Our permanent PM-in-Waiting is planning to go on a Rath Yatra again. One discerning Reporter asked him whether he will cover Bellary too. The would-be Yatri parried this jibe as a 'suggestion'.
I have two suggestions to make. He should abdicate this onerous responsibility in favor of more vocal and more glamorous Leader of Opposition. Secondly, the Yatra could be confined to Andhra and Karnataka states, where a 'mine' of issues are available.
Andhra and Karnataka also boast of a 'wealth' of logistics and resources which can be at the disposal of the Yatri, Golden thrones, golden serving dishes, white houses and what not. Traditionally Reddys are large hearted and gracious hosts.
There will be no spoil-sport Chief Ministers here to abort the Yatra. In fact both the CMs will not be able to act as there is no border between these two states having been 'mined' out. They will think that it is the other one's jurisdiction. There will be no law and order problem too as people care little for Yatra here.
The Yatra's theme could be expanded to cover fight against CBI, Lok Pal as envisaged by 'Civil' Society vis-a-vis the enlightened vision of our squeaky clean politicians too. CAG is another irritant of late. It is worth exploring doing away with CAG as JPC and PAC are there doing a good job harmoniously. The Yatra may focus on this aspect too.
With Institutions and 'non-state-players' hogging the limelight, politicians desperately need some 'show'. The focus on 'stars-behind-bars' needs diversion. There will be a rare unanimity now. Grasp the opportunity Mr.PM-in-waiting.
…ponder
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Silence is not Golden
Chandra Babu Naidu is busy with issues lke Crop Holiday and Anti-Corruption movement of Anna Hazare. It is another matter that hundreds of farmers committed suicide during his regime and his party had opposed the suggestion of making Hazare, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
But it is his deafening silence on other burning issues like Telangana Movement, CBI enquiry against Jagan and deletion of Clause 14(f) of Presidential Order that calls for one's attention.
Poor man is scared of local media. Only a few contrived photo-ops for him to continue in news without actually saying anything significant on burning topics. Also he keeps himself busy with 'discussions' with other unemployed persons from has been-parties like SP, CPM, CPI, LJD, etc. He shies away from touring Telangana region despite the Black Cat protection. This so called CEO says he will not harass government employees in future.
All the leading Andhra politicians have taken a definite stand on the future of AP one way or the other except Naidu. His party says that Congress should reveal its mind first. Congress revealed its mind by Chidambaram's Dec 9 statement.
Recent media polls indicate that TDP stands to get a mere 20% in coastal Andhra if elections are held now. TRS is poised to sweep Telangana area. A third consecutive defeat could wipe out his staying power any more. Two TDP MLAs have also joined Jagan camp till now.
One question begs answer. If the TDP, on its launch by NTR, had also flopped like the PRP, in which party will Naidu be now? Remember Naidu was a junior minister in Congress government and did not join TDP on its inception but after NTR was swept into power, he joined TDP 6 months later.
ponder...
Temples in Distress
East Godavari distict of AP is the eye of the storm. Farmers have declared 'Crop Holiday' as stocks from previous harvest are rotting with them unsold and input costs have spiraled uncontrollably. The alternative for them is going in for next crop with loaned capital which may result in more suicides unable to clear debts.
This phenomenon if it spreads contagiously will seriously jeopardize our food security, result in high rural unemployment and affect the industry due to non-lifting of fertilizer/insecticide stock. One good thing could be Holiday to Degradation of Land.
Another spin-off is its effect on temples. All temples are not Tirupati nor Ananta Padmanabha! Most temples depend on the meagre returns from the endowment lands leased out to tenant farmers and voluntary offerings. If farmers are already distressed how can they make offerings. And if 'Crop Holiday' is practiced how will they make the annual agreed payments?
Gods, Priests and the Staff will have to sweat it out along with the farmer. This could also affect the Tourism, Transport and Hospitality sectors.
…ponder
This phenomenon if it spreads contagiously will seriously jeopardize our food security, result in high rural unemployment and affect the industry due to non-lifting of fertilizer/insecticide stock. One good thing could be Holiday to Degradation of Land.
Another spin-off is its effect on temples. All temples are not Tirupati nor Ananta Padmanabha! Most temples depend on the meagre returns from the endowment lands leased out to tenant farmers and voluntary offerings. If farmers are already distressed how can they make offerings. And if 'Crop Holiday' is practiced how will they make the annual agreed payments?
Gods, Priests and the Staff will have to sweat it out along with the farmer. This could also affect the Tourism, Transport and Hospitality sectors.
…ponder
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Son Rise
A report in recent Hindustan times says that in his recent book India: A Portrait, Patrick French points out that all MPs under the age of 30 are hereditary. More than two thirds of 66 MPs under the age of 40 are hereditary. Of women MPs, 69.5% are hereditary. If the present trend continues, the Indian parliament will soon be made up of only hereditary MPs and India will be back to the era of the princelings and their kingdoms.
How true. This is so all-pervasive that this phenomenon cuts across almost all parties big and small; national and regional.
In Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party, his brother and sons are not only MPs but call the shots. In TRS, we hear and see only father, son, nephew and daughter. DMK is full of sons, nephews, grand nephews, daughters and what not. TDP was a pocket borough of one NTR till he was literally shoed out by his son-in-law. Now we are waiting with bated breath for the sons' rise - Lokesh and Jr.NTR. Ofcourse Congress is the mother of all nepotism starting with Moti Lal Nehru. The new offshoot of Congress in AP is brazenly hereditary, even in its name. BJP & communists are exempt from this may be because they are in the vice-like grip of humorless bachelors.
Initially people thought that this is due to the name tag as average Indian is still rooted in feudal mindset. Also, in case of deaths, sympathy factor rather than effectiveness works. The networking is ready on a platter.
But there are other reasons as well, the chief being money. Nowadays, elections are very costly affairs and the party generally gives ticket to winnable aspirant who can finance his/her contest. Secondly, in case of death of a sitting member, the family members alone have access to the stashed funds.
Today we see the jaded likes of Sathes pumping for Priyanka Vadra. We can understand their desperation. They always climb on others shoulders and cant win a municipal election on their own. There is also the orchestrated 'desires' like that for Lokesh in Chandragiri. Imagine 'Seniors' like Yerrannaidu and Ramakrishnudu keeping mum over the foisting of the 'son'. They have no option.
Why can't we switch over from de-facto to de-jure by legally doing away with elections and institutionalizing Aristocracy. We can then avoid, costly, corrupt, violent elections with the same results.
…Ponder
How true. This is so all-pervasive that this phenomenon cuts across almost all parties big and small; national and regional.
In Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party, his brother and sons are not only MPs but call the shots. In TRS, we hear and see only father, son, nephew and daughter. DMK is full of sons, nephews, grand nephews, daughters and what not. TDP was a pocket borough of one NTR till he was literally shoed out by his son-in-law. Now we are waiting with bated breath for the sons' rise - Lokesh and Jr.NTR. Ofcourse Congress is the mother of all nepotism starting with Moti Lal Nehru. The new offshoot of Congress in AP is brazenly hereditary, even in its name. BJP & communists are exempt from this may be because they are in the vice-like grip of humorless bachelors.
Initially people thought that this is due to the name tag as average Indian is still rooted in feudal mindset. Also, in case of deaths, sympathy factor rather than effectiveness works. The networking is ready on a platter.
But there are other reasons as well, the chief being money. Nowadays, elections are very costly affairs and the party generally gives ticket to winnable aspirant who can finance his/her contest. Secondly, in case of death of a sitting member, the family members alone have access to the stashed funds.
Today we see the jaded likes of Sathes pumping for Priyanka Vadra. We can understand their desperation. They always climb on others shoulders and cant win a municipal election on their own. There is also the orchestrated 'desires' like that for Lokesh in Chandragiri. Imagine 'Seniors' like Yerrannaidu and Ramakrishnudu keeping mum over the foisting of the 'son'. They have no option.
Why can't we switch over from de-facto to de-jure by legally doing away with elections and institutionalizing Aristocracy. We can then avoid, costly, corrupt, violent elections with the same results.
…Ponder
Friday, April 8, 2011
Privatisation
Education and Health are two vital responsibilities that the Government has almost totally abdicated and handed over to private hands who are raking in huge returns both through direct collection from public and through government reimbursements.
Huge amounts of land - both public and private - have been and continue to be compulsorily acquired and bestowed to private players in the name of Industries, SEZs, etc. It is an open secret that only a small percent of the land thus acquired is actually put to the legitimate use but get diverted to the booming realty sector or simply left undeveloped for the rates to increase.
Likewise, minerals are also dished out to private players, who export the raw mineral than put it to end use within the country as professed.
Now water resources are also slowly being handed over to private parties who are poised to make a giant killing. Huge lakes, canals, minor water bodies have been legally and illegally filled in and diverted to realty. Now private parties are being allowed to overexploit the ground water resources to the detriment of common people who depend on wells for irrigation and domestic consumption.
Many villages do not get potable water from respective local bodies but in their midst private parties are being allowed to pump out thousands of litres of water for being supplied to hotels, ships, etc.
With the present trend, it may not be long before we are forced to pay private parties for having windows in our houses as the air we breathe may be privatized.
Since less governance is better governance, the government may be thinking of confining itself solely to decide who will own the nature's gifts.
…ponder
Huge amounts of land - both public and private - have been and continue to be compulsorily acquired and bestowed to private players in the name of Industries, SEZs, etc. It is an open secret that only a small percent of the land thus acquired is actually put to the legitimate use but get diverted to the booming realty sector or simply left undeveloped for the rates to increase.
Likewise, minerals are also dished out to private players, who export the raw mineral than put it to end use within the country as professed.
Now water resources are also slowly being handed over to private parties who are poised to make a giant killing. Huge lakes, canals, minor water bodies have been legally and illegally filled in and diverted to realty. Now private parties are being allowed to overexploit the ground water resources to the detriment of common people who depend on wells for irrigation and domestic consumption.
Many villages do not get potable water from respective local bodies but in their midst private parties are being allowed to pump out thousands of litres of water for being supplied to hotels, ships, etc.
With the present trend, it may not be long before we are forced to pay private parties for having windows in our houses as the air we breathe may be privatized.
Since less governance is better governance, the government may be thinking of confining itself solely to decide who will own the nature's gifts.
…ponder
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Govt Lok Pal vs People Lok Pal
It started in one ancient civilization, Egypt; engulfed quite a few African and West Asian countries and has now touched another ancient civilization, India. It is the whirlwind of spontaneous and popular uprising against venality and corruption cynically and systematically indulged by those who have given themselves the power to rule either through gun or sleight of ballot. Mercifully for India, the cudgels have been taken by a diminutive Gandhian in a Gandhian way unlike in other affected countries where guns are booming.
People of India are at their tether's end. Scam after scam is surfacing and what is dished out is glib talk and confusion. Take for example the issue of appointment of CVC, 2G scandal, and so on.
The first Lokpal Bill was passed in the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969 but could not get through in Rajya Sabha. Subsequently, Lokpal bills were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008, yet they were never passed.
The present standoff between Anna Hazre and the Government is due to difference in perceptions on the body's constitution, its role and powers and more importantly about the composition of the re-drafting panel and its legal and binding status.
If the draft Bill prepared by the government becomes the law of the land, the Lokpal can’t punish a corrupt public servant but can send a person to jail for making a frivolous complaint. Activists want this provision to go and instead suggested imposition of fine to check frivolous complaints.
According to the draft bill, the Lokpal cannot act on its own or on a public complaint and can only receive complaints referred by LS Speaker or Rajya Sabha chairman.
Lokpal, after inquiry, will forward report to competent authority that can decide not to act on recommendations. Under the draft bill, Lokpal does not have powers of police to register FIR. Prosecution would be pursued by existing agency such as CBI.
Lokpal will have jurisdiction only on MPs, ministers and PM. It will not have jurisdiction over officers. The activists want it to include even judges.
Another controversy is around the composition of the body. The government draft proposes Lokpal to be three-member body — all retired judges. The selection panel is proposed to comprise Vice-President, PM, Leaders of both houses, Leaders of opposition in both Houses, law minister and home minister, thus not only loading heavily in favor of ruling clique, but also making it a cent percent political animal. But activists want CEC, CAG and international awardees of Indian origin to be on the panel.
The draft does not deal with corruption of bureaucrats and the Lokpal would not have powers to redress grievances. It does not incorporate mechanism to redress public grievance.
In the draft bill there is no provision to seize ill-gotten wealth. A corrupt person can come out of jail and enjoy that money. A limit of six months to one year has been prescribed for Lokpal to probe. But there is no time limit for completion of trial.
Anna Hazare has refused to budge and asked people to fill jails. With more and more citizens coming out against government, this is likely to snow ball. Let us hope unemployed politicians will not hijack the movement and whatever may be the outcome, things will remain on the peaceful Gandhian path.
...ponder
People of India are at their tether's end. Scam after scam is surfacing and what is dished out is glib talk and confusion. Take for example the issue of appointment of CVC, 2G scandal, and so on.
The first Lokpal Bill was passed in the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969 but could not get through in Rajya Sabha. Subsequently, Lokpal bills were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008, yet they were never passed.
The present standoff between Anna Hazre and the Government is due to difference in perceptions on the body's constitution, its role and powers and more importantly about the composition of the re-drafting panel and its legal and binding status.
If the draft Bill prepared by the government becomes the law of the land, the Lokpal can’t punish a corrupt public servant but can send a person to jail for making a frivolous complaint. Activists want this provision to go and instead suggested imposition of fine to check frivolous complaints.
According to the draft bill, the Lokpal cannot act on its own or on a public complaint and can only receive complaints referred by LS Speaker or Rajya Sabha chairman.
Lokpal, after inquiry, will forward report to competent authority that can decide not to act on recommendations. Under the draft bill, Lokpal does not have powers of police to register FIR. Prosecution would be pursued by existing agency such as CBI.
Lokpal will have jurisdiction only on MPs, ministers and PM. It will not have jurisdiction over officers. The activists want it to include even judges.
Another controversy is around the composition of the body. The government draft proposes Lokpal to be three-member body — all retired judges. The selection panel is proposed to comprise Vice-President, PM, Leaders of both houses, Leaders of opposition in both Houses, law minister and home minister, thus not only loading heavily in favor of ruling clique, but also making it a cent percent political animal. But activists want CEC, CAG and international awardees of Indian origin to be on the panel.
The draft does not deal with corruption of bureaucrats and the Lokpal would not have powers to redress grievances. It does not incorporate mechanism to redress public grievance.
In the draft bill there is no provision to seize ill-gotten wealth. A corrupt person can come out of jail and enjoy that money. A limit of six months to one year has been prescribed for Lokpal to probe. But there is no time limit for completion of trial.
Anna Hazare has refused to budge and asked people to fill jails. With more and more citizens coming out against government, this is likely to snow ball. Let us hope unemployed politicians will not hijack the movement and whatever may be the outcome, things will remain on the peaceful Gandhian path.
...ponder
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Girl child
The sex ratio of India, according to the Census Commissioner, is 933 females to 1000 males for whole India and 946 for rural India and 900 for urban India. Urban areas, with their better health facilities and awareness, cull female children at a more ruthless rate.
The other bad news is that the phenomenon of female foeticide, which was mainly confined to North and North-West is now prevalent all over the country. But, this comes with the rider that import of brides from Bihar, Kerala, North-East, West Bengal into North and North-West is now difficult due to paucity of females there too.
The spinoff is that girls are calling the shots in the matrimonial market and have become very choosy. In the software sector, where girls are neck to neck with boys, it is usual now to see boys' and their parents making rounds to find suitable alliances. Another interesting fallout is, girls calling off alliances at the eleventh hour in the supreme confidence that they will find a better partner.
Though education and employment opportunities have vastly empowered the girl child, the mind-set of the previous generation is changing but slowly. If the society can deliver a more secure environ for the females, things will improve faster. Secondly, the Hindu society in particular and all in general, should somehow reform and re-jig to meet all eventualities in a son-less set-up. Apart from harsh realities, spiritual needs also have to be modified in this context. Religious leaders should take the lead in giving girls equal role in matters spiritual and customary (like performing funeral) to change the mind set.
Girls have demolished many a male bastion. But they have to penetrate into many more areas like employment where due to age old taboos certain professions are denied to them like Priesthood. There aren't any female barbers. Brahmakumaris have shown that they can organize better and give succor better. Maharashtra boasts of female purohits. It is good to see more females as software specialists, engineers, doctors, administrators, etc. But more females as priests, conductors, gas station attendants, barbers, police, petty enterprueners, etc will also change the mindset of the society.
Let us hope we will have a society which is not only safe for existing females but to those unborn females too.
…ponder
The other bad news is that the phenomenon of female foeticide, which was mainly confined to North and North-West is now prevalent all over the country. But, this comes with the rider that import of brides from Bihar, Kerala, North-East, West Bengal into North and North-West is now difficult due to paucity of females there too.
The spinoff is that girls are calling the shots in the matrimonial market and have become very choosy. In the software sector, where girls are neck to neck with boys, it is usual now to see boys' and their parents making rounds to find suitable alliances. Another interesting fallout is, girls calling off alliances at the eleventh hour in the supreme confidence that they will find a better partner.
Though education and employment opportunities have vastly empowered the girl child, the mind-set of the previous generation is changing but slowly. If the society can deliver a more secure environ for the females, things will improve faster. Secondly, the Hindu society in particular and all in general, should somehow reform and re-jig to meet all eventualities in a son-less set-up. Apart from harsh realities, spiritual needs also have to be modified in this context. Religious leaders should take the lead in giving girls equal role in matters spiritual and customary (like performing funeral) to change the mind set.
Girls have demolished many a male bastion. But they have to penetrate into many more areas like employment where due to age old taboos certain professions are denied to them like Priesthood. There aren't any female barbers. Brahmakumaris have shown that they can organize better and give succor better. Maharashtra boasts of female purohits. It is good to see more females as software specialists, engineers, doctors, administrators, etc. But more females as priests, conductors, gas station attendants, barbers, police, petty enterprueners, etc will also change the mindset of the society.
Let us hope we will have a society which is not only safe for existing females but to those unborn females too.
…ponder
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Orphans All
Andhra politicians have the knack of becoming orphans. This happens while in power, or after, or even in death.
See the case of P.V.Narasimha Rao. A person who ruled the country wisely through wily means for five years (without the blessings of the dynasty) was given an unceremonious funeral after force-shifting of the body and his belongings thrown out of the official accommodation soon after. Nobody remembers him on his birth or death anniversary.
,
Let us see the fate of N.T. Rama Rao, who was thrown out of power by Indira Gandhi only to have her hand cuffed and experience the mortification of his triumphant return to power, was thrown out again by none other than his son-inn-law and man-Friday, Chandra Babu Naidu. The package included the 'footwear' treatment. He had to sulk in the company of his new bride Lakshmi Parvati and only after his death his statues get an occasional garland.
Lakshmi Parvati's taps went dry with NTR's downfall and his subsequent death made her an irrelevant politician only to be used by media for occasional abusing of Chandra Babu Naidu.
Now see the great mass leader Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. His is a peculiar predicament. Whether his legacy belongs to Congress or YSR Congress (Jagan) or falling between two stools. (Psst.. Was he bumped off only to market his fibre glass statues manufactured in China?).
Rosiah was a born orphan. Nobody shed any tears on his return to oblivion.
The quickest journey to orphanage is that of Chiranjeevi. He and his assorted brothers-in-law, etc will be under the care of his foster mother at Delhi.
There are other 'seniors' like Vekataswamy (aspiring for the President's post), ex-CM Janardhan Reddy, etc whom we don't see any more and whose nuisance value has also been choked off.
…ponder
See the case of P.V.Narasimha Rao. A person who ruled the country wisely through wily means for five years (without the blessings of the dynasty) was given an unceremonious funeral after force-shifting of the body and his belongings thrown out of the official accommodation soon after. Nobody remembers him on his birth or death anniversary.
,
Let us see the fate of N.T. Rama Rao, who was thrown out of power by Indira Gandhi only to have her hand cuffed and experience the mortification of his triumphant return to power, was thrown out again by none other than his son-inn-law and man-Friday, Chandra Babu Naidu. The package included the 'footwear' treatment. He had to sulk in the company of his new bride Lakshmi Parvati and only after his death his statues get an occasional garland.
Lakshmi Parvati's taps went dry with NTR's downfall and his subsequent death made her an irrelevant politician only to be used by media for occasional abusing of Chandra Babu Naidu.
Now see the great mass leader Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. His is a peculiar predicament. Whether his legacy belongs to Congress or YSR Congress (Jagan) or falling between two stools. (Psst.. Was he bumped off only to market his fibre glass statues manufactured in China?).
Rosiah was a born orphan. Nobody shed any tears on his return to oblivion.
The quickest journey to orphanage is that of Chiranjeevi. He and his assorted brothers-in-law, etc will be under the care of his foster mother at Delhi.
There are other 'seniors' like Vekataswamy (aspiring for the President's post), ex-CM Janardhan Reddy, etc whom we don't see any more and whose nuisance value has also been choked off.
…ponder
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Land & Water
Israel, the tiny nation with just 70 lakh population and 400 km long and 120 km wide land is a vibrant economy despite a poor annual rainfall of 550 cm. But the nation's economy thrives on agriculture and horticulture exports and is a highly developed country with the state of the art technology adopted in all sectors including Agriculture. Water is the most precious commodity and is used judiciously by farmers and others. The government itself would determine the quantum of water required for an agricultural or horticultural farm and supply the same. Filthy and used water was treated and reused for farming purpose and not for human consumption.
Land in Israel is owned totally by the government and is allotted as per requirement on a lease basis.
On a recent visit to US, I have come to understand that in this country, nobody is permitted to have a borewell, even on his own land/house, and water is available only through public distribution system. Land use is also subject to stringent scrutiny and regulations and the pristine beauty of nature is painstakingly preserved even while development takes place. Urban forestry, natural parks, massive green cover on either sides of the highways are regular features. While driving through the heart of the town of Auburn, we used to come across several animals like deer, ant-eaters, wild cats, etc. The changing colors of the foliage during fall was a sight to behold.
Just compare this with the conditions in India. Indiscriminate shrinkage of forest cover. Vanishing water bodies, old canals and drains. Quarrying at will. Whole hillocks have vanished. Sand mining at will. People bore wells to great depths depriving water to less privileged neighbors. Private players raking in money due to water woes. In a small village called Kumarapuram In Pithapuram Mandal of East Godavari District of Andhra, a huge and majestic pond called Jaggaih Cheruvu has been converted for housing and the only other source of irrigation, Thammiah Cheruvu is proposed to be taken over for water supply to Pithapuram Town. What will happen to farming in this village and to those hundreds depending on farming is anybody's guess.
Why our Governments permit such indiscriminate exploitation of land, water, hills, rivers for private profit makers like realtors, industry, business interests knowing fully well that we are tampering with nature only to deprive the well being of future generations for today's profit is depressing to ponder. Not only Governments are permitting this but they are themselves indulging in this vandalism on a massive scale.
Ever since Independence, people like Nehru, who could influence the policy and had the mandate to implement good governance and bring about change for the good , had been visiting counties like US and must have seen with their own eyes the benevolent and eco-friendly policies and practices there but allowed things to drift towards disaster in India. Was this not to prevent rocking the electoral boat by stepping on the feudal interests who have captured most of the posts in elected bodies and decided policies solely aimed at their continued hold on land and water resources? We amended our constitution to insert the the word 'Socialist' and US is a self-confessed Capitalistic country. What an irony?
…ponder
Land in Israel is owned totally by the government and is allotted as per requirement on a lease basis.
On a recent visit to US, I have come to understand that in this country, nobody is permitted to have a borewell, even on his own land/house, and water is available only through public distribution system. Land use is also subject to stringent scrutiny and regulations and the pristine beauty of nature is painstakingly preserved even while development takes place. Urban forestry, natural parks, massive green cover on either sides of the highways are regular features. While driving through the heart of the town of Auburn, we used to come across several animals like deer, ant-eaters, wild cats, etc. The changing colors of the foliage during fall was a sight to behold.
Just compare this with the conditions in India. Indiscriminate shrinkage of forest cover. Vanishing water bodies, old canals and drains. Quarrying at will. Whole hillocks have vanished. Sand mining at will. People bore wells to great depths depriving water to less privileged neighbors. Private players raking in money due to water woes. In a small village called Kumarapuram In Pithapuram Mandal of East Godavari District of Andhra, a huge and majestic pond called Jaggaih Cheruvu has been converted for housing and the only other source of irrigation, Thammiah Cheruvu is proposed to be taken over for water supply to Pithapuram Town. What will happen to farming in this village and to those hundreds depending on farming is anybody's guess.
Why our Governments permit such indiscriminate exploitation of land, water, hills, rivers for private profit makers like realtors, industry, business interests knowing fully well that we are tampering with nature only to deprive the well being of future generations for today's profit is depressing to ponder. Not only Governments are permitting this but they are themselves indulging in this vandalism on a massive scale.
Ever since Independence, people like Nehru, who could influence the policy and had the mandate to implement good governance and bring about change for the good , had been visiting counties like US and must have seen with their own eyes the benevolent and eco-friendly policies and practices there but allowed things to drift towards disaster in India. Was this not to prevent rocking the electoral boat by stepping on the feudal interests who have captured most of the posts in elected bodies and decided policies solely aimed at their continued hold on land and water resources? We amended our constitution to insert the the word 'Socialist' and US is a self-confessed Capitalistic country. What an irony?
…ponder
Monday, January 17, 2011
Winds of change
People have always been wondering why the laws tend to protect the white collar law breakers. Ofcourse, the maxim is there 'Innocent till proven guilty'. However, many a crime, especially venal crimes like corruption peter away on technical grounds. Great effort and time that goes into detection, investigation and prosecution gets frittered away on flimsy grounds. Courts are helpless as they can only uphold law as available on statute books.
Many of the Institutions like Lokpal, Lokayukta, Human Rights Commission, Minorities Commission have little powers being more of advisory in nature. In respect of persons holding political or beuracratic positions, one big hurdle is that permission is needed to prosecute them even in a normal court of law. Several offices are exempt. Ofcourse, people are to be protected for performing their duties, from frivolous and vexing litigations from aggrieved parties.
However, winds of change started blowing in a not small way, first through courts entertaining Public Interest Litigations and secondly with enactment of Right to Information Act.
Can't we get round the problem by easing laws of prosecution but at the same time tightening laws against character assassination and blackmail? Likewise can't 'Right to Information' elaborated to 'Obligation to Furnish Information'?
It is also puzzling why there should be secrecy about information already in possession of authorities - like names of persons having unaccounted money abroad, etc.
Recent newspaper reports are heartening that courts, public persons, individuals are exercising their minds about these issues e.g.
Wikileaks' Assange announcing imminent release of around 2000 names of persons round the world having secret Swiss Bank accounts.
Indian Courts questioning the need for keeping information secret about Indians who have stashed money abroad which the government has given the court in a sealed cover.
prominent thinkers and activists undertaking a walk in Delhi on 30th January seeking adoption of the draft laws they have proposed to give teeth to existing watered-down laws.
Let us wait and watch and more importantly hope.
…ponder
Many of the Institutions like Lokpal, Lokayukta, Human Rights Commission, Minorities Commission have little powers being more of advisory in nature. In respect of persons holding political or beuracratic positions, one big hurdle is that permission is needed to prosecute them even in a normal court of law. Several offices are exempt. Ofcourse, people are to be protected for performing their duties, from frivolous and vexing litigations from aggrieved parties.
However, winds of change started blowing in a not small way, first through courts entertaining Public Interest Litigations and secondly with enactment of Right to Information Act.
Can't we get round the problem by easing laws of prosecution but at the same time tightening laws against character assassination and blackmail? Likewise can't 'Right to Information' elaborated to 'Obligation to Furnish Information'?
It is also puzzling why there should be secrecy about information already in possession of authorities - like names of persons having unaccounted money abroad, etc.
Recent newspaper reports are heartening that courts, public persons, individuals are exercising their minds about these issues e.g.
Wikileaks' Assange announcing imminent release of around 2000 names of persons round the world having secret Swiss Bank accounts.
Indian Courts questioning the need for keeping information secret about Indians who have stashed money abroad which the government has given the court in a sealed cover.
prominent thinkers and activists undertaking a walk in Delhi on 30th January seeking adoption of the draft laws they have proposed to give teeth to existing watered-down laws.
Let us wait and watch and more importantly hope.
…ponder
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Voter Sagacity
Much has been said about the sagacity of the Indian voters. No doubt they could make stalwarts like Indira Gandhi, Vajpayee, Advani, etc. bite dust. But were these only flash in pan or calculated wise voting?
How come really worthies like Arun Shorie, Pranab Mukherjee and Man Mohan Singh cannot dare face the electorate and are to seek back door entry? Why hard-working no-nonsense Jai Ram Ramesh has to resort to Rajya Sabha entry that too from a State to which he does not really belong?
Can a Desmukh or a Chagla or a KL Rao win popular vote assuming a party will nominate them or as independents?
When most of the country was blowing Janata wind in 1977, Andhra voted 41 seats out of 42 for Congress. Were AP voters not sagacious?
Even though some not strictly political but educated, young, idealistic persons like Jyotiraditya, Jindal, Sachin Pilot, etc do contest and win it is not due to their personal worth but because they represent entrenched dynasties of their fiefdoms.
Or is it the Political parties at fault? Can't they break the shackles of religion, region, caste and family to give the voters a chance to elect upright, hard-working and knowledgeable people? What good do the electors expect from the widow of a politician who had no public exposure whatsoever hitherto, compounded by the fact that she may be an illiterate?
So we can safely conclude that neither the individual nor the political party nor the wise Indian voter can really buck the trend and ensure that best available is the winner.
If it is so, what is the trend?
We have certain constituencies treated as pocket boroughs. Rae Barelli and Amethi for example. Is it only a coincidence that these were never reserved. Anyway, do the voters there make a conscious choice? Are not the voters there taken for granted? Do they feel so?
On a bigger scale, in Tamil Nadu one elects either a DMK or an AiADMK to power, there can be no third choice. Where is voter sagacity?
About one third of our honorable law makers are reported to have criminal cases against them. But they have been duly elected by voters.
Has here been any instance of political parties not putting up candidates against men of proven integrity and ability like Kriplani, HV Kamath, NG Gorey, VB Raju, etc who bring prestige, wisdom and quality to our parliamentary democracy?
Are we to assume
that voter sagacity is a myth.
that political parties are only interested in power and the numbers that bring it and hence nominate the most winnable and available person irrespective of his antecedents or abilities.
that since huge amounts of money are required to contest elections, despite the expenditure ceiling, families that control money also control political parties and nominatins
that a individual hover worthy he/she may be has no scope in this jostling.
wither Democracy.
…ponder
How come really worthies like Arun Shorie, Pranab Mukherjee and Man Mohan Singh cannot dare face the electorate and are to seek back door entry? Why hard-working no-nonsense Jai Ram Ramesh has to resort to Rajya Sabha entry that too from a State to which he does not really belong?
Can a Desmukh or a Chagla or a KL Rao win popular vote assuming a party will nominate them or as independents?
When most of the country was blowing Janata wind in 1977, Andhra voted 41 seats out of 42 for Congress. Were AP voters not sagacious?
Even though some not strictly political but educated, young, idealistic persons like Jyotiraditya, Jindal, Sachin Pilot, etc do contest and win it is not due to their personal worth but because they represent entrenched dynasties of their fiefdoms.
Or is it the Political parties at fault? Can't they break the shackles of religion, region, caste and family to give the voters a chance to elect upright, hard-working and knowledgeable people? What good do the electors expect from the widow of a politician who had no public exposure whatsoever hitherto, compounded by the fact that she may be an illiterate?
So we can safely conclude that neither the individual nor the political party nor the wise Indian voter can really buck the trend and ensure that best available is the winner.
If it is so, what is the trend?
We have certain constituencies treated as pocket boroughs. Rae Barelli and Amethi for example. Is it only a coincidence that these were never reserved. Anyway, do the voters there make a conscious choice? Are not the voters there taken for granted? Do they feel so?
On a bigger scale, in Tamil Nadu one elects either a DMK or an AiADMK to power, there can be no third choice. Where is voter sagacity?
About one third of our honorable law makers are reported to have criminal cases against them. But they have been duly elected by voters.
Has here been any instance of political parties not putting up candidates against men of proven integrity and ability like Kriplani, HV Kamath, NG Gorey, VB Raju, etc who bring prestige, wisdom and quality to our parliamentary democracy?
Are we to assume
that voter sagacity is a myth.
that political parties are only interested in power and the numbers that bring it and hence nominate the most winnable and available person irrespective of his antecedents or abilities.
that since huge amounts of money are required to contest elections, despite the expenditure ceiling, families that control money also control political parties and nominatins
that a individual hover worthy he/she may be has no scope in this jostling.
wither Democracy.
…ponder
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Narcissism
Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Saddam Hussain, Kamaraj Nadar, Sanjeeva Reddy, Karunanidhi and Mayawati. They belong to different countries, different times and different ideologies. But there is one common thread. Can you guess? They all had their statues installed in their life time. Some may coyly suggest that it is the love and affection of their admirers and they themselves had no hand in it.
Is it the desire to ensure leaving their personal stamp for posterity lest they may be forgotten after they are no more?
But in quite a few cases like Sanjeeva Reddy, Karunanidhi and Saddam Hussain they had to go through the mortification of their statues getting destroyed - again during their life-time.
Whatever may be the purpose of these statues and whatever may be the achievements of their originals in flesh and blood, different statues evoke different feelings.
Sir Thomas Munroe's imposing statue in Chennai, majestic on a horseback but without stirrups has always been a puzzle for me. The Subhas Chandra Bose statue in front of Secunderabad station resembles more of Brahmananda Reddy than Bose. The statues of Telugu greats on the Tank Bund in Hyderabad evoke the ire of KCR than any reverence. Kannagi statue on Marina, Chennai, banished by Jayalalitha for fear of bad luck has re-appeared, courtesy MK. The imposing Bamiyan Budha statues, alas, are no more thanks to Taliban. The Statue of Liberty in New York ever inspires immigrants to the great country US. It is somewhat sad to see disproportionate and ill-kept statues of Gandhi and Ambedkar in thousands. Definitely, they will not recognize their own replicas.
Ever enterprising China is exporting fibre glass statues of Rajasekhar Reddy whose son is on a statue-erection spree. Nobody, not even Madam, can protest.
I have seen the statues of a man and woman in Lepakshi Temple, which the guide told us, are the epitome of beauty and proportion.
It was reported somewhere that there is no more room for for further statues in Parliament complex. So over-crowded.
What will be the fate of Mayawati's statues - we can only contemplate for ever like Rodin's 'Contemplation'.
…ponder
Is it the desire to ensure leaving their personal stamp for posterity lest they may be forgotten after they are no more?
But in quite a few cases like Sanjeeva Reddy, Karunanidhi and Saddam Hussain they had to go through the mortification of their statues getting destroyed - again during their life-time.
Whatever may be the purpose of these statues and whatever may be the achievements of their originals in flesh and blood, different statues evoke different feelings.
Sir Thomas Munroe's imposing statue in Chennai, majestic on a horseback but without stirrups has always been a puzzle for me. The Subhas Chandra Bose statue in front of Secunderabad station resembles more of Brahmananda Reddy than Bose. The statues of Telugu greats on the Tank Bund in Hyderabad evoke the ire of KCR than any reverence. Kannagi statue on Marina, Chennai, banished by Jayalalitha for fear of bad luck has re-appeared, courtesy MK. The imposing Bamiyan Budha statues, alas, are no more thanks to Taliban. The Statue of Liberty in New York ever inspires immigrants to the great country US. It is somewhat sad to see disproportionate and ill-kept statues of Gandhi and Ambedkar in thousands. Definitely, they will not recognize their own replicas.
Ever enterprising China is exporting fibre glass statues of Rajasekhar Reddy whose son is on a statue-erection spree. Nobody, not even Madam, can protest.
I have seen the statues of a man and woman in Lepakshi Temple, which the guide told us, are the epitome of beauty and proportion.
It was reported somewhere that there is no more room for for further statues in Parliament complex. So over-crowded.
What will be the fate of Mayawati's statues - we can only contemplate for ever like Rodin's 'Contemplation'.
…ponder
Friday, January 14, 2011
Mass Production
It is the scale that matters. Large scale means cheaper the product for the consumer and enough profits for the Industry, its middlemen, stockists, retailers, etc. This basic and sound economic principle has been put to good use by none other than the a quaint University tucked away inconspicuously in South India which is reported to have sold 9000 and odd Ph.D degrees in less than 2 years at as little as Rs.50,000 to Rs,1,00,000 per degree.
I hope the newspaper report is not wrong. Though I am dismayed by the spoil-sport Minister threatening cancellation of the degrees and ordering enquiry against the VC, it is comforting to know that only degrees can be cancelled and not the transactions already over. Individually these deals may be chicken feed but cumulatively a tidy fortune.
We should tread in a cautious manner as there coud be cascading effect on the tranquility of our society. What will happen to the appointments made based on these Ph.Ds which again would have involved other transactions as these degrees are not ends but means.
India is a Knowledge Power and it is heartening to see knowledge of economics put to practical use in a big way, naturally by a knowledge centre.
It is also heartening to note that Public Sector is catching up with Private Sector. This University is no one-room cubby hole selling degrees. It should be granted 'Navaratna' status.
This should not, I hope, put the entire Ph.D industry under scanner. Who knows how many more enterprising VCs are out there.
...ponder
I hope the newspaper report is not wrong. Though I am dismayed by the spoil-sport Minister threatening cancellation of the degrees and ordering enquiry against the VC, it is comforting to know that only degrees can be cancelled and not the transactions already over. Individually these deals may be chicken feed but cumulatively a tidy fortune.
We should tread in a cautious manner as there coud be cascading effect on the tranquility of our society. What will happen to the appointments made based on these Ph.Ds which again would have involved other transactions as these degrees are not ends but means.
India is a Knowledge Power and it is heartening to see knowledge of economics put to practical use in a big way, naturally by a knowledge centre.
It is also heartening to note that Public Sector is catching up with Private Sector. This University is no one-room cubby hole selling degrees. It should be granted 'Navaratna' status.
This should not, I hope, put the entire Ph.D industry under scanner. Who knows how many more enterprising VCs are out there.
...ponder
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