Archive for June, 2007

The Indian President..

June 29, 2007

When i heard APJ Kalam speak today in Hyderabad, i strongly felt how did the communists and sonia have the heart to deny a second term to this gem of a man.

As individuals, we are many a times forced to judge human beings – our sub ordinates, collegues, spouse, sons and daughters. When we judge person, our thinking makes an overall map of all the events and we make a overall qualitative judgement.

When the exhalted individuals Sonia and communists sat to decide the case of the People ’s President they refused to do any fair evaluation.

Consider this along with the backdrop of the entire nation rooting for APJ Kalam, the powers who refused to consider this man, have committed a grave monumental blunder.

As political leaders, the prime test comes when they have to judge performance. In many situations, the various implications, may not come into the forefront but, in the case of APJ Kalam, everything is in the open.

The most hurting fact, is by choosing Kalam, Sonia and communists would not have hurt anyone directly. He is not partisan, not dictatorial, and certainly not a fool.

The first consequence of resisting Kalam, has already taken its toll. In resisting Kalam, but hoping that Shivraj Patil will be the choice, the decision makers were thinking in a muddled fashion. So, when, Prathibha Patil’s name came up, without a second thought they have
agreed.

In the last week or so, everyday there has been a daily accusation against P Patil. The recent one being that her husband is responsible for a poor family’s misery.

Congress is again bulldozing its way, hoping that things will settle down. The PMs response has been comincal. “This is the situation of all sugar industries entreprenuers in Maharashtra”. How long will this tamasha go on?

The second and most grave consequence will be a gradual dawning on SOnia that any choice of her’s, will be swallowed by India. It will gradually lead to a situation, in the next year, wherein Sonia will make winning the election an important need rather than a goal. She will simply think on two lines one – her supporters. Two – all others. I feel it is
already there. And this is bad. By discounting merit, communists have done a monumental blunder. For all their public posturing, communists have shown that they cannot stand a
intelligent and thinking man in their midst. APJ Kalam, has proved by his demanour that – he is above congress in secularism, he is above communists in integrity and honesty, he is above BJP in patriotism, and to the Indians – that honest men are still there, you have to look for them.

In our country, every opportunity to recognize performance, is given the go by, citing one reason or another. This has lead to a situation of few idols in public life. Tendulkar, Sania cannot be idols for us. People like Kalam, Radhakrishnan, are.

Continued disregard to performance, as lead to an anarchy like situation in the country. Disgusting to list, but here is a sample, Naxals, farmer land controversy, land mafia in Bangalore, orest land occupation in Andhra, corruption all over the country.

This anarchy like situation if not handled by recognizing performance, in all walks of life, will lead to full scale anarchy.

Indications of which are available by the PMs admission during a POWER conference, when he admitted that the honest man is paying for all the power theft going on in the Country. The honest man is also paying high price as seen by the high prices of vegetables.

When Kalam is being denied a second term, Mr. PM, another honest man, representing wishes of hundreds, is being denied an extension he deserved and which the whole country wants.

The next probable president.

June 28, 2007

Come July, 2007, and India will have a new president.  The present incumbent also had a fantastic run, becoming the first people’s president. He was able to do what no other politicians could do in Indian history, after Gandhi. Create a swell of public opinion for his continuation. Due to a studied indifference among the top echeleons, the public opinion is disregarded.

The present incumbent president, i say present as i am still doubtful, has started off on a disastrous note. Mrs. Pratibha Patil, who was thrown up as a last minute compromise, has put everyone in knots.

Media and the opposition politicians have started digging out a couple serious cases of money missappropriation by almost all the family members of  the lady.

The next 15 days are going to be important as this can bring a qualitative change in politics if a more clean person is put on the prestigious seat.

Experts opine that it will be difficult for the president to answer these questions and will find it difficult to talk in an authoritative manner as she herself is depending on the powers that be for defence.

However, Indian public is known to have selective amnesia and may simply ignore the corruption charges, including closing of a bank – defaulters were her relatives, talking with the dead, age old opinions on serious social matters.

As i said the next 15 days will show, whether the political system has a self correcting mechanism.

Dowry

June 28, 2007

Dowry is a traditional practice in India, wherein the brides parents give money to the grooms father for marrying their daughter.

It is more common in some regions and castes and not so in others. Even though it is against Indian Law , to accept or offer dowry, it is violated on a daily basis.

Many intellectuals opine that Dowry is root cause of many evils in Indian Society. The reasons are not too difficult to understand. The dowry system creates a competetion among brides’ parents to offer more money to get a good groom.

In many castes the amounts go upto a couple of crore rupees (Rs. 100 lacs + ).

Many crimes occuring in the society can be traced to dissatisfaction over the dowry.

Police in India today, report crimes which are dowry related as a separate category.

Many police stations have anti dowry cells. Many govts. have separate anti-dowry units to initiate programs to educate people about the ills of the dowry system. It is ironical that dowry practice is high among the rich too.

Rulers make the country.

June 27, 2007

If the above was true the Indian polity is governed by one single factor. Sycophancy.

While getting into the Govt. as a minister or an MP you need to be a party member and to be a party member you need to be loyal to not an ideology but to the leader.

If there is one single aspect which can be painted across the spectrum of Indian panorama, it all about being a sycophant to the boss. There is almost no space for the performing, honest politician or official.

This blog is all about ‘Life in India’ but the undercurrent is – who is loyal to whom.

This blog will be tracking events – events which have an impact on India, in essence which make up the life in India and personalities who play a role in the decision making and influence life in India.

The reason this issue is given importance is that unless India moves into a performance based society, and knowing how to handle poverty at the same time, we are destined to be a developing country.

Hello world!

June 26, 2007

This site is about Life in India. Truthfuly to the best of our knowledge. It is going to be frank and so, many a times difficult to accept. If you can face it, it can be a lot of fun.

Post your take and let others enjoy.