tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745037720221571722024-02-20T08:12:17.981-08:00A discussion on Political IssuesAMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-79443970323613585182015-10-07T04:54:00.000-07:002015-10-07T04:54:51.005-07:00A Struggle For Freedom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am a logophile <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yet, I do not fully understand,
the meaning of freedom and independence, living in modern India. Let me write a
line, to explain my dilemma.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We won independence in 1947.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Can we replace the word
independence with freedom?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am talking of freedom, not as a
lofty ideal that our constitution proclaims or of the Ayn Rand variety, but a
basic, bare bones and essential variety necessary for the survival of a
functional society.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The freedom to sketch cartoons,
without being afraid of jail term. The right to choose life partner
irrespective of gender. The choice of meat and not being branded a criminal for
doing so. The dress one can wear in public and not getting called a slut. The
ability to browse the internet, without big brother monitoring it. The choice
of books, movies, plays and every other choice that does not harm the existence
of any fellow citizen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Freedom should be a pillar of our
democracy, yet it is being increasingly threatened by people, who take an
exception to civilized way of life. And, we ( I mean the educated,
sophisticated and arm chair intellectuals) are party responsible to it. We are
selective in our outrage, when an essential tenet to freedom is knocked down,
if it does not concern us. This leads to a situation, where divisive elements
of the society think, that they can get away with any mischief.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Increasingly, I see that the
younger generation (including mine) seems to be more polarized than the
previous generations. I was having a discussion with a few acquaintances, about
the freedom of speech. While I am for absolute freedom, I was told that it
would, somehow not work in the Indian context as it does in the western
countries, because our ‘sentiments’ get hurt easily, which can lead to law
being broken. Another discussion, lead
to statements like ‘Pakistan was created for believers of a certain religion and
they should all go there’. These statements come from literate people, who have
prestigious degrees and work at MNC’s. Perhaps as a nation, we seem to be
getting more literate and less educated at the same time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A section of the media thinks
that the coming of a right wing government at the center is the root cause of
this decline and hatred. But, suddenly a large section of secular people cannot
turn communal overnight. This poison tree of hatred has to be nurtured for a
long time, to bear the fruits of destruction. No single political party is solely
responsible for this, all of them have nurtured it with a lies and frenzy,
while we as a society saw it grow by turning a blind eye.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We have a prime minister, who is
a good orator and regularly speaks his ‘Man ki baat’ on radio or in front of cheering
(and largely sympathetic) crown of NRI’s in foreign lands. If ever he finds
some time, he can reflect upon the fact, that he can act as the moral compass
for the 125 crore people, whom he refers to as ‘Mitron’. His condemnation of
acts like Dadri, would go a long way in assuaging the fears and anxieties of
the general populace, and send a strong message to the mischief makers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As a society, we are not able to
fully comprehend the meaning of these incidents. People like us are increasingly losing the
secular argument, on a regular basis. Young men, with half-baked sense of history
and perceived injustices to their forefathers, are not ready to give up violent
ideals and have a sensible conversation. Each such attack on freedom induces a bigger
tear in the secular fabric of our nation, until a day will come, where we shall
become a Hindu version of Pakistan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Nature and life has a way of
taking away from us, what we do not use. The question is whether we are ready
to fight for our freedom or ready to meekly surrender it at the feet of anyone,
who can outshout us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
</div>
AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-46527660218436845972013-08-19T23:46:00.000-07:002013-08-19T23:46:52.569-07:00A Greek Tragedy In India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">What is the difference between a mistake and a crime?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A mistake is when your office, hoodwinks you to sell
spectrum at throwaway prices. A crime is when you know a mistake has been
committed and compound it by removing the evidence (read the coalgate files). A
mistake can be condoned by an apology, but a crime must call for a befitting
punishment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> For UPA, spectrum allocation can be called a mistake
(a crime by an ally), but coalgate is surely an offence and the jury of the
public shall announce the verdict within 200 days, when they cast a vote during
the next general elections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Prime Minister would be feeling like the hero of a
greek tragedy (like Oedipus and Antigone). All his actions that he did as
a Finance Minister, and which made him famous are being undone by his own
inaction. He pulled India from the brink of bankruptcy, by the steps that increased
the dollar inflows and the investor confidence into the economy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">On the other hand, the government’s inaction has led
the rupee into a comatose state. When India achieved independence, a rupee was
worth a dollar. Today after 66 years, a dollar is worth 63 rupees. The poetic
justice does not end here. In fact, the statistics on the table are chilling.
The current fiscal deficit is close to $175 billion and counting. The RBI has
about 7 months of foreign exchange to cover our imports, after which we may
have to go to the IMF with a begging bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The government has alibis but no solutions. In fact,
it is selling dreams by making outrageous plans like food security bill.
Somebody has to explain (Raghuram Rajan can be a good choice) that food
security cannot come by making beggars out of hard working men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The dreams of future have to be paid in the hard cash
of reality. The poor, for whom UPA made schemes like MGNREGA, are at the
receiving end of inflation. They may not understand current account deficit (CAD),
but surely understand that the prices of goods are just not going down. The
prices are up when there is a drought, but even a good current monsoon cannot
make the prices go south. That is precisely their translation of the government’s
economic record.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">History suggests that change and economic lapse have a
symbiotic relationship. Leon Trotsky suggested that people do not change
governments, and consequently their lives, when they found an alternative; they
did so when they were fed up. It is a season of revolutions across the world; I
hope if there is one in India, it is one that is bought by a ballot and not by
the bullet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-1944147927787632272013-06-02T22:06:00.000-07:002013-06-07T04:29:58.092-07:00Policing the Dolls<div class="MsoNormal">
It must be difficult being women, because it involves
dealing with men.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Men, who the self-appointed judges of morality think are
driven to criminal acts like rape, by skimpily dressed mannequins. Men, who get
corrupted, by watching a silly act on Comedy Central , which again involves
(guess what) mannequins.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The politicians of India took some much necessary actions
last week, to reduce crimes committed against women. A corporator from Mumbai,
got a resolution passed, which banned the public display of mannequins wearing
lingerie. She was overtaken by an overzealous Information and Broadcasting
Ministry(I&B), which banned Comedy Central for 10 day for showing offensive
acts on the television.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I have doubts regarding both the actions. The resolution
against mannequins says, that they cannot be displayed in public, but in
private(read inside the shops). In effect, the perverts can get their curiosity
amplified by just going inside the shops, and then committing crimes coming out
of it. So much for the quick thinking of the BMC, that I now expect the crime
rates to suddenly come down in Mumbai, thanks to the momentous decision.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On the Comedy Central issue, I must say that this is a David
vs. Goliath fight. If anything should be controlled, it is the depiction of
women in the Bollywood. But, the I&B would not take on the Bollywood,
because it knows, that it is the underdog in the fight. I agree that the jokes
were in bad taste, but banning it is an over-reaction to the issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The often touted reason these politicians give, to justify
such bizarre actions include, protection of the fine sensibilities of the
‘Mothers and Sisters’ of India. Why can they just say Women? And why according
to them are all women clubbed in the ‘Mothers/Sister’ category? Perhaps, it is very difficult for these
people to understand, that Women have a life to live, which does not get
affected by such non-issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Last year, BMC sanctioned Rs.75 lakhs for construction of
Women’s only public toilets in Mumbai, and all the funds were left unutilized.
Can our leaders, who seem to be so worried about a serious issue, not get the
point, that Women are vulnerable to sexual attacks, when they are relieving
themselves in public, in the absence of basic amenities? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The mannequins have nothing to do with the criminal acts
beast perpetrate against women. It is the belief that these criminals have,
that nothing will ever happen to them, which gives them the confidence to
commit such acts. The politicians have debated a lot about the quantity of
punishments that should be meted out for crimes of sexual nature. But they must
understand, it is not the quantity, but the certainty of punishments, that will
act as a deterrent to the delinquents.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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The mannequins do not have an IQ. I hope the political
classes act in a way that show they do.<o:p></o:p></div>
AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-17003002749183629362013-02-10T20:24:00.000-08:002013-06-03T05:13:13.126-07:00Human Rights for Inhuman Attrocities??<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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India has a population of 1.5 billion, which at any given
point of time is mired into a thousand controversies. Another one was added on
Saturday, when one of the perpetrators on the attack of the Indian Parliament,
Afzal Guru was sent to the gallows. </div>
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<br /></div>
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This blog is in response to Arundhati Roy’s article in the
<a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-perfect-day-for-democracy/article4397705.ece?homepage=true" target="_blank">Hindu</a>, where she presents a case that Guru’s execution was a blatant disregard
for human rights and he was in fact, incorrectly charged based on mere
circumstantial evidences.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I, neither possess the flair of words, nor her wide reach of
a supine audience. But, as an ordinary Indian, am amazed to ask, why
intellectuals like her, come up to the defence of lumpen elements every time
they are punished by the rule of law. </div>
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<br /></div>
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It seems, a section of metropolitan intellectuals seem to be
fascinated by left wing rebels (read, the naxalites), terrorists(Afzal Guru in
this case), brigands(Remember Veerappan) and all such anti-social elements.
These anti-social elements have attracted admiring comments from such intellectuals
living in posh cities(with perhaps an occasional visit to a dharna/protest),
away from the actual realities. Because they live such a bourgeois lifestyle,
in a country that is poor and which they claim to represent, they perhaps
assuage their guilt by speaking on behalf of these elements.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The only incorrect thing, in the hanging of Afzal Guru was
the way in which his family was not informed. But so were the families of
martyrs, who died defending the parliament about their imminent death. Did the
terrorist speed post them (as the Government did), asking them to bid final
farewells to the brave men, before attacking the parliament?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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The easiest thing to do in India these days is to hurt
sentiments. A prior intimation could have lead to serious law and order
situation in the Kashmir valley and in other parts of the country. It could
also have lead to a bizarre Tamilnadu like situation, where the assembly passed
a resolution asking the death sentences of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination
plotters be changed to life imprisonments, after the president had rejected
their mercy petition. Perhaps, the veil of secrecy was the necessary course of
action.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Another argument that Ms. Roy made, that the conviction was
based on circumstantial evidence, which she then tried to demolish in her
article. My understanding was that she was a writer and not a criminal lawyer,
who could deconstruct and find holes into the judgement of the learned
judiciary. Even a cursory reading of the evidence would have indicated to her, that
though it was circumstantial, it proved without doubt that Guru was a close
aide in the making of this macabre attack.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have been pondering over a question for years now. Why do
these intellectuals never speak when a police officer is killed in the ravines
of naxal infected areas? Where did the high ground of human rights go, when 2
of our jawans were mercilessly beheaded by Pakistani army/terrorists (depending
on your beliefs)? There was a brutal attack on CRPF men in Dantewada , around 2
years back, when these brave men were ambushed and then mercilessly shot. Did
these people not have human rights, or perhaps, in your (and your ilk) eyes,
these men are children of a lesser god?</div>
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<br /></div>
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In an earlier article in outlook, Ms. Roy had referred to
naxalites as Gandhians with guns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such
vanity of pseudo-intellectuals is damaging and misleading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ordinary Indian may not be an arm-chair intellectual,
but he intelligent to understand the truth behind the canards and myths that
get presented before him.</div>
AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-46771922321931071142012-11-30T22:53:00.000-08:002012-11-30T22:53:25.692-08:00The State Of My State<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i>"A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally."</i></b><br />
<b><i> </i></b><br />
<b><i> Oscar Wilde</i></b><br />
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It seems that the politicians of this nation are keen on playing the game of
"Good Cop, Bad Cop", with the general public. On the state level,
they show an undue haste in implementing IT laws (read article 66A of the IT
Act), while on the Central level they field Mr. Sibal to lambast the draconian
elements of the Act.<br />
<br />
The blatant misuse of IT act laws, makes it difficult to believe that I am
not living in China. Internet censorship and media gagging are no hallmarks of
a mature democracy. And yet we have instances, where tweet against a Minister's
son, political cartoons or a passing comment on a social website can send you
behind bars.<br />
<br />
It is a welcome step that the Supreme Court has taken cognisance of the
misuse and served notices to the AG and the culprit state governments. This is
what happens to laws, which are passed without a lot of discussion on the floor
of the house. It would be interesting to note that the dreaded section 66A was
not a part of the original draft of the act, but included in the first
amendment of the bill. The IT Act, in 2008, was passed within a day in both
houses of the Parliament, which at any rate is not enough time to look and
debate the clauses in it.<br />
<br />
The undue haste is not only in the framing of the law. Even the implementation,
which is often dictated to the local thana by the politicians, is a glaring
loophole in the judicial system. It would only be appropriate, that the
Maharashtra Government accepts the findings of the investigation report on the
Palghar incident and punishes the guilty officials for the over-reach.<br />
<br />
Until the time the act is modified to encompass the modern day realities, I
have a few suggestions to every internet user in India. Each of us must make a
deep study of the IT act, hire a full time cyber lawyer to monitor our internet
activities, so that when the cyber cops come, we can explain them the law and
why we cannot be arrested. Another suggestion is to have a video recording of
clarifications that Mr.Sibal and Mr. Deora are busy pedalling on the various
news channels.<br />
<br />
The recent developments of blatant misuse of the IT Act clearly demonstrate
that the activists have been right. The problem with many such misused laws is
that they have been passed without adequate public debates and stakeholder
consultations. Crony discussions by readymade elite committees are meant to
override public scrutiny.<br />
<br />
It is high time that our lawmakers came out of the utopian world and start
making laws in consultation with the mango people. Else we are on our way on to
becoming a banana republic.<br />
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AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-40905725039777052262012-10-01T22:15:00.000-07:002013-06-03T04:15:10.444-07:00A Short Man with a Tall Legacy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When travelling to my ancestral place in a train, I cross a railway junction by the name Mughalsarai. My father would point the station to me and ask, "Can you tell me which famous Indian was born here?".<br />
<br />
I would proudly say " My favourite Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri".<br />
<br />
His legacy has been conveniently forgotten by the political party that he belonged to. Great leaders and freedom fighters do not die a mortal death, they die when the public forgets them. On his birthday, which he shares with the Mahatma, let me tell you the story of this selfless, honest and brave leader.<br />
<br />
Shastriji was born in a Kayastha family(His original surname was Sriwastava) at Mughalsarai. He lost his father at the age of 1 and was raised by his mother at Varanasi.<br />
<br />
There was an incident that almost denied India it's best PM. Once when Shastriji's mother was bathing on the Ghats of the Ganges, she lost her kid in the teeming fair crowd. The child was found by a childless cowherd family, who took him as a gift of god. But the child was restored to his birth mother after the police traced the child.<br />
<br />
This diminutive kid showed glimpses of his bravery and honesty, as he swam the swelling Ganges when he did not have the fares to give to the boatmen to ferry his across the ghats. Another incident that he recalled in an interview, was when he was caught stealing mangoes from an orchard. He was held by the chaukidaar and was slapped. A teary Lal Bahadur pleaded to stop the beating because he was an orphan. The chaukidaar's response stayed with him for his lifetime. He said "Because you are an orphan, you must be more responsible in the way you behave". It was a lesson well learnt.<br />
<br />
He was awarded the title of "Shastri" by the Kashi Vidyapeeth, which stuck as a part of his name. He joined the freedom struggle and was heavily influence by Lokmanya Tilak and the Mahatma.<br />
<br />
Once India got it's independence, he was invited by the first chief minster of UP, Govind Vallabh Pant to join his cabinet as the Transport Minister. He is credited for opening the post of bus conductor for women. He was later given the portfolio of Home Minister in the Pant government, where he introduced water jets to disperse unruly crowds, rather than the inhumane Lathi charge.<br />
<br />
During this time, he was the General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, which selected candidates for general elections. He was urged by Panditji to fight the elections, but declined the offer by indicating a conflict of interest between selecting and fighting elections. Nehru was impressed by this behaviour.<br />
<br />
Post 1952 elections, Jawaharlal Nehru, in a surprise move called Shastriji to join his cabinet as the Transport and Railways Minister. It was during his tenure, that the Indian railways went for a large overhaul and increased the comforts for people travelling in 3rd Class. During those days, there were 4 classes of seats in the railways. The first class was royal in nature, followed by the second and the intermediate class. But the third class was a hell hole, with no decent seating arrangements, fans or water facilities. Shastriji abolished the first class, made the second to the first class, the intermediate class became the second class and the third class was given proper seating facilities and other amenities.<br />
<br />
But his tenure as a railway minister is remembered for the moral fabric that he showed. There was a railway accident in Mehboob Nagar, which saw 112 passengers dead. He resigned from the post after the accident, but his resignation was turned down by Panditji. Unfortunately, 3 months later, another accident at Ariyalur killed 144, and he resigned again, this time with a request to the PM to accept. A visibly glum Nehru explained to the Parliament that the acceptance was not a question on his ability and a lesson in Constitutional properiety.<br />
(On the other hand, modern day railway ministers dispense some compensation and conveniently forget the resignation and give a lip service to the modernisation of railways)<br />
<br />
1964 saw the demise of Jawaharlal Nehru, and the re-emergence of a question---"Who After Nehru".<br />
International newspapers and magazines wrote that the experiment of Indian democracy will die along with the death of Nehru. India was facing problems of hungry millions, neighbours ready for war and drought. The Idea of India was in serious danger of becoming a footnote in history.<br />
<br />
There were two main contenders for the post. Nehru's daughter Indira and the Morarji Desai. The syndicate headed by K. Kaamraj(often referred as the Chankya of Indian Politics), did not like the loud ambition of Desai(Congress never likes loud ambitions, hence neither Desai nor Sharad Pawar ever became Prime Ministers of a Congress Government) and deemed Indira to be too inexperienced. An experienced Shastriji was given the reins of the government.<br />
<br />
His first Major challenge was the persistent hunger that India was facing, which lead to the country standing with a begging bowl. He initiated steps to increase the productivity of wheat and milk in the country.<br />
<br />
He was so impressed with Verghese Kurien's(founder of Amul) efforts that he decided to stay a whole night to see the working of a dairy in the morning.(Another very interesting story....but more of it sometime later)<br />
<br />
Another major challenge was when Pakistan attacked the Rann of Kutch. He asked the Army to give a befitting reply for this mistake. But the war escalated when Pakistan, attacked Kashmir, by moving towards Chaamb. He met all the 3 military chiefs and asked for a breifing. The Indian army chief informed that once Chaamb falls, it will be difficult to hold on to Kashmir. He suggested that India must open a front and attack Lahore. Shastriji's instructions were clear....Get Lahore before they get Chaamb. He also involved the Navy (Karachi was under a naval blockade) and the Airforce to help the army. <br />
<br />
This response stunned Pakistan and it tried to wriggle out the situation by asking USA and China to help. China threatened to attack India from the Western flank, but did not after a sternly worded letter by Shastriji, by telling that they shall not be cowed down by this bullying. An international conference was hurriedly called at Tashkent, where both sides went back to the pre-war positions(which I think was a mistake).<br />
<br />
But what happened after this is a real mystery. Shastriji was found dead in his hotel and it was initially suspected to be a case of poisoning. No postmortem was ever conducted and it was declared a case of heart attack(with out postmortem). Shastriji's wife, Lalita Shastri claims that the body had turned blue(an indication of poisoning) and there were certain cuts on the body that were not investigated.<br />
<br />
Adding grist to the rumour mill is the extraordinary secrecy over the
case. For instance, various RTI applications over the years have sought
information both on what documentation is available on the matter and if
the government could kindly declassify it. In 2009, the PMO had replied
that it had only one document relating to Shastri’s death but refused
to declassify it under a clause that would “prejudicially affect the
sovereignty and integrity of the country, the security, strategic,
scientific or economic interests of the state, relation with foreign
state or lead to incitement of an offence”. (I never understood what the above lines meant)<br />
<br />
11 years after his death, the Janata Party Government set up an enquiry comittee. Called the Raj Narain Inquiry, it never came up with any conclusions but
began the process. However, no record of this can be found in the
Parliament library—by itself not a sinister event as lots of vital
documents have disappeared often due to carelessness.<br />
<br />
But there is an even more curious series of events linked to the
inquiry. Two witnesses were scheduled to depose before this
parliamentary body in 1977. One was R.N. Chugh, Shastri’s doctor who
accompanied him to Tashkent. The second was Ram Nath, his personal
servant, who was also present on the day of his death. Chugh was
travelling to Delhi by road to testify before the committee and was hit
by a truck and died. Ram Nath came to Delhi and visited Shastri’s widow
before the deposition. According to family members, he told her, “<i>Bahut din ka bojh tha</i>, <i>amma. Aaj sab bata denge</i>
(I have been carrying this burden too long. I will shed it today).” Ram
Nath left the 1, Motilal Nehru, residence to make his way to
Parliament. He was hit by a moving vehicle, his legs crushed (eventually
amputated) and he lost his memory.<br />
<br />
To-date, the Shastri family maintains that his death was not an accident, but a international muder. We shall never know the whole truth, but surely know that India was robbed of a great Prime Minister at the peak of his abilities.<br />
<br />
To the believers, God just exists. I am sure God exists, but in Shastriji's case he was not just.<br />
<br />
P.S :: Can you name the Prime Ministers, who preceded and succeeded Lal Bahadur Shastri??? <br />
<br /></div>
AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-16962299129004805422012-09-21T10:20:00.001-07:002012-09-21T10:20:57.084-07:00An attempt at reality check <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">" I do repent. But heaven hath pleased it so,</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">To punish me with this and this with me,</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">That I must be their scourge and minister.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">I will bestow him and will answer well</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">The death I gave him. So, again, good night.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">I must be cruel only to be kind. "</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">----Hamlet, Act III, Scene IV </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">The Prime
Minister's speech was a 21<sup>st</sup> century equivalent of an often quoted
soliloquy from Hamlet(above). On the one hand he explained his cruelty (hike in
diesel prices) and on the other hand his kindness (by allowing reforms), in a
speech that must have taken even his harshest critics by surprise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">First
things first, let us give the Prime Minister some credit for taking decisions,
which may not give either him or his party any political mileage. The reforms
come on the back of a series of scams and hence lack the credibility that
generally accompanies such actions. He could have sleepwalked into the autumn
of his political career and not be any worse that he is now. And yet he took
those decisions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">He must
now walk the talk. The middle class may well be ready for paying more for fuel
and gas cylinders, but will not tolerate half baked reforms. The situation is
not as drastic as it was in 1992, but we were well on our way to achieve the economic
armageddon. The reforms must continue, the subsidies should be well directed
and governance must be made more transperant to restore a semblance of
credibility.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">The PM
told the nation that money does not grow on trees. If he squanders away this
chance of improving the nation's fiscal health, the people will surely reply
in 2014. The reply may well be, money does not grow on trees, but surely it
does multiply in the dark recesses of coal mines and thin air of telecom
spectrums. The reply will not be palatable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Mr Singh
likes doing shayari on occasion. He will perhaps know this line <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Khud hi laga ke aag tamashai ban gaye”</i>.
It is difficult to translate the nuances of Urdu into English, but let me give
it a try—We have become the spectators of the fire we ourselves lit.</span></div>
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AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-43367141310162954712012-08-27T09:41:00.001-07:002013-06-03T22:11:54.123-07:00Similarities and Differences Between the Neighbours<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
India and Pakistan are divided by the bloody past, but are united in the corrupt present.<br />
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The Pakistani PM, Raja Pervej Ashraf, or <b><i>Rental Raja</i></b>, as he is often referred by the Pakistani media has, for the moment avoided getting booted out of office by the Supreme Court, for not reopening a old graft case against the President.<br />
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A few hundred miles away, the Indian Prime Minister finds his hands and image blackened by the soot of corruption in coal.<br />
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The political class of India and Pakistan are divided by a hundred factors, but they come from the same school of corruption. The only difference is that the Indian politicians cannot cripple democracy with the sort of unlimited power that their Pakistani counterparts enjoy. They can hire the best lawyers to postpone the accountability to the judicial process, but would not dream of hampering the electoral process(Kudos to the Election Commission). On the other hand, in Pakistan, ballot is often subdued by the bullet.<br />
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The general public of both the nations(they are much better than the politicians) are utterly disgusted by the stench of corruption. Hence, every time somebody raises his voice against it, they automatically become eulogized and hero-worshiped. Justice Iftikaar Chaudhry galvanized the general Pakistani to eventually oust the General(pun unintended). Across the border, India saw the rapid rise of Anna Hazare who caught the mass imagination to make the politicians shake in their boots.<br />
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Last time the Pakistani President visited India, I received a witty SMS. The President met the Indian PM and was asked to curb terrorism. The President replied, 'I am as serious on the issue of curbing terrorism as you are on the issue of curbing corruption'.<br />
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The Pakistani Prime Minister and the President are a joke in their nation. I hope the same is not the final eventuality of the Indian Prime Minister.<br />
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AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-30297967745258361512012-08-15T00:15:00.002-07:002012-08-15T00:36:28.113-07:00The Unspoken in PM's Speech<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Is it possible for two nations to live in the same country?<br />
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The PM's speech, spoke of a nation having a few problems and a bright future. He spoke of challenges, which he was confident of surmounting within foreseeable future. <br />
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Alas, I am not a citizen of the sunshine nation the PM so fondly spoke about. In fact, not many can claim the citizenship of the promised land. I live in a nation, where this independence day has bought ominous signs of foreboding, which fills us with gloom and despair about the future of this great country.<br />
<br />
The PM spoke a lot and meant very little. The speech was laced with the names of programs, the government had
undertaken to improve the living conditions of citizens. What it did not
have, is the description of the magnitude of failure these flagship programs have been.<br />
<br />
He spent a lot of time talking about creating new jobs for the youth of the country, but did not answer the basic question of "How was he going to do it?". Policy paralysis may create an air of denial, it certainly does not create jobs. When the rating agencies predict of a slowdown, it essentially means lesser jobs on the factory floors and more angry people on the streets. Europe is too fresh a lesson in this regards for any short/long term memory loss to erase.<br />
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The highlight of the speech was, off course, the promise of providing electricity to every house of the country in the next five years. In fact, every time I sit down to write a blog, I pray that booting my laptop does not trip the whole of western grid. Forget FDI in retail, even if you ensure electricity in every house, you would kickstart the economy, create jobs and ensure a next term in the parliament.<br />
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Another issue touched upon in the speech was the need of having transparency and accountability in public life, and the good progress the government had done in the area. This was like a student writing an exam, and then giving himself a 100% for the answers. The conduct and seriousness of the government in bringing an effective ombudsman(or lokpal) is no open secret. The speech could have outlined a road map for the plausible future rather than dwell upon the improbable past on this matter.<br />
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The speech finished with a comment that no power in the world could stop India from achieving greatness. I agree, we do not need world powers to stymie our growth when the government is doing an excellent job at it.<br />
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The only good thing about the speech was that it was over. But, at the end, I had a lingering doubt--- Should the Independence Day speech not be made by a person who is truly Independent?</div>
AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-25303497991270488682012-08-05T07:28:00.001-07:002012-08-05T07:28:12.462-07:00The Politics of Politics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There was no Democracy during Mirza Ghalib's time, but he understood the ever persistent threat of betrayal in politics through the following couplet.<br />
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<b><i>"Humne ki unse ummed-e-wafa, Jo nahi jaante wafa kya hai"</i></b></div>
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Anna Hazare made the mistake of trusting the opposition, to get the Lokpal bill passed. He corrected it by calling off the fast and deciding to clean up the cesspool of corruption himself.<b><i> </i></b>The passion and oratory seen in the budget session of the parliament, while opposing the formation of Lokpal was matched only by the debate for a self approved wage hike. Trusting them to get the Lokpal bill passed, from a government which has been singed by passing RTI, was living in a fool's paradise. And they have been rudely evicted from the paradise.</div>
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Now that Anna has decided to form a political party, he must understand that his fight will not be against NDA or UPA but against a system allergic to transparency. His party will have to withstand threat, coercion, pressure and inducement, including temptations aimed toward both ego and bank balance. It will also have to be given that politics, is long process of constant struggle and not instant results. More of Patience and perseverance(the Atal Bihari Vajpayee type) and less of rhetoric(Mamata Banerjee variety) will serve them well.<br />
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But this endeavour would need active help from the masses. One must remember, that urban India participates both in corruption and the fight against it in equal measures. We, who claim to be victims of corruption, never hesitate to make a side deal, when it suits us. When we break a law, instead of paying the fine, bargain with the authority for corruption rate of escape. We cannot pray for divine providence against corruption, if we are willing slaves to the same demon. <br />
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Another piece of advice for Team Anna. Your conduct and character would be under intense scrutiny from the classes(i mean the ruling classes) and the masses. Any slippages and you shall be pilloried in the public and ridiculed in private. In fact, Ghalib had a couplet for your situation too, and you shall be well advised to keep it's counsel .....<br />
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<i><b>"Hum aah bhi kare to ho jaige badnaam, woh Katl bhi karde to iss shehar main charcha hi na ho"</b></i></div>
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</div>AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874503772022157172.post-64358963981365141942012-07-12T02:11:00.000-07:002012-07-12T02:11:03.204-07:00An Open Letter to the Prime Minister<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Respected Sir,</div>
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Hindsight, often acts as an antidote to flights of fancy. In hindsight, we sometimes think that our prayers should not have been answered by the higher authority. As a youngster, I often prayed that India should have a Prime Minister like you for at least 10 years, but the last 3 years of your leadership have given me enough reason to lament my prayers.</div>
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The aam-aadmi, that your party claims to represent, may never have the opportunity to read the Time magazine, which dubbed you an underachiever, but comes face to face with your actions (or rather inactions) on a daily basis. He may laugh off the occasional inaction, but do not confuse this laughter with amity, because behind it may be a seething anger that may turn into rage. That rage will be evident on the political day of judgement - the voting day, where the janata may order you to go to the saltmines of the opposition, from where position of power is just a distant mirage.Your party is ruled by masters who act dumb in their lofty silences, in the hope that the people are dumb not to see through it. It is a hopeless hope.</div>
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If someday you decide to act, you may find that you will have a luxury to choose between the problems to solve. Not many in your government can claim a moral ground in the quicksand of corruption, and a clean up seems to be a dirty job. Your allies seem to do a better job at stymieing your initiatives than the combined opposition. Each passing week seems to unearth a new scam and while the old one's never seem to be bought to justice. </div>
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As if this is not enough, your ministers seem to be running for the top prizes in a foot-in-the-mouth contest. Salman Khurshed publicly abuses your inaction and then tries to privately pacify you. P Chidambaram had his Marie Antoinette moment when he chided the middle class for buying ice-creams, when in reality they find difficult to put 3 square meals a day. The statements by the defence minister during his spat with the army chief did not add any halo to the aura of this government.</div>
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It is ironic that a prime-minister who has claimed that his life is an open book, heads the government that has nothing to offer but a series of closed books, unsuccessfully hidden from the glare of the omnipresent media. You had a track record in 2009 to campaign upon. You still have 2 years add to the credit section of goodwill and reduce the overdraft of credibility.</div>
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We know that you have many academic honours to your name, yet there is one that is not mentioned in your CV. The graduate degree that you have earned in the P V Narsimharao School of procrastination, has come with a fee that the nation is paying for. Your government seems hesitant to make decisions. The latest instance of this ill was manifested during the Presidential nominations. The decision was not taken when you had options to mull, but when your allies had plunged a dagger into the coalition. </div>
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History seldom provides the same person with two opportunities to achieve greatness. You made the best out of it in 1992, and 20 years later in the summer of 2012, the opportunity beckons again. If you decide not to take it, in 2014, the congress will be defeated not by the opposition, but by itself. Because in politics, death seldom comes by murder but often by suicide. </div>
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Yours Faithfully (Only if you act),</div>
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A concerned citizen.</div>
</div>AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07876071788997778774noreply@blogger.com0