All of us are now familiar and synonymous with one name and that is Ruchika. Her suicide and the case is now the talk of the media. Most of the people want the case to reopen and to enquire the whole case and the role of inspector rathore again. Lets leave this case alone. Its not just an one off incident. There are thousands of incidents like this which happens in our neighborhood almost daily. Fortunately this case has been struck in the vicious eye of media which has quadrupled and multiplied this case with most of the channels allotting a particular slot daily for the big fight and debates about the case. From the neutral perspective there are numerous things to ponder... What is media's role in the reopening of the case..? What if the cop is totally innocent (which is improbable as the present scenario but its not impossible)..? what will the media do after a week..? (will there be a follow through for a year if the fresh case is dragged till then ??) What is the fate of ordinary people who feel the wrath of people with power..?
As i thought of these numerous questions they all lead and merge to a single point which is the abuse of power.. The abuse of power is not new.. every politician is abusing is power (although there are exceptions in some cases).. every government authority is abusing and exploiting his power.. the case of ruchika is just the visible tip of the iceberg.. what about the thousands of victims who have had the same experience or worse and have faded into oblivion due to the lack of exposure and support..? there seem to be no answer for these types of questions..
It is also interesting how people debate about the abuse and exploitation of power while they themselves have done that in various smaller degrees.. the same men and women who keep sending sms messages which are displayed in those news channels would have surely abused and bribed in their lives a lot. If you cant change the system.? why complain about it and shout un necessarily..? Is there any meaning in requesting a reopening of the case..? Do they have any idea how much tax payer's money has been spent in these cases..? How many thousands of necessary problems and cases regarding them are bypassed...? do the common man even care truly about these exploitations..? the answer is a sharp and blatant 'no' !!
Whatever we see, whatever we may talk, whatever we argue, we are still the part of the same system and we more than anybody seem to be liking the system and that's why we don't do anything to change the same. The abuse of power which is usual in most of the cases being stalled at supreme court and the other smaller courts can be quashed using the same abuse of power. What if the cop bribes a news channel and it changes the whole plot that he is innocent..? The people will in fact start thinking he is innocent.? Do anybody care about the 1000 crore scam of the former Jharkand CM now..? people seem to have a very low memory power and media doesn't care for accuracy the way they care for trp and circulation.
So, instead of crying over spilled milk we can try to be strong enough from now on.. moving forward each and every person should ensure that he/she must not abuse his power and exploit his responsibility. Only then these things will stop and there will be no need for shouting and lighting candles and those crappy tweets, debates and sms messages.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Bull's Eye
A very apt article. Written some years back, but 100% applicable even now:
Apr 16, 2007
When students demanded reservation based on economic criteria instead of caste they were thrashed by police. Why do students think straight?
Rajinder Puri
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The longest distance is the Indian politician's crooked line of thought. Consider reservations. Reservation on the basis of class has been ridiculed. Reservation on the basis of caste has been glorified.
To begin with, politicians complained that backward castes deserved reservation like the SCs and STs. Several commissions were appointed to study the problem. Eventually, the Mandal Commission's recommendations were adopted. Certain castes were categorised as backward and eligible for reservation. But in several cases the commission categorised the same caste forward in one state and backward in another. Despite this, caste as criterion remained valid.
Sweeping reservations for whole castes also benefited affluent individuals who were by no means backward. So the 'creamy layer' concept emerged. The creamy layer of the affluent from backward castes was denied reservation. But then it was observed that many belonging to the forward castes were abysmally poor. Why ignore them? So a small quota of the poor among the forward castes was approved for reservation.
Some critics, including this scribe, pointed out that religion did not obliterate caste or class. There were Muslim, Sikh and Christian scavengers. How were they different from their Hindu counterparts? But the religious minorities were denied reservation because, officially, they had no castes. Then along came the Justice Sachar Commission report. The commission made a profound discovery. Many Muslims were backward! Holy cow! Who would have thought it? This discovery paved the way for the next step.
The Ranganath Mishra Commission was set up in March 2005 to define criteria for backwardness among the religious minorities. According to press reports, the commission has recommended that religion should be delinked from caste for determining Scheduled Caste status. That would make Christians and Muslims eligible for reservation.
So, what do we have now? The same caste can be backward or forward, depending on its location. The 'creamy layer' makes one ineligible for reservation even if one belongs to a backward caste. The poor can be eligible for reservation even when one belongs to a forward caste. Indeed, even if one has no designated caste because one belongs to a minority religion one may be eligible for reservation.
Last week, the SC described the government's quota policy as divisive. But when students demanded reservation based on economic criteria instead of caste they were thrashed by police. Why do students think straight? They should think crooked like the politicians.
Ref: outlookindia.com/article.aspx?234414
Apr 16, 2007
When students demanded reservation based on economic criteria instead of caste they were thrashed by police. Why do students think straight?
Rajinder Puri
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The longest distance is the Indian politician's crooked line of thought. Consider reservations. Reservation on the basis of class has been ridiculed. Reservation on the basis of caste has been glorified.
To begin with, politicians complained that backward castes deserved reservation like the SCs and STs. Several commissions were appointed to study the problem. Eventually, the Mandal Commission's recommendations were adopted. Certain castes were categorised as backward and eligible for reservation. But in several cases the commission categorised the same caste forward in one state and backward in another. Despite this, caste as criterion remained valid.
Sweeping reservations for whole castes also benefited affluent individuals who were by no means backward. So the 'creamy layer' concept emerged. The creamy layer of the affluent from backward castes was denied reservation. But then it was observed that many belonging to the forward castes were abysmally poor. Why ignore them? So a small quota of the poor among the forward castes was approved for reservation.
Some critics, including this scribe, pointed out that religion did not obliterate caste or class. There were Muslim, Sikh and Christian scavengers. How were they different from their Hindu counterparts? But the religious minorities were denied reservation because, officially, they had no castes. Then along came the Justice Sachar Commission report. The commission made a profound discovery. Many Muslims were backward! Holy cow! Who would have thought it? This discovery paved the way for the next step.
The Ranganath Mishra Commission was set up in March 2005 to define criteria for backwardness among the religious minorities. According to press reports, the commission has recommended that religion should be delinked from caste for determining Scheduled Caste status. That would make Christians and Muslims eligible for reservation.
So, what do we have now? The same caste can be backward or forward, depending on its location. The 'creamy layer' makes one ineligible for reservation even if one belongs to a backward caste. The poor can be eligible for reservation even when one belongs to a forward caste. Indeed, even if one has no designated caste because one belongs to a minority religion one may be eligible for reservation.
Last week, the SC described the government's quota policy as divisive. But when students demanded reservation based on economic criteria instead of caste they were thrashed by police. Why do students think straight? They should think crooked like the politicians.
Ref: outlookindia.com/article.aspx?234414
'Secular' Politics and Rangnath Commission
Indian National Congress (INC) and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) are self-proclaimed saviors of "secularism" in India. With experience, we have learnt that their version of "secularism" stands for "minority appeasement" and "anti-Hinduism" in India. (Therefore, officially, BJP, RSS and any other group which doesnt indulge in minority-appeasement - are "communal".)
If they thouhgt that caste-based reservations didn't "divide" us enough - now they have come up with plans to divide us on the religious lines - and officially. Is this the zenith of "secularism" in India?
A "divided" population is a politician's delight! They have divided us on the lines of castes, religions and regions - and so many others to come! (Regionalism is another political design which has worked so well in India)
We thank our politicians in general and Sonia (queen) and Rahul (prince) Gandhi in particular for not doing what more (or worse) they could have done to let us down.
The grand plan has remained the same: Divide and Rule and perhaps we Indians never learn!
Rangnath Commission recommends 10% quota for Muslims
Posted: Friday , Dec 18, 2009 at 1749 hrs
New Delhi:
A government-appointed Commission has recommended 10 per cent reservation for Muslims and five per cent for other minorities in government jobs and favoured Scheduled Caste status for Dalits in all religions.
The report of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, headed by former Chief Justice of India Rangnath Mishra, was tabled by Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
Among a host of recommendations, the Commission recommends delinking of Scheduled Caste status from religion and abrogation of the 1950 Scheduled Caste Order which "still excludes Muslims, Christians, Jains and Parsis from the SC net."
The Order originally restricted the SC status to Hindus only but was later opened it to Buddhists and Sikhs.
With regard to quota, the Commission says that 10 per cent should be reserved for Muslims and five per cent for other minorities in central and state government jobs in all cadre and grades.
It added that in case of non-availability of Muslims to fill the 10 per cent earmarked seats, these may be made available to other minorities but in "no case" shall any seat within the recommended 15 per cent shall be given to anybody from the majority community.
Member Secretary of the Commission Asha Das has, however, given a note of dissent on the the Commission's recommendation for conferment of SC status on Dalit converts to Christianity and Islam saying there was "no justification" for it.
Besides, she has said that as Dalit converts to Christianity/Islam do not qualify for inclusion as SCs, they should continue to form part of OBCs and avail facilities and reservations given to the OBCs until a comprehensive list of Socially and Educationally Backward (SEB) is prepared
The Commission has, however, rejected the contentions made by Das in the dissent note and said "(we) firmly stand by every word of the recommendations, we have made under this term of reference."
The Commission also suggested an alternative route for reservation to minorities if there is "insurmountable difficulty" in implementing the recommendation for 15 reservation.
In this regard it said since minorities constitute 8.4 percent of the total OBC population according to the Mandal Commission report so in the 27 percent OBC quota, an 8.4 percent sub quota should be earmarked for minorities.
The internal break-up should be 6 percent for the Muslims, commensurate with their 73 percent share in the total minority population at the national level and 2.4 percent for other minorities.
Source: indianexpress.com/news/rangnath-commission-recommends-10-quota-for-muslims/556065/
Ranganath report to be implemented after talks: Khursid
Posted: Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 2324 hrs
New Delhi:
The government on Tuesday dropped broad hints at the fate awaiting the Ranganath Misra Commission report — which has suggested 15 per cent reservation for minorities besides Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Muslims and Christians — with Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid pointing out that every recommendation could not be accepted.
Days after tabling the report of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities in Parliament, Khurshid indicated that the UPA government would weigh all options and take its own time before arriving at a decision on whether to implement the report, which could upset the existing quota equations.
“This is a matter of great seriousness but also of great sensitivity. We have to consult widely and this is what we are going to do,” he said. Several Muslim and Christian outfits have begun a clamour for implementation of the report while there is no consensus at the political level with the BJP rubbishing the suggestions.
Meanwhile, the Minority Ministry launched the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad National Fellowship for atudents from minority communities and started a project for computerisation of records of state wakf boards. The fellowship, to be implemented by UGC, will help 756 students annually to pursue MPhil and PhD degrees.
Ref: indianexpress . com/news/Ranganath-report-to-be-implemented-after-talks--Khurshid/557944
Its vulgar, says VHP about Ranganath Mishra report
News Desk - December 18, 2009
AHMEDABAD — Criticising Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission report recommending 10 per cent reservation for Muslims, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today said religion based reservation is unconstitutional.
The Commission has recommended 10 per cent reservation for Muslims and five per cent for other minorities in government jobs.
“VHP rejects in toto the Rangnath commission report because it is unconstitutional, anti-national and anti-Hindu,” VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia told media persons here.
“Khurshid who had recently called salaries of CEOs as vulgar, has by tabling the Ranganath Commission report shown the country his ‘constitutional vulgarity’,” he said.
Togadia threatened a nationwide agitation if the government made any move to implement the report.
“The present government is trying to undo the conscious decision of the constituent assembly not to provide for religion-based reservation.” he added.
- AGENCIES
Source: jaibihar.com/its-vulgar-says-vhp-about-ranganath-mishra-report/15562/
Ranganath Mishra report a double-edged sword for U
Javed M Ansari / DNAThursday, December 3, 2009 1:16 IST
New Delhi: The Ranganath Mishra committee report has been gathering dust for the last two years with the government showing no urgency to table it before parliament. Its implementation, if at all it takes places, is unlikely to be done in a hurry. As things stand, there appears to be little support for it except from the LJP and the RJD.
Senior ministers and party leaders refused to say anything on record. But, privately, some even questioned the need for setting up such a commission. "There was absolutely no need for such a commission. It will create many more problems for us."
What he did not say is that the ruling combine feels the report was a double-edged sword for the party. Any attempt to implement the recommendation to reserve 15% seats in educational institutions and government jobs is likely to provoke a huge backlash from the majority community, while failure to do so might invite the minorities' ire. "It's a heads I lose, tails you win situation," said a Cabinet minister.
Ref: dnaindia.com/india/report_ranganath-mishra-report-a-double-edged-sword-for-upa_1319464
VHP threatens stir
Ahmedabad Special Correspondent reports:
VHP secretary-general Pravin Togadia has threatened to launch a nation-wide agitation if the Centre tried to implement the “anti-constitutional, anti-national and anti-Hindu” report of the commission.
Dr. Togadia said implementation of the report would damage the interests of the weaker sections among the Hindus.
He feared implementation of the report would encourage religious conversions, particularly among the SCs, STs and Other Backward Classes.
Dr. Togadia said the Constituent Assembly took a conscious decision not to provide for religion-based reservation, but the present government was trying to undo the good work done by Dr. Ambedkar and his team.
Ref: thehindu.com/2009/12/19/stories/2009121961641600.htm
If they thouhgt that caste-based reservations didn't "divide" us enough - now they have come up with plans to divide us on the religious lines - and officially. Is this the zenith of "secularism" in India?
A "divided" population is a politician's delight! They have divided us on the lines of castes, religions and regions - and so many others to come! (Regionalism is another political design which has worked so well in India)
We thank our politicians in general and Sonia (queen) and Rahul (prince) Gandhi in particular for not doing what more (or worse) they could have done to let us down.
The grand plan has remained the same: Divide and Rule and perhaps we Indians never learn!
Rangnath Commission recommends 10% quota for Muslims
Posted: Friday , Dec 18, 2009 at 1749 hrs
New Delhi:
A government-appointed Commission has recommended 10 per cent reservation for Muslims and five per cent for other minorities in government jobs and favoured Scheduled Caste status for Dalits in all religions.
The report of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, headed by former Chief Justice of India Rangnath Mishra, was tabled by Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
Among a host of recommendations, the Commission recommends delinking of Scheduled Caste status from religion and abrogation of the 1950 Scheduled Caste Order which "still excludes Muslims, Christians, Jains and Parsis from the SC net."
The Order originally restricted the SC status to Hindus only but was later opened it to Buddhists and Sikhs.
With regard to quota, the Commission says that 10 per cent should be reserved for Muslims and five per cent for other minorities in central and state government jobs in all cadre and grades.
It added that in case of non-availability of Muslims to fill the 10 per cent earmarked seats, these may be made available to other minorities but in "no case" shall any seat within the recommended 15 per cent shall be given to anybody from the majority community.
Member Secretary of the Commission Asha Das has, however, given a note of dissent on the the Commission's recommendation for conferment of SC status on Dalit converts to Christianity and Islam saying there was "no justification" for it.
Besides, she has said that as Dalit converts to Christianity/Islam do not qualify for inclusion as SCs, they should continue to form part of OBCs and avail facilities and reservations given to the OBCs until a comprehensive list of Socially and Educationally Backward (SEB) is prepared
The Commission has, however, rejected the contentions made by Das in the dissent note and said "(we) firmly stand by every word of the recommendations, we have made under this term of reference."
The Commission also suggested an alternative route for reservation to minorities if there is "insurmountable difficulty" in implementing the recommendation for 15 reservation.
In this regard it said since minorities constitute 8.4 percent of the total OBC population according to the Mandal Commission report so in the 27 percent OBC quota, an 8.4 percent sub quota should be earmarked for minorities.
The internal break-up should be 6 percent for the Muslims, commensurate with their 73 percent share in the total minority population at the national level and 2.4 percent for other minorities.
Source: indianexpress.com/news/rangnath-commission-recommends-10-quota-for-muslims/556065/
Ranganath report to be implemented after talks: Khursid
Posted: Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 at 2324 hrs
New Delhi:
The government on Tuesday dropped broad hints at the fate awaiting the Ranganath Misra Commission report — which has suggested 15 per cent reservation for minorities besides Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Muslims and Christians — with Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid pointing out that every recommendation could not be accepted.
Days after tabling the report of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities in Parliament, Khurshid indicated that the UPA government would weigh all options and take its own time before arriving at a decision on whether to implement the report, which could upset the existing quota equations.
“This is a matter of great seriousness but also of great sensitivity. We have to consult widely and this is what we are going to do,” he said. Several Muslim and Christian outfits have begun a clamour for implementation of the report while there is no consensus at the political level with the BJP rubbishing the suggestions.
Meanwhile, the Minority Ministry launched the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad National Fellowship for atudents from minority communities and started a project for computerisation of records of state wakf boards. The fellowship, to be implemented by UGC, will help 756 students annually to pursue MPhil and PhD degrees.
Ref: indianexpress . com/news/Ranganath-report-to-be-implemented-after-talks--Khurshid/557944
Its vulgar, says VHP about Ranganath Mishra report
News Desk - December 18, 2009
AHMEDABAD — Criticising Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission report recommending 10 per cent reservation for Muslims, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today said religion based reservation is unconstitutional.
The Commission has recommended 10 per cent reservation for Muslims and five per cent for other minorities in government jobs.
“VHP rejects in toto the Rangnath commission report because it is unconstitutional, anti-national and anti-Hindu,” VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia told media persons here.
“Khurshid who had recently called salaries of CEOs as vulgar, has by tabling the Ranganath Commission report shown the country his ‘constitutional vulgarity’,” he said.
Togadia threatened a nationwide agitation if the government made any move to implement the report.
“The present government is trying to undo the conscious decision of the constituent assembly not to provide for religion-based reservation.” he added.
- AGENCIES
Source: jaibihar.com/its-vulgar-says-vhp-about-ranganath-mishra-report/15562/
Ranganath Mishra report a double-edged sword for U
Javed M Ansari / DNAThursday, December 3, 2009 1:16 IST
New Delhi: The Ranganath Mishra committee report has been gathering dust for the last two years with the government showing no urgency to table it before parliament. Its implementation, if at all it takes places, is unlikely to be done in a hurry. As things stand, there appears to be little support for it except from the LJP and the RJD.
Senior ministers and party leaders refused to say anything on record. But, privately, some even questioned the need for setting up such a commission. "There was absolutely no need for such a commission. It will create many more problems for us."
What he did not say is that the ruling combine feels the report was a double-edged sword for the party. Any attempt to implement the recommendation to reserve 15% seats in educational institutions and government jobs is likely to provoke a huge backlash from the majority community, while failure to do so might invite the minorities' ire. "It's a heads I lose, tails you win situation," said a Cabinet minister.
Ref: dnaindia.com/india/report_ranganath-mishra-report-a-double-edged-sword-for-upa_1319464
VHP threatens stir
Ahmedabad Special Correspondent reports:
VHP secretary-general Pravin Togadia has threatened to launch a nation-wide agitation if the Centre tried to implement the “anti-constitutional, anti-national and anti-Hindu” report of the commission.
Dr. Togadia said implementation of the report would damage the interests of the weaker sections among the Hindus.
He feared implementation of the report would encourage religious conversions, particularly among the SCs, STs and Other Backward Classes.
Dr. Togadia said the Constituent Assembly took a conscious decision not to provide for religion-based reservation, but the present government was trying to undo the good work done by Dr. Ambedkar and his team.
Ref: thehindu.com/2009/12/19/stories/2009121961641600.htm
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Follow Us On Orkut
Hello friends. We have created a community on orkut on this name. I request to join it if you have an orkut profile!! Jai Hind
Here is the link to the community
Genocide of Kashmiri Pandits
Nation needs to apologise to Kashmiri Pandits
The nation needs to apologise to Kashmiri Pandits for not doing enough to protect their interests, former Jammu and Kashmir Governor S K Sinha said today.
"The whole nation needs to apologise to the Kashmiri Pandits, because we have not done what we should have done for them," Sinha said, referring to the community being forced out of their home state by terror groups.
Addressing the annual convention of Panun Kashmir, an outfit of Kashmiri Pandits, here, the former governor expressed "total confidence" in the army's ability to protect Jammu and Kashmir, saying: "No matter what anyone says so long as you have an army like the Indian Army the question of grabbing Kashmir does not arise.
Source:
http://www.ptinews.com/news/442468_Nation-needs-to-apologise-to-Kashmiri-Pandits--Sinha
Kashmiri Pandits reject WG recommendation on J&K
Viewing seriously the recommendations of the Working Group on Centre-State relations released by the government, Panun Kashmir, an organisation advocating cause of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, today said that it rejects the recommendations, as it has potential to plunge the entire state into crisis.
"We view seriously the recommendations of Prime Minister's Working Group on Centre-State relations released by the government. We reject the recommendations, as it has potential to plunge the entire state into crisis of unprecedented dimensions," Panun Kashmir's media incharge, Ravi Punjabi told reporters here today.
"This is a retrograde step as would dilute the Indian sovereignty in the Jammu and Kashmir state", he said adding PK rejects all recommendations of political nature in the Report that jeopardise interests of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits, community, people of Jammu and Ladakh.
Source:
http://www.ptinews.com/news/439750_Kashmiri-Pandits-reject-WG-recommendation-on-J-K
Sagir Ahmed report is biased
Panun Kashmir (PK), an organization of displaced Kashmiri pandits, rejected the Sagir Ahmed report on the "Centre-State relations", and protested against it saying recommendations in the report do not address the cause of Kashmiri pandits.
The activists alleged the recommendations do not address the issues of Kashmiri pandits who have been forced out from the valley by the Islamic fundamentalists.
"The report of the prime minister's working group on Centre-State relations headed by former chief justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court justice Sagir Ahmed is manipulated and is against the wishes of nationalist people of Jammu Dogras, Ladakhi Buddhist, Gujjars and Kashmiri pandits," PK president Ashwani Chrungoo told reporters.
"The report is illogical, unrealistic, biased and anti-Kashmiri pandits," he said during the demonstration where the activists shouted slogans against the recommendations in the report.
Jammu and Kashmir Minority Forum (JKMF)Demands
-There is need to implement the package at the earliest to redress the problems of the displaced pandit community.
-Already the schemes under this package for the community youth have been delayed raising doubts about the intentions of the government.
-The forum has already appealed to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram regarding the enhancement of Rs 7.5 lakhs for return and rehabilitation of the migrant pandits
Saghir Ahmad panel report exposed
The BJP has slammed the Justice Saghir Ahmad panel report recommending autonomy for Jammu & Kashmir. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh “not to act” on recommendations of the report, which had been “improperly prepared” and “unilaterally authored”.
The senior BJP leader, who is a member of Justice Saghir-headed Prime Minister’s Working Group on J&K, wrote, “What was the compulsion to bypass the Working Group and produce the report? I have an uneasy feeling that the Government wants to show to some sections of the international community that it is willing to dilute the India’s position on Jammu & Kashmir. Is this report showcased for that purpose?”
Jaitley pointed out to the Prime Minister that the last meeting of the 21-member Working Group, which had leaders of many political parties as its members, was held on September 3, 2007 and the group was virtually abandoned since then.
“I have not received any communication with regard to any meeting for even discussing the report of this group. I have not seen any draft report of the group nor has the same ever been circulated. As per the record available with me, no meeting of this group has been held since September 3. It is, therefore, surprising that the group has come out with the report on various important and sensitive issues,” Jaitley claimed.
He contended that it was improper for a retired judge to have drafted a report on sensitive political subjects impinging on national sovereignty, that too two years after the last meeting of the group without bothering to discuss it with any member of the committee.
National shame
Arguing that a “judge by training is not competent” to comment on sensitive political issues, the BJP leader said a judge can “only adjudicate issues that are judicially determinable” and that “it is an improper practice to drag judges into the political thicket”.
In the group, comprising representatives of the Congress, BJP, National Conference, PDP, Panthers Party and groups of various Kashmiri Pandits, “no consensus could ever be possible”, Jaitley said.
Talking about the September meeting, the BJP leader said Justice Saghir indicated that the next meeting would be held after about a month’s time for taking further steps to finalise recommendations of the Working Group.
“However, no meeting was held after September 3 and for all practical purposes the Working Group stood abandoned,” he said in the letter. “Whose report is it that has now been presented to the State Government? Is it an opinion of a retired Judge of the Supreme Court,” he asked. The BJP leader said he would be sending a copy of the letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Source:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/225267/PM-panel-report-changes-India%E2%80%99s-position-on-JK-says-Jaitley.html
400,000 Kashmiri Hindus murdered (officially)
The violent Islamic insurgency has specifically targeted the Hindu Kashmiri Pandit minority and 400,000 have either been murdered or displaced.Islamic terrorists infiltrated the region in 1989 and began an ethnic cleansing campaign to convert Kashmir to a Muslim state. Since that time, over 400,000 Kashmiri Hindus have either been murdered or forced from their homes.
Source:
http://www.house.gov/list/press/nj06_pallone/pr_feb15_kashmir.html
Militancy in Kashmir
In late 1989 and early 1990, Kashmiri Pandits had to flee the Kashmir valley because of being targeted by Kashmiri and foreign militants. By the turn of the last century, only 6.4% of Kashmiris were Hindus. The US Department of State reports that, according to the Indian National Human Rights Commission, the Kashmiri Pandit population in Jammu and Kashmir dropped from 15 percent in 1941 to 0.1 percent as of 2006.. According to the 1901 census, "In the Kashmir province they [Hindus] represent only 524 in every 10,000 of population [or 5.24%]..." while the 1941 census estimated the Hindu population of the Kashmir valley to be 4%.. According to a 2007 poll conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in New Delhi, 84 percent of people in Srinagar want to see the return of Kashmiri Pandits. A MORI survey found that within the Kashmir Valley, 92% respondents opposed the state of Kashmir being divided on the basis of religion or ethnicity. Due to muslim militancy assassination campaign to kill pandit community, by early 1990's, most Pandits -- close to 60,000 -- were out of their homes in kashmir.
In 1931 a group of Kashmiri Pandits formed the organization in Srinagar (Kashmir),named Sanatan Dharam Yuvak Sabha later changed to All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference. The 1st conference of the organization was presided over by Late Justice Jia Lal Kilam .
The violent Islamic insurgency has specifically targeted the Hindu Kashmiri Pandit minority and 400,000 have either been murdered or displaced. This has been condemned and labeled as ethnic cleansing in a 2006 resolution passed by the United States Congress. Also in 2009 Oregon Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to recognize September 14, 2007, as Martyrs Day to acknowledge ethnic cleansing and campaigns of terror inflicted on non-Muslim minorities of Jammu and Kashmir by militants seeking to establish an Islamic state.
The ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits continues, with anti-Hindu threats made to them by militants as recently as 2009
The above information is taken from Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmiri_Pandit
Please refer Wikipedia which contains valid links for this article
The nation needs to apologise to Kashmiri Pandits for not doing enough to protect their interests, former Jammu and Kashmir Governor S K Sinha said today.
"The whole nation needs to apologise to the Kashmiri Pandits, because we have not done what we should have done for them," Sinha said, referring to the community being forced out of their home state by terror groups.
Addressing the annual convention of Panun Kashmir, an outfit of Kashmiri Pandits, here, the former governor expressed "total confidence" in the army's ability to protect Jammu and Kashmir, saying: "No matter what anyone says so long as you have an army like the Indian Army the question of grabbing Kashmir does not arise.
Source:
http://www.ptinews.com/news/442468_Nation-needs-to-apologise-to-Kashmiri-Pandits--Sinha
Kashmiri Pandits reject WG recommendation on J&K
Viewing seriously the recommendations of the Working Group on Centre-State relations released by the government, Panun Kashmir, an organisation advocating cause of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, today said that it rejects the recommendations, as it has potential to plunge the entire state into crisis.
"We view seriously the recommendations of Prime Minister's Working Group on Centre-State relations released by the government. We reject the recommendations, as it has potential to plunge the entire state into crisis of unprecedented dimensions," Panun Kashmir's media incharge, Ravi Punjabi told reporters here today.
"This is a retrograde step as would dilute the Indian sovereignty in the Jammu and Kashmir state", he said adding PK rejects all recommendations of political nature in the Report that jeopardise interests of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits, community, people of Jammu and Ladakh.
Source:
http://www.ptinews.com/news/439750_Kashmiri-Pandits-reject-WG-recommendation-on-J-K
Sagir Ahmed report is biased
Panun Kashmir (PK), an organization of displaced Kashmiri pandits, rejected the Sagir Ahmed report on the "Centre-State relations", and protested against it saying recommendations in the report do not address the cause of Kashmiri pandits.
The activists alleged the recommendations do not address the issues of Kashmiri pandits who have been forced out from the valley by the Islamic fundamentalists.
"The report of the prime minister's working group on Centre-State relations headed by former chief justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court justice Sagir Ahmed is manipulated and is against the wishes of nationalist people of Jammu Dogras, Ladakhi Buddhist, Gujjars and Kashmiri pandits," PK president Ashwani Chrungoo told reporters.
"The report is illogical, unrealistic, biased and anti-Kashmiri pandits," he said during the demonstration where the activists shouted slogans against the recommendations in the report.
Jammu and Kashmir Minority Forum (JKMF)Demands
-There is need to implement the package at the earliest to redress the problems of the displaced pandit community.
-Already the schemes under this package for the community youth have been delayed raising doubts about the intentions of the government.
-The forum has already appealed to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram regarding the enhancement of Rs 7.5 lakhs for return and rehabilitation of the migrant pandits
Saghir Ahmad panel report exposed
The BJP has slammed the Justice Saghir Ahmad panel report recommending autonomy for Jammu & Kashmir. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh “not to act” on recommendations of the report, which had been “improperly prepared” and “unilaterally authored”.
The senior BJP leader, who is a member of Justice Saghir-headed Prime Minister’s Working Group on J&K, wrote, “What was the compulsion to bypass the Working Group and produce the report? I have an uneasy feeling that the Government wants to show to some sections of the international community that it is willing to dilute the India’s position on Jammu & Kashmir. Is this report showcased for that purpose?”
Jaitley pointed out to the Prime Minister that the last meeting of the 21-member Working Group, which had leaders of many political parties as its members, was held on September 3, 2007 and the group was virtually abandoned since then.
“I have not received any communication with regard to any meeting for even discussing the report of this group. I have not seen any draft report of the group nor has the same ever been circulated. As per the record available with me, no meeting of this group has been held since September 3. It is, therefore, surprising that the group has come out with the report on various important and sensitive issues,” Jaitley claimed.
He contended that it was improper for a retired judge to have drafted a report on sensitive political subjects impinging on national sovereignty, that too two years after the last meeting of the group without bothering to discuss it with any member of the committee.
National shame
Arguing that a “judge by training is not competent” to comment on sensitive political issues, the BJP leader said a judge can “only adjudicate issues that are judicially determinable” and that “it is an improper practice to drag judges into the political thicket”.
In the group, comprising representatives of the Congress, BJP, National Conference, PDP, Panthers Party and groups of various Kashmiri Pandits, “no consensus could ever be possible”, Jaitley said.
Talking about the September meeting, the BJP leader said Justice Saghir indicated that the next meeting would be held after about a month’s time for taking further steps to finalise recommendations of the Working Group.
“However, no meeting was held after September 3 and for all practical purposes the Working Group stood abandoned,” he said in the letter. “Whose report is it that has now been presented to the State Government? Is it an opinion of a retired Judge of the Supreme Court,” he asked. The BJP leader said he would be sending a copy of the letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Source:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/225267/PM-panel-report-changes-India%E2%80%99s-position-on-JK-says-Jaitley.html
400,000 Kashmiri Hindus murdered (officially)
The violent Islamic insurgency has specifically targeted the Hindu Kashmiri Pandit minority and 400,000 have either been murdered or displaced.Islamic terrorists infiltrated the region in 1989 and began an ethnic cleansing campaign to convert Kashmir to a Muslim state. Since that time, over 400,000 Kashmiri Hindus have either been murdered or forced from their homes.
Source:
http://www.house.gov/list/press/nj06_pallone/pr_feb15_kashmir.html
Militancy in Kashmir
In late 1989 and early 1990, Kashmiri Pandits had to flee the Kashmir valley because of being targeted by Kashmiri and foreign militants. By the turn of the last century, only 6.4% of Kashmiris were Hindus. The US Department of State reports that, according to the Indian National Human Rights Commission, the Kashmiri Pandit population in Jammu and Kashmir dropped from 15 percent in 1941 to 0.1 percent as of 2006.. According to the 1901 census, "In the Kashmir province they [Hindus] represent only 524 in every 10,000 of population [or 5.24%]..." while the 1941 census estimated the Hindu population of the Kashmir valley to be 4%.. According to a 2007 poll conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in New Delhi, 84 percent of people in Srinagar want to see the return of Kashmiri Pandits. A MORI survey found that within the Kashmir Valley, 92% respondents opposed the state of Kashmir being divided on the basis of religion or ethnicity. Due to muslim militancy assassination campaign to kill pandit community, by early 1990's, most Pandits -- close to 60,000 -- were out of their homes in kashmir.
In 1931 a group of Kashmiri Pandits formed the organization in Srinagar (Kashmir),named Sanatan Dharam Yuvak Sabha later changed to All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference. The 1st conference of the organization was presided over by Late Justice Jia Lal Kilam .
The violent Islamic insurgency has specifically targeted the Hindu Kashmiri Pandit minority and 400,000 have either been murdered or displaced. This has been condemned and labeled as ethnic cleansing in a 2006 resolution passed by the United States Congress. Also in 2009 Oregon Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to recognize September 14, 2007, as Martyrs Day to acknowledge ethnic cleansing and campaigns of terror inflicted on non-Muslim minorities of Jammu and Kashmir by militants seeking to establish an Islamic state.
The ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits continues, with anti-Hindu threats made to them by militants as recently as 2009
The above information is taken from Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmiri_Pandit
Please refer Wikipedia which contains valid links for this article
MANIPUR - AFSPA -- Is this democracy??
Overview of HR and AFSPA
Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, which says that all are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.
AFSPA is against this Article, so it should be removed at any cost, no need to amend it, the only measure should be taken is "remove it".
Gross violation of HRs in Manipur is witness of discrimination between people and a reason for mass destruction of resources.
Violation of HR & Fundamental rights
People are slaves, no people are the mode of fulfilling all the political wishes of leaders and legislature.
Clear and transparent violation of HR and so called "Fundamenta Rights" still no steps h been taken by Defence ministry and UOI.
1 security man for every 50 PEOPLE in Manipur.
An approximate 51,000 Central security men are assisting 5,056 civil police to guard an estimated 25 lakh heads in trouble riddled state of Manipur where around 10,000 armed cadres of more than 39 militant outfits are operating.
This can be estimated as a security man for every 50 heads.
The security man per head can be estimated at a security man for every 36 if state armed security and police are also counted.
The total security men and police can be estimated at around 20,000 newly inducted police and IRB personnel.
A big question...!!!!!!!!!!
Parliamentarian Dr. Chingleput Krishnaswami opposed the act since it violated the rights of the states provided under the concurrent list. While not opposing the requisitioning to Army to quell disturbance, he disputed the provisions of the act since it violated the right of the states to call the Army if they so desired. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act provided center with the absolute power to send Army for civilian aid. Thus the question was not of using army to quell disturbance. The moot question that the provisions of the act raised was that now all power was given to the Army and the civil authority divested of all control.
Parliamentarian Mr. Jaipal Singh opposed the act on the ground that it seeks military solution for a question that is essentially political in nature. Just because the act was aimed at what the government termed as a small section of Naga hostiles, it does not make an extraordinary piece of legislation, martial law into an ordinary law.
License to kill
Since its inception the Armed Forces Special Powers Bill (subsequently Act) aims at empowering the Army with special powers to bring normalcy in an area disturbed by insurgency. While introducing the Armed Forces Special Powers Bill Hon’ble Home Minister Mr. G. B. Pant had argued, “…owing to the hostile activities of certain misguided section of Nagas, Government has to take special measures to restore normalcy.” This has become the raison d’etre of the Bill and it subsequent amendments.
Yet the Act has singularly failed in its stated objectives. In spite of the act, militancy has not only continued but also thrived. When the act had been promulgated and imposed on the whole of Assam and Manipur, there was only one militant organization that was based in the Naga areas. Now militancy has spread in the entire original region of its implementation with several militant organizations functioning in the area.
Spread of militancy lie not so much in the imperfect implementation of the Act as in the imperfect nature of the Act. Parliamentarian Dr. Chingleput Krishnaswami had already indicated that in the Act, all power was given to the Army and the civil authority divested of all control. In fact it weakened not only civil authority but also civil space.
Operating under absolute immunity the Army brooked no dissent even when peaceful and democratic. Human Rights activists such as Shelly Charia, Parag Das etc., were found murdered in mysterious circumstances. Prominent journalists such as Ajit Bhuian were subject to humiliating searches and third degree torture. The Army intimidated Mr. Max Phazang, the magistrate presiding over the Oinam case in Tamenlong. Even Chief Ministers, ministers and senior members of bureaucracy have not escaped their ire.
LEGAL INTERPRETATION OF AFSPA
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act contravenes both Indian and International law standards. This was exemplified when India presented its second periodic report to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in 1991. Members of the UNHRC asked numerous questions about the validity of the AFSPA, questioning how the AFSPA could be deemed constitutional under Indian law and how it could be justified in light of Article 4 of the ICCPR. The Attorney General of India relied on the sole argument that the AFSPA is a necessary measure to prevent the secession of the North Eastern states. He said that a response to this agitation for secession in the North East had to be done on a "war footing." He argued that the Indian Constitution, in Article 355, made it the duty of the Central Government to protect the states from internal disturbance, and that there is no duty under international law to allow secession.
This reasoning exemplifies the vicious cycle which has been instituted in the North East due to the AFSPA. The use of the AFSPA pushes the demand for more autonomy, giving the peoples of the North East more reason to want to secede from a state which enacts such powers and the agitation which ensues continues to justify the use of the AFSPA from the point of view of the Indian Government.
Our Defence minister is as shameful as ever
Defence Minister AK Antony has said that the hated Armed Force Special Powers Act ( AFSPA) will remain in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast as it is necessary to combat terrorism and extremists in the regions.
Buzz up!"As long as the armed forces presence is necessary, they need special provisions. They cannot function without special powers," Antony said.
Antony said the AFSPA will be repealed once there are signs of improvement in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast.
AFSPA has been viewed as a draconian law by people from Northeast and those in Jammu and Kashmir due to gross human rights violation done by armed forces in the guise of AFSPA.
Irom Sharmila, human rights activist in Manipur has been on indefinite hunger strike for the last 10 years in protest.
.
.
Source:
http://news.oneindia.in/2009/12/18/afspa-to-stay-till-situation-improves-antony.html
Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, which says that all are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.
AFSPA is against this Article, so it should be removed at any cost, no need to amend it, the only measure should be taken is "remove it".
Gross violation of HRs in Manipur is witness of discrimination between people and a reason for mass destruction of resources.
Violation of HR & Fundamental rights
People are slaves, no people are the mode of fulfilling all the political wishes of leaders and legislature.
Clear and transparent violation of HR and so called "Fundamenta Rights" still no steps h been taken by Defence ministry and UOI.
1 security man for every 50 PEOPLE in Manipur.
An approximate 51,000 Central security men are assisting 5,056 civil police to guard an estimated 25 lakh heads in trouble riddled state of Manipur where around 10,000 armed cadres of more than 39 militant outfits are operating.
This can be estimated as a security man for every 50 heads.
The security man per head can be estimated at a security man for every 36 if state armed security and police are also counted.
The total security men and police can be estimated at around 20,000 newly inducted police and IRB personnel.
A big question...!!!!!!!!!!
Parliamentarian Dr. Chingleput Krishnaswami opposed the act since it violated the rights of the states provided under the concurrent list. While not opposing the requisitioning to Army to quell disturbance, he disputed the provisions of the act since it violated the right of the states to call the Army if they so desired. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act provided center with the absolute power to send Army for civilian aid. Thus the question was not of using army to quell disturbance. The moot question that the provisions of the act raised was that now all power was given to the Army and the civil authority divested of all control.
Parliamentarian Mr. Jaipal Singh opposed the act on the ground that it seeks military solution for a question that is essentially political in nature. Just because the act was aimed at what the government termed as a small section of Naga hostiles, it does not make an extraordinary piece of legislation, martial law into an ordinary law.
License to kill
Since its inception the Armed Forces Special Powers Bill (subsequently Act) aims at empowering the Army with special powers to bring normalcy in an area disturbed by insurgency. While introducing the Armed Forces Special Powers Bill Hon’ble Home Minister Mr. G. B. Pant had argued, “…owing to the hostile activities of certain misguided section of Nagas, Government has to take special measures to restore normalcy.” This has become the raison d’etre of the Bill and it subsequent amendments.
Yet the Act has singularly failed in its stated objectives. In spite of the act, militancy has not only continued but also thrived. When the act had been promulgated and imposed on the whole of Assam and Manipur, there was only one militant organization that was based in the Naga areas. Now militancy has spread in the entire original region of its implementation with several militant organizations functioning in the area.
Spread of militancy lie not so much in the imperfect implementation of the Act as in the imperfect nature of the Act. Parliamentarian Dr. Chingleput Krishnaswami had already indicated that in the Act, all power was given to the Army and the civil authority divested of all control. In fact it weakened not only civil authority but also civil space.
Operating under absolute immunity the Army brooked no dissent even when peaceful and democratic. Human Rights activists such as Shelly Charia, Parag Das etc., were found murdered in mysterious circumstances. Prominent journalists such as Ajit Bhuian were subject to humiliating searches and third degree torture. The Army intimidated Mr. Max Phazang, the magistrate presiding over the Oinam case in Tamenlong. Even Chief Ministers, ministers and senior members of bureaucracy have not escaped their ire.
LEGAL INTERPRETATION OF AFSPA
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act contravenes both Indian and International law standards. This was exemplified when India presented its second periodic report to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in 1991. Members of the UNHRC asked numerous questions about the validity of the AFSPA, questioning how the AFSPA could be deemed constitutional under Indian law and how it could be justified in light of Article 4 of the ICCPR. The Attorney General of India relied on the sole argument that the AFSPA is a necessary measure to prevent the secession of the North Eastern states. He said that a response to this agitation for secession in the North East had to be done on a "war footing." He argued that the Indian Constitution, in Article 355, made it the duty of the Central Government to protect the states from internal disturbance, and that there is no duty under international law to allow secession.
This reasoning exemplifies the vicious cycle which has been instituted in the North East due to the AFSPA. The use of the AFSPA pushes the demand for more autonomy, giving the peoples of the North East more reason to want to secede from a state which enacts such powers and the agitation which ensues continues to justify the use of the AFSPA from the point of view of the Indian Government.
Our Defence minister is as shameful as ever
Defence Minister AK Antony has said that the hated Armed Force Special Powers Act ( AFSPA) will remain in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast as it is necessary to combat terrorism and extremists in the regions.
Buzz up!"As long as the armed forces presence is necessary, they need special provisions. They cannot function without special powers," Antony said.
Antony said the AFSPA will be repealed once there are signs of improvement in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast.
AFSPA has been viewed as a draconian law by people from Northeast and those in Jammu and Kashmir due to gross human rights violation done by armed forces in the guise of AFSPA.
Irom Sharmila, human rights activist in Manipur has been on indefinite hunger strike for the last 10 years in protest.
.
.
Source:
http://news.oneindia.in/2009/12/18/afspa-to-stay-till-situation-improves-antony.html
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Indian Voice at UN
Shreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam
This title is the last line of the song 'Maithreem Bhajatha'. This song was written by Jagathguru Sankaraachaarya Sri Chandrasekarendra Sarashwathi Swamigal of Kanchi Kaamakoti Peetam who was famously known as 'Periyavaa' and 'Paramaachaaryaa'. I think the occasion was 50th anniversary of United Nations Organization. The Queen of Carnatic Music, Bharath Rathna Smt. M.S. Subbulakshmi was invited to sing at UNO on this occasion. Acaaryaa wrote and gave to her this Sanskrit song when she mentioned about the UNO invitation to Acaaryaa. We can appreciate the importance and relevance of this song even after 40 years of writing this song, if we look into the meaning of each line. I think we should listen to this song daily and meditate on the meaning so that we can consciously follow the advise given by Acaaryaa in this song for the World Peace.
Maithreem Bhajatha Akila Hrith Jeththreem - Serve with Friendship and Humility, which will conquer the Hearts of Everyone.
Atmavat Eva Paraan api pashyata - Look upon others similar to yourself.
Yuddham Tyajata - Renounce War
Spardhaam Tyajata - Renounce unnecessary Competition for Power
Tyajata Pareshwa akrama aakramanam - Give up Aggression on others' properties which is wrong
Jananee Prthivee Kaamadughaastey - Mother Earth is wide enough and ready to give us all we desire like a Kaamadenu
JanakO Deva: Sakala Dayaalu: - God, Our Father, is very Compassionate to All
Daamyata - So, Restrain yourself
Datta - So, Donate your wealth to others
Dayathvam - So, Be Kind to others
Janathaa: - Oh People of the World
Sreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam - May All People of this World be Happy and Prosperous.
Sreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam - May All People of this World be Happy and Prosperous.
Sreyo Bhooyaath Sakala Janaanaam - May All People of this World be Happy and Prosperous.
When this song was rendered at UNO, all the delegates from the World Nations were given the translation of this song. The rendering of this song by MS and the meaning was so melting that most of the delegates were very moved and some of them started weeping at the profundity of this song and the voice.
Source: http://maithreembhajatha.blogspot.com/2005/10/shreyo-bhooyaath-sakala-janaanaam.html
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Appearances are Deceptive
Many politicians in recent days tend to show themself associated with poor people and do certain "acts" to prove them. Well I recently got an Image. Not only this politician but most of them tend to deceive the people and the people are fooled from time to time. When will people wake up? When will we change?
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Great Speech By Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
DR. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 's Speech in Hyderabad . *Why is the media here so negative?
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths,
our achievements?
We are such a great nation.
We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them.
Why?
We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan, he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit.
There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.
I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news. In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE?
Another question:Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things?
We want foreign TVs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.
Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture,
when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph.
I asked her what her goal in life is.
She replied: I want to live in a developed India
For her, you and I will have to build this developed India.
You must proclaim.
Indiais not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.
Do you have 10 minutes?
Allow me to come back with a vengeance.
Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.
YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke,
The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.
YOU say, say and say.
What do YOU do about it?
Take a person on his way to Singapore
Give him a name - YOURS.
Give him a face - YOURS.
YOU walk out of the airport and you are
at your International best.
In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU?
YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai .
YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.
YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds ( Rs.650) a month to 'see to it that my STD and ISD
calls are billed to someone else.'
YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop,
'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?).
I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.'
YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia
and New Zealand ..
Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ?
Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??
We are still talking of the same YOU.
YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system
in other countries but cannot in your own.
You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground.
If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same herein India ?
Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay , Mr.Tinaikar , had a point to make. 'Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,he said. 'And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements.
What do they expect the officers to do?
We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms
but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide
the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to
stop pilfering at the least opportunity.
When it comes to burning social issues like
those related to women, dowry, girl child!
and others, we make loud drawing room protestations
and continue to do the reverse at home.
Our excuse?
'It's the whole system which has to change,
how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights
to a dowry.'
So who's going to change the system?
What does a system consist of ?
Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbors, other households, other cities, other communities and the government.
But definitely not me and YOU.
When it comes to us actually making a positive
contribution to the system we lock ourselves
along with our families into a safe cocoon
and look into the distance at countries far away
and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles
for us with a majestic sweep of his hand
or we leave the country and run away.
Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to
America to bask in their glory and praise their system.
When New York becomes insecure we run to England .
When England experiences unemployment,
we take the next flight out to the Gulf.
When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government..
Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country.
Nobody thinks of feeding the system.
Our conscience is mortgaged to money.
Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too....
I am echoing J. F. Kennedy 's words
to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians.....
'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA
AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA
WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)