It is collapsed. No matter how much we sought, it is not going to be on right track ever. I am talking about the Indian judicial system. It has becomes so corrupt and useless that often forcing people to take up gun and go for vigilante justice. It has become a rogue institution which has been stinking badly for last couple of decades. Renovation won’t work. It just needs to be shut down and instead put in place a complete new system based on IT drives, where people can lodge FIR by clicking the mouse of their computer and appear before the court through videocam sitting at home. Justice should not only be done, but it should seen to be done. Speedy justice is what we need to work on. We should not be giving culprit time to find out the way out. Speed itself will solve the most of the corruption issues.
Everyone is quite surprised to see the result of Jharkhand elections. Nobody had expected Sibu Soren to come back with so many seats. But he did…and there is very solid reason behind that. Most of the seats for him have come from Santhal Pargana , a tribal area…and home to naxalites. His entire campaign was based on single issue. He publicly denounced government drive against maoist. He gone on promising to stop government troops to enter into santhal pargana if he is given power. But his win is not an issue here at all. The issue is how could he manage to pursue tribals of Santhal Pargana to vote him unanimously and why tribals have more faith in moist institutions than in government one. The only reason behind all these is corrupt and collapsed Indian judicial system. Moist judges not only deliver speedy justice, they see to it that punishment is incurred by the culprit as soon as possible. The tribal and poor have lost faith in Indian judicial system and bringing the credibility back to the institution is going to require revolutionary changes. And we should go for it asap.
I must mention the story of a tribal girl from Jharkhand who was raped by a policeman a decade ago. She had been going to court almost everyday for last 10 years for the justice. As usual nothing happened. Finally frustrated she approached Maoist for the justice. Next day itself a court was called for. That policeman who was transferred by now forced to appear in the Maoist court. And once he accepted the charge made by the victim, judge immediately made the pronouncement. In this case girl was given offer to demand either policeman’s head or monetary compensations. Girl went for monetary compensations. That is the reason why Maoists are so popular among tribal and poor and no force of Mr. Chidambram is going to change that. Unless he first decides to change India’s judicial system.
In one of my previous blog I had mentioned that how Mrs. Whyte from Jamshedpur is waiting for justice for last 30 years. Hearings have finished 15 years ago but judge refuses to pronounce his judgment. TATA even after being such a big name in corporate world has cut off her electricity and water supply for last 20 years. She is still living in that dark house surviving on water given by some neighbors waiting for justice to happen. TATA itself has been involved in making her suffer like dead animals. And in this case i must mention that ironically her father was a chief of security in TISCO ( A TATA OWNED COMPANY).
Ruchika’s case is recent example. We might get solace in blaming politicians. But in fact it is judicial system and corrupt judges who are the real culprit. We are already running out of time. Lets change it or be ready to suffer forever.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Quattrocchi a free man...what a shame!
Quattrocchi is a free man eventually…and I am disgusted. Disgusted not because he is a free man but because how inefficient and helpless i feel being an indian. All of us know the truth of Bofors but still have no option but to vote the same guys in power again because opposition is more corrupt…a better chit. That’s what our mature democracy is all about…selecting best from the gangs of worst.
the Swedish government, the Swiss courts and investigative journalist Chitra Subramaniam had provided a wealth of documentary evidence agains Quattrocchi . In how many corruption cases can you actually succeed in finding out the number and name of the owner of the bank account into which the money was paid? All this evidence was sufficient for Interpol and the Swiss and British courts, but not the Indian authorities…a big shame. Although scam broke out in 1987 but FIR against Quattrocchi was registered only in 1990 when Chandrashekhar government came in power and that also under the extreme public pressure.
Quattrochhi has always been a man with lots of secrets for Gandhi family. And that’s why whenever congress bounced back in power they kept trying to close this case. CBI kept sitting on the case till 1993 without presenting a single evidence against Quattrochhi in court. And when Swiss Bank in the same year declared Quattrochhi as main beneficiary they helped him fly india. Only after 72 hrs CBI declared that Quattrochhi is on run. Why till date nobody from CBI made accountable for his inefficiency. Then in the same year then foreign minister Madhav Sinh Solanki wrote an aide memoir to the Swiss authorities urging that the case be closed and no documents sent to India. Solanki had to resign following the leak of the memoir. What a shame???
Then court was presented with photocopy of the documents sent by Swiss Bank. Court had no option but to declare the documents not authenticated. Then law minister Hansraj Bhardwaj writes to CBI not to appeal against court’s verdict. Why???
In 2006, the law ministry secretly dispatched an officer to UK to inform the Crown Prosecution that no case was made out against Quattrocchi and the two erroneous High Court orders were cited to establish this. The law ministry's move was to facilitate Quattrocchi to defreeze his bank accounts and withdraw the alleged Bofors bribe money. By the time the news leaked and the Supreme Court ordered that efforts be made to re-freeze Quattrocchi's bank accounts, the Rs 23 crore in bank account had been spirited away. Government had no shame in defending its decision once again.
In 2007, Quattrocchi was detained in Argentina because of an Interpol Red Corner Notice pending against him. The CBI flew to Argentina, brandishing the judgments of the High Court, which the government had declined to appeal against, to facilitate his release from prison. Incidentally, the automatic appeal was also withdrawn by the law ministry, without even the token formality of consulting the CBI.
What else you need to prove congress’s involvement into the scam? It has always gone out of the way to facilitate Quattrocchi and help him roam free. And how shamelessly congress’s spokespersons appear in media claiming that as case was running for twenty years and to keep it running, it was waste of time and resources. Lacs of cases are running in our courts for more than half centuries without any result. Suddenly why one case became waste of everything and specially when it was involving the government itself ? shame is the only word most frequently coming out of my mouth since I have started thinking about it…SHAME.
What are the options we have got. CBI has acted in the same fashion in many political cases. I do not remember a single major case CBI solving ever. It has become a gang run by bunch of extremely inefficient people who at the same time have become political dogs who love eating throwing of politicians. I can only think of a dissolving this agency completely and start trial against corrupt officials. And then later on forming another independent agency which is answerable only to chief justice of India.
Lets end this game of choosing best among worst. Let good people take the initiative and come into the politics without joining any of these rotten parties. Our country desperately need some good people in politics…it hardly has got any in last 60 years.
the Swedish government, the Swiss courts and investigative journalist Chitra Subramaniam had provided a wealth of documentary evidence agains Quattrocchi . In how many corruption cases can you actually succeed in finding out the number and name of the owner of the bank account into which the money was paid? All this evidence was sufficient for Interpol and the Swiss and British courts, but not the Indian authorities…a big shame. Although scam broke out in 1987 but FIR against Quattrocchi was registered only in 1990 when Chandrashekhar government came in power and that also under the extreme public pressure.
Quattrochhi has always been a man with lots of secrets for Gandhi family. And that’s why whenever congress bounced back in power they kept trying to close this case. CBI kept sitting on the case till 1993 without presenting a single evidence against Quattrochhi in court. And when Swiss Bank in the same year declared Quattrochhi as main beneficiary they helped him fly india. Only after 72 hrs CBI declared that Quattrochhi is on run. Why till date nobody from CBI made accountable for his inefficiency. Then in the same year then foreign minister Madhav Sinh Solanki wrote an aide memoir to the Swiss authorities urging that the case be closed and no documents sent to India. Solanki had to resign following the leak of the memoir. What a shame???
Then court was presented with photocopy of the documents sent by Swiss Bank. Court had no option but to declare the documents not authenticated. Then law minister Hansraj Bhardwaj writes to CBI not to appeal against court’s verdict. Why???
In 2006, the law ministry secretly dispatched an officer to UK to inform the Crown Prosecution that no case was made out against Quattrocchi and the two erroneous High Court orders were cited to establish this. The law ministry's move was to facilitate Quattrocchi to defreeze his bank accounts and withdraw the alleged Bofors bribe money. By the time the news leaked and the Supreme Court ordered that efforts be made to re-freeze Quattrocchi's bank accounts, the Rs 23 crore in bank account had been spirited away. Government had no shame in defending its decision once again.
In 2007, Quattrocchi was detained in Argentina because of an Interpol Red Corner Notice pending against him. The CBI flew to Argentina, brandishing the judgments of the High Court, which the government had declined to appeal against, to facilitate his release from prison. Incidentally, the automatic appeal was also withdrawn by the law ministry, without even the token formality of consulting the CBI.
What else you need to prove congress’s involvement into the scam? It has always gone out of the way to facilitate Quattrocchi and help him roam free. And how shamelessly congress’s spokespersons appear in media claiming that as case was running for twenty years and to keep it running, it was waste of time and resources. Lacs of cases are running in our courts for more than half centuries without any result. Suddenly why one case became waste of everything and specially when it was involving the government itself ? shame is the only word most frequently coming out of my mouth since I have started thinking about it…SHAME.
What are the options we have got. CBI has acted in the same fashion in many political cases. I do not remember a single major case CBI solving ever. It has become a gang run by bunch of extremely inefficient people who at the same time have become political dogs who love eating throwing of politicians. I can only think of a dissolving this agency completely and start trial against corrupt officials. And then later on forming another independent agency which is answerable only to chief justice of India.
Lets end this game of choosing best among worst. Let good people take the initiative and come into the politics without joining any of these rotten parties. Our country desperately need some good people in politics…it hardly has got any in last 60 years.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Wondering 2109...
How will be world in 2109…I keep wondering now a days. Perhaps lots of science fictions I have been watching recently. But still aren’t we sitting in completely different world from what it was in 1909? Had anybody imagined then that one person sitting in Doha can see and talk to another in Bombay as in early days they used to do in a living room? ‘Space’ have already ceased to matter. And I am waiting for the days when man conquers over ‘time’. I am sure it will happen in my lifetime though.
Question is will these achievements be good for human being considering many scientific milestones have proven curse for mankind (goes without saying how we live in a fear of nuclear war environment). I was reading recently Godfather famed picture editor Walter Murch’s ‘In a Blink of an Eye’ and he shared the same fear. His argument was that after film medium became digital many things became easier and faster to accomplish as far as cinema is concerned. But haven’t we stopped making classical movies? When was the last time when we made movies even closer to Godfather.
Mostly speed makes us ignore many things. It makes us more mechanical. In the old days of linear editing film editor used to go through the rushes several times to get a perfect shot. And many times which in beginning was considered not good shot used to turn up as classic take eventually. Now we do not require to visit NG shots at all. In fact cinematographer shooting in HD deletes NG before even it comes to editor's table. We have started relying on ‘considered good shot’. What is the result? We have been making movies much faster than ever before. But main goal is missing... We are missing good movies in theatre. Another example just to simplify things – Like I want to go home from office. Earlier it used to take two hours when I was using public transport. But now with good infrastructure and new car I can drive faster. But I am missing my friends who used to travel with me in public transport…humor, laughter, gossips which used to make me fresh before reaching home. Now I am reaching home faster but tired from office. I am not the same person anymore who used to come home fresh and then entertain the family. What I mean to say that technology has made human life very easier but it also has made him lonely. And do not forget ‘man is a social animal’.
I do not want to sound like ‘fear monger’. But what we need to do is find a solution. Solution is definitely not that we should stop making scientific progress or even embracing technological advantages. Solution is that we should never cease being human. Lots of things machine can do for us but still we should not completely rely on it as it is mechanical and only human mind can think logically. There is no harm in editing a film in digital environment but we should not stop revisiting NG takes time and again just because machine says so. Human being’s state of mind keep changing and a shot which was called NG in certain mood and requirement can become the most acclaimed shot at later stage of editing. Here I would like to give example of my good friend and famous bollywood editor Anand Subaya. When he made first cut of ‘Don’ (Sharukh Khan one), there was hardly anywhere he had included that dialogue ‘don ko pakadna muskil hi nahi namumkin hai’. But in later stage he made this a theme dialogue of movie and eventually almost everyone coming out of theatre after watching this movie was saying this dialogue. In the same way, there is no harm in watching movie on home theatre but for true cinematic experience we got to go to theatre. Only in theatre we can get six or six hundred strange people sitting in a dark room and emanating same vibes…and most importantly without a remote control. Without getting into man and machine debate what I want to say is that let machine do its mechanical thing but for logical stuff we must rely on ourselves…the humans.
By the way it will be nice to meet up again in 2109 and discuss once again about it.
Question is will these achievements be good for human being considering many scientific milestones have proven curse for mankind (goes without saying how we live in a fear of nuclear war environment). I was reading recently Godfather famed picture editor Walter Murch’s ‘In a Blink of an Eye’ and he shared the same fear. His argument was that after film medium became digital many things became easier and faster to accomplish as far as cinema is concerned. But haven’t we stopped making classical movies? When was the last time when we made movies even closer to Godfather.
Mostly speed makes us ignore many things. It makes us more mechanical. In the old days of linear editing film editor used to go through the rushes several times to get a perfect shot. And many times which in beginning was considered not good shot used to turn up as classic take eventually. Now we do not require to visit NG shots at all. In fact cinematographer shooting in HD deletes NG before even it comes to editor's table. We have started relying on ‘considered good shot’. What is the result? We have been making movies much faster than ever before. But main goal is missing... We are missing good movies in theatre. Another example just to simplify things – Like I want to go home from office. Earlier it used to take two hours when I was using public transport. But now with good infrastructure and new car I can drive faster. But I am missing my friends who used to travel with me in public transport…humor, laughter, gossips which used to make me fresh before reaching home. Now I am reaching home faster but tired from office. I am not the same person anymore who used to come home fresh and then entertain the family. What I mean to say that technology has made human life very easier but it also has made him lonely. And do not forget ‘man is a social animal’.
I do not want to sound like ‘fear monger’. But what we need to do is find a solution. Solution is definitely not that we should stop making scientific progress or even embracing technological advantages. Solution is that we should never cease being human. Lots of things machine can do for us but still we should not completely rely on it as it is mechanical and only human mind can think logically. There is no harm in editing a film in digital environment but we should not stop revisiting NG takes time and again just because machine says so. Human being’s state of mind keep changing and a shot which was called NG in certain mood and requirement can become the most acclaimed shot at later stage of editing. Here I would like to give example of my good friend and famous bollywood editor Anand Subaya. When he made first cut of ‘Don’ (Sharukh Khan one), there was hardly anywhere he had included that dialogue ‘don ko pakadna muskil hi nahi namumkin hai’. But in later stage he made this a theme dialogue of movie and eventually almost everyone coming out of theatre after watching this movie was saying this dialogue. In the same way, there is no harm in watching movie on home theatre but for true cinematic experience we got to go to theatre. Only in theatre we can get six or six hundred strange people sitting in a dark room and emanating same vibes…and most importantly without a remote control. Without getting into man and machine debate what I want to say is that let machine do its mechanical thing but for logical stuff we must rely on ourselves…the humans.
By the way it will be nice to meet up again in 2109 and discuss once again about it.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Breaking News With No News!
I came back from Tehran last week. It was quite peaceful at that time there compare to hysteria being projected on television channels and social networking websites. I am in touch with my colleagues in Tehran and they say that riot and protests they can only see on television screen. Life is quite peaceful over there but hyping the nonexistent is perhaps compulsion of 24x7 news channel.
Before I move let me tell you the truth of Iran elections. Except North Tehran entire country was supporting Ahmadinejad. So the result did not came as surprise who were working there on ground level. But all the media houses are in north of Tehran. All the foreign media people were staying there as this is the richest part of the country. Media reported and projected Mousavi a winner because north of Tehran was crazily going green. Media never stepped out of its convenient zone to know the reality on ground. As media’s projection went horribly wrong, it started creating suspicions of rigging in elections or some sort of wrongdoings in counting of votes just to gain some lost credibility. Some also started warning of another revolutions. It hyped the matter so much that Iran government had to take some regrettable unnecessary precautions which is now being turned as dictatorial steps.
On 13th of June almost half of Tehran was assembled at interior ministry to know the victor. As result came there was some scuffle with police by Mousavi supporters as they could not take defeat so graciously after so much of hype. But that was it. There was no large public protests or riot after that. But media kept showing that footage for 4-5 days and created a riot like situation on small screen. Then some drunk kids (10-12) to get some easy publicity started vandalizing the atm machines and bus depot every evening in African Avenue where all the media people were staying. Those were the fresh pictures. And now as most of foreign media people have been sent out of Iran everyone is depending on youtube pictures only god knows how true they are. I wish if Iran government could have let media report the truth, they could have saved themselves from lots of embarrassments. Media like to report truth but if prohibited from doing so it reports anything to fill the breaking news sections.
This is just one example. I see it happening everyday. In the name of voicing the voiceless media has been setting uncalled pace to lots of false news story. Making huge of something which most of the time does not exist. Almost everyone in this business does it…creating non-fictions from fictitious stories.
This is high time when we should start taking precautions. People are aware now. They can distinguish between a true story and false one. It is affecting media's credibility. If we keep on running on this mad race then time is not far away when people will stop watching news. No, in fact some will keep watching who love fictitious reality shows. But that will surely change our identity which we definitely do not want. Grab the choice please…
Before I move let me tell you the truth of Iran elections. Except North Tehran entire country was supporting Ahmadinejad. So the result did not came as surprise who were working there on ground level. But all the media houses are in north of Tehran. All the foreign media people were staying there as this is the richest part of the country. Media reported and projected Mousavi a winner because north of Tehran was crazily going green. Media never stepped out of its convenient zone to know the reality on ground. As media’s projection went horribly wrong, it started creating suspicions of rigging in elections or some sort of wrongdoings in counting of votes just to gain some lost credibility. Some also started warning of another revolutions. It hyped the matter so much that Iran government had to take some regrettable unnecessary precautions which is now being turned as dictatorial steps.
On 13th of June almost half of Tehran was assembled at interior ministry to know the victor. As result came there was some scuffle with police by Mousavi supporters as they could not take defeat so graciously after so much of hype. But that was it. There was no large public protests or riot after that. But media kept showing that footage for 4-5 days and created a riot like situation on small screen. Then some drunk kids (10-12) to get some easy publicity started vandalizing the atm machines and bus depot every evening in African Avenue where all the media people were staying. Those were the fresh pictures. And now as most of foreign media people have been sent out of Iran everyone is depending on youtube pictures only god knows how true they are. I wish if Iran government could have let media report the truth, they could have saved themselves from lots of embarrassments. Media like to report truth but if prohibited from doing so it reports anything to fill the breaking news sections.
This is just one example. I see it happening everyday. In the name of voicing the voiceless media has been setting uncalled pace to lots of false news story. Making huge of something which most of the time does not exist. Almost everyone in this business does it…creating non-fictions from fictitious stories.
This is high time when we should start taking precautions. People are aware now. They can distinguish between a true story and false one. It is affecting media's credibility. If we keep on running on this mad race then time is not far away when people will stop watching news. No, in fact some will keep watching who love fictitious reality shows. But that will surely change our identity which we definitely do not want. Grab the choice please…
Friday, June 12, 2009
i was wrong in announcing unpredictable...
So I was wrong again as media has been most of the time as far as election result predictions are concerned. Recently it happened in India and now here in Iran. Media had virtually declared Mousavi a winner and when result came out it was completely unpredictable.
Perhaps it is because we in media are getting increasingly lazy. We predict on the basis of what we see in capital. But forget that the soul of country like Iran and India lives in countryside...villages. And they do not flow with the waves of capital cities. Its completely different kind of politics there. Countryside votes in the favor of candidate which it finds good for them. And in last five years Ahmedinejad's economic policies have been directed toward unprivileged...poor villagers and not to the wealthies of cities. As result suggests Mousavi was too much a candidate of citi people.
What we need to realize that its gone era when villages used to follow the currents of cities. Its no more the reality. Now if you want village votes, you have to work for villagers...connect to them. And for media honeymoon of reporting from capitals should be over and if we want to predict with even little pragmatism we need to go down further in countryside and report from there. Global village can not be a true fact without voicing the feelings and concern of voiceless.
Perhaps it is because we in media are getting increasingly lazy. We predict on the basis of what we see in capital. But forget that the soul of country like Iran and India lives in countryside...villages. And they do not flow with the waves of capital cities. Its completely different kind of politics there. Countryside votes in the favor of candidate which it finds good for them. And in last five years Ahmedinejad's economic policies have been directed toward unprivileged...poor villagers and not to the wealthies of cities. As result suggests Mousavi was too much a candidate of citi people.
What we need to realize that its gone era when villages used to follow the currents of cities. Its no more the reality. Now if you want village votes, you have to work for villagers...connect to them. And for media honeymoon of reporting from capitals should be over and if we want to predict with even little pragmatism we need to go down further in countryside and report from there. Global village can not be a true fact without voicing the feelings and concern of voiceless.
Ahmadi...bye bye
This seems a green wave sweeping Iran. I have come to Tehran to cover Iranian presidential election and witnessing history being written with loud voices and reformist agendas. Just two minutes ago election has concluded and i have got strong feeling that tomorrow reformist Mousavi is going to emerge victorious considering the fact that it was a large turn up at polling booths.
For last ten days i have been watching crazy enthusiasm on the streets of Tehran. Even from hailing from the greatest democracy i have not seen such kind of madness for election among people. Perhaps people here fade up with clerical agenda and this time voting for a change.
First time i am seeing youngsters and women getting so involve in election campaign. I have been speaking to many youngsters in the street. All want to vote for Mousavi. They talk aggressively and blame Ahmedinejad for alienating Iran from the rest of the world. They believe that Mousavi will be able to take the country back to mainstream. Women want to open up and demanding for a change in constitution which makes them second citizen in every walk of life.
Living here for 10 days and knowing people i can tell that Iran is not what outside world know it for. It is being projected wrongly with vested interest by some nations. Iran is country full of happy people. Mostly you will see them smiling in the street. Of course it is rehearsing democracy, but people are quite matured. Iran is a country which holds key to the peace and stability in middle east. Rest of the world should acknowledge it and help Iran to get back to the track.
For last ten days i have been watching crazy enthusiasm on the streets of Tehran. Even from hailing from the greatest democracy i have not seen such kind of madness for election among people. Perhaps people here fade up with clerical agenda and this time voting for a change.
First time i am seeing youngsters and women getting so involve in election campaign. I have been speaking to many youngsters in the street. All want to vote for Mousavi. They talk aggressively and blame Ahmedinejad for alienating Iran from the rest of the world. They believe that Mousavi will be able to take the country back to mainstream. Women want to open up and demanding for a change in constitution which makes them second citizen in every walk of life.
Living here for 10 days and knowing people i can tell that Iran is not what outside world know it for. It is being projected wrongly with vested interest by some nations. Iran is country full of happy people. Mostly you will see them smiling in the street. Of course it is rehearsing democracy, but people are quite matured. Iran is a country which holds key to the peace and stability in middle east. Rest of the world should acknowledge it and help Iran to get back to the track.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
politicians spoil even their own kids...hah!
Just came across to the names of some of the ministers in Manmohan government who is there only because of their father's credentials or loyality to gandhi family. Names are as follows -
Jyotiraditya Scindia - Son of MadhavRao Sindhia
Sachin Pilot - son of Rajesh Pilot
Jitin Prasad - son of Jitender Prasad
Baratsingh Solanki - son of Madhav Sinh Solanki
Tushar Chaudhary - son of Gujarat CM Amar Singh Chaudhary
Prateek Patil - grandson Congress leader Vasant Dada Patil
Arun Yadav - son of Subhash Yadav, a former PCC chief in Madhya Pradesh
Rudra Pratap Narain Singh - son of Congress leader CPN Singh, who was MoS in the Indira Gandhi Govt
Ajay Maken - brother of Congress leader Lalit Maken
Preneet Kaur - the wife of former Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh
Kumari Selja - daughter of Dalbir Singh, a former union minister of the Congress
Agatha Sangma - daughter of NCP leader P.A. Sangma
Prithviraj Chauhan - from the family of DR Chauhan, a minister of petroleum in the Indira Gandhi Govt.
D Purandeshwari - daughter NT Ramarao
MM Pallam Raju - from the family of a former Congress general-secretary VV Raju.M.
Azhagiri - son of tamilnadu chief minister M Karunanidhi
Dayanidhi Maran - Grandnephew of M Karunanidhi
To see this i can be sure of one thing at least that politicians do spoil their kids. See they can not become better...but mere politicians. I do not believe that there is anything wrong in electing people from political dynasty, but just hope that they do perform....
Jyotiraditya Scindia - Son of MadhavRao Sindhia
Sachin Pilot - son of Rajesh Pilot
Jitin Prasad - son of Jitender Prasad
Baratsingh Solanki - son of Madhav Sinh Solanki
Tushar Chaudhary - son of Gujarat CM Amar Singh Chaudhary
Prateek Patil - grandson Congress leader Vasant Dada Patil
Arun Yadav - son of Subhash Yadav, a former PCC chief in Madhya Pradesh
Rudra Pratap Narain Singh - son of Congress leader CPN Singh, who was MoS in the Indira Gandhi Govt
Ajay Maken - brother of Congress leader Lalit Maken
Preneet Kaur - the wife of former Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh
Kumari Selja - daughter of Dalbir Singh, a former union minister of the Congress
Agatha Sangma - daughter of NCP leader P.A. Sangma
Prithviraj Chauhan - from the family of DR Chauhan, a minister of petroleum in the Indira Gandhi Govt.
D Purandeshwari - daughter NT Ramarao
MM Pallam Raju - from the family of a former Congress general-secretary VV Raju.M.
Azhagiri - son of tamilnadu chief minister M Karunanidhi
Dayanidhi Maran - Grandnephew of M Karunanidhi
To see this i can be sure of one thing at least that politicians do spoil their kids. See they can not become better...but mere politicians. I do not believe that there is anything wrong in electing people from political dynasty, but just hope that they do perform....
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Well done India...
Very well done in fact. Giving the circumstances I can call it a congress sweep. Alone congress winning more seats than all of NDA is quite magnificent performance and shows the maturity of Indian voters. I must say that this is quite satisfactory at my level at least. Few months ago chatting with my father and his friends who are diehard BJP supporters I had predicted that congress is going to come back and that also with bang. When asked why I had emphasized that only because congress is working on the new ideas, giving tickets to young blood and preferring achievements on persona is going to work for them. Contrary to BJP was trying to harvest the old dumped ideas of extremist hindutava and giving tickets to the same retired monopolized brigade who in current circumstances remain good for nothing. I had pointed out same thing after the nuclear debate in parliament. Then also I had said BJP needs to reorganize itself as quickly as possibly. Result is vindication of grass root approach of Rahul Gandhi and well maintained pragmatic persona of Manmohan Singh. Congratulations…
And why everyone is surprised? This was always going to happen. Rahul Gandhi has been working on Grass root level in UP and across the country for last five years. Manmohan Singh is coming up with innovative ideas like NAREGA, child education, rural health empowerments and not to forget the brave front he put up for the nuclear deal. As I said in my last blog that Indian voters have matured enough to distinguish between right and wrong.
What went wrong against BJP? First thing as I said ‘keeping the oldies on forefront’ . That went horribly wrong. Its not about the Manmohan Singh and Advani’s age only. Across the country BJP gave tickets to the same old dusted and dumped politicians and contrary to it congress chose to go with comparatively young brigade. During the campaign hardly Manmohan Singh came in front. Whole campaign was virtually led by Rahul Gandhi and that worked quite beautifully for congress.
Secondly, BJP’s all the star campaigners chose to remain luxuriant in Delhi for five years and during the election campaign they illusioned themselves with this unfortunate idea that their charisma will work with the voters. Contrary to it Rahul Gandhi and his brigade kept working on village levels and tried to come over their shortcomings…isn’t that the basic difference between the loser and victor? People did vote NDA in Bihar, Chhatisgadh, Uttrakhand and Jharkhand for their respective state government’s performance. And in Jharkhand mainly for congress’s opportunistic policies of supporting Madhu Koda and JMM’s minority governments. Here congress should take lessons and to repeat the same result in next elections they will have to act like responsible national party in these states as well.
Thirdly and most importantly is the negative campaign run by the BJP. Calling Manmohan Singh a weak prime minister Indian voters couldn’t digest too well. Indian voters are also tired of BJP’s hindutava songs. They want an inclusive government in stead of divisive. I am amazed that BJP did not take any lesson from the repeated failure of Advani’s several rath yatras in recent past. It also did not take any lessons from their Rajasthan assembly defeat. And unfortunately it neither took any lessons from their 2004 loksabha elections defeat. Failure was apparent as BJP refused any transformation in last five years. At least take the lesson now or keep facing the consequences.
This was the first election when people voted for performance I believe. Therefore I am not too surprised with what happened to left, RJD, BSP and LJP type of parties. They had to go one day…good that time has come now. In the end I must congratulate Indian voters for their sensible voting. Democracy is the victor.
And why everyone is surprised? This was always going to happen. Rahul Gandhi has been working on Grass root level in UP and across the country for last five years. Manmohan Singh is coming up with innovative ideas like NAREGA, child education, rural health empowerments and not to forget the brave front he put up for the nuclear deal. As I said in my last blog that Indian voters have matured enough to distinguish between right and wrong.
What went wrong against BJP? First thing as I said ‘keeping the oldies on forefront’ . That went horribly wrong. Its not about the Manmohan Singh and Advani’s age only. Across the country BJP gave tickets to the same old dusted and dumped politicians and contrary to it congress chose to go with comparatively young brigade. During the campaign hardly Manmohan Singh came in front. Whole campaign was virtually led by Rahul Gandhi and that worked quite beautifully for congress.
Secondly, BJP’s all the star campaigners chose to remain luxuriant in Delhi for five years and during the election campaign they illusioned themselves with this unfortunate idea that their charisma will work with the voters. Contrary to it Rahul Gandhi and his brigade kept working on village levels and tried to come over their shortcomings…isn’t that the basic difference between the loser and victor? People did vote NDA in Bihar, Chhatisgadh, Uttrakhand and Jharkhand for their respective state government’s performance. And in Jharkhand mainly for congress’s opportunistic policies of supporting Madhu Koda and JMM’s minority governments. Here congress should take lessons and to repeat the same result in next elections they will have to act like responsible national party in these states as well.
Thirdly and most importantly is the negative campaign run by the BJP. Calling Manmohan Singh a weak prime minister Indian voters couldn’t digest too well. Indian voters are also tired of BJP’s hindutava songs. They want an inclusive government in stead of divisive. I am amazed that BJP did not take any lesson from the repeated failure of Advani’s several rath yatras in recent past. It also did not take any lessons from their Rajasthan assembly defeat. And unfortunately it neither took any lessons from their 2004 loksabha elections defeat. Failure was apparent as BJP refused any transformation in last five years. At least take the lesson now or keep facing the consequences.
This was the first election when people voted for performance I believe. Therefore I am not too surprised with what happened to left, RJD, BSP and LJP type of parties. They had to go one day…good that time has come now. In the end I must congratulate Indian voters for their sensible voting. Democracy is the victor.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
poverty does disfigure morality!
It can only be termed outrageous that a third grade tabloid of Britain publishes a fabricated story about Oscar kid Rubina Ali being put on sale by her parents and the world start looking at them with wide eyes and say ‘how can someone do that to his/her own kid?’ hah…First of all this tabloid ‘news of the world’ is a gossip tabloid. Mainly people read it to peep into the spicy side of celebrities…just for the sake of some entertainment. Nobody takes it so seriously as Indian news channels have. Secondly, if you watch that video which is supposedly shot during the sting operation of tabloid’s reporter, it hardly says anything. It is impossible to find out from video they have put out that whether they are doing a film deal or trying to sell their own kid. Tabloid will never be able to prove their side of story if someone files a case against them. But they know that no one will. Poor of India are harmless and can be made fun of…
And even if this story is true, doesn’t it look ugly? Rich of the world trying to make fun of poor…making them laughing stock and then finally casting surprise. No one likes the idea of a father selling off his daughter but it was nevertheless a cheap, vulgar, contemptible stunt by the tabloid to entrap Qureshi.
A privileged reporter from a wealthy country flies into a Mumbai slum to trick or persuade an impoverished and illiterate man to trade in his daughter for a better life for her and his whole family. It is the abyss between the two that is troubling. If the paper had picked on someone who could defend himself, the sting operation would have been less repugnant.
When the News of World exposes the moral frailties of celebrities or powerful personalities in the West, no unpleasant taste lingers in the mouth. These are people who can look after themselves.
But for a foreigner who has probably never experienced the inconvenience of a 30-minute power cut in his whole life and pass moral judgement on an impoverished, vulnerable, slum-dweller is sickening.
Obviously, it never occurred to him that poverty can disfigure morality. When all you have known is squalor, hunger, no running water, no shred of comfort at home after a day’s work, panic at the thought of your children falling ill and not having enough money for medicines, and feeling degraded to the core by living conditions that would be deemed unfit for animals in the West, it can affect your moral sensibility. This is not to say that the poor are less moral than the rich. But verily it is generally easier for the rich to enjoy a higher level of moral hygiene than the poor.
Moral ground does shake when one has to choose among four of his kids that whom to send school and whom to send out to earn money. When one has to choose between getting medicine for his ill mother or sick child then morality does shake. Who are we to condemn them as morally reprehensible?
And even if this story is true, doesn’t it look ugly? Rich of the world trying to make fun of poor…making them laughing stock and then finally casting surprise. No one likes the idea of a father selling off his daughter but it was nevertheless a cheap, vulgar, contemptible stunt by the tabloid to entrap Qureshi.
A privileged reporter from a wealthy country flies into a Mumbai slum to trick or persuade an impoverished and illiterate man to trade in his daughter for a better life for her and his whole family. It is the abyss between the two that is troubling. If the paper had picked on someone who could defend himself, the sting operation would have been less repugnant.
When the News of World exposes the moral frailties of celebrities or powerful personalities in the West, no unpleasant taste lingers in the mouth. These are people who can look after themselves.
But for a foreigner who has probably never experienced the inconvenience of a 30-minute power cut in his whole life and pass moral judgement on an impoverished, vulnerable, slum-dweller is sickening.
Obviously, it never occurred to him that poverty can disfigure morality. When all you have known is squalor, hunger, no running water, no shred of comfort at home after a day’s work, panic at the thought of your children falling ill and not having enough money for medicines, and feeling degraded to the core by living conditions that would be deemed unfit for animals in the West, it can affect your moral sensibility. This is not to say that the poor are less moral than the rich. But verily it is generally easier for the rich to enjoy a higher level of moral hygiene than the poor.
Moral ground does shake when one has to choose among four of his kids that whom to send school and whom to send out to earn money. When one has to choose between getting medicine for his ill mother or sick child then morality does shake. Who are we to condemn them as morally reprehensible?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
smart indian voters!
A million dollar question – whom does Indian voters vote? The conclusion I have come across is very simple and straight forward. Indian voters vote to the candidate who works for them. Days are gone when parties used to win elections by playing cast and money politics. Indian voters have become smart now. They do accept the money offered to them. But when it comes to pressing the button they never ditch their conscious. They do not care much about candidate’s criminal record or cast as much they care how many times he visited his constituency after getting elected. And what are the work he did in his tenure of five years. Thinking about right wing or left or secular comes much later. Definitely there are exceptions where still voters get lured by cast politics but in majority of places ‘development’ is the one word which matters now.
Let me give you an example of my constituency. Yashwant Sinha (Former finance minister) is a BJP candidate from here. He had been winning quite comfortably from his seats regularly. But suddenly in 2004 he lost and that also to a piggy candidate Bhuwaneshwar Mehta. He had started taking his win for granted. Voters took the revenge and result was shocking. In assembly election also Manoj Yadav of congress has been winning from my area consecutively for last three elections. He has got a tainted past. But still he wins only because he works for his voters. He is always available and try to solve anything and everything for them. Take another example – the politics of Jharkhand. In the first assembly election of Jharkhand people voted BJP into the power. Babulal Marandi became chief minister and he started doing lots of developmental works. Other heavy weights of Jharkhand BJP suddenly started getting scared by his growing persona. They axed him out of party. In the name of Adiwasi base most incapable and corrupt Arjun Munda was made chief minister. Next general election BJP could not win even a single seat in Jharkhand and in assembly election they were voted out of power. Hope BJP learns from it and correct its mistake as soon as possible. Otherwise I do not see quite different result this election as well.
Recently voted Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhatishgadh are another example of how people voted for good governance and rejected the lazy bumps.
Therefore political parties listen carefully. Drop this hate campaign against each other and focus on how good candidate you are fielding. I understand that for most its already too late to implement this gurumantra coming from me. But may be you can use it next election and see the difference in result. Salute to you smart voters of my land. Keep up the good work. Good luck for the first phase tomorrow.
Let me give you an example of my constituency. Yashwant Sinha (Former finance minister) is a BJP candidate from here. He had been winning quite comfortably from his seats regularly. But suddenly in 2004 he lost and that also to a piggy candidate Bhuwaneshwar Mehta. He had started taking his win for granted. Voters took the revenge and result was shocking. In assembly election also Manoj Yadav of congress has been winning from my area consecutively for last three elections. He has got a tainted past. But still he wins only because he works for his voters. He is always available and try to solve anything and everything for them. Take another example – the politics of Jharkhand. In the first assembly election of Jharkhand people voted BJP into the power. Babulal Marandi became chief minister and he started doing lots of developmental works. Other heavy weights of Jharkhand BJP suddenly started getting scared by his growing persona. They axed him out of party. In the name of Adiwasi base most incapable and corrupt Arjun Munda was made chief minister. Next general election BJP could not win even a single seat in Jharkhand and in assembly election they were voted out of power. Hope BJP learns from it and correct its mistake as soon as possible. Otherwise I do not see quite different result this election as well.
Recently voted Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhatishgadh are another example of how people voted for good governance and rejected the lazy bumps.
Therefore political parties listen carefully. Drop this hate campaign against each other and focus on how good candidate you are fielding. I understand that for most its already too late to implement this gurumantra coming from me. But may be you can use it next election and see the difference in result. Salute to you smart voters of my land. Keep up the good work. Good luck for the first phase tomorrow.
Monday, April 13, 2009
press the right button...please!
Mulayam Singh Yadav is a most disgraced person now a days. He is annoyed because no one care a damn about him. Amar Singh steals all the limelight by pulling bollywood with him. Someone told Mulayam that it’s all because of language. Amar Singh can somehow manage to speak in English and you can not even read your name written in this language. Stars consider English speaking netas up market. Poor Mulayam…none of the stars call him ‘bade bhaiya’ as they do to Amar Singh. So finally after getting humiliated several times (for the lack of his up market attitude) Mulayam decided to chop the root. He plans to ban English. He plans to ban computer as well. What a grand idea it is to smash the difference between down and up market…he must have thought smiling at his buffalo (Piculiar samajwadi way of thinking...hah)!!!!! Bechara Amar Singh had to justify netaji for next four days in media speaking in English while juggling on his iphone. It seems Mulayam will have to ban Amar and his own son Akhilesh first to even dream about this buffalo thought!!!!!!
Pathetic…that’s the only word I can use for these jokers. I always consider these Amar-Mulayam twin as jokers. But do not forget that joker some time becomes most important card in the game as they became at the time of nuclear deal issue. Corporate and bollywood keep clinging to them because they know that these jokers do manage to come in power once in a while and that time all the debts get paid with interest. Everyone knows this. But still every election they do manage to bag some handful of votes. How it happens is the most surprising puzzle for me? Are we even more shameless than these jokers that even for paltry money we let our power to cast vote for right candidate go wasted? Worse…if it is so. I do not expect us to act as Raja Harischandra. Take money if they are offering (That’s anyway is not their earning...its ous in fact). But never press the wrong button. Our right conscious can change the destiny of next gen. Although all of them look same, but still go for the best among worse. Lets do this favor to our country coming election.
And never forget that we are voting in national election. And my suggestion is that we should only vote to national parties. We need to stay away from regional parties when it comes to choosing a government for the nation. Regional and small parties always talk and act for their target voters. Their structure does not allow them to consider Bihar and Tamil Nadu same. So please vote for national parties. India does have lots of potential. We are considered best in the world as far as potential is concerned. What we desperately need now is one-party government in centre…who does not have to depend on crutches of coalition to walk…but who can run free and fast like 21st century itself…press the right button please.
Pathetic…that’s the only word I can use for these jokers. I always consider these Amar-Mulayam twin as jokers. But do not forget that joker some time becomes most important card in the game as they became at the time of nuclear deal issue. Corporate and bollywood keep clinging to them because they know that these jokers do manage to come in power once in a while and that time all the debts get paid with interest. Everyone knows this. But still every election they do manage to bag some handful of votes. How it happens is the most surprising puzzle for me? Are we even more shameless than these jokers that even for paltry money we let our power to cast vote for right candidate go wasted? Worse…if it is so. I do not expect us to act as Raja Harischandra. Take money if they are offering (That’s anyway is not their earning...its ous in fact). But never press the wrong button. Our right conscious can change the destiny of next gen. Although all of them look same, but still go for the best among worse. Lets do this favor to our country coming election.
And never forget that we are voting in national election. And my suggestion is that we should only vote to national parties. We need to stay away from regional parties when it comes to choosing a government for the nation. Regional and small parties always talk and act for their target voters. Their structure does not allow them to consider Bihar and Tamil Nadu same. So please vote for national parties. India does have lots of potential. We are considered best in the world as far as potential is concerned. What we desperately need now is one-party government in centre…who does not have to depend on crutches of coalition to walk…but who can run free and fast like 21st century itself…press the right button please.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Lets Wake up Sleeping giants this election...
Suddenly we have got a new weapon to register our protest thanks to Iraqi journalist who invented it by throwing at Bush and then clue taken from there by another journalist an Indian (who happened to be Sardar as well and they say around 12 o’clock noon he threw his shoes at home minister. What can you say…Karan Johar has warned several times to stay away from Sardars at 12 o’clock.). Jarnail Singh, whom hardly anyone knew in his own mohallah suddenly became Bhagat Singh of all the Sardars around the world. Akalis announced even cash prize for him. Perhaps for the same sort of result a retired school teacher throws his shoe at Navin Jindal. Navin ducks it…and the old man gets even no cash prize…how bad!!!
However, this latest weapon seems to be working fine. Tytler and Sajjan Kumar lost their congress ticket immediately. And I am told that Navin Jindal is advised to choose someone else’s constituency for election rallies. The best thing about this mode of expression is that it hardly takes any time and rarely invites any punishment…specially in election time. Politicians are ready to take anything for votes at these time. And Shoe is something they know that they deserve the most…so never very insulting its considered in their biradari.
But this whole drama of shoe and after makes a common man like me think. Is it the right way of expression in democracy? Today it was done by a journalist and teacher, who guarantees that tomorrow hooligans won’t use it for their political purposes? And in stead of condemning it in one voice, almost all the parties including congress go on to reward it. Tytler and Sajjan Kumar loses their tickets the very next day only. Now congress is saying that they are sensitive to the emotions of Sikh. Why does it take a shoe at face to make political parties sensitive to issues? Why were Jagdish and Sajjan given tickets at first place? And why nobody had raised this issue when Tytler was given clean chit by CBI first time at the time of NDA? Why does it take 25 years to declare someone guilty or clean? Isn’t it ridiculous when prime minister of country does not know about something so big which also effects his party primarily till it becomes public and specially when the investigating agency suppose to be acting under him? Isn’t it the insult of court that someone gets punished at the whim of mob? And if decision of someone’s guiltiness has to be taken by mob then why waste time and wealth of court? How different we remain from Taliban after this? I can only say SHAME…shame on you coward politicians…shame.
Secondly, what makes people to forget all their ethical and professional responsibility? Why someone has to throw a shoe to be listened? Why is our judiciary always sleeping? Why can not we have speedy delivery of judgments? Why can not we make judiciary also answerable to public? Today, almost all our major problems right from naxalism, curruption to terrorism start with the ineffectiveness of judiciary. Why none of the political party is talking about improving our judicial system? Why have we almost stopped to construct new courts? And when was the last time we recruited new judges?
In fact, Judiciary should be the main agenda this election. But quite surprisingly none of the parties have even mentioned it in their manifesto. Unless we take our courts to villages and mohallas, we can never dream of peaceful and prosperous India. Politicians want to keep the judiciary acting defunct for their personal benefits. Most of them have some cases running against them. The day judiciary start pacing up, 90% of politicians will find themselves behind the bar. Therefore, They will try to keep it as useless as possible. But we, the common people suffer…and we, the common people need to raise voice for our own benefit…to strengthen our democracy and society…and put an end to delayed justice…after all justice delayed is justice denied.
However, this latest weapon seems to be working fine. Tytler and Sajjan Kumar lost their congress ticket immediately. And I am told that Navin Jindal is advised to choose someone else’s constituency for election rallies. The best thing about this mode of expression is that it hardly takes any time and rarely invites any punishment…specially in election time. Politicians are ready to take anything for votes at these time. And Shoe is something they know that they deserve the most…so never very insulting its considered in their biradari.
But this whole drama of shoe and after makes a common man like me think. Is it the right way of expression in democracy? Today it was done by a journalist and teacher, who guarantees that tomorrow hooligans won’t use it for their political purposes? And in stead of condemning it in one voice, almost all the parties including congress go on to reward it. Tytler and Sajjan Kumar loses their tickets the very next day only. Now congress is saying that they are sensitive to the emotions of Sikh. Why does it take a shoe at face to make political parties sensitive to issues? Why were Jagdish and Sajjan given tickets at first place? And why nobody had raised this issue when Tytler was given clean chit by CBI first time at the time of NDA? Why does it take 25 years to declare someone guilty or clean? Isn’t it ridiculous when prime minister of country does not know about something so big which also effects his party primarily till it becomes public and specially when the investigating agency suppose to be acting under him? Isn’t it the insult of court that someone gets punished at the whim of mob? And if decision of someone’s guiltiness has to be taken by mob then why waste time and wealth of court? How different we remain from Taliban after this? I can only say SHAME…shame on you coward politicians…shame.
Secondly, what makes people to forget all their ethical and professional responsibility? Why someone has to throw a shoe to be listened? Why is our judiciary always sleeping? Why can not we have speedy delivery of judgments? Why can not we make judiciary also answerable to public? Today, almost all our major problems right from naxalism, curruption to terrorism start with the ineffectiveness of judiciary. Why none of the political party is talking about improving our judicial system? Why have we almost stopped to construct new courts? And when was the last time we recruited new judges?
In fact, Judiciary should be the main agenda this election. But quite surprisingly none of the parties have even mentioned it in their manifesto. Unless we take our courts to villages and mohallas, we can never dream of peaceful and prosperous India. Politicians want to keep the judiciary acting defunct for their personal benefits. Most of them have some cases running against them. The day judiciary start pacing up, 90% of politicians will find themselves behind the bar. Therefore, They will try to keep it as useless as possible. But we, the common people suffer…and we, the common people need to raise voice for our own benefit…to strengthen our democracy and society…and put an end to delayed justice…after all justice delayed is justice denied.
Friday, February 27, 2009
some hopes for democracy...
Last year has been quite good for democracy in south asia. Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives got their democratically elected government and at the same time Bangladesh and Pakistan could bring back civilian government after a long time. In Mayanmar also protests for democracy picked up last year but eventually got very brutally crushed. Perhaps India and China need to do some serious work here before democracy and freedom start taking meaning in this country. But except Mayanmar it's democracy which emerged triumphant all around south asia.
But will the trend continue? Recent trends are worrisome. Bangladesh is witnessing mutiny just after two months of civilian government in the office. Sri Lanka is trying to crush the tamil issue (which is brewing for decades) at the point of gun and Sharif brothers are getting banned from contesting election in Pakistan. These happenings are certainly going to push back the process of democracy a bit.
This is the time when both the newly-elected and other governments in the region set the stage for a more open and inclusive democratic process. This means listening to the opposition, bringing in greater transparency and paying attention to strengthening the institutions of democracy. Despite recent events, the very fact that democracy has taken root, howsoever tenuous, brings hope that we will one day reap its dividends.
Bangladesh may be seeing disturbances now, but it is significant that after two years of emergency rule and considerable uncertainty, parliamentary elections were held peacefully on December 29, 2008, returning democracy to the country, with a record turnout of 87 per cent of the 80 million registered voters. The election was credible and transparent and one of the most non-violent in the history of the country. The Awami League-led grand alliance won a landslide victory, securing over two-thirds of the 300 seats in the National Assembly. How the new government will foster working relationships across parties, and ensure that all parties, especially those in the minority, feel that they are part of the democratic process will be an important measure of success.
In Pakistan, despite the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, elections were held on February 18, 2008, that led to a victory for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Yousaf Raza Gilani was elected Prime Minister and Asif Zardari, Bhutto’s husband, eventually won the presidency after General Pervez Musharraf’s resignation that brought eight years of military rule to an end. The people of Pakistan fought long and hard for a return to democracy. But now that the apex court has barred both former premier Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab, from contesting elections it can only be hoped that this will not lead to a political crisis.
Notwithstanding a history of violence, Nepal’s Constituent Assembly election on April 10, 2008, turned a new page in the country’s political history. The positive outcome of a smooth election gave a big boost to the peace process. A refreshing outcome of the election is that women now comprise more than 30 per cent of the elected members. Much hope now rests on the Constituent Assembly to meet the expectations and aspirations of Nepal’s diverse communities in shaping a ‘New Nepal’. Given Nepal’s huge development challenges there is no other viable option.
Bhutan held it's first ever election and voters turn out were magnificent. India is doing really good work in this country by helping democracy to take the baby walk here.
Now thrust is upon the SAARC to keep the development. SAARC countries will have to group up and form the strategy to protect and develop the democracy. Main reasons of failure of democracy in south Asian countries have been the curruption. Govenments in respective countries will have to fromulise starategy to root out this menace. Strenthening the judiciary and decentralising the power is other things these govenments need to do. All the political and governmental processes have to be more transparent and convenient for common man. Introduction of strong e-governance can solve ninty percent of problem immediately. In short, if at all democracy has to survive in this region...governments will have to live up to the people's expectations.
But will the trend continue? Recent trends are worrisome. Bangladesh is witnessing mutiny just after two months of civilian government in the office. Sri Lanka is trying to crush the tamil issue (which is brewing for decades) at the point of gun and Sharif brothers are getting banned from contesting election in Pakistan. These happenings are certainly going to push back the process of democracy a bit.
This is the time when both the newly-elected and other governments in the region set the stage for a more open and inclusive democratic process. This means listening to the opposition, bringing in greater transparency and paying attention to strengthening the institutions of democracy. Despite recent events, the very fact that democracy has taken root, howsoever tenuous, brings hope that we will one day reap its dividends.
Bangladesh may be seeing disturbances now, but it is significant that after two years of emergency rule and considerable uncertainty, parliamentary elections were held peacefully on December 29, 2008, returning democracy to the country, with a record turnout of 87 per cent of the 80 million registered voters. The election was credible and transparent and one of the most non-violent in the history of the country. The Awami League-led grand alliance won a landslide victory, securing over two-thirds of the 300 seats in the National Assembly. How the new government will foster working relationships across parties, and ensure that all parties, especially those in the minority, feel that they are part of the democratic process will be an important measure of success.
In Pakistan, despite the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, elections were held on February 18, 2008, that led to a victory for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Yousaf Raza Gilani was elected Prime Minister and Asif Zardari, Bhutto’s husband, eventually won the presidency after General Pervez Musharraf’s resignation that brought eight years of military rule to an end. The people of Pakistan fought long and hard for a return to democracy. But now that the apex court has barred both former premier Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab, from contesting elections it can only be hoped that this will not lead to a political crisis.
Notwithstanding a history of violence, Nepal’s Constituent Assembly election on April 10, 2008, turned a new page in the country’s political history. The positive outcome of a smooth election gave a big boost to the peace process. A refreshing outcome of the election is that women now comprise more than 30 per cent of the elected members. Much hope now rests on the Constituent Assembly to meet the expectations and aspirations of Nepal’s diverse communities in shaping a ‘New Nepal’. Given Nepal’s huge development challenges there is no other viable option.
Bhutan held it's first ever election and voters turn out were magnificent. India is doing really good work in this country by helping democracy to take the baby walk here.
Now thrust is upon the SAARC to keep the development. SAARC countries will have to group up and form the strategy to protect and develop the democracy. Main reasons of failure of democracy in south Asian countries have been the curruption. Govenments in respective countries will have to fromulise starategy to root out this menace. Strenthening the judiciary and decentralising the power is other things these govenments need to do. All the political and governmental processes have to be more transparent and convenient for common man. Introduction of strong e-governance can solve ninty percent of problem immediately. In short, if at all democracy has to survive in this region...governments will have to live up to the people's expectations.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
UN : Designed To Be Useless
Watching Israel bombing schools and depot in Gaza killing thousands of innocent Palestinians among them many children and women made me realize again that how worthless a human life can become at times…and how pragmatic Darwin's hundreds of year old 'survival of the fittest' theory still is. It seems only thing which matters today is 'Power'. And struggle to have and later keep it i am afraid might take us back into stone age. It's hight time we take notice of world event little more seriously and start raising voices against the attrocities and crime committed by the powerful or powerhungry countries and groups.
To achieve our goal of peace and freedom so called civilized humans of the world had created an unified body called United Nations more than half a century ago. They tried to project it as a world's governing body. But kept a private club called security council which vetos all the powers of UN and help manupulate and carry the personal agendas of club members. And when there is no personal agendas involved, they just keep the conflict alive for the future benefits as it is happenning in Gaza, Congo, Somalia, Sudan, Srilanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and in many other countries around the world.
What justification UN can ever give for massacre, rape and pillage in Haiti and Bosnia which happened not surprisingly in the presence of UN’s blue berets? In the name of peacemaking and peacekeeping UN has committed more attrocities and crime than anyone else . Shouldn't we think about reorganising or to the certain extent recreating UN now, before it is too too late? Or should we just let it get abolished??? But before we come to any conclusion lets have a look into some statistics...
the second world war almost 150 major conflicts have taken place in the world. Among them 130 have been fought in developing world. Since the 1950s, more wars have started than have stopped. By the end of 2008, wars had been running in Afghanistan for 30 years, Angola for 43, Liberia for 19, Somalia for 20, Sri Lanka for 25, Sudan for 25 and congo for 14 years. The global case-load of refugees and displaced persons is growing at alarming speed. The number of refugees from armed conflicts worldwide increased from 2.4 million in 1974 to more than 40 million today as per the UNICEF’s report. Report notices that another 30 million people displaced within their own countries. Children and women make up an estimated 80 per cent of displaced populations. And what has UN been doing in the meantime...almost nothing. It did deployed its blue berets in many parts of the world but didn't give them mandate to act. As per the mandate blue berets are not deployed to fight but to keep peace. There are hundreds of procedures involved before a blue beret's soldier decides to raise his gun...even if he has to do it for self defence. So in 60 years blue berets did nothing, just stood by their post, guns loaded but facing down...
Now lets try to remember again the preamble to the United Nations Charter. There are mainly four –
* To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
* To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
* To establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and
* To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Now tell me honestly could UN live up to its charter ever? Hasn't it just been fooling around so far? Therefor I ask again, isn't it the right time to pause and think...think for the alternatives.
The UN came into being at a time when the world was without an Internet and a global economy had yet to emerge. The immediacy that is common place today did not exist when the UN was founded. Much of the activities of the UN were not known to most of the world. This is why in the first 40 years sanctions by oppressive governments were largely ignored. Doesn't UN needs to be updated as per the passings of time?
Although there has not been a world war since the founding of the UN there have been quite a number of wars, whether it is Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq or Israel. All happened in the very presence of UN which kept acting impotent.
On the second mission statement; "...to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights..." this has not been affected by the UN in the least. Yes, the UN affirms human rights but abuse of human rights are as prevalent as ever. A good example was the "Food For Oil" scam perpetrated on the world. Secondly, can anyone seriously suggest that the People's Republic of China, Ghana and the Republic of Congo adheres to the same principles of human rights as Belgium, Italy and United Kingdom do? Even though the principles of human rights should be universally attainable and understandable, most countries in the world couldn't care less about it. The result is that nothing meaningful gets accomplished in this area...
The third point, "to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other source of international law can be maintained." which with exceptions, has also been a miserable failure. Most countries ignore this when convenient and embrace it when convenient. The result being a gigantic gap in credibility...and pathetic failure of UN's approach towards the solution...
So again, what's the alternative (remedies)? I will say, "abolish the security council". We have got to abolish this elite club to bring equality of share in UN and prove Mr. Darwin wrong at least in social spectrum. This will solve all the problems stright away. Just let it be a world governing body which includes representatives of all the countries with equal power and voice. Let all the issues get debated and voted by all...
To achieve our goal of peace and freedom so called civilized humans of the world had created an unified body called United Nations more than half a century ago. They tried to project it as a world's governing body. But kept a private club called security council which vetos all the powers of UN and help manupulate and carry the personal agendas of club members. And when there is no personal agendas involved, they just keep the conflict alive for the future benefits as it is happenning in Gaza, Congo, Somalia, Sudan, Srilanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and in many other countries around the world.
What justification UN can ever give for massacre, rape and pillage in Haiti and Bosnia which happened not surprisingly in the presence of UN’s blue berets? In the name of peacemaking and peacekeeping UN has committed more attrocities and crime than anyone else . Shouldn't we think about reorganising or to the certain extent recreating UN now, before it is too too late? Or should we just let it get abolished??? But before we come to any conclusion lets have a look into some statistics...
the second world war almost 150 major conflicts have taken place in the world. Among them 130 have been fought in developing world. Since the 1950s, more wars have started than have stopped. By the end of 2008, wars had been running in Afghanistan for 30 years, Angola for 43, Liberia for 19, Somalia for 20, Sri Lanka for 25, Sudan for 25 and congo for 14 years. The global case-load of refugees and displaced persons is growing at alarming speed. The number of refugees from armed conflicts worldwide increased from 2.4 million in 1974 to more than 40 million today as per the UNICEF’s report. Report notices that another 30 million people displaced within their own countries. Children and women make up an estimated 80 per cent of displaced populations. And what has UN been doing in the meantime...almost nothing. It did deployed its blue berets in many parts of the world but didn't give them mandate to act. As per the mandate blue berets are not deployed to fight but to keep peace. There are hundreds of procedures involved before a blue beret's soldier decides to raise his gun...even if he has to do it for self defence. So in 60 years blue berets did nothing, just stood by their post, guns loaded but facing down...
Now lets try to remember again the preamble to the United Nations Charter. There are mainly four –
* To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
* To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
* To establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and
* To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Now tell me honestly could UN live up to its charter ever? Hasn't it just been fooling around so far? Therefor I ask again, isn't it the right time to pause and think...think for the alternatives.
The UN came into being at a time when the world was without an Internet and a global economy had yet to emerge. The immediacy that is common place today did not exist when the UN was founded. Much of the activities of the UN were not known to most of the world. This is why in the first 40 years sanctions by oppressive governments were largely ignored. Doesn't UN needs to be updated as per the passings of time?
Although there has not been a world war since the founding of the UN there have been quite a number of wars, whether it is Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq or Israel. All happened in the very presence of UN which kept acting impotent.
On the second mission statement; "...to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights..." this has not been affected by the UN in the least. Yes, the UN affirms human rights but abuse of human rights are as prevalent as ever. A good example was the "Food For Oil" scam perpetrated on the world. Secondly, can anyone seriously suggest that the People's Republic of China, Ghana and the Republic of Congo adheres to the same principles of human rights as Belgium, Italy and United Kingdom do? Even though the principles of human rights should be universally attainable and understandable, most countries in the world couldn't care less about it. The result is that nothing meaningful gets accomplished in this area...
The third point, "to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other source of international law can be maintained." which with exceptions, has also been a miserable failure. Most countries ignore this when convenient and embrace it when convenient. The result being a gigantic gap in credibility...and pathetic failure of UN's approach towards the solution...
So again, what's the alternative (remedies)? I will say, "abolish the security council". We have got to abolish this elite club to bring equality of share in UN and prove Mr. Darwin wrong at least in social spectrum. This will solve all the problems stright away. Just let it be a world governing body which includes representatives of all the countries with equal power and voice. Let all the issues get debated and voted by all...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)