MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE
NEW DELHI: When Aamir Khan’s ‘Dangal’ was released the young heroin of the film Zaira Wasim from Kashmir, was shown in a path breaking role. In the film, the WOMAN was clearly liberated. It was a successful experiment of women’s empowerment.
But Kashmiri bigots wouldn’t buy any of them. They made the life of this young Zaira difficult and she had to apologize for being “unislamic” in the film.
Comes King Khan with his princess Suhaan Khan in a stunning short dress. Surprisingly bigots were nowhere around to react. Is it because, King Khan would have asked them to ‘shut up’ and react “it’s none of your business”!
So it’s another case of double standard even in bigotry!
On my post “Double standard in Bigotry!” where I had posted a picture of actor Shah Rukh Khan & his daughter, a gentleman Mr. Syedein had queried “What is your involvement in all this? Why are you so concerned?” While it was a legitimate query, he probably felt how can a Jayaram comment on Khans. So, I had responded “Men and women are born free. But get chained, as they grow, by adults, by the society, by the clergy and finally by individuals themselves by surrendering to the forces within and without. I wish a world free of dogmatic walls. If we cannot have bridges, at least, we must break down walls. Amen.” Strangely even after 48 hours no response came from Mr. Syedein. I wanted to carry on the debate. Friends, where did I go wrong that made our friend Syedein go quite?!
Ghost of Bofors do not seem to die. When Quattrochchi died, all thought, especially the Gandhi (not Mahatma) family, it’s all over. The Rs. 64crore Saga, that caused the collapse of Rajeev Gandhi government, somehow couldn’t be conclusively closed. It is still waiting for the last word. Be that as it may, comes this newest scam involving fake Chinese spares sold to Army for Bofors Guns.
Good number of Indians, just to make some fast buck can downright be anti-national. According to a report datelined New Delhi, Chinese made spares camouflaged as “Made in Germany” have found their way to the production line of indigenized Bofors guns used by the army. Some Sidhi Sales Syndicate (SSS) has reportedly sold these parts and CBI has filed a case of criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery. Gun Carriage Factory (GCF) in Jabalpur was the party government agency floated a tender for 4 ‘Wire Race Roller Bearings’. Reportedly some unidentified officials of GCF are involved in this scam. These bearings are supposedly a vital part in the manufacture of indigenous Bofors artillery gun ‘Dhanush’. SS Syndicate was not only given the supply contract of these 4 bearings but were also asked to supply 2 more. SSS supplied all the six with declaration that they were manufactured by CRB,- Antriebstechnik, Germany with ‘CRB- Made in Germany’ embossed on these bearings.
According to CBI, not only the German firm do not manufacture these bearings, this SSSyndicate got them manufactured by Sino United Industries Ltd. Henan, China.
Thus, it is clearly a case of criminal conspiracy between the SSSyndicate and GCF officials. It amounted to cheating as well as forgery. By joining hands with Chinese to cheat Indian army, it can even be termed anti-national, just to make some money.
All of us are working to make money, if possible, more money, so are the people in business. But some want to make more and more money with an unsatiating desire. It’s the greed that drives people to cheat. Even the country does not matter. That by their action they have endangered safety of our jawans and by extension the country itself, is not their concern. These people, both the SSSyndicate owners and the concerned army officials at GCF, should be tried under treason and condemned to jail for life with no bail. Only then message shall go, not to join any supplier, including China, in faking our country in general and army in particular.
Country’s Premier auditors- CAG asking railways to “Ensure clean linens for passengers” has not come a day too early. Ever since the railways were contracting out their laundry services, there have been continuous complaints. What CAG has observed is that there are complaints about blankets and pillows not being sanitized for long period. While what they said is true, what has not come to their attention is the unwashed bed sheets, hand towels and pillow covers, not being washed after every use. They are probably washed every 2nd, 3rd or even 4th usage. They are just being ironed to look neat and supplied to passengers. What has come to the knowledge of CAG is from passengers of premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi etc. What never comes to their knowledge is the issue of non-premium trains with AC coaches. Here more often than not, it is the Ticket Checking inspectors who receive complaints, who probably do pass these complaints to higher ups in railways. Somehow these complaints have not really helped matters. Now that CAG has pulled up, may be minister Suresh Prabhu would hopefully act on this insanitary state of railway linens.
As usual 11th July came and went into national amnesia. The World Population Day did not elicit the seriousness it deserved. According to International Institute of Population Studies, Deonar, Mumbai, recorded Indian population to be 1,361,277,617 on 11th July 2017. Reportedly according to UN Depptt of Economic & Social Affairs, by 2024, India is likely to overtake China in population growth. So from 2025, India will be numero uno in this ever growing numbing numbers. Surely this is not something to be proud of.
Meenaxi Lekhi, a lawyer & a Member of Parliament has recently remarked “From the perspective of both sustainable development and for making sure that the benefits of economic growth reach out to all, it is extremely important for India to have a stringent National Population Policy”. Something I&C has articulated for all its 17 years of its useful existence. “There is a limit to how much Indian cities can bear the burden of increasing population” she says with apparent concern.
We all know, the pressure of unbridled population growth would create stress on natural resources, leading to deforestation, pollution of rivers and congestion of localities. All these have major negative impact on ecological balance. Unfortunately successive governments for all these 70 years have failed to have a coherent population policy to curb the growing numbers, including the present NDA dispensation at the centre.
Under the circumstances for Meenaxi Lekhi to take this considered stand is commendable, when she tells “there is limit on how many more jobs can be created for ever-growing population. There is also a limit on how many students can be given admission to India’s schools and colleges.”
Clearly, there is no escape. We have to bite the bullet and act to stop this runaway explosion of numbers. While it is true that there are some Indian states who have been applying principles of one child/ 2 children norms for some benefits and opportunities, and also have succeeded in either matching replacement figures or even going below the replacement figure, many states have not bothered to look at one of the most serious issue concerning our all inclusive developmental initiatives. Hope the Narendra Modi government listens to one of its own Member of Parliament to seriously consider her articulation on this very important issue. Or else, it will be a never ending struggle for days to come.
Nobody wants to die for nothing, similarly none want to kill anybody else for no-reason. Of course killing, per se, can never be justified.
The recent report of a jawan from 19 Madras Regiment having shot dead a young major has sent understable shock waves.
There have been instances all through our history of post independent India, when somebody has shot somebody else, whether in police dept or any of the units of armed forces, be it CRPF, BSF, Army, Air-force or even Navy, or other security wings of defence establishments. There have been studies and lacunae have been found and discussed. But somehow, these incidents have only increased over a period.
The human psyche that divides, between manager and managed, leader and led, officer and subordinates, supervisor and supervised, is ever present in all human activities. All situations can be managed provided there is a spirit of give and take. While discipline is absolutely paramount in all armed forces, the very fact that the person is armed, makes it all the more difficult to be one-up for the senior, he has to perforce control his emotions even pocket his sense of ego. The way big person handles small person is the reflection of his man management skills. That is where he proves his bigness. He has to get down to the level of the junior to feel his sense of pain or disappointment. So that situation can be saved for the benefit of all.
It is true all situations cannot have perfect solutions where a certain degree of give and take comes. The larger picture, the interest of the nation, need to be appreciated by all concerned, and solution may be only as far as that.
In this particular case, jawan was using his mobile phone in a forward area near LoC in J&K while on duty, is certainly a serious case of indiscipline. How the officer could have saved the situation is difficult to say in retrospect. That the heated argument between the jawan and the major led to the death of a young officer, is very sad.
Of course nothing is beyond despair. There is certainly hope for better skills in stress management. All concerned, especially officers, should be sensitized of the stress situation an ordinary jawan passes through. In forward areas with varying temperatures, provision of quality food and clothing, behaviour of superiors all play a role in the psychology of sentries and jawans. There is a huge responsibility on the seniors up to the rank of the General to treat all as equals when it comes to human relations, period. Hope all concerned pause and ponder for the bigger picture.
Bihar: The nation is aware that Bihar strongman Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family is in the eyes of the storm with all kinds of wheeling-dealings being probed by law agencies, like CBI and income tax departments. Lot of stories of benami properties owned by Lalu’s wife and children, are making rounds in the media.
Politicians, all over India, are known to have access to unaccounted money from different sources, received as consideration for acts of commission and omission. Some gets exposed in public space and some remain dormant and some are actively concealed due to political contacts.
Indians also know that vast majority of elected representatives of political parties enjoy life way beyond their known source of income. But people are unable to expose them due to those involved in underhand dealings are helping each other in keeping it concealed, thus for generations they keep enjoying the fruits of their sins while in politics.
The adage that ‘some can fool some people all the time, and all the people sometime, but not all the people all the time’ has its time tested relevance.
Lallan Chaudhary, reportedly is the cow shed keeper of Lalu Prasad Yadav for some 20 years or so. But somehow manages to ‘buy’ two plots of land from one Vishunder Rai and Rathneshwar Yadav for `4 lakhs in 2008. But has reportedly gifted these plots valued at `1 crore as market value, after 8 years, one to Rabridevi, wife of Lalu and the other to Lalu’s daughter Hema, because according to Lallan’s declaration in the gift deed, both are close to him.
Be that as it may, the question is, how Lallan, the cow shed keeper, living in an Indira Awas Yojana house and holding a BPL card could have `4 lakh in 2008 to purchase these plots, so also `6 lakhs that he paid as stamp duty to the state treasury! According to media, when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister, he is alleged to have given employment for 2 sons of Vishunder Rai and Rathneshwar Yadav.
Here connections become little murky. There is allegation in political circles that during the period of Lalu Prasad’s Railway Ministership, he gifted jobs and contracts and as a quid-pro-quo- these land deals have taken place in favour of his trusted domestic staff, who in turn gifted them to Lalu’s family members at a later date.
Yes, too many questions and not many answers. This is Yeh Mera India.
KARNATAKA: I do not want to be seen even remotely as a religious man. But when in Udupi, Pejawar Seer Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji arranged an Iftaar get-together for local Muslims, within the precincts of Shree Krishna Math, and also made arrangement for their prayers, I certainly felt very nice. It certainly was a very historic move by the octogenarian Swamiji. Not done anywhere in Indian temples. It was indeed a unique social harmony initiative.
There appeared to be a groundswell of goodwill generated among both Hindus and Muslims, post this event.
It was clearly a move aimed at harmony without any political undertone or overtone. It was clearly hoped there would be write-ups in both print and social media. Strangely when there were too many write-ups on cow and beef eating, largely politically motivated, there was this unexplained silence among ‘social thinkers’ in the social media. But then those who are looking for garbage do tend to miss the fragrance of flowers, isn’t it!
And comes this rabble raiser Mutalik of Shri Rama Sene. That he is doing no service to Lord Rama is well known. He is only looking for some political opportunity. He tried for an M.P seat from BJP in 2014, and for his chagrin, he was not given. Now in Udupi, he is trying to muddy the water by questioning the Pejawar Seer, about the Iftaar get-together in Udupi temple premises. According to this Mutalik, holding of Iftaar and then even prayers within the temple area is an insult to Hindu society and that his Shri Rama Sene will stage a protest. Surely Pejawar Seer does not need lessons in Hinduism from likes of Mutalik, who was known to have allegedly agreed in the past to create communal disturbance for monetary gain. Here it is interesting to note that BJP has not reacted, either in support or against it. But Congress has pushed its junior, youth Congress, to the arena to face Mutalik & Co. Thus it is clearly a votebank response. BJP has lost an opportunity to be seen as a party for social harmony. Congress as usual is unsure what to do. But Pejawar Swamiji has clearly scored, where politics failed.
Parents killing themselves along with their kids, or husband killing wife and kids then committing suicide himself, or mother jumping into the well with her kids because of fight with husband or his family, are the stories that have appeared in the media at sometime or the other. We have read, may be felt bad for a while, and then life has gone on as usual. For those of us who are not affected, are not overtly concerned, probably not knowing what can be done about happenings of this nature.
But these souls, who have left this sorry world, perforce or as victims of circumstances, especially those innocent small children, if you pause for a while and think, it could be deeply unsettling and heart rending.
At least these innocent souls, who have not seen life at all, deserve some thoughts, if nothing more.
And comes this news, “Women gets life term for throwing daughter into river”. Judge Lavanya Latha from Tumakooru gave her judgement for the crime. For her issue is closed. Mother got punishment for her crime. But that small 2 month old baby girl, why she had to die? Whatever be the problem, what right anybody had to snuff the life out of a small baby?
Granted, there are lots of issues involving such incidents. The government all over India has a department of Child Welfare Committees. What is their job, only to raid, search and arrest people for crime against children or can they also proactively think on the lines of how to save these children caught in the crossfire between husband/wife or their many problems?
If adults want to end their life, nobody can do anything about it. They can be counseled not to end their life. But regarding children this CWC can take a proactive role to make a difference to save the life of small children. If they are orphaned unfortunately, there are many couples looking for adoption. These small children can have hopefully a better life with adoptive parents. A debate has to be ignited for the larger purpose of saving small children who are increasingly becoming victims of circumstances. CWC must invite suggestion to this end. They need to act rather than only react all the time.
KERALA: THE WEEK, letter writer T. Koshi Cherian in his letter (The Week:16th July) on “That Elusive Search for bliss” has exposed his bias and pettiness, when he wrote “No one can find spiritual solace by flexing your muscles or holding breath in half clad body, wrapped partially in a piece of dhoti tied along the gluteal cleft”.
And you had decided to give it prominence by titling it ‘Yoga not spiritual’. This publication has also exposed the mindset of the person who selected to publish this letter.
While there are any number of books on Yoga, following two books this letter writer must read- ‘The Hidden Teaching beyond Yoga’ by Dr. Paul Brunton from England, a senior journalist himself and ‘Yoga & Nature Cure’ by Dr. G. Francis Xavier, an Indian, both fortunately are not Hindu dogmatists. And ask Crystal L Park of University of Connecticut “I think because yoga is such a mind-body practice, people find themselves being more relaxed and more mindful. They start going back for those things. It’s clearly something people deeply resonate with,” stated in a survey by the University (TIME, Aug, 29, 2016- page 10),
Please try not to vitiate public space by publishing dogmatic hatred.
WORLD: Politicians of all hues are known to make, at times, stupid and irresponsible statements. BJP politicians are no exception to this rule.
Media savvy Indians are aware that a BJP MP had, on record, stated some time ago that, Talaq and Polygamy are prevalent because of ‘lust in men’. Understandably there was furor, justified or otherwise.
And comes this story from Peshawar Pakistan. “Pak woman kills hubby for raping daughter-in-law”.
Gulbar Khan was shot dead by his irate wife Begum Bibi. Begum had claimed that Gulbar had been repeatedly sexually assaulting his daughter-in-law for the past 3 months. Report informs that his son, a Frontier Corps soldier, had known about the ordeal of his wife ‘but due to parental respect, I couldn’t kill him”, but had informed his mother that ‘on return, he would leave home’.
Here is a helpless young married woman whose husband is away on army duty. It’s the duty of her parents-in-law to protect her in the absence of her man. Instead we have an animal in her Father-in-law, who is truly her father in spirit, away from her parental home. And this Father-in-law becomes an outlaw with, someone who is truly his daughter in spirit.
His wife’s fury at her sickening husband is completely justified. This ‘honour killing’ should be pardoned by the authorities in Peshawar. Actually Begum Bibi did the job of the prison’s firing squad. Two cheers to her. By hindsight, this BJP MP, may not be wrong after all, for his ‘wise’ crack.
There are lots of differences between these two neighbours but the fact that 70 years ago, both had same home and hearth. Thus, there are some basic similarities. Surely there are many positive similarities. But this one is negative similarity.
This is the story of a 13 year boy Irfan. He worked as a farm hand in the house hold of Shafqat Bibi at an agreed salary of `3,000/- per month. Month over, Irfan asked for his salary, not knowing what was in store for him.
An infuriated Shafqat Bibi chopped his right hand off. Reportedly he is struggling in hospital in critical condition due to heavy bleeding.
The family of Irfan approached the Safdarabad police station in Lahore. And the police refused to register a case when family approached them.
Can you visualize a similar situation in any of the Indian police stations, where police have refused to register a case because the victim was poor? Yes, Indian & Pakistan police mentality may be same, when complainant is poor.
Narendra Modi, like it or not, is the most written about in India. There are in big numbers, who dislike him and probably hate him. There are people who wished him the worst. But there are also his admirers who are legions. In any case he cannot be ignored.
And those who hate him have used all kinds of languages against him. The thought, what would be his unpopularity rate, crossed the mind.
Reading the TIME, the U.S. based weekly provided with some answer, that he is not that bad after all, when there are many in the global media who are written about their unpopularity rating.
There is a school of opinion makers who think President Donald Trump is not very popular in his own country. They also came up with details of five more world leaders, who are less popular than President Trump.
Ian Bremmer, the lead writer for the TIME writes Donald Trump has had a historically bad series of news cycle as of late. But the President with an approval rating just above 40% is sitting pretty compared with some other heads of the state and government. And he names Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela as the most embattled political leader. His approval rating is around 20%, meaning close to 80% do not like him. Michel Temer of Brazil is in single digit, meaning over 90% of his countrymen do not like him. Then you have Jacob Zuma of South Africa, has just 20% approval by his countrymen. Alexis Tsipras of Greece is in similar situation. Najib Razak of Malaysia is the 5th global leader who is written about with equally lower rating.
Except Greece all leaders are involved in corruption scams. To his credit Prime Minister Narendra Modi is probably the cleanest in the major human failings of women, wine and wealth. That alone should give him a head start, whether those who hate him like it or not. In our freedom of speech one gentleman from Goa even referred to him as “The fucker thinks he is a Messiah”. How to react to this?!, especially when the TIME, sometime in May, selected him as one of the 24 most influential leaders in the world. He was placed No: 4 just below Pope Francis, placed at 3. And Donald Trump was placed 14.
A word of reason, while condemning others, we must take care that we do not degrade ourselves by our language.
For quite some time, it’s been blowing hot and cold between neighbours India and China. Then Prime Minister Narendra Modi tells the world that ‘in spite of long standing border dispute differences there has not been a bullet fired,’ signaling there prevails peace between India and China. Chinese official media, surely under instruction from the top, goes to the market to tell the world, they deeply appreciate this remark from the Indian Prime Minister.
And then Doklam happens. Doka La or Doklam is near Indo Bhutan border in Sikkim and supposedly claimed by Bhutan. China in their usual style of brow-beating, is trying to build a road capable of heavy traffic which when completed can be strategically dangerous to India. Doklam is the China-Bhutan-India tri-junction. Since Bhutan has defence agreement with India, it is incumbent upon India to protect the territorial integrity of Bhutan. So, Indian troops stops the construction of the road by China and a confrontation ensues between India and China. China demands, ‘for any talk on Doklam crisis, Indian troops must withdraw?' While Bhutan urges China to maintain status quo, India insists that both should withdraw their troops and talk.
It happened in late May, and standoff continues without any progress on the issue. Apparently, China wanted to test the Indian commitment to Bhutan. It is a psychological war fare. History is proof enough for the complete absence of any Indian territorial ambition. India respects Bhutan’s independent status and hence Bhutan is comfortable with India handling its safety.
After this over 6 weeks of impasse a strange report appears in the print media, “China should keep calm about India’s rise”. A Beijing datelined report by PTI informs “China should be calm seeing India rise. To cope with competition from India, China could start working on a more effective growth strategy for the new era now”, informed an article in the state owned Global Times.
“India is receiving massive influx of foreign investment, which China started two decades ago and that India will experience enhanced development in its manufacturing sector," the paper had stated.
In the past, China had tried to suppress Indian desire to grow and be a force to reckon with in the international arena. However this latest summersault indicates a ‘method in madness’. What kind of a feeler China is trying to send is unclear, but a positive vibe all the same.
In recent times, India has shown nerve to stand-up and be counted. It is trying to prove to Chinese that ‘we are not pushovers’. Firmness without being overtly assertive has apparently sent a message, “it helps to sit down and talk calmly and hopefully with reason”. Hope all parties to the dispute see some points of convergence so that standoff does not continue to end in some unpleasant bravado.
NDA government in New Delhi led by PM Narendra Modi has planned these 100 smart cities. For long years, since before 2000, we have been talking about being super power. And we are nowhere near it. Of course, we may be inching towards it literally, but it is still far. These smart cities too may not come soon. It may happen to some of the cities, but that too in a distant future.
When the first talk started there were these social media savvy geeks come-up with all kinds of suggestions as to what to do and what not to do, as if they had solutions at their finger tips.
What most Indians does not recognize is, the complete lack of discipline from most average Indians. Look at any traffic jam, more than the number of vehicles, it is the indisciplined use of road with total disregard for the laws of the land which have greatly contributed to the mess that we call as ‘Traffic Woes’.
As a people we have contempt for the rules and regulations. Even traffic police does not know that there is an emergency lane meant for ambulances, fire brigades and other vehicles in a hurry and who do you find there!, bullet tankers, cement block laden trucks, rickshaw tempos with steel bars & GI pipes and the likes. There are N numbers of issues to talk about, but here comes the latest from London. These proposed Smart Cities, if and when happens, can lead to massive migration of population, which can in turn put pressure on housing, electricity and water, while simultaneously increasing the output of waste into the drainage system, solid waste and green house gasses, informs a research study by the University of Lincoln in the U.K. Clearly, the study tells that these Smart Cities are bound to harm environment if not meticulously planned, one after the other, rather than 100 smart cities within a fixed time frame. Like in Railway budget, there used to be 25 new railway lines and after 25 years, may be one or two have progressed to complete, rest for years remain as Work-in-Progress, and some even abandoned for varieties of socio-economic & political reasons. Haven’t we heard, slow & steady wins the race?
But Kashmiri bigots wouldn’t buy any of them. They made the life of this young Zaira difficult and she had to apologize for being “unislamic” in the film.
Comes King Khan with his princess Suhaan Khan in a stunning short dress. Surprisingly bigots were nowhere around to react. Is it because, King Khan would have asked them to ‘shut up’ and react “it’s none of your business”!
So it’s another case of double standard even in bigotry!
On my post “Double standard in Bigotry!” where I had posted a picture of actor Shah Rukh Khan & his daughter, a gentleman Mr. Syedein had queried “What is your involvement in all this? Why are you so concerned?” While it was a legitimate query, he probably felt how can a Jayaram comment on Khans. So, I had responded “Men and women are born free. But get chained, as they grow, by adults, by the society, by the clergy and finally by individuals themselves by surrendering to the forces within and without. I wish a world free of dogmatic walls. If we cannot have bridges, at least, we must break down walls. Amen.” Strangely even after 48 hours no response came from Mr. Syedein. I wanted to carry on the debate. Friends, where did I go wrong that made our friend Syedein go quite?!
Ghost of Bofors do not seem to die. When Quattrochchi died, all thought, especially the Gandhi (not Mahatma) family, it’s all over. The Rs. 64crore Saga, that caused the collapse of Rajeev Gandhi government, somehow couldn’t be conclusively closed. It is still waiting for the last word. Be that as it may, comes this newest scam involving fake Chinese spares sold to Army for Bofors Guns.
Good number of Indians, just to make some fast buck can downright be anti-national. According to a report datelined New Delhi, Chinese made spares camouflaged as “Made in Germany” have found their way to the production line of indigenized Bofors guns used by the army. Some Sidhi Sales Syndicate (SSS) has reportedly sold these parts and CBI has filed a case of criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery. Gun Carriage Factory (GCF) in Jabalpur was the party government agency floated a tender for 4 ‘Wire Race Roller Bearings’. Reportedly some unidentified officials of GCF are involved in this scam. These bearings are supposedly a vital part in the manufacture of indigenous Bofors artillery gun ‘Dhanush’. SS Syndicate was not only given the supply contract of these 4 bearings but were also asked to supply 2 more. SSS supplied all the six with declaration that they were manufactured by CRB,- Antriebstechnik, Germany with ‘CRB- Made in Germany’ embossed on these bearings.
According to CBI, not only the German firm do not manufacture these bearings, this SSSyndicate got them manufactured by Sino United Industries Ltd. Henan, China.
Thus, it is clearly a case of criminal conspiracy between the SSSyndicate and GCF officials. It amounted to cheating as well as forgery. By joining hands with Chinese to cheat Indian army, it can even be termed anti-national, just to make some money.
All of us are working to make money, if possible, more money, so are the people in business. But some want to make more and more money with an unsatiating desire. It’s the greed that drives people to cheat. Even the country does not matter. That by their action they have endangered safety of our jawans and by extension the country itself, is not their concern. These people, both the SSSyndicate owners and the concerned army officials at GCF, should be tried under treason and condemned to jail for life with no bail. Only then message shall go, not to join any supplier, including China, in faking our country in general and army in particular.
Country’s Premier auditors- CAG asking railways to “Ensure clean linens for passengers” has not come a day too early. Ever since the railways were contracting out their laundry services, there have been continuous complaints. What CAG has observed is that there are complaints about blankets and pillows not being sanitized for long period. While what they said is true, what has not come to their attention is the unwashed bed sheets, hand towels and pillow covers, not being washed after every use. They are probably washed every 2nd, 3rd or even 4th usage. They are just being ironed to look neat and supplied to passengers. What has come to the knowledge of CAG is from passengers of premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi etc. What never comes to their knowledge is the issue of non-premium trains with AC coaches. Here more often than not, it is the Ticket Checking inspectors who receive complaints, who probably do pass these complaints to higher ups in railways. Somehow these complaints have not really helped matters. Now that CAG has pulled up, may be minister Suresh Prabhu would hopefully act on this insanitary state of railway linens.
As usual 11th July came and went into national amnesia. The World Population Day did not elicit the seriousness it deserved. According to International Institute of Population Studies, Deonar, Mumbai, recorded Indian population to be 1,361,277,617 on 11th July 2017. Reportedly according to UN Depptt of Economic & Social Affairs, by 2024, India is likely to overtake China in population growth. So from 2025, India will be numero uno in this ever growing numbing numbers. Surely this is not something to be proud of.
Meenaxi Lekhi, a lawyer & a Member of Parliament has recently remarked “From the perspective of both sustainable development and for making sure that the benefits of economic growth reach out to all, it is extremely important for India to have a stringent National Population Policy”. Something I&C has articulated for all its 17 years of its useful existence. “There is a limit to how much Indian cities can bear the burden of increasing population” she says with apparent concern.
We all know, the pressure of unbridled population growth would create stress on natural resources, leading to deforestation, pollution of rivers and congestion of localities. All these have major negative impact on ecological balance. Unfortunately successive governments for all these 70 years have failed to have a coherent population policy to curb the growing numbers, including the present NDA dispensation at the centre.
Under the circumstances for Meenaxi Lekhi to take this considered stand is commendable, when she tells “there is limit on how many more jobs can be created for ever-growing population. There is also a limit on how many students can be given admission to India’s schools and colleges.”
Clearly, there is no escape. We have to bite the bullet and act to stop this runaway explosion of numbers. While it is true that there are some Indian states who have been applying principles of one child/ 2 children norms for some benefits and opportunities, and also have succeeded in either matching replacement figures or even going below the replacement figure, many states have not bothered to look at one of the most serious issue concerning our all inclusive developmental initiatives. Hope the Narendra Modi government listens to one of its own Member of Parliament to seriously consider her articulation on this very important issue. Or else, it will be a never ending struggle for days to come.
Nobody wants to die for nothing, similarly none want to kill anybody else for no-reason. Of course killing, per se, can never be justified.
The recent report of a jawan from 19 Madras Regiment having shot dead a young major has sent understable shock waves.
There have been instances all through our history of post independent India, when somebody has shot somebody else, whether in police dept or any of the units of armed forces, be it CRPF, BSF, Army, Air-force or even Navy, or other security wings of defence establishments. There have been studies and lacunae have been found and discussed. But somehow, these incidents have only increased over a period.
The human psyche that divides, between manager and managed, leader and led, officer and subordinates, supervisor and supervised, is ever present in all human activities. All situations can be managed provided there is a spirit of give and take. While discipline is absolutely paramount in all armed forces, the very fact that the person is armed, makes it all the more difficult to be one-up for the senior, he has to perforce control his emotions even pocket his sense of ego. The way big person handles small person is the reflection of his man management skills. That is where he proves his bigness. He has to get down to the level of the junior to feel his sense of pain or disappointment. So that situation can be saved for the benefit of all.
It is true all situations cannot have perfect solutions where a certain degree of give and take comes. The larger picture, the interest of the nation, need to be appreciated by all concerned, and solution may be only as far as that.
In this particular case, jawan was using his mobile phone in a forward area near LoC in J&K while on duty, is certainly a serious case of indiscipline. How the officer could have saved the situation is difficult to say in retrospect. That the heated argument between the jawan and the major led to the death of a young officer, is very sad.
Of course nothing is beyond despair. There is certainly hope for better skills in stress management. All concerned, especially officers, should be sensitized of the stress situation an ordinary jawan passes through. In forward areas with varying temperatures, provision of quality food and clothing, behaviour of superiors all play a role in the psychology of sentries and jawans. There is a huge responsibility on the seniors up to the rank of the General to treat all as equals when it comes to human relations, period. Hope all concerned pause and ponder for the bigger picture.
Bihar: The nation is aware that Bihar strongman Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family is in the eyes of the storm with all kinds of wheeling-dealings being probed by law agencies, like CBI and income tax departments. Lot of stories of benami properties owned by Lalu’s wife and children, are making rounds in the media.
Politicians, all over India, are known to have access to unaccounted money from different sources, received as consideration for acts of commission and omission. Some gets exposed in public space and some remain dormant and some are actively concealed due to political contacts.
Indians also know that vast majority of elected representatives of political parties enjoy life way beyond their known source of income. But people are unable to expose them due to those involved in underhand dealings are helping each other in keeping it concealed, thus for generations they keep enjoying the fruits of their sins while in politics.
The adage that ‘some can fool some people all the time, and all the people sometime, but not all the people all the time’ has its time tested relevance.
Lallan Chaudhary, reportedly is the cow shed keeper of Lalu Prasad Yadav for some 20 years or so. But somehow manages to ‘buy’ two plots of land from one Vishunder Rai and Rathneshwar Yadav for `4 lakhs in 2008. But has reportedly gifted these plots valued at `1 crore as market value, after 8 years, one to Rabridevi, wife of Lalu and the other to Lalu’s daughter Hema, because according to Lallan’s declaration in the gift deed, both are close to him.
Be that as it may, the question is, how Lallan, the cow shed keeper, living in an Indira Awas Yojana house and holding a BPL card could have `4 lakh in 2008 to purchase these plots, so also `6 lakhs that he paid as stamp duty to the state treasury! According to media, when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister, he is alleged to have given employment for 2 sons of Vishunder Rai and Rathneshwar Yadav.
Here connections become little murky. There is allegation in political circles that during the period of Lalu Prasad’s Railway Ministership, he gifted jobs and contracts and as a quid-pro-quo- these land deals have taken place in favour of his trusted domestic staff, who in turn gifted them to Lalu’s family members at a later date.
Yes, too many questions and not many answers. This is Yeh Mera India.
KARNATAKA: I do not want to be seen even remotely as a religious man. But when in Udupi, Pejawar Seer Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji arranged an Iftaar get-together for local Muslims, within the precincts of Shree Krishna Math, and also made arrangement for their prayers, I certainly felt very nice. It certainly was a very historic move by the octogenarian Swamiji. Not done anywhere in Indian temples. It was indeed a unique social harmony initiative.
There appeared to be a groundswell of goodwill generated among both Hindus and Muslims, post this event.
It was clearly a move aimed at harmony without any political undertone or overtone. It was clearly hoped there would be write-ups in both print and social media. Strangely when there were too many write-ups on cow and beef eating, largely politically motivated, there was this unexplained silence among ‘social thinkers’ in the social media. But then those who are looking for garbage do tend to miss the fragrance of flowers, isn’t it!
And comes this rabble raiser Mutalik of Shri Rama Sene. That he is doing no service to Lord Rama is well known. He is only looking for some political opportunity. He tried for an M.P seat from BJP in 2014, and for his chagrin, he was not given. Now in Udupi, he is trying to muddy the water by questioning the Pejawar Seer, about the Iftaar get-together in Udupi temple premises. According to this Mutalik, holding of Iftaar and then even prayers within the temple area is an insult to Hindu society and that his Shri Rama Sene will stage a protest. Surely Pejawar Seer does not need lessons in Hinduism from likes of Mutalik, who was known to have allegedly agreed in the past to create communal disturbance for monetary gain. Here it is interesting to note that BJP has not reacted, either in support or against it. But Congress has pushed its junior, youth Congress, to the arena to face Mutalik & Co. Thus it is clearly a votebank response. BJP has lost an opportunity to be seen as a party for social harmony. Congress as usual is unsure what to do. But Pejawar Swamiji has clearly scored, where politics failed.
Parents killing themselves along with their kids, or husband killing wife and kids then committing suicide himself, or mother jumping into the well with her kids because of fight with husband or his family, are the stories that have appeared in the media at sometime or the other. We have read, may be felt bad for a while, and then life has gone on as usual. For those of us who are not affected, are not overtly concerned, probably not knowing what can be done about happenings of this nature.
But these souls, who have left this sorry world, perforce or as victims of circumstances, especially those innocent small children, if you pause for a while and think, it could be deeply unsettling and heart rending.
At least these innocent souls, who have not seen life at all, deserve some thoughts, if nothing more.
And comes this news, “Women gets life term for throwing daughter into river”. Judge Lavanya Latha from Tumakooru gave her judgement for the crime. For her issue is closed. Mother got punishment for her crime. But that small 2 month old baby girl, why she had to die? Whatever be the problem, what right anybody had to snuff the life out of a small baby?
Granted, there are lots of issues involving such incidents. The government all over India has a department of Child Welfare Committees. What is their job, only to raid, search and arrest people for crime against children or can they also proactively think on the lines of how to save these children caught in the crossfire between husband/wife or their many problems?
If adults want to end their life, nobody can do anything about it. They can be counseled not to end their life. But regarding children this CWC can take a proactive role to make a difference to save the life of small children. If they are orphaned unfortunately, there are many couples looking for adoption. These small children can have hopefully a better life with adoptive parents. A debate has to be ignited for the larger purpose of saving small children who are increasingly becoming victims of circumstances. CWC must invite suggestion to this end. They need to act rather than only react all the time.
KERALA: THE WEEK, letter writer T. Koshi Cherian in his letter (The Week:16th July) on “That Elusive Search for bliss” has exposed his bias and pettiness, when he wrote “No one can find spiritual solace by flexing your muscles or holding breath in half clad body, wrapped partially in a piece of dhoti tied along the gluteal cleft”.
And you had decided to give it prominence by titling it ‘Yoga not spiritual’. This publication has also exposed the mindset of the person who selected to publish this letter.
While there are any number of books on Yoga, following two books this letter writer must read- ‘The Hidden Teaching beyond Yoga’ by Dr. Paul Brunton from England, a senior journalist himself and ‘Yoga & Nature Cure’ by Dr. G. Francis Xavier, an Indian, both fortunately are not Hindu dogmatists. And ask Crystal L Park of University of Connecticut “I think because yoga is such a mind-body practice, people find themselves being more relaxed and more mindful. They start going back for those things. It’s clearly something people deeply resonate with,” stated in a survey by the University (TIME, Aug, 29, 2016- page 10),
Please try not to vitiate public space by publishing dogmatic hatred.
WORLD: Politicians of all hues are known to make, at times, stupid and irresponsible statements. BJP politicians are no exception to this rule.
Media savvy Indians are aware that a BJP MP had, on record, stated some time ago that, Talaq and Polygamy are prevalent because of ‘lust in men’. Understandably there was furor, justified or otherwise.
And comes this story from Peshawar Pakistan. “Pak woman kills hubby for raping daughter-in-law”.
Gulbar Khan was shot dead by his irate wife Begum Bibi. Begum had claimed that Gulbar had been repeatedly sexually assaulting his daughter-in-law for the past 3 months. Report informs that his son, a Frontier Corps soldier, had known about the ordeal of his wife ‘but due to parental respect, I couldn’t kill him”, but had informed his mother that ‘on return, he would leave home’.
Here is a helpless young married woman whose husband is away on army duty. It’s the duty of her parents-in-law to protect her in the absence of her man. Instead we have an animal in her Father-in-law, who is truly her father in spirit, away from her parental home. And this Father-in-law becomes an outlaw with, someone who is truly his daughter in spirit.
His wife’s fury at her sickening husband is completely justified. This ‘honour killing’ should be pardoned by the authorities in Peshawar. Actually Begum Bibi did the job of the prison’s firing squad. Two cheers to her. By hindsight, this BJP MP, may not be wrong after all, for his ‘wise’ crack.
There are lots of differences between these two neighbours but the fact that 70 years ago, both had same home and hearth. Thus, there are some basic similarities. Surely there are many positive similarities. But this one is negative similarity.
This is the story of a 13 year boy Irfan. He worked as a farm hand in the house hold of Shafqat Bibi at an agreed salary of `3,000/- per month. Month over, Irfan asked for his salary, not knowing what was in store for him.
An infuriated Shafqat Bibi chopped his right hand off. Reportedly he is struggling in hospital in critical condition due to heavy bleeding.
The family of Irfan approached the Safdarabad police station in Lahore. And the police refused to register a case when family approached them.
Can you visualize a similar situation in any of the Indian police stations, where police have refused to register a case because the victim was poor? Yes, Indian & Pakistan police mentality may be same, when complainant is poor.
Narendra Modi, like it or not, is the most written about in India. There are in big numbers, who dislike him and probably hate him. There are people who wished him the worst. But there are also his admirers who are legions. In any case he cannot be ignored.
And those who hate him have used all kinds of languages against him. The thought, what would be his unpopularity rate, crossed the mind.
Reading the TIME, the U.S. based weekly provided with some answer, that he is not that bad after all, when there are many in the global media who are written about their unpopularity rating.
There is a school of opinion makers who think President Donald Trump is not very popular in his own country. They also came up with details of five more world leaders, who are less popular than President Trump.
Ian Bremmer, the lead writer for the TIME writes Donald Trump has had a historically bad series of news cycle as of late. But the President with an approval rating just above 40% is sitting pretty compared with some other heads of the state and government. And he names Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela as the most embattled political leader. His approval rating is around 20%, meaning close to 80% do not like him. Michel Temer of Brazil is in single digit, meaning over 90% of his countrymen do not like him. Then you have Jacob Zuma of South Africa, has just 20% approval by his countrymen. Alexis Tsipras of Greece is in similar situation. Najib Razak of Malaysia is the 5th global leader who is written about with equally lower rating.
Except Greece all leaders are involved in corruption scams. To his credit Prime Minister Narendra Modi is probably the cleanest in the major human failings of women, wine and wealth. That alone should give him a head start, whether those who hate him like it or not. In our freedom of speech one gentleman from Goa even referred to him as “The fucker thinks he is a Messiah”. How to react to this?!, especially when the TIME, sometime in May, selected him as one of the 24 most influential leaders in the world. He was placed No: 4 just below Pope Francis, placed at 3. And Donald Trump was placed 14.
A word of reason, while condemning others, we must take care that we do not degrade ourselves by our language.
For quite some time, it’s been blowing hot and cold between neighbours India and China. Then Prime Minister Narendra Modi tells the world that ‘in spite of long standing border dispute differences there has not been a bullet fired,’ signaling there prevails peace between India and China. Chinese official media, surely under instruction from the top, goes to the market to tell the world, they deeply appreciate this remark from the Indian Prime Minister.
And then Doklam happens. Doka La or Doklam is near Indo Bhutan border in Sikkim and supposedly claimed by Bhutan. China in their usual style of brow-beating, is trying to build a road capable of heavy traffic which when completed can be strategically dangerous to India. Doklam is the China-Bhutan-India tri-junction. Since Bhutan has defence agreement with India, it is incumbent upon India to protect the territorial integrity of Bhutan. So, Indian troops stops the construction of the road by China and a confrontation ensues between India and China. China demands, ‘for any talk on Doklam crisis, Indian troops must withdraw?' While Bhutan urges China to maintain status quo, India insists that both should withdraw their troops and talk.
It happened in late May, and standoff continues without any progress on the issue. Apparently, China wanted to test the Indian commitment to Bhutan. It is a psychological war fare. History is proof enough for the complete absence of any Indian territorial ambition. India respects Bhutan’s independent status and hence Bhutan is comfortable with India handling its safety.
After this over 6 weeks of impasse a strange report appears in the print media, “China should keep calm about India’s rise”. A Beijing datelined report by PTI informs “China should be calm seeing India rise. To cope with competition from India, China could start working on a more effective growth strategy for the new era now”, informed an article in the state owned Global Times.
“India is receiving massive influx of foreign investment, which China started two decades ago and that India will experience enhanced development in its manufacturing sector," the paper had stated.
In the past, China had tried to suppress Indian desire to grow and be a force to reckon with in the international arena. However this latest summersault indicates a ‘method in madness’. What kind of a feeler China is trying to send is unclear, but a positive vibe all the same.
In recent times, India has shown nerve to stand-up and be counted. It is trying to prove to Chinese that ‘we are not pushovers’. Firmness without being overtly assertive has apparently sent a message, “it helps to sit down and talk calmly and hopefully with reason”. Hope all parties to the dispute see some points of convergence so that standoff does not continue to end in some unpleasant bravado.
NDA government in New Delhi led by PM Narendra Modi has planned these 100 smart cities. For long years, since before 2000, we have been talking about being super power. And we are nowhere near it. Of course, we may be inching towards it literally, but it is still far. These smart cities too may not come soon. It may happen to some of the cities, but that too in a distant future.
When the first talk started there were these social media savvy geeks come-up with all kinds of suggestions as to what to do and what not to do, as if they had solutions at their finger tips.
What most Indians does not recognize is, the complete lack of discipline from most average Indians. Look at any traffic jam, more than the number of vehicles, it is the indisciplined use of road with total disregard for the laws of the land which have greatly contributed to the mess that we call as ‘Traffic Woes’.
As a people we have contempt for the rules and regulations. Even traffic police does not know that there is an emergency lane meant for ambulances, fire brigades and other vehicles in a hurry and who do you find there!, bullet tankers, cement block laden trucks, rickshaw tempos with steel bars & GI pipes and the likes. There are N numbers of issues to talk about, but here comes the latest from London. These proposed Smart Cities, if and when happens, can lead to massive migration of population, which can in turn put pressure on housing, electricity and water, while simultaneously increasing the output of waste into the drainage system, solid waste and green house gasses, informs a research study by the University of Lincoln in the U.K. Clearly, the study tells that these Smart Cities are bound to harm environment if not meticulously planned, one after the other, rather than 100 smart cities within a fixed time frame. Like in Railway budget, there used to be 25 new railway lines and after 25 years, may be one or two have progressed to complete, rest for years remain as Work-in-Progress, and some even abandoned for varieties of socio-economic & political reasons. Haven’t we heard, slow & steady wins the race?
Comments