Sanskrit and the Indian Elite.

Sanskrit and the Indian Elite.

The 'liberals' and the elite of India have questioned the decision of the Human Resources Minister Shrimati Smriti Irani asking the Kendriya Vidyalayas to follow the three-language formula as mandated by law, and offer Sanskrit along with Hindi and English instead of German language. She has clarified that German language will continue to be an optional language.They have denounced the move as 'saffronisation' of education. Every country in the world – Germany, France. Japan, China – use their own language to teach their children from kindergarten to university. India is the only country in the world which teaches her children in the language of their colonial masters, and all the 'liberal' and the elite boast about it.

One columnists belonging to that group has ridiculed Sanskrit learning in a daily under the headline, 'Scoreboard', which is followed by the conclusion, " Let the children decide what they want", as if language learning is to be decided by the children themselves. It never occurred to her that the children may not like to go the school at all. She starts her piece by saying only six out of 180 in her son's class chose Sanskrit. " The few who have chosen it, haven't for the love of the language or the abiding interest in Indian culture… It's well-known that scoring in Sanskrit is easier and since they already learn Hindi, they pick it up fast." Here the cat is out of the bag. It is easier for children to learn Sanskrit as they know or learn Hindi or any other Indian language.

Most our languages have many Sanskrit words and phrases and grammar too is akin to Sanskrit. Max Muller ( 1823-1900), famous Indologist, says, "all the living languages of India, both Aryan and Dravidian,draw their very life and soul from Sanskrit."( India - what can it teach us?). Languages of Indonesia,Malaysia, Thailand and others in the South-East Asia have many Sanskrit words. All our languages have Ramayana and Mahabharata based on the originals in Sanskrit.

Then she goes on to say that 'we have to educate children for the future, not the past'. She does not know that those who have no knowledge of the past will be rootless and will bend to all the passing winds. She might not have read Mahatma Gandhi who declared : " I want all the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any."

Her's  is not the voice of self-confidence, but is that of self-serving servility. The 'liberals' and the elite live in a world of their own and identify themselves more with the elite of UK and USA. It never occurs to them that English or German is alien to the poor and the middle class of the cities, towns and villages of India. The ten percent of the English-knowing elite of this country are imposing a foreign language on the 90 percent of the people. Most of our 'educated' Indians neither know good English, nor their own language well. They are all confused individuals.How can such youth think creatively ? India today is ruled by brown sahibs who continue with English as the language of the administration, courts and universities. This is another form of colonialism.

This fascination for English language has surprised many from other countries. Maria Wirth , a German lady, in her blog, mariawirthblog.wordpress.com questions the basis of imparting education in a foreign language in India, and has analized it under the title, ' Decolonising India's education'. She mentions an IQ test of the children from India's villages with that of the children in Indian cities and US cities where the results are quite revealing. Indian village children outperformed the other children. She bemoans the burden of a foreign language crippling children's creativity. She is right, and this is testified by the fact that India has not created or innovated anything which can be called earth-shaking ever since we started learning English. We are good as the imitators of the West in everything - literature, art, architecture, science. The blog must be a compulsory reading for all the 'liberals' and the elite. Maria Wirth  came to India during the Kumbha Mela in 1980, and met some spiritual leaders like Ma Anandamayi and Devaraha Baba, and stayed on to explore Indian traditions.              

World is a village now, and all countries are our neighbours and we have to learn all languages to know and understand our neighbours. We need to know many languages for trade, tourism and education. However, our children should learn our own languages before they learn others.

Sanskrit has rich literature

The Sanskrit is not merely a language of our scriptures, but also of science. Justice Markandey Katju, in his lecture at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, in 2009, has expounded on the contribution of Sanskrit to Science. " More than 95% of the Sanskrit literature has nothing to do with religion, and instead it deals with philosophy, law, science, literature, grammar, phonetics, interpretation etc" and added, " In fact, Sanskrit was the language of free thinkers, who questioned everything, and expressed the widest spectrum of thoughts on various subjects."

In the English language, says Justice Katju, the alphabets from A to Z are not arranged in any logical or rational manner. In Sanskrit, they are in a scientific and logical manner in accordance with the sounds of human speech. This is the contribution of the legendary grammarian Panini's ( 5th Century BC),who wrote Ashtadhyayi ( the Eight-Chaptered Book) which is considered to be the most comprehensive scientific grammar ever written for any language, says Sir Monier Williams, professor of Sanskrit at Oxford in 1860, and the author of Sanskrit-English Dictionary.

The Sanskrit language has wonderful structure, 'more perfect than Greek, more copious than Latin and more exquisitely refined than either,' observes Sir William Jones (1746-1794), who came to India as a judge of the Supreme Court at Calcutta, and started Sanskrit studies. Sir Jones was a child prodigy who had mastered many languages such as Greek, Latin,Persian, Arabic and Hebrew. " Sanskrit is," said Max Muller, " is the greatest language of the world."

Words can be grouped together, says Alain Danielou (1907-1994), a French author of repute, to express any nuance of an idea, and verb forms can be found to cover any possibility of tense in Sanskrit. It has a wealth of abstract nouns, technical and philosophical terms unknown in any other language. The power of expression in Sanskrit can be gauged by the fact it has 65 words to describe earth, 67 words for water and over 250 words for rainfall. Sanskrit has 16 words for justice each with a different nuance, says Nobel Laureate Amatya Sen.      

While Panini and Patanjali ( author of Mahabhashya) are pioneers in grammar, Aryabhata, Brahmagupta and Bhaskar have written books on astronomy and mathematics which opened new frontiers for mankind. Similarly, Charaka and Sushruta ( who invented cataract and plastic surgery) with their works on medicines have helped mankind in the field of health.

Aryabhatiya, famous book by Aryabhata, explains algebra,arithmetic, trigonometry, quadratic equations, and the sine table.He mentions the value of Pi as 3.1416 which now has been calculated as 3.14159 with all modern precision instruments. Varahamihira has mentioned the gravitational theory centuries before Sir Isaac Newton.  

Sanskrit excelled in philosophy. Gautam (founder of Nyaya System), Ashvaghosha ( author of Buddha Charita), Kapila ( founder of Sankhya system), Shankaracharya ( Advaita system) and many others have enriched Sanskrit with their contribution to the literature on philosophy - it ranged from spiritual, religious to atheistic.  

Works of Kalidasa ( Sakuntala, Meghadoot and others), Bhavabhuti ( Malati Madhav, Uttara Ramcharit, etc) and epics of Valmiki (Ramayana) Vyas (Mahabharat) have won acclaim from the world.

        

Some of the great achievements of India – zero, decimal system, art and architecture, health ( ayurveda)  – are all in Sanskrit. " We owe a lot to Indians," said Albert Einstein, " who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made."

Many of the advances in the sciences", writes the British Historian Grant Duff(1789-1858), " that we consider today to have been made in Europe were in fact made in India centuries ago."

Will Durant (1885-1981),eminent American historian, in his book, The Case for India, writes, " India was the mother of our race, and Sanskrit, the mother of Europe's languages. India was the mother of our philosophy, of much of our mathematics, of the ideals embodied in Christianity .. of self –government and democracy. In many ways, India is the mother of us all."

Sanskrit and Indian genius.

" If I was asked what is the greatest treasure which India possesses and what is her finest heritage," says India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, " I would answer unhesitatingly that it is the Sanskrit language and literature and all that it contains. This is a magnificent inheritance and so long as this endures and influences the life of our people, so long will the basic genius of India continue. If our race forgot the Buddha, the Upanishads and the great epics ( Ramayana and Mahabharata), India would cease to be India."

And Mahatma Gandhi said, " Without the study of Sanskrit one cannot be a true Indian, and a true learned man."

In spite of its importance in the life of our people and the country, Sanskrit has not  received the encouragement it deserves as the depository of our tradition and knowledge from the government. In spite of this, more than 3000 Sanskrit works have been written since Independence and  there are 14 Sanskrit Universities in India today. There are about 90 weeklies, fortnightlies and quarterlies. There are three daily newspapers in Sanskrit - Sudharma (Mysore), Sanskrit Vartamana Patram and Vishwasya Vrittantam ( Gujarat), All India Radio has a short daily news broadcast and DD National has Sanskrit news telecast every day at 6.55 a.m. Jnanpith Award has been conferred on Satyavrat Shastri in 2009. There are about 49,736 fluent speakers in Sanskrit in India ( 1991 Census) and 14,135 people have declared Sanskrit as their native language (2001 Census). A musician, Sa Dingding, in China has written pop songs in Sanskrit.

Where there is will, there is a way.

Indian elite has always followed the line of least resistance. It is rootless and has no pride in the country, its history, its tradition and its culture and the civilization. The main reason for this is, it is never exposed to the greatness and richness of India in our schools and colleges. Our educational system has not changed much after Independence. Sanskrit and other Indian languages such as Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada,Telugu, Malayalam have a great literature but they have not been encouraged by teaching our people in our own languages from KG to University. It requires great effort and determination to produce suitable textbooks and teachers.

If all the countries in Europe and elsewhere can do it, why we can do it ? A small country like Israel can revive Hebrew and teach their children in Hebrew, why we can not do it ? It is sheer lack of will. Where there is a will, there is a way. If we start today, within the next 20/25 years, our languages can be as advanced in knowledge ( literature, science) as any other language in the world like English or German. The first decisive step is crucial for the long journey. With proper training, one can scale the Everest.        

A recent report, "Whose language is it anyway" ( DNA, 9.12.14) exposes the apathy of the political leadership in India not merely to Sanskrit but to all our languages. The report is about the fate of Marathi in the state of Maharashtra. The Marathi language department has 25 percent vacancies - 77 out of the sanctioned 278 are vacant. Only 19 out of the 23 volumes of the Marathi language encyclopedia have been published, and 17 digitized though the work was started in the '70s. The Vidhi Anuwad Samiti ( Legal Committee for Translation) has only translated the Constitution of India, 15 central acts and 6 state acts This is mainly because of the very low salary offered to the highly qualified candidates. Everything is half-hearted though everybody clamoured for linguistic states. It is almost the same situation in all the states of the country.

English is slowly killing all our languages in India. Let us be very clear about it, and it will undermine our culture, our tradition and our civilization.The controversy about German language has brought it to the forefront. It is time the educationists, politicians and media wake up to the corrosion of our national identity, and rectify the situation. Let us learn our own languages, and enrich them with translations, and original works. It will increase the pool of knowledge in all our languages. It will make it  easier for all the poor and the neglected sections of our society to access knowledge. Our poor and illiterate people are intelligent and innovative.( One will be astounded by the number of ideas and  innovations based on traditional knowledge the poor and the illiterate have been collected in the Honey Bee Network and www.sristi.org set up by Prof.Anil K.Gupta of the IIM, Ahmedabad.) Let us not cripple their creativity with an alien language.

December 24, 2014.  

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A Birthday Tribute to Vajpayee - When Vajpayee was my escort..

A Birthday Tribute to Vajpayee - When Vajpayee was my escort.

It happened in 1958 - 56 years ago. But I still remember it vividly. It was my first visit to Delhi where I had gone for my first interview. Having gone to Delhi, I felt I should see the parliament, the temple of democracy, in action.  When I reached the parliament house, I was told by the officials that I have to be recommended by a member of the house to get a pass to the public gallery.

It suddenly it occurred to me that I could request Atal Behari Vajpayee to recommend a pass to me. He had visited Dharwad, where I was doing my post-graduation, a year earlier, and had addressed a public meeting. Since his famous oratory had preceded his visit, I attended his meeting.He was quite a tall man and heavily built. He had a commanding presence. His speech was laced with poetic cadences - nakal karne ke liye bhi akal chahiye and it was full of similar flourishes. He reminded me of Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, Philosopher-President of India. He had similar rhythm in his addresses and writings. Vajpayee mesmerized the audience who clapped lustily several times during the speech. This is all the connection I had with him.

Vajpayee came out to meet me and I told him my purpose. He expressed his inability to issue a pass for the visitors' gallery since the rules stipulate that pass could be issued for the next day. When I told him that I would be leaving for Bombay, now Mumbai, the next day, he graciously took me round the Central Hall.

After my visit to the Central Hall, I decided to call the local member of my parliament. I also told  him about my desire to see the parliamentary proceedings and my return to Bombay the next day. He greeted me as a long lost friend, and even invited me to his house. He immediately arranged a pass for me to the visitors' gallery. Obviously, being a member of the ruling party, has its advantages - a case of some are more equal than the others.

I still recall the poor attendance at the parliamentary session which was discussing the food situation in the country. I do remember Acharya Kripalani passionately speaking on the issue. The thin attendance at the discussion gave me an idea of the concern of our parliamentarians for the poor of the country.

One thing stands out in my memory - the graciousness of Atal Behari Vajpayee to take an unknown Indian through the Central Hall. He brought the same graciousness to the high office of the Prime Minister of India that he occupied - first 13 days, later 13 months, and for 5 years ( 1999-2004).

Vajpayee's courage in testing nuclear weapons and to develop atomic arsenal to protect our national interest is a stupendous decision, a decision which should been taken decades ago. India cannot be defenseless when our not-so-friendly neighbours have this weapon ( one openly and the other clandestinely). India cannot compromise on its security.

Vajpayee has been hailed as ajatashatru ( man without an enemy). His candour and his habit of maintaining friendly relations with his opponents stood in goodstead when he had to run a coalition government of 26 parties for six years. It is a triumph of his democratic temperament and his ability to bring people and parties together with diverse views to serve the cause of the country.

Vajpayee's effort to connect India with a network of roads to promote trade and industry as well as to provide mass employment, and bringing down the tariff on mobile phones which also connect people of the country, are his major achievements. His bus ride to Pakistan did not result in changing the mindset of its rulers - the military -  who want to perpetuate their privileged position by feeding the fear of India among the people of Pakistan.

Atal Behari Vajpayee has made India proud with his economic and foreign policies. He safeguarded our national interest. He will be 90 on December 25, 2014. Many have suggested that he be presented with the highest honour of the  country, Bharat Ratna, on his birthday. It is a fitting tribute to his great life of purpose and achievement. I join my voice to that of the millions of Indians.

December 12,2014.

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Clean Mumbai.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) should be  congratulated for taking the initiative to involve citizens in the clean-up drive. Here are a few suggestions.

1. BMC officials should visit every college and school to promote this drive. They should be encouraged to participate in this movement.They can educate their parents and neighbours.There should be a lesson on the need for cleanliness to prevent diseases.

2. BMC officials should meet chambers/ associations to ask their members to adopt pavements. The companes should take the responsibility of maintaining them clean and beautiful.The housing societies should be requested to do the same in their area. In Germany, keeping the pavement in front of their apartment/ house is the responsibility of the occupants.   

3. BMC should provide refuse bins on all roads/streets, especially near the bus stops / railway stations.All garbage should be collected early in the morning by the staff appointed for that purpose. They should be paid special allowance for the uniform and maintaining their health. More staff should be recruited, if needed. You should request NGOs/ senior citizens on each street to monitor collection of garbage and report to top officials in each ward every day.

4. All municipal offices/ schools/ hospitals should be kept clean. This is your total responsibility. It is most unfortunate that doctors have died of dengue. 

Two articles, one in the Indian Express and the other in DNA have ideas which could be adopted by BMC. The Indian Express article, Clean it Tokyo, mentions how the government involves students in clean-up issues. They were taught in the school and they do it in their school. Cleanliness and environment should be taught in our schools as well. They are our future and they can educate their parents. The article also mentions how highly sanitary workers are paid. They are more important than doctors. While doctors treat sick after illness but the sanitary workers can prevent illness.

 http://indianexpress.com/?s=Clean+it+like+Tokyo 

The other article,Oh shit! A Rs.159,617 cr. business explains the business potential of waste in the country.     

 http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-policy-watch-oh-shit-a-rs-150617-crore-business-2033671

The above suggestions may improve the cleanliness of of our Mumbai.

 November 14,2014.

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Mahatma's Legacy.

Mahatma's Legacy.

I am surprised that a keen observer like Suhas Palshikar saying that the Modi's cleanliness drive is a move to dismantle Mahatma Gandhi's legacy (IE., Oct.7). Sarvodaya and dignity of labour are the pillars of Mahatma's teachings. If Modi involves all sections of society in cleaning their surroundings, in what way it is against his legacy ? For the first time the poor have been empowered with an account in a bank with zero balance and with health and life insurance. It is a great step towards equality. Mahatma had given the politicians a talisman – will your action/policy empowers the poorest of the poor. With this criteria, all Modi's action up to now have to be applauded - his wooing Japan, China and USA to invest in India, his encouragement for manufacturing, his befriending the neighbours. Modi has said that the states should be partners in progress; he believes in federalism and decentralization. Modi has asked for 60 months to improve the living conditions of the people while we have given 60 years to the same politicians with the same policies which have not made much difference almost 400 million people – people below the poverty line. It is too early to judge.

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/cleansing-gandhi-of-radicalism/

October 7,2014.

Budget 2014 : Continuity & Change.

Budget 2014 : Continuity & Change.

The budget presented by the Finance Minister Arun Jetley can be summed up as the budget of continuity and change.

The budget has focused on growth, inflation, employment generation and fiscal rectitude. Business, industry, financial institutions and the middle class have welcomed the budget but the market did not give it a thumbs up as it was expecting big bang reforms such as labour reforms, reducing subsidy and disinvestment. These major reforms would be taken up by the Modi government in the next few years as they have constrained the Indian economy.

Most of the opposition parties – Congress, Samajawadi Party, CPI, CPM, TMC - have critisized it as they are believers in the failed socialist policies. The budget is pragmatic, not dogmatic. The Budget is one of the several steps that the government intends to take to make Indian economy a vibrant one.

Continuity.

The change of government need not result in change in all policies and programmes.There are some imperatives which every government has to follow. One of them is the need to reduce fiscal deficit.The budget has accepted the validity of the fiscal deficit of 4.1 per cents and bringing it down to 3 per cent in the next three years as mentioned in the Interim Budget but has increased the revenue deficit by 0.1 per cent to 3 percent.The NDA government is aware that fiscal rectitude is necessary to curb inflation and attract investment, both Indian and foreign, to create employment and encourage manufacturing in the country.

The Finance Minister has also continued social welfare measures such as MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and other such programmes initiated by UPA government so that the poor are not denied support abruptly. Now the aim of the MGNREGA is not merely providing employment in the rural areas but also creating assets for the rural community. The NDA government seeks to evaluate all these programmes and make them more effective through proper supervision or through changes in the methodology of the schemes.

The change.

The NDA, as indicated in the budget, seeks to review food and petroleum subsidies so that it reaches the poor, not the non-poor, as is the case now. There would be an Expenditure Management Commission to rationalise government expenditure. There is an assurance that there is no retrospective tax regime in future while the present disputes on this issue would be resolved according to the law. The resident tax payers too can obtain advance ruling on income tax liability. IT settlement Commission would be enlarged to reduce liitgation on Rs.4,00,000 crore from income tax arrears and boost government revenue.

The government would be constituting a high-level panel to interact with with trade and industry for tax reforms. "Yes, we are pro-business", said the Finance Minister Arun Jetley, replying to the budget discussion, and added, " Only if business grows, there will be increase in tax collections, and the government will be able to increase spending on social sector. If there is no growth, what you will be doing is distributing poverty. And this is the difference in approach between the Congress and us." The government is both pro-business and pro-poor, and there is no conflict between the two, he added.

New initiatives.

The government proposes to allow 49 percent foreign equity in defense production. This will not merely bring in foreign investment but also technical know-how. India is the largest importer of armaments – from fighter planes to submarines. Foreign stake in an Indian company would bring in foreign technical know-how and technology to manufacture them in India. The Finance Minister has stated that there is a huge fund outflow now to import defense equipment, and the increase of FDI in defense sector would reduce it.

And 49 percent foreign equity in insuarnce is likely to attract more foreign insurance companies to India. This sector requires additional players to expand this sector especially in health. The general insurance sector requires a capital infusion of about Rs.7,500 – Rs.17,500 over the next five years, says Karthik Srinivasan, senior VP of ICRA.

The budget has provided for Rs. 225,707 crore subsidies for fertilizer (Rs.67, 970.3 cr.), food ( Rs.115,000.0 cr.) petroleum products ( Rs.63,427.0 cr.) interest subsidy (8,462.9 cr.) other sbsidies ( 8475 cr). Just now it reaches both poor and non-poor, and there is substantial leakage. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through bank accounts to the poor will bring down the subsidy bill of the government which can be used for investment in other sectors, mainly health and education. Surjit S.Bhalla, an eminent economist, in one his articles, has shown how DBT can save almost half the subsidy bill for the government.

NDA has decided to continue with the Aadhar project and use it to transfer money to the poor. A recent report indicates that the new government is planning to provide two bank accounts to each household in the country in the next two years both in the urban and rural areas.Every family will have the facility of overdraft of Rs.5000 and accident insurance cover of Rs.One lakh. All government benefits of the central, state and local bodies would be directly sent to these accounts eliminating scope for corruption and fraud.

Infrastructure.

The budget has allotted Rs.37,800 crore for the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for constructing 8,500 km of highways in the current financial year. The budget seeks to promote inland transport especially in River Ganga with a outlay of Rs.4200 crore.The government is planning to build airports in smaller towns and cities on PPP model.It is proposed to have 16 new ports.An amount of Rs.7060 has been allotted for the construction of 'smart cities'. There would be 100 'smart cities' in the next few years.The railway minister has already has announced how NDA government plans to expand railway infrastructure..

The budget has provided an amount of Rs.500 crore for an institution called 3P India to promote publi-private partnership (PPP) as this model has delivered excellent projects like airports,ports and highways.

Agriculture.

It is well-known fact that the farmer gets only a small part of the price that the consumer pays for agricultural produce as it passes through many hands. Many government committees on agriculture have suggested the removal of the APMC (Agricultural Produce Maarketing Committee) Act which was expected to protect farmers from exploitation by the traders has become a fetter on the freedom of the farmer to sell his produce to the highest bidder. Now, the license holders in the mandi have a monopoly on the farmer's produce. The Finance Minister has stated that the central government would persuade state governments to amend APMC Act to testore the freedom to sell his produce to the farmers. Mobile phone has given him access to all traders and customers in the country.

NABARD has been given Rs.200 crore to promote 2000 'joint farming groups'/ 'producers organisation' of small farmers and landless farmers in the next two years. Farmers would be given a 'soil health card' to help them to produce the right crop and use the right imputs. Mobile soil testing labs would be launched in the current year. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana , Long Term Credt Fund, Agricultural Research Centres, Agricultural and Horticultural Universities, restructuring of Food Corporation of India, Price Stabilisation Fund and many other programmes have been funded by the budget.

Employment generation.

Narendra Modi had emphsised the need for employment generation and entrepreneurship to bring properity to the country during the election campaign.

The budget has proposed a fund of Rs.10,000 crore to create ' a conducive eco-system' for the venture capital to promote small and medium industry. This is expected to catalyse private capital by way of equity and soft loans to start-ups. Another heartening feature is the funding the Village Enterpreneurship Progamme with Rs.100 crore. This is a recognition of the local innovations of the common people. Common people have uncommon intelligence. One can have a glimpse of it the Honey Bee Network and SHRISTI founded by Prof.Anil K.Gupta of the IIM, Ahmedabad. This is resource which has been grossly neglected by the governments.

The " Skill India" programme would be launched to provide training in skills such as welding, carpentry, masonry and weaving. The government seeks to transform employment exchages into career guidance centres.

The new government has plans to create employment in the country as almost 10 million young people will join the labour market every year. Housing projects, new cities, ports and airports, computer hardware and software, textile industry, food processing industry have the potential to create thousands of jobs for skilled, non-skilled, educated and technically educated youth. The country can reap the benefit of 'demographic dividend' only if the government can create employment opportunities for the youth of the country.

In order to create more employment opportunities textile clusters would be set up in UP,Gujarat,Bihar, Karnatak and Tamil Nadu with an amount of Rs.200 crore. A handicrafts academy would be set up in Delhi on PPP model. Crafts would be promoted in Jammu & Kashmir with a amount of Rs.50 crore.

Some economists have pointed out that Indian taxation system favours capital intensive industries rather than labour-intensive industries with investment allowances, depreciation on machinery etc. There is a need to provide some incentives to labour-intensive industries too in the taxation. Modi government has to look at this aspect as well.

No sector leftout.

There has been practically no increase in taxation at all in this budget.It has reduced income tax for the middle class. It has provided incentives to most of the industries. GST ( Goods & Services Tax) is also on his table. He may succeed in roping in the state governments as he believes in the federal principle and wants to take all states along with him.The budget has made substantial allotments to solar and wind energy and other non-conventional energy sources. Sports sector has received additional resources. There is an effort to give urban facilities to rural areas. New universities, IIMs and IITs are planned. Government is planning to provide total sanitation to all households by 2019, and celebrate 150^th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with Swatch Bharat Abhiyan. No sector seems to have been leftout from attention and investment.

Modi's time starts now.

The budget has given an idea of the plan of the Modi government to make India strong and prosperous. Modi had asked for 60 months to change India's face, and his time starts now. The response for his call for good governence has crossed the barrier of caste and creed. He wants to make development a people's movement through transparency, participation and interaction. He has already enlisted the support of the bureaucrats by talking directly to them. He knows that it is the implementing agency and it requires leadership and guidance to perform. He has constituted a compact cabinet, and a strong PMO to monitor the implementation of his vision. His experience as the chief minister has given him the confidence to implement his plans through his ministers and the bureaucrats. Let's hope he succeeds in his plans.

July 24,2014.

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Pragmatic railway budget.

Pragmatic Railway Budget

The Railway Minister D.V.Sadananda Gouda has presented a pragmatic railway budget.It is for the first time in recent years that the government has not gone for populism by announcing new projects and maintaining the railway fare. The NDA government has rightly raised the railway fare and freight rates earlier without making it part of the railway budget. The emphasis on safety, better catering facilities and cleanliness is new and timely. As you have pointed out (Getting on board, IE,9/7) the budget should have mentioned a scheme to use the land surrounding the railway stations especially in the major cities to raise resources for the improvement of railway services in the country. PPP and FDI can bring in more resources to the railway, but corporatisation of the railway would have enabled it to raise finances from the market and helped it in increasing the efficiency of its services to the people. Railway network, postal network and the administrative set up (bureaucracy, the steel-frame) are the British legacy to India, and all of them have been neglected, if not degraded, since Independence. It is time all the three are strengthened to build a strong and prosperous India.

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/getting-on-board/

July 9,2014.

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Travesty of Justice.

Travesty of Justice.

Everybody in the state of Maharashtra know that Marathas, who constitute 30 percent of the population, rule the state. They own most of the sugar co-operatives, higher educational institutions,district cooperative banks,as pointed out by Shubhangi Khapre. Most of the legislators and most of Cms of the state are from the Maraths. Now, Congress & NCP want to give them reservations. Truly, it is a travesty of reservation policy. It is a slap on the face of all backward classes.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/did-maharashtra-need-a-maratha-quota/

June 27,2014.

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Narendra Modi - The man who can change the destiny of India.

Narendra Modi – The man who can change the destiny of India.

The unprecedented success of Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi in the General Election of 2014 has put him among the galaxy of leaders who changed the destiny of India since Independence – Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and P.V.Narasinha Rao.

An eminent professor and author,Ashutosh Varshney, has compared his overwhelming majority to that of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952 when the newly enfranchised people of India voted for building a modren and democratic India. The 1952 election established India as the largest democracy in the world, and enabled Nehru to lay the foundation for a modern state. Similarly, Indira Gandhi received a massive mandate with the slogan of "Garibi hatao", and she changed the direction of the country towards socialism with the nationalisation of banks and insurance companies, and abolishing the privy purses of the princes. Narendra Modi highlghted the need for good governance and development for the country in his campaign speeches, and now, he has the chance to usher in an era of economic, political and social progress. He has already declared that his government would work for the betterment of the poor – farmers, workers and backward classes.

The campaign.

The huge response for Modi's campaign for good governance and development is the most positive sign of the 2014 election. He talked mostly of development, but his critics from the Congress and other "secular" parties repeatedly mentioned the Godhra riots though the SIT ( Special Investigating Team) constituted by the Supreme Court did not find any incriminating evidence against Modi.

While Modi called Rahul Gandhi as ' shehajade' (prince), the Congress leaders derided him with epithets like 'Hitler', 'fascist', and Sonia Gandhi said Modi indulged in ' khoon ki kheti'. She had called Modi ' mouth ka saudagar' ( dealer in death) during the 2007 election and handed over a big win to him in that election.This was a clear indication that Congress has no achievement to talk of and in consequence, failed to catch the imagination of the people.

Congress did not dwell much on its achievements ( rural employment, subsidised ration and fuel etc.) as these programmes had failed in many states due to corruption and mismanagement. These programmes benefited only a limited number of people. It was a repeat of NDA's 'India Shining ' campaign.

Modi spoke mostly about 24-hours of electricity and availability of water to all the villages in Gujarat. Commenting on the Indian election, The Economist of London, under the headline, Modi's Mission, writes, " many firms in Gujarat say that the bureaucracy works well, that the courts are fast and that graft is non-existent. The state has some impressive bureaucrats, ministers, and institutions."

Many jouralists like Tavleen Singh had felt the Modi wave during the state elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Delhi. The immense majority that Vasundhara Raje obtained in Rajasthan is a testimony to this wave, and Raje had acknowledge it. Modi wave had also helped Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh. The Modi wave was stemmed by Amm Admi Party to a certain extent in Delhi.

The Congress had started a number of programmes on health, old-age pension, rural employment, roads and housing. However, it was not implemented properly. There were health centres but no doctors or medicines. Most of the poor did not get 100 days of work, and many were not paid in time. Old people had to pay a bribe to get pension. These were the result of collusion between the politicians and bureaucrats.

However, the things were different in Gujarat. Many people from Rajasthan, UP, Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa go to work in Gujarat, and they painted a rosy pictures of Gujarat to their friends and relatives back home. They took their friends and relatives to Gujarat for work. They were the real supporters of Modi who validated his words in these states. Whereever Modi spoke, he asked people whether they got 24-hours of electricity supply, and when they said 'no', he would say that Gujarat has it. He told them that if they supported him similar changes would be possible in their states. He sold them a dream of a better life.

Keen observers of political scene have noticed that expectation of the people have risen, thanks to television, education and migration to other states. They are no longer happy with doles and freebees. They want jobs and they want a better life. P.Chidambaram, the Finance Minister in UPA II, acknowledged as much when he said, " India has moved from a petitioner society to an aspirational one.Treating people as petitioners is a mistake...even the poor demand a better life and no longer resigned to their fate."

Gujarat Model of Development is based on good governance and development – providing basic amenities such as 24-hours of water and electricity, good roads netwrok, responsive administration etc. This was the theme of Modi's campaign. People of the country overwhelmingly suported him to bring about the change in the governance in the country. Response for his campaign transcended the barriers of caste and creed. Young want jobs and opportunities, and nothing else matters to them. They catapulted Modi to power.

What is surprising is that the groudswell of support that he received almost all over India was not recognised by his detractors in all parties and the media, and even by stalwarts like L.K Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi in his own party.

Some have pointed out that BJP and Modi have spent a large amount of money on TV and newspaper advertisements, in addition to Modi's whirlwind tours all over the country, which gave him the victory. However, as has been pointed out by the ad agencies themselves, without a good product, advertisements alone cannot a sell a product.

Historic victory of BJP..

No election since the 1984 has given such a huge mandate to any party. BJP scored an astounding 282 out of the total 543 seats of the Lok Sabha, and with its alliance partners, it gathered 336 seats for NDA, 72 seats short of two-thirds majority.

Winning 104 seats ( including 11 of Apna Dal, LJP & RLSP) out of 120 in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was a feather in the cap of BJP. It is the result of social alliance forged by Amit Shah, the mastermind and the trusted lieutenant of Modi. BJP managed to get support from 28 small political parties all over India.

BJP completely wiped out Congress and other parties in Rajasthan (25/25), Gujarat (26/26), Chhattisgarh (10/10), Himachal Pradesh (4/4), Uttara Khand (5/5), and in Goa (2/2). It bagged 27 (out of 29) in Madhya Pradesh, 17 (28) in Karnatak, 7 (10) in Haryana, 12 (14) in Jharkhand, and 7 (14) in Assam. The party won the majority of seats in collaboration with state parties in U.P. (71/80 with Apna Dal), Bihar (29/40 with LJP & RLSP), Maharashtra (42/48 with Shiv Sena & Swabhimani Paksha), Seemandhra (17/25 with TDP), Punjab (6/13 with Akali Dal).

BJP has representation from all parts of India except Kerala. However, it was able to increase its vote share to 10.3% (18.56 lakh), thanks to Modi. Observers have noted that there is no elected representative from the Muslim community in the ruling party for the first time in the Indian parliamentary history. In fact, Muslim representation has fallen down to 22 in the present parliament, the lowest in all the elections since 1952. Shahnawaz Hussain, a minister during the Vajpayee's regime, could not make it this time. BJP has to reach out to Muslims to remove their misunderstnding about BJP, and the Muslims are receptive. Many Muslims have said they require equal opportunities, not any special treatment.

Of the total 83.05 crore voters of the General Election of 2014, 55.05 crore voters exercised their franchise, an voter turnout of 66.38%, highest since 1952. Vote share of BJP was 31%, highest since its inception, as against the vote share of Congress, 19.3% , which is probably the lowest since 1952.

The time has come for Congress to introspect. It cannot depend on dynasty for ever, nor can it depend on their old slogans and old programmes which have not brought any prosperity to people all these years. That about 400 million people are below the poverty line is a grim reminder of this fact. People want dignity, not charity. People want jobs, not freebees. Congress has to come up with new ideas, new programmes and new faces to renew itself.

The future.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that the BJP government would be a government of all 125 crore Indians, including those have not voted for the party. He has already started working furiously.

He invited all the heads of SAARC ( South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) countries to the swearing-in ceremony of Modi government to build personal relations between the heads of countries and to promote common welfare. He has asked his ministers to prepare a 100-day programme of action. He has asked the secretaries of various ministries to prepare a list of pending projects and how to expedite their execution.

He has issued a 10-point agenda which includes providing people-oriented government and governance, ensuring time-bound implementation of policy, promoting e-auctioning in government tendering, improving inter-ministerial co-ordination, empowering bureaucracy, reforms in infrastructure and prioritize in sectors such education, energy, and water.

Modi's experience in Gujarat has given him the confidence to run the Indian government like a CEO. His quality of leadership is on trial now. If he is able to achieve what he has set himself up do, he will create a new and vibrant India within the next ten years. Then, he will join the galaxy of leaders who changed the destiny of India.

June 9,2014.

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What is Gujarat Model of Development ?

What is 'The Gujarat Model' of Development ?

Most of the political commentators in newspapers and politicians of various parties have derided, if not dismissed, the Gujarat Model of Development. Some economits have pointed out that the human development index in Gujarat is average as in so many other states.

However, some impartial observers have praised many initiatives taken by the Modi administration. " Chief Minister Narendra Modi has", states a report of the US Congress, " streamlined economic processes, removing red tape and curtailing corruption in ways that have made the state a key driver of national economic growth." According to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, corruption in Gujarat is " very low."

Providing basic facilities to the people is main purpose of the Gujarat Model of Development, and they are : electricity, water supply and infrastructure such as roads. Modi brought good governance to Gujarat by creating transparent processes (e-governance) and serving the people by empowering the bureaucracy.

Introduced e-governance : Digitized procurement process which enabled businessmen to submit bids online ensuring transparency in government contracts; Every village was provided with internet connection; All basic services such as birth and death certificates, income certificates, applications for government schemes and tax payments were made available at e-panchayats. With this process, scope for corruption and speed-money has come down drastically.

Empowering bureaucrats : Frequent and arbritrary transfer of officers has been done away with. This gave stability of tenure to bureaucrats which in turn promoted good governance. Inter-departmental co-ordination was achieved through ' Chintan Shivirs' where presentations were made on the activities of the various departments and this allowed top bureaucrats to discuss among themselves and exchange ideas. Modi has mentioned in one of his speeches that he was able to do many things with the help of the bureaucrats – bureaucrats, like all human beings, like to be respected and appreciated. Bureaucracy is like a horse which goes where the rider wants it to go.

Reform of the power sector : Modi appointed an efficient and upright officer, Manjula Subramaniam, as the Chairperson of GSEB ( Gujarat State Elecricity Board) who re-organised the Board. She separated agricultural, industrial and domestic feeder lines. While domestic users get 24-hours power supply, agricultural sector gets 8-10 hours of high voltage supply at subsidised rates. The Planning Commission has other states to follow this example.

GSEB has been able to stop theft of elecrticity. All these maesures have transformed GSEB from a loss-making PSU into a profit-making entity. GSEB was able to reform its functioning as there was no political interference.

Agricultural growth story : Almost 70 percent of land of Gujarat state is arid or semi-arid. How did Gujarat under Modi becaman agricutural power ? Modi is aware of the value of water. His government built more than 1,00,000 check dams and encouraged micro-irrigation projects which increased from 10,000 ha to 5,00,000 ha in ten years. To achieve his objective he provided a very attractive incentive to the farmers. While the farmer pays 5% of the cost of the micro-irrigation facility, state subsidizes to the extent of 50% and the banks give 45% loan.

Government also has promoted high-value foods crops ( mango, banana) and non-food crops (cotton). " Bt cotton led the charge in Gujarat's agrarian miracle," states Ashok Gulati, the famous agricultural economist, " supported by investment in check dams and other irrigation schemes. More than 50 percent of Gujarat's cotton is irrigated while in Vidarbha,Maharashtra, it is only 5 percent. That explains why cotton is a success in Gujarat, not in Maharashtra."

Gujarat pioneered the issue of soil-health cards to the farmers. The card has information such as soil properties ( mineral composition, water retention capacity, productivity) and suitable crop for the land. It also has information on the fertilizer and pesticides to be used. This has helped the farmers to increase the productivity of the land. Gujarat has encouraged contract farming to provide ready market for thie produce.

Annual Krishi Mahotsavs organised by the government bring the farmers in direct contact with agricultural experts to improve agricultural practices and impart new knowledge to the farmers. Another initiative is the animal health camps for cattle.

Infrastructure : Gujarat has a road network of 74,000 km and almost all villages are villages are connected by all-weather 'pucca' roads. Gujarat has undertaken massive widening and upgradation of roads to smoothan the transport of agricultural produce to the cities and industrial goods to the ports.

The Publi-Private Partnership model adopted by Gujarat has increased the port capacity hugely. Port capacity has more than doubled from 135 million tonnes to 284 million tonnes during the period 2001-11.

Industry : Modi's pro-active initiative in the industrial field is well-illustrated by the famous sms " Welcome to Gujarat" to Ratan Tata when he lost the land in Singur ( West Bengal). Now the Tata Motors is manufacturing its famous Nano in Sanand, Gujarat. Many other automobile manufacturers are flocking to Gujarat creating more employment opprtunities for the people. If there is no red-tape, water and power are availbale, if there is industrial peace, what more can an industrialist ask for ?

Apart from the above, Modi government has taken many other initiatives for the economic progress of Gujarat. Kutch Festival has made the barren land into a new tourist destination giving livelihood to artisans in that remote area. The Kite Festival has attracted international attention and increased the income of all people involved in this trade. Solar energy has been given boost by the government.

Gujarat's economic success was recently testified by workers from UP who are working in Gujarat.

" Modi often speaks of migrants from UP and Bihar flocking to Gujarat," reports Avishek G.Dastidar (Indian Express, May 9), and adds, " Seen through the eyes of the migrants, Gujarat almost assumes the proportion of a fabled land. ' What roads! Nowhere will you find the roads that you see in Gujarat. And if you have a pair of able hands and don't mind working hard, you will surely get a job.' says Behraj Khan,32, a driver in sugar mill in Bardoli near Surat. Ever since he shifted to Gujarat in 2003, Behraj has helped six of his relatives near Lucknow to migrate to Gujarat. ' I started with Rs.6000, now my salary is Rs.17,000 with a yearly allownace to visit home. Where would I have managed this in UP?'.

" 25-year-old Raj Mohammad from Rae Bareli, went to Ahmedbad five years ago to work in a pipe fabrication company." writes Avishek G.Dastidar in the same report. " In Rae Bareli, he says, he would have been either unemployed or become a helper to a mason. Over the years, he got his brothers and some friends to join the company."

" Rama Chandra Tiwari, a farmer in nearby village Gandhiyon tell you," writes Shekhar Gupta, on his tour of Poorvanchal, (IE, May10), "many people from here go and work in Gujarat and come back to say the same thing (24-hour power). Many also work in Mumbai and Delhi, but the calm and productive environment that you find in Gujarat is unmatched. So is the power supply. This,therefore, is an entirely verifyable claim and requires no further propaganda or vendication,holographic or otherwise."

No wonder that Modi's election speeches received unprecedented response in UP and Bihar, and would get unprecedented votes as well.

The Gujarat Model of Development is providing the basic amenities such power and water supply to every village and house-hold, and improvement of infrastructure such as roads network as well as employment creation. This has received enthusiastic response from the people of Gujarat, and now from the people of India. Verdict of 2014 is people want Gujarat Model of Development all the states of the Indian Union.

May 16,2014.

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Why my vote is for Modi ?

Why my vote is for Modi ?

Not because he started his life as a chaiwala, though it is a tribute to the Indian democracy that it gives opportunity to a humble tea-vendor to rise up to occupy the top job in the country. Credit also goes to Bharatiya Janata Party for grooming an ordinary worker to go up the ladder through hard work. Work experience is more important than a degree from Harvard. Actually, Harvard studies successful hard work by entrepreneurs to teach their management students.

Why my vote is for Modi ?

Not because he has obtained ' a clean chit ' from the SIT (Special Investigation Team) appointed by the Supreme Court on the riots that killed hundreds of people, both Muslim and Hindu, after the burning the karsevaks in the train in Godhra in 2002. But because he showed determination to stand up to the denigration from so called liberals, both Indian and international, who have hounded him for the last 12 years while ignoring many riots including the one in 1984 when almost 3000 Sikhs were massacred, which have defaced the Congress regime in the last 67 years of our freedom..

Why my vote is for Modi ?

Because Narendra Modi has changed the face of Gujarat in the last ten years and one can be certain that he would change the face of India in coming years - building a strong and prosperous India. His mantra is 'good governance and development'. And his slogan is ' India First'.

Four most notable features of Narendra Modi's regime in Gujarat are : (a) 24-hours of electricity to all the 18,000 villages and the farmers; (b) To make a mostly arid state bloom with agriculture – almost 10 percent annual compound growth for ten years; (c) Attract industry, especially automobile industry, to provide job opportunities to people; (d) promotion of arid Kutch region as a tourist destination giving a boost to the local handicrafts and provide livelihood to the people of the area through Kutch Festival.

(a) Power sector : The massive losses of the Gujarat State Electricity Board (GSEB) have been turned into surplus in a matter of a few years by reorganising GSEB into a holding company, a power generating company, a power transmission company and four distribution companies. This ensured cheaper prices from power plants and enabled GSEB to stop leakages in distribution. Now all the villages in the state have uninterrupted power supply. Under Jyotigram Yojana, there is a separate power supply line for agriculture. Today, Gujarat has surplus power, a profitable power sector and flourishing agriculture.

(b) Agriculture : Gujarat state has about 70 percent arid and semi-arid land. It was never known for agriculture except groundnut and its oil. Modi government promoted water accumulation and conservation methods such as dams, check dams ( 113,738 in numbers) and inter-linking of rivers to provide adequate water to the farmers. Sardar Sarover canals have taken water to the far corners of the state. The government also gave impetus to micro-irrigation projects and scientific agriculture. The government engaged the services of micro-irrigation companies to teach farmers how to increase yield by drip irrigation and proper application of fertilizers. These measures have increased the income of farmers. Abundant supply of water has helped cotton farmers in Gujarat to reap better yields with the new GM seeds.

( c ) Industry : Earlier Gujarat was famous for diamond, chemical and petro-chemical industries. Modi government has now attracted automobile industry as well to the state. This happened due to the initiative of the Chief Minister Modi. When Ratan Tata was not able to start his Nano plant in West Bengal, Modi sent him an sms inviting him to Gujarat. Modi was able to give land for the factory within three days. Now other car manufacturing companies are also flocking to Gujarat. This has provided employment opportunities to the locals as well as others from all over the country. The local land -owners have become millionaires and suppliers of various requirements of the auto industry.

( d) Kutch, a new tourist centre : Making the Runn of Kutch a tourist destination is a remarkable feat of imagination and marketing. This has created livelihood to the poor artisans and other local people. His government has turned the Rs.35-crore kite industry into Rs.500-crore industry in a matter of a few years through a Kite Festival. He has roped in Amitabh Bachchan to attract tourists to Gujarat to see many temples, palaces, forts and the famous Gir Lions.

Narendra Modi has been more a CEO than a CM of Gujarat. He takes initiatives, he is imaginative, he promotes enterprise. He exudes hope and promise.

Modi has promoted solar energy in a big way. He has even started covering the Sardar Sarovar canals with solar panels to provide electricity to the villages around the canal and reduce evaporation of canal water. He has a scheme to encourage people to use solar panels on the roof of houses and sell it to GSEB.

The BJP manifesto reflects his thoughts. The highlights are : 100 smart cities; houses for every family with piped water supply and electricity; diamond quadrilateral, a network of high-speed bullet trains; Sagar mala, ports all over India's coast; Team India – PMO to CMs to develop India together; Rurban, a programme to provide urban amenities to rural areas; PM Gram Sinchayee Yojana to reduce farmers' dependence on rain; Infrastructure development in border areas. These are all feasible programmes. They will increase employment to our growing young men and women. They will generate income and wealth for all people.

Modi and BJP deserve to be given a chance to implement these programmes for the welfare of the people of the country. That is why my vote is for Modi.

April 25, 2014.

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Modi & BJP.

Modi & BJP.

Pratap Bhanu Mehta is right in concluding that the BJP has more internal checks and balances institutionally than any other party ( More than Modi, IE,4/4). He has exploded the myth that Modi is dictatorial by nature. Modi or Rajnath Singh can not run the party, and the state, without the cooperation of chief ministers like Shivraj Chouhan, Raman Singh, Vasundara Raje, Manohar Parrikar and Sushil Modi. The different voices from BJP leaders which sometimes features in the newspapers also testifies to the democratic nature of the party. One hardly finds chief ministers of the Congress given their due, and the party suppresses all dissent against the so-called high command which is essentially the family. Internal democracy in every party is essential for a democratic polity.

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/more-than-modi/

April 4, 2014.

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Freedom of expression & freedom of faith.

Freedom of expression and freedom of faith.

While criticizing the withdrawal of the book, The Hindus: An Alternative History, by the publishers, the liberals have missed the most important point pertaining to this issue (The Regreesive State, IE. 20/2) This is the first time that a book has been taken to the court of law and the publisher has agreed to withdraw the book from the Indian market. Many books have been banned in India by the government on its own or after violent agitations against them. This book has been withdrawn by the publishers as Indian laws seek to punish anybody who seeks to outrage " the religious feelings". Dina Nath Batra, who took up the issue to the court, through his Shikshna Bachao Andolan Samiti (SBAS), has pointed out many inaccuracies in the book and explained how the book demeans the gods and goddesses by interpreting Indian mythology through the Freudian psycho-analysis. On both of these counts, the book hurts the religious feelings of the believers in Hinduism, though not all Hindus. The Indian Constitution grants freedom of expression with some 'reasonable restrictions' to protect public order, decency or morality etc. The fear of SBAS and believers is that the interpretation given in the book could prejudice the mind of the readers, both in India and abroad. As it is, many people in the Western world believe Hindus are idol and animal worshipers. One wished that the publiher and the SBAS had agreed to include the objections mentioned by SBAS in the future editions of book so that the reader would have a better understanding of Hinduism. That would have upheld both the freedom of expression and the freedom of faith.

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-regressive-state/

February 20,2014.

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Cattle-class commute.

Cattle-class commute.

The headline, Cattle-class commute (DNA, 17/2/2014) sums up the travel agony of the poor and the middle class in the commercial, banking and financial capital of the country. Over-crowding and ten deaths on the track/platform ever day is normal for the few decades. Nobody takes any responsibility – not the railways, not the city fathers, not the state government, nor even the Members of the Parliament who have say in the Railway Budget. Public transport is one of the most important responsibility of any government. The best way to improve the situation is to have a Transport Authority for the city mandated to coordinate and plan all public transport in the city – train, bus, taxi, and now, metro. The Authority can raise funds through bonds from the citizens of Mumbai, especially from the corporates and the financial institutions. There is also an urgent need to disperse corporate offices and commercial centres all over the city to reduce travel by the staff of various establishments through incentives. The Rail Pravasi Sangh should prepare a memorandum on this issue and make it a part of the agenda of all political parties contesting in the coming general election.

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?pgNo=4&edcode=820009&eddate=2014-2-17

February 17,2014.

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How not to fight corruption.

How not to fight corruption.

One has to thank K.Subramaniam for his sober analysis of the corruption (IE, 30/1) in the body politic in India which has seeped into all spheres of life and sapped the will of the people. AAP and its supporters seem to be in a hurry to establish their credentials as the cruseders against corruption. There is no quick-fixes for India's many problems incuding corruption. As has been pointed out by the writer, the only way it can be controlled, if not eliminated, is to identfy sectors which enable corruption to emerge and survive. In most of the cases corrution is speed-money. Can we not evolve methods to expedite processes, reduce human contact and computerise response ? E-governance been used by many states to curb corruption. Stings and traps cannot be the solutions to corruption, and they may be used to settle personal scores. They cannot be the state policies.May be AAP has not read Mahatma Gandhi and understand Anna Hazare well. You cannot get good ends with wrong means.

http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/how-not-to-fight-corruption/

January 30,2014.

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Mumbai needs a Transport Authority.

Mumbai needs a Transport Authority.

Your report, Bumpy road ahead for Best & the article by Darryl D'Monte (DNA,30/1) highlight the need for a Transport Authority for Mumbai to co-ordinate the bus, taxi, auto-riksha, goods transport and private behicles to use the roads network for the maximum benefit of the travelling public.Now the roads cater to the needs of the five percent of the people who travel by private vehicles. It is a revelation that only three out of 502 bus routes are profitable to the Best.Just now electric supply division of the BEST subsidies the bus transport. This burden needs to be passed on the private vehicles which commandeer most of space of the road network. Goods transport should be restricted during the day, all vehicles parked on the roads should be levied a fee, air-conditioned buses should be increased to wean away car users. Mumbai does not need sea-link or a coastal road but a fast-moving Mono-Railway and Metro Network. Mumbai can be saved from vehicular and noice polluition when most of the government and private sector offices and commercial centres are relocated to Navi Mumbai or other parts of MMRDA.

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=59067&boxid=32511&ed_date=2014-1-30&ed_code=820009&ed_page=7

January 30,2014.

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Mess in defense.

Mess in defense .

The edit, Firing Blanks, and the report, Saint Anthony leaves army weaponless (DNA, 3/1) exposes one more failure of the UPA. India which is surrounded by hostile neighbours should always be one step ahead of them to defeat their nefarious designs. However, UPA has messed up the modernisation of weapons and equipments of the army, navy and airforce by " a labyrinthine bureaucracy, replete with overlapping jurisdictions, lack of planning and lach of transparency" as pointed out by you. The decision-making in defense ministry is stymed by the procurement process with layers of bureaucratic committees and lobbying by various defense equipment manufacturers from Europe and USA.This is a fertile ground for commissions and bribes. The government seems to meet this problem by adding more committees and banning the firms involved in bribing. While bribe giving and receiving should be punished, India cannot afford to give up latest weapons and equipments which will serve our forces well. The time has come for India to build a strong defense manufacturing industry by inviting private sector and collaborating with manufacturers in other countries. India would not be strong without it. 

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/editorial-dna-edit-structural-problems-and-lack-of-transparency-continue-to-plague-india-s-arms-procurement-process-1944429

January 3, 2014.

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