Kashmir & Art.370.

Kashmir & Art.370.

Amitabh Mattoo's analysis (December 6) of Art.370 of our Constitution does not give a clear picture of the Kashmir problem. It has been well-said that the difference between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, our first prime minister, and Sardar Vallabha Bhai Patel, our first deputy prime minister, is clearly seen in the handling of the State of Jammu & Kashmir and the State of Hyderabad. The clear-headed Sardar took police action when the Razakars inflicted attrocities on the people of Hyderabad, and integrated it with India. Nehru stopped our army when it is about to clear the Jammu & Kashmir state from all the invaders, declared a cease-fire and took it to the Security Council. It created a fertile ground for other countries to play a role in Kashmir. Art.370 is the result of that folly.It has created a wall between India and the State of Jammu & Kashmir,which was merged with India when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession as per the Indian Independence Act enacted by the British Government, like all other princely states. Modi is right in asking for a debate on the benefits of this wall for Indians including the Kashmiris. He has asked a valid question about IITs and IIMs in Kashmir. Art.370, like socialism and non-alignment, has outlived its utility and validity. Our Constitution has been amended many times to keep in tune with the changing times. We cannot freeze our political,economical and social progress forever.

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/understanding-article-370/article5426473.ece

December 6, 2013.

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The Waste Warriors.

The Waste Warriors

 http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/and-the-battle-continues/article5425100.ece

The report, And the battle continues (The Hindu,December 4,2013) is a sad commentary on the apathy of Indians towards waste. It is well-known that waste disposal is necessary for the health of the people and even profitable ( as a manure, and can yield methane gas and produce electricity), the civic authorities in most parts of the country have not addressed this issue. Half the illnesses in the country come from unhygienic living conditions. As Tashi Pareek points out we do not respect the people who collect our garbage.They are not well-paid and their working conditions are bad. The first thing that needs to be done is to pay them as much as a clerk in an office, if not more, and recognise their services to the society. Mahatma Gandhi used to insist on all inmates of his ashram to clean the toilet and sweep the floor to emphasise the dignity of labour. Of course, we have all forgotten him except on his birthday. 

December 6,2013.

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Common man's manifesto.

Common man's manifesto.

After 40 years of central planning and 23 years years of liberalisation of our economy, almost one-third of our people ( about 400 million) are poor – people below the poverty line. We have banished famine but have not tackled hunger. We have mountains of foodgrains substantial portion of which rot in the open in rain and eaten by rodents. Many millions are illiterate, unemployed and under-employed. This is so because our political parties have lost touch with the people. Now is the time to remind them what they should do for people in the next five years.

Mahatma Gandhi had given a mantra to politicians to provide good governance to Indian people. He said that the politicians should recall the face of the poorest man that they have seen or met, and ask themselves whether their policies will help him take charge of his destiny. Our politicians have failed to follow this mantra, and failed our people.

Here are some thoughts how the state can give opportunities to our people to live a life of dignity and prosperity.

Village-centric development : Our development has been city-centric, and that is why people from villages flock to cities to eak a meagre living in slums. Let us make our villages livable. Two people in Maharashtra have shown the way – Anna Hazare in Ralegan Siddhi and Popatrao Pawar in Hirve Bazar. They have created a miracle of prosperity just by harnessing the water in water-shadow areas of Maharashtra. Gram Swaraj was Mahatma Gandhi's dream, and these two people have made Mahatma's dream come true. Sometime ago our former President Dr.Abdul Kalam had prepared a scheme, PURA ( Providing Urban facilities in Rural Areas) which has the potential to change the face of our villages. With physical connectivity (roads), knowledge connectivity ( education) and commercial connectivity (trade), village could be as dynamic as city life.

Dignity of labour : It is time that we give respect and dignity to physical labour. A sanitary worker, a sweeper, a factory worker or an agricultural labourer does more to our country than a dishonest politician or a trader. A sanitary worker is no less important than a doctor. Good sanitary environment keeps us away from diseases. He should be given all the facilities to keep him and his family in good health and cheer. Mahatma Gandhi used to insist on the inmates of his ashram to clean toilets and sweep the floor to demonstrate the dignity of labour. Clean villages, towns and cities would enhance the health of the citizens. Every house should have a clean toilet. India has now more mobile phones than toilets. Supply of potable water would reduce most of the diseases of the poor.

Involve people in administration : The central and state governments have a number welfare measures for the poor which many times do not reach them. Every village, taluka, district and state offices should have a website or at least a board indicating available schemes, their eligibility criteria and how to get them. At every administrative level there should be a small committee consisting of NGOs, corporates, local representatives to supervise the implementation of these schemes. It should be a government of the people, for the people and by the people.

The 2014 general election is an opportunity for concerned citizens and concerned NGOs to educate our masters and prevail upon them to include in their manifestos policies which give opportunities to people live with dignity, not live on charity and doles from the politicians and the state.

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An Agenda for 2014.

An Agenda for 2014.

The Indian State has failed Indian people. After 66 years of freedom almost 400 million people are poor. Many millions are hungry, illiterate and unemployed or under employed.

India has become self-sufficeinrt in food grains production but poor are still hungry. Millions tonnes of food grains rot in rain or infested with pests. Public Distribution System has succeeded only in one or two states but has failed to provide food for the needy in many other states. Many have doubts about the effectiveness of the Food Security Act

India gets abundant mansoon rains and has many perennial rivers but there is a scarcity of water in many parts of the country. Every year there are floods in some part of the country, there is drought in some other parts of the country.

Our educational system produces graduates and diploma holders who do not have skills to get employed. Almost 50 or more percent of students fail every year.

These and other problems of the people cry for solutions.

Our present way of orgnaising economic activities have stifled initiative by individuals or groups to promote economic growth. We have to think laterally. Our problems require new ideas which can tap our vast human and material resouces.

Here are a few suggestions.

1.Decentralize and empower the village panchayat : As Mahatma Gandhi pointed out long ago, India still lives in villages – almost 60 percent of the people depend on agriculture which now contributes less than 15 percent GDP. This gives an idea of deprivation, and stagnation. Let us make our villages liveable. Development should be village-centric. Anna Hazare in Relegoan Siddhi and Popatrao Pawar on Hirve Bazar, both in Maharashtra, have proved even in a rain-shadow areas, villages can be prosperous by harnessing the water – water-shed development, rain water harvesting. This should be duplicated by encouraging young and educated youth to transform their villages.

Our former President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam has developed the concept of PURA – provding urban facilities in rural areas. This is the modren version of Mahatma Gandhi's village development envisaged by him for India. With multiple connectivities such as physical connectivity (roads), knowledge conncetivity (education) and commercial connectivity ( trade), our villages could be as dynamic and progressive as cities.

Implement the 73^rd and 74^th Constitutional Amendment Act.There is a need to decentraize power (taxation, planning projects and their execution ) to all civic bodies – in villages, municipalities and districts. Government should develop a cadre of officers who can enable villages to plan and execute projects for the benefit of the people. All elected members of the panchayats, districts, states and members of the parliament should undergo a course on their rights & responsibilities and obligations to the people.

The Comptroller & Auditor General should be entrusted with responsibility of auditing accounts of the elected bodies and present it to these elcted bodies as well as to the general public. Misuse of power by politicians and bureaucrats should be punished after enquiry within months, not years. Every elcted member should address his voters every year, if not more often, on his activities - achievements and failures.

Some of the Indian states are as big as some of the countries of the world, and they have failed to do justice to all regions of the state. There have agitations to divide these states. Smaller states seems to have done better in providing better governence. The new government should constitute another states reorganisation commission to look into the validity of the demand and make appropriate recomendations. There should be no hesitation to reorganise states for better governance.

2.Health and Education : Every village should have a primary school and every cluster of villages shoud have a primary health care centre. Since agriculture is the mainstay of most of the villages, the secondary school should have modren methods of agriculture as one of the subjects. There should be free special courses on modren agriculture for adults – seeds selection, micro-irrigation, use of organic manure or fertilizers, benefits of cooperatives, how to access credit from banks etc.These courses should be conducted by the Agricultural Universities of the states. Since banks have failed to reach every village, post offices should be strengthened with skilled man-power to provide banking services.

If we can provide potable water and sanitation facilities to every village, health of the poor would improve tremendously. The time has come to implement short course on medicine to cater to the needs of poor in the villages.

3.Involve people in implementing welfare measures : The central and state governments allot crores of rupees on many welfare activites. Some departments do not spend most of the amount, when spent, it does not reach the intended recipients. There has to be social auditing of these social welfare measures. Every central, state, district and village level authority should be associated with social groups (ngos) who promote social causes and corporates who can give managerial support. Many people are not aware of the facilities provided by the government bodies.

4.Transperancy in administration : The Right to Information Act has provided political and social workers information on the use and misuse of power by the bureaucracy and the politicians. One has to write to the competant authority for every bit of information. Every department of the government ( except defence ) should have a website where all the information including tenders and allotments should be made availble for the benefit of the citizens. Ever department should be computerised and the citizen should be able to receive information on his application without much delay.

5.Corruption & Black Money : Corruption and black money started during the second world war due to the rationing of food grains and other essentials. It continued after Independence due to permit-licence raj. Gold import ban and prohibition added to it. High marginal income tax upto 97% gave impetus to it.

Moderate income, excise, service and import taxes plus enforcing the same without fear and favour should be the guideline for the government. The new government should confiscate all money deposited in off-shore banks. Bureaucrats,politicians and businessmen should be offered a chance to declare their black money holdings without imprisonment but with 75% confiscation

There is an urgent need to establish the institution of Ombudsman ( lokayukta) at the central and state levels or to have a bench in the high courts and the supreme court only to hear corrution cases. CVC & CBI can work under Ombudsman or the judge.

6.State-funding of political parties: There is no mention of political parties in our Constitution. The Constitution should be amended to include a provision on political parties and how they should function. Every political party should have internal democracy.All donations should be properly accounted for. It is a sad commentary on our democracy that most of the funding of the political parties is in cash. Loka Nayak Jaya Prakash Narayan had observed long ago that election is the gangotri (fount) of corruption.

The state should fund most of the election expenses of the recognised political parties with reference to a rational formula – number votes/seats won. All banners, processions on the roads and loud speakers which disturb normal life should not be allowed. The Election Commission can be entrusted with the oragnisation of meetings of all candidates in each constituency to reduce election expenditure. With the reduction of illiteracy in the country most of the voters are aware of the political developments in the country. The Election Commission can distribute the highlights of the manifestoes of political parties to every household. It can bring out special supplements in newspapers with the manifestoes. The TV channels can be asked to give time for all parties. These measures would reduce election expenditure of all political parties.

7.Defence industry : India's defence needs are increasing with the undemarcated boundaries with two of our neighbours and their continued belligerance. We import most of our defence requirements from abroad. It is a constraint on our strategic autonomy. India should build a defense industry in cooperation with the private secor, and it should also seek collaboartion with defense industries in other countries.

8.Solar Energy : India should invest money, talent and R&D to harness solar energy in a big way to tap 360 days of sunshine in the country. Fossile fuels are polluting and atomic energy is dangerous. We should be pioneers in solar and other non-conventioal energy sources. In the meanwhile, there should be an intense effort to explore and locate hydro-carbon resoures in the country. Dependence on imported crude oil should be reduced.

9.Harness the water : It is said that the next world war would be on water sources. We have to harness every drop of water available in india. Rain-water harvesting, micro-irrigation projects, and check-dams should be encouraged all over India. India should also construct a network of canals to harness the flood waters to quench the thirst for water in rain-shadow areas. Every state can try river-linking projects for this purpose.

10.Manufacturing Industry : India has neglected small-scale and large manufacturing industry. While Computer software industry is the pride of India today, which provides employment to many engineering graduates, it is the manufacturing industry which gives employment to skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers. India should have been at the top for garment exports with its vast experience in textile industry, we find that China, Bangladesh and Hong Kong are in the big league, not India.

We import cheap toys and even idols of Indian gods from China. Indian government should give concessions and tax incentatives to build manufacturing industry. Building industry ( houses, hospitals, schools), which has multiplier effect on the economy, needs to be given industry status and freed from red-tape and the large number of permissions which delay projects. The slums and crumbling buildings in Mumbai and other cities is shame and an eloquent testimony of the government's inactivity.

I have seen my country become Independent, lay the foundation for economic growth, and promote democracy. Some of the initial policies ( permit-license raj, social and religious divide etc.) distorted our growth and progress. Indians are intelligent and hard working. They just want more opportunities. The above suggestions, I believe, would provide them.

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72% of today's headlines are about breaking of the Rule of Law

Newspapers, like films, art, literature, reflects the time we live. With the increased literacy, people are asking questions why the they are not getting good education, civic services and employment. Politicians who promise many things before election, do not keep them. Newspapers, as the representatives of the people, find out why things go wrong. They are duty-bound to report all wrong-doings. Not that all newspapers do their duty by the public. There are newspapers who distort news and views to suit their ideological or sectarian interest. People are quite intelligent and they see through this distortion - ye public hai, sub janti hai. This one of the reasons for the explosion of public outburst in the internet.

Why majority of news in newspapers is about corruption, favourtism and breaking laws is because the journalists believe in the maxim, " When the dog bites a man, it is not news but when a man bites a dog, it is news". If trains or airlines run on time, it is not news. It is what is expected and so it not news-worthy but when there is some disruption, it is news and people would like to know what and why it happened. Newspapers are like messengers, they cannot be blamed for bad news.

What is really disturbing is, what is called "Paid News" which suppresses facts and suggests falsehood which is rampant during the election. The Election Commission has to be very vigilant about this gross abuse of news and newspapers. There is thin line between information and propaganda. 

The real problem with journalism is, it has ceased to be a mission as it was during the freedom struggle and has become profession which seeks to increase profit, not so much public welfare. See the number of advertisements and supplements which woo the readers with false claims. This makes many newspapers to gloss over many misdeeds of the companies and governments.

Newspapers should be run by trusts who do not seek profit but public welfare. These institutions could stand up to big governments and big industry. In the UK & USA, new type of journalism has emerged and it is called, Philnthro-journalism ( journalism promoted by a philanthropist), which was highlighted by the Economist of London in its issue dt.June 9,2012. This is of course in response to the decline of circulation of newspapers and advertisers due to TV and internet. This has affected investigative reporting as well. Even in the West big government and big industry manipulate news and newspapers.

In the meanwhile, Indian citizens have to be vigilant and express their views fearlessly in newspapers and magazines as well as in the internet. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

( Written in response to an item in karmayog.com website regarding negative news in newspapers).

October 22,2013.

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Hindutva is Humanism..

Hindutva is Humanism.

This is with reference to to Hindutva. Hindutva has been well explained by Swami Vivekanada in his famous address at the Parliament of Religion held in Chicago on September 11,1893. He said, " I am proud to beong to to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal tolerance but we accept all religions to be true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth." Here he mentions Jews and Parsees who took refuge in India but also prospered.

Then he added, " I will quote to you, brothern, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest childhood, which is repeated by millions of human beings: ' As the difference steams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear,crooked or straight,all lead to Thee.'

The Swami concluded by saying that the the august assembly in Chicago itself is a vindication of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: ' Whoever comes to Me, through whatever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to Me.'

The Swami explained Vedanta as Oneness of the Universe – the same Life Force animates the human beings, flora and fauna, that man is not the master of the universe but a part of it. All life has a right to its existence. Every man is a Spark of the Divine. This principle which is accepted in spiritual life should be practiced in everyday life, which he called practical Vedanta, and this is the real foundation of human equality. Liberty and fraternity. Hinduism or Hindutva is humanism.

October 6,2013.

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Swami Vivekananda - India's man of Destiny.

Swami Vivekananda – India's Man of Destiny.

" In India, there are two great evils. Trampling on the women, and the grinding the poor through caste restrictions."

" So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every man a traitor who, having been educated at their expense, pays not the least heed to them! I call these men who strut about in their finery, having got all their money by grinding the poor, wretches, so along as they do not do anything for those two hundred million who are now no better than hungry savages."

These are not the words of any of the present day advocates of the rights of women or promoters of human rights of India. These are the admonitions of the descendant of the great sages of the ancient past, Swami Vivekananda, who was aghast at the poverty, degradation and ignorance of Indians more than 100 years ago. He was appalled to see the caste divide and the practice of untouchability.

After travelling from the Himalayas to Kanya Kumari, he diagnosed the malady of India as lack of self-confidence and an inferiority complex internalized during the centuries of stagnation and slavery. He saw poverty in the midst of plenty. He knew Indians had developed a great civilization and a culture, and had a prosperous life which had invited many invasions. To remedy the situation, wherever he went, he tried to instill confidence among the people of India, especially the youth. His words of wisdom and encouragement awakened the latent energy of the people of India.

Vedanta – Oneness of Life.

Swami Vivekananda drew his inspiration from Vedanta, Oneness of Life, propounded and realized by the sages of ancient times. He said that every man is a spark of the Divine. He told Indians that the caste and creed has no validity in Vedas and other scriptures, and they were created by men to subdue their brethren. Every man is born free and should have the freedom to be his best self. Vedas and Upanishads explain the divine nature of man, and liberty, equality and fraternity are part of our philosophy and scriptures. These values which we accept in spiritual life, should be practiced in our every day life. This, he called, practical Vedanta. This is a revolutionary interpretation of Hindu philosophy which no other saint or philosopher has done before.

Here are some of his exhortations to the youth of India :

'Strength is life, Weakness is death'

'This is the only sin – to say that you are weak, or others are weak'.

' Whatever you think, that you will be; If you think yourself weak,weak you will be; if you think yourself strong; strong you will be.'

'Stand up, be bold, be strong. Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your destiny. All the strength and soccour you want are within yourselves.'

'First of all, our young men must be strong. Religion will come afterward. Be strong, my young friends; that is my advice to you. You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of Gita.'

He is an atheist who does not believe in himself. The old religion said he was an atheist who does not believe in God. The new religion says that he is an atheist who does not believe in himself.'

Narendra becomes Swami Vivekananda.

Narendranath Dutta, who became Swami Vivekananda, later in life, was born on January 12,1863, to Vishwanath Dutta and Bhuvaneshwari Devi. With his athletic body, his inquiring mind, strong voice and boldness, he displayed qualities of leadership early in life. He was good in studies and had interest in a wide range of subjects such as art, literature, social science, religion and philosophy. He also read books on Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata and Ramayana and other scriptures. He was a member of Brahmo Samaj led by Keshub Chandra Sen and Debendranath Tagore.

In the college, he studied European history and western philosophy. Once his Principal William Hastie mentioned that the students can meet Ramakrishna,the priest of Dakshineshwar, to learn the true meaning of trance. That suggestion made him meet his future Guru, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Narendranath asked the priest whether he has seen God and the reply was, 'Yes' and told Narendranath that he too can have His Vision. Rest, as they say, is history. And Narendranath became Swami Vivekananda.

A Hindu view of life.

When Swami Vivekananda started addressing the assembly of about 4000 people at the famous Parliament of Religion held in Chicago on September 11,1893 with " Sisters and Brothers of America", he was greeted with great applause and a standing ovation for two minutes. He was bewildered as he was his natural self and had addressed the gathering with a deep sense of 'oneness' that was the message of Vedanta – vasudhaiva kutumbakam ( world is a family).

The Swami's exposition of Hinduism was simple but also profound. The Swami said,

 " It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects."

 He continued, " I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal tolerance but we accept all religions to be true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth." Here he mentioned Jews and Parsees who took refuge in India.

Then he said, " I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest childhood, which is repeated by millions of human beings: ' As the difference streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.'

" The present convention,which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world, of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: 'Whoever comes to Me, through whatever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to Me. ' …...I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal."

In a brief address, Swami Vivekananda, explained the essence of Hindu philosophy - Hinduism seeks unity in diversity. No wonder, Vivekananda, was showered with praise by the audience, the press and the intellectuals in the USA. While Dr.J.H.Barrows, Chairman of General Committee of the Parliament of Religions, said, " Swami Vivekananda exercised a wonderful influence over his audience", The New York Herald commented, " He is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation."

Swami Vivekananda changed India...

The Swami's re-interpretation Hindu scriptures which embraced the masses as well as the classes had an electrifying effect on the Indian mind which was subdued by superstition and slavish mentality encouraged by the British educational system. He condemned the rich and the upper castes for looking down upon the poor and the lower castes. He called the poor, 'daridra narayan' – poor but godly. He decried the practice of untouchability. He said there is no high and low in the eyes of God and it should not be so in the eyes of man as well.

The Swami's re-interpretation of Hindu view of life inspired many English educated Indians to work for the freedom movement. " Modern India is Vivekananda's creation", said Subhas Chandra Bose. Mahatma Gandhi observed, " reading Vivekananda had made me love the country more". Rajaji declared, " But for Swamiji, we would have lost our religion and would not have gained freedom. We,therefore, owe everything to Swami Vivekananda." Jawaharlal Nehru commented, " His whole life and teaching inspired my generation... he brought his spirituality to bear upon his patriotism and thus his message was not confined to India only, but was for the world." Rabindranath Tagore applauded him by saying, " if you want to know India, study Vivekananda." He was also admired by Maharshi Aurobindo and and the great Tamil poet, Subramanya Bharati. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Swami was the maker of modern India.

…........................and the world.

After his speeches in Chicago, he was invited to address many gatherings and he spent three years in USA to explain the Hindu view of life, especially Vedanta. He established Vedanta Society in New York He gave a series of lectures in Harvard and was offered a teaching position which of course he declined. He also rejected similar offer from the Columbia University.

Some of the best minds of USA were attracted to the philosophy and practice of Vedanta – Christopher Isherwood (who translated Gita along with Swami Prabhavananda), Laurence Olivier, Greta Garbo, Aldous Huxley, Igor Stravinsky, philosopher Gerald Heard, J.D.Selinger and many others. The name of Somerset Maugham's novel, The Razor's Edge, is a phrase taken from the Upanishads.

Swami Vivekananda had met John F. Rockefeller, the oil billionaire, twice during his stay in Chicago, and this resulted in the philanthropic activities of Rockefeller. Earlier, the Swami had met Jamshedji Tata in the ship that sailed from Yokohama to Vancouver on his way to USA, and had suggested the need for scientific research which took the form of Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru founded by Jamshedji.

Swami Vivekanada who introduced Vedanta and Yoga to the people of America was followed by Yogis such as Paramhansa Yogananda, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi and many others. No wonder today more Americans practice Yoga than in India. Many Americans accept Hindu view of life, and this was highlighted by Lisa Miller in her article, " We are all Hindus now" ( Newsweek,Aug.31,2009). She wrote, ".. recent poll data show that conceptually, at least, we are slowly becoming more like Hindus and less like traditional Christians in the ways we think about God, ourselves, each other, and eternity." Then she mentioned, " According to a 2008 Pew Forum survey, 65 percent of us believe that "many religions can lead to eternal life – including 37 percent evangelicals....here is another way in which Americans are becoming more Hindu. 24 percent of Americans say they believe in reincarnation, according to a 2008 Harris poll...More than a third of Americans now choose cremation, according to the Cremation Association of North America".

Salvation of Man and Mankind

The Hindu philosophy and the Hindu way of life are based on the great truth – Oneness of the Universe. That is why it not merely tolerates but accepts all ways of worship as they were evolved to suit the needs of different people in different times and different climes. It has been well put in a few words – ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti ( There is only one Truth but wise say in different words).

When we understand and realise the Oneness of the Universe, equality of man (need,not greed) and reverence for life (non-violence) become integral part of our life. Man is just a part of the Universe, not the lord of the Universe. Every animate and inanimate being in the world has as much right to live as man has. This change in our attitude and outlook, can change the future of man and mankind.

Dr. Arnold Toynbee, the great historian, observed "... at this supremely dangerous moment in history, the only way of salvation for mankind is an Indian way", and he added, " ..it is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a Western beginning will have an Indian ending if it is not to end in the self-destruction of the human race."

Swami Vivekananda was India's Man of Destiny as he resurrected India from superstition and slavery. He may be the Man of Destiny for the world, as foretold by Dr.Arnold Toynbee.

September 12,2013

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Temple trusts misused by politicians..

Temple Trusts misused by politicians.

Time has come for Hindus to free their temples from the clutches of politicians. As observed by R.N.Bhaskar (DNA, Aug.19), enormous amount of money donated by the believers to the temple trusts are being misused by politicians for their own purpose instead of using it to provide amenities to the devotees who throng temples in search of peace and happiness, if not salvation. The first charge of any temple trust must be the welfare of the devotees and the upkeep of the temple's customs and tradition. Secondly, surplus funds should be used to promote Hindu culture through the publication of books on Hindu philosophy and Hindu saints. The temple trusts can also establish schools and colleges for the general public in its vicinity. The trustees should be elected by the registered devotees of the temple as is done in case of SGPC (Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhaak Committee) and the audited accounts should be made available to the devotees.

The government take-over of temple trusts is a travesty of the Constitutional guarantee (Freedom of conscience and free profession,practice and propagation of religion, Art.25 & Freedom to manage religious affairs,Art.26) of the freedom of religion of Hindus. A secular state has no right to interfere in the religious matters. Secularism essentially means separation of religion from the state. In India, it is 'sarve dharma sama bhava' ( equal respect to all faiths), put it in the words of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the great philosopher and the former President of India. The Indian state does not treat all religions as equal. This should change.

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?pgNo=13&edcode=820009&eddate=2013-8-19

August 19,2013.

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Spewing Venom.

Spewing venom.

I was amused by the reasons given by Dilip D'Souza (DNA,August 6) why he does not want to vote for Modi - he has been abused by anonymous Modi supporters, mandir, coffin scam (?), blood stain of 2002. Hundreds of riots in India since Independence which only benefits Congress, 1984, Emergency, Kashmir problem, Chinese invasion of 1962, CWG & 2G scams ( all notional & zero loss) and 400 million poor after long Congress rule are all marginal flaws – they are all by the pluralistic party opportunistically communal and are all excused. It does matter that Modi has given 24-hour electricity to Gujarat, that he has constructed thousands of bunds to store water and achieve almost 10 percent agricultural growth for a decade ( read the report by R.N.Bhaskar in DNA), he had the imagination to invite Ratan Tata to set up Nano plant in Gujarat by sms and have solar panel on Narmada canals to generate electricity and save water from evaporation.  There has been no communal riots in Gujarat in the last ten years. These are not good governance but are all communal activities. I always thought intellectuals use reason to come to any conclusions. You have made me realise that they are also human – they have their bias, their prejudices and above all, they are full of themselves. Verily, secularism is the opium of the intellectuals, facts be damned !

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=49870&boxid=16716&ed_date=2013-8-06&ed_code=820009&ed_page=8

August 6,2013.

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The Profligate UPA.

The Profligate UPA.

Indian citizens have to thank Surjit S.Bhalla for pointing out the profligacy of UPA/Congress in the last few years ( Rajiv Gandhi lessons on the food bill,IE,July 27). According to the statistics of the government, we have 250 million poor with a per capita monthly expenditure of Rs. 709 and the poverty line is Rs.893, the difference being Rs.184 per month. The 250 million poor could have been uplifted by an expenditure of Rs 55,000 crore. But the government has spent an amount of Rs.105,000 crore on NREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and food subsidies in 2011-12. The difference of Rs.50,000 is the leakage ( theft, waste due improper warehousing and supply to non-poor). With proper supervision this could have been avoided. That money could have been used to provide water and sanitation, and improve the quality of life of the poor. The government should involve NGOS and the corporates to ensure proper supervision of of its schemes to reduce, if not eliminate leakage. Poverty cannot be removed without honesty and integrity.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rajiv-gandhi-lessons-on-the-food-bill/1147214/0

July 27,2013.

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Modi Mania.

Modi Mania

Your edit, Modi Mania (DNA,July 25), is a reasoned analysis of the issues involved in the case of US visa for the CM of Gujarat and the letter that was written to the President of USA by some members of our parliament. India has adopted a Constitution which guarantees liberty, equality and fraternity to every citizen. The Constitution provides for an elected parliament to legislate, a Supreme Court to review legislation and guarantee the rights of every citizen. Every citizen has a right to appeal to the Supreme Court to protect his rights. The Supreme Court has dealt with the cases of murder and arson in the 2002 Godhra case and some have been punished. No court has indicted the CM of Gujarat. In spite of it, the US administration, in its wisdom, has denied a visa for the CM. However, this did not prevent Narendra Modi in giving good governance to the people of Gujarat, and get elected with overwhelming support from the voters three times, and now there is a clamour for his model of development all over India. It is demeaning that some members of the parliament have written to the US President to continue his policy of denial of visa to the CM. That also means that they do not have faith in the Indian Parliament, the Indian Judiciary and the Indian Constitution. The least they should do is to resign their seats. Their act is also the contempt of the parliament and the Supreme Court. They deserve to be punished for demeaning India and the Indian Constitutional institutions.

 http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/1865294/editorial-dna-edit-modi-mania

July 25,2013.

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UPA has failed to empower the people.

UPA has failed to empower people.

Not all the rhetoric of Shashi Tharoor (IE,July 23) can hide the fact that UPA has failed the people.As Pratap Bhanu Mehta has pointed out (IE,July11) roads building has almost stopped, power is still a scarce commodity, education sector has become a money-making business, manufacturing industry is not growing and the Indian businessmen are looking abroad for opportunities to invest, farmers are committing suicide and inflation is raging. Instead of improving infrastructure, reviving industry and supporting agriculture (with irrigation,credit,marketing etc),UPA has busy with 100 days of work, right to education, and now with food security. UPA's right-based strategy will not eradicate poverty but fatten the pockets of middlemen, bureaucrats and politicians. UPA has not heard the famous Chinese proverb that it is better to teach fishing to people than give fish. Can we build our country on doles ?

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/note-to-upabashers/1145174/

July 23,2013.

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The midday deaths.

The Midday Deaths.

With the death of 23 children in Gandman primary school in Chhapra after eating the meal prepared in unhygenic conditions ( grains were kept next to a sack of fertilizer with no proper space for kitchen), one of the most important social development schemes has come under the cloud.( Is this food security?DNA July 18) . The school-going children in many parts of the country have fallen ill and even died due to negligence on the part of the school. The scheme had great response from the poor farmers and farm workers. Instead of coming out with new schemes every now and then, the state and central governments could have spent more resources to make this great scheme a success. The scheme requires proper management – a clean room or even a shed to keep rice,wheat,vegetables, oil etc and to provide space for a proper kitchen. It also requires proper supervision by the parents of the children and a local NGO. All this was missing in the primary school where this tragedy occured. The government should ask some of the leading chanbers of commerce and industry to adopt these schools as part of their corporate social responsibity. Akshay Patra Foundation has been providing healthy meals to lakhs of students in various parts of the country. It could be asked to run similar kitchens to other schools of the country as well. We have to find a solution. Blame game has no meaning.

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=48917&boxid=30268&ed_date=2013-07-18&ed_code=820009&ed_page=1

July 18,2013.

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Dalrymple is wrong.

Dalrymple is wrong.

Dalrymple in his eassy, A deadly triangle – Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, has endorsed the old Anglo-American thesis that solving the Kashmir problem to the satisfaction of Pakistan is necessary for the peace in the Indian sub-continent. Now, Dalrymore has added Afghanistan to the mix. When Chinese attackted India in 1962, UK & USA tried to force India to compromise on Kashmir. Pandit Nehru did not bend to their will. As Rajiv Dogra (DNA,July 17) has pointed out, India has been helping Afghanistan in its economic development without getting involved in the fight between the government of Afghanistan, NATO countries and the USA with the Taliban. It is the Pakistani government which is seeking to dominate Afghanistan to fulfil its desire for ' strategic depth', and it is well-known secret that Taliban is the creation of ISI. The Pakistani military has used the bogey of India to gather power for itself most of these years since the establishment of Pakistan. It is very difficult to predict the stability of the present civilian government. The elite of Pakistan blame America, India and Isreal for its ills, says the famous Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid in his book, Pakistan on the Brink : The Future of America, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Dalrymple's essay looks more like a ploy to pressurise India. We have to be beware. 

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/1862092/column-dalrymple-conjures-up-a-dangerous-triangle

July 17,2013.

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Food Security or Poll gimmick ?

Food Security or Poll gimmick ?

Ashutosh Varshney has missed the point which the opposition is making with regard to Food Security Ordinance in his philosophic essay on the subject (IE, July 12).Nobody in his right mind has any problem with any scheme of providing subsidized food grains to the poor especially when the food-grains procured are rotting in the open in government's godowns. Many states have similar programme, especially in the BJP-ruled Chattisgarh state which monitor food-grains trucks with GPS and sends sms to the ration-card holders. What is opposed is the hurry with which the UPA government wants to do it with an ordinance when Monsoon session is not far away. The coverage of the scheme is also problematic – 50% in urban areas and 75% in rural areas. This also means decades of Congress rule has not dented poverty in spite of many slogans such 'garibi hatao' and 'amm admi' just before the elections in the past decades. Just before the last parliamentary election, UPA government came out with two other schemes - guaranteed 100 days of work for one adult in a family and waiver of farmers loan which has not helped most of the farm workers and the farmers. Fact is UPA has no achievement to show-off. It has just coined a new slogan for the next election.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-costs-of-no-food-security/1140754/0

July 14, 2013.

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Good governance through the courts.

Good governance through the courts.

The three recent decisions of the Supreme Court - Instant disqualification of MPs /MLAs, if convicted (IE,July 11); Autonomy for CBI ( directive given while monitoring the Coal Allotment Case); Control over freebees ( a suggestion given to the Election Commission) – would promote good governance in the country. An over-whelming number of citizens have welcomed them. It is a sad commentary that these initiatives for good governance have not come from the political establishment, but from a constitutional body. This shows there is a communication gap between the elected and the electorate, and our representatives are not in tune with the public sentiments. Our democracy has been distorted by electoral politics – getting elected by hook or crook, not providing good governance. This must change.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mps-mlas-will-be-disqualified-as-soon-as-they-are-convicted-sc/1140361/0.

July 11,2013.

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Reconstruction of Uttarakhand.

Reconstruction of Uttarakhand.

The suggestion made by Shri Ashok V.Chowgule, Working President(External),VHP (Organiser,July 14) that temple funds in various states should be used for the reconstruction of Uttarakhand is to be welcomed. It would be a good idea if VHP can bring all Hindus together under the auspicies of an Association of all Matadhipatis & Shankarcharyas to reconstruct all temples which are affected by the floods, especially Kedranath Temple. It can collect donations from people all over the country and build the temples according to the Agama Shastra and customs. Deva Bhumi should be kept as Deva Bhumi.

As far as the rehabilitation of people and villages are concered, it is the duty of the Uttarakhand and the Union Governemnts to do so – rebuilding schools, hospitals, roads, guest-houses and other infrstructure. In view of the fragile nature of the hills and mountains, reconstruction must be environmental-friendly. The Uttarakhand government should promote pilgrimage rather than tourism to safeguard delicate flora and fauna of the state. The Uttarakhand tragedy was created by a over-enthusiastic industrialization, hydro-power dams, and urbanisation ushered in the state after its creation. Man succeeds only when he acts in tune with the nature, not against the nature.

http://organiser.org/Encyc/2013/7/8/Use-temple-funds-for-Uttarakhand-reconstruction--VHP.aspx?NB=&lang=4&m1=m8&m2=m8.24&p1=&p2=&p3=&p4=&PageType=N

July 9, 2013.

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Clean politics.

Clean Politics.

The CIC's ruling stating that the six political parties to be subject to RTI as they are 'public authorities', as pointed out by Rajeev Gowda (IE, July 6), is a window of opportunity to clean up our political system. If we want a clean administrative system we have to start from political system. Lok Nayak Jaya Prasad Narayan had said long ago that election is the "gangotri" (source) of corruption. Every elected representative starts his career with a big lie – his election expenses. One politician has already confessed it recently, and others want to punish him but silent on the expenses they have incurred. Some form of state funding is imperative to clean up our democratic system and open the doors for the young with new ideas. Now politics has become first choice of the rich, the famous and the even the criminals. There is also a need to ensure internal democracy in the political parties, and auditing of their accounts through a proper legislation. 

  http://www.indianexpress.com/news/who-will-pay-for-clean-politics-/1137803/

July 5, 2013.

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Banking & Post Office.

Banking & Post Office.

Your edit, Banking Options (DNA,July 3), gives an idea of the staggering network of post offices in the country – 1.55 lakh post offices including 1.4 lakh in rural areas mobilising Rs.1.9 lakh crore through 26 crore savings accounts. It is a mystery why the GOI and the RBI never thought of modernising its operations and upgrading its recruitment policy until now. It should have been the instrument for financial inclusion which is being proclaimed by the GOI/RBI for years now. The Private Banks were nationlised almost 50 years to help the poor and the marginalised but they have not been able to cover even the 50 percent of of our people. The Post Office should be the first get the banking license among 26 who have applied for it.

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/1856215/editorial-dna-edit-banking-options

July 3, 2013.

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Drip irrigation is the key to prosperity.

Drip Irrigation is the key to prosperity.

Agricultural miracle in Gujarat with about 10 percent growth per year is driven by water management promoted by the Gujarat government led by Narendra Modi. R.N.Bhaskar has thrown light on this aspect in his report (Drip Irrigation key to productivity, DNA, June 24). The state has built 8 lakh check dams. In addition to that the state has made subsidy for drip irrigation equipment conditional on the advise to farmers on the cropping pattern on the suppliers of the equipment. With this, it has ensured that farmers use rip irrigation equipment and also have good advise. It is very imaginative. The chief minister is also promoting solar power panels on the Narmada canals to provide electricity to the villages around and prevent evaporation of water ! Earlier, he had invited Ratan Tata to set up his Nano factory by an sms. There are very few chief ministers in our country who take such initiatives.

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=47471&boxid=30542&ed_date=2013-06-24&ed_code=820009&ed_page=14

June 25,2013.

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Secularism & Development.

Secularism & Development.

The never ending debate on secularism seems to have trumped development in our country. While common man is asking for development which creates jobs, electricity, water and roads, the so-called secular parties are telling people which riots are secular and which are not. Surjit S.Bhalla has hit the nail on the head when he said " Mumbai riots are secular and Godhra riots are not secular." ( Tell me I am mad,IE,June 22). Riots are a failure of good governance and good governance needs functional autonomy ( power to act promptly and to take responsibility law & order) to police. While Modi is challenging these parties on development by providing 24-hours of electricity and water to the farmers to increase the productivity of agriculture, and invites industrialists to set up factories create employment, the secular parties creating vote-banks by distributing freebees, quotas and reservation. Youth of the country want opportunities for growth, not a begging bowl. Girls from J&K are coming to Kota for education, according to a report. That should tell our parties what people want.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tell-me-i-am-mad/1132235/

June 23, 2013.

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Advani & Modi, not Advani Vs Modi.

Advani & Modi, not Advani Vs Modi.

The credit for cresting a bi-polar polity in India should go to Lal Krishna Advani. He exposed the slogan of secularism that Congress proclaimed with his thesis of 'pseudo-secularism' and 'cultural nationalism' which touched heart of the vast silent majority of India. He succeeded in building a strong opposition which Ram Manohar Lohia and Jaya Prakash Narayan could not do, as pointed out by Ashutosh Varshney ( IE,June 18). Lohia and Narayan had seen the growing corruption in the country which the Congress spawned with its monopoly of power. The Congress had clothed itself in the false garment of socialism and secularism, and weakened both the Communists and the Socialists. Vote-bank politics is the politics of division and diversion from good governance.

Today India has the youngest population in the world and it is yearning for opportunities which only good governance can provide, and Narendra Modi by providing 24-hour power, and water (extension of Narmada canal and thousands of check-dams & bunds) which boosted agriculture while inviting industry to create employment, has caught the imagination of people everywhere. It is a part of the vision of Advani who has been promoting the cause of suraj, good governance. Modi is a true follower of Advani, and Modi has the experience of good governance which could be replicated all over India.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/advani-moment-nation/1130187/

June 19,2013.

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Dalits, Caste & Capitalism.

The Indian Express published a transcription of the interview its Editor-in-Chief, Shekhar Gupta had with Milind Kamble, founder of the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) and Chandra Bhan Prasad, its mentor,(Walk the Talk, IE,June11,2013) under the headline, " Capitalism is changing caste much faster than any human being.Dalit should look at capitalism as a crusader against caste."

Kamble and Prasad made some comments and statements which highlight how the lives of Dalits are changing for the better after 66 years of Independence. The affirmative action included in the Constitution of India by the founding fathers has borne fruit by empowering SC & ST with education. The Constitution had envisaged reservation for 10 years, and now these Dalit businessmen tells us reservation has outlived its utility.

It is tribute to the Indian democracy and its Constitution that today 10 percent enterprises (1,64,000) registered with the Ministry of Micro,Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are owned by Dalits. The largest enterprise which is affiliated to the Dalit Chamber is by Rajesh Saraiya ,who hails from Sitapur (UP). His company is registered in London,Ukraine and six other countries, and his company has a turnover of Rs.2000 crore.

Dalits and Tribals are the most oppressed people in this country, and today they are part of the Rising India. This is the real India story.

The comments made by these Dalit businessmen are worth pondering:

SG : So markets have become bigger than caste, bigger than Marx.

CBP : Yes, Bigger than caste, bigger than Marx, bigger than everybody because in this market place,only your ability is respected.

SG: Let me put this metaphorically.If market is bigger than Marx, is market a better equaliser than Marx, is the market a better equaliser than Mayavati?

CBP: Most certainly. So far, we held a belief that only an individual can liberate society. Now we see that there is an economic process, that capitalism is changing caste much faster than any human being. Therefore,in capitalism verses caste, there is battle going on and Dalits should look at capitalism as crusader against caste.  

Dr.B.R.Ambedkar had exhorted dalits to educate, agitate and organize to find their place in society. Education is a liberating force, so also enterprise. Kamble and Prasad are right that capitalism can destroy caste and discrimination more than Marx and state capitalism.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/capitalism-is-changing-caste-much-faster-than-any-human-being.-dalits-should-look-at-capitalism-as-a-crusader-against-caste/1127570/0

June 13, 2013.

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Autocratic MMRDA.

Autocratic MMRDA.

MMRDA has been not merely autocratic ( as pointed out by Jyoti Punwani,DNA,June 12), but highly bureaucratic and unsympathetic to needs of the public. It constructed many sky-ways in the suburban railway stations without surveying or consulting the railway commuters and now, many people do not use them. When it widened the M.V.Road ( Andheri-Kurla Road, I had written about need for having a proper pavement and to entrust the upkeep the corporate sector to maintain it. The pavement now has potholes and full of hawkers as ever. The widened road has become a parking place for school and factory buses. It has not insisted on the builders of the Metro to clean up debris and maintain road below the metro. Road has become nightmare both for the pedestrians and the motorists.

The British political philosopher C.E.M.Joad had said that the basic principle of democracy is " wearer knows where the shoe pinches". It is government by consent. In a democracy, the most affected people have to be consulted before any change is undertaken. In our country consultation comes after agitation, not before construction. Both our politicians and bureaucrats need to have refresher courses on democracy and good governance.

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=46843&boxid=16774&ed_date=2013-6-12&ed_code=820009&ed_page=10

June 12,2013.

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Dalits & Capitalism.

Dalits & Capitalism.

It is tribute to the Indian democracy and its constitution that 10 percent of the MSME ( Micro,Small, and Medium Enterprises) are owned by Dalits, after 66 years of independence ( Walk the Talk with Milind Kamble & Chandra Bhan Prasad,IE,June 11). Dalits and Tribals are the most oppressed people in this country, and the Constitution had incorporated some affirmative action for the upliftment of this section of our society. It is also heartening to know that these entrepreneurs believe that enterprise empowers them rather than the welfare measures such as reservation which have outlived their utility. Dr.B.R.Ambedkar had exhorted dalits to educate, agitate and organize to find their place in society. Education is a liberating force, so also enterprise. Kamble and Prasad are right that capitalism can destroy caste and discrimination more than Marx and state capitalism.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/capitalism-is-changing-caste-much-faster-than-any-human-being.-dalits-should-look-at-capitalism-as-a-crusader-against-caste/1127570/0

June 11, 2013.

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India's Stratagic Blunders.

India's strategic blunder.

It is indeed true that India has been a victim of ideological romanticism and political timidity in dealing with China and Pakistan since Independence as explained by C.Raja Mohan (IE,20/5). Pandit Nehru and Krishna Menon believed that Communist China would not invade India as it is a socialist country. They thought Panchsheel agreement would stop China's expansionism based on some ancient claim. That is why, after the 1962 debacle, President S.Radhakrihnan called Indian policy was based on "credulity and ignorance". The ignominy of 1962 has not drilled common sense in the minds of Congress. When China occupied Aksai Chin, Nehru said it does not 'a blade of grass' and now when China intrudes some 17 km and puts up a military tent, our Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid says, it is just a pimple. Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.

The British had a strategic vision and built a railway system to all the corners of India which made it possible for military to move fast, and of course it also helped trade to grow and the population to move. If, after the 1962 defeat, India should have developed roadways and railways to all the remote corners of Himalayas, North-East,Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, it would have brought these areas nearer to the heart of India both stratagic-wise, trade-wise and population-wise. But Congress is good only in getting elected by dividing people and providing doles. It has the habit of giving away on the negotiating table whatever has been won in the battle-field. Where there is no vision,people perish.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/with-china-keep-it-real/1117966/

May 20,2013.

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Views of law students on preventing corrupt persons from entering parliament

Views of law students on preventing corrupt persons from entering parliament

Dear Mr.Venkatraman,

Thank you very much for sending me the views of Law Students of Dr.Ambedkar  Law University on the powers of the Election Commission in preventing criminals from contesting the election.

As the students have pointed out Art.324 can be construed to give such a power to the Election Commission. It is the duty and the responsibility of the Election Commission to conduct free and fair election, and by no stretch of imagination participation of criminals in the election could be considered free and fair.

However, as per law, an accused cannot be called a criminal till the court of law finds him so. As we all know, it takes a long time for such cases to be heard and the justice delivered. There is an urgent need to expedite the legal process, especially of those who win the election. The Election Commission can ask the government as well the political parties to pass such a legislation in the interest of probity in public life, and the civil society activists should promote such a law.

You may be aware that the Government of India has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court that the Representation of People Act has accorded protection to convicted MPs and MLAs " so that the working of the House is not disrupted" and the electorate was not denied representation ( Indian Express, Feb.12,2013).

Apart from the crimonalization of politics, there are two other issues as well. Most of our representatives start their career with a lie - a lie about election expenses. Then there is the question of accountability. MPs and MLAs hardly meet their electorate after election. For this, there has to be a bigger role for the Election Commission.

There is a certain lack of will among the politicians to purify public life, and then there is apathy among the people. Educating the people and educating our masters ( MPs & MLAs) is the most important task for the civil society activists. It is as daunting as the fight for freedom, and it is a fight worth fighting.

I appreciate your effort and that of the students. We need more such initiatives all over the country.

May 12,2013.      

On Sat, May 11, 2013 at 3:53 PM, Venkatraman Ns <nsvenkatchennai@gmail.com> wrote:

NANDINI VOICE FOR THE DEPRIVED

                                                                                                                                                                 Chennai

  Sir,

                                                                              HIGHLIGHTS OF THE VIEWS OF THE LAW STUDENTS

ON

"  DOES THE ELECTION COMMISSION HAVE THE POWERS TO BAR THE PERSONS FROM

CONTESTING, AGAINST WHOM CHARGES OF CORRUPTION OR CRIMINAL ACTS HAVE

                                                                                                      BEEN ADMITTED IN THE COURT?"

 

Nandini Voice for The  Deprived , a Chennai based NGO organised a debate amongst law  students on  5^th May2013 at Chennai on "  Does the Election Commission have the powers to bar the persons from contesting,against whom charges of corruption and criminal acts have been admitted in the court ?

 The following senior law students from School of Excellence in Law, The Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University  participated in the debate

 

·          Ms. R. Bhargavi

·          Mr. P. Arun Sugavaneshwar

·          Ms. J. Ponni

·          Mr. K.M.Gowrinath

·          Mr. R. Dhiraj

·          Mr. S. Mithun

·          Ms. R. Gayathri

 

The following were the observers for the  debate

 

·          Mr. P.K.N.Panicker, Educationist

·          Mr. Syed Ali Mujtaba, Senior journalist

·          Mr. S.M. Arasu, Anti corruption activist

·          Mr.C. Elaiyaraja, Asst. Professor, Dr. Ambedkar Law University

 

Mr. N.S.Venkataraman , Trustee , Nandini  Voice for The Deprived conducted the proceedings.

 The highlights of the views  expressed during the debate are  attached

 The views are being forwarded to Election Commissioners,  Hon'ble President of India   and    Hon'ble Prime Minister of India,   Hon'ble Speaker of Lok Sabha  and Hon'ble Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

 An appeal has been made to the Election Commissioners to carefully consider the views expressed by the law students  as well as the observers  during the debate  and consider implementing the recommendations as early as possible.

 We are forwarding the details to you  for your study. You may kindly indicate your views on the recommendations. Kindly also forward the details to your friends and associates and spread the message.

We thank you for your cooperation and support,

 Thanks and regards

 

N.S.Venkataraman

Nandini Voice for The Deprived, Chennai

Email:- nsvenkatchennai@gmail.com

Website :- www.nandinivoice.org

Tel:- 44- 24916037