The most important step in the fight for achieving separate Telangana is the formation of Joint Action Committee, an umbrella forum, consisting of almost all the political parties, non-political organizations representing interests like students, Government employees, Caste Groups, etc. This was formed at the initiative of a leading TRS and Congress functionary each . During its formative stage itself, several hiccups were noticed, which is but natural, like, (a) Nomination of a non-political compromise candidate as its Convener; (b) Decision to convene its meetings at neutral venues like Hotels rather than at the TRS Party building; (c) Initial hesitation of TDP in joining JAC etc. One of the first acts of the JAC was administering an oath to all its Constituents that they will set aside their party affiliations, flags, separate agendas, but strive unitedly under the aegis of this JAC till the goal is reached.
Today what do we see?
Congress has decided to disassociate from the JAC without leaving it. They are forming their own Committee.
All the MLAs and MPs resign in such a way that only one resignation was found to be in order.
After the Srikrishna committee’s terms of reference are announced, TRS MLAs resign without consulting the JAC. They have now been accepted.
TRS and other party MPs decide not to press their resignations which are already rejected.
After JAC’s dictat, Only two Congress and one PRP MLAs resign which are rejected by the Hon’ble Speaker. TDP MLAs submit their resignations not to the Speaker but to the Convener of JAC with riders. Out of 2 BJP MLAs, the Leader does not resign but the other MLA resigns due to ‘communication gap’ which has been promptly accepted.
Ministers decide to continue in office.
One of the decisions of the JAC is that the vacancies caused by resignations will be contested only by the resignee so that he/she can be re-elected unanimously. Now Congress has announced it will contest these vacancies in byelections which makes others crying foul.
The leader of a important constituent of JAC is heckled and pelted with water bottles when he tries to address a meeting.He represents an oppressed community
Some more suicides have taken place from impoverished sections.
…ponder
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Simple, Innovative and Effective
Muhammed-bin-Tughlak is a Tamil political satirical play written, directed and enacted by ‘Cho’ Ramaswamy in the early sixties. It ran for years to packed houses. This was translated into Telugu and Hindi too and finally made to the silver screen in a few languages. This play was prophetic in that, the cabinet consisted of one Prime Minister and all other MPs Deputy Prime Ministers.
Meghalaya is a small state in the North-East. It has a 60 member Assembly. The otherwise quiet and scenic Meghalaya is in the news recently for its path breaking innovation. It has a Chief Minister and three others with the rank, status and perks of Chief Minister! Unfortunately, the last three do not have the powers and functions of the CM. May be in future. At least the powers and responsibilities could be shared.
This novel but effective solution should be improved and replicated by other states and the centre too. This could be an ideal solution to many burning problems if taken to its logical solution.
If only Andhra Pradesh had 3 CMs, one from Coastal Andhra, one from Telangana and another from Rayala Seema I think the present crisis and loss of lives would have been avoided. There will be no family feuds in the first family of Tamil Nadu if the two sons, nephews, etc are all made CMs. One PM each from each religion and caste would have made our country truly secular and ensured social justice.
Imagine how efficient and convenient it could be. When a Heads of Government meet is held, we can have 4 PMs simultaneously holding separate discussions with China, US, Russia and Uk, thus speeding up treaties and decisions. Say for example if we have a couple of Presidents, there will be no need to get governments dismissed from abroad (where the sole President is visiting) nor get an important proclamation signed in the bathroom. Hopefully a handy President will be available. If not, we can increase their numbers to the optimum level.
People who eulogize our Constitution and its framers will scratch their heads and wonder why and and how this simple, effective, egalitarian and democratic provision eluded the framers’ collective wisdom. But nothing is lost. They have made provision for amendments.
….ponder
Meghalaya is a small state in the North-East. It has a 60 member Assembly. The otherwise quiet and scenic Meghalaya is in the news recently for its path breaking innovation. It has a Chief Minister and three others with the rank, status and perks of Chief Minister! Unfortunately, the last three do not have the powers and functions of the CM. May be in future. At least the powers and responsibilities could be shared.
This novel but effective solution should be improved and replicated by other states and the centre too. This could be an ideal solution to many burning problems if taken to its logical solution.
If only Andhra Pradesh had 3 CMs, one from Coastal Andhra, one from Telangana and another from Rayala Seema I think the present crisis and loss of lives would have been avoided. There will be no family feuds in the first family of Tamil Nadu if the two sons, nephews, etc are all made CMs. One PM each from each religion and caste would have made our country truly secular and ensured social justice.
Imagine how efficient and convenient it could be. When a Heads of Government meet is held, we can have 4 PMs simultaneously holding separate discussions with China, US, Russia and Uk, thus speeding up treaties and decisions. Say for example if we have a couple of Presidents, there will be no need to get governments dismissed from abroad (where the sole President is visiting) nor get an important proclamation signed in the bathroom. Hopefully a handy President will be available. If not, we can increase their numbers to the optimum level.
People who eulogize our Constitution and its framers will scratch their heads and wonder why and and how this simple, effective, egalitarian and democratic provision eluded the framers’ collective wisdom. But nothing is lost. They have made provision for amendments.
….ponder
Monday, February 22, 2010
Disturbing trend
Why do people commit suicide? Is it due to reaching one’s tether end? We can understand people taking this extreme step in a fit of emotion triggered by a particular incident. We can also understand this in the context of intense personal grief or loss of face. But suicide for a public cause? For trivial issues?
Recent trend amongst the younger generation shows that they are very poorly prepared to bear hardships and disappointments. Also there is the tendency not to face reality and willing to forego their desires, even small ones.
Students dying in hostels due to fear of poor performance in studies, extreme ragging, jilted affairs have become common place.
Psychiatrists could attribute this tendency to various reasons. They are the specialists. To my lay mind the following appear to contribute this disturbing social ill
a) Extinction of joint/extended families. In such families importance to children, outwardly minimal, resulted in less ego in them. Ego is the reason for many homicidal tendencies. Also there was the influence of grand parents in reining in the parents and children. There is the possibility of continuing certain values and the scope to find solace on one shoulder or the other.
b) Crumbling family values.
c) Stress in parents and children resulting in frequent outbursts.
d) Present day rat race leaving little scope for the children to savor their childhood.
e) Perceived inequalities – everyone wants everything (wants not needs) irrespective of their means to achieve it.
f) Criminalisation of mind at an early age due to over-emphasis bordering on hero worship of crimes on TV and movies.
g) Even the present day architecture of houses which leaves little elbow room and privacy leading to frequent friction.
h) Uncertainity about their future.
Recreation, leisure, travel, visiting, games, spirituality, etc could alleviate this evil to a great extent. But where is the opportunity? Or time for the children?
One disturbing trend in the tragic spate of suicides in the context of present day turmoil in AP is that, without exception, they are all simple, from poor economic and rural background and mostly from weaker communities. And highly impressionable. Not a person from affluent sections. None from political class. Is it because their future is assured? Are these children cynical and practical in the sure knowledge that they are princes-in-waiting?
…ponder
Recent trend amongst the younger generation shows that they are very poorly prepared to bear hardships and disappointments. Also there is the tendency not to face reality and willing to forego their desires, even small ones.
Students dying in hostels due to fear of poor performance in studies, extreme ragging, jilted affairs have become common place.
Psychiatrists could attribute this tendency to various reasons. They are the specialists. To my lay mind the following appear to contribute this disturbing social ill
a) Extinction of joint/extended families. In such families importance to children, outwardly minimal, resulted in less ego in them. Ego is the reason for many homicidal tendencies. Also there was the influence of grand parents in reining in the parents and children. There is the possibility of continuing certain values and the scope to find solace on one shoulder or the other.
b) Crumbling family values.
c) Stress in parents and children resulting in frequent outbursts.
d) Present day rat race leaving little scope for the children to savor their childhood.
e) Perceived inequalities – everyone wants everything (wants not needs) irrespective of their means to achieve it.
f) Criminalisation of mind at an early age due to over-emphasis bordering on hero worship of crimes on TV and movies.
g) Even the present day architecture of houses which leaves little elbow room and privacy leading to frequent friction.
h) Uncertainity about their future.
Recreation, leisure, travel, visiting, games, spirituality, etc could alleviate this evil to a great extent. But where is the opportunity? Or time for the children?
One disturbing trend in the tragic spate of suicides in the context of present day turmoil in AP is that, without exception, they are all simple, from poor economic and rural background and mostly from weaker communities. And highly impressionable. Not a person from affluent sections. None from political class. Is it because their future is assured? Are these children cynical and practical in the sure knowledge that they are princes-in-waiting?
…ponder
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Superstitions
The other day I received a beautiful portrait of a Goddess on G mail. I forwarded it to several friends because it was beautiful and grand. Not because of the admonition accompanying it that I “should forward to so many people and I will benefit by it and if not beware…”
I received a proper dressing down (well deserved) from a loved one for this act which makes me sit up and ponder.
Cutting across religions, nationalities, races, continents, most of the people are superstitious, one way or the other. Traditions, customs, practices may vary; but the common thread is they are superstitious. Take for example number thirteen, this particular superstition has come from so called ‘last supper’ which we don’t know was a reality or a myth. We simply believe thirteen is an unlucky number which is given official recognition in RDSO Officers’ Colony at Lucknow. After Bungalow No 12, it is 12A and then 14! Likewise black cat cutting across your path. Walking under a ladder and so on.
Most of the superstitions may be harmless – only a nuisance. At another level, inconvenient. But there are some really horrific and end in criminal acts. Recently two kids were murdered near Srikakulam in AP to propiate Gods for material gain.
Now the borderline between faith, belief and superstition is very blurred. People tend to confuse one for the other. It may be due to ignorance or fear of unknown or the path of least resistance of playing safe,
Some people grow hair – some shave – all as a matter of faith. This is perfectly harmless example. But killing, for treasure or begetting children? Likewise suppression of scientific evidence (eclipses) and perpetuating myths corrupts impressionable minds. Superstition leads to other vague but unscientific subjects like black magic, astrology, gemmology, vaastu (distinct from architecture) .
Our Constitution exhorts a spirit of scientific temper and query.
…ponder
I received a proper dressing down (well deserved) from a loved one for this act which makes me sit up and ponder.
Cutting across religions, nationalities, races, continents, most of the people are superstitious, one way or the other. Traditions, customs, practices may vary; but the common thread is they are superstitious. Take for example number thirteen, this particular superstition has come from so called ‘last supper’ which we don’t know was a reality or a myth. We simply believe thirteen is an unlucky number which is given official recognition in RDSO Officers’ Colony at Lucknow. After Bungalow No 12, it is 12A and then 14! Likewise black cat cutting across your path. Walking under a ladder and so on.
Most of the superstitions may be harmless – only a nuisance. At another level, inconvenient. But there are some really horrific and end in criminal acts. Recently two kids were murdered near Srikakulam in AP to propiate Gods for material gain.
Now the borderline between faith, belief and superstition is very blurred. People tend to confuse one for the other. It may be due to ignorance or fear of unknown or the path of least resistance of playing safe,
Some people grow hair – some shave – all as a matter of faith. This is perfectly harmless example. But killing, for treasure or begetting children? Likewise suppression of scientific evidence (eclipses) and perpetuating myths corrupts impressionable minds. Superstition leads to other vague but unscientific subjects like black magic, astrology, gemmology, vaastu (distinct from architecture) .
Our Constitution exhorts a spirit of scientific temper and query.
…ponder
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