Disgraceful facade of society

So you consider, we are a progressive nation of 21st century? And we have a civil society where there is reasonable gender equality? Think again.

There are shocking pieces of news, almost everyday. News of rapes, molestations, and sad news of suicides arising out of these horrendous events.

But what is equally shocking is a piece of statistics. Just reflect on.

Crime Investigation Department of Maharashtra, recently published a report. It says that in the state, there are as many as 1211 suicides in the year 2012 till now. The reason of suicides are - eve-teasing, molestations, and rapes.

And there are almost 3860 'registered cases' of eve-teasing and molestations.

It is so disgusting.    

And then for girls, there are demons of social pressures, fear, psychological effects of these assaults to fight.

In many instances, there are no formal complaints from the victims.

They fear for their life. And our Police & Legal system! The processes are so time consuming, it is very difficult for victims to manage both - the process of obtaining justice and the healing process at personal level nullifying the trauma.

And this goes on & on.

On the solutions front, we have sections 354, 506, and 509 of Criminal Procedure Code. But their effective implementation has scope for improvement. Many legal experts feel there is need to review these laws and give more teeth to them.

Sex ratio, the number of women per thousand men in 2012 at the national level is 940. Kerala and Pondicherry have 1084 and 1031 respectively, on a positive side. And Haryana and Delhi have 866 and 877, number of female per 1000 males.

There are various socio-economic and health repercussions of a waning sex ratio. A decline in the number of females is likely to increase exploitation & crimes against women, possible bride selling, prostitution, and possible increase in cases of STD and HIV/ AIDS.

I feel, Indian males need to recognize & respect the 'female power.'

In an age where, there is no place for discrimination, based on caste, religion, sex, we as a society, need to think and act 'progressively'.

Postscript - The latest absurdity: A strange statement from district magistrate of Bijnor, in UP, who is a woman herself. Female students have been barred from wearing any clothing of black color. Reports say the girls have also been barred from wearing jeans and using mobile phones.

A women's college in the Bhiwani district in Haryana, has banned girls to wear jeans and tops! Again, the principal of the collage is a lady.

Right to writing!

I really don't know why this takes place. Whenever, I feel restive, I feel like writing about something. On any (damn) topic.

Then I search for a pen & paper or a laptop, whatever is easily available, at that moment in time.

And then I pour out the thoughts in a linear way related to a certain topic, that is in my mind somewhere. Already there, waiting to get an expression.

One of my friends, literally term this process akin to vomit/ heave!

Its like this, there are certain built-up issues - it can be anything - as diverse as - Indian/international politics to food grain wastage in India to rain water conservation.

Going by the logic of my friend, the written matter, that you conceive & express should scent badly, after all, it is emptied out of your system.

On the contrary, whenever, I feel I should express/write on a certain topic, I research, read, study, observe, confirm/crosscheck, prepare a first draft, review, rewrite, finalize and publish!

So I write and then there is relief. And there is a definite sense of happiness & satisfaction.

I do feel good, leave alone sense of accomplishment, if any. Mind it, there is no contractual obligation whatsoever, to write.

Other factor is should a writer write for the readers? or he/she should just write according to his/her whims, according his/her likes & dislikes, subject of study, exact topic and so on?

Tough questions in a way. I have read about the motivation of great writers and poets, and also about 'the writers block' when for days, there is nothing to write, in your mind.

And when I think deeper on a more serious note, I feel that 'what is inspiration of writing or stimulation of writing' could ultimately be this - the need to express and just write your thoughts on a topic.

That, in itself, is sufficient to be writer, at least for me, at individual level.

Now, after last few years, it is like writing has now become a fundamental right, for me as a person!

And then you get paid for writing! That is like icing on a delicious cake. 

We and Ganesh Utsav...

Festivities have their own sweet, calm and soothing air.

People are almost always, fed up of fighting poverty, ignorance and disease, battling social prejudices, living with inadequate infrastructure, and the biggest of all, the dealing with corruption and bad governance.

On a psychological level, we, the people, want a reassuring feeling of 'some power/ some god' is there to guide and protect us.

So when there are festivals, people try to enjoy fully. And we have as many as 34 major festivals.  

Now it is this time of year, you will hear Ganpati Bappa Morya for at least ten days, continuously. This is Ganesh Utsav.

With rich historical traditions and foundations, Ganesh Utsav, is revered and enjoyed, especially in Maharashtra.   

Way back in 1883, Lokmany Tilakji, literally converted this festival into a large, well-organized public event.

Reason? - his intention was to bridge the gap that existed in the minds of Brahmins and 'non-Brahmins' of that time. This was done to find a platform to bring about unity among people of all strata of society.

Those years, the festival would see cultural programs and events that would enlighten and entertain.

With the technological advent and IT, this year, you can actually purchase an application, that prompts you to perform the puja.

On the flip side, the most serious impact of the festival on the environment is because of the immersion of idols made of mostly, Plaster of Paris.

Off late, there have been efforts of promoting use of 'eco-friendly' idols.

However, these days, the idea of celebration has changed and changed for shoddier methods.  

  

There are huge, some times so gigantic, processions that they create problems of traffic, especially in the areas where there are hospitals and 'silence zones'.   

The noise pollution is another worrisome factor. So much so that, Association of Medical Consultants raised the awareness about noise-pollution.

Doctors, in Pune, say that noise levels during Ganesh festival are often much higher. Frankly we all know this very well.

What more? Every year, cases of people in distress because of what doctors call 'noise induced deafness', or even the ringing sensation in ear and prolonged pain are increasing.

Lets celebrate Ganesh Utsav with more and more prayers and sweets and less noise and damage to environment, not creating trouble for others.

Postscript: There is strong speculation, that on the day of Visarjan 29 Sept. 2012, there is possibility of bomb blasts in Pune. In the areas like 'Alaka Talkies square and Lakshmi Road'.

Lets pray and hope, Ganapati, whose other name is 'vighnharta' (meaning 'calamity and disaster' destroyer), will 'not let this happen'!           

Lets accommodate no space for communalism!

I read newspapers. And sometimes there are articles that originate from inexplicable desire 'to be seen secular'. The end result is loathsome and nasty, to say the least. 

Some opinion makers and people with influence, make a living out of abusing and cursing 'the majority' 24 hrs, 7days a week and, 365 days a year!

Incredible freedom of speech! But that's the beauty of our Constitution.

One of the most prominent dailies had an article on the unprecedented exodus of the 'North-east Indians' (stop calling them chinkies or nepali!) away from Pune and Bangalore.    

And that lady writer, went on and on, 'apologizing' to all the people. Reason? She claimed the 'Hindu majority' had threatened to retaliate and hit the NE people after a festival.

It was so obnoxious. She claimed we all, should 'apologize' to (almost) everybody! To the best of my knowledge, it was some fringe and anti-social elements from a 'prominent minority', who had been determined to take 'revenge'.

Revenge of events of Assam and (this is a so ridiculous!) Myanmar.

Whatever followed in Mumbai,  in the name of 'peaceful agitation' by Raza Academy, was one the most atrocious things, happened in last few years.

Media, and Police were attacked, ruthlessly. Lady police constables molested. In the name of protestation. Hideous!              

And action taken? Lets not even talk about it. In theory, there is a Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra. (even if you feel absence of it, practically!)

MNS Chief, capitalized on the pent-up anger. And widened the political base of his party, in the process. Nice masterstroke.

But, there are more serious repercussions. When secularism means to keep quiet on issues inconvenient to the minorities ignoring the evidence, it is no secularism at all. And the majority is treated as fourth class citizenry, in their own country!

Some of the ugliest leaders, want to have situation like 1992-93, create wedge, fuel the circumstances and have Hindu-Muslim divide.

Never mind, there are so many issues pending of good governance and inclusive development. On the state level and national level.      

Assam Violence, it seems, is refusing to come to an end. And this spells bad news for not only North-east but our own India, 'the emerging superpower'.   

The least we can do, is, not to entertain, these communal thoughts. And, same good-old thing - unite in our diversity. That is the idea of India!

Assam Violence, a shocking wake-up call

Some problems for the Indian state are so frequent and overdrawn, that they constitute permanent concern.

Case in point is Assam violence.

The latest incident of ethnic violence happened in Assam on July 19. Four Bengali-speaking Muslim settlers were killed.

On July 20, four former Bodo Liberation Tigers men were killed. The Bodos retaliated by attacking Bengali-speaking settlers and the clashes began.

53 people are dead and almost four lakh are homeless in the clashes so far.

And then there is usual game of 'fixing-the-blame'. Mr. Gogoi, the CM of Assam, claimed he had no intelligence input from the Central Govt. He ultimately sought Army's help. The CM has, almost, been universally condemned for what is being called his inept handling of a sensitive situation.

On the other hand, Central Govt. asserted that they had shared intelligence reports.

Interestingly, both in Assam and Delhi, there are Congress-led governments.

Central Govt. on its part, ordered to deploy 65 paramilitary companies and Prime Minister exhorted to 'provide a healing touch' as the 'Assam violence is a blot on the country's face'.

What they effectively end-up doing, is announce, another relief package of 300 crore for the violence-hit state. PM also announced Rs. 2 lakh to families who've lost its members and Rs. 50,000 to those who are seriously injured from PM's fund separately.   

Surely, the issues run far deeper. It is not a secret that there are thousands of illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Every day, there is influx across the porous border.

Bodos take exception to the fact that these migrants will develop into a majority in forthcoming years. They claim in the 80s and 90s

the Muslim population (mostly Bangladeshi Migrants) was so less. Today the indigenous population is facing a real and cruel threat for their own existence.

Bodo leaders resent the lack of opportunity, resultant deprivation of development and years of neglect accompany constant fight about their legitimate rights, 'as citizen of India', not alone claim over land and local resources.   

A crude reminder: Bangladeshis form the largest group of migrants in India. As per 2001 census there are 3,084,826 people in all over India who came from Bangladesh, mostly in Assam, Northeast states and West Bengal. In 2012, some estimates suggest, there are 20 million Bangladeshi migrants!

Let us not forget that, in Assam, agitation against immigrants started as early as 1979, led by All Assam Students Union.

And the almost counter-productive and suicidal strategy of 'secular Congress party' of converting the illegal migrants into a safe vote-bank needs a critical rethink, 'if not a complete termination'.

There is an urgent need to review the entire internal security scenario in Assam. The entire law and order situation needs an evaluation and reorganization to instill confidence among our own people.  

Postscript: on Sunday, 5 Aug. 2012 - five people are killed in fresh violence; toll went up to 61 dead. Also three people were seriously injured when a bomb exploded in Goreshwar area of Baksa district in lower Assam.

India, China and the Tibetan unrest

How far can you go, just to assert and highlight your nationalistic demands?

A teenage Tibetan monk (18-year-old!) in Sichuan Province of China, died last week after setting himself on fire.

Now it emerges that, it was the 44th self-immolation since the suicidal protests began in 2009.

According to the activists for independent Tibet, self-immolations are protests against China's heavy-handed rule in Tibet.

Chinese Government has blamed the Dalai Lama for his provocative stand against them.

On the other hand, Dalai Lama maintains that activists are aggravated by a widely held conviction that policies in Tibet, curb religious practices and are a threat to Tibetan culture and language.

Why is this news important to India? There are geo-political reasons. And then there is ever growing lack of trust between India & China.

After the Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, in India, during the 1959 Tibetan Rebellion, Tibetans established a rival government-in-exile here.

Several thousand Tibetan exiles are settled in the area, and most live in and around McLeodGanj in Upper Dharamsala, in Himachal Pradesh.

As per Chinese experts, India intrudes into many of the issues the Chinese military sees as important. Tibet is one of them. And not to forget, the border dispute with no-solutions-in-sight status.

Some of my more knowledgeable friends, claim that principal agenda of China, is to keep India preoccupied with the events in its neighborhood. This could effectively mean, India, is eventually constrained to play a larger role in Asia or the world. 

However from a humanitarian standpoint, I kept thinking, about that young monk, who destroyed himself by fire.

What could have been his thoughts? How can one set himself on fire, for a cause as far-fetched as patriotic fervor?

It indicates, may be, the conviction about self-destruction on account of coercing tendencies and policies of China. Although, Tibet is a autonomous region, within China.

Back home in India, I sometimes feel, we need some war-like situation or even catastrophe, to remind ourselves that we are actually a big nation of continent size. Remember Kargil? 

Pani pani re...

Mornings are good. You are fresh and it is the beginning of the day.

I generally use the company transport to commute to my workplace. And after I go to the office first thing I do is, go downstairs, with my friends, to grab a bite of breakfast. 

Then the discussion, invariably, veers to hot topics - news of the day, politics, social problems, movies and cricket.

So there was a discussion about a recent news item that detailed how there is escalating expenditure on irrigation projects in Maharashtra, without significant changes on the ground.

As usual it prompted me to think over.

It is pretty hard what is more outrageous?

The ever-increasing problems of day-to-day life or the general degrading water conditions in Maharashtra.

Now some facts - Maharashtra has 1427 large dams, highest number in the country.

Based on various assessments studies done by Water Resources Department, the 75% dependable yield is 131562 Mm3 . The permissible use of water in the state is 125936 Mm3. 

And there are five major river basins in Maharashtra - Tapi, Narmada, Krishna, Godavari and rivers in Konkan.

Add to that, the dispute of sharing the water in Krishna basin. The second Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal gave its verdict on December 31, 2010. And Maharashtra was given 666 tmc of water. Next hearing is scheduled in the year 2050!

Despite all this, almost every year, we start facing shortage of water in the months of April, May if not in March.

That economy, availability of food grains, almost everything depends on a good monsoon in India and Maharashtra, is a age-old piece of reality.    

But equally frustrating fact is that there are same problems occurring almost every year, especially in case of water resources.

There are issues of water distribution to ever-increasing number of city-dwellers and the needy farmers.

The balance to keep between the two, is extremely tricky.

And to add to the woes, India's monsoon rainfall plummeted up to 31% by July 2nd this year and has affected the sowing of rice, pulses, cotton, oil seeds in the country.

Solutions? Ram bharosay!

Surely rainfall is not in human being's control, but water conservation and judicious usage, is the least we can do.

Insecure Congress, BJP and unstable politics

More things change more and more they tend to repeat what happened earlier.

Nothing is more true than the current fiasco playing out in the Indian Political arena.

The moves and counter-moves in highly unstable Indian political environment have reduced the dignity and eminence of the highest house - Rashtrapati Bhavan to mere contest of one-upmanship. 

For all her strategy (or lack of it?) & the way she operates, Mamata Banerjee has proved to be more shrewd than the major ruling party, Congress.

Sure, Mamata Banerjee got the taste of her own medicine from the ever-so-unreliable, street-smart and wily politician like Mulayam Yadav.

By establishing his son comfortably in UP CM's chair, Mulayam Yadav, is set to play major role on the national scene, contrary to assumptions that he bowed out of UP CM post, due to his age.

All the ramifications of the last few days, would point out to a sad and alarming reality of our political endeavors. Congress and BJP are both losing the plot. And at shockingly fast rate.

If the last weeks events are anything to go by, one conclusion is loud and clear. This is not about election of Pranab Mukharjee to Presidents office anymore.

This all maneuvering by almost all the major players indicate that we could have next General Election not necessarily in 2014, even earlier than that.

While that could be good news for the regional parties, the influence of the two pillars, two 'national political parties' - Congress and BJP, is diminishing day-by-day.

Even BJP, with 'its galaxy of many leaders', cannot exploit the one of the worst performance of Congress, to its advantage.

Theoretically, congress with it's supposedly best performance of 206 seats since 1991, should be stronger enough to function in the government properly. However, this could be the all-time low for the grand old party.  

That spells a terrible news bulletin for our nation!

We could even witness situation like 1996-98 where there were three different central governments within three years.

The official cost of conducting a general election every five years is approximately 10,000 crores.

The moot question is, do we afford a election or possibly, more general elections in the near-future?

Especially in present-day situation of low-growth coupled with ever-increasing inflation, instability in the polity is lackluster scenario. 

Say no to tobacco in any form

Now this is absolutely ironical. Today 31st May is observed around the world as 'World No Tobacco Day'. It is intended to promote a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the planet. The day is projected to draw awareness to the extensive prevalence of tobacco use and to consequent negative health effects.

And today we have a results of a study done by New England Journal of Medicine in public domain. New England Journal of Medicine conducted a survey with the help of almost 1000 volunteers in all the parts of India.

And their study has shown that 12 crore Indians are smokers now.

It is no secret that day-by-day, there is a steady increase in number of people consuming tobacco in some form or the other.

Even as per the Central Government's estimate, every year as may as  six lakh people die due to 'passive smoking'!      

4,20,000 Indians breath their last every year on account of lung failure.

And shockingly the raise in numbers of female tobacco users in India is too much!      

This is true in both the rural and urban areas of India.

Moreover, approximately six lakh people died last year due to Cancer and out of these 42% deaths were result of tobacco consumption.

And the deaths due to eating tobacco may touch the figure of one crore soon!

In 2011, the quantity of tobacco products produced in India stood at 670 million kilo and products of 475 million kilo were consumed.

Central Government gets 15,527 crores of revenue from the sale of cigarettes, bidi, gutkha and other tobacco products. No doubt it is source of money for the governments.

However the rate at which there is increase in the number of people consuming tobacco, there is need to go for more stringent campaign against the evils of tobacco.

If you think for a moment, we have almost 78,65,00000 Indians below the age of 35. And just imagine the kind of loss, if most of these turn to tobacco. For time-pass, for pleasure, as a habit, or just due to peer pressures.

Government, society, media, and we the people, will have to propagate the anti-tobacco message.

P.S. The Union Health ministry will release a set of operational guidelines for National Tobacco Control Programme today.  

Shoddy situation on food front

There are very few parallels to the crude and obnoxious reality of food wastage. And I am not even talking about the kind of waste of food items generating from our huge marriage get-togethers and parties!

Now some horrible pieces of statistics - according to Global Hunger Index report, India is at 76th position. Our own Central Government and Food Corporation of India tells us that

• in 2008-09, 20,114 tons of food grain decomposed.
• in 2009-11, 13,000 tons was waste.
• in 2012, till March, 2,896 tons was rotten.    

Now what even more shocking is that out of 2,896 tons of food grain waste this year, in Maharashtra the waste was 1,361 tons!

These figures does not include, food grain waste due to different transportation conditions, corrupt practices and arrangements in the warehouses.

To complicate the issues there is famine-like situation and there is shortage of water, everywhere in Maharashtra.

Honorable Bombay High Court reprimanded the Maharashtra Government this week. The Court has asked the Government, why can't the food grain in the FCI ware houses be given to the needy and below-poverty-level people?              

The Court came down heavily and told off that, there is substantial amount of food grains available, it is and will be disintegrated, if not looked after properly. So why cant that be distributed.

What is more outrageous is that the Supreme Court had ordered the Central and State Governments to give out the grains, instead of left decaying, a few months back.

Sometimes I feel, there would be some catastrophe that will affect everyone of us and the Governments will come out of slumber. And then it will act to fulfill the food requirements of millions of Indians.

Food is a basic necessity!

Chai ka mamla hai!

Have you heard about the latest amazing piece of information? Deputy Chairman of Panning Commission, Montek Sing Ahluwalia has proposed that the household mix of tea would be accorded the status of 'national drink'.

While speaking on the occasion of Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Assam Tea Planters Association, Mr. Ahluwalia declared that tea would be accorded national drink status by 17th April 2013.

It would coincide with the 212th birth anniversary of first Assamese tea planter and 1857 Mutiny leader Maniram Dewan.

Now we Indians are all too happy to enjoy cup of tea in the morning and 4 PM, or anytime for some of us. It is affordable, has got its typical taste, which many people relish.

So much so that, if a girl completely is in love with a guy, would croon - shaayad meri shaadi ka khayal dil me aaya hai, isiliye mummy ne meri tumhen chaai pe bulaya hai!

If we go in to details - the first record of usage of this stimulatory drink in India, is as early as 750-500 BC.

Commercial production of tea in India, however, started in full-fledged way, after British East India Company arrived here in India.   

    

Today India is the largest producer and consumer of black tea in the world. Some estimates say over 70% of the tea produced in India, is consumed here! India is also the world's largest tea-drinking nation par se.

According to ORG-India's Tea Consumption Study, 83 percent households in India consume tea regularly. Tea, it is found that, is the cheapest beverage in the world, other being drinkable water!

Ultimately what matters the most, is what Mr. Ahluwalia also informed - the important reason to declare tea as national drink is that, half of the tea industry labour force are women. And tea industry is the largest employer in the organised sector in India.

Postscript: while tea is in process of being declared 'national drink', managers of the $3 billion brand Amul (product of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation) now assert that, milk should be the national drink!

The dangerous preconceptions of the today's young community

Are the values and good behavior on permanent decline in India? What is the thinking pattern of our next generation? Do they really care about gender equality & compassion? Are they concerned about the good citizenship, cultural and religious diversity?   
                               
Big questions. Wipro and Educational Initiatives carried out a study recently. Reasonably good numbers - 23,000 students of Standards IV, VI and VIII from 89 schools across the country.

Answers - some interesting, some utterly disgusting & a small number of positive trends.

Although there are few, let's just look at what are the positives first - 50% of the students believe that one's religion is secondary, people become familiar to each other via mutual respect and understanding of other religions. 45% of the students think highly of Police in the country, they 'trust' police will do their best to help people. 47% of Std VIII students feel that boys and girls are equally capable.

Now the real alarmingly horrible conclusions (and there are many of these) - 43% of the students think education for a girl is not as important as that for a boy & it is a waste of resources! 15% of the std VIII students believed that the girls are 'burden' for the parents.

60% of all the students surveyed are sure that they will not accept the immigrants from other states. Reason being the outsiders do not learn the new language, culture & traditions of the state they migrate to.

Almost 70% of the students feel that differently-abled/disabled people are burdensome to society and are not good in studies. This dearth of empathy is bizarre. What's more shocking - 60% of the students lack awareness about HIV & show lesser sensitivity towards HIV-affected people.

Almost 65% students have less personal/civic responsibility and repeat objectionable practices like ignore proper garbage disposal or adhere to basic traffic rules.

The kind of TV shows and films (even some news items) that are offered these days, in the guise of - 'we-offer-what-public-demands' - is a huge robber. Above 50% of the students think that it is ok to defend religious matters by the means of violence.

Let's just hope these extreme preconceived notions do not turn into concrete prejudices, gender bias, cultural and religious intolerance, and civic irresponsibility.
                  
The young observe us. Let's try to change these, through our words and deeds. 

And it is duty of each one of us!

Kitne (garib) aadami the? - bahot sarkar!

Do you know the latest absurd piece of information? The Centre Government & the long-lasting Planning Commission have proposed to constitute new decisive factors for 'officially being labeled - garib'.

Now anyone who earns 29 Rs. in the urban areas and 22 Rs./day in rural parts of India, is no garib!!

These figures are so meaningless. It is difficult believe that in today's age where every commodity is only appreciating and almost everything is on price-wise upward swing, the government thinks this is the ultimate criterion for declaring that there are less garib people now!

One thinks that, is it a ploy to 'decrease' the numbers for 'eligible' people for another ambitious project in the offing - food security scheme? Seems so, Planning Commission's Montek Singh Ahaluwalia evaded this question in the recent press conference, where there was 'a power play of statistics'. 

As per the new report, in rural parts of India, a five member family earned 2234 Rs./month in the year 2004-05 now it is 3364 Rs. In urban areas, the monthly income was 2894 Rs., now there is increase - Rs. 4298.

Top states where the reduction of poverty is more, are - Goa, Himachal Pradesh, MP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Pondicherry, Sikkim, Tamilnadu, Tripura and Uttarakhand. And disturbing reality is that 37.7% in UP and 53.5% of Bihar are still below poverty line.

 

So? So the Planning Commission claims that in Maharashtra, the poverty has reduced by 13.7%. And five years back India had 40.7 crores of garib people, now we have 35.5 crores of them!

  

Is this a relieving good news overall? I don't know. All I know is that it is being complicated, to live life normally on a day-to-day basis.

Postscript: There are rumors floating around that the cooking gas cylinder and petrol prices would increase shortly, now that Congress has lost in the latest State elections and now it can be declared. Never mind, there are escalating problems of coalition management!

Congress gloomy, BJP has nothing to celebrate either!

Isn't it horribly amusing? Till 5th of March 2012, Rahul Gandhi appeared so invincible. Waiting to exalt the victory, even declaring the end of 'eternal next-PM' fixation.

However, at the end of the day just before counting of votes of five state elections, there was usual rush of congress sycophants to shout 'blame-on-me-not-rahul-baba'. And on the results day, 6th of March, the picture was unambiguous.

BJP retained the power in Punjab, was just good in Uttarakhand, completely won Goa, preserved in UP.

Congress had to gratify, only with good show in Manipur. SP did exceedingly well in UP with Akhilesh Yadav as a clear winner.   

The results of this round of state elections, have fetched so many lessons for the grand old party Congress and BJP.

There are three most significant take-away reminders for Rahul Gandhi. First and foremost, it would be nice, if Congress learns from these results and does not indulge in identity-caste-minority appeasement.

The proposed reservation quota for Muslims and rotten mentality displayed by otherwise intelligent & sophisticated Salman Khurshid backfired. His wife garnered votes to finish fifth in her constituency.         

Second, grassroots organisation pays, not gimmickry. Tearing SP manifesto, stay at dalit homes, Bhatta Parsaul agitation, & Rs. 7,000 crore welfare package for weavers - nothing worked.

Third, Rahul Gandhi has failed in Bihar before, and this time poor show in UP, in spite of advise of great Digvijay Sigh. It would be better in the long term, if Gandhis do away with so many 'advisors'. Crux of the matter is, 215 rallies, padyatras, sympathy show-off for dalits by Rahul Gandhi, did not produce the anticipated results.

The shocking defeat in Rai Bareli-Amethi-Sultanpur region is certainly rude reality check and raises so many question marks on fading Congress charisma.

On the other hand, BJP should get its act together. The results are eye-opener for BJP. UP still remains elusive target, good performance this time notwithstanding.

North-east states like Manipur does not have sizable BJP presence. It would bode well for BJP, if the great aptitude of coalition management shown by Atalji is further exercised.

National parties need to introspect earnestly and learn the hard way. The rise and consolidation of regional parties is here to stay.

Drive carefully or pay more to Government coffers/ to police wallet!

The Central Government has proposed amendments in Motor Vehicle Act. These changes do have potential to infuse much needed discipline in the way we drive.

India is one of the largest growing markets of two-wheelers, cars, and vehicles in general. However there were no changes in the Act, reflecting the current conditions of ever increasing numbers of vehicles and the worse traffic.

Hence these amendments cleared by the Cabinet Ministers make all the more sense.

So what are the proposals on unveil?

If you are in rush and jump the red signal (sounds familiar!) you will have to pay penalty of Rs. 100 to 500. And if you venture to repeat, you will have to pay Rs. 300 to 1500.

If you happen to 'forget' to wear the seat-belt or helmet, you will be fined Rs. 500 for the first time and 1500 second time!   

And more importantly if you are two-three or whatever pegs down, and on assessment if alcohol content is in the range of 30-150 mg/ 100 mg of your blood, fine is Rs. 2000 to 5000 or six month's jail or both!

For the reckless second timers of drink-&-drive fine is Rs. 8000 to 10000 or four years imprisonment or both. There is a provision of cancelling the license altogether.  

With the rise in the mobile communication, if people drive a vehicle and talk/text on phone simultaneously, they would invite a fine of Rs. 500, second time offence has penalty of Rs. 2000 to 5000.

In our country, everyday there are almost 1500 accidents on our roads! Mishaps on the national highways constitute almost 30% of all.

These provisions to be tabled in the Budget session, are good and welcome step ahead, however their actual enforcement and implementation hold the key. Our track record of passing the law and their subsequent execution is abysmal.

Results of Maharashtra Municipal Elections - Premonition to Politicians

The latest Municipal Elections have sprung up the lessons for every political party. 

If you think that the results of the elections of Maharashtra Local government bodies lead us to the conclusion that it is Advantage Shivsena-BJP, it is not entirely accurate.

First and foremost, they are winners by very small margin and no surprises, MNS is fast catching up. Sure Shivsena-BJP retained their power in Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Akola and other municipal corporations.

But there is underlying theme or facts to ponder on for the this alliance of 20 odd years. 

Shivsena-BJP should think about the fact that their electoral foundation should retain the strength. The alliance once on the brink of disintegration, would do well if, with the help from RPI, they concentrate more for the 2014 State Assembly Elections.  

It is ignored, however, the high-quality performance of MNS is unexpected, even to their charismatic leader.

MNS is second largest in Pune, is largest in Nashik, and in all likelihood will be able to pose extra-ordinary challenge to everyone - Shivsena-BJP, Congress-NCP in few years. MNS has tremendous outcome all over Maharashtra. But there is a long way to go. And it is difficult to sustain the momentum. 

Congress should realize that NCP is the ultimate winner in the rural parts of Maharashtra. At the cost of Congress, it has consolidated its base, particularly the Zillah Parishad results declare so.

And the Chief Minister's astonishing assertion, 'Shivsena would be washed out or even finished after these Municipal Elections', was counterproductive & retribution for the Congress.    

NCP on the other hand would do well, if they study the reason of limited success in Mumbai and act accordingly.

Ultimate reality, is that, all the political class must not take us, the people - the voters, for granted! 'Perform or perish' is once again emphasized.

Congress and the dynasty

I have this habit to participate in serious discussions on various topics in my group of friends.

One of the most repeated issues to ponder on and offer our precious our opinions(!) is Indian Political System, Great Indian Congress (does this sound like Great Indian Circus?), BJP and the habit of our leaders to build political empires.  

So that was just another instance, when the topic veered to grand declaration done by Mr. Robert Vadra, that he will join active politics 'if it is popular desire!'. It is uncalled for.

One of my friends believed that it is extra-ordinary predicament for Gandhi Family. 'Come on,' he said, 'Gandhis can not enlighten the son-in-law and tell him to just shut up.'  

Another one asked a perennial question rather discourteously ,'arre ye dynasty to sub common hai, lekin imperative point is will you vote for anyone and everyone, just because the name is gandhi?'         

Worst part of this episode is the timing. This is one of the nastiest turn of events. When Rahul Gandhi has almost staked his entire political career on UP state elections and he is on his journey of consolidation and future possible assignment as PM, this statement is absolutely unnecessary. Fact of the matter is person in question is with no last name Gandhi, but Vadra.     

It took the authority of Priyanka Gandhi to clarify that her husband is happy being a businessman. But the damage is already done.  

Come to think of it, isn't it disgusting for most years after independence, one family has been in the power at the centre.

Ironically the parties that attack Congress do also indulge in promoting the kith and kin of the leaders directly or in a roundabout way.

However sometimes it is too much to grasp. The audacious assertion by Mr. Vadra is perfect example.       

Postscript: An IAS officer, on election duty, tried to stop the huge cavalcade of Mr. Vadra. And next thing he knows, he was transferred to Goa!

The road rage in Pune

Sometimes you just cannot fathom the proceedings. 25th Jan 2012 should be considered as one of the black days in the history of Pune. Or was it a atrocious warning of things to come?

One Santosh Mane boarded a MSRTC bus and went on to rampage on the roads of Pune for nearly one hour, killing nine people and injuring 30 people. He was a full time driver of MSRTC. Now it is alleged that he was undergoing some medical treatment for 'mental disorder'.

In reality, he was 'infuriated' as he was not given the duty hours that he wanted. I really don't know how to react on this ghastly incident.          

The number of people died in the road accidents in Pune, as per the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), is 417 in 365 days of 2011.

And more shockingly the number of people died in the road accidents every year from the year 2007 onwards is at least 400. The average per year is 428!

The traffic branch will focus on improving the road infrastructure such as road signage, pedestrian crossings, and lane markings in 2012. The traffic branch plans to make short films on traffic awareness with the help of NGOs and other institutions. 

By the way now we have 24/7 mobile helpline service 8888004455 where you can inform the police about accidents, traffic jams and commotion.  

PMPL city buses are major miscreants of accidents. Ironically these city buses are the means of daily commute for many people in Pune, PCMC and all the suburbs.          

The basic problem is lack of safe driving practices. It obviously, generates from the famous deficiency of 'civic sense', which is a typical Indian hallmark. We, as citizens, have to observe some obedience of traffic rules without failure.

Solving the traffic problems of our city is a collective responsibility, not a duty in isolation.

Everyone involved is responsible and needs to act accordingly. Life is too precious to be lost just because Pune has the worst traffic conditions!

A hungry and weak upcoming generation, Great Indian Legacy??!!

Sometimes a reality check is too much to fix. Especially when you are considered one of the 'emerging world super-powers'!

India, according to a recent Hunger and Malnutrition Report, has 42 per cent underfed and, hence underdeveloped children. There are very few things as disgusting and disgraceful.   

Equally shocking is the fact that one in three malnourished children in the world is an Indian.

"The problem of malnutrition is a national shame," said the Prime Minister sheepishly while releasing the outcome of the study done by various NGOs. Undoubtedly it is extremely shameful, for us as a society and as a nation.

What is sad is that this is not the first time we are reminded of this piece of realism. From the World Bank to our own Planning Commission have, from time to time, rung the alarm bells.

So we should not be taken aback. Moving on to the solutions front, we have, as usual, a scheme from the Central Government - the Integrated Child Development Scheme.

Mid-day meals are part of this grand plan. However, on the ground the scenario is depressing. There are so many instances of corruption and mismanagement. "We can no longer rely solely on it,"  PM accepted in his speech.

But what is unmistakably obvious is the interrelation of poverty and malnutrition. The party that PM belongs to, had at one point of time, won a general election based on grand slogan of 'garibi hatao'. And they are in power for almost 50 years. So what did exactly Congress do?  Even NDA?

It is turned out be easier to announce a scheme in the name of a Gandhi or Nehru. Allocate absurdly huge amount of money. And then the implementation is abysmal, to say the least.

Latest is Food Security Bill, with a anticipated allotment of 1,25,000 crores of rupees. Even the seasoned and astute politician like Shard Pawar is opposed to the bill. Agriculture experts are also against the idea.

We should not forget, at the same time, only 65 percent of foods and grains are utilized in this country, rest 35 percent is squandered away, because we 'still' don't have 'sufficient' storage capacity!  

For now, PM has declared multi-sector programmes for 200 districts that have highest malnutrition levels. Genuine implementation? Ram bharosey! 
  
The only encouraging outcome - as per the Hunger and Malnutrition Report, one child in five has gained an acceptable healthy weight during the last seven years in 100 focused districts. 

Snobbish Congress, impudent BJP and an opportunity lost

Sometimes children ask you startling questions. And you don't have answers. My niece was amused with the kind of debate in the Indian Parliament. She just asked, "why do these uncles get hyper and bicker?"      

The camera does not fake it. What you see is what you get. And whatever happened in the name of 'parliamentary debate and it's supremacy' was even below substandard levels.

The much touted serious debate on the 'landmark legislation' Lokpal Bill turned out to be such a flop show. I think it has no parallel.   

Now in the perception after the fact, it is clear that Congress never really wanted to pass the bill. In it's usual style and subsequent arrogance, it seems Congress did not even consult their 'United Progressive' alliance partners. Most notably the TMC. Whatever said about her way of functioning, Mamata Bannerjee can not be wished away. (Unless Congress and SP join hands officially, in UP and at the Centre.)

There was opposition from Yadavs of RJD and SP also for obvious reasons - they have pending CBI cases. With my limited knowledge of Indian polity, I strongly believe that Congress tried to divert the attention and positive energy by raking up the reservation issue within Lokpal panel. That too with aid from Lalu Yadav!   

       

It is duty of Government to propose a bill and also get it passed. To believe that the principal opposition BJP and the Left parties would 'support' the constitutional amendment just because the PM-in-waiting Rahul Gandhi 'pioneered' the idea, is not just plain naive but preposterous also. The opposition had their legitimate ideas to put forward in terms of amendments.

It is absurd to believe that anything Sonia/Rahul Gandhi recommends and all the MPs will follow, like in the UK, whatever Her Majesty Queen say will be done. There were 19 absent Congress MPs at time of voting!

The government proposed Lokpal Bill has intrinsic flaws. It needs to be enhanced.  

If Congress wants the credit of bringing in Lokpal, it also needs to seize the blame of the current fiasco.

Having said that, BJP should also get it's act together. They do behave as if they will not be in power again.

Meanwhile, the Anna movement gains an edge and becomes much more relevant now, the low turn out at Mumbai notwithstanding.