FOCUS
INDIA @ 64 - The Year of Scams
“Over 6 lakh teachers failed in qualifying exam held by CBSE”, was headline of a small piece of news reported in the left hand corner of the 9th page of a Mumbai based English daily. The report stated that, the first-ever Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) was held in Nagpur to be a bench mark for new teacher appointments for CBSE schools. The results, however, were shockingly dismal with 86% candidates failing the test across the country. Reportedly close to 7,10,000 candidates appeared for the exam but not even 98000 managed to pass, which is not even 14%.
This CTET was probably held some time in July 2011. So for 64 years, we had teachers teaching in Central Board of Secondary Education who were dismally incompetent and patently unqualified to be teachers. And CBSE schools are believed to be better than vernacular medium government or municipal or panchayat run schools. But all these schools were manned by apparently qualified teachers and they were all getting good government salaries. How were they being recruited without competency and the necessary IQ required for a teacher?
We are all privy to the fact of life that all government appointments command a high premium. If there is the required qualification, and if you have the influence with appointing authorities, you make it to the list of appointees. Then there are those without influence, then it is only the power of money, political contacts, with or without the help of brokers, that would see thru the appointment. Thus a teacher who is qualified all right, but probably incompetent, but paid for the job that she got as a teacher, wouldn’t be giving her best to the students. No wonder most students whether from CBSE schools or those lakhs of government, municipal or panchayat run schools, end up in some coaching institutes probably with the help of very same teachers. And those who couldn’t afford tuition fees would end up as drop outs or do miserably at the end of their academic life. Aren’t there stories that a 5th std. child couldn’t do a 2nd std. sum! Isn’t it true that India has a huge unemployable literate population? Isn’t this one way how corruption got into the life of ordinary Indians without really realising how corruption ruined their life? Besides, if children need tuitions because of poor teaching, the family’s living cost is higher! It is another dimension of inflation.
The 64th year began with Comptroller& Auditor General of India opening of can of worms on the Common Wealth Games. While government spokesperson tried to belittle the constitutional body, CAG, for its legitimate pro-active role in bringing to light the shady underhand deals within the organistional hierarchy of the government, the expose has unmistakably proved the wrong doings of Kalmadi & Co. A news paper wrote “it is incontrovertible that Suresh Kalmadi looted and plundered the national exchequer, and Dr Manmohan Singh played the role of proverbial three monkeys – see nothing, hear nothing and do nothing”. All Indians are privy to the fact that two sports ministers who were the concerned individuals in this whole issue of plunder, late Sunil Dutt and Mani Shankar Iyer, wrote to the Prime Minister to remove Suresh Kalmadi from the CWG. Apparently Dutt wrote to PM questioning the very appointment as Organising Committee Chairman, while Iyer wrote to PM and told in no-uncertain terms that a broad day light robbery was underway in the name of CWG. But our cleanest Prime Minister had no time to respond and ignored the considered pleas of both of his cabinet colleagues.
Of course it is another matter that Suresh Kalmadi is in jail for all the act of omission and commission, but Sheila Dixit, the administrative head of the government responsible for the whole Common Wealth Games is somehow not been made accountable, so also PM can be accused of inaction in the face of extreme provocation to act.
Another scam that truly overtook the anxiety of the nation is the 2G spectrum case involving Ministry of Telecommunication. Although the possible loss of revenue to the national exchequer was being bandied about in 2008, PM was reportedly casual about the whole thing saying these kinds of notional losses do happen, there is nothing to really feel worried about it. In 2008 opposition parties, especially LEFT parties, had charged that in 2G Spectrum allocations some Rs. 60,000 crores the country lost. But as usual Dr Manmohan Singh seems to act only when the house is on fire. Thus when the CAG came up with their finding to inform the Parliament that country could have lost some Rs: 176000 crores, and Supreme Court intervened, ruling party and their leader suddenly took note. Month that followed saw the Minister of Telecom Raja quit and CBI made a case of illegal gratification against him and he landed in Tihar jail, followed by his party MP Kanimozhi and another minister Dayanidhi Maran too found himself in deep waters and quit. All these happened not because the government of the day acted. If anything, they were left with no choice, except to let the law take its course. For once, the ruling dispensation did not interfere with the CBI shenanigans.
Around the same time, this government forced on an unsuspecting nation, Central Vigilance Commissioner, despite the differences in the selection process to the contrary. It was an arrogance which unfortunately the government of Dr Manmohan Singh had to, perforce, swallow. In particular for both Dr Manmohan Singh and his deputy P. Chidambaram, the Home Minister the questionable appointment of P.J. Thomas as CVC, it blew up on their face. However, what is sad is, they do not seem to learn from their ham handling first and then being rapped on the knuckles by the circumstantial developments beyond their control.
Now look at this La Anna Affair, or even Baba Ramdev Affair. After having spent some, reportedly 100 hours, government dumped Anna Panel, thinking all is hunky dory, and Anna and his draft box-filed. But wily Anna is not the one to give up and he gave a call to the nation to fight against corruption. The unprecedented response the Anna movement received was simply breath taking. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his ministers ran helter skeleter for cover. As is the wont, when you are on a weaker wicket, you try to exploit the perceived weakness of the opponent. The government tried to find out about his days in Army, his organization in the village . Stooped too low. Even when you attack your adversary you have to maintain a standard of decorum, at least to protect your own dignity. In the event Tiwari became too cheap. He addressed the septuagenarian hero of the masses as ‘Tum’ and not ‘Aap’. He is reported to have said “Tum tho upar sey niche thak bhrashtaachaar mein dube ho”. It is to the credit of Anna Hazare that he didn’t hit back. But it was conclusively proved that the government is indeed nervous and their undergarments were showing. However, it is to the credit of all, civil society, youth, media and of course the government, all rose to the occasion to say ‘yes’ to Anna’s proposal, and Anna called off his 12 days old fast.
Prior to this, the handling of Baba Ramdev showed the chinks in the government armoury. First you go to the airport to receive him and then let the police on him and his supporters, past midnight. Fortunately for the government, their bungling was evenly matched by Baba’s bungling. In the event, it is true that Baba cannot come back with any of his histrionics, the next time. Of course this Baba bungling emboldened the Kapil Sibal & Co to ignore Anna Hazare and his panel. But, unlike Baba, Anna Panels sincerity was palpable and commitment to the cause was very transparent. And Kapil Sibal’s arrogance put paid to the governments plan of upstaging the Civil Society Panel. Thus, at every level, or rather most instances, the government interlocutors do not seem to learn and on top mouth inanities like ‘unelected and unelectable’ members of faceless public. Big mouth may score brownie points at times but they cannot win meaningful and purposeful debate.
Then there is this Adarsh Housing Society Scam on prime defence land on the South Mumbai’s Cuffe Parade seafront. Reportedly the land was meant for a residential building for Kargil war veterans. On this 31 storey, 103 flats building, except, for 3 Kargil war veterans, rest were all babus, politicians, their relatives and some serving and retired officers of armed forces. Reportedly all those ministers and influential MLAs besides important babus broke every law of the land to hurry through the process. Construction was complete more than 75%, when it hit the road block. Ashok Chavan, the then Chief Minister – whose family reportedly owned 3 flats – had to resign in disgrace. But the CAG report has slammed two more Chief Ministers, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushil Kumar Shinde, both are Union Cabinet ministers and have not resigned. According to CAG report “Adarsh scam is a classic example of fence eating the crop with no parallel, where all concerned agencies pooled their strength not for a common national cause but for personal benefit”. Coming down heavily on the administration the report described the scam “as an example of how a powerful elite could collude to subvert rules and regulations”.
‘Maharashtra Sold' was a cover expose of Tehelka. On the cover itself they had published the names of Sharad Pawar, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ashok Chavan, Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar. What they had missed was Narayan Rane another high profile Maharashtra politician. They are all involved in large scale land grabbing and have converted the state as a private property. Vilasrao Deshmukh was further exposed by The WEEK. Under the 'Big Mumbai Loot' it had published stories of how prime land was given to builders lobby, floating all rules. Gigantic Lavasa Hill Station development project, a HCC venture of Kilachand, had the involvement of Sharad Pawar's family. Thus the who’s who of Maharashtra had their hands on all these loot of exchequer.
Stories of massive corruption are many and seems an unending loot of the nations resources by the political class, the bureaucracy and the private enterprise. Can Anna save this country?
J.Shriyan
INDIA@64
Venkatesh Shriyan
India at 64 is now witnessing a huge wave of protest against corruption led by a veteran Gandhian at 74, Shri Anna Hazare. The Jan Lokpal Bill which he fiercely advocates has been propagated by Team Anna led by Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Shanti and Prashant Bhushan and Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde. Amongst the many things which the Jan Lokpal Bill intends to incorporate, it also intends to bring the Politicians, Judges and Beaurocrats in its ambit. The mass hysteria for the Bill is gaining momentum by the day and is now led by the Media to its hype.
I have no reservations as far as the Jan Lokpal Bill, but the method the entire propaganda is orchestrated. Though the main theme of getting rid of Corruption in the daily life is welcome, I strongly feel a section of big wig has been conspicuously been left out. That is the MEDIA. Why have Shri Anna Hazare and its team has left out the MEDIA Barons from its ambit of Corruption. I am sure if MEDIA was included in the ambit of Lokpal Bill such hype and media hysteria would not have at all been present.
We are aware of how the 80-year-old Rupert Murdoch, the world’s most powerful media mogul, was involved in the phone hacking scandal which had engulfed not just Mr. Murdoch’s News Corporation, but also Britain’s political and law-enforcement elite. The power the MEDIA Barons possess is a matter of great concern and it just defies my logic why Team Anna Hazare has left out them from its ambit.
MEDIA usually sells stories which bring in Air Time and mass viewing. But a struggle to get the Justice for the denied, discriminated Bank Employees, is an issue not at all touched by the Media. The blatant violation of the Pension Regulations 1995 in the recently concluded 2nd Pension Option for the Bank Employees has deprived lakhs of Bank Employees of its rightful pension, besides collecting enormous money illegally from many Bank Employees to join the Pension Scheme. There are 7 writ petitions filed in Bengaluru High Court only. At Mumbai High Court a PIL was filed. There are more than 30 writs filed across the Country. The affected are knocking the doors of Justice but very few will survive when they see the light of Justice.
To expedite the process of the Justice the Petitioners of the Mumbai and Karnataka PF Optees Forum have now filed a transfer petition to expeditiously hear the matter which we feel is of great concern. The Transfer Petition number 901-914 of 2011 will come on board of Supreme Court most likely on 23.08.2011. We at the PF Optees Forum, strongly wish that Media which has been silent on this burning issue will please highlight in days to come.
To highlight not only corruption but also prevent violation of the Statute Provisions by the monied, muscled MEDAI should also be included in the ambit of Jan Lokpal Bill. Lest the genuine voices of protest will never be heard.
Author is a Sr. Bank Manager from Mumbai.
Miles to go before we sleep
64 years of Independence –where are we headed?
Our country is moving up the global ladder of progress and development at quite a fast pace, then why is
Today the world is in flames. Everywhere people are searching for something for something that would work. Never has a generation called upon to experience so much suffering, such intense heart aches than ours. Psychologically we are frustrated with everything around us. Sociologically we are cut off from all the old moorings that made our life comfortable. The problem with the present day society is that the old values are dead and new ones are not yet born. This period of transition has created a void everywhere.
Yes there is a serious crisis of values in the modern society.
Since then India underwent tremendous changes covering all its spheres be it industrial, social, economic, cultural, information technology. But in spite of this something here have remained unchanged rather they have outgrown further. India is trapped in the shackles of social evils, injustice, poverty, famine, malnutrition, out casting of autocratic corruption, pollution, violation of laws, inequality of gender, child labor , unemployment, dowry, inflation etc. what else is left still the list goes on to continue.
Freedom can be felt only when this era of dictatorship and autocracy will end and when the smoke of social evils will disappear.
Freedom is in living it in every moment not in preaching it.
I must also say that the Indian government should also work urgently to introduce some kind of happiness index to measure the true wellbeing of its people. A blundering government has to be virtually brought to its knees. Prosperity has meaning when there is happiness and common welfare built into the system. There is a lack of role models and inspiring examples at the highest levels. Also lack of stringent laws and effective enforcement of existing laws and gender corruption at all levels.
The younger generation has to resolve to save the country. They have the power, the desire to excel the inner strength. The youth need to believe that it is possible. Let’s work towards building a free frank and fearless nation. Despite the dark patches India with all its problems still survives as a single state with strong democratic character. Let us join hands to serve our country and gift the next generation a secure, healthy, developed and prosperous India.
Ah, but they say we prefer to be like that only. Is this so?!
Author is Principal of LN College of Com & Science, Mumbai.
India at 64
India can boast of several achievements after it attained Independence, in several fields – in medical, engineering, space technology, telecom, transport, banking, food production, etc. However, we awfully lack world-standard institutions in the educational sector. Only one institute, i.e. our Indian Institute of Science is ranked among the 301-400 among the top 500 universities in the world, according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ACWU) prepared by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Not only that, the standard of education in our universities has declined over the years and the teaching faculty do not evince adequate interest in research, and whatever research has been undertaken by them has contributed very little to the well-being of the society /nation. It is true that the number of PhD holders has increased but their research studies do not find mention at the global level.
As far as engineering education is concerned, we have thousands of engineering colleges that produce graduates mainly to cater to the IT sector that has thrived in the past decade. It is a sad irony that only 25% of engineering graduates coming out of these institutions are employable, according to industry sources.
Over the years, the standard of living of the urban households has increased considerably. We have big cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi, Bangalore, etc that have grown manifold as far as infrastructure is concerned, but they are also notorious for the slums where the poor live in sub-human conditions. The gap between the rich and poor has widened and the poor find it hard to have two square meals a day. Crime rates too in cities have gone up due to the prevalence of poverty and unemployment. No doubt, the governments at the State level ensure that our youth are provided education but not employment avenues or unemployment allowance.
As far as banking is concerned, there has been a steep increase in the number of bank branches across the country and ATMs have sprung up everywhere that ensure availability of money to the public day and night to meet emergency cash requirements. However, the number of post offices in rural/urban centres has not multiplied and this has affected the postal services in both urban and rural areas. It is felt that postal department must introduce new technology so that customers are provided with quick and efficient service. It is a very positive development that government is considering introducing banking services through post offices.
The most disturbing feature after Independence is the institutionalisation of corruption in different government departments. Most of the politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists are engaged in corruption and their victims are both educated and illiterate masses. Besides, there is red tape, inefficiency, and harassment in government departments and the general public are the worst sufferers. It is sad to note that accountability and transparency have been given a go-by by the politicians and officials in their dealings and that even when large-scale corruption cases surface in newspapers and through the electronic media, every effort is made to push them under the carpet instead of punishing the traitors involved in such cases.
There is a saying that as is the leader, so are the followers. As our politicians, in general, are corrupt so are bureaucrats and lower – rung officials. What is a common knowledge now is that India lacks able, committed, upright, and efficient leadership that can uplift and galvanise the whole country. It is time we had more number of Anna Hazares who are committed to the welfare of masses and the progress of the nation at this critical juncture. Long live India’s Independence!
Author is a retired bank executive. Presently a visiting resource person on leadership training, personality development & HRD.
“Over 6 lakh teachers failed in qualifying exam held by CBSE”, was headline of a small piece of news reported in the left hand corner of the 9th page of a Mumbai based English daily. The report stated that, the first-ever Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) was held in Nagpur to be a bench mark for new teacher appointments for CBSE schools. The results, however, were shockingly dismal with 86% candidates failing the test across the country. Reportedly close to 7,10,000 candidates appeared for the exam but not even 98000 managed to pass, which is not even 14%.
This CTET was probably held some time in July 2011. So for 64 years, we had teachers teaching in Central Board of Secondary Education who were dismally incompetent and patently unqualified to be teachers. And CBSE schools are believed to be better than vernacular medium government or municipal or panchayat run schools. But all these schools were manned by apparently qualified teachers and they were all getting good government salaries. How were they being recruited without competency and the necessary IQ required for a teacher?
We are all privy to the fact of life that all government appointments command a high premium. If there is the required qualification, and if you have the influence with appointing authorities, you make it to the list of appointees. Then there are those without influence, then it is only the power of money, political contacts, with or without the help of brokers, that would see thru the appointment. Thus a teacher who is qualified all right, but probably incompetent, but paid for the job that she got as a teacher, wouldn’t be giving her best to the students. No wonder most students whether from CBSE schools or those lakhs of government, municipal or panchayat run schools, end up in some coaching institutes probably with the help of very same teachers. And those who couldn’t afford tuition fees would end up as drop outs or do miserably at the end of their academic life. Aren’t there stories that a 5th std. child couldn’t do a 2nd std. sum! Isn’t it true that India has a huge unemployable literate population? Isn’t this one way how corruption got into the life of ordinary Indians without really realising how corruption ruined their life? Besides, if children need tuitions because of poor teaching, the family’s living cost is higher! It is another dimension of inflation.
The 64th year began with Comptroller& Auditor General of India opening of can of worms on the Common Wealth Games. While government spokesperson tried to belittle the constitutional body, CAG, for its legitimate pro-active role in bringing to light the shady underhand deals within the organistional hierarchy of the government, the expose has unmistakably proved the wrong doings of Kalmadi & Co. A news paper wrote “it is incontrovertible that Suresh Kalmadi looted and plundered the national exchequer, and Dr Manmohan Singh played the role of proverbial three monkeys – see nothing, hear nothing and do nothing”. All Indians are privy to the fact that two sports ministers who were the concerned individuals in this whole issue of plunder, late Sunil Dutt and Mani Shankar Iyer, wrote to the Prime Minister to remove Suresh Kalmadi from the CWG. Apparently Dutt wrote to PM questioning the very appointment as Organising Committee Chairman, while Iyer wrote to PM and told in no-uncertain terms that a broad day light robbery was underway in the name of CWG. But our cleanest Prime Minister had no time to respond and ignored the considered pleas of both of his cabinet colleagues.
Of course it is another matter that Suresh Kalmadi is in jail for all the act of omission and commission, but Sheila Dixit, the administrative head of the government responsible for the whole Common Wealth Games is somehow not been made accountable, so also PM can be accused of inaction in the face of extreme provocation to act.
Another scam that truly overtook the anxiety of the nation is the 2G spectrum case involving Ministry of Telecommunication. Although the possible loss of revenue to the national exchequer was being bandied about in 2008, PM was reportedly casual about the whole thing saying these kinds of notional losses do happen, there is nothing to really feel worried about it. In 2008 opposition parties, especially LEFT parties, had charged that in 2G Spectrum allocations some Rs. 60,000 crores the country lost. But as usual Dr Manmohan Singh seems to act only when the house is on fire. Thus when the CAG came up with their finding to inform the Parliament that country could have lost some Rs: 176000 crores, and Supreme Court intervened, ruling party and their leader suddenly took note. Month that followed saw the Minister of Telecom Raja quit and CBI made a case of illegal gratification against him and he landed in Tihar jail, followed by his party MP Kanimozhi and another minister Dayanidhi Maran too found himself in deep waters and quit. All these happened not because the government of the day acted. If anything, they were left with no choice, except to let the law take its course. For once, the ruling dispensation did not interfere with the CBI shenanigans.
Around the same time, this government forced on an unsuspecting nation, Central Vigilance Commissioner, despite the differences in the selection process to the contrary. It was an arrogance which unfortunately the government of Dr Manmohan Singh had to, perforce, swallow. In particular for both Dr Manmohan Singh and his deputy P. Chidambaram, the Home Minister the questionable appointment of P.J. Thomas as CVC, it blew up on their face. However, what is sad is, they do not seem to learn from their ham handling first and then being rapped on the knuckles by the circumstantial developments beyond their control.
Now look at this La Anna Affair, or even Baba Ramdev Affair. After having spent some, reportedly 100 hours, government dumped Anna Panel, thinking all is hunky dory, and Anna and his draft box-filed. But wily Anna is not the one to give up and he gave a call to the nation to fight against corruption. The unprecedented response the Anna movement received was simply breath taking. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his ministers ran helter skeleter for cover. As is the wont, when you are on a weaker wicket, you try to exploit the perceived weakness of the opponent. The government tried to find out about his days in Army, his organization in the village . Stooped too low. Even when you attack your adversary you have to maintain a standard of decorum, at least to protect your own dignity. In the event Tiwari became too cheap. He addressed the septuagenarian hero of the masses as ‘Tum’ and not ‘Aap’. He is reported to have said “Tum tho upar sey niche thak bhrashtaachaar mein dube ho”. It is to the credit of Anna Hazare that he didn’t hit back. But it was conclusively proved that the government is indeed nervous and their undergarments were showing. However, it is to the credit of all, civil society, youth, media and of course the government, all rose to the occasion to say ‘yes’ to Anna’s proposal, and Anna called off his 12 days old fast.
Prior to this, the handling of Baba Ramdev showed the chinks in the government armoury. First you go to the airport to receive him and then let the police on him and his supporters, past midnight. Fortunately for the government, their bungling was evenly matched by Baba’s bungling. In the event, it is true that Baba cannot come back with any of his histrionics, the next time. Of course this Baba bungling emboldened the Kapil Sibal & Co to ignore Anna Hazare and his panel. But, unlike Baba, Anna Panels sincerity was palpable and commitment to the cause was very transparent. And Kapil Sibal’s arrogance put paid to the governments plan of upstaging the Civil Society Panel. Thus, at every level, or rather most instances, the government interlocutors do not seem to learn and on top mouth inanities like ‘unelected and unelectable’ members of faceless public. Big mouth may score brownie points at times but they cannot win meaningful and purposeful debate.
Then there is this Adarsh Housing Society Scam on prime defence land on the South Mumbai’s Cuffe Parade seafront. Reportedly the land was meant for a residential building for Kargil war veterans. On this 31 storey, 103 flats building, except, for 3 Kargil war veterans, rest were all babus, politicians, their relatives and some serving and retired officers of armed forces. Reportedly all those ministers and influential MLAs besides important babus broke every law of the land to hurry through the process. Construction was complete more than 75%, when it hit the road block. Ashok Chavan, the then Chief Minister – whose family reportedly owned 3 flats – had to resign in disgrace. But the CAG report has slammed two more Chief Ministers, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushil Kumar Shinde, both are Union Cabinet ministers and have not resigned. According to CAG report “Adarsh scam is a classic example of fence eating the crop with no parallel, where all concerned agencies pooled their strength not for a common national cause but for personal benefit”. Coming down heavily on the administration the report described the scam “as an example of how a powerful elite could collude to subvert rules and regulations”.
‘Maharashtra Sold' was a cover expose of Tehelka. On the cover itself they had published the names of Sharad Pawar, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ashok Chavan, Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar. What they had missed was Narayan Rane another high profile Maharashtra politician. They are all involved in large scale land grabbing and have converted the state as a private property. Vilasrao Deshmukh was further exposed by The WEEK. Under the 'Big Mumbai Loot' it had published stories of how prime land was given to builders lobby, floating all rules. Gigantic Lavasa Hill Station development project, a HCC venture of Kilachand, had the involvement of Sharad Pawar's family. Thus the who’s who of Maharashtra had their hands on all these loot of exchequer.
Stories of massive corruption are many and seems an unending loot of the nations resources by the political class, the bureaucracy and the private enterprise. Can Anna save this country?
J.Shriyan
INDIA@64
Venkatesh Shriyan
India at 64 is now witnessing a huge wave of protest against corruption led by a veteran Gandhian at 74, Shri Anna Hazare. The Jan Lokpal Bill which he fiercely advocates has been propagated by Team Anna led by Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Shanti and Prashant Bhushan and Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde. Amongst the many things which the Jan Lokpal Bill intends to incorporate, it also intends to bring the Politicians, Judges and Beaurocrats in its ambit. The mass hysteria for the Bill is gaining momentum by the day and is now led by the Media to its hype.
I have no reservations as far as the Jan Lokpal Bill, but the method the entire propaganda is orchestrated. Though the main theme of getting rid of Corruption in the daily life is welcome, I strongly feel a section of big wig has been conspicuously been left out. That is the MEDIA. Why have Shri Anna Hazare and its team has left out the MEDIA Barons from its ambit of Corruption. I am sure if MEDIA was included in the ambit of Lokpal Bill such hype and media hysteria would not have at all been present.
We are aware of how the 80-year-old Rupert Murdoch, the world’s most powerful media mogul, was involved in the phone hacking scandal which had engulfed not just Mr. Murdoch’s News Corporation, but also Britain’s political and law-enforcement elite. The power the MEDIA Barons possess is a matter of great concern and it just defies my logic why Team Anna Hazare has left out them from its ambit.
MEDIA usually sells stories which bring in Air Time and mass viewing. But a struggle to get the Justice for the denied, discriminated Bank Employees, is an issue not at all touched by the Media. The blatant violation of the Pension Regulations 1995 in the recently concluded 2nd Pension Option for the Bank Employees has deprived lakhs of Bank Employees of its rightful pension, besides collecting enormous money illegally from many Bank Employees to join the Pension Scheme. There are 7 writ petitions filed in Bengaluru High Court only. At Mumbai High Court a PIL was filed. There are more than 30 writs filed across the Country. The affected are knocking the doors of Justice but very few will survive when they see the light of Justice.
To expedite the process of the Justice the Petitioners of the Mumbai and Karnataka PF Optees Forum have now filed a transfer petition to expeditiously hear the matter which we feel is of great concern. The Transfer Petition number 901-914 of 2011 will come on board of Supreme Court most likely on 23.08.2011. We at the PF Optees Forum, strongly wish that Media which has been silent on this burning issue will please highlight in days to come.
To highlight not only corruption but also prevent violation of the Statute Provisions by the monied, muscled MEDAI should also be included in the ambit of Jan Lokpal Bill. Lest the genuine voices of protest will never be heard.
Author is a Sr. Bank Manager from Mumbai.
Miles to go before we sleep
64 years of Independence –where are we headed?
Our country is moving up the global ladder of progress and development at quite a fast pace, then why is
Today the world is in flames. Everywhere people are searching for something for something that would work. Never has a generation called upon to experience so much suffering, such intense heart aches than ours. Psychologically we are frustrated with everything around us. Sociologically we are cut off from all the old moorings that made our life comfortable. The problem with the present day society is that the old values are dead and new ones are not yet born. This period of transition has created a void everywhere.
Yes there is a serious crisis of values in the modern society.
Since then India underwent tremendous changes covering all its spheres be it industrial, social, economic, cultural, information technology. But in spite of this something here have remained unchanged rather they have outgrown further. India is trapped in the shackles of social evils, injustice, poverty, famine, malnutrition, out casting of autocratic corruption, pollution, violation of laws, inequality of gender, child labor , unemployment, dowry, inflation etc. what else is left still the list goes on to continue.
Freedom can be felt only when this era of dictatorship and autocracy will end and when the smoke of social evils will disappear.
Freedom is in living it in every moment not in preaching it.
I must also say that the Indian government should also work urgently to introduce some kind of happiness index to measure the true wellbeing of its people. A blundering government has to be virtually brought to its knees. Prosperity has meaning when there is happiness and common welfare built into the system. There is a lack of role models and inspiring examples at the highest levels. Also lack of stringent laws and effective enforcement of existing laws and gender corruption at all levels.
The younger generation has to resolve to save the country. They have the power, the desire to excel the inner strength. The youth need to believe that it is possible. Let’s work towards building a free frank and fearless nation. Despite the dark patches India with all its problems still survives as a single state with strong democratic character. Let us join hands to serve our country and gift the next generation a secure, healthy, developed and prosperous India.
Ah, but they say we prefer to be like that only. Is this so?!
Author is Principal of LN College of Com & Science, Mumbai.
India at 64
India can boast of several achievements after it attained Independence, in several fields – in medical, engineering, space technology, telecom, transport, banking, food production, etc. However, we awfully lack world-standard institutions in the educational sector. Only one institute, i.e. our Indian Institute of Science is ranked among the 301-400 among the top 500 universities in the world, according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ACWU) prepared by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Not only that, the standard of education in our universities has declined over the years and the teaching faculty do not evince adequate interest in research, and whatever research has been undertaken by them has contributed very little to the well-being of the society /nation. It is true that the number of PhD holders has increased but their research studies do not find mention at the global level.
As far as engineering education is concerned, we have thousands of engineering colleges that produce graduates mainly to cater to the IT sector that has thrived in the past decade. It is a sad irony that only 25% of engineering graduates coming out of these institutions are employable, according to industry sources.
Over the years, the standard of living of the urban households has increased considerably. We have big cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi, Bangalore, etc that have grown manifold as far as infrastructure is concerned, but they are also notorious for the slums where the poor live in sub-human conditions. The gap between the rich and poor has widened and the poor find it hard to have two square meals a day. Crime rates too in cities have gone up due to the prevalence of poverty and unemployment. No doubt, the governments at the State level ensure that our youth are provided education but not employment avenues or unemployment allowance.
As far as banking is concerned, there has been a steep increase in the number of bank branches across the country and ATMs have sprung up everywhere that ensure availability of money to the public day and night to meet emergency cash requirements. However, the number of post offices in rural/urban centres has not multiplied and this has affected the postal services in both urban and rural areas. It is felt that postal department must introduce new technology so that customers are provided with quick and efficient service. It is a very positive development that government is considering introducing banking services through post offices.
The most disturbing feature after Independence is the institutionalisation of corruption in different government departments. Most of the politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists are engaged in corruption and their victims are both educated and illiterate masses. Besides, there is red tape, inefficiency, and harassment in government departments and the general public are the worst sufferers. It is sad to note that accountability and transparency have been given a go-by by the politicians and officials in their dealings and that even when large-scale corruption cases surface in newspapers and through the electronic media, every effort is made to push them under the carpet instead of punishing the traitors involved in such cases.
There is a saying that as is the leader, so are the followers. As our politicians, in general, are corrupt so are bureaucrats and lower – rung officials. What is a common knowledge now is that India lacks able, committed, upright, and efficient leadership that can uplift and galvanise the whole country. It is time we had more number of Anna Hazares who are committed to the welfare of masses and the progress of the nation at this critical juncture. Long live India’s Independence!
Author is a retired bank executive. Presently a visiting resource person on leadership training, personality development & HRD.
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