India(not only the present but in the past the same was the experience) which is moving with snails pace, as may be such delays are necessary when rumour is that the government has to consult FBI, MI15,CBI and what not just to ensure that there is no scope for corruption in any such deals, the Pvt. Companies attended the Paris Air show and coolly gave the orders worth $ 12bn without creating any suspicion even if there have been any cuts/commissions involved. The focus of Indian debate has changed now  days. The discussion is the more on the modernization of Bombay and Delhi airports, putting the other infrastructures like parking place, runways, air traffic control system,  shortage of pilots, engineers and other supporting staff etc. and of course the capital to be arranged for them. The pressure generated is so much that the EGOM also cleared the way for modernization of the two air ports without addressing of encroachment in Bombay airport. If the government of Maharastra failed in clearing the illegal occupation made between 1995 and 2000 even after promise then can one hope that the private developer shall get it cleared without major problems for either sides?

 Any way, one good indication, in this whole episode, is that even though the discussion on countries civil aviation sector is driven by pvt. forces still the hope is that the sector will get attention of all concerned which it is entitled to. The beneficiary of such changes shall ultimately be the public. 

But the issue of discussion here is that civil aviation is not the only mode of transportation. Transportation infrastructure includes road, railways, ports and inland waterways. The issues is: Are these sectors which are the mainstay of both passengers and freight movement(except the inland waterways which has a minimal role) are getting proper focus? If not then why? And what shall be the short term and long term consequences on the economy?

The importance of road as a lifeline of country’s economy and society was realized, in the days of liberalization, for the first time in the government of Vajpei when the ambitious plan to have a network of roads connecting far flung areas of the country through the twin projects of   Golden Quadrilateral and North-South & East-West corridors were declared. Initially the project was intended to be completed by 2003 and 2007 respectively but now then the date of completion is getting extended fast. Nothing is being heard of the projects these days. Though the PM recently declared the commitment of the Govt. while inaugurating the Jiapur-Kishangarh highway but roads are loosing space in national discussion and commitment. The worst is the fate of the PM Gramin Sadak Yojana. The minister concerned shows his face only when a package is complete and he has to inaugurate. Nothing is heard about the bottlenecks, the finances to be arranged, the role of contractors, the delays in project completion, the environmental, legal and rehabilitation problems involved. The Govt. seems to have been failing as motivator or facilitator. It seems that the present govt. is  not willing to push through as it may result in giving credit to the NDA govt. If that is the case then the thinking is dangerous. Such projects are not of one Govt. or the other, they are of the whole nation.

Railways is another pathetic story. The subsequent Railway ministers have only ensured that new expansion schemes are declared in the budget even if there are no budgets for their implementation. Irony is that many of the railway ministers are not only shortsighted in their approach but they also cover up their ignorance, inefficiency and vested interest in the name of political compulsions. Who in the country will not like to have  a safe, comfortable and affordable rail journey? Everybody. It is another irony that only the leaders of Bihar have claimed their birth right on the seat of Rail Mantri. But the claim is not guided by the making rail a safe and better journey even in Bihar?  In fact it is being found that not only the fate of Bihar but of the whole country is held hostage by the Rail mantries from Bihar. Their claim to the post is guided by the interest of the rail and coal mafias in Bihar. And the PMs have to bow down to such wishes.

When China has chalked out a 15 years plan to lay 84,000 kms of rail line with the investment of $280 bn and inviting the FDI/FII in the rail sector including the pvt. investment in the profit making activities, the Indian Rail is busy introducing/defending Kullhar in trains in the name of change. The issues of  modernization, safety, expansion, gauge conversion, quality service, state of railway stations, renovation of old  bridges, modern signal system, freight movement and separate corridors for it,  how to protect the interest of railways from the road and air have gone into oblivion. All that we see in the newspapers is an Ad which shows Lalluji saying that wagons are available in abundance. In fact over the period by laughing on  jokers we ourselves as a country may end up becoming a joke. And the cause will be Government, media and the public. 

The consequence of these neglects are serious both for economy and society. The supply chains are getting affected because of the delays. Indian export goods are reaching the destinations when the demand of there is finished at times. Freight movement is seriously getting affected which is jeopardizing the production and productivity. Indian passengers are  getting the worst both in terms of quality and cost. Potholes, congestions and barriers of different types on the roads are enhancing the fuel bill enormously.

 The time has come to take the road and railways seriously. PM must change the portfolios of both visible Lallu and invisible Balu. The country needs persons like Pranab, Chidambram, Maran or Iyer( Iyer will have to see that the source of  all the progress are not traced to his mother). Make road and rail a national priority, don’t shy away from owning a project started by the previous government as there should be a continuity in the development policies/projects, make the projects attractive for FDI/FIIs as the low rate of return in Japan, low interest rate in US is going to make Indian market including the infrastructure sector more lucrative for FIIs/FDIs which may assure a growth of about 10-15% on their investment, Change the leadership from Lallu and Balu to the progressive and energetic ones, start a national debate which may range on issues from conception to implementation to financing to the way end user gets a qualitative and affordable benefits, make states appreciate the importance of a  quality  transport infrastructure available for all sections of the society and make them prioritize accordingly and finally make both rail and road along with air the true fulcrum of India’s social and economic development.

(If you like the article then may e-mail it to two more persons, if your conscience allows you to do so- Thanks)

Revival Of Congress in UP: Urgent Need

Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Allahabad: Nehru’s home town. A great role congress played in the freedom struggle and so did Nehru from here. Allahabad, a place not more than 150 Kms far from Raibarielly or Amethi: the home town of Rajeev, Sonia and Rahul.

And the news is that Congress got only 660 votes in the assembly by pole from Allahabad North.  Even an independent candidate could have got more even if he were sitting at his home without any campaigning. Similar was the fate of congress candidate in Varanasi: a bastion of Congress during KamalaPati’s time.

Congress which ruled the country for the maximum period since independence is becoming irrelevant not only in UP but in Bihar also. And this irrelevance is not a temporal or one time phenomenon but is becoming a permanent feature. A local  version of old congress is coming in the shape of BSP if the recent attempt of BSP to woo the Brahmins of UP is any indication. Though it is another matter that BSP has neither the glorious history of congress, nor the philosophy of social cohesiveness, nor a track record of positive development in the state, nor a progressive vision nor the enlightened leadership.

However, congress of present has lost on all the fronts in UP. Its leadership is weak and more like the set of armchair theorists rather than the ones with Samajwadi party and BSP who are closely knitted to the grassroots. Except Sonia no leader is worth calling leader in UP who could have established himself as one on whom people could have faith in. Secondly, the organization of Congress in UP is in tatters. The old leftovers insert the fake names in the membership drive just to have their monopoly intact. The party has lost touch with the masses or else more than 660 may have been the members of congress in Allahabad North. Congress must immediately sack all these leaders and infuse new blood. After all a new Allahabad University leader would have got far more votes than what the present leadership could manage.

Not only the party has lost the social base as the harijans, muslims and brahmins have left the party but after the demise of BJP in UP  congress has lost the hope of galvanizing the people on its anti communal agenda. The two dominant players in UP’s political canvas i.e. SP and BSP profess to be secular and so congress will have to devise the strategy to snatch the political space from these two rather than keep wasting the energy on BJP.

Considering SP and BSP as the political rivals the first change which is required is change of leadership. The present leaders however good in theoretical discussions have been rejected by the people. Any change from amongst the group will not help the party in crossing the threshold which has to be more attractive than the charisma of Mulayam Singh and Mayawati. Hence the solution of leadership has to be found out of box. The only possibility is Rahul Gandhi. His youthfulness, progressive ideas, businesslike approach and an urge to have the touch with the masses may bring about the change in the mindset of the people who are already fed up with social and economic philosophy of both BSP and SP. The voters of UP have still the image of Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi in mind which can be revived quickly if Rahul goes close to them. The next question may be the timing. I would say that this is the right time. If not now then never. The Brahmins should not be allowed to shift to BSP. The new philosophy of BSP has  and will be creating a great confusion in the minds of Dalits who would regret the loss of BSP’s exclusiveness for dalits. This may be exploited to hilt. If we talk of BJP then it too is having an ideological crisis which threatens its existence itself. Mulayam is failing to deliver either on social cohesiveness or law an order or development. Cities like Meerut are getting less than 8 hours of power.

With Rahul both upper castes as well as the Muslims and Harijans will get attached to the party again if he himself takes the command.

Congress will have to ensure that the organizational set up is more reflective of true representatives of the masses. After all what is the utility of leaders like Jagdambika pals,Promod Tiwaris and the likes who can’t ensure the deposit of the congress party. They all needs to be sacked. A fresh look to the party shall be better than the majority of present leadership who are no more than middlemen. Youth of all caste and communities should be involved who can take on the might of both BSP and SP. Congress should start membership at village level and it must be ensured that fresh members are made at every level. The foundation has to be addressed and not the façade.

And last  but most important is the issue of political ideology. On the social front with the BJP in flames/contradictions, both SP and BSP playing divisive politics based on caste groups the only ideology with congress has to stick to is to its own conviction of congress since its inception : the philosophy of taking everybody along, extending the helping hands to the poor and downtrodden so that they can stand on their feet, maintaining the social harmony and ensuring the progress of minorities too without resorting to reservation on communal basis.

On the economic front all round reforms have to be carried without delay so that the poor and those in live in the rural areas also taste the fruits of progress within 3 years. (The last year will be the year of examination). As I said yesterday in a article that the reforms will be successful only when the farmers of Telengana shall become the share holders in the progress of Banglore. People in UP (for that matter in every part of the country) want continuous supply of power, safe drinking water, road, modern but affordable health facilities, modern education even for the poorest, responsive and transparent  administration, faster delivery. Though Congress is not in power in UP but if it can bring about changes in the country, the impact will be felt in UP also. Congress must change its leader in UP(leaders as well),strengthen organization, reaffirm the accepted political ideology and resort to time bound and faster all round reforms in the country which can induce the people of UP to tread on the path of progress rather than regress. 

UPA Government Will Fail: Thanks To Left

Posted on Monday, June 20, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

After the initial frowning at the government on 10% disinvestments in BHEL it seems that Left has accepted it as fait accompli. Its warning to the Government on BHEL disinvestments as the first grave violation of CMP which may bear serious consequence, may get expressed in the form of a token nation wide protests by the left unions. Thus the left will play two roles simultaneously as it has been doing so, (a) role of a partner in sharing the power albeit  without formally being the part of the government (b)role of the opposition on the issue which is mandated for the sake of its survival,

If Marx were alive, he would have definitely  became a lunatic had he been asked to resolve this dichotomy of playing the role of both governance as well as opposition in a democratic set up.

No political philosophy is based on opportunism except the philosophy of opportunism itself. If functioning of democracy is totally dependent on a strong government then it is equally dependent on a strong though constructive opposition. Thus there can be only two regimes in a democracy (a) the ruling party or alliance (b) opposition. To conceive, even theoretically, of a situation where a party plays both the roles of the ruling party as well as opposition is just anti democratic and more close to totalitarian regime. And why not, left philosophy has been more akin to totalitarianism than democracy? After all it traces its root from philosophies which are totalitarian.

On the practical front people are confused. On any issue of public importance the general public fails to gauge the mood of left. It doesn’t know what shall be the nature and extent of opposition by the left. At times doubt arises that may be opposition by left may be a precursor to a  quid pro quo for the 60 member alliance in the parliament which may range from anything to anything. Thus the impression which goes is that the opposition is more out of expediency rather than any conviction is the democratic principles. In a way it is playing with democracy more so when the opposition is not able to play the role of constructive and dynamic opposition.

Lets consider the issue of economic reform. The reform introduced by Narsimha Rao and taken forward by AB Vajpei is a must for the government of Manmohan Singh. All said and done Vajpei had drawn the broad contours of reform very well. There may have been aberrations here and there because of the human factor. The basic problem was that the reform could not be taken to the rural  and the far flung areas of the country. The farmers of Telengana could not become the shareholders in the wealth and progress of the people of Banglore. All reforms shall fail if the poorest of the poor fails to get the fruits of it. However social reform is not akin to stock market which shoots up or down instantly but it takes years and decades (depending upon the geography, population and level of inertia for change). In India it may take decades for all round changes.

Manmohan Singh possibly knows this as he was the one who introduced reforms in India in 1991 under the leadership of Narsimha Rao. It may be clear to the present government that if the reforms in all sector are not carried through in a time bound manner, UPA too may be rejected by the voters. The task is difficult. All sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, finance, banking and insurance, labour including the social sectors like health and education will have to be reformed in a time bound way. The time is at most 3 years. The last year may be left to the public to think about and enjoy  the benefits of it so that they may encourage the government by voting it back to power. The standard of judging will be the opinion of population living in the rural areas and the poorest.

The objective of reform should not be questionable. The issue is not whether to reform or not but how to reform and by when to reform. The left must see China which is surging ahead in all the areas so much so the workers and peasants(the mainstay of the communist philosophy) are getting left out in the path of progress. India can’t leave its workers and peasants. Left may also think of how the present regime in West Bengal is attempting reforms albeit with the feeling of shyness. After all what has left distributed to the people of West Bengal: poverty and not wealth. The roads of Calcutta has no less number of potholes than in early seventies. Only a scattered development of areas like Salt Lake etc is no development.

Left is doing a great injustice to the country by halting reforms. The Government of the day has a huge task but limited time. The opposition(NDA) is not opposed to reform. Only 60 MPs should not hold the country to ransom. The present stance of left is no less dangerous than the right wing extremists. The only difference is that once is hijacking country's social agenda the other is hijacking country's economic agenda. Both are suicidal for the country.

Reliance Episode:Government Must Behave Responsibly:

Posted on Saturday, June 18, 2005 at - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The biggest contribution of Kokila Ben to the Country and the countrymen is her press release today announcing that a settlement has been reached between her two sons. The initial statements say that the Reliance empire will get distributed in away that RIL and IPCL will go to Mukesh and Energy, Capital and INFOCOMM shall go to the younger Anil.

The 3 million investors have been relieved and so is the capital market as well as those players who have direct and indirect interest/ stakes in the Reliance empire.

The Ministers of the Government namely the FM Mr. Chidambaram and the MOS Company Affairs Mr. Gupta were also seen on TV gleefully commenting on the issue giving an impression that one of the biggest concerns of the Government has been resolved amicably. FM was so happy that he even went to the extent of declaring that all the complaints of corporate governance against the RIL in Reliance INFOCOMM also stand filed. After all why not when the ministers are so much interested in ensuring that the interest of the small investors is kept intact which this settlement seems to have achieved.

The issue arises: Were the ministers right in going so far in showing the allegiance of the government towards the personal problem between the two brothers in distribution of the booty? Of course the ministers may say that it was not an issue between the two brothers only but primarily was the issue related to the small investors and the health of the industry itself. But the ministers may be reminded that the way the issue erupted, was carried forward and ended with the letter of Kokila Ben which distributed the responsibility between the two brothers without even going to the board first clearly indicates that the affair was personal one. Was the FM endorsing the family affair? Where has his concern for the common investors gone when he declared, on the basis of TV reports and without knowing the details as the details are still to be worked out in a long drawn exercise, that there would be no enquiry in the complaints?  Though the role of Reliance in manipulating the Government of the day is not unknown to the Indian Public but it got manifested publicly today.

Does the Minister mean that the issue of call back duty is settled and no action will be taken against the reliance for cheating the government? Does it mean that Reliance will not be criminally prosecuted for the felonies committed in the case? Does it mean that the cases of market irregularities are no more in existence? Does it mean that the issue of corporate governance raised by no less than the MPs and the VP and MD of RIL Anil Ambani will go in  a dust bin?

FM has clearly indicated in affirmative. A view  may be on the back of his mind that the settlement once reached, Anil may withdraw the complaints. But this perception is dangerous. Even if Anil withdraws, the Government should look into the merit of the case and take suitable action if there is substance in the complaints. Reliance is not a fiefdom of a family. The majority shares is of small investors or institutions. The ethics of governance says that the merit of the complaint is more important than the issue of withdrawal of the complaint. How can the Government abnegate its responsibility from that if the irregularities have been done in the functioning of the companies? However it seems that now even if FM retracts from his statement his motive is crystal clear. No action will be taken against the violators as the expediency says that distribution of the company/companies is more important for GOI than the ethics/rules/regulation etc. In fact the Indian system is getting immune to such handlings of public issues by the people in power.

The finance minister may be reminded that in the whole episode the Ambanis are not the only stake holders. The small investors and other institutions are also the interest groups. May be the issue raised, if wrapped up under the carpet, goes against the interest of both the small investors and other stakes holders in medium and long term. The way the statements are being given by the ministers also gives  a signal to SEBI and the ROC not to proceed ahead as they has publicly promised few days back.

Country can’t be taken for granted. The instrumentalities of the state can’t be made a medium to help the few garner more riches at the cost of national interest. There has to be also a level playing field for other industrial and business houses too. The impression going is reverse and depressing for others. It seems that the whole set of political establishment whether in power or in opposition are ready to oblige the family. It will be interesting to watch how far left goes in raising the issue? Democracy is great when it provides opportunities to many to take a stand on any issue. So there is always a possibility that some body( may be court) will come up and try to make the government see reason and stick to the ethics of governance which should be based on the principle of fairness and transparency: Last but not the least, the people of the country have high hopes from Manmohan Singh if not with the FM or the likes who are not only unjust but are also appearing to be unfair, unjust and lacking transparency in the governance of the country. 

Is Indian Government Faltering on Kashmir?

Posted on Friday, June 17, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

 The former PM A B Vajpeyi has criticized the stand of the government on Kashmir esp. the handling of the Hurriyat leaders’ visit to Pakistan. He has raised the issues of relevance so far the developments in Kashmir issue is concerned. After all Mr. Vajpeyi is the genitor of the present dialogue process.

Looking to the fact that the 9 member Hurriyat team has come back and has started issuing statements, following are my observations on the issue:

1. During the whole visit MEA was less visible then the congress spokesman Anand Sharma which indicates that the official version of the Government comes from the party rather than the MEA. Navneet Sarna one day appeared on TV  before the visit just to explain that the Hurriyat leaders would not be allowed to go to Islamabad as that would be breach of understanding between the two countries  on the issue of Srinagar- Mujaffarabad bus. But the poor man was never seen again. It seems that PM, like reforming the bureaucratic setup, has also decided to make sweeping reforms both in the structure and the function of the government and the ruling party.  In a democratic set up where a clear distinction is made between the ruling party and the government, there seems to be a overlapping of roles and swapping this time. This is apparent the way the foreign minister is more interested in projecting the party in power(like the communists) then the affairs of the MEA( His role is being played these days by the Petroleum minister).

2.  Gen. Mussarraf’s main emphasis these days is to project Kashmir as disputed territory. If Indian Govt. never wished Kashmir be declared as disputed territory then the way this visit has been handled shows that Kashmir is a disputed territory. A setback to the great thinkers in the MEA who seem to be more interested in writing books on issues/topics other than related to foreign relations.  Much water has flown and India can’t abnegate the realities. Kashmir is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan but the content of dispute is: which part of Kashmir should go to India and which should go to Pakistan? India has only two options (a) the whole of Kashmir(POK) becomes an integral part of India or(b) considering the historical realities, the facts on ground, the fact that India has bled too much for Kashmir, physically and financially, a quid pro quo may be attained by accepting LOC as international border for peace with Pakistan. Any other changes with respect to structure and function within J&K then is a separate and internal matter.

3. If India has traditionally maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan then this visit is a historical setback to Indian diplomacy. The way Hurriyat leaders are shouting that this visit is a beginning in the direction of a trilateral/triangular talks and if it becomes a reality ,as Hurriyat says, it will talk to the Indian Govt. and then again with the Pakistan Govt. so on so forth which of course will be a formal stamping of a  dialogue process where there will be three parties in the dispute resolution, the danger looms ahead where in case of the failure of talks at any point, the third party will have been created/recognized automatically.

4. If Indian govt. maintained a stand that Hurriyat is not the only representative of Kashmiri people then this visit is a setback to the Indian diplomacy. The whole event projects Hurriyat as the sole representaive of Kasmiri public. Gen. Mussarraf who in India gave the statement that there are other parties in the dispute apart from Hurriyat, changed the tone this time and said clearly and loudly that Hurriyat is the true representative. For Pakistan the choice is now limited between Hurriyat and the hardliners like Geelani or the terrorists like Hizb. If India false in the trap, then where do the elected representatives including the PDP and NC stand. Even if success is projected in allowing Hurriyat participate in fresh elections the psychological impact on the minds of the Kashmiri public will be that the Hurriyat are the only representative and under the condition they may have a better chance of winning the election. In a democratic polity the state should not come in the way of real public opinion but at the same time the state should not put the true representatives(nationalists) at a receiving end and get them demoralized. Expediency of few enthusiasts without taking into account the subtleties, in solving the Kashmir issue, is fraught with dangers. The govt. must take the country and the elected representatives and the mainstream political parties of J&K into confidence about the present scenario.

5.   The govt. must also explain the stand on Mussarraf’s statement that a solution has to be found other then India’s stand that borders can’t be redrawn and Pakistan’s stand that LOC can’t be accepted as international border, as it creates confusion in many ways. It shows that India has formally proposed to Pakistan that LOC may be accepted as international border. There is nothing wrong in this but what Musharraf says as parameters within which a solution may be found if seen in the light of his past proposal that the whole area of Kashmir be divided into 7 zones then it seems that Pakistan wants a geographical zone comprising J&K and POK which would be without borders(or porous border) between them, this zone may be an autonomous area with a separate constitution and India and Pakistan will have only control from the military and foreign relations point of view. Any such step would be only a first step in the direction a full fledged independent state of Kashmir in future. Govt. will have to see this point seriously as the whole world knows India has bled more then what the Kashmiris have.

6. The defense of Congress that the Hurriyat leaders were taken to Islamabad from POK by the govt. of Pakistan  and so the onus is not on India but on Pakistan is  a hollow one. What stand the GOI will take now when other passengers from Kashmir too want to go to other parts of Pakistan? MEA will have to be prepared on this.

7. The dialogue along with gun is not a compatible concept. For resolving the Kashmir issue the GOI should not bend to a level where every felony is condoned. GOI should learn from US and Israel. After all they are also in process of resolving their dispute but from the point of strength. Weakness should be not shown at any stage. Mussarraf is the same man who 6 years back launched the Kargil attack(without taking his government into confidence) which resulted in loss of thousands of precious Indian life. Too much reliance on this man may prove to be dangerous.

8. Last but not the least important is the point that in Kashmir the stake holders are not only the Indian government, the Pakistan and within the Indian frame work the people of Kashmir but also and in a big way the people of India from North to South and East to West. The Indian loss both in physical and financial terms  has been more than anybody else’s. Therefore the whole country should be taken into confidence at the process stage also at least on the issues where there seem to be some confusion or deviation from the stated path. The whole nation is behind its political leaders( both ruling and opposition) in resolving the Kashmir issue but nothing less than the LOC as international border and not too a loose state is acceptable in Kashmir. 

(If you like the article then may e-mail it to two more persons, if your conscience allows you to do so- Thanks)

RamVial Paswan: another Jinnah in offing:

Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The way Hindu religious leaders are criticizing Jinnah gives an impression that Hinduism is fanatic. The question is: Is that so?  The conclusion should be drawn only after going through the narrations below.

Instead of probing the issue in the historical timeframe I am picking up the following events which have occurred in the present time and space.

(a)Bihar threw a fractured mandate wherein no party or alliance could form the government. Another election was imposed on the poor public of the state. The main cause was that one of the so called secular leader of the country who even did  sacrifice  his cabinet birth in the central government headed by Atal Bihari Bajpei on the issue of Gujarat riots got stuck to his stand that only a muslim be made chief minister of Bihar. Paswan became another Jinnah. The world noticed Jinnah but forgot Paswan. Sad. Why no attention was paid on Paswan’s stand of only a Muslim CM except that  Shivanand Tiwari of RJD made some noises? Why this discrimination between Jinnah and Paswan? May be the country has still not shed its manuwadi mindset and gave so much publicity to an upper caste Hindu converted to Islam rather then a dalit. The present has been forgotten for the past.

  After all Paswan made no less effort to communalize the social environment. If Jinnah was an aristocrat in lifestyle then so is Paswan. If Jinnah married twice then so did Paswan. If Jinnah was a secular till 1937 then so was Paswan till now. If Jinnah played the communal card not out of conviction but as a strategy then the same holds true with Paswan. Paswan has sacrificed his own ambition for the muslims. Not even the muslims of the country have made such a demand as Paswan did for them and at least he has made an opening  for the muslims of the country in free India. Still country is silent. Neither the muslims nor the Hindus are saying anything whereas the whole country cutting across all the diversities is calling Jinnah as responsible for division, riot and what not.

Those who watch the  political leaders closely are also amazed why the left, the Arjun Singhs, the VHP/BJP did not raise the issue in the same vain. Nobody condemned the great secular Paswan for giving a new meaning to Indian secularism.

 The Hindu society saw the whole affair with the same patience as it does usually. In order to have a better appreciation of the issue consider a hypothetical situation when the BJP would have taken a stand that only a Hindu would be a Prime Minister of India and then only it would participate in the parliament proceedings. Even a thought of any such idea would have made the country burn into flames. Such idea would have been dangerous for the existence of this great country. Thank god even the extreme right wing people in this country have never propagated a thought of the type which Paswan says with so comfort and ease so much so that it leads to the destruction his own state in which he is born. Those who claim to be secular have kept mum on the issue showing that it is an unnoticed event and will remain so.

(b)The HRD ministry had recently made 50% seat reservations in the post graduate courses in Aligarh Muslim University. The argument is that this was prescribed in the constitution in 1925 itself and the university Senate has simply enforced it. So why is the hue and cry? Also cited is the example of Jamia Hamdard University where the NDA govt. had made such reservations. The point here is :should a beginning be made for reservations on religious basis? And if so then where the buck will stop. Also whether such reservations will be made for Hindus in north east states and in the state of Jammu and Kashmir where they are in minority? Nobody in the country has the courage to do so nor is this approach proper in the interest of the country. Still attention may be drawn to a hypothetical situation wherein in the states wherein Hindus are in minority, reservations are made for them. Will it not cause earthquake in the country? Will the secular credentials allow the society to be in piece in such a situation? Will our own men not take up the issue to the upholders of democracy and multi-religious identity in west and abuse their own country from the foreign soil? But before debating this point the basic point is that Hindus themselves don’t react to such changes and are calmly letting these events pass.

(c) Only few days back the revered Hindu god RAM was printed  on the bras and panties and the products were sold in the French market: the land of liberty and freedom. However the catholics, when it came to professing the liberty of faith, showed the utmost disregard to the sensitivity of one of the greatest religion of the world. And when the product was withdrawn from the French market after a mild protest no regret was shown by the company. The Hindus still are calm and silent. Compare it with a situation when an Indian firm had sold panties and bras in the Indian Market with picture of Jesus printed prominently on it. Would it not have hurt the sentiments of the believers of the that faith? Could we have witnessed the same maturity and silence in the other community whose religious feeling would have been hurt? Of course not. Not to talk of that community even men in the street in India(  a Hindu)would not have spared the company not to talk of political parties and intellectuals of this country.

The whole American administration had to make an apologetic retreat on the violent reaction of the muslims world over when the NEWSWEEK disclosed that the American security personnel have flushed the holy Kuran in the toilets in Guantanamobay base . The Hindus by that standard didn’t react at all on the event of getting Ram printed on the underwears. This precisely is the depth of Hinduism.

Those who derive the strength of their faith in secularism  from the  countries like America must understand that a Hindus or a Muslim can’t become the President in US. India has a muslim as its President and a sikh as PM. The whole Indian society is proud of them and their Indianness and like them. Which society in the world can accept these propositions with such greatness? Of course hardly any. And not even in imagination by those who have coined the term “Islamic terrorism’ thereby implying that Islam propagates terrorism which is not true at all. No religion in itself propagates hate and violence. It is the followers of these faith who do so and that is an universal phenomenon in all religions.

The Hinduism in India should not be identified with Bajrangdal and VHP. Hinduism itself is a sea wherein so many thoughts and faith merge. It is all encompassing. The credit goes to its theology and metaphysics which doesn’t make any distinction between God, Man and Nature as the same spiritual power pervades all. And so whereis the scope of distinction? It is this philosophy from where comes the strength for inter religious understanding and unity, accommodation for other faiths and secularism itself. Indian secularism is not negativism but a positive concept which is based on respect for all religions and so it can’t be diluted by the RamVilas Paswan and the likes. 

God Feels Lonely as Religion becomes Profane :

Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The VHP passed a resolution in their meeting of the margdarshak mandal in Haridwar. The resolution asked Advani to step down. The spokesman of VHP Acharya Dharmendra said “If the driver of a vehicle is drunk, he has to be changed. Otherwise , BJP will become Bhartiya Jinnah Party”.

Thus the religious body which comprises mostly of sadhus( except the Togadias and Shinghals some of whom  nurture the political ambitions under the religious cover)has given a statement which has clear political overtones. The implications of this statement, in the present context, are far and wider. It envisages a democratic and secular (in the sense of sarva dharma sambhav) state to become a theocratic state, it confirms to its concept of Indian nationalism as overlapping the Hindu society, it is bound to create more gap between the majority and the minorities, it is going to create more confusion in the society about the political line which BJP follows, it is going to create suspicion in the foreign countries about the ideology of a party which has led the country for 6 years, it  projects the country as one which still lives in the dichotomy with inability to resolve the same in the larger interest concerned with the fast socio-economic development of the country.

One fundamental issue arises with the statement of the VHP. Can religion enter into the realm of profane in such a way that it affects the day to day life including the existence of the society? The reply is NO. The realm of religion and profane are two exclusive ones with religion dealing exclusively with God, Man and Nature and their interrelationship. The only commonality between the two realms is the man who not only theorises the existence/ non existence of the different players in the two realm but also devises the methods of how to elevate to the spiritual one from the profane one.

The issue then is then how those who profess to have knowledge and experience of the otherworldly, who see mundane not worth emulating, can get involved into mundane activities in all its details?  And if they do so then definitely it is at the cost of divorcing their spiritual hold  which in turn means becoming mundane and no more religious. Thus the authority to dictate about the spiritual including the moral values is lost. The spiritual leaders will then loose the shine and authority to guide the society and will have to stand in the same queue in which the politician ranging from the most enlightened ones to Pappu Yadavs stand. This is dangerous both for them as well as for the society. And why not? Ones the sadhus loose the spiritual space, aren’t there the dangers of them coming under the clutches of the Mukhtar Ansari’s, Sahabuddins,  Anand Mohans and Togadias using them for their political gains? The reply again is YES.

The VHP is forgetting that the sadhus are respected because they are supposed to guide us to the right path. The moment this thought crashes no more will they get the respect. A sadhu will not a spiritual guru the moment he starts showing his inclinations for the mundane themes. Hence VHP must not misuse and exploit the Sadhus for its own end and limit it only to the domain of dharmagurus who guide the society with the moral and ethical principles without crossing their own limits. The sadhus are the most revered section of the society from whom the commoner expects a lot for help and support. Let VHP not destroy this faith of the society.

The time has come for BJP also to make clear its philosophy. The utter confusion and the existing dichotomy between the two different shreds of thought within BJP has not only confused BJP but also the whole society. BJP has to decide that whether is wants to be a mask of the narrow and out dated political philosophy of VHP/RSS( it is also not debatable that the RSS has certain good views on society but in totality the picture which it beams is outdated in many a ways) or it wants to occupy the space of a vibrant right to center political outfit with modern thoughts and the zeal to do substantive for the country men esp. the rural and the poor.( In fact country expects a lot from both Congress and BJP to play a good role conducive to take it along the path of progress).

There is an illusion in the minds of majority of BJP followers that BJP may not survive once it divorces the RSS. This is totally incorrect. After all BJP like Mayawati in UP must have realized what it means in following the reactionary politics. Just like the BSP has realized the limitation of its slogan “tilak taraju and talwar inko maro jute char” and now accepting the upper caste into its fold by shunning that regressive philosophy in order to attain a larger social acceptance similarly BJP must also realize the limitation of the core philosophy as propagated by VHP. After all it could form the government only when the other secular parties supported it under the umbrella  of NDA. It is an established fact that BJP with VHP ideology can’t become the ruling philosophy. India will see not one but several humiliations by countries like USA when they will refuse VISA to Indians and India will not be in  a position to do anything in this fast changing and highly interdependent world except forcing every countryman to sing Vande Matram just to console itself. Shri Babu Lal Gaur must be told about the secluded North Koreans who sing their national anthem louder and better then what Babu Lal Gaur himself may do and are still not able to know what development and progress means.

 BJP may not find it difficult to find that philosophy which can be adopted  if it takes note of what its own party did under the leadership of Shri Bajpeyi in the 6 years of its rule. Except Gujarat all other parameters of the paradigm were good and what is required for the country( except for their  sincere and transparent implementation in a time bound manner). The critical time has come. Mr. Advani may divorce the VHP and spell out a clear cut political agenda in order to remove confusion from the minds of the countrymen. 

The Nawabs, Old or New, are above Constitution :

Posted on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The other day the Nawab Pataudi with his friends and staff went into the woods of Jajjhar in Haryana and killed a black buck and two rabbits. While coming back he was stopped by the local police who after taking note of his acts and deeds and recovering the carcasses of the killed animals gave due respect to the Nawab as per the protocol which he or his progenies in free India deserve and allowed him to go. It was only because of some activists like Naresh kadiyan who dug out the carcasses and made a case for police to take note of that a case was registered against the culprits including the ring leader :the Nawab.

In the coming days some intense pressure was created by some NGOs and some media channels and news papers that the police woke up and arrested a local Chandan Singh and lodged a case against Kadiyan for stealing the government property(the carcasses). Police has also taken some tough measures by also giving two chances to the Nawab to surrender or else to go to the court to get anticipatory bail. The SP has declared that police is after the complainant(Kadiyan) also as he too has obstructed the government servant(chowkidar) in performing his duty. The focus has shifted from Nawab to the complainant which is in line with  the dream of an egalitarian society expressed in the saying “andher nagri chaupat raja taka ser bhaji taka ser khaja”. And why not, the accused and the complainant both are on the same pedestal. This is what the SP(Jajjhar) is taught in his training and how he has decided to serve the country and society.

One of the biggest achievements of media in independent India is that it brings the news instantly to the people including the masses(though media may be indicted of setting wrong priorities at times).The exposition of the electronic media is so close to the reality that the information given is sufficient enough to infer about the events and its serious consequences. And the way Pataudi case is being dealt with is a shame on the Haryana police and also for the instrumentalities of the state and the society which professes to have one of the most modern and rational constitution in the world.

The contradictions in the FIR and the judicial process of the country with the passage of time will definitely set him free “ ba izzat bari”. Thus most of the concerned in the process would have obliged the Pataudis in his hour of crisis which shall be a quid pro quo when Pataudi will return the favours either by his secular credentials or his glamour/ money.

The issue is why is Pataudi not being arrested for an act which is not only heinous  but also non bailable in the eyes of law ? Is he above law? Is he rich and powerful and so can do away with anything he wants? The politicians of the day who are protecting him are forgetting that their first commitment is towards nation and its constitution. Art. 14 clearly provides for equality before law and equal protection of law. This means everybody is equal in the eyes of law even if he is president of the country. Unfortunately those who are responsible for enforcing the constitution are ensuring its violation. At least this is the massage which every nook and corner of the country is getting in very clear terms.

 Pataudi is no less a culprit then the person who recently raped a German woman in Jaipur. The court completed the trial in record 15 days and sentenced him life imprisonment. It makes me feel that since he was  a poor man who could not have availed the best lawyers of the country, who could not have befriended the high and mighty in the society and so he got his trial completed in 15 days. If we place Patuadi in his place then he could not have been arrested even. And what happened to Sharmila Tagore who recently raised so much hue and cry about banning smoking scenes in the TV and cinema ? Where has her conscience gone now? Is she not involved these days in contacting the influential contacts in ensuring that her husband is not arrested? If she is a lady of conscience then she must immediately resign from the public post she is holding and then defend her husband. But I know she won’t. The casualness shown by law enforcing agency over the years has made the powerful people very thick skinned. If this is the state of affairs then why the Bihar police(under Central Rule) issued the lookout notice against Gautam Goswami who by all standard is not a bigger culprit then Pataudi.(In fact by issuing the notice against Goswami and not able to arrest him is only a mockery of the law enforcing agency which is a separate point of debate).

In fact the handling of Pataudi case has lowered the dignity of the Prime Minister of the country and his office. Only recently the PM and his office took the country by storm when he expressed his serious concern on disappearance of tigers from the forests of the country. Setting up of a committee and his personal visit to Ranthambaur and making a series of declaration including that now onwards the tigers shall be monitored from PMO was a soothing sound which of course fitted with the personality of the PM. But only 15 days passed and another Sanssarchand (read Pataudi) appeared on the scene who challenges the might of the Indian society lead by its PM and that too successfully, is something the country is amazed and sad about. Such handlings will only deteriorate the status of PMO. Should the PM make the announcement of his intention to preserve the wildlife separately for each and every species. I think NO. PMs assertion about the protection of tigers should be taken his resolve to protect the wildlife as such. And when PM says so then it means the voice of  the Nation.

In all its totality lets not allow the violators of law to have a field day. Nawab of Pataudi should be immediately arrested and law must take its course in letter and spirit. Pautaudi’s case may be a beginning of sort, to signal a new massage that the country means business and everybody is equal in the eyes of law how so ever big  and powerful he is. The chairperson of the sensor board must also make her stand clear on the issue as to whether she publically condemns such acts. If not then she must be asked to resign as she may not then be  a person fit to perform her public duty in letter and spirit. ( Though my last premise in not compatible with the accepted theory of tainted ministers and political representatives as being eligible for holding the public posts in the country and so I am throwing this question before every body to think about).

Is Indian Media Irresponsible?

Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 at - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

PM was in Ladakh. The objective of the visit was better than many of the events taking place in the country in the last few days. Irony is that both print and electronic media of the country are busy all the time, in the last few days, revisiting history and in discussing about the fallout of Advani’s Pakistan visit on the BJP, RSS and its frontal organizations,Indian polity and society. 

 Indian media, these days, is absolutely dominated by the coverage of sensational items which are saleable. The PM of the country is lost some where in the middle pages of the newspapers or only noticed in DD news. Is it not  a shame? Issue is debatable. The media would say that they need the bites which is saleable in today’s intense competitive market even if it means putting the issues related to the governance of the country beyond the domain of the public. Media would justify its stand by citing to the taste of the public which is more interested in the news related to crime, sex, violence of any kind, corruption, page three, the glamour world of cinema and fashion etc.

Thus this may mean that those socio-religious issues which touch the emotional cord of the society would get precedence over the other burning issues of national/local significance. This would also mean that the Pappu Yadavs would get better coverage then the finance/commerce minister of the country. This would further mean that Praveen Togadia would  dominate over the concerns of the well meaning and enlightened PM  about the remotest part of the country about which the mainstream of the society may never get any occasion to know otherwise. This would mean that the media of the country would set the national agenda before the public which can hardly be called progressive.

 After all nobody can deny that one of the biggest revolution of modern India is the emergence and expansion of media esp. electronic media, both in terms of numbers of channels and their geographical reach.

It is also undeniable that one of the greatest contribution of media to the Indian society is making people of the country more informed and thereby wiser, though this wisdom is predominantly political.

One main reason why matching acceleration in the domain of the socio-economic wisdom of the Indian society is not forthcoming is that the media has failed to tilt the Indian thought process towards the socio economic issue more particularly the economic issues. People have failed to realize a faster awareness of their socio economic rights which in turn would have put public pressure on the leadership at each level, from parliament to the village panchayat level, to deliver faster with greater sense of accountability. It can be said in no uncertain terms that Indian media has failed to execute its responsibility. This is more true when we call it fourth pillar of our democratic set up. No cover under any argument may be acceptable when we compare the case with the materialistic societies like US where even after two years of war, the majority time the events of Iraq are beamed regularly by the US media. It is clear that violence can’t be sold for such a long a period and hence profitability can’t be the motive behind it. The only guiding principle is then the national interest.

 There may be several reasons cited by the media for the production of the low quality (not always) monotonous themes which are non-rational and unprogressive. Still one dominant reason emerging very fast for lack of quality in programmes is the poor quality of majority of new journalists who have little knowledge and experience about the Indian society and the priorities of public at large. They are unable to even comprehend the issues and policies enunciated by the  government ( either the central or the state) esp. of the economic ministries and departments. Hence these journalists set the tone of discussion by resorting to crime, religion, caste, sex, violence and a very low level of political debate. The senior ones who have good knowledge of the subjects are these days fast taking the role of consultants for the political parties and thereby hoping for a Rajya Sabha/ Vidhan Parishad seat. The political parties also require their suggestions as they themselves are short of serious thinkers or strategists and most of their leaders are finding more solace in discussing crime and corruption then pblice issues of national and international importance. Thus governance of the country is forced  to go into oblivion.

Media is failing to become an instrument of social change in the way it could be. It is failing to activate the govt. to change the society for good in such a way that  all-round development takes place wherein the poorest of the poor are not left out. Media may positively encourage the instrumentalities of the state in actualizing their full potential for the welfare of the state. Media should encourage the leaders of the society and the government to feel  more enthusiastic in taking their  country towards the path of prosperity  and progress. Media should encourage the opposition of the day to play the role of constructive opposition. And for doing all this the Pappu Yadavs, Mukhtar Ansaris, Praveen Togadias and the page three celebrities will have to be given the exposure only to the extent they deserve and not to deitify them. Only the role models to be projected properly be that of the Manmohan Singhs, Atal Biharis and APJ Kalams, Kasturirangans, the duos of Infosys, Wipro and the likes. This needs to be done even if it leads to compromising with the profitability to some extent. For doing this media bosses may think of setting up of some regulatory body of their own (under their control only) so that the urge of sale ability and profitability may be balance with their social responsibility.

(If you like the article then may e-mail it to two more persons, if your conscience allows you to do so- Thanks)

Mayawati bows down to India’s Social Strength

Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Yesterday Mayawati was addressing the Brahman Maha sammelan in Lucknow. A good gathering was present listening to her exhorting the Brahmans to shed their manuwadi thought and to support her in toppling the Samajwadi party’s regime in UP. In her speech she claimed that BSP had never followed the political philosophy of social reaction which got  manifested in the slogan” tilak, tarazu aur talwar, inko maro jute char”. Disowning the slogan she clearly said that this has wrongly been attributed to her by her political opponents like Congress and BJP etc. Massage was conveyed that if Brahmins back her then SCs are ever ready to transfer their votes to the upper caste candidates. Manifest in this was the underlying thinking that in a democratic India the SCs are like the herd of sheep without their own mind and ideology with Mayawati as shepherd who can trade them of with anybody for the sake of becoming chief  minister.

Yesterday Mayawati was telling a big lie( like most of the present Indian politicians who goof up and then blame it to media or the political opponents) when she pronounced that BSP had never propagated the slogan of tilak,tarazu…. In fact by saying so not only the basic philosophy of the party is publicly denounced but it also in a way indicts its mentor Kashi Ram who raised the party only by taking this slogan to every nook and corner of the state/country. This slogan created the social reaction in a big way and consolidated the votes  of dalits in the society which got translated in seats both in assembly as well as Loksabha. Realizing that even the fullest expression of this divisive philosophy fell short in ensuring power, BSP extended hands of friendship towards the so called manuwadi party BJP. Such reconciliation also spelled out the limitation of the reactionary philosophy of the party. Thus it became clear over the period that only those political parties which can take all the sections of the society along may come to power on their own. The well established example was of Congress. If the profile of the two parties are compared (except the political vision, as congress has a well developed socio-political ideology) Mayawati in behind congress only in the sense that though dalits and muslims support her but brahmans are not her supporters due to BSP’s reactionary philosophy of anti manuvad ( it is a debatable point if there is any strong manuvadi thought prevalent in democratic India).

Hence the urge to come to the power by expanding the social base compels BSP to bring the brahmans along. But she forgets that this need is also compelling her to divorce the mainstay ideology of BSP which banks upon social reaction and consolidation. Here is a catch . Mayawati forgets that in this whole process instead of moving away from the manuwadi caste system she is reinforcing the same. She forgets that even if any strategic alliance helps her to garner more seats the arrangement shall be a temporary one. Reasons : (a) any such alliance will not be out of conviction in the premise to take all castes along but shall be a strategic one based on give and take. Mayawati forgets that if the manuwad has been such a strong ideology that it had ensured the dominance of the upper castes over thousand of years in the seat of power then it is definitely strong enough to eat up Mayawati’s ambitions who is only an individual not even backed by any set of socio-political thinkers. If she understands only strategic alliance then the upper castes understand the same in a better way. Once the alliance gets success the “ex manuvadis” may not accept the leadership of Mayawati,may go back to their manuvadi fold and will definitely support the so called manuwadi parties. By that time it would be too late for her to convince her own primary support base who, because of the dilution in the ideology and the consequent confusion at the village level, as the same old caste relationship would again get established. She may end up  loosing all. However, one great massage which the Indian society has again established in this whole experiment of BSP ( and of course in resignation of LK Advani after he called Jinnah a secular leader) is that if you create reaction in the society and resort to consolidation (whether it is on caste lines or communal lines) you have a limited scope. One can’t be acceptable to the whole society and can’t come to power on its own unless embraces all sections of the society which is the core strength of this country.

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Advani May Have To Resign From The Party Also ?

Posted on Thursday, June 9, 2005 at - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The RSS and VHP whose radicalism can be  categorised only as  one of the several streams of Hindutva,  couldn’t suggest an auspicious Muhurta to Advani for his Pak visit. Result is disaster for all. By all I mean not only RSS, VHP, BJP and Advani but also the Indian society if it contributes in creating a more charged communal environment in the country in coming days and hampers the progress in solving the Kashmir problem.

However, the combination of the stars were not as bad during the visit of Advani in Pakistan as they are now for him. His terming of Jinnah  could have been overlooked by many as either an attempt by him to fit in the shoes of moderate Atal or effort by him to sincerely create an environment for solving the Kashmir problem and better Hindu Muslim unity within the country and thus having a larger political acceptability both for him as well as the party (he was aware of ensuing Bihar elections, weakening of  NDA with recent drift of TDP and the fact that the present Kashmir dialogue was  initiated by NDA govt. and would not have liked to allow Congress to get away with the credit of solving it if any solution was forthcoming) or only as an expression of diplomatic niceties as Kalraj Mishra said yesterday, still the greatest blunder has been committed by him in compelling the party to take a stand on his statements on Jinnah.

Without realizing the fact that no individual, however tall his personality is, is above the collectivity(party) esp. in those parties which are cadre based and have a philosophy of their own. Advani committed a mistake in giving a new direction to the party without taking the party into confidence. Surprisingly he forgot that the superstructure(BJP) he leads can’t be divorced from the substructure(RSS and all the frontal organizations). More so when the guiding philosophy of the substructure is the version of nationalism which overlaps with Hindu society and the so called growth of this Hindu society is based on creating schism between Hindus and Muslims (of course this is an issue of larger debate wherein so called left and centrist parties also have thrived on the same philosophy of creating reaction, consolidation and political gains).

Now the insistence of Advani has only forced the BJP to choose between the RSS(creator) and Advani(creation) and the issue on which the choice has to be made is one of survival for BJP.

If the Party goes with Advani it may end up with becoming another centrist party with not only intense pressure on the party to do a lot of explanation on its historical baggage but at the individual level the changed conditions will force the leaders at all levels to shun the increasingly outdated non rational issues and confront the new realities of all round scientific and technological progress based on rationality unleashed due to the linking up with the modern world. The  closed minds of the majority of the flock, which is only fit in generating outdated ideas(the likes of Babu Lal Gaur) will refuse to toe this line as this will also spell doom for their political life. It may also result RSS becoming  a  political non entity and may be causing death to the political ambitions of  this social organization. Neither the RSS nor the majority of the leaders are ready for this risk even if it is in the best interest of the nation. Hence the only other option left is shunning Advani. 

If Advani stays as BJP president through any compromise then it will not only be loss of credibility for him but also for the party in the coming days as the Congress and the left along with many will not leave him in peace.  If he leaves the president ship and continues as leader opposition with the present stand on Jinnah then the party, if it doesn’t toe the line of Advani, will consider him cause of embarrassment.  Thus the only acceptable way for Advani will be to leave the party in the coming days. If he does so he will  definitely be considered as one of the greatest political thinker and statesman of modern India even if could never become the PM.

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Resignation of Advani : Threat to Indian Democracy

Posted on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Advani has resigned. Country is shocked. Tremors are felt as far as Pakistan. The immediate issue which flashes in the mind is why should the general public be so bothered about it. After all he was considered a hardliner and responsible for creating a communal divide in the country which resulted not only the demolition of the Babri Maszid but the ensuing riots which culminated in Gujrat massacre.

There is  a point of worry in Advani's resignation.Advani, as seen in lastfew years, maintained the desired balance in the running of the NDA govt. which can't be called communal except for the sad Gujrat incidents. His reality speaking in Pakistan was going to be beneficial for the democratic health of the country. Advani perhaps realized at the fag end of his political carrier that the spirit of Indian society is only and only secular and democratic. The concepts of sarva dharma sambhav and ayam atma brahman runs deep in Indian thought and life. And so when he accepted the existence of  Pakistan as a soveriegn state it was a true realization of a undeniable fact of modern realities. After all can any political party or individual disclaim Pakistan as sovereign nation? If no, then why are we as a nation still involved in giving importance to those parts of history which don't deserve attention beyond a limit. My perception here may not be construed to mean that I am denying historic realities. I am not. But  life  has to move on. Similarly the life of a society has to move on. The bad reminiscences of the past, if it becomes a permanent obstacle in the farward movement(progress )must be forgotten to that extent. The country must cope with the realities and look forward to a better relationship with a new Pakistan.

Advani's statements are only interpreted in a negative sense so much so that to give maximum scope to Advani bashers  to pull him down. Overlooked is the fact that one of the greatest political thinker of modern India has changed his views for good of the nation. Can't we read a meaning in his statement which of course was a reminder to Pakistan to become secular as Jinnah had thought ?  Can't it be taken as indication to the Pakistan that Kashmir can't be separated now on religious lines? And even if not,  the very fact that his statements were conducive to betterment of relationship between India and Pakistan in the changed environment and within the country also between Hindu and Muslim, the spirit should have been welcomed if it faultered on facts. BJP/RSS have failed miserably on this count. Attempt is being made to vitiate the social environment with the winds of communalism blowing again in the country. BJP has forgotten that many a regional parties are thriving on the political canvas of the country only in the name of opposition of communalism. This stand of theirs are throwing up the leadership which refuses to be progressive and forwardlooking. The failure of these leaders to appreciate the modern scientific and technological realities and the effort to use them for the overall social,economic and political growth is the point of real worry. Country needs a change of priorities in  a short time. The leadership must change their vision from one of raising the irrational socio-religious issues and shift quickly to a vision of modern,progressive, developed, just and  fair society which promotes all its citizens in the path of progress and development. The state must make successful attempt to reach to the rural poor and the agriculturist class along with the urban society.

The statements of Advani must be seen in this context only even if there are differences of opinion on its interpretation and the context in which it should be objectively seen.

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