JULY- 2020 MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE
MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE
NEW DELHI: Controversy regarding PM-CARES fund has strangely gone quite. Why? Not very clear. As all know PM-CARES fund as is clearly spelt out in the CARES acronym is Citizens Assistance & Relief in Emergency Situations. It has collected some Rs.10,000 crores since its inception. Many companies besides individuals have contributed under Corporate Social Responsibility. Even this writer has contributed to this fund. So it’s a fund collected from public and private non-governmental organizations. According to the details available in the public space all contributions are 100% exempted from Income Tax as legitimate expenditure and therefore it is certainly accountable for its receipts and payments to the general public. But unfortunately, not only the fund managers have failed to put the details of transactions in the public domain, but has stymied and refused to part with these particulars. It is strange even Supreme Court failed to stand by those who went to court to compel the fund managers or trustees to come fair & square with the amounts received and spent, if any. Reportedly the highest adjudicator of the land has rejected the plea against the fund. This refusal by PM-CARES fund managers, consisting of Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister is not only bad in spirit but ultra-wires of constitutional office functioning do’s and don’ts. Even those three prominent persons from public domain who are supposed to have been appointed by the PM as per the terms of the fund establishment is not known to public, whether appointed or not, if appointed, who are they?
This is an extremely unfortunate development and smacks of secretive behavior of persons and entities that are expected to be completely transparent in their duties to the general public and therefore NOT ACCEPTABLE, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT!
NEW DELHI: There is this wide spread talks about industrial units shifting from China, due to varieties of socio-political and economic reasons. Many countries are waiting in the wings to welcome entrepreneurs who are keen to leave China and relocate elsewhere. India is one of the countries expecting some new entrants from China.
But how ready are we as a business friendly destination for those who are leaving a far more efficient Chinese system than Indian bureaucracy?!
The recent World Competitiveness Index compiled by the Institute of Management Development (IMD) has ranked India at 44 in a list of 63 industrialized nations and China was 14th last year, with Singapore being at the top followed by Denmark, Switzerland, Netherland and Hong Kong, having been ranked the first five.
So clearly it’s a long call for India to be truly a preferred destination for those who are leaving China. According to reliable sources, the efficiency of the Chinese systems and the speed with which the entire Chinese government machinery works India is no-where near in its time bound delivery system. The ranking of 14th and 44th is clearly no comparison and leaves much to be desired.
Thus, it’s a long way to go. However should some companies prefer to come to India due to its democratic political system, the job for India’s Foreign Investment Board is clearly cut out? The usual bureaucratic approach simply can thwart any likely entry from China. Hence, a sea change in handling foreign investors shifting from China is the need of the hour.
NEW DELHI: Speaking on the eve of International Yoga day, PM Modi addressed the nation how yoga can be a preventive solution to the pandemic Corona-Covid 19. While it is true that yoga has its immense health benefits to practitioners of this ancient science, it is also true that vast majority of Indians do not practice this physio-mental fitness regime. Only post Covid-19 spread, a good number of Indians have taken it up on regular basis, at least those exercises which improve immunity.
Be that as it may, despite many pro-active measures by all stake holders, there appears to be no let-up in the spread of Corona virus across the country. The latest report tells about the all India tally slowly inching towards 4 lacs mark. That is certainly worrying, with close to 14000 jump in one single day on 19th June. Slowly living with Corona is becoming a new normal.
It is true that there are pockets where, it has not spread or remained contained so also recovery rate is a healthy 54%. But for a country of 1300 million, these are not necessarily comforting details. Managing continuously increasing number will surely put all resources and infrastructure available to manage the pandemic, to severe test.
However, the pro-active effort of all citizens who are so far unaffected but living in areas affected to take recourse to immunity building measures on priority basis. While there are many fruits and vegetables besides exercises which would help improve the body immunity, it is also true that there are readymade preparations of vitamin C and Zink which also helps in immunity improvement. These drugs are not expensive. Also government at different level make vitamin ‘C’ tablets available free to all sections of society, especially those living in thickly populated city slums. It is eminently possible for the center to do, since it is one of the most inexpensive health supplements. Hope central government takes the initiative for all state government to fall in line for the general good in trying to reach out to people at large. This will surely help in controlling the number of rising Corona victims.
NEW DELHI: The unfortunate adventure by Chinese troops in Ladakh led to serious developments of 20 Indian Jawans dying and unconfirmed death of many Chinese soldiers. Although Indian government sources had indicated some 43 death of Chinese at the hands of Indian troops, China confirmed, rather so late in the day that ‘Two of their officers have died’, without mentioning the number of deaths of their sentries and others at the site of conflict. Surely when officers have died, smaller fries dying in a hand to hand combat must be large in number.
It is true that the admission by the Chinese of the death of two of their officers was a tight slap on the cheeks of those jokers in the Indian social media who maintained none among Chinese army died and even asked for proof. At least there was one local environmentalist who had the idiocy of asking this writer to prove if there were deaths on Chinese sides. What do we call them, if not anti-nationals!
Of course, the cake goes to the Prime Minister for having caused the completely avoidable gaffe when he said “No one has intruded or taken over any Indian post”. It is true as usual; there may be many damage control exercises without glorifying the mistake. But the fact remains, that China did indeed cross LAC and set-up a tent which was only recently dismantled by Indian troops, and both Defense Minister and Minister of External Affairs have confirmed the transgression by the Chinese into the Indian side. Therefore, for Prime Minister Modi to have made a statement that NO ONE HAS INTRUDED is a weak attempt at LOFTY DIPLOMACY. China had always proved themselves as untrustworthy. Therefore the ‘well meaning’, attempt to molly-coddle an enemy like China is completely misplaced. Hope this realization comes to our leadership soonest in the larger interest of Indian sense of self-respect.
UTTAR PRADESH:There was this print media report datelined Azamgarh “12 held, booked under NSA for thrashing Dalits in UP village”.
Reportedly a crowd of men had molested women of the community in Sikandarpur Aima village in the Mahrajganj police station limit, which naturally men of the community protested. But the crowd of men didn’t accept the protest and beat up those youths who protested the molestation of their women.
Acting fairly quickly, the administration of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, arrested some 12 of those who molested these girls and then beat up their men.
Reportedly, former UP Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayavathi commended the quick action of UP police and praised Chief Minister Adityanath. Even the SHO of Mahrajganj police station was suspended. It was not clear if there was any dereliction of duty on the part of SHO. But it did signal that police higher-ups meant business.
Surely somebody from the top has asked for the action. However there is a dimension, which may be questionable under the circumstances. Of course, it may be wrong to assume so, but experience of the past especially in Uttar Pradesh in handling cases of wrong doing by influential people close to the administration and their hangers on was somehow not handled with same alacrity and seriousness, unless the things now have changed for better.
The men arrested were identified as Pervez, Faizan, Noor Alam, Sadre Alam, Hamir, Asif, Meraj and Suhail, so informs the report. Clearly their names indicate they are Muslims. Was the prompt action by the UP administration because they are Muslims?! It’s a question that haunted this writer. It may not be fair to Yogi Adityanath administration to think this way. But the knowledge of the past experience left the writer slightly non-plussed, at this prompt action, although, it certainly demanded prompt and strict action. After all Dalits are still badly treated after all these 70+ years of post independent India, and the print media had commented in the past about the “Appalling rate of conviction in SC/ST atrocities case”. This is yet another dimension of Yeh Mera India.
UTTAR PRADESH: Recently UP police had acted rather with alacrity in arresting some 9 persons for molesting some Dalit women and then beating up their men for protesting the molestation of their women.
While it was admirable that police acted rather swiftly, inviting the appreciation of even BSP chief Mayawati, there appeared a certain misgiving as to the intention of such swift action.
In management education while talking about ‘bottle necks’ in decision making process, normally a bottle is displayed as demonstration to show where is the ‘bottle neck’ to show the neck of the bottle, indicating it is always at the top.
Thus, any decision to go fast or slow is taken by the man at the helm of affairs. So, it is always Yogi Adityanath who gets the accolade or brickbats for the positive or negatives in the state administration.
Thus looking closely at the prompt arrest of 9 men in the above case it appeared fairly intended to act fast as all guilty arrested were Muslim men. So, it may not be wrong to surmise that in Yogi’s UP Muslim accused are hauled up quickly and BJP functionaries, even if they are criminals, the administration of Yogi in UP drags its feet interminably, generally acting at the behest of court intervention.
Thus, here is the case of BJP-MLA Kishan Lal Rajpoot, who is a history-sheeter, on 12th September 2019, reportedly beat up a police constable Mohit Gurjar in a police out post with shoes and blows and allegedly looted his wallet and gold chain.
Nothing happened until 31st Dec 2019. He was booked only after court ordered the FIR to be registered. Accordingly an FIR was registered against MLA and his 50 supporters. But believe it or not he is yet to be arrested. Indians are privy to the case of notorious lecherous lumpen UP MLA Kuldeep Sengar and MP Chinmayananda both of whom were arrested only at the insistence of Allahabad High Court. This is Uttar Pradesh and not Uttam Pradesh as claimed by chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
BIHAR: Some days ago print media carried a news datelined Bettiah ( Bihar) “Complaint in West Champaran court against Chinese President over Corona Pandemic”.
Reportedly an advocate Murad Ali filed a complaint in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate in West Champaran district. Complaint alleged that Chinese President Xi Jimping and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spread the Corona-Covid 19- virus from Wuhan city in China to the entire world.
All over the world the debate has been going on since April, how this Corona pandemic has started. Nations of the world, UNO and other eminent intellectuals are debating, discussing and writing about it. How this Bihar advocate Murad Ali, by filing a plaint in an Indian court can make Chinese President Jimping and WHO Director General answerable to an Indian court summon? It is just to get some cheap publicity like many Public Interest litigants try. In many PIL complaints courts have not only rejected the plea but have also imposed fine as cost for wasting courts’ time with senseless and frivolous, complaints to the court.
Strangely, the Chief Judicial Magistrate has fixed June 16, which is today to hear the case. Equally strangely the plaintiff has named US President Donald Trump and Indian Premier Narendra Modi as witness.
Funnily even the social-media has not picked up the story to phoo-phoo the attempt at this cheap gimmick. None of the four named therein, President Xi Jimping, WHO Director General Dr. Ghebreyesus, US President Donald Trump and Indian PM Narendra Modi, would take this buffoonery seriously. This advocate must be pulled up by the court for this tomfoolery. In any case print media at least carried the story and wasted their newsprint and valuable space. This is Yeh Mera India.
MAHARASHTRA: BCCI which is Board of Control for Cricket in India is an autonomous organization, meant to promote cricket in India. But do they really promote cricket in India, or as the name suggest Board of Control for cricket! Indeed it is there to control and promote its own brand of cricket and cricketers.
Established in 1928 under British patronage or rather tutelage, English man’s game did become an Indian passion. Over a period most Indians became passionate about the game.
Now that the BCCI is Indian it practiced all kinds of do’s and donts. No wonder. The highest court of the land thought it fit to appoint a Committee of Administrators, upon the recommendations of Lodha Committee. Indians are privy to the fact of betting scandal in IPL during 2013, to investigate the same Justice Mudgal Committee was appointed which found many contradictions in the operation and management of BCCI. So, Apex Court in its wisdom appointed Justice RM Lodha to go into the nitty gritty of BCCI operation and to recommend steps to improve things therein.
There’s lot to write on happenings in BCCI, but this write-up is basically a comment on a report in the print media post anti-Chinese sentiment sweeping the country.
“Chinese Sponsorship in IPL helping Indian economy: Dhumal”, was a report in the print media datelined New Delhi.
Arun Dhumal is the current treasurer of BCCI. We all know that there is strong current of anti-China sentiment running across the country following the border clash between India and China where some 20 Indian Jawans died. Indians by-and-large do not want anything to do with China. But this Dhumal thinks otherwise. He does not want to cancel the Chinese product Vivo sponsorship contract of IPL matches.
Vivo reportedly pays Rs.440 crores every year and it’s a 5 year deal to end in 2022. So, there are three years’ time still to go, so why lose Rs. 1320 crores, is his logic. His argument is BCCI is paying 42% tax on this sponsorship money which leaves 58%, that is close to 700 crores, to BCCI to enjoy. We all know, BCCI only wants big money, all else can wait, including patriotic sentiment. But the president of BCCI does not want any of it. He wants Chinese Sponsorship cancelled forthwith. Reportedly Brijesh Goyal of Chamber of Trade and Commerce wants to boycott all IPL and other international matches, if sponsorships are not cancelled. BCCI President Saurabh Ganguli supports it. That’s the spirit. Do you hearken Arun Dhumal!
KARNATAKA: Buses in Udupi Mangalooru stretch have started since 1st of June. There were only few buses to start with. Earlier when the lockdown was loosened KSRTC too had started buses mainly to ply between Udupi Bengalooru Mangalooru. Despite the promise to start local buses in the coastal districts and then city buses it didn't take off. Waiting for the opportunity private lobby offered to bridge the gap if fares are increased. Fares increased subject to Corona distancing inside the buses. This would naturally reduce the off-take of passengers and therefore increase agreed by the administration.
But private bus operators are there to provide service to make money and more money damn the distancing restrictions. Police started to haul them with fines initially. But we are Indians, we want to travel at all cost. Damn the social distancing. Now police are helpless. So buses are going full - pandemic or no pandemic. People are happy that they are reverting back to normal and bus operators are doubly happy- more crowd more money. Clearly its bonanza time for bus owners. Now that crowd has come back and buses are going full, would the administration intervene to roll back the fare raise!?
KARNATAKA: Long ago, this writer was sharing the podium with an MLA from the Kaapu constituency in the present Udupi district. While speaking, this MLA spoke like a normal Indian politician, promising all kinds of freebies without realizing that these promises cannot be fulfilled entirely. May be only a few could be possible. He also mentioned, in the course of his speech that this was his 5th attempt at MLA seat; he had already won it 4 times earlier and concluded his speech. In response, this writer stated that “Mr. Vasant Salian (the MLA) spoke very well like all politicians, promising more than what he can really deliver. But his reiteration that he is going to context the MLA election for the 5th time is truly a bad precedent. These politicians talk about, ‘Lack of opportunities for backward class people’ but do not do anything worthwhile to give them opportunities. Mr. Salian spoke of his 5th attempt at MLA seat, but he never thought of those who worked for his victory and they never got an opportunity to contest the MLA seat. So truly speaking people like Mr. Salian, and there are many like him in India’s politics, only speak about lack of opportunity to backward class people, but when crunch comes these leaders only promote their own interest and that of their family members without bothering about those who truly worked for the party and these candidates”. It was another matter that Mr. Salian was very upset with my observation and made his anger known to me by ignoring me all through the programme.
Such promotion of vested interest of established persons was very evident, when Mallikarjuna Kharge of Congress was nominated for Rajya Sabha recently. As is known he is a 9 time MLA and Two times Lok Sabha MP and Minister, his son is an MLA and former Minister in Karnataka. So he is an elected member for 48 long years. Is there nobody in Congress in Karnataka who can be given the opportunity to serve the nation? Similar was the case of HD Deve Gowda. At 88 years of age he wants to be an M.P, after gifting his seat to his grandson in the last election. These leaders are truly enemies of progress and equity in politics and therefore enemies of people. Under the circumstances the decision of BJP leadership in giving tickets and subsequently electing loyal, but little known, party workers is certainly praise worthy. Both Eranna Kadadi and Ashok Gasti are first time Rajya Sabha M.Ps.
Two cheers to BJP for truly giving opportunities for little known faces among party cadre.
KARNATAKA: The government in Bengalooru was in the news about some perceived land reforms.
‘Karnataka to Make it Easier to Buy Farmland’, was the news that hit the headlines in news papers some weeks ago.
Long ago, Henry Ford was credited with, for heaving said “God has stopped creating more land. So if you want to invest, invest in land”. No wonder it’s the land that rattles society the world over.
Whether it was in West Bengal for Tata motors, whether it is land for Bullet Train in Maharashtra or whether it is for technocrats who want to get into agriculture as Karnataka government is thinking in their recent purported reform. Or look at the India-China face off in Ladakh, its land again! So land is a very important part of modern day conflict. All wants to have it, rightly or wrongly.
In his eagerness to make land available to industrialists, Prime Minister Modi had tried it rather hard some years ago with successive attempts at ordinance. All three attempts were foiled by the opposition in Rajya Sabha. Since then PM Modi has given up this ordinance route. And he is waiting in the wings to see it happens. So, the issue of land is not non-controversial.
Thus when Karnataka government thought of opening the selling of agri-land, it was not because, they were in love with the technocrats, there are other reasons. It is true that farmers are a distressed lot for varieties of reasons, some self inflicted some external. But there are stories of success among farmers which are making rounds in the social media. So it is always possible for learning from their experience, while accepting there are issues like pricing, credit etc.
Although India is basically agro-based country, successive governments have done not much to empower the agri-sector, except write-off loans. This loan write-off has its own fallouts. These write offs have made farmers to think that it is easy money, another version of loan-mela, which you don’t need to repay. Be that, as it may, the present amendment to the existing laws on sale of land opens up opportunities for both rural and urban folks to opt out or opt into agriculture or agro based activity. However, it does not rule out the possibility of urban land mafia making its foray into amended land laws to corner land and use it for non-agricultural purpose. Hope this is taken care of.
KARNATAKA: Couldn't the JD(S) Congress combine in Karnataka have someone younger, better qualified and more competently articulate than this 87 years old Haradanahalli Doddagowda Deve Gowda ! He was an accidental prime minister whom even Laalu Prasad Yadav, currently a jail bird, had nicknamed “nikamma" meaning worthless. By nominating HDDG as a candidate for the Rajyasabha both Congress and JD(S) betrayed a streak of unprincipled opportunism. HDDG is a man with absolutely no vision for India or even Karnataka except vision for his family. It was an opportunity lost to make a meaningful political statement in an evolving India where opposition needs to be strengthened for a larger purpose. But this is Yeh Mera India.
GOA: Post corona pandemic and the continuing lockdown all over the country, we have witnessed the harrowing experience of migrant workers, spread all over the country, wanting to get back to their place of origin. We are aware, most of these workers were from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which included Uttarakhand and Jharkhand which were earlier part of UP and Bihar.
There was this report in the print media early in the month datelined Panaji. One Jaspal Singh boarded a Shramik Special from Margao railway station to Uttarakhand along with his wife and three children. Report informs he was working in Anjuna beach at a hotel since last 10 years. It also informs of his brother’s 3 children all below age of 5 accompanying. The report describes in some detail, about the problem of food needed for the long journey to Uttarakhand, faced by this large young family.
In every organization, ask any proprietor or general manager, their biggest issue of management, after revenue, has always been man management or what is called in management parlance-Human Resource Management. Hence, mechanization, simplification, use of artificial intelligence like Robots etc. have made its way to replace humans. First world has understood the importance of less number and therefore seeing the fruits of development reaching all its citizens. The second world of communists have forced the issue like one child norm in China and succeeded in reducing some 400 million possible increases in their burgeoning population. That is how the salary of an average workman in China some 4 decades ago at $ 25 a week steadily increased to $500/- a week since last over a decade or so. So, less the number, less hassles of socio-economic issues, which can mean better life, more comforts, more happiness at individual family level. This dimension was not appreciated by vast number of men in the third world, which included likes of Jaspal Singh, and his brother, who are parents of three children at a very young age. Wages like price depends upon the fundamental economic principle of demand and supply. “More the people in labour market less the wages, less the people in labour market more the wages” is the principle.
So aren’t people like Jaspal Singh truly bringing more problems for themselves by this large family so early? No wonder, a day earlier, a report datelined Patna (Bihar), stated “Bihar government distributes pills, condoms to migrants”, trying to control the population in the midst of Corona. So, we needed this pandemic-Corona- Covid 19, to make us realize, after all it’s the numbers that have delayed the arrival of achche din for most ordinary Indians. Indeed if you are not part of the solution, then you are the problem!
WORLD: This “2019, International Religious Freedom Report on India” mandated by the US Congress, is a joke.
It is not the first time that such a report has come and India has time and again rejected the patronizing tone and tenor of these reports. Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, while rejecting the US report has stated “Our principled position remains that we see no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce on the state of our citizens’ constitutionally protected rights”.
Reportedly, the Indian section of the report had stated that US government officials underscored the importance of respecting religious freedom and promoting tolerance and mutual respect throughout the year with the ruling and opposition parties, civil society and religious freedom activists and religious leaders belonging to various faith communities.
Funnily, this report referred to the abrogation of article 370 of Indian Constitution applicable to J&K and the passage of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 by both houses of Indian Parliament.
Clearly those who wrote the report simply have no idea of what is article 370 and why was it needed to be abrogated and the circumstances under which this article was erroneously included by the then government of the day. Similarly the enactment of CAA 2019 is the result of discussion, debate and passage of the legislation by the majority of both houses of Indian parliament. It was a properly debated and drafted piece of law for the protection of persecuted minorities in India’s western and eastern neighbors.
Essentially it was purely an internal affair of a Sovereign Democratic Republic on which US has no locus standi to comment, period. Hope US learns to mind its own business in the interest of mutual respect in the comity of nations.
WORLD: So the story of George Floyd being killed by policeman Derek in Minneapolis-US is not as straight as was believed to be! True Floyd was black and his killer a white policeman. Prima facie it had the elements of color conflict as was made out. It is true white dominated US has a long history of police excesses especially against blacks and browns. It never seems to end. That is a sad reality of the biggest democacy.
Now comes this story that both killer and the killed knew each other working for a money laundering outfit Omar Group who are also into counterfeit currency racket (CCR)
Corona comes and Omar group decides to temporarily stop CCR activities. But George Floyd continues to the chagrin of Omar and he tells policeman Derek to finish him off. He did it in police uniform and it hit the bull's eye. Sources tell that the ongoing protest and riot is funded by Omar group and some politicians are involved. So the crime has all shades and incredible reach all in the name of some money and more money! What has the color of skin to do with this "I can't breathe” killing? Didn't the wag said ' I killed a guy for a $. You are my friend, I kill you for nothing '. Sadly it was not for nothing. This is United States of America.
CHINA: Indians are feeling betrayed by the Chinese perfidy. After having agreed to get back to respective Line of Actual Control Chinese army men stealthily came back to attack unsuspecting Indian army personnel. Many have unnecessarily sadly died on both sides.
But there is nothing new or strange about Chinese. They have always stabbed India at the back since 1962. It was to the credit of former Defense Minister late George Fernandes who had stated publicly that ' China is the biggest threat to India '. All and sundry shouted down George Fernandes except the then NDA government. He proved emphatically prophetic many a time.
In the WTO regime's globalised world China probably is the most powerful economically. Its economic muscle made it stronger militarily. Its economic muscle also helped it foray into vulnerable economies to make those countries fall in line to Chinese terms. There is growing resentment in those countries for the cunning Chinese hegemony. Global comity of nations are unhappy with this crooked clout of Chinese design to emerge as Super Power. China started losing friends. Economy was affected. Chinese leadership started to feel the heat. Then Covid 19 happened. World is in the grip of the pandemic. Now world is against China.
Was the attack in Ladakh on Indian army a diversionary tactic. Clearly China has lost the plot with the robust Indian army response.
What are the options for India!?
Military adventurism should be a capital NO. Keeping the army alert there can be multi-pronged approach. Indian leadership should address the international diplomatic community with the update on what happened in Ladakh and take the international community into confidence.
Simultaneously all economic measures within the WTO regime should be resorted under emergency conditions. There should be a campaign to boycott of all Chinese products and services by all quarters.
Chinese products and services have made inroads into just about every economy the world over. It is not going to be quick. But concerted and committed efforts are the only way forward. Hope and wish the leadership of the country rise to the occasion.
NEW DELHI: Controversy regarding PM-CARES fund has strangely gone quite. Why? Not very clear. As all know PM-CARES fund as is clearly spelt out in the CARES acronym is Citizens Assistance & Relief in Emergency Situations. It has collected some Rs.10,000 crores since its inception. Many companies besides individuals have contributed under Corporate Social Responsibility. Even this writer has contributed to this fund. So it’s a fund collected from public and private non-governmental organizations. According to the details available in the public space all contributions are 100% exempted from Income Tax as legitimate expenditure and therefore it is certainly accountable for its receipts and payments to the general public. But unfortunately, not only the fund managers have failed to put the details of transactions in the public domain, but has stymied and refused to part with these particulars. It is strange even Supreme Court failed to stand by those who went to court to compel the fund managers or trustees to come fair & square with the amounts received and spent, if any. Reportedly the highest adjudicator of the land has rejected the plea against the fund. This refusal by PM-CARES fund managers, consisting of Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister is not only bad in spirit but ultra-wires of constitutional office functioning do’s and don’ts. Even those three prominent persons from public domain who are supposed to have been appointed by the PM as per the terms of the fund establishment is not known to public, whether appointed or not, if appointed, who are they?
This is an extremely unfortunate development and smacks of secretive behavior of persons and entities that are expected to be completely transparent in their duties to the general public and therefore NOT ACCEPTABLE, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT!
NEW DELHI: There is this wide spread talks about industrial units shifting from China, due to varieties of socio-political and economic reasons. Many countries are waiting in the wings to welcome entrepreneurs who are keen to leave China and relocate elsewhere. India is one of the countries expecting some new entrants from China.
But how ready are we as a business friendly destination for those who are leaving a far more efficient Chinese system than Indian bureaucracy?!
The recent World Competitiveness Index compiled by the Institute of Management Development (IMD) has ranked India at 44 in a list of 63 industrialized nations and China was 14th last year, with Singapore being at the top followed by Denmark, Switzerland, Netherland and Hong Kong, having been ranked the first five.
So clearly it’s a long call for India to be truly a preferred destination for those who are leaving China. According to reliable sources, the efficiency of the Chinese systems and the speed with which the entire Chinese government machinery works India is no-where near in its time bound delivery system. The ranking of 14th and 44th is clearly no comparison and leaves much to be desired.
Thus, it’s a long way to go. However should some companies prefer to come to India due to its democratic political system, the job for India’s Foreign Investment Board is clearly cut out? The usual bureaucratic approach simply can thwart any likely entry from China. Hence, a sea change in handling foreign investors shifting from China is the need of the hour.
NEW DELHI: Speaking on the eve of International Yoga day, PM Modi addressed the nation how yoga can be a preventive solution to the pandemic Corona-Covid 19. While it is true that yoga has its immense health benefits to practitioners of this ancient science, it is also true that vast majority of Indians do not practice this physio-mental fitness regime. Only post Covid-19 spread, a good number of Indians have taken it up on regular basis, at least those exercises which improve immunity.
Be that as it may, despite many pro-active measures by all stake holders, there appears to be no let-up in the spread of Corona virus across the country. The latest report tells about the all India tally slowly inching towards 4 lacs mark. That is certainly worrying, with close to 14000 jump in one single day on 19th June. Slowly living with Corona is becoming a new normal.
It is true that there are pockets where, it has not spread or remained contained so also recovery rate is a healthy 54%. But for a country of 1300 million, these are not necessarily comforting details. Managing continuously increasing number will surely put all resources and infrastructure available to manage the pandemic, to severe test.
However, the pro-active effort of all citizens who are so far unaffected but living in areas affected to take recourse to immunity building measures on priority basis. While there are many fruits and vegetables besides exercises which would help improve the body immunity, it is also true that there are readymade preparations of vitamin C and Zink which also helps in immunity improvement. These drugs are not expensive. Also government at different level make vitamin ‘C’ tablets available free to all sections of society, especially those living in thickly populated city slums. It is eminently possible for the center to do, since it is one of the most inexpensive health supplements. Hope central government takes the initiative for all state government to fall in line for the general good in trying to reach out to people at large. This will surely help in controlling the number of rising Corona victims.
NEW DELHI: The unfortunate adventure by Chinese troops in Ladakh led to serious developments of 20 Indian Jawans dying and unconfirmed death of many Chinese soldiers. Although Indian government sources had indicated some 43 death of Chinese at the hands of Indian troops, China confirmed, rather so late in the day that ‘Two of their officers have died’, without mentioning the number of deaths of their sentries and others at the site of conflict. Surely when officers have died, smaller fries dying in a hand to hand combat must be large in number.
It is true that the admission by the Chinese of the death of two of their officers was a tight slap on the cheeks of those jokers in the Indian social media who maintained none among Chinese army died and even asked for proof. At least there was one local environmentalist who had the idiocy of asking this writer to prove if there were deaths on Chinese sides. What do we call them, if not anti-nationals!
Of course, the cake goes to the Prime Minister for having caused the completely avoidable gaffe when he said “No one has intruded or taken over any Indian post”. It is true as usual; there may be many damage control exercises without glorifying the mistake. But the fact remains, that China did indeed cross LAC and set-up a tent which was only recently dismantled by Indian troops, and both Defense Minister and Minister of External Affairs have confirmed the transgression by the Chinese into the Indian side. Therefore, for Prime Minister Modi to have made a statement that NO ONE HAS INTRUDED is a weak attempt at LOFTY DIPLOMACY. China had always proved themselves as untrustworthy. Therefore the ‘well meaning’, attempt to molly-coddle an enemy like China is completely misplaced. Hope this realization comes to our leadership soonest in the larger interest of Indian sense of self-respect.
UTTAR PRADESH:There was this print media report datelined Azamgarh “12 held, booked under NSA for thrashing Dalits in UP village”.
Reportedly a crowd of men had molested women of the community in Sikandarpur Aima village in the Mahrajganj police station limit, which naturally men of the community protested. But the crowd of men didn’t accept the protest and beat up those youths who protested the molestation of their women.
Acting fairly quickly, the administration of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, arrested some 12 of those who molested these girls and then beat up their men.
Reportedly, former UP Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayavathi commended the quick action of UP police and praised Chief Minister Adityanath. Even the SHO of Mahrajganj police station was suspended. It was not clear if there was any dereliction of duty on the part of SHO. But it did signal that police higher-ups meant business.
Surely somebody from the top has asked for the action. However there is a dimension, which may be questionable under the circumstances. Of course, it may be wrong to assume so, but experience of the past especially in Uttar Pradesh in handling cases of wrong doing by influential people close to the administration and their hangers on was somehow not handled with same alacrity and seriousness, unless the things now have changed for better.
The men arrested were identified as Pervez, Faizan, Noor Alam, Sadre Alam, Hamir, Asif, Meraj and Suhail, so informs the report. Clearly their names indicate they are Muslims. Was the prompt action by the UP administration because they are Muslims?! It’s a question that haunted this writer. It may not be fair to Yogi Adityanath administration to think this way. But the knowledge of the past experience left the writer slightly non-plussed, at this prompt action, although, it certainly demanded prompt and strict action. After all Dalits are still badly treated after all these 70+ years of post independent India, and the print media had commented in the past about the “Appalling rate of conviction in SC/ST atrocities case”. This is yet another dimension of Yeh Mera India.
UTTAR PRADESH: Recently UP police had acted rather with alacrity in arresting some 9 persons for molesting some Dalit women and then beating up their men for protesting the molestation of their women.
While it was admirable that police acted rather swiftly, inviting the appreciation of even BSP chief Mayawati, there appeared a certain misgiving as to the intention of such swift action.
In management education while talking about ‘bottle necks’ in decision making process, normally a bottle is displayed as demonstration to show where is the ‘bottle neck’ to show the neck of the bottle, indicating it is always at the top.
Thus, any decision to go fast or slow is taken by the man at the helm of affairs. So, it is always Yogi Adityanath who gets the accolade or brickbats for the positive or negatives in the state administration.
Thus looking closely at the prompt arrest of 9 men in the above case it appeared fairly intended to act fast as all guilty arrested were Muslim men. So, it may not be wrong to surmise that in Yogi’s UP Muslim accused are hauled up quickly and BJP functionaries, even if they are criminals, the administration of Yogi in UP drags its feet interminably, generally acting at the behest of court intervention.
Thus, here is the case of BJP-MLA Kishan Lal Rajpoot, who is a history-sheeter, on 12th September 2019, reportedly beat up a police constable Mohit Gurjar in a police out post with shoes and blows and allegedly looted his wallet and gold chain.
Nothing happened until 31st Dec 2019. He was booked only after court ordered the FIR to be registered. Accordingly an FIR was registered against MLA and his 50 supporters. But believe it or not he is yet to be arrested. Indians are privy to the case of notorious lecherous lumpen UP MLA Kuldeep Sengar and MP Chinmayananda both of whom were arrested only at the insistence of Allahabad High Court. This is Uttar Pradesh and not Uttam Pradesh as claimed by chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
BIHAR: Some days ago print media carried a news datelined Bettiah ( Bihar) “Complaint in West Champaran court against Chinese President over Corona Pandemic”.
Reportedly an advocate Murad Ali filed a complaint in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate in West Champaran district. Complaint alleged that Chinese President Xi Jimping and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spread the Corona-Covid 19- virus from Wuhan city in China to the entire world.
All over the world the debate has been going on since April, how this Corona pandemic has started. Nations of the world, UNO and other eminent intellectuals are debating, discussing and writing about it. How this Bihar advocate Murad Ali, by filing a plaint in an Indian court can make Chinese President Jimping and WHO Director General answerable to an Indian court summon? It is just to get some cheap publicity like many Public Interest litigants try. In many PIL complaints courts have not only rejected the plea but have also imposed fine as cost for wasting courts’ time with senseless and frivolous, complaints to the court.
Strangely, the Chief Judicial Magistrate has fixed June 16, which is today to hear the case. Equally strangely the plaintiff has named US President Donald Trump and Indian Premier Narendra Modi as witness.
Funnily even the social-media has not picked up the story to phoo-phoo the attempt at this cheap gimmick. None of the four named therein, President Xi Jimping, WHO Director General Dr. Ghebreyesus, US President Donald Trump and Indian PM Narendra Modi, would take this buffoonery seriously. This advocate must be pulled up by the court for this tomfoolery. In any case print media at least carried the story and wasted their newsprint and valuable space. This is Yeh Mera India.
MAHARASHTRA: BCCI which is Board of Control for Cricket in India is an autonomous organization, meant to promote cricket in India. But do they really promote cricket in India, or as the name suggest Board of Control for cricket! Indeed it is there to control and promote its own brand of cricket and cricketers.
Established in 1928 under British patronage or rather tutelage, English man’s game did become an Indian passion. Over a period most Indians became passionate about the game.
Now that the BCCI is Indian it practiced all kinds of do’s and donts. No wonder. The highest court of the land thought it fit to appoint a Committee of Administrators, upon the recommendations of Lodha Committee. Indians are privy to the fact of betting scandal in IPL during 2013, to investigate the same Justice Mudgal Committee was appointed which found many contradictions in the operation and management of BCCI. So, Apex Court in its wisdom appointed Justice RM Lodha to go into the nitty gritty of BCCI operation and to recommend steps to improve things therein.
There’s lot to write on happenings in BCCI, but this write-up is basically a comment on a report in the print media post anti-Chinese sentiment sweeping the country.
“Chinese Sponsorship in IPL helping Indian economy: Dhumal”, was a report in the print media datelined New Delhi.
Arun Dhumal is the current treasurer of BCCI. We all know that there is strong current of anti-China sentiment running across the country following the border clash between India and China where some 20 Indian Jawans died. Indians by-and-large do not want anything to do with China. But this Dhumal thinks otherwise. He does not want to cancel the Chinese product Vivo sponsorship contract of IPL matches.
Vivo reportedly pays Rs.440 crores every year and it’s a 5 year deal to end in 2022. So, there are three years’ time still to go, so why lose Rs. 1320 crores, is his logic. His argument is BCCI is paying 42% tax on this sponsorship money which leaves 58%, that is close to 700 crores, to BCCI to enjoy. We all know, BCCI only wants big money, all else can wait, including patriotic sentiment. But the president of BCCI does not want any of it. He wants Chinese Sponsorship cancelled forthwith. Reportedly Brijesh Goyal of Chamber of Trade and Commerce wants to boycott all IPL and other international matches, if sponsorships are not cancelled. BCCI President Saurabh Ganguli supports it. That’s the spirit. Do you hearken Arun Dhumal!
KARNATAKA: Buses in Udupi Mangalooru stretch have started since 1st of June. There were only few buses to start with. Earlier when the lockdown was loosened KSRTC too had started buses mainly to ply between Udupi Bengalooru Mangalooru. Despite the promise to start local buses in the coastal districts and then city buses it didn't take off. Waiting for the opportunity private lobby offered to bridge the gap if fares are increased. Fares increased subject to Corona distancing inside the buses. This would naturally reduce the off-take of passengers and therefore increase agreed by the administration.
But private bus operators are there to provide service to make money and more money damn the distancing restrictions. Police started to haul them with fines initially. But we are Indians, we want to travel at all cost. Damn the social distancing. Now police are helpless. So buses are going full - pandemic or no pandemic. People are happy that they are reverting back to normal and bus operators are doubly happy- more crowd more money. Clearly its bonanza time for bus owners. Now that crowd has come back and buses are going full, would the administration intervene to roll back the fare raise!?
KARNATAKA: Long ago, this writer was sharing the podium with an MLA from the Kaapu constituency in the present Udupi district. While speaking, this MLA spoke like a normal Indian politician, promising all kinds of freebies without realizing that these promises cannot be fulfilled entirely. May be only a few could be possible. He also mentioned, in the course of his speech that this was his 5th attempt at MLA seat; he had already won it 4 times earlier and concluded his speech. In response, this writer stated that “Mr. Vasant Salian (the MLA) spoke very well like all politicians, promising more than what he can really deliver. But his reiteration that he is going to context the MLA election for the 5th time is truly a bad precedent. These politicians talk about, ‘Lack of opportunities for backward class people’ but do not do anything worthwhile to give them opportunities. Mr. Salian spoke of his 5th attempt at MLA seat, but he never thought of those who worked for his victory and they never got an opportunity to contest the MLA seat. So truly speaking people like Mr. Salian, and there are many like him in India’s politics, only speak about lack of opportunity to backward class people, but when crunch comes these leaders only promote their own interest and that of their family members without bothering about those who truly worked for the party and these candidates”. It was another matter that Mr. Salian was very upset with my observation and made his anger known to me by ignoring me all through the programme.
Such promotion of vested interest of established persons was very evident, when Mallikarjuna Kharge of Congress was nominated for Rajya Sabha recently. As is known he is a 9 time MLA and Two times Lok Sabha MP and Minister, his son is an MLA and former Minister in Karnataka. So he is an elected member for 48 long years. Is there nobody in Congress in Karnataka who can be given the opportunity to serve the nation? Similar was the case of HD Deve Gowda. At 88 years of age he wants to be an M.P, after gifting his seat to his grandson in the last election. These leaders are truly enemies of progress and equity in politics and therefore enemies of people. Under the circumstances the decision of BJP leadership in giving tickets and subsequently electing loyal, but little known, party workers is certainly praise worthy. Both Eranna Kadadi and Ashok Gasti are first time Rajya Sabha M.Ps.
Two cheers to BJP for truly giving opportunities for little known faces among party cadre.
KARNATAKA: The government in Bengalooru was in the news about some perceived land reforms.
‘Karnataka to Make it Easier to Buy Farmland’, was the news that hit the headlines in news papers some weeks ago.
Long ago, Henry Ford was credited with, for heaving said “God has stopped creating more land. So if you want to invest, invest in land”. No wonder it’s the land that rattles society the world over.
Whether it was in West Bengal for Tata motors, whether it is land for Bullet Train in Maharashtra or whether it is for technocrats who want to get into agriculture as Karnataka government is thinking in their recent purported reform. Or look at the India-China face off in Ladakh, its land again! So land is a very important part of modern day conflict. All wants to have it, rightly or wrongly.
In his eagerness to make land available to industrialists, Prime Minister Modi had tried it rather hard some years ago with successive attempts at ordinance. All three attempts were foiled by the opposition in Rajya Sabha. Since then PM Modi has given up this ordinance route. And he is waiting in the wings to see it happens. So, the issue of land is not non-controversial.
Thus when Karnataka government thought of opening the selling of agri-land, it was not because, they were in love with the technocrats, there are other reasons. It is true that farmers are a distressed lot for varieties of reasons, some self inflicted some external. But there are stories of success among farmers which are making rounds in the social media. So it is always possible for learning from their experience, while accepting there are issues like pricing, credit etc.
Although India is basically agro-based country, successive governments have done not much to empower the agri-sector, except write-off loans. This loan write-off has its own fallouts. These write offs have made farmers to think that it is easy money, another version of loan-mela, which you don’t need to repay. Be that, as it may, the present amendment to the existing laws on sale of land opens up opportunities for both rural and urban folks to opt out or opt into agriculture or agro based activity. However, it does not rule out the possibility of urban land mafia making its foray into amended land laws to corner land and use it for non-agricultural purpose. Hope this is taken care of.
KARNATAKA: Couldn't the JD(S) Congress combine in Karnataka have someone younger, better qualified and more competently articulate than this 87 years old Haradanahalli Doddagowda Deve Gowda ! He was an accidental prime minister whom even Laalu Prasad Yadav, currently a jail bird, had nicknamed “nikamma" meaning worthless. By nominating HDDG as a candidate for the Rajyasabha both Congress and JD(S) betrayed a streak of unprincipled opportunism. HDDG is a man with absolutely no vision for India or even Karnataka except vision for his family. It was an opportunity lost to make a meaningful political statement in an evolving India where opposition needs to be strengthened for a larger purpose. But this is Yeh Mera India.
GOA: Post corona pandemic and the continuing lockdown all over the country, we have witnessed the harrowing experience of migrant workers, spread all over the country, wanting to get back to their place of origin. We are aware, most of these workers were from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which included Uttarakhand and Jharkhand which were earlier part of UP and Bihar.
There was this report in the print media early in the month datelined Panaji. One Jaspal Singh boarded a Shramik Special from Margao railway station to Uttarakhand along with his wife and three children. Report informs he was working in Anjuna beach at a hotel since last 10 years. It also informs of his brother’s 3 children all below age of 5 accompanying. The report describes in some detail, about the problem of food needed for the long journey to Uttarakhand, faced by this large young family.
In every organization, ask any proprietor or general manager, their biggest issue of management, after revenue, has always been man management or what is called in management parlance-Human Resource Management. Hence, mechanization, simplification, use of artificial intelligence like Robots etc. have made its way to replace humans. First world has understood the importance of less number and therefore seeing the fruits of development reaching all its citizens. The second world of communists have forced the issue like one child norm in China and succeeded in reducing some 400 million possible increases in their burgeoning population. That is how the salary of an average workman in China some 4 decades ago at $ 25 a week steadily increased to $500/- a week since last over a decade or so. So, less the number, less hassles of socio-economic issues, which can mean better life, more comforts, more happiness at individual family level. This dimension was not appreciated by vast number of men in the third world, which included likes of Jaspal Singh, and his brother, who are parents of three children at a very young age. Wages like price depends upon the fundamental economic principle of demand and supply. “More the people in labour market less the wages, less the people in labour market more the wages” is the principle.
So aren’t people like Jaspal Singh truly bringing more problems for themselves by this large family so early? No wonder, a day earlier, a report datelined Patna (Bihar), stated “Bihar government distributes pills, condoms to migrants”, trying to control the population in the midst of Corona. So, we needed this pandemic-Corona- Covid 19, to make us realize, after all it’s the numbers that have delayed the arrival of achche din for most ordinary Indians. Indeed if you are not part of the solution, then you are the problem!
WORLD: This “2019, International Religious Freedom Report on India” mandated by the US Congress, is a joke.
It is not the first time that such a report has come and India has time and again rejected the patronizing tone and tenor of these reports. Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, while rejecting the US report has stated “Our principled position remains that we see no locus standi for a foreign entity to pronounce on the state of our citizens’ constitutionally protected rights”.
Reportedly, the Indian section of the report had stated that US government officials underscored the importance of respecting religious freedom and promoting tolerance and mutual respect throughout the year with the ruling and opposition parties, civil society and religious freedom activists and religious leaders belonging to various faith communities.
Funnily, this report referred to the abrogation of article 370 of Indian Constitution applicable to J&K and the passage of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 by both houses of Indian Parliament.
Clearly those who wrote the report simply have no idea of what is article 370 and why was it needed to be abrogated and the circumstances under which this article was erroneously included by the then government of the day. Similarly the enactment of CAA 2019 is the result of discussion, debate and passage of the legislation by the majority of both houses of Indian parliament. It was a properly debated and drafted piece of law for the protection of persecuted minorities in India’s western and eastern neighbors.
Essentially it was purely an internal affair of a Sovereign Democratic Republic on which US has no locus standi to comment, period. Hope US learns to mind its own business in the interest of mutual respect in the comity of nations.
WORLD: So the story of George Floyd being killed by policeman Derek in Minneapolis-US is not as straight as was believed to be! True Floyd was black and his killer a white policeman. Prima facie it had the elements of color conflict as was made out. It is true white dominated US has a long history of police excesses especially against blacks and browns. It never seems to end. That is a sad reality of the biggest democacy.
Now comes this story that both killer and the killed knew each other working for a money laundering outfit Omar Group who are also into counterfeit currency racket (CCR)
Corona comes and Omar group decides to temporarily stop CCR activities. But George Floyd continues to the chagrin of Omar and he tells policeman Derek to finish him off. He did it in police uniform and it hit the bull's eye. Sources tell that the ongoing protest and riot is funded by Omar group and some politicians are involved. So the crime has all shades and incredible reach all in the name of some money and more money! What has the color of skin to do with this "I can't breathe” killing? Didn't the wag said ' I killed a guy for a $. You are my friend, I kill you for nothing '. Sadly it was not for nothing. This is United States of America.
CHINA: Indians are feeling betrayed by the Chinese perfidy. After having agreed to get back to respective Line of Actual Control Chinese army men stealthily came back to attack unsuspecting Indian army personnel. Many have unnecessarily sadly died on both sides.
But there is nothing new or strange about Chinese. They have always stabbed India at the back since 1962. It was to the credit of former Defense Minister late George Fernandes who had stated publicly that ' China is the biggest threat to India '. All and sundry shouted down George Fernandes except the then NDA government. He proved emphatically prophetic many a time.
In the WTO regime's globalised world China probably is the most powerful economically. Its economic muscle made it stronger militarily. Its economic muscle also helped it foray into vulnerable economies to make those countries fall in line to Chinese terms. There is growing resentment in those countries for the cunning Chinese hegemony. Global comity of nations are unhappy with this crooked clout of Chinese design to emerge as Super Power. China started losing friends. Economy was affected. Chinese leadership started to feel the heat. Then Covid 19 happened. World is in the grip of the pandemic. Now world is against China.
Was the attack in Ladakh on Indian army a diversionary tactic. Clearly China has lost the plot with the robust Indian army response.
What are the options for India!?
Military adventurism should be a capital NO. Keeping the army alert there can be multi-pronged approach. Indian leadership should address the international diplomatic community with the update on what happened in Ladakh and take the international community into confidence.
Simultaneously all economic measures within the WTO regime should be resorted under emergency conditions. There should be a campaign to boycott of all Chinese products and services by all quarters.
Chinese products and services have made inroads into just about every economy the world over. It is not going to be quick. But concerted and committed efforts are the only way forward. Hope and wish the leadership of the country rise to the occasion.
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