Saturday, December 26, 2009

Andhra Pradesh

There are different conceptions about the formation of Andhra Pradesh and its name. It is for the scholars and research students to bring out the truth after poring through various records. Since I am neither, I can, but conjure what could have been.

Regarding formation of Visalandhra or Andhra Pradesh, I submit there was neither any popular movement nor any demand from any influential sections or interests for merging Andhra and Telangana. Definitely it was not on the Agenda of Potti Sriramulu nor other Andhra leaders who fought for separation from Madras alone.

After formation of Andhra, it must have been, then, a pragmatic and strategic decision taken in Delhi to merge the Telugu speaking areas oh Hyderabad with Andhra to prevent the former ruling cliche of Hyderabad from raising their secessionist head once for all. Please recall the Razakar movement and the Police Action. The principle of forming states on linguistic basis came in handy and Hyderabad state was trifurcated permanently and merged with three different contiguous states thus losing its homogenity and distinct identity. It will be interesting to note that Junagarh and Hyderabad, both of which tried to avoid signing the Instrument of Accession, were brought to heel by force and merged with erstwhile British administered states to stamp out all feudal traces.

Likewise regarding the name, those were the heady days with independence movement still fresh in memory and its allied trappings like Khadi, Hindi, etc. The Congress Party wanted to Hindi-ize everything where there was no opposition and the name suggested for residual Madras province was Dakshina Pradesh which was rejected outright by Tamils who continued with Madras till changed to Tamil Nadu which is not a Hindi word. The Telugus, who were more loyal than the king , meekly accepted Andhra Pradesh. This is also in line with the names of other States like Uttar Pradesh (United Provinces), Madhya Pradesh (Madhya Bharat), Himachal Pradesh (carved out of Punjab). Probably that is how Telangana got dropped and the state got its present name.

I stand corrected if I am wrong.

...ponder

Friday, December 18, 2009

My English translation of a cherished film song

Original Telugu
---------------

pallavi
-----------
mouname nee bhasha o mooga manasa
thalapulu ennenno kalaluga kantaavu
kallalu kagane kanneeravuthavu

charanam 1
-----------------
cheekati guha neevu chintala cheli neevu
natakaranganive manasa thegina pathanganive
enduku valachevo enduku vagachevo
enduku ragilevo emai migilevo

charanam 2
-----------------
korkela chela neevu koorimi vala neevu
uhala uyyalave manasa mayala dayyanive
lenidi korevu vunnadi vadilevu
oka porapatuku yugamulu pogilevu


English translation
-------------------
pallavi
---------

Silence is your language oh mute heart
thoughts are plenty which thou experience as dreams
once they turn out to be false you are full of tears

charanam 1
----------------

thou are that cave of darknesss - thou are the hand-maiden of worries
thou are that stage of drama - and a snapped kite
why do you pine - why do you regret
why do you burn - what are you finally left over as? (future is inscrutable)

charanam 2
-----------------
thou are the exuberence of desires - you are that net called love(friendship)
oh heart! thou are that swing of imagination - a witch full of tricks
you desire what you not possess - you let go what you possess
due to one mistake - you regret eons

(one word has many meanings. I have tried to put appropriate words to the best of my ability. I might not have done full justice. I know that.)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Hopefully...

Yesterday’s press meet of KCR was noteworthy for one home-truth - there can be agitations for separation but not for unity. If all are united where is the need for agitation? How true!

An interesting aspect of present turmoil is that the voices of protagonists of separate Andhra like Yalamanchili Sivaji and Chalasani are now muted. They are not seen on any channel. Given their track record, I don’t think they have become integrationists overnight.

We are hearing of statues of Potti Sriramulu being cleansed with milk by integrationists. But the fact is, Potti Sriramulu’s goal was not the present shape of AP, but the formation of a separate Andhra carved out of erstwhile Madras Presidency so that Andhras can self govern themselves and achieve their aspirations in dignity.

Telangana demand is also similar. However much one might try to paper over, their aspirations are not only about jobs, university seats or even development. It is also about ploughing one’s own furrow in dignity. Atleast now let us call a spade a spade.

How long this tragic-comedy will be enacted? Except for TRS, which has been steadfast in its speeches, goals and actions, all other political parties are somersaulting like buffoons except this is no laughing matter.

Except for a brief period when Sanjeeva Reddy/Chenna Reddy were Central ministers for Steel and Industries, no person from AP was thought fit to hold an important economic portfolio like Industries, Railways, Telecommunications, Defence which have huge budgets and vast scope for establishment of industries which in turn act as magnets for further development and economic well being of that area.

There is no worthwhile central or state industry in entire Andhra-Rayalaseema area except for a couple in Vizag. There is no hospital like AIIMS which could reach for the poor. There is no central institution of excellence like IIT/IIM. There is no Ordnance Factory. There is no Railway Production Unit. They could not get a mere 20 km sanctioned railway line between Kakinada and Pithapuram executed. Who is responsible for this and who has the moral authority to talk on behalf of Andhra Pradesh?

To add to the misfortune of the people, there is no Leader of caliber who is heard with respect either by Centre or its own people. There is not a single person – in politics or otherwise – who has a pan Andhra-Rayalaseema appeal. Leaders with impeccable credentials like Tanguturi, Tenneti, Vavilala don’t exist any more. The people of these regions are rudderless and the poor students are directionless. Abhorrence of violence, desisting from provocative tit-for-tat speeches, preserving public and private property and a sense of agreeing to disagree are the need of the hour in this drifting state.

Something always comes out of churning. Let us hope some good will come out of this turmoil to alleviate the miseries of the common man even while cooling the political temperatures. If it is by bifurcation or trifurcation – let so be it.

…ponder

Friday, December 11, 2009

Formation of a new State

Article 3 of our Constitution states as under:-

Quote

3. Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States – Parliament may by law –

(a) form a new State by separation of territory from any State or by uniting two or more States or parts of States or by uniting any territory to a part of any State;
(b) increase the area of any State;
(c) diminish the area of any State;
(d) alter the boundaries of any State;
(e) alter the name of any State.

Provided that no Bill for the purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the President and unless, where the proposal contained in the Bill affects the area, boundaries or name of any of the States, the Bill has been referred by the President to the Legislature of that State for expressing its views thereon within such period as may be specified in the reference ore within such further as the President may allow and the period so specified or allowed has expired.

Unquote

The President is not, however, bound by the views of the State Legislature, so ascertained.

By a simple majority and by ordinary Legislative process Parliament may form new States or alter the boundaries etc of existing States and thereby change the political map of India.

From the above it is obvious that there is no need for a resolution to be introduced and passed in the State Legislature for the formation of Telangana. Only when a Presidential reference is made, the State Legislature may (not mandatory) discuss and express its views or allow the period to expire without expressing its opinion.

So when Mr.Rosiah said yesterday that he has not received any instructions, either written or oral from the Centre to introduce a resolution, he was stating the obvious. He will never receive such instructions. It is another matter if his party instructs him to introduce and pass a resolution (superfluous to the constitutional process) in the Legislature with whip duly issued to its Members for bringing its Legislators in line at the pain of losing Membership.

So when Mr.Pillai, Home Secretary stated that the process has started, he might have meant that the Home Ministry has approached or initiated action for approaching the Presidential Secretariat for obtaining the Presidential recommendation which is the first mandatory step for the process.

Mr.Lagadapati Rajagopal’s demand for introduction of a resolution in the Legislature without the issue of a whip, is neither a constitutional requirement nor in keeping with the traditions of our political parties which never dare to allow its Members to vote according to the dictates of their conscience.

Creation of Telangana is the sole prerogative of the Centre and if it has the political will nothing can stop as demonstrated when the three States of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh were created.

The resignations of Legislators are neither serious nor done in a fit of emotion. It is a calculated and calibrated move to douse public ire which is also the need of the hour. History is repeating itself. We know what happened in 1971.

…ponder

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Chief Minister

Article 164 of our Constitution states "The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advise of the Chief Minister..."

The Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lower House which alone can vote it out. Hence, the Chief Minister should be such a person who is likely to have the confidence of the House. Of course there is the provision of dismissal of a Ministry and imposition of President's rule on the breakdown of constitutional machinery.

The State acts not only according to the Constitutional provisions but according to conventions, practices, precedents and traditions when not in conflict or contradiction to the Constitutional provisions.

So, when Mr.Rosiah was administered the oath of office as CM. the constitution was followed in toto. When the rest of the Ministry was administered the oath a second time, again the book was followed as they are to be appointed on the advise of the incumbent CM and not his predecessor.

However, some conventions established like election of the leader of the majority party or the other unhealthy convention of 'reaching a consensus under the watchful eyes of central party observers' were not followed indicating the nervousness of the ruling party. But that is a political issue.

When Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as PM after Indira Gandhi's assassination, he was not yet elected leader of CPP. No constitutional impropriety but a goodbye to conventions.

Now, the CLP refusing to elect Mr.Rosiah as its leader but leaving the decision to the Head is an act of subtle defiance while at the same time not rocking the boat. That too it took more than a month for the party to get the nerve to convene the meet and get on with the formality is an indication of the brink to which the party was tottering.

Mr.Rosiah is an experienced, articulate and witty persons with no pretensions to pan-Andhra Pradesh popularity. Making him the CM serves the twin objectives of having the best at the helm of affairs while ensuring a non-charismatic leader who is also with little batting left.



...ponder

Pollution

A lot of noxious gas is being emitted on Carbon emissions by politicians. But rapidly India is getting polluted at alarming rate.

Todays' Hindu reports on the alarming levels of antibiotic pollutions at Patancheru. The scientist making the study calls the waters there 'a soup of different antibiotics' and 'a swim there exposes the body to antibiotic treatment'.

Another report in Times of India traces huge domestic wastes from UK to Chennai where it is recycled to dangerous uses. Sometime back it was reported that huge amounts of hospital wastes is being dumped in Kerala.

Ship breaking is another big foreign contributor for dangerous wastes being dumped on Indian soil.

Instead of delegation after delegation going on foreign junkets to attend conference after conference, why can't the Government ban

a) import of any type of waste that is not domestically re-used or re-cycled in the country of its origin.

b) ban manufacture of chemicals like drugs which are consumed but not manufactured in such countries.

c) ban import, production and consumption of dangerous chemicals whose use is banned abroad.

This may be easier said than done what with liberalisation and free trade, powerful lobbies, foreign exchange earnings,etc. However, the least that the Government can do is to ensure recipocity in these matters with individual countries. If import of garbage is banned in UK, India should ban import of garbage from UK and so on.

Time to take the wake up call.

...ponder

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Why do some people deliberately shy away from security and comfort to think, speak and act for others' sake even at the cost of courting insecurity, poverty and unpopularity? What is that in the human body chemistry that propels people towards public causes at grave danger to themselves? How can one shun material wealth, comforts, social standing and security to chart unknown paths? How do their families react? Are they supportive or suffer the eccentricity?

Prakasam Pantulu had a monthly income of more than Rs,50,000 in thirties before he jumped into the freedom movement to die a pauper. Subhas Chandra Bose and Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya preferred freedom movement to coveted ICS. Recently personalities like Medha Patkar, Sandeep Pandey, take up causes at grave risk to their personal safety and welfare. There are ever so many people who have sacrificed budding careers, lucrative jobs, princely incomes, cushy lives to pursue causes in which they believe.

One such light of beacon that recently got extinguished is K. Balagopal. Without going into his differences with the establishment or those opposed to it, the causes he fought for were pro-poor, pro-justice and pro-nation. There can be no argument about the legitimacy of the causes though perceptions may differ on individual events or issues.

His untimely death is a loss to the spirit of justice, dissent and sacrifice. He will be forgotten - like many others before him - except by a few because Indian Heros have already been short-listed and there can be no additions for all times to come. Nothing will be named after him and no anniversaries.

That is the way he would have preferred. No use for routine mouthing of homilies. But as long as there is quest for saner solutions to problems, he will be thought of.

...ponder

Sunday, August 23, 2009

God of American Visa

 

About 20 kms from the heart of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, a small village called Chilkur is located. Till about a decade ago this place was unknown even to the Hyderabadites. Suddenly this place acquired the aura of major pilgrimage centre especially for those aspiring Software Specialists intending to go to US. The reason is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Venkateswara or popularly known as Visa Venkateswarulu.

As a temple, this is small in size and the main deity not more than 24" tall. A visit to this shrine and a prayer for grant of US visa is said to guarantee securing of that manna, US vias! You can see those whose passports have been stamped coming for for a thanks giving visit by way of circumbulating the shrine 108 times.

You can see jeans clad boys and girls occasionally accompanied by thier proud parents going round and marking on a matrix sheet the number of times they have gone round, concentrating on the correct scoring, oblivious of the God.

This temple has another feather to its credit. The Temple authorities have successfully warded off attempts by the Government to take over its administration. There is no collection box unlike other temples. If desired Visa Venkateswarulu can wallow in NRI Dollars. But He prefers austerity and freedom from Governmental control to wealth.

Though the temple proper is maintained well despite the crowds and its smallness, the adjacent shrines and surroundings are very shabby. The temple is beseeched by vendors and beggers. I dont know whether the Trust Board is legally capable of evicting the encroachers and beggers, beautify its surroundings and maintain its general upkeep given its status and deliberate shying away from funds.

By the Grace of Visa Venkateswarulu, people may earn mega bucks and live in secluded villas in gated communities with mith manicured lawns, but the Giver is ever content in His modest abode.

....ponder
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Beginning of the end?

I have not read the book written by Jaswant Singh. Nor have I read the one written by Advani. Both are supposed to have viewed Jinnah's role in a different percpective from that popularised by contrived historians/politicians. It is ironic that Jaswant Singh should be expelled from the party when the most visible and tallest leader is Advani of similar guilt

Is it not a fact that Jinnah was a suave and liberal Indian than most of the Congresswallahs till he was driven to the wall by power mongers. Is it also not a fact that the congress negotiated partition of the country behind Gandhiji's back and in the face of his total opposition.

Jaswant Singh says he was expelled by those who have not read the book. Appears true as the expulsion is indeed in indecent haste as the book has barely hit the stands. Was he served a show cause notice? Was he given a hearing? So much for internal democracy and right to dissent.

BJP cannot unshackle itself from the vice-like grip of knickerwallahs. Today the party is devoid of issues or direction and is drifting from one crisis to another. It had abandoned democracy long ago. Remember what happened to Madhok and Sondhi.Leaders of legislative party are supposed to be elected by MLAs. Overwhelming numbers are with Vasundhara Raje Scindia. Still she is being asked to quit. The disease of nomination culture has taken deep root in BJP.

BJP can do a service to the country by merging with Congress. Their ideologies are not very dissimilar except for occasional Hindutva noises from BJP and congress pursuing covert soft Hindutva. This will eliminate rump parties like DMK from arm twisting the government.

...ponder

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Silence is not Golden

Those were days when public men quit posts as the slightest hint of any accusation of wrong doing. Along with the general slide in the moral fibre of the nation persons developed different perspectives.

Two incidents have recently been reported in press.

First, a Union Minister had allegedly instructed his staff (of educational institutions owned by him) to insist on a minimum capitation fee for admission to medical college in blatant violation of Hon'ble Supreme Court's orders. This isssue died a natural death with TOI, which broke the news, itself failing to follow it up. They should atleast publish a denial and apology.

Second and more recent, a Union Minister had allegedly tried to influence the Bench in the case of granting bail. The Hon'ble Judge had gone on record though he stopped short of naming the individual.

During the debate in the Parliament, there is no reaction it appears from the Treasury benches. Though it is the absolute right of a Minister or Member to speak or not on a particular subject, silence sends wrong signals.

Where there is a gap between Law and Justice, Justice should prevail. Morality should be higher than mere rules and regulations. Either there should be a flat denial and vindication of the character of the individual and the will to face consequences so that truth prevails or there should be exemplary action. No need for a cumbersome enquiry. The pleasure of the President on the recommendations of the PM should be sufficient.

Otherwise credibility of the system stands to ridicule.

...ponder

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Are we secular?

Chidambaram goes to Kandhamal and apologises to those in refugee camps there. It is presumed that they are Christians. Why they are are still in refugee camps needs to be investigated. Are they still terrorised to go to their villages? Are they better off in these camps? or are they kept as show pieces of propoganda value? Naveen Patnaik should answer.

I hope Chidambaram will go to Jammu and apologise to the Hindu refugees there who have no hopes of going home even after decades.

What about victims of Congress sponsored and Rajiv Gandhi approved (when a tree falls earth shakes) anti-sikh pogrom?

Will our foreign minister apologise to the sikhs of Pakistan who pay tax to keep their hair for India's failure to protect them?

Will YSR apologise for the conversion activities going on in Gandhi Medical College?
Please read the report in today's Hindu.

...ponder

WILL SOMEONE CLARIFY MY DOUBT?

According to the Indian system of time division (calander) the bench marks are Year (samvatsaram), Ayanam (Uttarayanam/Dakshinayanam), Season (Rithu), Masam (Month), Paksham (Shukla Paksham/Krishna Paksham), Thithi (date - Padyami, Vidiya, Thadiya, etc). Exact time at a given point is fixed then according to the prevailing star (Nakshtram). It is significant to note that there is no day (Sunday/Monday, etc).

In our epics. where there is mention of a particular event like birth of Rama or Krishna, there is no mention of varam (day). In the ancient inscriptions also there is no mention of day.

It is my conjucture that this system of naming a day after celestal bodies is imported from west either through visitors are invaders. Will somebody clarify this? How come Indian names and English names exactly tally?

If it is a fact that there is no Sunday/Monday in Indian system, then what is this good day or bad day? Many people believe that certain things should be done only on certain days and certain things should notbe done. For example, a daughter is not sent from her maternal home to her married home on Fridays. How valid is this?

Also astronomy says sun is a star. Astrology is based on the presumption that sun is a planet. How can calculations based on such wrong premise go right? Will some knowledgable person throw some light on this too.

...ponder

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Nothing National About it

Today's 'The Hindu' reports that Railways are planning to introduce "national" cuisine and Regional cuisine on their trains. I can understand a regional cuisine. But what is this "National Cuisine"?

Till Adishankaracharya united the whole sub-continent spiritually and the British united politically, this sub-continent was an amalgam of several nations. Even today there is the demand for recognition of different nationhoods. Karunanidhi will swear by Tamil nation which includes Tamil Srilankans. Ask Syed Sahabuddin, he will vehemently deny accepting physical boundaries for his Muslim nation. Kashmiris are de-facto separate nation what with thier separate constitution and other pharaphernalia not withstanding our professing soverignity and integrity. There is demand for separatism from different tribes in the North East.

We should not aggravate the sensitive situation either by stupid loose talk or ham handed attempt to lump together different cultures. We should accept the fact that we are a melenge of different cultures, habits, ethos, but still one Nation. We just dont have a National cuisine just like we dont have a National Language or a National Dress. Try imposing Tamil Nadu brand 'Veshti' on Nagaland or make Hindi the official language of Kashmir.

It is a manifestation of the mindset of some to try to impose one language, culture and habits on all which has played havoc with our country. Let people who matter be careful with their thinking and talking.

...ponder

Friday, May 29, 2009

Could religious activities be allowed in Secretariat, the seat of State administration?

This of late has become a major debating issue among employees, especially with those who want its “bureaucratic serenity” not to be disturbed. While the staff are expected to work by clearing files and help in solving the problems of people in the State, many whom are still wallowing in abject poverty, several of them these days seem to be practising their respective religions right in their work spot instead of their houses.

As there are no set rules and procedures touching upon this aspect, employees are tending to construct prayer halls within the premises.

A Christian prayer hall has come up behind the ‘L’ block where employees regularly go for prayers attended by a pastor, treating it as a church. A new multi-storeyed mosque is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 32 lakh adjacent to the ‘C’ block where the office of the Chief Minister is located. This is in addition to an existing mosque in the ‘D’ block. A temple is also already located in the heart of the premises near the dilapidated ‘G’ block.

The trend is disturbing to a large number of employees belonging to all religions. They want this “spiritualism” to be reflected in the work. Speaking to this correspondent on condition of anonymity, a senior employee lamented on Thursday “This is a work place and not a religious place. The government should take a policy decision on this aspect.”

Another employee expressed dismay that the newly sworn in ministers were entered their chambers by following ‘vaasthu’ and fixing ‘muhurthams’. All this is nothing more than humbug and ab exercise in pseudo secularism.

Work alone should be worship.

(Based on report in THE Hindu 30.5.2009)

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Election Results

The results are out. These could mean different things too different people in different states/situations. Some of them are:

1. Bad strategy by BJP. Instead of ensuring the defeat of its main rival Congress in places where other parties were strong, it contested elections there knowing fully well it will definitely lose and thus splitting anti-congress vote.

2. Vociferous projection of MMS as Prime Ministerial candidate of Congress paid off handsomely.

3. Hindutwa is a dead horse. Where people voted for BJP it was as an alternative to Congress and not for Hindutwa. I think there was no voting on communal lines.

4. Chiranjeevi ensured the success of Congress in AP. There appears to be a tacit understanding.

5. Telangana issue is rejected in AP and buried atleast for next 5 years.

6. Tails waggers given royal drubbing. See Pawar, Lalu, Paswan, Fellow Travellers, Mayavati, Jayalalita. Their chests were puffed up with self importance.Their true forms stand revealed as if the coroset has been removed.

7. Decent politicians like Nitish Kumar and Naveen Patnaik swept into reckoning. Good auger.

8. Congress and BJP should take the polity forward into a 2-party system which people are really craving for.

9. Was it a vote against building a Ram Mandir sometime in year 3009?

10. Was it a vote against pub culture in Karnataka? Moral policing up up.

11. Does conservative Rajasthan continue to punish Vasundhara for her public lip lock?

12. Is it a vote for family incorporated in Tamil Nadu?

13. Bengalis have solidly voted against modernisation and industries it appears.

14. In AP corruption, suicides, power cuts, etc were no big deal. PRP ensured that.

15. In TN, one friend of Prabhakaran is gloating while another has bitten the dust. What is the Pattern?

The dance of democracy is indeed colourful vibrant and satisfying. The real winner is Indian democracy. Nepal, Bangldesh, Pakistan, Mynamar could learn some lessons.

...ponder

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Social Etiqutte

Of all those behaviours that are encompassed as 'Soft Skills', social etiquette is most important because it is an unspoken communication giving away what a person is without need for opening his mouth. It makes a strong impression.

The way houses are built today. there is little privacy nay little protection from visual assaults from others. Same case with work places.

People may safely skirt the issue saying that social etiquette, table manners etc are for the elite and snobs. I beg to differ. I notice our rural folk have better habits and manners than the urbanites.

Picking nose, biting nails, cleaning eyes with bare hands, not washing hands with soap after using wash rooms are some of the obnoxious habits which do not need a finishing school to rectify. It should be inculcated by parents from childhood. It could be quite appalling for a person sensitve.

Another thing that makes me shudder is the tendency to borrow things. Cell phones, vehicles, shaving kits, hand kerchiefs, clothes to mixies, systems, and there is no end to the list. Hostel bullys do this with impunity and carry it further throughout their life.

Unless a person is brutally candid, it is very difficult to escape this assault.

Parents should be careful. Grooming should take place at home. If not, it is taught brutally outside.

Standding in a queue for one's turn, offering help to the needy, not embarassing others in any manner, not seeking to use others' things should come naturally.

My repeated abnoxious habits will turn a saint into devil and I will lose a friend.

...ponder

Monday, May 4, 2009

No It Never Happened

Bofors scam is a myth. It is a conspiracy initiated by Chitra Subramaniam and N.Ram and flayed and flayed by BJP. The 'Q' factor is raked up again and again only to malign the Italian Indian.

Sikh massacre never took place. It is an invention of the perverts to persecute Gandhian Congressmen like KHL Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar, Tytler, et. al. I dont know why our mild mannered sardarji makes occasional apologetic noises on this mythical subject. Sardarjis are supposed to be bold. He should dseclare boldly that as a sikh he is more authoratative on this piece of fiction.

For the likes of Kuldip Nayyar partition never took place. THere was no displacement of population. The almost 25% non muslim population did not get whittled down to about 5% in the so called Pakistan. Whole India can go to dogs but punjab should be one atleast in their imagination.

Sikhs of Pakistan are not paying Jijiya to keep their kesh. It is another creation of the media. Since the secularists can see through the truth they dont indulge in rabble rousing on this piece of misinformation in the media.

Fodder scam never happened. Important witnesses did not come under trains. Thousands of crores never siphoned. All vily propoganda.

The biggest lie is Emergency. Only trains ran on time. This has been coloured as Emergency. Courts did not rule that there is no right to life.

Supreme Court judges were not superceded.

India did not lose territories to China and Pakistan. Even if it lost, not a blade of grass grows there.

Rajiv Gandhi was never assassinated. You ask his widow's coalition partner.

Keep telling a lie thousand times - it will become the truth.


...ponder

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Fast 'Fast' - State level politicians

According to Times of India report yesterday, MK did not miss either his breakfast nor lunch when he went on fast for the Tamil Srilankans' cause. The photograph accompanying the report was also quite re assuring what with so many coolers, comfortable bed, and all.

At his age and responsibilities of state, he should not undertake such adventures. Any mishap will not only be a loss to his family, party and state, it will result in a severe law and order problem which should be avoided.

MK is one of the senior-most politicians of our country who unfortunately preferred to confine himself to his state. People like MK, Mulayam, Chandra Babu, Jayalalita,have the potential for national politics. But got bogged down in State politics because of their insecurity. They cant allow the party to grow beyond their level of incompetence or family grip. Unfortunate. Hindi is also an ideological and practical barrier for them.

Only Pawar, Lalu and Mayavati have grown beyond their backyards and have national ambitions.

Srilankan problem can have a parallel in our Kashmir problem. Our politicians should tread carefully lest comparisons are made. National interests and not electoral gains should be the guiding factor.

..,ponder

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Communication and urgaent matters

Yesterday the Media reported that MK has shot off a telegram to the PM and Chairperson of UPA. My information is that he wrote a Post Card.

It is heartening to see that people depend on the good old Post and Telegraphs for important and urgent matters rather than on phones, cells, fax, video conferences, or any other gadgets of any hue bluetooth or blackberry. Shame on them.

It is not the effect of the communication on the recepient but on the electorate that matters. However, tragic, humanitarian and urgent the subject matter may be.

He has asked for snapping of diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka in case immediate cease fire is not called but he will not snap ties with Congress or Government.

I dont know what sort of a coalition the UPA Chairperson is managing and what sort of a government MMS is running. Such unanimity on important issue like Sri Lanka! Lalu is another thorn in the flesh having been eliminated from next coalition even while continuing in the present! PMK has already deserted the sinking ship. Pawar is flexing his muscles. Pranab says Lalu will not be the PM. What a picture of unity, stability and confidence! It stands proved that the country can run itself without governance. It is the Babus who matter. Long live the steel frame of the British.

Congress asks for 3 seats in Bihar and gets the boot. In UP it will be miracle if it wins 2 seats, Amethi and Rae Bareli. Set to get wiped out in TN and AP. Pan India GOP!!! Talking of Rahul Gandhi as PM in the midst of these ruins. Nothing like optimism.

The President of our Republic is going to play a crucial role in the coming weeks. Let us wait and watch.


...ponder

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Spiritual dimension to elections

Setting up of a major industry will spawn many ancillary industries and services thus creating indirect employment and incomes. This everyone knows. What is the big deal about it?

Elections are big business. Thousands of crores are spent on them - officially and otherwise. White and black.

I dont know what is the budget of our Election Commission for the conduct of the ensuing elections. Manpower, security, logistics, transport, and other heads must be burning a hole in the pocket of our government, But that is the price well paid for the dance of democracy.

Political parties, contestents, their well wishers, companies incur mind boggling expenses, which mercifully are not all revealed in the expense account to save the election commission and income tax people from head reeling.

In this context one interesting nugget reported in a vernacular daily set me thinking. The expenditure incurred and incomes derived on a higher plane.

It seems the expenditure incurred on soothsayers, special pujas conducted, propiation of Gods of multi religions, etc during the current elections is said to be to the tune of 500 to 600 crores. There are about 62 types of 'homa's exclusively meant to ensure electoral success each costing 40-50 lakhs it seems. If the report is correct, there is one particular Astrolger in Bangalore engaging the services of about 500 Purohits busy ensuring the success of all the candidates. It appears he has also outsourced the heavy workload to 300 Namboodris from Kerala!

If a fundmentalist cancidate say from BJP or Muslim League or Akali Dal incurs less expenditure on one God only, Secularists like Communists or Congressmen have to incur more expenditure on all Gods! See same candidate visiting temple, Dargah, Church and making offerings. Secularism is indeed costly business. Only the very rich can afford it.

In addition, there are resident Brahmacharis and Swamis in each court who don't come cheap. The elections must have also given a boost to our ailing diamond industry with different schools of soothsayers prescribing different precious stones. You find most of the candidates with rings on atleast 8 fingers. Marxist Bengal must be topping the list because there the practice of wearing more than one ring on same finger prevails.

Construction industry also must be making hay when the election sun is shining what with modifications suggested by Vastu and Feng Shui experts.

I dont know what ill effects will result when the Gods of the losing candidates vent their anger. There certainly will be scholarly debates on what went wrong. Wrong stone on index finger or inauspicious time of filing nominations. The soothsayers would have looted and scooted - till next elections. Memory is weak and greed is stronger.

...ponder

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Back to the Future

According to news reports, Samajwadi Party has promised to ban Computers, English and Mechanised farming if voted to power. This is only the beginning and more will follow surely in this right direction. It is reliably understood that Supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and his party stalwarts, key allies and uneasy coalition partners are insisting on some more key changes. Those heard through the grapewine are listed below.

1. Mulayam Singh Yadav wants Urdu to replace Hindi as Link Language. Hindi was brought in by Congress Party.

2. Mulayam Singh Yadav also wants legalising Thugs an Pindaris whom the British unfairly tried to eliminate. They will be allowed to amass disproportionate assets.

3. Key Party Strategest Amar Singh has proposed closure of all factories, mills, etc,

4. Young and dynamic Sanjay Dutt insists on banning all modern weapons like AK-47 and granades. Chakus and lathis will be procured for our valiant Armed Forces and each citizen will be allowed to keep one Khatta.

5. Jayaprada has demanded total ban on Cinemas.

6. Key ally Lalu Prasad Yadav's proposal is to ban Railways and all forms of Mechanised transport. There will be an exclusive Minister of State for Asses.

7. Ram Vilas Paswan is adamant about dismantling reservations. He also insists that vocations should be purely caste-based.

8. Rabri Devi meekly hinted that women should be prohibited from entering public life. They will be in purdah and keep grinding atta on stone chakkis.

9. Almost all NGOs are of the view that Sati should be re-introduced and made compulsory.

10. The cake goes to the gem from uneasy partner Sonia Gandhi. If she has her way, Samajwadi will be banned and Dynastic rule formalised. This will totally eliminate the bother of elections and Manifestos.


...ponder

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Separatism & Elections

It is heartening to see the Chairman of People's Conference, one of the seperatist outfits in Kashmir, deciding to contest Parliamentary elections. It is another matter that he has averred that this is a strategic change and not an ideological change. He has amplified further by stating that he will represent Kashmir in India and not India in Kashmir.

Now apart from the significance of an avowed seperatist joining the election fray, it will be interesting to see what sort of an oath he will take both as a contestent and, if successful, as a newly elected Parliament Member.

I know that Kashmir enjoys a special status with its own constitution. I dont know what sort of an oath Kashmiris were taking till now.

I wonder wether he will swear by the Indian constitution and solemnly promise to uphold it and the unity and the integrity of our country which he has distinguished from Kashmir. I also dont know if some special provision exists exempting Kashmiris from this.

Taking oath is not an easy business as some may think. It could be a tricky affair. For those who take a oath without meaning it as a routine necessity it is okay. See how our friends who claim to believe in Akhand Bharat swear to uphold the territorial integrity of our country as it stands today. But for a committed person it could be tricky on ideological or even on religious grounds.

But I have unshakeable faith in the wisdom and capabilites of our Legal Pundits and our Babus. They will find a way out. Remember how MGR took oath as CM in his last tenure. He was already unable to speak and almost in vegetable state. His oath taking was held 'in camera' and it was claimed that somebody read the oath and he nodded his head. If I am wrong my apologies and I stand corrected.

Let us see what happens now.

...ponder

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Justice vs. Law

Abhishek Manu Singhvi hit the nail squarely on its head when he said that there can be no justice beyond law. Though he wears two hats i.e. of a suave and erudite Lawyer and that of a cultured, educated, articulate Politician, it was the Congress Spokesperson who was speaking and not the Lawyer in search of justice. The venue was not a court room and neither was he holding the brief of those seeking justice. In fact he is in the camp of those in the dock.

Courts cannot make Law. They uphold Law and dispense justice within its limitations. Sometimes they may gently nudge the Law makers into the path of justice. But that is where their powers end.

In a vision for democracy, the right balance has been struck by our constitution framers which is still holding good despite occassional stresses and strains. These tribulations are not due to flaws in the system but due to human fallacy. However, each pillar has to perform its role to achieve the objective of justice. If one pillar fails, others will crumble too.

Constitution has been amended umpteen times to move ahead with times or to serve narrow partisan ends or any other reason. But the moot point is why we could not narrow the yawning gap between Justice and Law? The framers of the constitution left enough hints in the Directive Principles which could have been subsequently been made into law. Alas. "It shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws".

Contrast this with the constitutional amendment inserting the word 'Secular' in the Preamble to the constitution. Was there a need? What new purpose it served? Are we more secular after its insertion than before?

Elections are round the corner. We hope we will get a new set of law makers who will bridge the gap between Justice and Law. But the likes of some contestents does not really nspire confidence. Is it not ironic that Singhvi's assertion is just in the context of contestents!

...ponder

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Andhra MPs

Gurazada Appa Rao famously said that "Our fellows are a Useless Lot". The exact telugu idiom used by him may be treated as unparliamentary and breach of privileges if applied to our Hon'ble MPs. But will it be off the mark?

Krishnam Raju, who was a BJP MP and a MOS in Vajpayee Ministry finally joined PRP. The reason attributed him is "He cannot do anything for the state remaining in BJP".
Does he feel BJP is anti coastal Andhra given its staunch pro-Telengana stance? Is that why Pendem Dora Babu, one of the 2 to be elected on BJP ticket in last elections, left BJP to join Congress?

Pallam Raju, MP from Kakinada and MOS in MMS Ministry candidly admitted he could not deliver Kakinada-Pithapuram line, a sanctioned project mooted 60 years ago and cannot do it as long as Lalu Prasad is the Railway Minister. Pallamraju Did not elaborate why Lalu is against it but is so vexed with his Cabinet colleague’s indifference that he had commented in the media that only a new Railway Minister might concede the long-pending demand.

Though dawning of wisdom is better late than never, it is more than a coincidence that these gentlemen became wiser after enjoying power and position to its full in their respective tenures.

Except for Valluri Basava Raju, who commanded respect for his erudition and oratary skills, and Vadde Shobanadeeswara Rao to some extent I dont think any other MP from AP commanded any respect nay recognition in Delhi. This is uniformly applicable cutting across party lines. Is this due to the unique DNA of Andhras who have the crab trait.

Anyway BJP owes an explanation to Andhras on Krishnam Raju's reasoning.Mere contradiction will not do. Bandaru Dattatreya, who himself was MOS Railways should react or confess.

...Ponder

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Security for God

My late friend Sandur, also known as 'brown saheb' used to say

"Some wisemen created God and gave Him all the virtues, and exhorted their fellow men to rever, fear, worship and emulate Him."

How good this world will be if everybody treats himself as God and behaves exactly as he/she expects Him to be.

Probably this is the meaning of the saying "Aham Brahmasmi".

Whether man created God or not, he created a lot of wealth, assets, procedures, rituals, dangers and more importantly rival Gods for Him.

Hence, the need for security for God.

See what happened at Ayodhya. Deliberate inaction by security brought down an antiquated structure whether you call it a temple or mosque. Now see the paradox, a vigilent security keeps the present taurpaulin structure intact.

All temples, churches, mosques,synogogues, etc. so called abodes of peace, need the khakis to keep them peaceful.

I extract a recent news report:

"NEW DELHI: • A leading Christian organisation that manages India’s busiest churches is shopping for a “complete security package”. It held talks with a visiting high-level Israeli security delegation earlier this week."

I think God is very kind to the security business in these days of recession and slump. So God deserves the best security to keep the businesses of God and the Security booming.

Am I being irreverant or factual?

...Ponder

Monday, March 16, 2009

I am reproducing below a news item frm The Hindu 17.3.2009.

Vatican-appointed exorcist for capital
A. Joseph Antony

HYDERABAD: Fr. Rufus Pereira, an internationally acclaimed exorcist appointed by the late Pope John Paul II, will conduct the Healing and Deliverance Convention Hyderabad-2009 at the Holy Family Church grounds, Trimulgherry from March 17 to 22, from 5.30 p.m. onwards.

A member of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) Council, based in Vatican City, Rome, he has written two books, Jesus Today and God is Love, which have been translated into many languages. Fr. Rufus is Chief Editor of Charisindia, a national Catholic monthly published from New Delhi. A powerful orator, he’s invited often to conduct retreats in Europe and the United States. The scholarly prelate preaches frequently to bishops and archbishops, with a view to bring about change from the higher echelons of the church hierarchy. He holds a doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Pontifica Universita Urbaniana, Vatican City, Rome and is visiting professor to the Biblical Pastoral Institute at Nemi, Italy.


I wish to know what the Indian Secularists/Rationalists would say about this.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Importance of Precise Information and Feedback

Communication is not an easy matter. As we all know that communication is coloured by our bias, perception, culture, language, etc etc. Today the tools for communication have made such technological strides, that real time communication is a matter of fact. But alas, there is a distressing deterioration in the faculties of the communicator/listner that the whole effort becomes not only waste but counter-productive.

Today there is none without a cell phone. So you would expect good connectivity. But it is not so. I miss the days when a phone was a mere phone and nothing else. Today you try contacting someone, he is busy listening to music. More than the medium the promptness of response and content of message is more important and this is what is missing.


Again the habit of giving feedback is vanishing leading to presumptions and assumptions which more often than not go awry. Especially when there is a change in the plans.

Merely possessing a technological marvel is not enough. One (transmitter as well as listner) should possess common sense, empathy to others' feelings and needs, sense of context,capacity to go to the heart of the matter without missing essential details, brevity, without which communication is distorted.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Rail Budget 2009

It is unfortunate that the Railway Budget is to to be received in mourning in more than one sense. Madras-bound Coromondal Express derails near JK Road. 15 are reported dead and more than 100 injured with casualities likely to go up.

The other reason is that the budget is by a Bihari about Bihar and for Bihar.

There was a Group discussion arranged by ETV in which some top ex-Administrators, Union leaders and others participated yesterday. It was an exercise in lament. Some Highlights of the budget (not included in the budget speech) as brought out in the group discussion are as under:-

1. 2,00,000 vacancies in Railways. The saving on these vacancies shown as incrased earnings!

2. Projects for Bihar and surveys/feasibility studies for other states.

3. We are talking of bullet trains (projected speed 350 kmph) when we are not able to run trains even at 150 kmph.

4. An existing train running via Sec'bad to touch Kacheguda. This is a new achievement!

5. Approved pojects in previous budgets get no allocation or token allocations. But new surveys/studies announced. Example Kakinada-Pithapuram line, total cost estimated around 50 crores. Mooted for execution almost 60 years ago. Mr.Pallam Raju our Hon'ble MP from Kakinada and MOS(defence) can cite this as his achievement when he seeks re-election.

6. Fares cut by 2%. But lion-share of accommodation set aside for Tatkal for which charges are twice as normal.

7. General bogies reduced and reserved bogies increased. Poor people have to pay more.

8. All catering contracts to a cartel from Bihar. You dont get local ethnic fare. You have to eat Bihari samosas everywhere.

9. A train which reaches its destination say after 12/15 hours reduces its running time by 5/10 minutes. Made superfast and additional levy extracted.

10. Lalu may be comfortable in his Saloon. But paying passengers have to squeeze themselves in the third side berth.

11. A new train beetween Secunderabad to Patna. This will serve Bihari labour in hyderabad. you know how many Andhras live in patna.

12. No dedicated freight corridor for south.

South Central Railway contributes around 30% of Railway revenues. Congress is in power in Centre and AP. AP has around 45 MPs in Lok sabha. will they create a ruckus in parliament? Will they throw budget papers? will they walk out? Will they resign en masse? Will they whimper?

...ponder

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Small Men Big Shoes

Terrorism is serious business. The safety and security of the Nation and its people are ever vulnerable. The need of the hour is to close ranks and project a single-minded determination and sense of purpose to the enemy.

This is neither the time nor the excuse to play to gallery for petty ends like votes. If this applies to Antulay and Karunanidhi, it equally applies to Modi too.

When our government is struggling to marshall world opinion against terrorism in general and Mumbai attacks in particular, off-the-cuff reference to alleged internal assistance gives a handle to the enemy. Pakistan gleefully grabbed it. Chidambaram is right in chiding him.

Modi is occupying a very responsible position and not unlike any ordinary citizen, any information he has should be shared with appropriate authority and not the gallery or the media. If he is speculating, he should avoid same, as his utterances need to be given due importance.

He is reputed to be a go getter and is said to have wroght wonders in administering Gujarat and in its development. But any day, he cannot win a popularity contest. He should stick to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses. He should remember that he is yet to get an American visa despite trying.

Mimicking is no excuse. Sagacity and statesmanship are needed.

...ponder

Friday, February 6, 2009

Needless Diversion

Pranab Mukherjee is juggling three responsibilities now. In addition to his External Affairs, he is also handling Prime Ministerial job and also the Finance Ministry. This vetern Congressman, who was disgraced by Congress Party, for aspiring exactly for this role in the wake of Indira Gandhi assassination, is admirably handling his present unique assignments. I think he is also handling Bengal Congress affairs.

But coalition politics and compulsions will not leave him alone. He has to go to Sri Lanka at a most un-diplomatic juncture just to mollycoddle Karunanidhi. It is another thing that the President of that country politely found time for this big brother despite engaged in a most decisive military exercise after Bangladesh War.

This poking of our nose in the internal affairs of a neighbouring country with the Kashmir problem already in our lap is just shooting one's own leg. If Pakistan raises hue and cry over the fate of Kashmiris, it is interference in our internal affairs. But same is not the case when we talk of Tamils in Sri Lanka. Double standards!

Though his timing was undiplomatic - when war is raging in its climax - his utterances were diplomatic enough. He might have even privately congratulated Sri Lanka.

Also contrast the present stance of our government with that of immature Rajiv Gandhi, who was led the garden path by the wily Jayawardane and India had to lose face by the rout that IPKF suffered then.

Sonia is better than Rajiv, Coalition politics and Karunanidhi not withstanding.


...ponder

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

OBAMA's Election - Lessons for India

Mr.Obama has taken over as American President, the most-powerful, responsible and lonely position in this world. Welcome Sir. All the best to you, your great country and this world of ours. Your thoughts, words and deeds will have profound effect on almost every facet of world affairs for the next four years and may be beyond.

As far as India is concerned, we have some apprehensions (outsourching, kashmir, military aid to Pakistan, etc.) and a lot of expectations. I am sure that the new President will be inspired to think, speak and act, not merely in American's interests but towards ensuring justice and peace to Indian too.

India can draw a few lessons from the election of Mr.Obama, especially our intellectuals and political class provided. they are willing to jettison some pet baggage.

Obama won the Democratic nomination against a powerful opponent and eventually won the election against a candidate who, on the surface, represented the majority (whites) and entrenched elite. He won handsomely and his victory, throughout the campaign, was never in serious doubt. This despite the fact, he was perceived to be handicapped by the colour of his skin, his being just a second generation American, his origins spread over vast geography wirg almost no roots within America.

His victory was not due to any positive discrimination or condenscending affirmative action. In Indian lingua not due to reservation. Cutting across various barriers, he won the popularity contest merely on his credentials and the hope he generated in the minds of Americans.

In India, there is a lot of talk and dependency on factors like Region, Language, Minority, Downtroddenness, etc. and till today no worthwhile leader in any party could emerge as leader without these crutches or cards except in the initial days of Independence euphoria. Even such stalwart like Indira Gandhi had to contest from Chikabalapur or Medak not sure of her own win from traditional constituency.

Especially the whining we hear from Secularists, Minorities, persons belonging to certain communities, on their percievred discrimination should introspect why no one could emerge from their ranks with a pan-Indian appeal. Jagjivan Ram contested election after election from Sasaram, a reserved constituency, and left it a more impoverished area than when he first represented it, thought he was Prime Ministerial Material.

There is none from these ranks who has even an iota of ambition of leading this country let alone be a serious contender on their own. One or two like Sonia Gandhi or Mayavati bank on not thier worth or popularity but on the wily political culture of our country.

For the sake of our country, for the sake of cleaner politics, for the sake of empowerment of vast masses, this mindset should change. But the present form of Government may not be conducive. Presidential form may be more suitable. I dont think Obama would have made it in an indirect election.


...Ponder

Sunday, January 11, 2009

People's Representatives

Amar Singh announced that Sanjay Dutt will be SP's candidate from Lucknow constituency for the forthcoming general elections. As Sanjay Dutt is a convicted person in a terror case and whose appeal is pending in Hon'ble Supreme Court, doubts have been raised whether his nomination will be accepted as per the electoral code. Promptly, Amar Singh comes out with the name of Manyata, the wife of Sanjay Dutt, as the alternative choise. I wish her all the best.

Choosing a contestant by a political party is its own business and one cannot dispute that.

But some questions still linger.

1. We merely talk of eligibility but what about suitability?

2. Are they capable of really representing the citizens residing in that constituency? Do they reside there? Are they accecible easily to the voters? Do they experience the problems peculiar and particular to that state,district,constituency?

3. What is their contribution to the Nation, Country and Civil society, as a public person, to make them an MP ?

4. What is their experience/qualification which will enable them to function as an MP doing full justice to the onerous responsibilities that go with that position. Are they equipped to participate in any debate, appreciate the contents of plethora of papers they will receive from Lok Sabha Secretariat? Do they possess the potential to become a sub-committee member on any important issue or a member of Standing Committees like PAC, BAC, etc.

5. Why should capable,experienced, qualified, hard-working card carrying party members be ignored? What is the incentive for working up from grass roots?

6. All MPs of ruling party do not become ministers. Likewise all MPs of opposition also do not become prominent spokespersons of Opposition. Definitely, back benchers are needed to beef up numbers. But are they expected to perform only barraging, walkouts, raising hands, etc and otherwise remain silent?

There should be a system of democratically electing a party candidate before he/she attempts to get democratically elected as a People's Representative. This will also end the evil of a widow/widower or offspring of a deceased MP getting nominated automatically reducing the democratic process to dynastic succession.

In this context the talk of making Rahul Gandhi being made PM by no less than our incumbant PM and our unsuccessful bidder for that post, Pranab Mukherjee, makes depressing reading. Rahul Gandhi's winning election from Amethi is itself doubtful and there is talk is in the air of giving him Medak seat in AP as a safety net
.

Congress is steeped in nomination culture (also papered over as 'consensus') from pre-independence days. Remember how Subhash Chandra Bose was hounded out after he dared to win against Pattabhi Sitaramayya despite Mahatma Gandhi. Nomination culture provides for the undeserving, less-talented, less-popular, less-experienced to jump over others. Unfortunately, other parties too follow in Congress' footsteps.

Result is people 'do not get the government they deserve' thanks to the way electoral laws have been made and are flouted.

...ponder