From British Raj to License Raj to Scam Raj

Its been 60 years since India got rid of its British Imperial rulers and their pupet kings or 'princes' as the British rulers referred to the local rulers. India was a money minting machine for the British Imperialists. Post Independence it were the bureaucratic rulers. While we have been unable to get rid of the bureaucratic imperials we have added another group. The political rulers. These people are appointed or elected to govern out nation. These people in turn the rulers of our nation. We are a source to bolster their income. We have always been money minting machine for our rulers.
Today we live in a Scam Raj. Now scams are not rare. There are always a few people who are interested in making easy bucks. The problem here is that the very people who are supposed to protect us from these scams, are part of these scams. A few elements in a society involved in such scams to earn easy bucks is understandable, but there is something seriously wrong when majority of those who are part of the government are involved in such and have absolutely no shame despite getting caught. They are no longer afraid of the people. That makes one wonder why. What is it about our country that makes us so easy target. Maybe its the lack of unity. Maybe its the selfish gene. Maybe it is general apathy towards rules and regulation. Maybe it is indifference towards other humans. Maybe it is lack of civil sense amongst the citizens. Maybe it is all of it. Whatever the reason maybe, we are an easy target for looting. These bureaucrats or politicians do no drop out of heaven or hell, nor are they from some different country or world. They are part of our population. People get the government that they deserve. Even in dictatorship it is them same. It is because the people allow the dictator to rule over them, that they have the power over the people. No person can rule over a person without his/her consent.
So if we have such thieves ruling us, we have only ourselves to blame. We who get carried away with the politics based on regions , religions, caste or whatever else it is that divides us. India is known for its unity in diversity. I guess we have lost unity and now what is left is diveristy. I am sure our poiliticians would be happy and proud of what they have achieved. After they just love divisive politics and the way our populance is divided along every concievable line, we are just easing their games. They are well aware that as long as we maintain this divide they wont have to really put in any efforts for the country and its people to retain their power. This has made them fearless.
Previously people used to joke that the main qualification to be a politician was to have some criminal record. Today those jokes say scam record instead of criminal record. The jokes still remain. That is the root of all problems. We are joke about such serious issues.
The scam like Aadarsh, 2G , CWG and Telgi are just a few big scam which were exposed. There may be many more which never made it to public. One such scam which is right before the public eyes but has been ignored is the Parliament scam. This scam is led by Opposition in Indian Paliament. Indian treasury spends crores on everr Paliamentry session. That money surely does not come out of these suckers coffers. Its the taxpayers money. They state that the money is spent on Parlimentry Affairs. The money is spent on welfare of people by providing facilities to peoples representatives who meet every few months to deliberate on prevous actions of government and decide future course for the country. Did I miss something or was the recently concluded winter session of the Parliament which was concluded without any biz. being conducted, in any way for welfare of my country. These suckers enjoyed the hospitality at our expenses. What work did they do? Surely if these are elected by popular support of the people they must be doing some work to have such support. Maybe I had dozed off when they were working. These 'representatives' are holding the People Of The Republic Of India at ransom because the people did not allow them to be the government and they were forced to sit in oppostion. Perhaps they are just too lazy and wanted to spend more time in suites provided to them at public expense. Maybe they were fooling the people of India into believing that they were doing graet work for the people by stalling the Parliament by making suire that the curent scamster government was made answerable for the scams.Whatever it was, the country was swindled of crores of Rupees.
The sad part of this second largest democracy is that all these elected representatives of the people are not answerble to those who elect them. They are not forced to atone for their crimes. Pity. These scamsters go free.
The likes of Kalamadi or Raja never get any punishment. After all its the 'Scam Raj, dupe the public treasury of money and maybe yopu can get to be next Prime Minister, if not that then at least a MP.

Foriegn Policy?

The Indian government would do great as a circus.It is full (or should I say fool) of Jokers. The cabinet positions are much respected positions.These positions deserve respect since the constitution vests that respect and power in those posts.Yet what can one do when those in that position have lost the respect.Those occupying the posts are seem unworthy.Unworthy people occupying that position itself is an insult to it.Today with emerging trend of party based politics, it is not easy to get those who loose respect of the nation to step down. Similarly it is difficult to keep an unworthy person from occupying the position.The current cabinet has lost my trust and respect and indeed my confidence.Unfortunately the common man cannot call for no-confidence motion, not that it would do any good, what with votes being put up for sale. There was a time until very recently when I respected Prime Minister of India, but recent actions have made me rethink about my position.The SAARC summit has just exposed them for what they really are, bunch of blundering baboons. I do not know what they are really thinking, or even if they are thinking at all. Perhaps they are thinking and have decided to sell out this country. My accusations might seem harsh, but that is what the evidence suggests. Is it not evidence that the judiciary wants? One blunder after another in our foriegn policy, or is it even a policy? A policy is a series of coordinated activities to achieve an aim.A drunken baboon would have a better body co-ordination. The ministry seems to have decided to make India a laughing stock for the world with their flip flops. Would the person making Indian foreign policy please stand up, and explain what the foreign policy actually is? Or is there any policy at all? Unless of course the policy is to isolate India in the international arena, and that the Chinese or the US are our new imperial rulers, ruling through the elite class of our country of course. Just like the corporate acquisition. Just the owners,'We the people', having no right to decide. As long as these elite rulers keep pleasing the imperials they get to keep power and accumulate wealth.
Resuming talks with Pakistan was just the icing on the cake. What are we trying to prove to the world? That India is weak country, which can be forced to go whichever way other countries want it to move? Every time we initiate talks with our wonderful and friendly neighbor , we end up having a terror strike. Is our ruling elite so naive to believe that just because it is got 'Pak' in its name, the country has pure intentions?A country that does everything it can to support anti-India terror groups in their land? One moment we make a statement that there shall be no talks unless Pakistan cracks down on its terror outfits. Next is a complete turnaround and India is suddenly ready for talks irrespective of whether Pakistan cracks down on terror outfits seeing as how well the Foreign Sec level talks went, or how the Pakistan government seems to be denying there to be any credible evidence against the terror outfits and Hafeez Saeed from Indian side. If they are refuting a credible evidence than that shows the Pakistan government is not at all interested in breaking down the anit-India terror activity, showing a clear nexus between the terrorists and the government.That means talks are useless, an indication that any anti-India activity will go unpunished and we will do whatever they want us to do.Resuming the talks shows that we have got no will power. We will succumb to pressure and that they continue with supporting terrorists. The Pakistan government is not at all credible.So why bother with talks if we know there is nothing to be achieved from such talks when our neighbors have no no will to resolve it amicably. If their interest is to destroy India, no talks will change that. On the other hand if the Indian government wants to say that Pakistan government has got honorable intentions concerning India, that means that our government is lieing to us and they have indeed not provided any credible evidence against the likes of Hafeez Saeed. That gives us the question what the hell is the Indian Government playing at.Do they think the people of India are fools? Either way the agreement to resume dialogue without any action against the anti-India terror activity by Pakistan government is failure of Indian foreign policy, giving out a clear signal that Pakistan can continue anti-India activity.So much for an aspiring superpower.You call that being assertive? Well unless of course India becomes a superpower by virtue of being a colony of some other superpower like China or USA.
Was this the only blunder? No. Just the latest in a series of well coordinated blunders.
South Asia which was once Indian sphere of influence since India was the largest and dominant country in the region is no more our sphere.It seems more under Chinese sphere.Nepal being the most glaring of examples.Nepal which was once like another de-facto state of India with every aspect of Nepal policy being decided by India is slowly but surely moving towards China. Prachanda, a person who is thoroughly anti-India and pro-China had become a PM of Nepal.Even after being forced to resign he continues to wield considerable influence over Nepal foreign policy.A person who is absolutely anti-India and considers India as enemy of Nepal gets elected as PM of a country which had once wanted to join India as a state shows that India has lost foot in Nepal.
Sri-Lanka which had once been convinced by India to accept the IPKF to deal with the LTTE menace and was nearly dependent on India for its weapons and equipment is now under Chinese influence, seeing the large amount of Chinese investment in the region. Pakistan is hands down Chinese. If the reports are to be believed then China is building a port in Pakistan.A naval port which shall also house Chinese warships.That with the nuclear power plants being built by China for Pakistan. The road network in POK.The arms facilities being built by the Chinese in Pakistan for Pakistan. Let us not forget how Pakistan got its first nuclear or the bomb building facilities.
How bout the failure of Indian diplomacy in Myanmar. The country which at one time was administered from India, was considered part of Indian colony.The Azad Hind government was truly thought to be established after the capture of the capital of this very country.Now it is a Chinese domain.
Bangladesh while truly not yet under Chinese has started showing resentment against India. The rise in disputes with India. The safe haven for anti-India activist in that country under the leadership of Khaleda Zia. The very country which was first granted recognition by India, and got recognition from other countries because of Indian advocacy for that country, not to mention that Pakistan granted recognition to Bangladesh because of the Shimla treaty between India and Pakistan.Lest we forget Bangladesh was formed because Indian military intervention and the aid to millions of refugees from East Pakistan.Considering the role of Indian the very existence of Bangladesh it is ridiculous to see that even Bangladesh seems to be drifting away from us.
Next comes Iran. I seriously am at loss as to the reason for distancing from Iran. A country which has been a strategic ally of India for so long.Actually I am sure I know why we have been going against Iran. Because the Prime Minister wishes to suck up to the US. Since US has vested interest in going against Iran, it means we have to go as well.It doesnt matter that Indian interests are best served going with Iran instead of against them.It has been the lone Indian voice in the OIC.The only supporter of India.It was Iran that has blocked anti-India resolutions moved by Pakistan in the OIC.It has supported Indian entry in the OIC against vehement Pakistani opposition. An Islamic country that has gone against other Islamic nations to defend India.Now it seems Iran which lost support from India is now gravitating towards China. Funnily the US is trying to garner support from Pakistan and doing whatever it can to help them. So we end up isolating Iran to please US and the US has no interest in growth of India. Voting against Iran at the IAEA just to please the US was a bit hypocritical. Considering that India itself had suffered from such discrimination from the US for developing Nuclear weapons, India should empathize with Iran and support their cause.India still suffers from discrimination. The US is pressurizing India to join the NPT as a non-nuclear nation.We oppose it stating that it is discriminatory. Why is it then we oppose Iran developing nuclear weapons? We argue that if US has a right to defend itself with nuclear weapons then so does India, since it has developed its own nuclear weapons. Then why don't we extend similar consideration for Iran. Are we not acting exactly like the US? Why did we vote against Iran? Why are we sucking up to our enemies like China, Pakistan and US and alienating our allies like the Russia or Iran.
China is using Indo-Pak rivalry to contain India. Why not use Sino-Japanese rivalry to contain China? If we have enemies so does China. We can establish ties with ROC(Taiwan), South-Korea, Japan.We could establish our presence in that region by establishing good ties with North and South Korea. If China can pull our traditional allies like Nepal away from us, we can pull away North Korea from China.The largest trade partner in SAARC nations is not India but China. As a matter of fact China is one of the largest trade partners of India too. What is next? China becoming largest defence manufacturer for India?Why is there confusion about whether or not Chinese soldiers are entering Indian territory.There is complete lack of coordination. Some say Chinese are slowly taking control of Indian territory and crossing the border,others are saying that it is not the case and whatever is happening is because of difference in perception of the border.Please let us know what the case is.
The other blunder is in Africa. Africa is a resource rich continent. While all countries are competing to get a share of those resources, India as usual is busy with blunders. China is well ahead of India with the aids and investment in Africa. We are talking about competing with China and being the world superpower.We need to invest in African nations. We need to get control over as much resources in Africa as possible to drive our own economy in the future. We need to control imports and promote exports. Yet is seems our government has been unable to achieve any of that.The person who had been establishing good ties with African nations has been scaked. Granted that he has been controversial, but he is the one we need to make inroads in Africa diplomatically.I am talking about Mr. Tharoor. Yet another example of failed foreign policy.
The series of blunders do not end there.India moving towards US. We may think that we are very important for the US but we are sorely mistaken.We are just pawns of US expansionist policy.Pakistan is more important to US than India. I would not be surprised if US gives in to the demand for a nuclear deal for Pakistan as well.US is already providing lots of aid to Pakistan.It is for Pakistani war against terror.If that is indeed the case why is Pakistan receiving weapons which are useless against the Taliban but useful against India? Why are all these weapons ending up on Indian border?The other non-Taliban terror outfits which co-incidentally are anti-Indian are running rampant. So we finance the weapons for Pakistan, our enemy.We purchase weapons from the US at high prices with low quality. These profits are used to finance weapons for Pakistan. As Pakistan acquires more weapons we spend more money to acquire more equipment from US to counter Pakistan. This is a never ending cycle.Pakistan gets free weapons to use against India sponsored by India.Some would call that treachery.Are the government officials turning traitors?The nuclear liability bill is another one traitorous bill by the government. I do hope that it is never passed.The US is insisting that India pass the bill quickly so that US firms can enter the Indian market fast, since with other countries entering the market already and having already concluded few agreements, the US firms feel left back.Well if they do not want to enter without the Nuclear Liability Bill, let them not.It should not be our concern.Considering the outrageous provisions of the bill, it is not in our best interests.To know the outrageous details of this bill please visit the following site.


http://internationalaffairs.suite101.com/article.cfm/nuclear-liability-bill-2010-india-part--ii

Which sane Indian would want to support this bill.


Mr.Singh is known for his economic prowess. He liberalized Indian economy.He worked for the World Bank.His knowledge is something to be respected.His simplicity of life and conduct is worth respecting. It is worth mentioning that even though he is PM of India, his family has never tried to use that position to hog the limelight like other politicians family.For all those commendable qualities, one cannot help but ask these questions.What the hell is up with Indian foreign policy? Who the hell is framing the policy if anyone at all and why are they messing up?Are they selling out our nation? It seems like Mr. Singh is incompetent at his job or just going senile with age because the last remaining possibility for such a messed up foreign policy of Mr.Singh's government is a terrible one. The possibility of treachery.
It seems that Indian future is doomed. On one hand we have the Mr.Singh led governement. On the other hand we have the BJP which is a pro US party too and a highly communal one at that. The third option is the Left parties led by CPM. A pro China party, one which I would hardly term progressive. The last option is the fourth front.The less said about this front, the better. It is a party of hooligans.The RJD , the BSP and the SP. Highly regressive,narrow minded, casteist', uneducated corrupt and self obsessed group members.They have been unable to develop the states they are in power. So I doubt they would of help to the country. Lack of good options seems will be the cause of the doom. We really need a good 5th option.Unless there is a rise of another option for the voters, an option which is interested in growth of India, our future seems bleak. Let us hope that there is no formation of Islamic Republic of India, as envisaged by the ISI anytime soon.I do not know about the rest of the people of our country but personally I would not want to stay in Islamic Republic of India. I would rather it stayed secular and independent of foreign forces.Therefore I would like to ask Mr. PM what do you think you are doing agreeing to talk with our sweet neighbors while they refuse to crack down on anti-India militants.As a citizen of this country, which fortunately is a democracy, I think the PM and his cabinet is answerable to me and my fellow countrymen about where they seem to be leading my country.Mr. PM, you are supposed to be caretakers of my country, the trustees trustees of this country.Yet I find it hard to trust you or your cabinet.This is my personal opinion and while others may not agree with me, this government has lost my faith and trust, not that they would care as long as they retain their power.

And You Call Us Third World Dumbnuts?

OK, I will start by giving you the reason for this post. Basically we have a guest staying at our place who believes that it is India and the other developing economies' fault that the North American economy is in deep shit. He is American (duh!) (no offence). Now his argument is that countries like India and China are infringing on copyright laws and making boot-legged technological products for cheap that result in the originals not being sold. He claims that all the jobs that have been outsourced to such countries can easily be done in America by Americans and soon that shall happen. All I could say to him was, "How is it their fault that you do not want to give up the luxuries of life while they want to obtain the necessities of life?"

That question was not answered. A major reason for that is that I walked away with disgust in my stride, although the bigger reason was that he would not have been able to answer that question. Not with his closed mentality. The arguments that he put forth are grounded in reality, no doubt, but how can he miss facts like America lending out more money than it had, and America spending more than it had, Americans electing horrible president after horrible president (no Obama's "change" revolution is not very flattering so far) or even the fact that Americans do not possess the ability to distinguish between needs and wants.

Yes, the purpose of this post is to prove that the Americans, who are supposedly one of the most developed nations on the face of this planet, still possess a rudimentary mindset.

To Americans, India is a third world country with little scope of development. They believe that the only jobs India creates are jobs it has "stolen" from Americans. Of course not all Americans possess this thought. The educated Americans are exempted, but then they are greatly outnumbered by the ignoramuses. It is conveniently ignored that India and all other developing nations have had to battle the bias of the WTO, an organisation that seems to be an agent to the pompous asses like the U.S. and Co. It is quite evident that WTO is a whore owned by the developed nations when it has hardly done anything to prevent, and later penalize, the U.S move to protectionism. The basic aim of the WTO is to promote free trade (common sense), well, it forced developing nations (India being a strong example) to shed quotas on imports and exports and allow all products to be freely traded to and from developed countries. This is fine as long as a level playing field is maintained by imposing the same on developed nations, but the trend is then broken as the "rich countries" are permitted to impose high quotas on and in some cases completely block trade of certain commodities in order to promote their own local goods. This was exactly the case with U.S. protectionism.

The same gentleman commented that, "...capitalism is all about taking advantage of the small guy...". He is referring to the developing nations being screwed over by the developed nations. Well, to put it into perspective, what India has done with call centers is take advantage of the U.S and effectively made them the "small guy". How come the definition of capitalism differs from nation to nation? Or is this just American hypocrisy?

To comment on their stupidity, they have patented the medicinal use of herbs and plants like turmeric (now revoked), bitter-gourd, etc. These are things that Indians have been using since times B.C (before Christ). To patent items like these is not just mere stupidity, but also an indication of American ignorance of other cultures. In that case, Indians should obtain legal copyrights for plastic surgeries, cosmetic surgeries, caesarian section births, etc. since Sushruta performed all of these sometime between the 6th and 4th century B.C. He authored the Sushruta Samhita, the book describes over 120 surgical instruments, 300 surgical procedures, classifies human surgery in 8 different categories, descriptions of 1120 illnesses, 700 medicinal plants, a detailed study on anatomy, 64 preparations from mineral sources and 57 preparations from animal sources. Well, let the Indians copyright that under the Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and let them collect a royalty on every operation that is listed in that book.

In 1997 an American company RiceTec. was granted rights to call aromatic rice grown outside of India "basmati". This came after they tried marketing the same rice with names like "kasmati" and "texmati". First of all, why is the U.S. patent office handing out patents for something that originated in India (common sense)!? Anyways I will spare you the pains of reading anymore proof of American ignorance. If, though, you are interested in learning what happened of the patent visit http://www1.american.edu/projects/mandala/TED/basmati.htm

Albert Einstein has said for India, "We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made!" So all I ask for is a little respect. Not only for India, but also for every other developing nation, because today you maybe higher, but tomorrow your fall is inevitable, for in the words of Shakespeare, "...uneasy lies the head on which rests the crown."

this post first appeared on www.kidinwhitecountry.blogspot.com

Shamelessness at its best or worst

I came across an article about Meghalaya getting 2 Chief Ministers and could not hold it any longer. The utter shamelessness that has settled in our political circles has reached astounding levels. 60 years after becoming 'Republic' India seems to be scaling new heights where corruption is concerned. Those who framed our world famed constitution must be feeling insulted, or would have had they been alive, and it would have been rightly so. Seeing the way the constitution which was supposed to have a government by the people, for the people and of the people to have democratic government is nominally by the people (lack of choice takes away freedom of choice), definitely not for the people,but yes it is of the people if you call power struggle between few elite people as government of the people. Perhaps we should invent a new word to define government forced on the people(you could call it dictatorship, but it has absolutely no choice), by few power hungry politicians, for only the leisure of these politicians.

Corruption has been integral part of Indian politics and governance since I remember, but it was something behind the closet. Now it seems they are no more afraid to do it all in open.As katrina says in NewYork movie, she is well aware that John is involved in terrorsism but as long as he himself does not inform her of it, there is a hope that he could be turned back.The day that he acknowledges to her that he is a terrorist he would be truly lost. It seems that they are acknowledging their corrupt practices out in open and stating that they shall continue doing so. These people have lost every sense of decency and shame. They are no more afraid to make outrageous demand, because they know that these can be fulfilled. No longer do they have to fear the people, because no more are the people the boss. They are the boss and they can do as they like. Anyone who has watched the movie 'A Wednessday' may recall Naseerudeen Shah stating 'they have challenged us. The asked us a question. Ki bhai humlog to aise hi karte rahenge. Tum kya karoge.' The same way the government has been asking us the same question.They too are challenging us. We shall continue doing this.What are you the people going to do. We may be few but we can will take you all for granted.We shall use you for our own purposes. We are not there to serve you.You are there to serve us by giving us you hard earned money for our enjoyment. We are no longer public servants.The public is our servants. The only devlopment we are bothered about is our own. The country could go to dogs for all we care. This the attitude persistent amongst the governing circles.

Considering the current attitude it should not come as a surprise that a state has two Chief Minister.It is no longer a de-facto position. The second Chief Minster has been declared so by official notice. While the original Chief Minister shall wield the actual executive powers, the second one shall stay in advisory role to the first CM. That gives rise to a question why officially make him the CM if he is going to hold advisory role? Why not appoint him the advisor to the CM? That my friends is because as a CM he becomes entitled to various advantages without having any work. As a CM he shall be able to draw the salary of a CM, have the security and motorcade, free of cost five star housing, hell lot of servants and the perks all from the public treasury. The public treasury is supposed to be used to fulfill their whims not for public welfare. Next we shall have two Prime Ministers, Presidents and cabinets. Shall we have more Chief Justice of India too? Let us call everyone of the supposed public servant category as the President of India.Why not officially allocate 95% of the budget to serve the whims of these blood suckers?

This does not occur as an isolated incidence.The recent controversy with appointment of Justice Balakrishnan as the Cheif Justice of India, the attempt by the same Justice Balakrishnan to keep himself out of the purview of Right To Information Act.Justice Balakrishnan seems so desperate to remain out of the purview of RTI Act that he filed an appeal against the order of Delhi High Court stating that the Supreme Court is subject to RTI Act as well, in the Supreme Court. The Supreme court files an appeal against the High Court order, with the Supreme Court. It would have been hilarious had it not been a glaring example of the rampant corruption within the system.I would like to ask the CJI what is it that he is trying to hide. Why is it that he is so desperate to be excluded from the RTI Act?

What could be more shamless than insulting those who died during the 26/11 terror attacks. The then CM of Maharashtra who was removed from his post currently is cabinet Minister with the central government. The Home Minister is back to his old position, the then CP of Mumbai Mr. Hasan Gafoor too is enjoying himself. None of them showed even and ounce of shame, and ounce is used to measure the rare and highly expensive metal like gold. The shame in these people seems much more rarer than the rarest of metals.

I do not think any such acts should surprise us anymore. They know what the people think about them and they have become insensitive to such thoughts of people because they know whatever they do, they will be the ones elected anyways, so there is nothing to fear. Everyone knows what is happening, so they could as well do it in the open. If you think this is the height of shamelessness, think again. They are hell bent on proving you wrong about your negative thoughts concerning them.They can and will sink much lower than this while we watch on helplessly, wondering where did we loose it all, how could it all come down to this?


Welcome to the new changing India, where Corruption is the supreme law and pleasure of 'Public Servants' is the new discipline and supreme law.

Jaago Rey.

Education in India

Education is supposed to be one of the most important aspect for progress of a nation and economic development. If that is indeed so, one has to wonder if these 'rulers' of our country are simply ignorant of this statement or purposefully keep us ignorant with the sub-standard education.
Though the theory of this being a purposeful act does have its merit.

Today the students are not supposed to question their teachers.They are to do as told.Today the education system encourages students to not use their brains.Understanding is no more important. What is important is to remember the answers fed to the students.This makes sure that students get used to being spoon fed and not to think for themselves, leading to complacency amongst students. Students are not supposed to understand.They are not supposed to question if what hey are taught is right or wrong. They are not to correct the teacher. Debate or discussion has become taboo. Teacher is always right and do as they say. Reminds me of the clone army of the Republic in the Star Wars movies. Some may argue that teachers are supposed to be respected. So how can one question a teacher.Teacher is teaching therefore is a knowledgeable being and therefore cannot be wrong. To answer them, there is a difference between difference respect and blind loyalty.Respect does not mean not questioning their act. To the contrary question those acts. To find out why they are doing something.Respect someone for what they do and the motive. That is what respect is. Yet we are encouraged this blind loyalty. Now where would this be useful? Let us see. The teachers benefit as they first and foremost they do not have to put in much effort. Here no one questions this lack of effort. Teachers are always right. Secondly they can afford this lack of effort since they know that their jobs are secure. After all if the new generation of teachers are as bad as them, obviously the experienced ones will get the preference.They have no competition. Today most of the times teachers are those people who cannot succeed in life with their career.No one is genuinely interested in teaching. Its just a source of money since they have no other choice. Funny that one of the most unsuccessful bunch are the ones who teach students to succeed. That does not mean that there are not those who are successful. Just that such people are very few. Also lack questions from students means that they can rush through the syllabus and speak out any nonsense without a worry. Finally during the exams all the students have to write is the answers given by them. Deviate a word and there goes your marks.Stick to those answers and you get full marks. Ya right. Ask those toppers what they have understood and they will repeat word to word answer. That is all hey will give since that is all they know, and that is all they know because that is all they are taught, and one of the most preliminary things we are taught is do not go deeper or beyond what you are taught.That is the only thing that we learn from experience in the schools since any action beyond this rule is immediately and severely punish, since teachers are always right.
Now the other party that benefits from this is of course the party that can change this but allows this to continue. That the great parties that run this country or rather pretend to do so. How?
These parties have various campaigns for election on false promises and assurances. Furthermore they use lies to make people believe that they are doing progressive activities. What would the people who are taught not to question authority, do in such situations? Of course believe these lies. That is what they want us do. That is why they encourage us to not think for our self. As if we do think, we can trap them in their lies. Not something these lazy, money sucking thieves would like.
Last ones are the bureaucrats or the so called public servants. They like saying that 'that is not my job', but to make sure that this works they need to make sure that we believe whatever nonsense they speak. Again they need to be sure we do not think for our self. They make us their slaves all the time telling us they are the servants.Even then we never stop to think that the phrase 'Public Servant' is just a antithesis and euphemism.
These people have conspired to make sure that they have no work yet reap maximum benefits.
Now it is up to us to think, it may be difficult for us but nevertheless necessary for us. Let us think if that is what we want.Let us think and decide what we want.
For this all to change we need to start thinking, and then make that thought a reality. Let us think of changing this education system and make these teachers answerable. Only then can we truly progress. Star Wars shows how one bad person at the helm of those clones caused disaster. Do we want to become those clones? Or do we wish to be free humans. Let us have teachers who are worthy to teach and not those who are unworthy for everything else.

Chinese Diplomacy

The Dragon seems to be rearing its head and roaring towards the tiger. The tiger as usual is closing its eyes to the reality thinking that if it believes nothing seems to be happening then it would turn out to be the truth.
Whether we want to believe it or not there is a reality out there which does not change with our belief.The reality is that China is out to hunt India down. China's rise as global power has fueled its expansionist policies.That combined with the fact that China perceives India as a threat to its global position and dictatorial governance. Also the Sino-Indian border dispute seems to be another cause for China. Last but not the least is Indian rivalry with Pakistan, an ally of China. Considering the all these point we need not look any further for motives.
The recent military and diplomatic games by China gives a clear picture that China is acting on such motives to destroy India. Do we need to look any further than the recent article of a semi-official site of China concerning breaking up of India in 30 small states to weaken India?
There is rise in cross border incursions. While China states there has not been any Indian sources say it is due to difference in the border perceived by India and China.The recent policy of issuing paper visa to Kashmiri people.Opposition to the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Arunachal Pradesh during elections.Similar opposition to visit of Dalai Lama to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.These point to hostile attitude. Such hostile cannot be let go unpunished.Therefore India need to stop giving such hostile nations a walkover and show similar aggresive attitude. It is rightly said, 'If you cannot respect yourself, Who will?'If India cannot respect itself and stand up for itself, no one will.History is proof enough. It was when the people of India started respecting Indian economy the world did as well. So let us start respecting might and territorial integrity of India.Let us start respecting the economic and political might of this ancient Nation. Let us take the lead in respecting India and thee world will follow. To this end the politicians need to stop petty games for power.Let them show their ability to play political games of power on the international stage not as people of a party but as people of a nation.The government servants need to stop their 'fill my pocket campaign'. Let us show the world that no country has any business telling India what it should or should not do.That right lies with the people of India and no one else. Let us show the world that working against the interests of India is out of question.It is time to show China that any sort of slight to India or its territorial integrity will have a response.Such incidents will not be let to pass casually.Its time to put China in its place.China is not a part of South Asia ans should stop interfering in matters of the sub-continent.We need to give China implicit warnings that the audacity of China to state that it shall participate in Indo-Pak territorial dispute is not appreciated and any such bold moves will not be tolerated.The very country that provided Pakistan with 50Kg Uranium as well as complete know-how on how build nuclear weapons and its various components, as well as the missile systems cannot be the mediator of peace between us, since the mediator has to be unbiased and China is biased against India.Secondly India is fully capable of of solving its disputes without needing the help of an enemy as well as an ally of other enemy to help India.

There is no doubt that China is becoming confident and increasingly aggressive against India. It is beginning to interfere in internal matters of India.This hostile diplomacy needs to be tackled with equally aggressive diplomacy by India.The Chinese attempts in India needs to be stopped before they destroy India.

Terror State

The recent rise of ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Amidst these violations by the Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan Army there is he rise in attempted infiltrations from across the border. There is a definite connection between these two incidences. This connection leaves no doubt about the parties involved in these infiltration attempts. There has been ample evidence collected over the years to link Pakistan with Terrorism.Therefore there is no denial that Pakistan is a terror state. Pakistan is trying to destabilize India and none of it is a secret to the Government of Pakistan.In fact these operations have cooperation of the Pakistan government.

India has over the years ignored terrorism from Pakistan, but there comes a time when we need to step out of old into the new.This is the time when we can no longer ignore such transgressions by our terrorist neighbors.Pakistan is a failed state and is trying to ensure India becomes one too.

It is now time that we start dishing out to Pakistan what we have been getting from them. I am not saying that we should get involved in terrorism and start attacking Pakistani civilians.What I am saying is that India is well aware of Pakistani terrorist training camps. We should use this information to selectively target these terror camps in Pakistan to destroy these terror camps and the terrorists in making inside these camps. Leniency with these terrorists is something India can no longer afford if it wishes to maintain its safety, economy, honor, and territorial integrity. Pakistan will just talk about war against terror to get aid from USA which will further be directed against India and not the terrorists. Pakistan has vested interests in maintaining the terror infrastructure on its land so as to use it as proxy war against India. The nuclear weapons of Pakistan prevent India from attacking Pakistan or the terror camps in Pakistan.Therefore they will never dismantle the terror infrastructure, in fact it will protect these terrorists from any overt Indian action by using the threat of its nuclear arsenal. Pakistan is not at all interested in combating terror. So its time we launch proxy war of our own against the terrorists in Pakistan as well as Pakistani armed forces which are helping the terrorists. India should use the guise of terrorists to destroy terror institutions in Pakistan. Pakistan has learned well that when one cannot fight a overt war they should use covert methods like terrorism.Its time we use their tactics on them.

Some people may disagree with me that we should not get down to their level or we should take the moral high ground or we should not get violent or such things. These things may look good in books but in real life it is survival of the fittest, smartest, most intelligent and cunning beings.Remember that to cut a diamond or to polish it we require a diamond tipped knife, or to use a Hindi saying,' Lohe ko Loha katta hai'(Metal cuts Metal). Use terror to fight terror.If there is no India to than what shall be the use such moral high grounds. We have tried the friendly approach with Pakistan but it seems Pakistanis not interested in peace. While I am against fighting there are sometimes where it becomes necessary. Looking at Hindu mythology neither Ram nor the Pandavas could avoid it. Sometimes it becomes necessary for future peace. India has reached appoint where even India could no longer avoid a fight. It is high time India stops going around begging nations to help and starts getting aggressive, starts showing Pakistan that messing with India is no longer an option. No amount of diplomacy will help.Only covert operations will. Tackle this terror state that just happens to be our neighbor.

Tiger Or A Meek Cat

In the recent times, meaning the past few months India has seen heavy activity on its border with China and Pakistan. The Pakistan and China (pakina) axis has been geting bolder concerning there activities against India. The rise in infiltaration of terrorists attempted by Pakistan with help of Pakistani army providing covering fire. The recent border violations by China. Heavy firing and shelling by Pakistan. China harrasing the those Indians living near the border. It all seems to be pointing towards one thing. Pakina are preparing for a war. These activites can be called foreplay to the actual war. Reading of the current activities remind me of 2 events.The wars of 1962 and 1965. The 1962 Indo-China war began with such border violations by China.That was the time when India and US were warming up to each other. That was a time when Indian Armed forces were severly under prepared under equiped.That was a time which saw increasing focus on border dispute between India and China.That was a time of Slogan Hindi-Chini bhai bhai.That was a time India grew complacent concerning China thinking that China would never atack another country.

On the other hand the 1965 was preceded by Operation Gibraltar.Operation Gibraltar was an attampt by Pakistan to infiltrate into Kashmir some Mujaheedins and Pakistan Army regulars to create an anti-India uprising. The number of infilrators had gone up at that time.Pakistan was very much focused on Kashmir issue at the time.The time when Pakistan had moved closer tto China and growth of Sino-Pak strateegic relations. Lastly 1965 saw rise in across the border skirmishes between the two nations.

Looking at the scenario currently on Indian border with these two hostile neigbours of India and the strategic partnership between those two neigbours of India, one cannot help but draw the parallel between the two sittuations with current scenario. One cannot help but draw the conclusion that the two neigbours of India are preparing to go to war with India. The strategic encircling of India by China gives much firm foundation to such situations. Also the current turmoil within China and Pakistan these two nations would be looking for something else to focus the attention of its people. What could be more useful than War against India.This diverts the focus from internal turmoil.The people would put aside their internal differences for the nation.Also these nations may be able to show its people how authoratarian regime is better than democracy.This shows a motive for a War not to mention that a war with China and Pakistan together will be rather bad for India.

Under such conditions it would not do for India to seem weak. India should be able to deter any one from waging a war against India. A major way to deter such adventurism would be use of proportional response.

Recent incident with Pakistan was firing of rockets by Pakistan in Indian territory.We responded to such an incident by firings machine guns.On previous occasions we have let such firings slide of. All we do is launch protests with Pakistan embassy which are ignored.We go to US with complains.What we must understand is eevery country has vested instrest. No one is going to side with a looser with a country that they know will lose. 'God helps those who help themselves'

Similarly other countries will help us only if we are willing to help ourselves. So instead of crying to US we need to respond.They fire 2 rockets we should fire 20. I know it may seem a bit hostile, uninformed or immature attittude, but there is only so much which one can take laying down. Therecomes a time when a nation has to take aggreissive attitude against hostile nations. Why should India ask other nations for help, or for permission to do anything. India is a sovereign statewith independent constitution. Did US ask any countries permission before attacking Taliban after 9/11?

Unless pakina sees that India is not a country to be trifled with they will continue with such advebturism against India. If Pakistan can create Jehadi groups to destabilise India why cant we do something similar. I am not saying to have terror attacks on Pakistan civilian areas, but to attack such terror camps within Pakistan.If Pakistan canuse terrorists for proxy war against India we should use such militants for proxy war against the terrorists protected by Pakistan.We cant send in army to destroy the camps but we can send in our own miliant outfits to destroy terror groups in Pakistan.Similarly while China is continuing with border violations to harras Indian civillians in Ladakh we can harras the Chinese army located on the border.

This all is easier said than done.While actually doing the act is easy its the consequences that are difficult. We need to show level of preparedness andarmed deployment on the border to show that we can back the talk. We need to show that we can not only give proportional response to such adventurism but can also repel an full scaled attack. We should show preparedness for a war at all times.We need to deter them from full scale war while having showing that India will give proporional response on any military adventurism. A strong military presence is deterent for any enemy to engage in miltary adventurism.That is military paradox.Having a strong armed force and batle readiness of the armed force eliminates the use of this force most of the times. US has one of the largest miltary spending in the world. They maintain the most advnaced and sophisticated armed force second largest in world spending more than 100 billion dollars per year.That in itself deter most nations messing with US. Same is with China. If India needs to ensure its safety we need to imporove our forceprojecction ability. In international politics might is always right.Whether it is military or economic. Unless India starts flexing its muscles for the world to see, shows assertion to the extent of even being seen as agression, starts using its military and intelligence resources effectively against its enemies and most of all respeccting itself, the worldis not going to respect it. India should not hesitate to use any means straightforward or underhanded, to protectits intrest and sovereignity it will lose toits enemies, and make no mistake that Pakistan and China are our enemies whaever may be said or done at political level in the open. Niether Pakistani nor Chinese leader are intrested in friendship. They have expansionist policy and plan to start with India. Unless we are careful we will be going back to either serving new Islamic masters for Pakistan or China or else end up dead.

Yet it seems like our leaders are only intrested in filling their pockets and gaining power. Even in military contracts they try to get as as much money as they can. No politician is intrested in action. Its the talk that intrests them as it doesnt take much effort. What these people forget is that if they keep India militarily weak it will affect them as well because if India loses to any agressor it will be their power that will be lost. It will be their families too who will suffer. Then again its the vision that India has lacked. We have become to short-sighted, too narrow in our outlook.All we can think in is now and present and about me,myself and my family. We cannot think of anything bigger and of more than one year in future. Sometimes I wonder why the education in India is as it is. Where we are dicouraged to think for ourself. We are taught belive what we are told, to not question anything. Perhaps it is so that people will not question these politicians activities in swindling away taxpayers money. That seems to be changing now with entry of private schools and students educated in foriegn institutes have taught people to think.The trend of thinking is on the rise but yet I fear that by the time it has grown enough to force these politicians to change it may be too late. It is time for a change. As the time passes by it seems more and more likely that there will be a war, the outcome of which will depend on how well we are prepared to fight such a war.If there is a war it would most probably be in 2012. So we still have time of 2-3 years to prepare.

So it now is upto us to decide whether will roar and swipe like a tiger or mew and scratch like a meek cat when our enemies strike at us.

A Letter

This is a letter written by Mr. A P J Abdul Kalam when he was the President of India addressed to the people of India.This has been circulated many timesamongst the people through mails but still we razrely see people affected by it.Therefore I am posting this over here as a permenant reminder.

So here it goes.
'YOU say that our government is inefficient.YOU say that our laws are too old.YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits..YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face - 'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New ZealandWhy don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground .
If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ?Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay , Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. 'Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,' he said. 'And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels?In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan .Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?
What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too.. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians...'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'Lets do what India needs from us.Forward this to each Indian for a change instead of sending Jokes or junk mails.
Thank you,
Dr. Abdul KalaM '

Politics of a bus seat

I had left early for home. It was a tiring day and so I was exhausted. I travel by Bus. It was around two which is the peak hour. I was praying that I get a less crowded bus or a one in which men are sitting on reserved seats! The first bus was heavily crowded..women were all standing. So I decided to wait for the next one. My wish had been granted. The next one had men sitting on reserved seats. I asked a person to get up but he said he was unwell. I asked the other person and he got up. Then another woman came up and asked the ‘unwell’ person to get up. He kept insisting that he is not well. But everyone called him a liar. He had to give in.
That was I think the first time when I experienced how a bus seat can make one immoral. Ofcourse I do not rule out the possibility that he might be faking it. A lot of men do but the chances are also there that he was really unwell. I felt really sorry for this person. This made me think as to what extent women are this deserving for a seat reservation.
I have always tried to evade this issue. The reason is that I myself enjoyed this privilege. But now I think its time to really apply my ideology of equality. I have tried to come up with arguments for and against this issue.
Biologically, Women are less strong than men. No one ever denies this fact. So a healthy woman is always more deserving for a seat than a healthy man. But a sick man is not as capable as a healthy woman. So I think the seat should go the person who is deserving. If there is a senior citizen(male/female) and a young lady, then the seat should ideally go to the elderly. There is only one seat reserved for the elderly. Same rule applies for the differently-abled. I think even within a reserved seat there should be an internal criteria. Young fit ladies should not sit if an elderly is present.
Another point supporting the reservation is the problem of eve-teasing. Men are taught to be opportunity-seekers. A woman standing amidst a pack of men becomes an easy prey. It will take some more years to teach men that women are not made physically weak so that men can take their advantage. So in the meantime, reservation is a very minuscule way to restrict eve-teasing.
The immorality aspect is my point against this issue.* Though I am yet to experience such shamefulness but since this issue has been reported, I assume that this happens. Women often become age-blind and demand a seat for a male elder. Women have also asked a differently-abled for a seat. I find this unbelievable but then I agree that there is no limit to peoples’ shamefulness. Just for a seat, how can one become so immoral. Another practice is that Women sit on the general seat even when a reserved seat is available. These practices have an individual element so one is obviously not blaming the entire womankind so no offence! But reservation is encouraging such immorality.
Seat reservation for women is a measure taken by the Government to ensure a cheaper and smoother way of travel for women. They consider this as a measure in the process of women emancipation. I am glad that the Government took this pain but short-sightedness is not the key to success. Giving them seats will not liberate them. It is not like either u subjugate women or u worship her. I think seat reservation is the only time when a non-feminist woman celebrates her woman-ness! Seat reservation should be for the deserving. Equality is among equals...inequality is for special cases. Here, the special cases are the elderly, the differently-abled and the sick. Only after this one should see the woman element. Infact I think the woman element can also be ignored. This reform should come if one really understands the concept of equality. If the Government really wants to improve the condition of women, it should train the conductors to be a bit more polite and helpful. The conductors have to be responsible. They can even put a stop to the eve-teasing. But ofcourse for that, they themselves should be moral. For the Government to act, People have to provide the base. I think this concept of ‘seat for the deserving’ should be practised on an individual note. It is only then that the Government will be able to note this and do the necessary. This is a democracy. We the people will make and dismiss laws. Hail Democracy.

*Views by Rutwij Kokje

A Capitalist India

Economies are classified into three approaches- Socialist, Capitalist and a Mixed approach. Socialist approach is pro-poor. It aims an equitable distribution of wealth. Government owns all economic institutions. Capitalist approach creates wealth for a ‘class’ of people. The economic institutions are owned by individuals or a group of individuals. A mixed approach however is a blending of both. Both Individuals and Government owns institutions. Government intervenes for social welfare.
India is a Third-World Country. It is a developing economy. It started out as a mixed economy. However, Post 1991, India has been moving towards capitalism with gushing force. Liberalization and Globalisation opened Indian Economy. Opening up sectors for foreign direct investment (FDI) has attracted great investment and employment opportunities. Liberalizing FII (Foreign Institutional Investor) norms has helped in easy availability of capital. There has been an easy availability of loans. Our GDP growth reached 9 per cent. The real estate market is blooming. Our industrialists bag awards for the wealthiest persons in Asia and world. We are growing into the fastest economies of the world. But does this achievement take into account Gandhi’s Talisman?
Even after 60 years of independence we are unable to address the problems of poverty, education, housing, food, sanitation, etc. According to reliable economic sources, over 250 million people in India lives below the poverty line, over 300 million people are illiterate, there is a demand of millions of houses but most of it is not satisfied, almost 80 per cent of population in Mumbai lives in one bedroom-cum-drawing room house, over 25 per cent of our country’s population does not get clean water and proper sanitation. Most of the rural areas, which comprise almost 70 per cent population of India and include over 6.5 Lac villages, are under developed. The growth that we observe around us is a lopsided growth helping rich getting richer and making poor poorer. All these are the result of excessive capitalism and reliance on industrialization and urbanization. The trickle-down effect did not work. Social welfare schemes like NREGA, Sarva Shiksha, Abhiyaan, etc. implemented by government are not serving the desired purpose. In an interview, Congress member Rahul Gandhi also admitted that out of every hundred rupee disbursed for the rehabilitation of poor only fifteen percent reaches the actual intended person while the rest of it is gobbled up by corrupt bureaucrats.
By capitalizing the economy, we are promoting industrialization. The ‘growth’ is at the cost of agriculture. Indian economy is an agrarian economy. India is a home to millions of villages. Villages provide an economic base to our prosperity as Food production happens there. But our economy is opening at a dangerous speed. The Government is losing control. It is the duty of the Government to distribute wealth evenly. But if liberalization and Government’s neglect continues at this speed, we will soon be importing food grains. Development does not mean transformation of rural areas into urban areas. It means developing the rural areas. Technology should reach Rural India to increase self-sufficiency. Medical and Educational facilities should be provided. Basic amenities should be provided. There should be creation of facilities so that Villagers feel no need to migrate to urban areas.
Capitalism states: ‘Those who survive, Let them survive. Those who can’t, let the Perish’. This is what is happening in our Country. The Poor are seen as hurdles in the development path. In Nandigram and Singur, the Government forcefully acquired lands. There was widespread violence. But the most interesting part was that the Government in power was a leftist party. Left parties are socialist parties which believe in development for all. The Poor are displaced because Rehabilitation is an unknown concept in this country. The Poor are also losing their employment as Companies like Reliance and Tata now compete with them in selling grocery.
Our economy should be a mixed economy with an inclusive growth model wherein the benefits of the governmental steps are reaped by all and everyone gets an equal chance to progress and prosper.

source:
http://theviewspaper.net/a-capitalist-india/

From the Slums to the Red Carpet

I am very sure that everyone knows what country I am talking about. The "slums" part of the title, I am sure, gives it away. As most of you may know, I work as a waiter at my father's restaurant during the weekend. Every now and then there is a guest who feels that it is their job, or in some cases talent, to bring me to shame due to my nationality. Please do not get me wrong, Flesherton is a beautiful town with beautiful people and beautiful tourists. I am talking here of that one odd person. Anyways, coming to the point, the reason I felt compelled to write this note was a simple one, one of our ex-employee's ignorance about my nation. It all started at 2:00 pm today (Sunday August 9, 2009). She started with a simple question, "So Aakash, how bad was your English when you first came to Canada?" The problem was not her question. It was the fact that she asked it in a very insulting manner in front of company dining with her. It induced a giggle from all the other three of her companions. I gave her a wide smile and replied, "When I was offered the job, Ma'am, it was under the condition that I be polite to all the guests under all circumstances. I do not see any possible way to answer your question without violating that condition. So do wait back until 3:00 pm and I will answer it once I am off-duty." All this was said with a sense of humour, a feeling of hurt and a wide smile that let her know that it would take a lot more on her part to break me and get an insult out of me. She did, to my great pleasure, wait back for my reply. I assure you my friends, I said to her with all politeness I had in me, "When I first came here my English was better than yours will ever be. I had, and still do have, a better vocabulary. Just because I am from India is no reason for my English to be of a poor quality." The reason I was compelled to write this note is not the fact that I need to vent my anger, but rather the fact that I want to clear any illusions that people have about India.

We do have many slums. According to a 2007 estimate, about 25% of our population still does live under the poverty line (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/in.html). On the other hand, we are a rapidly developing nation. If you can name me one rapidly developing nation (non-communist) that does not have social stigmas to fight, I shall accept defeat. According to 2008 estimates, 12% and 11% of the population in the US and Canada, respectively, lives under the poverty line (http://www.indexmundi.com/). Coming back to the point of India being a rapidly developing economy, the evidence lies in the fact that 8 years ago, in 2000, 35% of the population lived below the poverty line. Yes we are still a nation that believes in superstitions. Allegedly, it is still a nation that believes in the repression of women. Yet, India recently elected Pratibha Patil (currently serving) to become the first woman to hold the office. India elected Indira Gandhi to two terms as the Prime Minister of the nation. The US has yet to have a woman elected to the presidential office or even the vice-presidential office. The president of the current ruling party (Indian National Congress) is Sonia Gandhi, a woman. In fact, she is the Italian widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi (assassinated May 21, 1991). How does this in anyway indicate that India is a nation that still believes in repressing its women? I agree that there are many families that believe in the orthodox methodologies, yet there are cities sprouting up all over India that are becoming important centres for World Trade. Every time I here someone say they want to go to India, I ask a simple question, "Why?" Surprisingly, 7 out of 10 times the answer is, "To see India as it is. To see the plight of the poor people and to see the copious amounts of corruption that goes on over there." Why not go there to see the Taj Mahal? Why not go there to see the beautiful temples? Why not the forts which carry a unique story? Why the poor? Why the corruption? Why has that become the stereotypical view of India? It really warms my heart when someone says to me, "We were in India and oh what a wonderful place it is. History and modern development walking side by side." That is not at all wrong; the Gateway of India still stands proud amongst the development of Mumbai. The Lal Quilla (Red Fort) still casts its wondrous presence over the development of Delhi. It is like this, Indians when visiting the US or Canada, say that they will see the big cities, the tall buildings, and the lifestyle of the people in developed nations. They do not say that they are visiting to see the homeless, the poor, the racists or the hypocrites.

People say that India is not a nation, but hundreds of nations put together by the British. Why do I feel that historical evidence proves this to be wrong? Asoka Maurya (born 304 BC) ruled almost all of the Indian sub-continent from 273 BC to 232 BC. H.G. Wells said of Asoka, "In the history of the world there have been thousands of kings and emperors who called themselves 'their highnesses,' 'their majesties,' and 'their exalted majesties' and so on. They shone for a brief moment, and as quickly disappeared. But Asoka shines and shines brightly like a bright star, even unto this day" (Wells, The Outline of History, 1920). After the Persian invasion the Mughals ruled over most parts of northern India until Akbar annexed most of the sub-continent to the Mughal Empire. The British succeeded due to their use of proper governing methods. Their ways of dividing the nation into states, states into districts and so on. The English, though, did teach us the meaning of "United we Stand, Divided we Fall". Which is why today when I walk out to play cricket in India, I do not care whether my captain's name is Ali or Shyam or Chris.

People in developed nations always think that India is still a land of snake-charmers, a land where the kings still rule. I really do not see the point in that. India has been to the moon and back, it has been to the Oscars (won 4 times and received an honorary award once and nominated once). I am not claiming Slumdog Millionaire to be an Indian film. It is not. It is a British film based on an Indian novel (Q & A, Vikas Swarup). The awards and nominations I speak of are Rahman for Best Music and Best Original Score, Gulzar for Best Lyrics, Bhanu Atthaiya for Best Costume Design, Russell Pookutty for Best Sound Mixing, Satyajit Ray received the honorary award in 1991 and Lagaan was nominated for Best Foreign Film. India has made huge leaps in the fields of medicine, science and technology, and yet we have to struggle to prove to the developed nations that we are worth an investment. What I find disturbing is how SOME Canadians blame Indians for the loss of jobs in Canada claiming that "we stole their call-centre jobs". No, we stole many other jobs as well due to the simple reason that we are willing to work without any "oohs" and "aahs" and without creating a fuss with the unions. I mean if I have to live in what is practically a garbage dump just because the union is on strike, how can I claim to be living in a developed nation (referring to the recent fiasco in Toronto)? If I fear that my sister will be insulted due to her race and colour of her skin at the bus stop, how can I claim that I live in a developed nation? If I fear that I will be stereotyped as a "slumdog" due to my skin colour how can I be living in a developed nation? If all this is common in developed nations, then I am regret I left India to come to such a nation. Well, I am obliged to say that I mean no offence, and I really don't, but I can not be expected to sit quiet while someone insults my pride, my love and my dignity.

Threatened by Dragon,What will the Tiger do?

I hope most of you have come across an article in newspapers of 12th August 2009 which stated that Chinese strategist have stated on its semi official website that China should work towards breakin India into smaller 20-30 nations.This being semi official site with there being a lot of censure about what is posted publicly by the Chinese people it is hard to accept that this article written for the people of China since it was in Chinese language,did not have approval of Chinese authority.In addition to it the person writting such aricles has lot intricate knowledge about the Chinese strategy and authority suggesting that he himself is some high ranking official of Chinese government.He also has a detailed knowledge about India suggesting the deep penetration of Chinese intelligence within India.Considering these factors together does add some crediblity to the theory that China may indeed be planning such an acitvity. The statement giving initally by the external affairs minstry of India was that they have made their dissent about this article known to authorites in Beijing and are awaiting the official word of Chinese government regarding this article.They later declared that China has infromed the Indian MEA that they were planning no such thing and the article was opinion of an induvidual.They also stated that the said article has been removed from the website. This all is well and good, but what remains to be asked to the Indian MEA is, are we going to take the word of Chinese authorities on this issue?Does a government wishing to conduct such acitvity openly declare that they are planning such activity?These actions are part of clandestine operations.They are never declared but conducted in secrecy,through covert and underhanded methods.Besides Chinese have a bad record of keeping their word,and we have a bad record for falling for their word.Should we not learn from history? Our governments may proclaim that Indiaand China are not rivals, but yet it does not change the fact that we are indeed rivals.During cold war era US and USSR never fought an open war.Thier leaders too were always involved in talks ranging on various issues,including trade.Yet it never changed the fact that USSR and US were rivals.Similarly whatever talks India may involve itself with Pakistan and China,it is a fact that they will be rivals.China has already demonstrated how serious they are about this rivalry when they exported substandard pharmacueticals branded as made in India.They do not care about the collateral damage as long as they bring India down.Therefore we need to be prepared for China conducting operations to break apart India. Offense is said to be best defense.The only way to offset this plan of China would be for us to pre-empt it with strikes of our own.I am not talking about conventional warfare strikes. China is a communist state with a dictatorial rule.There is dissatisfaction amongst the Chinese simmilar to that within the USSR. When it comes to freedom of the people China has bad record.So is its record concerning human rights.China too has many rivals arond the region,mainly Japan and Republic of China(Taiwan). There are regions that are forcefully dominated by the PRC, like the Tibetean Autonomus Region.There also the Chinese colonies of Macau and Hong Kong. The division within China is not so obvious as it is with Indiadue to dictatorial rule which suppress any reactionary forces within the nation.There are also the suprresion of minority. There are tensions between the Uyghur people of Xinjiang province.Same is the case with Tibet. Inner Mongolia also largely ignores the needs of the locals in its development projects. These examples show that China itself is not without internal troubles and a bit of slip over the controls by the Communist Party of China could very well lead to destrcution of CPC and liberation of various forcibly controlled regions in China.Eepecially the Xinjiang province within which lies the Aksai Chin and Tibet within China claimms Arunachal Pradesh to belong.India houses the leader of Tibet , the Dalai Lama.That has promoted friendly connections with Tibetean government in exile.Breaking China up is all about causing a economic breakdown within China which is possible if Indian industries stop outsourcing to China and stop the import of Chinese goods.It is time to think about something more important than personal satisfaction,because if China suceeds in its plans India will be too vulnerable to foriegn rule and annexation.That would be more lethal for people of India. Also if India can use the traditional rivals of China and a bit of direct interfernce,China will collapse upon itself.Right now we have a pro-India government in Nepal which had been moving towards China for sometime now.We must do our best in securing their alliance to India by providing them aid in development activity.Also we should venture forth in the South-East Asia securing the alliance with Myanmar and Malaysia by investing in devloment activities there.We should disable the base of Chinese alliance around India breaking ourselves from the ring of fire we are in..It is time India gave up is infighting and stood upto to China and not only secure the territory of Arunachal Pradesh which China is trying to take from India but take back the territory of Aksai Chin which we lost to China in 1962.It is time we stop waiting for China to stab us in our backs like they did in 1962 and prevent them from implementing their plans of breaking India. Its time for Our Nation to unite against a common external enemy and a threat to soverignity of Our Country that the Chinese pose.

Politicians are selfish?

In India it has become a fasion to title politicians as corrupt and immoral.Politicians are blamed for every failing of this country.It is a common perception that Politicians and Government Servants are now synonymous with corruption.Yet we as a common man,as citizens of this nation fail to,rather conviniently, look at our activities which contribute to the failings of our nation despite its potential. We say politicians are corrupt.Are we not? These corrupt politicians and 'public servants' care about nothing but power and filling thier private coffers.What about us?We ignore anything that does not affect us,because we are too busy earning money.Are we doin thesame thing.Are we not busy filling our own private coffers, to even care about wat is happening arond us.It is only when we are affected by the gross misconduct of the politicians that we speak about corruption. The question remains how to they get away with it? The law has given us Right to Information Act(RTI) and our right to vote which is as much a duty. How many of us use these right of ours to keep a check on the government?Do we even bother with voting?Are we not to busy earning money at such times? We blame the politicians of indulging in votebank politics.Again let me ask,how is it that they suceed?If they suceed in such ploys isn't it because we fall prey to such games?Their acts of appeasement to a particular group gets the group supporting them.So is it not selfishness on our part if we allow such small acts of appeasement to suceed in their tasks?Do we think about the bigger picture at such times?Do we think of future effects of such act?No.all we want is benefits.Are we ready for sacrifices for the collective welfare?Are we ready to force these politicians to work on proper devlopment,instead of votebank appeasement?Are we ready to sacrifice the benefits which we would otherwise get from an act of apeasement by some politicians?The answer is a resounding no. We blame the governmet for lack of security but yet again we forget our duties to enure public security.Are we vigilant enough to spot and report any suspicious acitvity?Even if a someone does spot such a thing, but if he is geting out of that place(say alighting from a bus,or train),would he bother with reporting or alerting anyone else? We complain about lack of infrastructure and yet how well and efficiently do we use the existing one?I do not about other metros,but in Mumbai a person obeying traffic rules without a policeman around is thought to be a fool.You stop at a traffic signal without any police around and you will be honked and shouted at by those behind you.Obeying traffic rules and lane discpline can reduce the traffic woes of the city.Mumbai gets flooded by the rains every year and yes the cause is lack of proper drainage system, yet wecould avaoid a lot of floodings if we stop throwing litter around which in turn cuases blockages in the drain slowing down the drainage process.We claim that surroung is unclean.Public places are reduced to dustbins.Are we not the ones one litter these places.Many people shamelessly spit around in public.Sometimes its tobacco.Do we bother correcting them.Or to they fell ashamed to do so?Or perhaps bother correcting their own habits?If someone tries correcting he is made to shut up with a simple insult,'Abey tere baap jagah hai kya?Jaa na apna kaam kar.'How many bother siding with a person who is correcting someone? How many of us bother correcting someone who jumps a queue?Or rather how many of us bother with queues themselves?Why do these people jumping queue not hesitate when doing so? How many of us go around asking for favours from these very politicians whom we call evil? As long I am benefiting its alright.but as soon as someone else benefits over me its corrutption. Our society has become too self indulgent.Our constitution has awarded us with certain rights as a citizen of this country.At the same time our constitution expects some duties from us in return for us enjoying these rights. While we remember our rights very well, we conviniently forget those duties because it entails giving of something. It is said that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.We have forgotten that the reason a handful of British soldiers were able to gain control over much larger forces?The selfishness was the reason.We were never united against them and the British took advantage of this using thee divide and rule policy.Was that not appeasement policy?How well did that go for he Indians,even those who were initially appeased were later on forced to serve the British oce they served their purpose.They were used by the British to gain power in India.Unless we learn a lesson from this and unite against the power seeking politicians for betterment of the nation,unless we stop falling prey to Politicians appeasement policy, history is bound to repeat itself. The effect will not be immidiate.Most probably it will not be our generation that suffers the consequences of our selfisheness,but it will be the later generations,probably our children or their children.It is shameful that someone like Mayawati is able to get the post of Chief Minister of Uttar Praedesh just by playing her caste card.Someone whose only intrest is self-promotion.It is sad that politicians are able to divide us along religious lines,caste lines,or regional lines to win election by creeating votebanks.Chinese strategists have clamied that India is internally unstable.The urge the Chinese government to interfere in our nations internal matters,to widen this divide and break India.They claim that with a bit of interference they would be able to break India into 20-30 small nations and to gain 90,000 sq.km of Indian territory which is under dispute between India and China.We would be facing the same humiliation of dismemeberment that we handed to Pakistan in 1971 Indo-Pak War,also known as Bangladesh Liberation War.These claims of the Chinese are not too far fetched.Unless we pull our act together and mend these divisions, our nation will be following on the path of USSR.This time it would be a free economy non dictatorial state broken down by the dictatorial communist state.Completely opposite of what happened to USSR.China has the audacity to mmake such claims becuase they can see how we have divided ourself on the basis of every possible line we can divide by.The government claims that this is not the official line of Chinses governmentbut induvidual opinions of the people of China.Now we cannot be naive enough to believe that any government would take such sort of official stance.These things are done underhandedly.The bottomline is are we ready to make ourselves vulnerable by breaking this federation of states that forms the nation of India into its smaller components,so that the foriegn powers may find it easier to dominate us again?To rule on us?To take us back to pre-independence era?The might of India which is a deterent to the world from trying to enslave India will be divided.Let us remember our pledge. (India is my country.) Is it really?Is this how we treat our houses? (All Indians are my brothers and sisters.) Is that so?Is that how we treat our siblings? (I love my country) Today we only love ourself and after that our families. (and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage) Yes we are proud that the heritage is varied.It gives us some reason to fight amongst ourselves. (I shall always strive to be worthy of it.) I shall only strive to loot as much as I can from my this country (I shall give my parents teachers and all elders respect) I shall give myself everything I can take from this country (and treat everyone with courtsey) and treat anyone who does not matter with utmost disdain. (To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion.) To myself and my family only I pledge my devotion. (In their well being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness) In my welll being and properity alone lies my happiness. (Jai Hind) Jai To Myself. JFK had once said,'ask not what your country can do for you, instead ask what you can do for you country.' All we ask today is wahat our country can do for us. Are not our actions today mocking our own pledge.Instead of just mugging up this pledge and saying it when we are asked to, we should try to understand its meaning and try to live those lines.All we do is take,take and take whatever we can take from this nation untill there is nothing left to take,and even than we keep on taking leaving our nation barren.We should learn to give back.We did the same with nature and environment, and now we see where it has left us.Let us not forget the speech of Mr. Nehru,'A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.' Let us step out into new world again 60 years after we did it once.Let us take a new pledge. We need to change before we demand the politicians to change, before we get the thi snation to change,we must change ourselves.Letus walk this path of change.Let us step into a new era of change. Mr.M.K.Gandhi has said,'You be the change You want to see in others.' Yet I fear we will not change. We will let arrogance and ignorance to ruin us. We will stay selfish as ever. And yet we say that 'Only .......................................................................................................