Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
An Agenda for the New State Governments
Now that the first Assembly elections after the last Lok Sabha elections are over, the outcome in Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra clearly shows that the honeymoon period of the UPA is still on. While poll analysts and observers would get into the usual voter share and percentage calculations, the fact remains “Joh jeeta wo Sikandar” Critics of the Congress have attributed the party’s victory to a divided Opposition while the BJP has sought to hide its defeat by blaming the Electronic Voting Machine describing it as the ruling party’s Election Victory Machine. Had that been the case, the Congress could have easily engineered a landslide for Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Haryana. Howsoever hard it may try to convince the people that the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena was backed by the Congress, the Opposition will have to concede that it was Bal Thackeray’s a la Dhritrashtra decision to anoint his politically novice son over his winnable and hugely popular nephew that is at the genesis of the problem. And if Congress has taken advantage of this split, then that is what politics is all about. What other qualification does Maneka Gandhi or her son Varun have to justify their positions in the BJP except for their surname ‘Gandhi’.
The fact remains that an incumbent Government has been returned to power for the third consecutive term in Maharashtra and for the second tenure in Arunachal and Haryana. Certainly, the Government might have done something for the people to gain their confidence for the first time. Say, the Prime Minister’s Vidarbha package, the NREGS with all its shortcomings and the fact that the Government acted swiftly, replaced the Chief Minister in the state and the Home Minister at the Centre and ensured that there has been no major terror incident any where in the country after the November 26 Mumbai attacks last year. The infighting within the BJP’s top leadership has disillusioned the people no end with the saffron party, the Shiv Sena had nothing new to offer except the parochial Maratha Manoos slogans, whose patent is now with Raj Thackeray. The people are increasingly getting fed up with the negative agendas of the political parties. They want the Opposition on the streets in their neighbourhood to fight for them and not fighting amongst themselves on television and print media.
Having retained the people’s mandate, the Congress too should not rest on laurels or past glory. They will have to deliver. More than anything else, in Maharashtra, the Government should put an end to the spate of suicides, which refuses to abate even after the announcement of special economic packages. Where is the money being spent? Is it reaching the needy and deserving or are the middlemen making hay while the sun shines? What about agricultural infrastructure and remunerative prices? What about private, non-institutional loans taken from money lenders at a much higher interest rate for purposes other than agriculture yet equally important such as education and marriage of children? The suicides are a blot on our existence as a civilized welfare state. It is a cruel joke and mockery on the very idea of a super power India. It is the fodder on which violent movements like Naxalism sustain.
Secondly, the Congress-NCP Government should rein in the burgeoning strength of the likes of Raj Thackeray and their lumpen elements. The way people from North India were beaten up and a noted film director was forced to change even references to the city as Mumbai as against Bombay virtually at stick point, is a sad and sorry comment on the state of affairs in Maharashtra. While it is true that local talent, where available should be given the fullest opportunity, no civilized state can allow its citizens to be beaten up for seeking a dignified life and means of livelihood. Moreover, Congress should also establish beyond doubt that it had no secret understanding with the MNS by going tough against any anti-national and illegal action by Raj and his goons. Not that there are no other problems, but these two are foremost.
As for Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda was saved by a whisker. His Haryana No 1 was more like NDA’s ‘India Shining’, more on hype, less on substance. Again, like NDA’s disastrous 2004 experiment, an overconfident Hooda went to the hustings, several months in advance. Spending crores on advertisements and propaganda without work at the ground level is the best recipe for defeat. The ever increasing labour unrest, lawlessness of caste Panchayats and the ever widening sex imbalance are major areas of concern for the state.
Last but not the least, Arunachal. Both the voting percentage and the vote was for India and against China. The people want to be part of India. But that patriotism should not be taken for granted. They also want development. Both the Centre and the re-elected state Government should ensure that not a single youth would ever feel that he or she would be better off in China than India. We cannot afford another Kashmir on our North Eastern frontier.
The fact remains that an incumbent Government has been returned to power for the third consecutive term in Maharashtra and for the second tenure in Arunachal and Haryana. Certainly, the Government might have done something for the people to gain their confidence for the first time. Say, the Prime Minister’s Vidarbha package, the NREGS with all its shortcomings and the fact that the Government acted swiftly, replaced the Chief Minister in the state and the Home Minister at the Centre and ensured that there has been no major terror incident any where in the country after the November 26 Mumbai attacks last year. The infighting within the BJP’s top leadership has disillusioned the people no end with the saffron party, the Shiv Sena had nothing new to offer except the parochial Maratha Manoos slogans, whose patent is now with Raj Thackeray. The people are increasingly getting fed up with the negative agendas of the political parties. They want the Opposition on the streets in their neighbourhood to fight for them and not fighting amongst themselves on television and print media.
Having retained the people’s mandate, the Congress too should not rest on laurels or past glory. They will have to deliver. More than anything else, in Maharashtra, the Government should put an end to the spate of suicides, which refuses to abate even after the announcement of special economic packages. Where is the money being spent? Is it reaching the needy and deserving or are the middlemen making hay while the sun shines? What about agricultural infrastructure and remunerative prices? What about private, non-institutional loans taken from money lenders at a much higher interest rate for purposes other than agriculture yet equally important such as education and marriage of children? The suicides are a blot on our existence as a civilized welfare state. It is a cruel joke and mockery on the very idea of a super power India. It is the fodder on which violent movements like Naxalism sustain.
Secondly, the Congress-NCP Government should rein in the burgeoning strength of the likes of Raj Thackeray and their lumpen elements. The way people from North India were beaten up and a noted film director was forced to change even references to the city as Mumbai as against Bombay virtually at stick point, is a sad and sorry comment on the state of affairs in Maharashtra. While it is true that local talent, where available should be given the fullest opportunity, no civilized state can allow its citizens to be beaten up for seeking a dignified life and means of livelihood. Moreover, Congress should also establish beyond doubt that it had no secret understanding with the MNS by going tough against any anti-national and illegal action by Raj and his goons. Not that there are no other problems, but these two are foremost.
As for Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda was saved by a whisker. His Haryana No 1 was more like NDA’s ‘India Shining’, more on hype, less on substance. Again, like NDA’s disastrous 2004 experiment, an overconfident Hooda went to the hustings, several months in advance. Spending crores on advertisements and propaganda without work at the ground level is the best recipe for defeat. The ever increasing labour unrest, lawlessness of caste Panchayats and the ever widening sex imbalance are major areas of concern for the state.
Last but not the least, Arunachal. Both the voting percentage and the vote was for India and against China. The people want to be part of India. But that patriotism should not be taken for granted. They also want development. Both the Centre and the re-elected state Government should ensure that not a single youth would ever feel that he or she would be better off in China than India. We cannot afford another Kashmir on our North Eastern frontier.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Naxals, the Taliban Way?
NAXALS, THE TALIBAN WAY?
After Lalgarh and the sensational attacks in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country, the naxalites have struck once again beheading an intelligence officer, the "Taliban" way. As expected, there was a hue and cry with the media dubbing them as the Indian Taliban and both the state and Central Governments vowing to exterminate the ultra left ultras, once and for all. Yet, the million dollar question is who will tie the bell around the cat’s neck? Equally important is the question how to tie the bell. At the end of the day, the Naxalite network is growing by leaps and bounds, with many an intellectual covertly and overtly supporting them.
Is Salwa Judum the answer? Is Naxalism merely a law and order problem? If we can sit across the table with die hard separatists in Kashmir, can’t we talk to our own boys in the backyard? What are the factors attracting a whole lot of youth to embrace the arms rightly or wrongly to achieve their idea of justice? Is it just adventure or the ever widening social disparities and inequities inherent in Indian society that’s motivating them? Is it a popular response to the rampant corruption and the inherent drawbacks in our system that has failed to respond to the aspirations of our marginalized and underprivileged people?
There are arguments and counter arguments. A senior police official from Chhattisgarh told me that the state is unable to carry out any development work as the naxalites blow up schools, bridges and hospitals meant for the people and therefore the only way out is to eliminate them first and thereafter, take forward the development tasks. Logical, eh?
But the answers are not that simple. Let us accept that there is widespread disenchantment and disillusionment with the system and call it psychological exploitation or whatsoever, a sizeable section of the tribals and other marginalized have come to the conclusion that only a recourse to arms may deliver them from the manifest problems.
Therefore, it becomes essential that apart from breaking the back of the naxalites physically, the state must make earnest efforts to reach out to the marginalized people and win back their confidence. Let these sections also be part of the 21st century super power dream we all see. Let them also get a place in the Indian sun, if not the moon.
After Lalgarh and the sensational attacks in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country, the naxalites have struck once again beheading an intelligence officer, the "Taliban" way. As expected, there was a hue and cry with the media dubbing them as the Indian Taliban and both the state and Central Governments vowing to exterminate the ultra left ultras, once and for all. Yet, the million dollar question is who will tie the bell around the cat’s neck? Equally important is the question how to tie the bell. At the end of the day, the Naxalite network is growing by leaps and bounds, with many an intellectual covertly and overtly supporting them.
Is Salwa Judum the answer? Is Naxalism merely a law and order problem? If we can sit across the table with die hard separatists in Kashmir, can’t we talk to our own boys in the backyard? What are the factors attracting a whole lot of youth to embrace the arms rightly or wrongly to achieve their idea of justice? Is it just adventure or the ever widening social disparities and inequities inherent in Indian society that’s motivating them? Is it a popular response to the rampant corruption and the inherent drawbacks in our system that has failed to respond to the aspirations of our marginalized and underprivileged people?
There are arguments and counter arguments. A senior police official from Chhattisgarh told me that the state is unable to carry out any development work as the naxalites blow up schools, bridges and hospitals meant for the people and therefore the only way out is to eliminate them first and thereafter, take forward the development tasks. Logical, eh?
But the answers are not that simple. Let us accept that there is widespread disenchantment and disillusionment with the system and call it psychological exploitation or whatsoever, a sizeable section of the tribals and other marginalized have come to the conclusion that only a recourse to arms may deliver them from the manifest problems.
Therefore, it becomes essential that apart from breaking the back of the naxalites physically, the state must make earnest efforts to reach out to the marginalized people and win back their confidence. Let these sections also be part of the 21st century super power dream we all see. Let them also get a place in the Indian sun, if not the moon.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Facing the Nature's Wrath
Our mythology makes several references to ‘Pralaya’ or the deluge which would swallow the entire universe. The recent devastating floods in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh besides parts of Maharashtra and Goa appeared to be a trailer of that. Some of the television shots reminded one of the Biblical Noah’s Arc, carrying human beings and animal species.
The depression over the Bay of Bengal triggering the rains unprecedented in almost a century was beyond any Government’s control. It was a natural disaster, nay calamity, nay catastrophe. But could the immense losses to human and animal life and property have been reduced is the million dollar question. One does not wish to cast any aspersions on any Government – the BJP in Karnataka or the Congress in Andhra Pradesh but once the water recedes and life returns to normal, one must take into account these factors lest there be a repetition next year around. If it was due to climate change on account of global warming, nature’s fury will unleash once again but we cannot afford to lose our people and their properties. Already over 200 people have been killed and property worth thousands of crores devastated. Lakhs have been rendered homeless and livelihoods of millions have been snatched away.
Janata Dal (Secular) Supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has alleged that the Karnataka Government did not act despite the warnings given by the Meteorological department a week back. Was that the case? If so, why we remain unprepared despite the existence of agencies to manage natural disasters, established in the aftermath of earthquakes and Tsunamis in the past? Or are these organizations only on paper with their only job being to insert some awareness advertisements in the newspapers and organize some mock drills for the media?
The previous NDA Government had embarked on an ambitious programme for inter-linking of rivers, which was touted as the ultimate panacea for the recurring floods and droughts which occur simultaneously over the Indian subcontinent. MoUs for a couple of such projects were signed even during the initial years of the previous UPA regime. But after Rahul Gandhi’s statement describing it as an environmental disaster, Ministers are unwilling to even touch the idea with a fork.
The need of the hour is to examine the proposal comprehensively by experts including some from abroad, if necessary, so that a long-term solution can be found to these recurring floods which destroy within days all the good work done over the decades.
Desilting of rivers, canals and other storage spots, creation of a strong drainage and sewerage system in the small towns and rural areas, afforestation etc are some of the measures that can be regularly undertaken to minimize the impact of such floods.
A flood insurance scheme, which would ensure that the affected persons are able to gather the lost threads of their lives without much difficulty, is something that both the Centre and the states should ponder over.
However, at the moment, the utmost priority should be to rehabilitate the affected people and provide maximum relief to them and for once, let there be no politics over it. Let us stand as one man and face it.
The depression over the Bay of Bengal triggering the rains unprecedented in almost a century was beyond any Government’s control. It was a natural disaster, nay calamity, nay catastrophe. But could the immense losses to human and animal life and property have been reduced is the million dollar question. One does not wish to cast any aspersions on any Government – the BJP in Karnataka or the Congress in Andhra Pradesh but once the water recedes and life returns to normal, one must take into account these factors lest there be a repetition next year around. If it was due to climate change on account of global warming, nature’s fury will unleash once again but we cannot afford to lose our people and their properties. Already over 200 people have been killed and property worth thousands of crores devastated. Lakhs have been rendered homeless and livelihoods of millions have been snatched away.
Janata Dal (Secular) Supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has alleged that the Karnataka Government did not act despite the warnings given by the Meteorological department a week back. Was that the case? If so, why we remain unprepared despite the existence of agencies to manage natural disasters, established in the aftermath of earthquakes and Tsunamis in the past? Or are these organizations only on paper with their only job being to insert some awareness advertisements in the newspapers and organize some mock drills for the media?
The previous NDA Government had embarked on an ambitious programme for inter-linking of rivers, which was touted as the ultimate panacea for the recurring floods and droughts which occur simultaneously over the Indian subcontinent. MoUs for a couple of such projects were signed even during the initial years of the previous UPA regime. But after Rahul Gandhi’s statement describing it as an environmental disaster, Ministers are unwilling to even touch the idea with a fork.
The need of the hour is to examine the proposal comprehensively by experts including some from abroad, if necessary, so that a long-term solution can be found to these recurring floods which destroy within days all the good work done over the decades.
Desilting of rivers, canals and other storage spots, creation of a strong drainage and sewerage system in the small towns and rural areas, afforestation etc are some of the measures that can be regularly undertaken to minimize the impact of such floods.
A flood insurance scheme, which would ensure that the affected persons are able to gather the lost threads of their lives without much difficulty, is something that both the Centre and the states should ponder over.
However, at the moment, the utmost priority should be to rehabilitate the affected people and provide maximum relief to them and for once, let there be no politics over it. Let us stand as one man and face it.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Salaam Bureaucrat
SALAAM BUREAUCRAT
That bureaucrats have been and continue to be at the receiving end of politicians is an established fact, only that Home Minister P Chidambaram was honest enough to admit recently that they (he was referring only to police officials) are kicked around like foot balls. Apart from transfers and punishment postings, we have been witness to even some officials being killed brutally if they do not shell out money for the birth day celebrations of some politicians and the entire nation saw on television how an Andhra MP from Mr Chidambaram’s own party thrashed a bank official over some loan issue.
It is equally an open secret that some bureaucrats crawl even where they are expected only to bend. Top ranking officials singing paeans for people in power and even putting loads of pastry into their hungry mouths during birthday celebrations are not uncommon sights. Political connections are used to get transfers, postings and even promotions, not to talk of other sundry favours for spouses, children and others ranging from admissions to foreign trips and business contracts.
Yet, one does come across exceptions in this mutually exploitative and opportunistic relationship. We do find bureaucrats like Kiran Bedi, who don’t mind taking even the Prime Minister to task when it comes to following rules (remember Crane Bedi).and going on to win the prestigious Magsaysay Award for turning a punishment posting (Tihar Jail) into a wonderful opportunity (ashram). Yes, finally she did resign over not being appointed as the Delhi Police Commissioner. But, the fact also remains that the people remember Bedi (she is now on popular television shows) more than any other city police chief.
It is in this context that one remembers the comparatively low profile, soft spoken and affable bureaucrat Satish Chandra who passed away in Bengaluru recently. He was Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office during the 10 month tenure of H D Deve Gowda.
The proverbial dark horse that he was, a shell shocked Gowda found himself all alone in the corridors of power in Delhi when he was catapulted to the nation’s highest office by destiny. Having been a seasoned politician in Karnataka, Gowda knew too well the importance of a friendly bureaucracy if he was to prove his detractors and critics wrong.
He approached Chandra, who was Chief Secretary of the state when he was the state PWD Minister. Chandra initially refused but after much persuasion relented and guided Gowda through an eventful and tumultuous ten months. Though the bad press he got projected Gowda as a sleeping, mumbling rustic, the first ever package for North East, the signing of the Mahakali Treat with Nepal, the Ganges water sharing agreement with Bangladesh, the resolution of the Tehri dam issue, the announcement of Uttarakhand state and the first railway link to Kashmir, the negotiations with Naga insurgent groups etc also took place during the period thanks to the Janata Dal leader’s vision and free hand given to Chandra, T S R Subramanian and their team of bureaucrats.
Chandra, who briefly became the Governor of Goa, became a recluse after he succumbed to Parkinson’s Disease and to some extent even Alzheimer’s. Gowda made repeated attempts to meet him but he declined on grounds of protocol. After much persuasion, Gowda hosted Chandra and his wife at his residence and as they were leaving presented them with fruits and dress material. Chandra accepted only the fruits.
And much against Chandra’s will for a quiet funeral, a grateful Gowda made all arrangements when his Man Friday passed away. He got the issue raised in the Karnataka legislative council and forced the BJP run state Government to extend full state Honours to the late bureaucrat and Governor. The former Prime Minister spent the whole night weeping besides Chandra’s mortal remains and even organized a memorial meeting.
In a rare tribute by a politician to a bureaucrat, Gowda described Chandra as his “friend, philosopher and guide.”
“I owe him to a great extent whatever achievements are attributed to my government. I must also give him full credit for ensuring that the United Front Government remained scandal free and its image unsullied”, Gowda said.
Neither did Gowda treat Chandra like a foot ball nor did the latter seek or accept any favours from him. It was a relationship of trust and understanding in the larger interests of the nation by two important pillars of our democracy – legislature and executive.
That bureaucrats have been and continue to be at the receiving end of politicians is an established fact, only that Home Minister P Chidambaram was honest enough to admit recently that they (he was referring only to police officials) are kicked around like foot balls. Apart from transfers and punishment postings, we have been witness to even some officials being killed brutally if they do not shell out money for the birth day celebrations of some politicians and the entire nation saw on television how an Andhra MP from Mr Chidambaram’s own party thrashed a bank official over some loan issue.
It is equally an open secret that some bureaucrats crawl even where they are expected only to bend. Top ranking officials singing paeans for people in power and even putting loads of pastry into their hungry mouths during birthday celebrations are not uncommon sights. Political connections are used to get transfers, postings and even promotions, not to talk of other sundry favours for spouses, children and others ranging from admissions to foreign trips and business contracts.
Yet, one does come across exceptions in this mutually exploitative and opportunistic relationship. We do find bureaucrats like Kiran Bedi, who don’t mind taking even the Prime Minister to task when it comes to following rules (remember Crane Bedi).and going on to win the prestigious Magsaysay Award for turning a punishment posting (Tihar Jail) into a wonderful opportunity (ashram). Yes, finally she did resign over not being appointed as the Delhi Police Commissioner. But, the fact also remains that the people remember Bedi (she is now on popular television shows) more than any other city police chief.
It is in this context that one remembers the comparatively low profile, soft spoken and affable bureaucrat Satish Chandra who passed away in Bengaluru recently. He was Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office during the 10 month tenure of H D Deve Gowda.
The proverbial dark horse that he was, a shell shocked Gowda found himself all alone in the corridors of power in Delhi when he was catapulted to the nation’s highest office by destiny. Having been a seasoned politician in Karnataka, Gowda knew too well the importance of a friendly bureaucracy if he was to prove his detractors and critics wrong.
He approached Chandra, who was Chief Secretary of the state when he was the state PWD Minister. Chandra initially refused but after much persuasion relented and guided Gowda through an eventful and tumultuous ten months. Though the bad press he got projected Gowda as a sleeping, mumbling rustic, the first ever package for North East, the signing of the Mahakali Treat with Nepal, the Ganges water sharing agreement with Bangladesh, the resolution of the Tehri dam issue, the announcement of Uttarakhand state and the first railway link to Kashmir, the negotiations with Naga insurgent groups etc also took place during the period thanks to the Janata Dal leader’s vision and free hand given to Chandra, T S R Subramanian and their team of bureaucrats.
Chandra, who briefly became the Governor of Goa, became a recluse after he succumbed to Parkinson’s Disease and to some extent even Alzheimer’s. Gowda made repeated attempts to meet him but he declined on grounds of protocol. After much persuasion, Gowda hosted Chandra and his wife at his residence and as they were leaving presented them with fruits and dress material. Chandra accepted only the fruits.
And much against Chandra’s will for a quiet funeral, a grateful Gowda made all arrangements when his Man Friday passed away. He got the issue raised in the Karnataka legislative council and forced the BJP run state Government to extend full state Honours to the late bureaucrat and Governor. The former Prime Minister spent the whole night weeping besides Chandra’s mortal remains and even organized a memorial meeting.
In a rare tribute by a politician to a bureaucrat, Gowda described Chandra as his “friend, philosopher and guide.”
“I owe him to a great extent whatever achievements are attributed to my government. I must also give him full credit for ensuring that the United Front Government remained scandal free and its image unsullied”, Gowda said.
Neither did Gowda treat Chandra like a foot ball nor did the latter seek or accept any favours from him. It was a relationship of trust and understanding in the larger interests of the nation by two important pillars of our democracy – legislature and executive.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Bhai-Bhai or Bye-Bye
Bhai-Bhai or Bye-Bye?
One vividly remembers how the Indian media tore apart the then Defence Minister George Fernandes when he dared to term China as India’s enemy number one. Recent incursions by Chinese troops all along the Sino-Indian border, Beijing’s proximity to Pakistan, its increasing presence in Nepal, statements by its think tanks supporting India’s balkanization are all indicators of the Dragon’s plans to contain India at any cost.
Poor Fernandes, whose residence has been a refuge for Burmese and other students, was too well aware of our neighbour’s not so friendly intentions. Yet, we continue to be in the denial mode like the pigeon who wishes away the cat before it by simply closing its eyes. We have seen the plight of the Tibetans. We have experienced the Chinese betrayal in 1962. Yet, we refuse to learn. We still have not facilitated easier access to our border outposts, we still do not have effective monitoring and surveillance mechanisms in place.
We forget that those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.
One vividly remembers how the Indian media tore apart the then Defence Minister George Fernandes when he dared to term China as India’s enemy number one. Recent incursions by Chinese troops all along the Sino-Indian border, Beijing’s proximity to Pakistan, its increasing presence in Nepal, statements by its think tanks supporting India’s balkanization are all indicators of the Dragon’s plans to contain India at any cost.
Poor Fernandes, whose residence has been a refuge for Burmese and other students, was too well aware of our neighbour’s not so friendly intentions. Yet, we continue to be in the denial mode like the pigeon who wishes away the cat before it by simply closing its eyes. We have seen the plight of the Tibetans. We have experienced the Chinese betrayal in 1962. Yet, we refuse to learn. We still have not facilitated easier access to our border outposts, we still do not have effective monitoring and surveillance mechanisms in place.
We forget that those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.
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