Defining Moment

In the history of any nation there are certain defining moments. Invasion of Mughals, advent of Western Traders, Sepoy Mutiny, are some such. In the context of the present turmoil in our country, I feel that one more defining moment was Nehru living and Patel dying. Setting aside dogmas, with hind sight let us imagine;

what would have happened in Kashmir? Patel, the decisive realist, would not have allowed it to fester. Most likely, the invaders would have been driven out and the accession taken to its full and logical conclusion like any other native state e.g. Junagadh, Hyderabad. The times were conducive then for a strong action.

what would have happened in foreign affairs especially, Tibet? No hankering for external approval or Nobel Peace prize. Pragmatic national consideration would have prevailed. No Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai which only lost us a huge chunk of our mother land (where no grass grows!) and further loss of territory a possible reality. India would have commanded respect (respect stemming from steel strength and not pathetic posturing).

What would have happened to dynastic politics? Nehru, who was groomed and promoted by his father Motilal, was himself grooming Indira. He was steeped in dynastic politics whereas Patel was the total antithesis. Patel willingly obliged Gandhi, as a true nationalist. in the leadership issue though he was a towering senior to Nehru and could have even bested Gandhi as Bose did while contesting against Pattabhi. Whereas Nehru though inffectual after a stroke and the chinese debacle, did not retire in favour of fresh blood, instead he got potential challenger 'Kamarajed'.

What would have happened to the 'Communal question'? He would not have allowed large scale inundation of North East by the East Pakistanis. Today we see almost no Hindus in Pakistan. This would not have happened under his dispensation. At worst there would have been a neat and peaceful exchange of population as per the aspirations of people of India and Pakistan then. No communal riots nor pseudo-secularism.

What would have happened to the administration. The Iron Man would not have brooked inefficient Ministers like Krishna Menon who were a lot of gas with no substance. The Civil Services would not have degnerated like now. No propping up of people like Gen Kaul.

What would have happened to the political set up of the country? No linguistic states which was the creation of Nehru on his succumbing to minor riots. Langauge has proved to be no glue with the creation of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chattisgargh and the demand for Telangana. Administratively conveient divisions only would have been allowed leading to less chauvanism, no river disputes or border disputes.

What could have been!

...ponder

Modi vs Sonia

The results are out. The knives are not.

Sonia has bitten the dust but the scapegoats are loyally proclaiming their guilt.

So called rebels have also bitten dust.

Anti-incumbency bogey has bitten dust.

Candidly communal Modi has scored over pseudo secular Sonia.

Open Hindutva has scored over soft Hindutva.

Modi's victory is not withstanding Raj Nath Singh.

When Jyoti Babu speaks about Modi and communalism, I am reminded about his own role as Home Minister during the early seventies in anihilating Naxalites by facilitating joint action by his cadres and the police. His own Chief Minister went on hunger strike against him. Does he remember?

Balraj Madhok and M.L.Sondhi may be rejoicing wherever they are.

This may be the beginning of the end of BJP and revival of BJS.

...ponder

Marriage Halls

People are more and more dependent on Marriage Halls for performing marriages of their children due to various reasons like

1. lack of large houses with open spaces
2. lack of homes/home towns where close relations could normally assemble otherwise
3. desire for lavish weddings
4. affordability
5. lack of time and energy to organise a wedding and depending on service providers
6. peer pressure
7. inter-religious/inter-language/inter-caste marriages calling for neutral venues

This gives licence for the marriage hall owners/employees to exploit with hidden costs/shortcomings about which we have no prior knowledge and the after wisdom of no use. Some of these are

1. extra charges for generator whether used or not
2. not providing complete infrastructure forcing people to hire out extras like accommodation for close guests, quilts, mattresses, drinking water, etc.
3. not providing energy meters at convenient places where one can easily remember and note down readings.
4. Not providing promised furniture/infrastructure.
5. Charging for labour additionally over whom we have no control and whose number we do not know.
6. Gate-crashers.
7. Insisting on utilising the services of particular individuals like caterers, decorators, who dictate terms and rates.
8. Pestering for tips.

These are only a few examples. Some Halls like Charitable ones may be better and free from these evils.

There should be some regulations. May be there are.

These halls should be made to prominently display:

1. Hire charges.
2. Services/infrastructure provided.
3. An undertaking not to insist any particular service provider.
4. That they will aaccept payments only through cheques.

More suggestions are welcome

ponder...

Merchants of Death

Whether Mr.Modi and/or Mrs.Gandhi committed breach of election code is for the Election Commission to decide whose job alone it is.

Wheter Mr.Modi committed contempt of court by his Sohrabuddin speech is for the Hon'ble Supreme Court to decide who are seized of the matter.

Apart from the legal/codal dimensions, there is a moral dimension to the matter. Whether senior politicians like Mr.Modi and Mrs.Gandhi can indulge in such crass communal rhetoric, especially when matters are pending in courts, should be pondered upon.

Whether those who prescribe to the philosophy that 'when a tree falls, the earth shakes' have any right to speak about massacres?

Whether those who give safe passage to most wanted terrorist have any right to speak about terrorism?

Who are the merchants of death and who are not?

ponder...