MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE
HARYANA: The recent Jat agitation for reservation in government jobs etc has cost the nation thousands of crores in destroyed properties. The destruction of public property and loss of honour for some women folks has been due to many factors including the non-performance of both the police and official machinery of the state government.
The Prakash Singh Committee which probed the Jat agitation has only proved the obvious. It has come up pretty fast with its report. Reportedly it has charged some 90 officers, both among police as well as government officials.
Of course, the Committee has no punitive powers. It is for the government of CM Khattar to take the call. All are aware, Jat is a dominant and well off community in Haryana. There are bound to be many, who are Jats, both in Police and in State machinery, who not only remained plain onlookers but in some instance were party to the breakdown of law and order. It goes without saying that the duty of police and govt. machinery is to protect and uphold the law and order. That is the constitutional duty imposed on them. In the event they failed in their role. Khattar government is duty bound to ensure the primacy of the constitution and therefore the law of the land and ensure that guilty are punished according to the law and no mercy in shown. Only then the message can go that government means business of governance.
NEW DELHI: It was on 15th Aug 2014, that Prime Minister Modi, in his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort had given a veiled warning at the working culture in the corridors of power in New Delhi.
It is a well known truth that almost 2/3rd of government staff- whether in centre or in states, are good for nothing dead woods and a drain on national resources.
It was only a matter of time, ‘for whom the bell tolls!’; and it struck. In the first week of May, some 33 tax officials have been prematurely retired, including 7 Group ‘A’ officers, reportedly for the first time. This is over the 72 officers already dismissed on disciplinary grounds during the last 2 years, informs Finance Ministry. Reportedly, these 33 officers have been asked to ‘go home’ for ‘Non- Performance’. Like NPA can we call them as NPS – Non Performing Staff or Non-Performing Liabilities- NPL!?
Hope the NDA government continues to clean the mess in the government apparatus.
Some time politicians do make sensible statements. Many months ago RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat had remarked that ‘Reservation needs revisit’. There was a national furor. There are many steps taken, schemes started and laws enacted by different governments in the past, which had its, ‘nay’ sayers. As the time passes, many a time ‘nay’ sayers were slowly proving right. So there is nothing wrong in having another look at the whole legislations, schemes etc. Bhagwat was only echoing that sentiment, and he was pulled over the fire.
Now comes, a Senior Congress Leader P L Punia (PLP), all of 71, who continued to remain Chairman of National Commission of Scheduled Castes (NCSC), even after NDA came to power, making a ‘Bhagwatian’ statement. Reportedly PLP has stated “Dalits who have prospered as a result of reservation should give up their claim in favour of those who have not prospered.” “This they should do as a social responsibility” he had added.
Now compared to RSS boss, this statement of PLP is far more radical. He is clearly giving notice to likes of Meira Kumar & Co., so also Mallikarjun Kharge & Co., who are both from Congress like PLP and have enjoyed the reservation benefits to the hilt for a long time. It is another matter that Congress leadership is upset that an SC/ST Congress leader has made this radical remark. Yes, we do need to revisit this issue of Quota in the larger national picture of justice and fair play. Amen.
In the wake of Supreme Court order around 30000 diesel taxies had stopped plying on the roads of Delhi’s NCR. The sheer number suggests the magnitude of the problem for the taxi owners/drivers so also the taxi using general public. The inconvenience due to this stoppage is humongous. Naturally, since it was the issue of livelihood, the taxi drivers blocked the arterial roads that has thrown traffic out of gear. As is the norm, authorities or those who force a rule will understand the gravity of the problem only when the affected section take the law in their hands and cause great deal of public inconvenience, may be even loss of life and public property. Then wisdom dawns on authorities and they make accommodative amends to the issue on hand. Now that the Apex Court handed down its decision to stop the diesel taxies it has occurred to them little late in the day, that it cannot be abrupt, but need to be slowly and steadily to be stopped. And, Apex Court wants the government of Delhi to give it a plan for this eventual stoppage of diesel taxis.
It can occur to anybody that there are older vehicles which pollute more, they should have been the 1st one to be stopped and slowly go up the ladder. This is not a rocket science, plain and simple practical approach.
There was this report datelined Delhi- ‘Defense Force to be trimmed’. But why only defense forces, every department of government needs to be trimmed. If one observes the annual union budget, the biggest item of expenditure is on salaries of staff.
Of course, all those who are working has to be paid. Period. But, there is a huge section of salaried class, who simply do not work, or in some cases, they have no work. They just were recruited, at times just to favour some body. Hence, if the defense forces have thought of cutting down some flab and doing away with redundant posts in the armed force, it makes lot of sense. For the information of those who do not know, the combined strength of all of our 3 armed forces, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, is around 15.50 lakhs. The question is, in a world, where combat management has undergone sea change with more machine and less men doing the job and nuclear warfare may become the future war game, what will excessive number of men do! Since every rupee saved is a rupee earned, it is best, that some exercise is put in place to trim the numbers.
Latest diatribe against Raghuram Rajan by economist politician Subramanian Swami has to be taken with a pinch of salt. The former IMF economist and Chicago University professor is a professional, knowledgeable, competent and a right man for the job at Reserve Bank of India. The language used by Swami prima facie has a tinge of personal bias and was highly improper for an economist and a former professor to use against another economist and professor. It could be that he is being nudged by some external elements, who are not happy with Rajan for varieties of reasons, since shooting off mouth is a kind of trade mark of this latest Rajya Sabha MP. Among the VIPs who have taken umbrage and at times disagree with RBI governor is Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
As is generally believed, Rajan has been as competent or better, as anyone could be. His image as an international economist helped. But he has been a bit open in his off-the-cuff remarks. For his background, what he said, right or wrong, has been perfectly in order. But it’s the politicians who think that they are the masters, are not comfortable with free thinking and acting bureaucrats. One of the most debated barb was his ‘one eyed jack’ remark. Prima facie, what he said about India being a one eyed king among blind is most telling and appropriate. It’s pretty long way to go for India to be recognized as an economic power house. There is so much social inequity in our system that it is too early to brand as the best destination of feel-good situation. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is a lawyer turned politician. His priorities and utterances are certainly guided by his party’s political philosophy, where as an RBI governor has his ears to the ground. In the larger interest of the country Prof Raghuram Govind Rajan need to continue at the helm in RBI head quarters, even after Sept. 2016. Hope PM Modi understands this, despite Jaitleys and Swamis.
After Bofors, there appears to be one more, which can come to the public space, disturb the national politics and get lost into the oblivion like Bofors.
Bofors story was known to all. There were clear evidence of bribe having been paid. Lot of media investigation went into fix some names. The main player Ottavio Quatrochi, a friend of Rajeev Gandhi family, quietly left the country as soon as Swedish news paper exposed the corruption in the Howitzer deal. He never returned to the country with all the ‘good intention of the Congress government of the day to get him back’ and he died leaving the mystery to remain a mystery.
Now comes the story of some Rs. 350 crores, having changed hands in the Augusta- Westland helicopter deal worth Rs 3600/- crores. Italian courts have convicted 2 of their nationals for paying the bribe. There is ambiguity who received the money in India. It happened during UPA II. Hence it is surely at the door of the Congress party. Like Bofors, here too they are claiming innocence. So who has really taken this Rs. 350 crores!?
Former Airforce Chief Tyagi is clearly in the radar. He is being grilled by the CBI. But there appears to be lack of clarity in what the NDA government is doing, except accusation of Sonia Gandhi and counter accusation by Congress of malafide. Since Italian courts have clear indication of bribe payments, why is it difficult for the incumbent Indian government to take more drastic measures is not clear. May be an Apex Court monitored investigation only can lead to some conclusive state or else, it can be another Bofors waiting to happen.
Controversy surrounding cine actor Salman Khan in the appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador to the Rio Olympics later this year has to be seen in its proper perspective. First of all this Salman worthy has many controversies surrounding him. Controversy thy name is Salman Khan. He has pending court cases for criminal liability. All news savvy Indians are privy to the antics of this filmy hero in trying to delay the court proceeding with the help of his battery of expensive lawyers. His foot in the mouth observation that Pakistan had no role in 26/11 Mumbai attack, had to be expunged by Salim Khan, his own father. Hence projecting him as Goodwill Ambassador is not likely to be of any use, except that since the announcement there are more people talking about Olympics. Besides organization presided over by Suresh Kalmadi, is not expected to be above board. Hence some discreet understanding between IOA & the P.R.O. of this filmy worthy cannot be ruled out. He was probably trying to refurbish his image. But this unwarranted thoughtless action of IOA has certainly upset many sports persons. Central govt. must act to annul this appointment in the larger interest of the sports in the country.
ASSAM: The Story of an army jawan’s untimely death while undergoing endurance test raises lot of uncomfortable questions. Reportedly, there was a kind of mutiny from jawans against officers of the infantry unit after the death of jawan while training.
Part of 8 J&K Rifle, the unit was practicing somewhere in Dimapur in Arunachal Pradesh. A jawan complained of chest pain while undergoing the test. A doctor attached to the unit reportedly attended on him and declared him ‘fit’. Left with no choice jawan joined the group to continue his 10 km route march. Soon thereafter jawan was reported to have collapsed and as he was being carried to the Field Ambulance he breathed his last.
Understandably there was emotional outburst from among other jawans who probably argued with the unit officer, that the deceased jawan should not have been sent again for the march and rightly so. Having complained of chest pain should have been taken seriously by the doctor before declaring him fit. Or was he declared ‘fit’ at the instance of the Major commanding the unit. It was not clear.
However what needs to be appreciated is, there have been, in the past, instances of officers being unreasonable with jawans or juniors. This trend has to stop. Besides tribunals going into the cases of indiscipline should have men from different levels rather than only senior officers to understand the rationale of any emerging situation. Only then there will be fairness and justice to the underdogs.
GUJARAT: George Orwell became more famous as a writer for his epochal book ‘Animal Farm’ than all his other seminal works are concerned. It is in this book, critical of Communist governments, he had this famous observation “In Communism. All animals are equal but some are more equal than others”. I think except autocracy in every other form of govt. some are more equal than others. Although world prides itself by quoting Abraham Lincoln that ‘Democracy is a government of the people by the people and for the people.” Indeed, it is really so, to begin with. But as time passes the equality, which is the corner stone of democracy, takes a back seat, for varieties of reasons. Hence it is no wonder that Mr. Yatin Oza, of the Gujarat High Court Bar Association has made public his perception of some Gujarat High Court judges being more equal than other judges of the same court. Reportedly Mr. Oza had written letters to the Chief Justice of India regarding the “manmaani” (do as they like) of two judges of Gujarat High Court because of their proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP party president Amit Shah. Now that Mr. Oza has made public these letters, the Gujarat High Court has instituted a contempt case against Mr. Oza. Here the question is- Are there not other judges, in other states who are close to powerful politicians? Of course judiciary should not suffer from nepotism. It will be interesting to see how Apex Court responds.
MAHARASHTRA: Bhoomata Brigade Chief Trupti Desai appears to be wanting to bite more then what she can chew.
She has appeared in the media in recent times ostensibly to empower women, especially when women are denied entry into places of worship. In India, women in particular, suffer from many denials especially in our male dominated society. It is mostly true for all social backgrounds, be it Hindu, Muslim or Christian.
Every society has its share of controversy. Of course, among Christians, by and large restriction are less due to western influence. Same may not be said about Hindus and Muslims. Empowerment of individuals are more for socio/economic reasons. Religious empowerment like entry into temples is certainly very low in the importance. Hence, the kind of halla baloo, this lady and her brigade is making, is a kind of overkill. Courts do intervene in these matters, and they should be good enough than these attempts at forcible entry. It may be true that in places like Shani Shingnapur temples, this protest worked. Because by and large men in Hindu temples buckle under pressure. But her attempt to gatecrash into Haji Ali Darga in Mumbai, was destined to be a failure.
IJTIHAD, is a Quran inspired principle of questioning. This is an example for all humanity. But, except Muslims, all follow this principle. There is an element of freedom of thought in most theologies, unlike Islam. Hence, any change should be kept to their practitioners. This Trupti Desai simply had no business to go to Haji Ali Darga and try to forcibly enter. The best she can do is to help Muslim women, who want to fight for their rights, provide a platform. Don’t try to fight someone else battle. You are bound to fail. And that’s what happened.
When it happened almost 5 years ago on 20th Oct 2011, whole of Mumbai, nay whole of India felt extremely shocked at and sad at what happened outside the Amboli Bar & Kitchen in the Mumbai suburb of Andheri.
For having protested the humiliation and molestation of their female friends, two young men, Kenan Santos (24) and Reuben Fernandese (29) were reportedly stabbed by goons while their female friends screamed for help in full public view and no help came with lot of people and shops open around. The duo succumbed to grievous injuries.
Four goons were arrested and case filed. It took more than 4 years to come to some concluded state. Reportedly on 5th May the Judge of the Special Women’s Court delivered a judgement that would keep all 4 accused in jail for the rest of their life. Indeed they deserved to be kept in jail until their eventual death, or else they would become a threat to the family of the victims and even to society at large. While capital punishment could have been an option, the crime couldn’t have been considered ‘rarest of rare’. Of course the accused has an option of challenging the order of conviction. However, it is hoped higher courts shall also look at the issue fairly to dismiss the appeal.
Looking back, a disturbing question that crops up every time an attack takes place, victim suffers or even dies, and we the onlookers, are either apathetic, helpless or suffer from ‘it’s not my problem’ attitude.
Is there any way, there can be an effective intervention in such situations? It is a question, free India must debate, involving school and college students including members of civil society. Hope some response develops.
Among the many shames that the Indian society has endured are the non acceptance of achievements of usual have-nots of the society. Of course, media at times, do publish some stories of personal valour of these unfortunate victims of times and circumstances. And comes this story of 36 years old Sunil Yadav who is employed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). Yes, he works as a sweeper and reportedly he has just been awarded an M. Phil by Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS). He got this job in replacement of his father being declared mentally unfit for the job. Despite his humble background, his ardent desire to improve himself was not reciprocated by his employers, the MCGM. During the over 16 years of his association with MCGM as a sweeper, he completed his HSC, a B.Com, a BA in Journalism and a Master in Social Work by 2011. He added this latest feather of M. Phil to his cap. Surely his bosses at MCGM may not be even half qualified as this humble sweeper. He shares his difficult years with the conservancy department of MCGM when he was made to struggle to get leave for his exams. He was allowed to go to South Africa as a part of his thesis, only on the intervention of TISS. Isn’t Mother India poorer with such humans manning positions of power, where they not only have the pettiness of ignoring the mute cries of ones like Sunil Yadav and deny them a rightful place under the Sun but also make them suffer for their achievements?! Please join in wishing a bright and useful future for this unsung hero SUNIL YADAV.
KERALA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is undoubtedly a great leader by his own right. A powerful orator. But, at times it will only help him, if he checks himself in his no-holds barred attack on political opponents. Many a time, boorish observations will not only not win friends and influence people, it can also be completely counterproductive.
The latest barb, comparing Kerala to Somalia, is not only in bad taste but also displays his arrogance or ignorance or both. PM Modi need to recognize that Kerala’s HDI is far better than that of Gujarat, where he ruled for 3 terms. This can be called intolerance of the opponents.
So please PM Modi, kindly do not kill the truth and control yourselves in the interest of larger pan Indian picture.
WORLD: In India any restriction in College or hostels as to the dresses is always challenged by a section of Indians, in the name of freedom and democracy, whether it is right or wrong. For them, a budding lady lawyer, coming to attend her law classes in shorts is an expression of freedom.
University cannot stop it. It is another matter, that another regular champion of freedom, Bar Council, has taken umbrage at this irresponsible bahaviour of the lady student and have insisted that law students must keep the dignity of the legal profession by dressing properly.
However, these sentinels of freedom are nowhere to be found when mosques or the Fatwa industry issues edicts, especially on Muslim females. In a latest from London, many mosques in the U.K have instructed their women folks to delete their Face Book accounts, not to wear trousers and not to leave the house without permission of their Fathers/ Husbands, as the case may be.
Idea of burqua is to cover fully, so what is wrong in trousers? Trouser too covers the lower portion of the body fully. So why ban it? But unfortunately there are nobody taking cudgels on behalf of these women folks who want to wear a trouser or chat in FB, but cannot.
Like Chinese, it’s my way or highway. Take it or leave it.
There was this small report “Sri Sri Gets into Nobel Prize Controversy” in the print media. He had reportedly remarked “We should always honour only to those who deserve it and I am totally against honouring Malala Yousufzai”.
Nobel Prize is given by Alfred Nobel Foundation. They have a team of intellectuals who select a recipient of this award, after due deliberations. It could be, there were better qualified, sometime getting overlooked. Such things happen all over the world. In case of Malala, by any stretch of imagination, if what is available in the public space is to be taken on face value, she is an iconic personality at so small an age. Nobel Committee thought she deserved it, and she was awarded. Except Pakistan, most of the world celebrated it, including India. It’s already close to 2 years, and for Sri Sri to mouth his prejudices, a wee bit too late, is rather very unkind. Prima facie, he has no business to react so harshly & negatively. If what is attributed to him is true, then it is in bad taste and simply uncalled for. He is duty bound to explicitly state why he thinks he is against honouring Malala, and then make amends to the damage he has caused.
South China Sea is slowly emerging as a flash point among the claimants to its ownership or claims. Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are the other claimants as against the sole claimant China. By nature, China has always been assertive. Now it is even challenging the verdict of U.N Tribunal on Convention of law of Sea (UNC LOS). There are indications that the Tribunals verdict is likely to go against China for the absolute clarity of the case.
A water body surrounded by many land masses belonging to different geographical entitlement should necessarily be shared by all those geographical entities. This goes without saying. One can have some basis of sharing like the length of coastline etc. but it simply is not available for unilateral usurp.
Unfortunately with the money power it gained during its open investment policy and its controlled labour cost, has gone to the head of Chinese leadership. World need to take note of this arrogance of money power and develop measures to counter it. It has clear ambition of being a Super Power ready to brow-beat United States. Of course any country is entitled to pursue a course of least resistance to become Super Power. But it can’t ride rough-shod with all and sundry in its journey towards the Super Power status. The principle of Live and Let Live has to be the mantra of international relation. Period.
It is a matter of joy for the entire Indian sub-continent that Sadiq Khan, a Pakistani migrant’s son has become the first Muslim occupant of a Mayor’s chamber in one of the most prominent western cities. Son of a bus driver, born in Pakistan, migrated when he was only 4 years old, Sadiq is the latest mayor of London. A first for any European Union capital. 45 year old Khan is a former human rights lawyer and an MP from Tooting, East London since 2005. He has been an active Labour politician and was part of former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet. As a working class representative his roots with his electorates were strong. He won against the brother of Jemina Khan, the billionaire former wife of Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan. Oxford educated Zac Goldsmith from conservative party tried to win over Indians by circulating the photograph of him shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his last visit to England. But, Sadiq’s grassroot contacts with the people of Indian sub-continent carried the day for him. He appears to be an open minded liberal, despite his controversial remark on moderate Muslims as “Uncle Toms”, which he is reported to have recanted in a recent BBC interview saying “I do regret using the phrase and I am sorry”.
It is hoped that his liberal and modern outlook will help in creating a safer London. From bunk bed sleeping until 24 years of age to the office of Mayor of London at 45 is a fairy tale journey for a humble bus driver’s son. In his acceptance speech, he was reported to have remarked “I want every single Londoner to get the opportunity that our city gave, to me and my family, the opportunity not just to survive but to thrive.” Hope he tries his best to translate his vision during his ensuing 8 years term.
The Prakash Singh Committee which probed the Jat agitation has only proved the obvious. It has come up pretty fast with its report. Reportedly it has charged some 90 officers, both among police as well as government officials.
Of course, the Committee has no punitive powers. It is for the government of CM Khattar to take the call. All are aware, Jat is a dominant and well off community in Haryana. There are bound to be many, who are Jats, both in Police and in State machinery, who not only remained plain onlookers but in some instance were party to the breakdown of law and order. It goes without saying that the duty of police and govt. machinery is to protect and uphold the law and order. That is the constitutional duty imposed on them. In the event they failed in their role. Khattar government is duty bound to ensure the primacy of the constitution and therefore the law of the land and ensure that guilty are punished according to the law and no mercy in shown. Only then the message can go that government means business of governance.
NEW DELHI: It was on 15th Aug 2014, that Prime Minister Modi, in his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort had given a veiled warning at the working culture in the corridors of power in New Delhi.
It is a well known truth that almost 2/3rd of government staff- whether in centre or in states, are good for nothing dead woods and a drain on national resources.
It was only a matter of time, ‘for whom the bell tolls!’; and it struck. In the first week of May, some 33 tax officials have been prematurely retired, including 7 Group ‘A’ officers, reportedly for the first time. This is over the 72 officers already dismissed on disciplinary grounds during the last 2 years, informs Finance Ministry. Reportedly, these 33 officers have been asked to ‘go home’ for ‘Non- Performance’. Like NPA can we call them as NPS – Non Performing Staff or Non-Performing Liabilities- NPL!?
Hope the NDA government continues to clean the mess in the government apparatus.
Some time politicians do make sensible statements. Many months ago RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat had remarked that ‘Reservation needs revisit’. There was a national furor. There are many steps taken, schemes started and laws enacted by different governments in the past, which had its, ‘nay’ sayers. As the time passes, many a time ‘nay’ sayers were slowly proving right. So there is nothing wrong in having another look at the whole legislations, schemes etc. Bhagwat was only echoing that sentiment, and he was pulled over the fire.
Now comes, a Senior Congress Leader P L Punia (PLP), all of 71, who continued to remain Chairman of National Commission of Scheduled Castes (NCSC), even after NDA came to power, making a ‘Bhagwatian’ statement. Reportedly PLP has stated “Dalits who have prospered as a result of reservation should give up their claim in favour of those who have not prospered.” “This they should do as a social responsibility” he had added.
Now compared to RSS boss, this statement of PLP is far more radical. He is clearly giving notice to likes of Meira Kumar & Co., so also Mallikarjun Kharge & Co., who are both from Congress like PLP and have enjoyed the reservation benefits to the hilt for a long time. It is another matter that Congress leadership is upset that an SC/ST Congress leader has made this radical remark. Yes, we do need to revisit this issue of Quota in the larger national picture of justice and fair play. Amen.
In the wake of Supreme Court order around 30000 diesel taxies had stopped plying on the roads of Delhi’s NCR. The sheer number suggests the magnitude of the problem for the taxi owners/drivers so also the taxi using general public. The inconvenience due to this stoppage is humongous. Naturally, since it was the issue of livelihood, the taxi drivers blocked the arterial roads that has thrown traffic out of gear. As is the norm, authorities or those who force a rule will understand the gravity of the problem only when the affected section take the law in their hands and cause great deal of public inconvenience, may be even loss of life and public property. Then wisdom dawns on authorities and they make accommodative amends to the issue on hand. Now that the Apex Court handed down its decision to stop the diesel taxies it has occurred to them little late in the day, that it cannot be abrupt, but need to be slowly and steadily to be stopped. And, Apex Court wants the government of Delhi to give it a plan for this eventual stoppage of diesel taxis.
It can occur to anybody that there are older vehicles which pollute more, they should have been the 1st one to be stopped and slowly go up the ladder. This is not a rocket science, plain and simple practical approach.
There was this report datelined Delhi- ‘Defense Force to be trimmed’. But why only defense forces, every department of government needs to be trimmed. If one observes the annual union budget, the biggest item of expenditure is on salaries of staff.
Of course, all those who are working has to be paid. Period. But, there is a huge section of salaried class, who simply do not work, or in some cases, they have no work. They just were recruited, at times just to favour some body. Hence, if the defense forces have thought of cutting down some flab and doing away with redundant posts in the armed force, it makes lot of sense. For the information of those who do not know, the combined strength of all of our 3 armed forces, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, is around 15.50 lakhs. The question is, in a world, where combat management has undergone sea change with more machine and less men doing the job and nuclear warfare may become the future war game, what will excessive number of men do! Since every rupee saved is a rupee earned, it is best, that some exercise is put in place to trim the numbers.
Latest diatribe against Raghuram Rajan by economist politician Subramanian Swami has to be taken with a pinch of salt. The former IMF economist and Chicago University professor is a professional, knowledgeable, competent and a right man for the job at Reserve Bank of India. The language used by Swami prima facie has a tinge of personal bias and was highly improper for an economist and a former professor to use against another economist and professor. It could be that he is being nudged by some external elements, who are not happy with Rajan for varieties of reasons, since shooting off mouth is a kind of trade mark of this latest Rajya Sabha MP. Among the VIPs who have taken umbrage and at times disagree with RBI governor is Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
As is generally believed, Rajan has been as competent or better, as anyone could be. His image as an international economist helped. But he has been a bit open in his off-the-cuff remarks. For his background, what he said, right or wrong, has been perfectly in order. But it’s the politicians who think that they are the masters, are not comfortable with free thinking and acting bureaucrats. One of the most debated barb was his ‘one eyed jack’ remark. Prima facie, what he said about India being a one eyed king among blind is most telling and appropriate. It’s pretty long way to go for India to be recognized as an economic power house. There is so much social inequity in our system that it is too early to brand as the best destination of feel-good situation. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is a lawyer turned politician. His priorities and utterances are certainly guided by his party’s political philosophy, where as an RBI governor has his ears to the ground. In the larger interest of the country Prof Raghuram Govind Rajan need to continue at the helm in RBI head quarters, even after Sept. 2016. Hope PM Modi understands this, despite Jaitleys and Swamis.
After Bofors, there appears to be one more, which can come to the public space, disturb the national politics and get lost into the oblivion like Bofors.
Bofors story was known to all. There were clear evidence of bribe having been paid. Lot of media investigation went into fix some names. The main player Ottavio Quatrochi, a friend of Rajeev Gandhi family, quietly left the country as soon as Swedish news paper exposed the corruption in the Howitzer deal. He never returned to the country with all the ‘good intention of the Congress government of the day to get him back’ and he died leaving the mystery to remain a mystery.
Now comes the story of some Rs. 350 crores, having changed hands in the Augusta- Westland helicopter deal worth Rs 3600/- crores. Italian courts have convicted 2 of their nationals for paying the bribe. There is ambiguity who received the money in India. It happened during UPA II. Hence it is surely at the door of the Congress party. Like Bofors, here too they are claiming innocence. So who has really taken this Rs. 350 crores!?
Former Airforce Chief Tyagi is clearly in the radar. He is being grilled by the CBI. But there appears to be lack of clarity in what the NDA government is doing, except accusation of Sonia Gandhi and counter accusation by Congress of malafide. Since Italian courts have clear indication of bribe payments, why is it difficult for the incumbent Indian government to take more drastic measures is not clear. May be an Apex Court monitored investigation only can lead to some conclusive state or else, it can be another Bofors waiting to happen.
Controversy surrounding cine actor Salman Khan in the appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador to the Rio Olympics later this year has to be seen in its proper perspective. First of all this Salman worthy has many controversies surrounding him. Controversy thy name is Salman Khan. He has pending court cases for criminal liability. All news savvy Indians are privy to the antics of this filmy hero in trying to delay the court proceeding with the help of his battery of expensive lawyers. His foot in the mouth observation that Pakistan had no role in 26/11 Mumbai attack, had to be expunged by Salim Khan, his own father. Hence projecting him as Goodwill Ambassador is not likely to be of any use, except that since the announcement there are more people talking about Olympics. Besides organization presided over by Suresh Kalmadi, is not expected to be above board. Hence some discreet understanding between IOA & the P.R.O. of this filmy worthy cannot be ruled out. He was probably trying to refurbish his image. But this unwarranted thoughtless action of IOA has certainly upset many sports persons. Central govt. must act to annul this appointment in the larger interest of the sports in the country.
ASSAM: The Story of an army jawan’s untimely death while undergoing endurance test raises lot of uncomfortable questions. Reportedly, there was a kind of mutiny from jawans against officers of the infantry unit after the death of jawan while training.
Part of 8 J&K Rifle, the unit was practicing somewhere in Dimapur in Arunachal Pradesh. A jawan complained of chest pain while undergoing the test. A doctor attached to the unit reportedly attended on him and declared him ‘fit’. Left with no choice jawan joined the group to continue his 10 km route march. Soon thereafter jawan was reported to have collapsed and as he was being carried to the Field Ambulance he breathed his last.
Understandably there was emotional outburst from among other jawans who probably argued with the unit officer, that the deceased jawan should not have been sent again for the march and rightly so. Having complained of chest pain should have been taken seriously by the doctor before declaring him fit. Or was he declared ‘fit’ at the instance of the Major commanding the unit. It was not clear.
However what needs to be appreciated is, there have been, in the past, instances of officers being unreasonable with jawans or juniors. This trend has to stop. Besides tribunals going into the cases of indiscipline should have men from different levels rather than only senior officers to understand the rationale of any emerging situation. Only then there will be fairness and justice to the underdogs.
GUJARAT: George Orwell became more famous as a writer for his epochal book ‘Animal Farm’ than all his other seminal works are concerned. It is in this book, critical of Communist governments, he had this famous observation “In Communism. All animals are equal but some are more equal than others”. I think except autocracy in every other form of govt. some are more equal than others. Although world prides itself by quoting Abraham Lincoln that ‘Democracy is a government of the people by the people and for the people.” Indeed, it is really so, to begin with. But as time passes the equality, which is the corner stone of democracy, takes a back seat, for varieties of reasons. Hence it is no wonder that Mr. Yatin Oza, of the Gujarat High Court Bar Association has made public his perception of some Gujarat High Court judges being more equal than other judges of the same court. Reportedly Mr. Oza had written letters to the Chief Justice of India regarding the “manmaani” (do as they like) of two judges of Gujarat High Court because of their proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP party president Amit Shah. Now that Mr. Oza has made public these letters, the Gujarat High Court has instituted a contempt case against Mr. Oza. Here the question is- Are there not other judges, in other states who are close to powerful politicians? Of course judiciary should not suffer from nepotism. It will be interesting to see how Apex Court responds.
MAHARASHTRA: Bhoomata Brigade Chief Trupti Desai appears to be wanting to bite more then what she can chew.
She has appeared in the media in recent times ostensibly to empower women, especially when women are denied entry into places of worship. In India, women in particular, suffer from many denials especially in our male dominated society. It is mostly true for all social backgrounds, be it Hindu, Muslim or Christian.
Every society has its share of controversy. Of course, among Christians, by and large restriction are less due to western influence. Same may not be said about Hindus and Muslims. Empowerment of individuals are more for socio/economic reasons. Religious empowerment like entry into temples is certainly very low in the importance. Hence, the kind of halla baloo, this lady and her brigade is making, is a kind of overkill. Courts do intervene in these matters, and they should be good enough than these attempts at forcible entry. It may be true that in places like Shani Shingnapur temples, this protest worked. Because by and large men in Hindu temples buckle under pressure. But her attempt to gatecrash into Haji Ali Darga in Mumbai, was destined to be a failure.
IJTIHAD, is a Quran inspired principle of questioning. This is an example for all humanity. But, except Muslims, all follow this principle. There is an element of freedom of thought in most theologies, unlike Islam. Hence, any change should be kept to their practitioners. This Trupti Desai simply had no business to go to Haji Ali Darga and try to forcibly enter. The best she can do is to help Muslim women, who want to fight for their rights, provide a platform. Don’t try to fight someone else battle. You are bound to fail. And that’s what happened.
When it happened almost 5 years ago on 20th Oct 2011, whole of Mumbai, nay whole of India felt extremely shocked at and sad at what happened outside the Amboli Bar & Kitchen in the Mumbai suburb of Andheri.
For having protested the humiliation and molestation of their female friends, two young men, Kenan Santos (24) and Reuben Fernandese (29) were reportedly stabbed by goons while their female friends screamed for help in full public view and no help came with lot of people and shops open around. The duo succumbed to grievous injuries.
Four goons were arrested and case filed. It took more than 4 years to come to some concluded state. Reportedly on 5th May the Judge of the Special Women’s Court delivered a judgement that would keep all 4 accused in jail for the rest of their life. Indeed they deserved to be kept in jail until their eventual death, or else they would become a threat to the family of the victims and even to society at large. While capital punishment could have been an option, the crime couldn’t have been considered ‘rarest of rare’. Of course the accused has an option of challenging the order of conviction. However, it is hoped higher courts shall also look at the issue fairly to dismiss the appeal.
Looking back, a disturbing question that crops up every time an attack takes place, victim suffers or even dies, and we the onlookers, are either apathetic, helpless or suffer from ‘it’s not my problem’ attitude.
Is there any way, there can be an effective intervention in such situations? It is a question, free India must debate, involving school and college students including members of civil society. Hope some response develops.
Among the many shames that the Indian society has endured are the non acceptance of achievements of usual have-nots of the society. Of course, media at times, do publish some stories of personal valour of these unfortunate victims of times and circumstances. And comes this story of 36 years old Sunil Yadav who is employed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). Yes, he works as a sweeper and reportedly he has just been awarded an M. Phil by Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS). He got this job in replacement of his father being declared mentally unfit for the job. Despite his humble background, his ardent desire to improve himself was not reciprocated by his employers, the MCGM. During the over 16 years of his association with MCGM as a sweeper, he completed his HSC, a B.Com, a BA in Journalism and a Master in Social Work by 2011. He added this latest feather of M. Phil to his cap. Surely his bosses at MCGM may not be even half qualified as this humble sweeper. He shares his difficult years with the conservancy department of MCGM when he was made to struggle to get leave for his exams. He was allowed to go to South Africa as a part of his thesis, only on the intervention of TISS. Isn’t Mother India poorer with such humans manning positions of power, where they not only have the pettiness of ignoring the mute cries of ones like Sunil Yadav and deny them a rightful place under the Sun but also make them suffer for their achievements?! Please join in wishing a bright and useful future for this unsung hero SUNIL YADAV.
KERALA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is undoubtedly a great leader by his own right. A powerful orator. But, at times it will only help him, if he checks himself in his no-holds barred attack on political opponents. Many a time, boorish observations will not only not win friends and influence people, it can also be completely counterproductive.
The latest barb, comparing Kerala to Somalia, is not only in bad taste but also displays his arrogance or ignorance or both. PM Modi need to recognize that Kerala’s HDI is far better than that of Gujarat, where he ruled for 3 terms. This can be called intolerance of the opponents.
So please PM Modi, kindly do not kill the truth and control yourselves in the interest of larger pan Indian picture.
WORLD: In India any restriction in College or hostels as to the dresses is always challenged by a section of Indians, in the name of freedom and democracy, whether it is right or wrong. For them, a budding lady lawyer, coming to attend her law classes in shorts is an expression of freedom.
University cannot stop it. It is another matter, that another regular champion of freedom, Bar Council, has taken umbrage at this irresponsible bahaviour of the lady student and have insisted that law students must keep the dignity of the legal profession by dressing properly.
However, these sentinels of freedom are nowhere to be found when mosques or the Fatwa industry issues edicts, especially on Muslim females. In a latest from London, many mosques in the U.K have instructed their women folks to delete their Face Book accounts, not to wear trousers and not to leave the house without permission of their Fathers/ Husbands, as the case may be.
Idea of burqua is to cover fully, so what is wrong in trousers? Trouser too covers the lower portion of the body fully. So why ban it? But unfortunately there are nobody taking cudgels on behalf of these women folks who want to wear a trouser or chat in FB, but cannot.
Like Chinese, it’s my way or highway. Take it or leave it.
There was this small report “Sri Sri Gets into Nobel Prize Controversy” in the print media. He had reportedly remarked “We should always honour only to those who deserve it and I am totally against honouring Malala Yousufzai”.
Nobel Prize is given by Alfred Nobel Foundation. They have a team of intellectuals who select a recipient of this award, after due deliberations. It could be, there were better qualified, sometime getting overlooked. Such things happen all over the world. In case of Malala, by any stretch of imagination, if what is available in the public space is to be taken on face value, she is an iconic personality at so small an age. Nobel Committee thought she deserved it, and she was awarded. Except Pakistan, most of the world celebrated it, including India. It’s already close to 2 years, and for Sri Sri to mouth his prejudices, a wee bit too late, is rather very unkind. Prima facie, he has no business to react so harshly & negatively. If what is attributed to him is true, then it is in bad taste and simply uncalled for. He is duty bound to explicitly state why he thinks he is against honouring Malala, and then make amends to the damage he has caused.
South China Sea is slowly emerging as a flash point among the claimants to its ownership or claims. Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are the other claimants as against the sole claimant China. By nature, China has always been assertive. Now it is even challenging the verdict of U.N Tribunal on Convention of law of Sea (UNC LOS). There are indications that the Tribunals verdict is likely to go against China for the absolute clarity of the case.
A water body surrounded by many land masses belonging to different geographical entitlement should necessarily be shared by all those geographical entities. This goes without saying. One can have some basis of sharing like the length of coastline etc. but it simply is not available for unilateral usurp.
Unfortunately with the money power it gained during its open investment policy and its controlled labour cost, has gone to the head of Chinese leadership. World need to take note of this arrogance of money power and develop measures to counter it. It has clear ambition of being a Super Power ready to brow-beat United States. Of course any country is entitled to pursue a course of least resistance to become Super Power. But it can’t ride rough-shod with all and sundry in its journey towards the Super Power status. The principle of Live and Let Live has to be the mantra of international relation. Period.
It is a matter of joy for the entire Indian sub-continent that Sadiq Khan, a Pakistani migrant’s son has become the first Muslim occupant of a Mayor’s chamber in one of the most prominent western cities. Son of a bus driver, born in Pakistan, migrated when he was only 4 years old, Sadiq is the latest mayor of London. A first for any European Union capital. 45 year old Khan is a former human rights lawyer and an MP from Tooting, East London since 2005. He has been an active Labour politician and was part of former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet. As a working class representative his roots with his electorates were strong. He won against the brother of Jemina Khan, the billionaire former wife of Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan. Oxford educated Zac Goldsmith from conservative party tried to win over Indians by circulating the photograph of him shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his last visit to England. But, Sadiq’s grassroot contacts with the people of Indian sub-continent carried the day for him. He appears to be an open minded liberal, despite his controversial remark on moderate Muslims as “Uncle Toms”, which he is reported to have recanted in a recent BBC interview saying “I do regret using the phrase and I am sorry”.
It is hoped that his liberal and modern outlook will help in creating a safer London. From bunk bed sleeping until 24 years of age to the office of Mayor of London at 45 is a fairy tale journey for a humble bus driver’s son. In his acceptance speech, he was reported to have remarked “I want every single Londoner to get the opportunity that our city gave, to me and my family, the opportunity not just to survive but to thrive.” Hope he tries his best to translate his vision during his ensuing 8 years term.
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