Minorities

It is pointed out at the outset that our constitution, being consecreted by the ideals of equality and justice both in the social and political fields, abolishes any discrimination either against or in favour of any classes of persons on the grounds of religion, race or place of birth.

In respect of those sections of community who were socially and economically backward at the time of enactment of constitution, in order to aid them at the start, certain temporary measures to help the backward sections to come up to same level with the rest of the nation, as well as certain permanent safeguards for the protection of the cultural, linguistic and similar rights of any section of the community said to constitute a 'minority' from numerical and not communal point of view have been provided.

It may be interesting to note that the provision guaranteeing religious freedom to every individual covers all citizens uniformly and no specific safeguards are provided in favour of any denomination whether numerically high or low.

The permenent safeguards for minorities are:=

1) guarantee of linguistic and cultural rights.
2) facilities for instruction in mother tongue.
3) Special officr for linquistic minorities.
4) No discrimination in state educational institutions.
5) Right to establish educational insiitutions of their choice.
6) No discrination in state aid to educational institutions.
7) No discrimination in public employment.
8) Upliftment of SC/ST/BC.
9) Special provisions for SC/ST.

Temporary provisions for minorities:-

1) Reservation of seats in Lok Sabha for SC/ST
2) reservation of seats in Legislative assemblies.
3) Reservation in state employment for SC/ST/BC.

From the above it is apparent that the term 'minority' does not have any religious connotation at all and is an all embracing description of all those who are disadvantaged due to their geographical location or social/economic backwrdness or victims of centuries-old discminination.

It is indeed sad that even after more than half a century since enactment of our constitution, the need for continuation of these provisions remains.

The present political lexicon interpreting 'minority' as non-Hindus alone in general and muslims/christians in particular is inappropriate.

...ponder

Inspiration for Chiranjeevi and his party

The backdrop on the dias where Chiranjivi clumsily launched his party had the portraits of Ambedkar,Gandhi,Theresa and Phule. He claimed these august personalities inspired him into public service and eventually launching his political outfit. Good. But this backdrop, his oratarial abilities and the glitches bordering on amateurism gives us an insight into his and his family concern's abilities and intentions.

For a person and a party who/which is destined to be confined to only the Telugu people (may be not all, may be only Kapus and may be only East/West Godacari Districts) he could not find a single Telugu icon giving him inspiration all these years. No Kandukuri Veeresalingam no Durga Bai Deshmukh no Prakasam no Alluri Seeta Rama Raju no Potti Sreeramulu.

Sonia Gandh's reading of Hindi speeches written in English script is better than Chiranjeevi's reading of Telugu speech written in Telugu.

Though he took months to come out with his party to the chargin of his eager fans, he oould not take categorical stand on prime issues like Telengana, Reservations, etc. He left these issues to committees a typical Parkinson solution.

Days after his so-called mega event, he is yet to come out with a manifesto or a list of office bearers or a road map.

His or his spin doctors' penchant for filmy suspense landed them in trouble over his paty name. So much for organisational skill and home work. Visuals in tjhe media show audience madly gesturing . dancing jostling, stampeding - anything but listening.

One of his principal think tank mambers on whom he is publicly seen dependent is one Dr.Mitra whose own performance in his interaction with Techies was a super flop.

One question worth pondering is, whether maintaining a live list of prospective blood donors area-wise, is not a better alternative to blood donation camps where a lot of precious blood is wasted through poor storage facilities and absence of quick uasage. Ofcourse, these camps generate more publicity compared to the quiet utility of individual donations on demand in an emergency.

One assertion is that in these days of quickies, these actors depend so much on dubbing that they can neither remember nor deliver their dialogues convincingly what to talk of ex tempore speeches.

Except that one more caste/sub-regional party has taken birth what else is achieved, only coming times will tell.

There was no harking to Telugu pride, no mention of the sacrifices made by Telugu people for the Telugu land.

Even the inclusion of green colour in the party flag gives indication to the eagerness to pamper muslim votes whatever may be the claims otherwise.

The list can go on. I wish him well. I am not in a hurry to judge him but pointing out only some indicators. His claims of a party with difference are doubtful what with defectors gaining entry. If service through a political party is his aim he could have as well become a foot soldier of Lok Satta Party with its impeccable credentials with a leadership of totally different kind.

People are a patient and intelligent lot. They will wait watch assess and decide. They cannot be taken for a ride all the time. It is time for Chiranjeevi to ponder...

Divided Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir is divided in many dimensions:

a) Between India and Pakistan. This is a tangible and physical divide. So-called Line of Control is treated as International border despite claims and counter claims.

b) Between Muslims, Hindus and Budhists viz. Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Leh respectively. After ethnic cleansing in the Valley, the polarisation is complete.

c) Between those who want merger with India, those who want merger with Pakistan and those who want an Independent Kashmir. Today we see agitationists in the valley carry Green/Pakistani flag and those in Jammu carry Indian flag.

d) Between indigenous population and Foreign mercenaries. It is stated that mercenaries from various Asian/African countries are indoctrinated and trained in gurella warfare and thrust into Kashmir.

e) The indigenous population is divided into those who abet foreign mercenaries and those who get crushed between the mercenaries and the Security forces.

f) Hindus are divided between indigenous population of Jammu and the displaced population from valley living in ghettos. They carry different agendas.

g) One more division about which everyone feigns amnesia is the people living in areas ceded by Pakistan to China from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

h) Between those Muslims who still believe in preserving their ancient culture and tradition and those who believe in the establishment of Islamic rule which does not brook anything not originated in arab lands.

There could be many more Divisions. How can we overcome them? What about the fate of the people, men of the central forces, petty government officials, who are placed in the most explosive tinder box on this globe.

...ponder

Confidence Vote

The two day session of the Parliament was a water-shed in the annals of Indian Parliamentary History.

There were certain stark and startling home truths on display.

1. A churlish BJP opposing the deal which they earlier claimed as their own brain child - only did not want Congress to do it. Party above Nation.

2. A confident Man Mohan Singh throwing an adaucious gauntlet to the Communists and calling their bluff.

3. Advani, a reluctant opposer whose heart was not there in his speech.

4. The deal brought into a Hindu-Muslim question by Communists(Communalists).

5. Mayavati pushing her Agenda of conquering the Delhi throne and has-beens like the 8 ex Chief Ministers (Chandra Babu,Chautala, etc) having no Delhi ambitions kowtowing to her.

9. BJP flaunting note bundles in the Parliament reminding the public about the Bangaru laxman episode who was rewarded with Rajya Sabha seat for that. High moral ground and Party with a Difference.

10. The astute political skills of businessman Amar Singh who delivered the goods.

11. The subdued roles played by Sonia Gandhi and Mulayam Singh in allowing the right persons to handle the right jobs and in the process giving them the opportunity to hog the limelight.

12. Whatever the inducements or lure, the goal has been achieved i.e severing the tail that was wagging the dog and putting the 'Patriots" on backfoot - 2 birds in one shot.

13. We missed Vajpayee's speech. Probably he was for the deal and hence kept mum.

14. Since BJP is now a second-rate Congress (with its opportunistic talk of secularism, reservations), it is good that the original bested the aper.

15. Though Man Mohan Singh has not emerged squeeky clean, he has graduated into a consummate politician. Sonia and he used SP's paws to pull the chestnuts out of fire. That is finisse.

16. Man Mohan should now renege on all promises that he might have made like inducting Soren into Cabinet, Sethu Project, etc and call the bluff of his allies and motley gwroups who must now have realised the killer instinct of the PM in his new avatar. Should force elections now.

12 Communists have been shown the door. Not only by the Parliament but by its Presiding Authority - the Speaker.

13. Somnath Chatterjee upheld the dignity of the Chair - three cheers to him.

Kakinada Pithapuram Rail Connectivity

Excerpts from "The Hindu" of 29.6.2008

"Kakinada: The Kakinada-Pithapuram railway line project is most likely to be given the final clearance next year due to the constant efforts of East Godavari District and Cocanada Town Passengers’ Association and Kakinada MP M.M Pallam Raju’s regular follow-up of the proposal with the Ministry of Railways.

Association founder SS Krishnaji, now in his 80s, had first proposed the laying of a double line from Kakinada to Pithapuram in the late 1950s but it never got adequate allocations in the Railway Budget despite the constant pressure mounted by passengers and other people’s organisations.

The project is currently estimated to cost in excess of Rs 100 crores whereas a meagre grant of Rs 10 crores was made in the 2001-02 Railway budget. An additional Rs 5 crores was reportedly earmarked last year. The ball now lies in the court of the Committee on Infrastructure of Planning Commission to which all railway projects costing above Rs 50 crore need to be referred to.

The proposed line measures 24 km long and it needs some 180 acres of land to be acquired by the State Government and handed over to the South Central Railway. It was found to be technically feasible and viable long ago but it never made to the priority list of the Railway Board. Efforts of the then Kakinada MP UV Krishnam Raju failed to realize the dream due to procedural hurdles.

Kakinada MP Pallam Raju is confident that the project would be cleared this year itself and it will take shape thereafter. Speaking to the media recently, he said an announcement would be made in this regard very soon. He also asserted that other railway projects in the district were being considered with a positive bent of mind. His statement enlivened hopes that Kakinada would find its place on the main line.

A railway line that links Annavaram to the Kakinada port through the Kakinada Special Economic Zone is another proposal which is expected to enhance the connectivity in this fast-developing region where the prospect of huge investments are bright."

Please my earlier post of 10th April 2008 on this subject. I thank our MOS and Kakinada MP Sri Pallam Raju for his optimism and announcement. Let us hope for the best and in the meantime keep our fingers crossed.

...ponder

Fellow Travellers of India

Communism is extinct except for a few pockets and such pockets are in India too. Russia, the mother of red revolution, has long given up communism; and China, the next nurturer, has also given it up except in name. For our comrades, who are now basking in their blackmailing clout disproportionate to their strength or popularity, the game is to prolong their existence even while remaining on ventilator. But, the pity is that they are the ventilator to the present dispsnsation. They bully, threaten and cajole small parties like DMK, RJD, LJP, NCP, SP, etc who in turn, turn the screws on Congress.

Now the Communists whose mouth foams at communalism, have given away their game in warning a wavering SP about losing muslim votes if they support the nuclear deal. Communists have themselves lost the muslim vote in WB after Singur.

It is ironic that muslims should be perceived to prefer 'kafir' communists as their saviours. In TN this role is played by Atheist DMK.

I expect Congress and BJP to show maturity and recognise that the days of single pary rule are really over and unshakle themselsves from the tyranny of motley groups and rather work together in carrying forward those issues which they commonly believe in.

Such a statesmanship on the part of these two major players will be in the intrests of our country and enhance its prestige and clout internally and on international fora. For a party that swears by Bharata Mata, BJP should set aside partisan thinking and publicly declare yhat it will not bring a no confidence motion if a nuke deal is gone through.

Giving boot to caste/religious groups along with the reds will be an extra bonus.


...ponder

Good bye Sam Bahadur

When I think of Sam Bahadur, I cannot but recall the blood curdling broadcast he made to the Pakistan Army in the then East Pakistan to surrender or else... His exhortion was such it broke the morale of a mighty army and made it surrender meekly. I also recall the pride that was instilled while watching the POW trains passing through Bengal and Bihar. The way he used to build up the valour and morale of our troops by visiting them in trenches, shown courtesy Films Division, used to bring goose-pimples all over.

He had a riveting yet elegant personality. His humour, as reported in press, was spontaneous and gentlemanly. His adaucity legendary. His rapport with entire arny rank and file in general and the Gorkhas in particular astounding.

That none of importance from the Government or Army cared to attend his funeral may not be accidental. The accolodes he received for the rout of the Pakistani army did not go down well with Congress dispensation then and may be even now. Also the trend is to project only those who belong to 'The Family'.

But mere presence or absence of personalities at his funeral will make no difference to his name and fame. He was a man of action and did not ride on the connections one had with those in power unlike some other generals.

Good bye Sam Bahaadur! You were both fearless and a Gorkha in his true spirit thus achieving a standard set by yourself. Jai Hind


...ponder