New Years Eve

On the coming of the year 2012, we can think about the poor people of India who are in perpetual poverty, unable to celebrate as the the rest of the prosperous world. May the Gods whom they pray deliver them from their troubles. May the political system they believe in brings them relief from poverty, and give them more equality amongst all.May we have feelings of brotherhood towards them, and empathise with their present state.May they be free of poverty in the coming year and achieve prosperity quickly. These are our thoughts while we usher in the bright brand New Year.

The Indian people should have faith in themselves.After the British left the people lost belief in themselves and thought that only by paying money they can get work done. They can restore faith in themselves because now there is e-governance. Now computerisation with citizen centric orientation has arrived. Citizens can get anything done on-line and track the results on-line.People, there is nothing to worry about.There will be transparency in government's activities with implementation of policies like e-tendering and e-procurement in government. Politicians will account for their wealth;and when they illegally acquire wealth will go to jail when found guilty. Judges will be judged too.

Larger issues of equity in distribution of wealth, faster industrialisation and modernisation are what we are concerned. How to improve living conditions of many, how to keep people happy will be the goal of government.

Road-blocks for Landmark bill

Yesterday night the "Rajya Sabha" ended its Winter session without passing the anti-corruption Bill(LokPal Bill)From the proceedings of the Parliament, it is clear that the ruling elite do not want to pass this Bill.They do not want anyone to check how they come up with money during their career as politicians. The coming elections also is kept in mind. Voting on the bill was not done, and it is postponed till the next session.

Always, when in session we can see the live telecasts of the proceedings of the Parliament;they show the people the real merits/demerits of ruling elite. The lack of consensus on issues  and their way of jamming each others' speeches do not indicate maturity amongst the elected people.When the elected elite is responsible for the well-being of the so many whom they represent, they should behave more responsibly.Knocking down each others statements is not parliamentary behaviour.

All play the mean mean "blame" game. They blame the other party of becoming the road block in the making of the Bill. Are we electing the right persons? This is the question the citizens would ask themselves when they witness the behaviour of the ruling elite.

Language in the Evolution of a people

The people of Goa state celebrated their Golden Anniversary--50years of freedom, ten days ago. They got their freedom from foreign rule in December1961 after 450 years of being a colony of Portugal. The aristocrats of Goa identified themselves with the foreign regime and did not want freedom struggle to succeed.The people held a referendum and decided on joining the Indian union. At freedom, the poor folks (farmers) got rights over the land that they farmed under colonial overlords.The peasants united under one commonality and that was their language--"Konkani".During their long history and contacts with various cultures, they could not unite as they they were unlettered, poor and isolated. Although, they spoke different dialects and they kept contact with each other. Their saint had devised a common script for Konkani and the people had begun writing their own literature.The written script helped the Goans to unite. Their children began going to school as they had valued education.Even with coming of Hindi and English, people kept their culture alive by speaking Konkani.They are united  by speaking a common language and thus shared a common culture.Democracy has given the people good governance-- to be able to legislate on what is good for all the people.Goan women have greater rights over money and property as laws were made for the benefit of them.Today they are very successful Indians.They are aware of their environmental rights and keep Goa green. They earn through the industries of tourism and mining. Fish is their staple diet. Along with fishing, they have invested in modernised farming too.Goans are an integral part of India.A famous talented artist hails from Goa. His name is Mario Miranda; in newspapers and magazines he had depicted with great accuracy what the Indian people were like;although stereo typed, his characters came out alive in his drawings(caricatures).

Landmark Bill

Landmark bill has been passed in Lok Sabha(first house) of our parliament to counter check corruption in government. A civil society group is able to bring about a protest to change the government is a phenomenon which should be greatly appreciated; and this is possible because we are a vibrant democracy. And media coverage and social networking in participation of the people are all modern methods by which the people mobilised themselves. Although the bill does not have constitutional status as anticipated, it will go a long way in eradicating off-record dealings of the government. The independence of the state’s investigation bureau was curtailed as its head would be appointed by the Prime Minister. Ten amendments were made before passing the bill. Now it is in the second stage. In the second house (Rajya Sabha),may be further amendments will be made before declaring it as a law.

Another bill, on Whistle-blower’s protection, was also passed by Lok Sabha and will be decided on the next session. Another one, Judicial Accountability Bill regarding the selection of Judges was debated and be taken up in the next session. Now further reduction of corruption in high places will be dealt with positively.Citizens Charter Bill was also taken up. 

It was revealed that 12,000 crores of Rupees were spent on import of pulses without opting for the lowest bidder during procurement. That means we bought pulses at high rates than that was available in the world market. So that explains the high cost of “dals” which are an essential part of our diets. When it comes to spending government’s money Politician does not recognise the right value. We should make more bills to amend this practise too.

Mood of the people

Civil society activist catches the mood of the country and is trying hard to change the structure of the government is indeed a phenomena worth examining. The nature of the people is reflected on the government it makes. Even if changes in the structure of the government are made, ultimately, the people’s nature will influence and alter it to back as it was. Those in the government bodies have a casual attitude towards work and do not care for the national goals. This nature of the people will not change whatever civil society does. Computerization in office procedure, tracking of files in the public domain, office automation, e-procurement, e-tendering are major alterations that will bring transparency in the activities of the government personnel. Monitoring of the elected people cannot be brought under any single head. And Prime Minister is supreme and his activities cannot be monitored or checked by anyone. Powers that constitution has given cannot be altered by anyone in the street, there are parliamentary procedures. Those who are working in government offices can be monitored by their superiors only and everyone does not have a say in it. A major lapse in government offices is that there is no stress on the primary goal and working together as a team is missing. This hampers the working of government and more improvements must be made in educating the people in the organization—training to work together. 
The mood of the country is that there is great disillusionment caused by economic conditions. The people are affected by--price rise of essential food items, the fall of the Indian currency, rising cost of living, rise of fuel cost and so on The Reserve Bank of India has increased the rate of interest 13 times in the last one year in trying to tame the runaway inflation. And it is not working The Indian Rupee has fallen in international market, that means we will be buying oil at higher cost, and there will be price rise again. In this mood, people will listen to any protest and try to revolt against anything; any civil right revolt can catch this depressed state of mind of the people and use it to catapult itself to the limelight. How long will this last?

What is wrong with us?

The reason that the educated elites do not see the problems of the nation or its people is because we Indians have always used the poor people as workers/helpers as servants, as drivers, as sweepers, as labourers, as maids, as watchman or as lesser people. The first thing a child learns as it goes to school is that the servant will carry the school bag. So the education that we give starts with how to use the lesser people. So we can never really become “educated elite” for we only see our own problems and never the problems of "others" who are people too. When we cannot even see "others", we cannot envision our nation’s problems. The nation is made of mostly poor people. Thus we have put a blind fold on ourselves. May it be the cashew nut barons of Karnataka or timber merchants of Tamil Nadu, or zamindars of Uttar Pradesh or mine owners of Bihar, we know how to use the workers to our best advantage. When the farmers commit suicide, or the workers/labourers suffer in the cold without shelter, we justify it and call it fate or even give a cultural name, ”karma” The truth is that we have always distinguished ourselves as superiors and can visualise only the mundane problems like the  availability of labour, or fuss over the cost of fuel, as we are the aristocracy. We do not think about minimum wages or loss of livelihoods;and we do not know of the cost of travel to work for the poor people.We do not identify ourselves with the real people of India nor do we have any sympathy for them.

 Even the police personnel see themselves as  the superior people and dominate over the simple citizens.Our attitudes pose giant repercussions in the conduct of the ruling class. They need the votes of the workers, and if they do not please the workers, how will they get re-elected. So they pretend to legislate, they act as if they are concerned about the well being of the general population. And they use the media to exaggerate progress, and they showcase industrialisation or alleviation of poverty. With good resources, good engineers, and best educators, we are not able to build our nation.This is India  of today, those who can survive this will make a better India of the future. By then loss of lives would be many many.

Plight of the Farming people

In just last two months in the month of October and November 2011, 90 farmers have committed suicide in the state of Andra Pradesh. Since 1997, 250,000 farmers have committed suicide in India.Karnataka state's silk farmers have committed suicides due to the repercussions following change in the government policy.State of Maharashtra also has farmer very high suicide rates. Cotton farmers cannot export cotton due to government ban.These are indication of a failed state-- which is looking at trivial issues and calculating on next elections without making solutions to the needs of the poor people of India.40% of farmers want to discontinue farming, what are other livelihood options that government facilitates? None. Agricultural policy of 2007,which agricultural scientists had proposed to the parliament has not been tabled yet.Implementing retail chain of food procurement has not been popularized because ruling people have changed their minds on it.

Why suicide?Low productivity and returns of agriculture.In some parts of Andra Pradesh farmers get no returns from crops due to drought; and in coastal places cyclones frequently lead to crop failure.Calamities arise due to global climatic change.Credits and loans which farmer is not able to repay due to lack of expected return are the real cause of suicides.Farmers want more technological improvements which they are denied, many times electricity is not provided where irrigation with motors is needed. Mechanisation is opposed.Merging for farmer's holding to make a bigger farm can be done using computerised land records and this possibility is not offered.Prices are determined by the government, and farmers do not have a say in it. Agriculture and marketing go together, the rich aristocrats who have access to market rates become richer at the cost of the poor farmers.The ministers argue that agriculture is subject that the individual state have to legislate, and this will not be dealt with by the central government.But production, procurement, export are subjects of the central government and they are are all essential part of agriculture. Joint work of commerce ministry, finance ministry, and agriculture ministry  in making effective policies can save the farmer.Farmer should get minimum support price.He should be given low interest loans. Change of livelihood should to offered to the farmer.Economic polices directly affect the precarious life of the farmer.For example decontrolling sugar prices affects the farmer. 

At last food distribution schemes are here

The granaries of the government were full and overflowing but people were without food as economic policies had failed. At last,the food Security Bill,will soon be implemented. This will give our masses access to nutritional food at affordable prices. The legal right to food is now made reality. The cost of this scheme would be 1.5 lakh crore of Rupees annually.It will ensure food for top priority group comprising of 46% of rural India and 28% of urban India who are under the poverty line. Although the category of poverty line has not been defined yet, the provision will give 7Kg of food grains per month per person for the poor at the rate of 3Rupees per Kg of rice, wheat at 2Rupees per Kg and coarse grains at 1Kg.There will be free lunches for vulnerable group of people. By 2013, these schemes would be fully functioning. With population so huge,this will be like feeding the fish in the ocean. The government will have to procure grains in great quantities.Other activities of the government will get less attention now. The classification of benefactors may take even more time, the groups will be determined by 'socio-economic and caste' census. This would be similar to the recommendations given by the National Advisory Council.

To obtain the rations of food grains,people would have to be informed of this; and people in remote regions will have to move to distributing centres to receive the state's subsidies. 

This cannot become a long term scheme.It would only be an 'adhoc' policy to solve food scarcity. The real solution is to make the poor to be able to afford food, medicine and shelter. Housing for the poor and medicines for the poor are yet to be thought about by the government.These are also basic needs of the poor.All these needs should to be fulfilled; we cannot allow people to live in the streets or die without medicines. Pharma industries flourish in India but there are crores of people without medicines.Builders are making many residential complexes and infrastructural expansion is phenomenal.But the poor don't have even a tent to live in...Some attention should be given for providing shelters and providing medicines too, along with food.

Winning a War for the Weak

Bangladesh is celebrating 40 years of freedom today. India had witnessed how the people of the neighbouring country were suffering; it had reasoned for their cause and had fought war for them and had won their freedom. Today, we are celebrating with them their victory day. Only by celebrating anniversaries,we re-live and rededicate ourselves to our fundamental beliefs and values. The causes we had fought for reassures us, that we would always protect the weak people where ever they are.

The people of then East Pakistan were controlled by then West Pakistan; their nationalist movement was suppressed, riots and strikes were dealt with cruelly;and because of the atrocities, many people had moved to India as refugees. We had rescued the suffering weak people;when reasoning with the perpetrators had became impossible, we had declared War. Within two weeks, under the able leadership of Chief General of Army Sam Manekshaw, we had won the War and had made Bangladesh a free country.

In this part of South East Asia, we are very good neighbours. We seek to help those who are suffering, and we take bold courageous steps. We do not go to War to benefit money (or oil) but we want people to be free from suffering.

This is the make-up of the Indian mind-noble caring and daring.We will protect those who come to us seeking help(seeking "sharn")

India: land and its people

India is an ancient land but its people are all brand new. New people inhabit the old India.Only the physical India is old, the people are all new types--children of the priests/farmers are now professionals--engineers and doctors and teachers. We valued the role of education in shaping the mind of the new generation and we educated all of them very well.We do not cling on to the old way of life, we live in modern era with modern gadgets and ultra modern lifestyles.Eulogy of the old rustic life only reveals our nostalgia, for we know that we cannot go back to the old simple way of life.Showcasing ancient monuments is only a pastime and we know that we belong to this age.

In all professions they choose, Indians excel. The most numerous in all professionals in the world are the Indians.Our civil engineers are very skill full in the making of urban constructions, our mechanical engineers are involved in  industries all over the world,our computer professional are in demand everywhere. Our doctors are experts in all specialised fields they choose. Our teachers have brought up generations of children who have become perfect professionals. Then why is it we do not have a good education system in India? Why do we not have good health care policy? Why do our masses suffer with ill health?Why are we not urbanising fast? What ails our industries?We do not make efficient organisations,governments, or associations.In other words we perform very well as individuals but fail when we are in organisations.Well now,  Internet,mobile phones and more modern technology have come here to help us communicate better, organise ourselves better and grow together as a nation.

Living Civilization

1000^th Birthday of a temple was celebrated recently. Thanjavur's Bragadeeswara temple was opened and dedicated to its worshippers 1000 years ago.It is a living testimony to the architectural achievements of Raja Raja Chola I or Arulmolivarman.His reign was between 985 A.D. till1014 A.D.The apex of the pagoda(gopuram) consists of a monolith granite which weighs 50 tons. Its hight is 66ft. The temple was made with 130000 tons of granite.  The most amazing aspect of the Indian civilisation is that we still have continuity in our traditions. The priests who are decedents of the first priests who had started the “Puja” or prayers still continue the “Puja” as it was done then. Prime land was given to the priests by the kings who had built this temple.So we are a living civilisation which had never died out. All civilisations of the world came, prospered and died out but we were always alive, ever young and ever vibrant. And we will continue living, growing, praying and last forever. We are very special kind of people who can live through the ravages of time for we have enduring values. The priests were allotted land(farmer/landlord) and they continued tilling the soil and continued praying all through the last 10 centuries. When the tradition is so rich, it is lasting and it becomes timeless. Today we face challenges of industrialisation and modernisation. We will adopt and live through this too.

New Delhi: hundred years

Delhi is one hundred years old today. How will Delhi look hundred years from now?Those who live here would have moved away and new people would come here. Perhaps our great grand children would write about roots of family from Delhi recollecting with awe and bewilderment on how beautiful life was here.

Hundred years ago today,British had shifted their capital from West Bengal to Delhi and had planned city of New Delhi very well.They  had thought this would be their pride for centuries to come but within 16 years had to leave as we had become an independent country.Even now British writers recollect with nostalgia about the days of the British Raj.The English royalty or the ruling monarchs held Durbars like the Mogul kings presiding over the Indian masses.

Those days had vanished when India awakened and became free(64 years ago)Since then,Delhi has expanded several times. The people are extremely adaptable; as soon as the metro railways(5years ago) came people moved to newer areas-up to the reaches of the train and had colonised swiftly;mobile usage came very very fast, we have digital Delhi as we pay taxes and electricity bills on line.Internet usage is highest here.Bank transactions and shopping are all on line too.The city buses's services can be obtained from their websites. Delhi's citizens are high spirited people who will take up all challenges fearlessly.

Delhi people enjoy going out,shop and hang out in evenings.The annual trade fair is a big success here as more than one lakh 50 thousand people flock to the Pragati Maidan every day;they are visible on goggle maps.On those days when the fair is on,you can see Delhites from space!

We are looking forward to a future when we will become a more just society, we will adopt newer technology to empower the people. We will industrialise fast and remove the drudgery that workers face in keeping up with the churning wheels of the economy. The peace loving and religious people of India will do well in the this century and the centuries to follow for we are full of hope,cheer and goodwill.We are a hardworking people and we have good value systems that pull us through difficult times. We will overcome all hurdles and become a good example of how a culture should be like-vibrant,daring and adaptable like Delhites.What would Delhi be like hundred years from now?Thousand years from now, people would be the same kind as they are now.

Today's Youth should play better role

Today another event of protesting took place in New Delhi.Fasting, donning caps, resorting to “slogans” of freedom struggle shows that the young educated  protesters are not modern enough.The present new generation must look for new methods of protesting and not just reenact the freedom movement(64 years ago). Revivalism is not required.There is no need to invoke patriotic fervour to express dissent.When there is hesitancy in progressive policy making, when elected people have behaved irresponsibly, we must protest. The old rituals of “fasting” and slogan shouting are not essential features of today’s changing times.Instead of protesting against a broad phenomenon (corruption), young protesters can point to how elected people have taken wrong steps (specifically) in making ineffective policies. We must to more exact.Easily, the youth make the event appear like a “mela” or carnival with music, and hurrahing.Now the Delhi administration staffs have become experts in managing big crowds. And people also seem to enjoy the merriment of “chalo aaj masti  karen” or “lets enjoy ourselves today” attitude. And the seriousness of the event is forgotten in the merriment. Media too has its story to munch on for the day. For most part, it’s a media event. This is enlarged by live coverage and exaggerated running commentary of talkative anchor persons. 24*7 media coverage makes one think what does media out of this.

Educated people should show more seriousness, and younger people should be more innovative in protesting. Young people should make speeches; form more intellectual communities, make more blogs on development,write more bigger emails to government,and “tweet” more on how to overcome corruption. This looks like a mass get-together,  it is too casual.People should give their protests more content.Trivialising of issues by slandering could have been averted by the seniors. Verbal mudslinging should not be adopted.And by inviting other parties,the organisers cannot assume compliance. Changing how the government functions is what this protest was about, and not changing the parliament. Now the head may make his own constitution and preamble and give outline for Directive Principles too.There are other ways of implementing better governance, for example altering the role of bureaucrat, promoting better appointment procedures for bureaucrat, stress importance of meritocracy and giving powers to those bureaucrats who adopt technological skills better.To give no space for corruption in practises like e-tendering, e-procurement and restructuring of office procedures with computerisation could be brought about. This was a success as it indicates that a civil society can voice its belief and propose a new frame work which the government will adopt.     

We are survivors

India cannot be described by geographic contours (peninsula of with so many sq miles), nor by statistics (population), nor by race (human genome is same) but it can be described by its culture and civilisation. The associations that we Indians form, the governments we have built and the policies we are making for the future are the indices by which we would be judged by. Most accurate description of India would be shown by the hopes and aspirations of the people. The values that we Indians hold dear are very unique. How we have adopted quickly to arrival of modern technology shows that we are a highly intelligent people. What determines our future? To put together new technology and keep our cultural identity is the key to our progress as a people and as a nation. Issues faced by our leaders are many. There is no panacea for all the problems faced. We the people survive because we are innovative, we are resourceful and we are hard-working. Our religion helps us to live with inequalities and makes us strong to face adversities. By communicating with one another, we solve our own problems. We are strong in mind and firm in our actions. And we feel we are determining our lives with our action. It is this faith in ourselves makes us survivors.And despite ineffective policies of the political system, people tolerate tough economic conditions, survive and live on.

The worker and his role in economy

The bottom of the pyramid of Indian economy is the position held by the poor workers. The rural poor live in forests, in pastures, banks and shorelines. They are the crucial part of the economy, their survival is important for they are the backbone of society. The farmers /workers/labourers are the poor people whose work is used or exploited by rest of the society.The farmer toils and produces grains which is the basis of entire economy. He makes more than he requires, and his produce is used by all others.Rest of the society, transfers this produce, transports it, distributes it, stores it and consumes it. To gain legal possession over his produce, we device value systems.We justify the unjust takeover, and we give no rights to the worker/farmer who deserves.He exists invisibly providing us with his labour; he holds no possessions. In rural India, the cultural invention of temples, ghats,chowpals and farms are his last hideaways/homes. In urban India he has no common space to live in, he is the modern nomad. But we still need his labour, and the urban India turns his labour into a commodity. When there is speedy development, there is loss of livelihood for many workers and he has nothing to fall back on. We legally make sure to extract work and pay minimum just for his food. He is forced to the limits of drudgery.He may become extinct.And if the base of the pyramid crumbles, the economy will be shattered. In  ocean ecology, the smallest living thing, the plankton, supports all lives including the whales. So the smallest person supports the whole population with his labour, and if he is lost, all will suffer. So the poor must be recognised and uplifted for the survival of all society.

Insecurities of a culture and its rustic people

Struggle for the very basic needs is common for all of us—water engulfs all our energies. There are states in India without true rivers. The Himalayan Rivers can only provide for northern parts. Southern parts have little rain fed rivers whose drainage system has isolated some states depriving them of water. They are dependent on other states for water sources. They have a sense of insecurity for they fear if a demolition/reconstruction of a dam takes place. The other state may reduce water quantity given, and then they may be deprived of water. 

A hundred years ago, the rulers (British) had made bridges between culturally divided India, made dams to provide water for dry areas and to stop flooding of wet areas. This ushered in an era of new drainage system. It opened up an entire new way of life for farmers who were previously praying for rains. These farmers loved their livelihoods. Thousands of years ago, their saint had extolled the role of the farmer. Their saint had said that “the true life of a human is led by one who farms and all others worship and follow him (seeking his blessings)”.They revere their way of life, and love to till the soil and work from dawn to dusk. They cannot imagine life without their Mother Earth. The dam is located in another state. Although the dam is theirs, re-defining water rights might come about. Now after reconstruction of the old dam, water may be channelled for the benefit of the other state. Their fear of losing their sources of water is very real, for water wars can ensue. It is the anguish of these farmers that moves us greatly. They must be assured that reconstruction of a dam can result in greater security. Fear, anguish and insecurity must be overcome, so that farmers can work in peace. They know that without water, there will be no harvest, which means no livelihood; no food would lead to migration which means loss of being near dear ones; adjusting to alien cultures is not possible for them. No foreign place can be like their homes. It is not dams or water rights that these communities are in danger of losing;they may have to change their lifestyles and culture totally.  Future Shock is coming soon.There is bigger shock waiting for them. They are not aware that as soon as industrialisation of farming takes place, only few farmers will be working, and farming as they know it may end as a profession. Eulogy of ideal rustic way life should not be encouraged, and soon their culture may change entirely altogether. It’s going to be a shock from which they will have to recover from

We have free minds for none can bind us

The most important rights that we Indians have is the freedom of keeping minds open and the freedom of expression.Expression is like breathing for us;and we yearn to breathe free..Any curtailment of this basic freedom would be a big set back for our democracy.The Indian personality comprises of speaking out and expressing to our fellow men what we feel about each and every aspect of our lives. It is through this gift of gab that we Indians continue to communicate our culture.We have advanced in our communication techniques—Newspaper, Television, Internet, Telephone, Mobile telephone etc. Now we cannot go back and be without these. Imposition of restrictions on freedom of speech or expression would imprison us to the dark ages when there was rigid bondage prescribed by an obsolete civilization. Our lives have changed due to the adoption of modern technology.Any alteration or step backwards would not be possible now. Any attempt to suppress expression would be unacceptable oppression.  So no political might is strong enough to affect our freedom in any way. When there is freedom, we also have constraint to exercise that freedom responsibly.So we auto correct ourselves.Therefore the other side of the coin of freedom is responsibility.Our ‘greedom’ for more and more power should not prison our freedom.Indians are free birds always soaring high,scaling new heights and exploring new horizons.No one can bind freedom lovers.

Farmer's labour: who wants to use it for making profits

In India, the small time  farm markets provide the non-farming people with daily need of green produce(fruits and vegetables). There are many middlemen or small businessmen who procure the farm produce and bring it to markets for selling. Their livelihoods depends on the moving of produce from the farm to the table of the consumers(farm to fork) If a retail chain  take over this market, then the livelihoods of these middlemen are at stake. Right now, the government is trying to make a policy for direct foreign investment for the retail marketing.Foreign Investment in making of retail shops will bring more capital inflow, and make the economy function better. But other politicians have future election in their agenda and want votes of the middlemen/businessmen.The profits in farming sector will be reaped by the retail markets, and the small time businessmen would have lost their businesses if the new policy is allowed. Strong forces are not allowing the implementation of this policy.
We have not thought about how the farmer will benefit. He will be forced to produce more and in keeping up with the rising expectations. He does not have the technology to keep up as industrial mode of production is not here yet. If foreign investment goes into modernising the mode of production, while keeping the farmer’s role as the chief stake holder, we may become successful both ways. But all attention is on the questions of: big retail giants or small time shops? Who wants to profit from the labour of the farmer?who doesn't?The labour of the farmer is a resource which all want to grab for their own selfish benefit(profit).

Pre-industrial farmer in modern post-industrial Era

We moved on to post-industrial era when computer age commenced. And with coming of the mobile phones we move on to post post-industrial ultra modern Era. It is anachronistic to find the farmer tilling the soil with plough and driving a bullock cart to sell his produce. But it is happening here. When rich rural farmers log on to the net (AGMARNET) and see the demand for specific commodities, they purchase the poor farmers produce at very cheap price. The poor farmer cannot farm profitably and gives up. And the difference among the rich and poor rural India widens. Protests come from rural unrest--uprising against SEZ(Special Economic Zone), rail-blocks, road blocks, farmers led or misled by glib politicians, and they go on. No social welfare schemes work out well and address to the needs of the poor farmer from the older civilisation. By giving them rights over their fields, by making proper land records, their plight can be addressed. If he moves to cities, there is no place for an unskilled farmer in urban India. Where will he live?What will he do?These are the issues of the present era--dealing with an old civilisation while modernising. 

Importance of agrarian cooperatives

Rural people cooperate with one another and try to increase their farming areas. In 1981, 26% of cultivated land was held by cooperative farming and in 2004, it had increased to 46%  of all cultivated land. They had some help from cooperative banks. But now, that is mostly replaced by core banking facilities, by the proliferation of post offices and post office accounts, by mobile banking, and by the bank accounting opening schemes (facilitated by UIDAI). Previously, only cooperative banks were there as the source of credit loans for the small farmer;but now there are impersonal sources which give credit but are not aware of the fragility of the farming profession.Farmer should not get sunk in debts from these impersonal organisations.After the 10th five year plan, share of cooperative bank in marginal farmer's source of credit is only 25% than the previous period when it was 62%. The farmer with limited land  struggles to survive, as he is not able to step up production as he can manage only so much given the traditional technology. Unless industrialisation of farming techniques takes place, the precarious state of the farmer will not change. Those who merge their farms with others and are farming very large fields with industrial mode of production,can become successful.We can make appropriate land policies, make quick technology transfers and build the basic infrastructure for making of modern farms. Only then, farming will be profitable for the farmer.Till that is done, we will be paying higher and higher price for our fruits and vegetables.

In today's ultra modern net market, the farmer is caught with old world technology. Alienated in remote areas, the simple people are not aware of today's industrial farming and are totally isolated.We must rescue them and bring  them up to the standards of today's world. 
  

Cooperatives are needed for others also.Not just farmers, but artisans, crafts men, and weavers and so many are living in inaccessible places, and have not come into to the modern world's fold. They can use their creativity in manufacturing products because the era of simple artisans has ended.They should truly inherit the land and also participate in the making of modern India. They are the real Indians--those who have been practising a simple way of life of work and worship, those who symbolically share the harvests of the land, those who are one with the culture and religion of the land.We must help these people to survive and prosper.

Myth of "Common Man"--A Cunning Invention

The myth of the “common man” was invented by the ruling class to appeal  to the cause of the deprived or the poor. To rope in the votes of the deprived people,this convenient and myth was created. The truth is that we Indians never empathised with the ordinary poor man.Ruling class pretends to feel for the predicament of the poor.We did not allow people have any equality in any walks of life and always kept the poor man suppressed. Why was there no equality in India? Because there was always an upper class which wanted to retain its position of direct access to resources and deprive the ordinary people of important resources. In the past, there was a systematic suppression of the less privileged. Today, established aristocracy does does not want to let its power out of its grip. Name sake reforms, propagation of false claims of progress, and inculcation of ideology are ways by which the established class of upper strata of hierarchy maintains itself. But the truth is that power of the people will assert itself even when the upper class aristocracy defines its identity as “the superior people” with its privileged status. Changes will come violently in form of protests. Conservative mindsets have to be changed and new ideas have to be introduced for the established upper classes cannot maintain their statuses permanently. With its strong influence, upper class dominates in the maintenance of the power system—and that is to pay big money to elected persons and other persons in power. When this lucrative nexus of the conservative aristocracy and ruling elite is threatened, they resort to other methods of holding on to their power, for they know how to hold on to their status. There are definite limits to the equalising role of democracy. However we may try, the dominant behaviour of man will manifest itself in some or other form.The myth of the "common man" was their cunning invention to pretend to sympathise with the poor.The myth of the "common man" will work for a while and soon people will know how they are being fooled. We have to constantly to counter check the accumulation of power in hands of the more privileged.Otherwise existence of  governments themselves will be threatened; protests may overthrow them 
Inequality suppresses the free mind. There should there be a free mind and no constraints imposed on the mind, so that we can think about innovations. Indian mindsets will have to change so that they can think. Change can bring out intelligent and talented individuals amongst our population who can contribute to growth of the society, nation and humanity. Why is it that we Indians did not invent anything like the telephone, car, TV, air plane, Internet, or the mobile. We have had always a very large population but had no geniuses; we had forever  suppressed many people by allocating lower statuses by not allowing access to resources. We had always kept our people’s mind in bondage of caste, class  and creed and denied big mass of our population any opportunities to think. People who are in the low status cannot innovate as their thoughts are in day to day exigencies in which they have to survive.Poverty or “denied access to resources” does not allow the full development of the individual. That is why there were no geniuses, no inventors and there was no renaissance. Our older civilisation made sure that we were a docile people; we were vulnerable to foreign invaders (British).And we were prone to become a slave society which British made out of us. Even now, we are a docile timid people and live in a humble manner. This is the mindsets of the masses.And that is why they easily believe in the ruling elites' promises to the non existent "common man". In India we have the super rich and the super poor and there is no 'common man'. 

Winning Trust of people is a truly successful state

The state of Assam has won the trust of its people.The government in Assam is constantly modifying and changing meet  more new exigencies. The concept of people's government--"Raijor Podulit Rajior Sarkar" has worked out very  well here.The elected leaders make sure that the welfare schemes reach the ordinary people.Grievance redressal cells has been made in every government's department and lapses dealt with immediately.Surprise checks are made by leaders visiting government departments to make sure that there is transparency at all levels.The militant groups which had been active for decades are now having talks with the government and resolving all issues. And their problems are heard and solutions are arrived at. People are pacified when their needs are heard.There are fewer crimes and fewer missing people. People can trust police instead of being pushed around by them.Generally all are willing to vote for a government which would reduce crimes like riot, theft and kidnapping but people are not really concerned with overall petty crimes. People also vote for those leaders who can increase the wealth of their state, and be able to make infrastructures like roads.The ordinary people cannot envision larger infrastructural progress but can see only the day to day needs like power and water.  Electricity for all households, proper roads and drinking water are the bare necessities that people expect from their government.That can be delivered easily.When conditions are right, people make a way of living for themselves.Assam's good climate has ensured prosperity to tea estates here.And establishment of good schools has brought out a whole new generation of young people who want to work for the betterment of their state. Many who had studied outside the state also return to make positive changes here in their home state.The new generations love their state and have great empathy for their people.And most noteworthy of all is the fact that they are egalitarian in their outlook.It is this spirit and pride in their state and devoted commitment to their people that has brought success for Assam--the evergreen state of India.May it always be green.It is an ideal state and it would progress further in future India for it has the best and dedicated governance.

Fuel economic growth and development

We import 80% of our petroleum from foreign countries. We have to pay 40% tax on it also And state government levies more tax in addition to central government tax.LPG (used as cooking gas) diesel for tractors, and kerosene were not taxed.Two weeks ago petrol prices were increased by Rs.1.80 per litre. Allowing high fuel prices meant that oil companies charged as much they want and the price rise strangulated the people.The government allowed it. We cannot function without fuel, tractors have to plough,trucks have to deliver goods, people have to go to work, and children must travel by bus to school.We had to buy fuel at higher rate  than international price. The Indian public has been tolerating the raising of fuel prices.In 2011, it was raised six times. 
Government awakened when its future was at stake- questioning of the rise of cost of petrol.When the issue of increasing price of fuel was questioned repeatedly, new ways to deal with the crisis were explored.When there was small reduction of fuel prices in the world market, government passed on the new low price to the  the people. We are now relieved.The three oil companies will meet to make guidelines for reduction process under government's supervision. Government is the chief stake holder in these companies.The government 's oil ministry was noting the exchange rate of the Indian Rupee and bulk rates of crude oil.Brent North sea crude reduced 61 cents to a 113 Dollar barrel,reduced price 23 Cents in a 97 Dollar barrel and Singapore market dropped  to 115 Dollar barrel from 125 Dollar a barrel. This made us realise that our oil companies are making big profits while pretending that there is an international price rise of crude oil. Activities of oil companies have to be constantly checked to see if they are doing correct changes.We have to depoliticise the oil companies and government has to be counter-checked also.Only uniform mindset is the "pretending or show of concern for the common man" for only then votes can be obtained.
Who will pay for the lapses? Always,its the people who pay for mismanagement of the government.Any change in the economy of the world, and the poor class in India are the worst affected.Fuel makes a major part of our incomes(12%); next to expenditure on food.We cannot cut down the cost of transport as we have to travel for work.Although only 1% of India owns cars, one  percent of a big population like ours is a big number. And 5% depend on two wheelers which need fuel too.  
Cost of fuel must be monitored and monopolies must be checked. If economy has to grow and industrialization has to take place basic needs should be fulfilled and fuel has become our basic need.International fuel prices were very low six months ago but we have no facility to store it. Private oil companies dealings have to be tracked. Raising fuel prices and decontrol  of market prices and fooling the public will not be tolerated by the educated public. The politics of petrol price rise would be the cost of progress, making of the infrastructural projects would be delayed and the ordinary people will become more impoverished.This would be the result of faulty fuel policy.

Birth of a Great Saint is celebrated

Today is celebrated as birthday of our saint Guru Nanak Guru Devji. He was the first of the ten Holy Saints in  India, he showed people how to live. Sikhs pray only their Holy Book, "the Granth Sahib Ji".The Sikhs are a courageous people who had mainly lived  in the state of Punjab.Now they have migrated to other parts of India and to other countries.Today,there are 26 million Sikhs all over the world. They firmly believe in equality and unity; they pray together in their "Gurudwara" which is their temple. They celebrate the birth anniversaries of their Holy Saints.And after prayer they share meals at a community dining place called the "langar".Their view of God is different from Hindus. They call their God,"Vahiguru" and their God is represented by their holy book.They believe that God is shapeless, timeless and unseen(no idol worship).The only way to see God is by seeing with the inner eye by deep meditation.That does not mean one has to renounce the world and take up asceticism.The religion  teaches its people the need to live simple life of a householder.One of the Sikh Gurus, Guru Teg Bahadur decided to make his followers  who were 'Sikh',meaning learners, into a community of 'fighters'. In their baptizing ceremony, boys are named as 'Singh' or lions.And girls are given last name as 'Kaur' or princess.They are a brave and valiant people, they had defended India against foreign invaders and saved the timid people of India from cruelty. Even today they show preference to military service. They excel in all fields and show perseverance, skill and hard work in any profession they choose.Their 'Gurubani' or the holy songs are highly inspirational, and elates listener to a higher spiritual sphere. They remember all their ten Gurus and learn from their life stories in their Holy Book.They make their livelihood honestly  and always work very hard to succeed. Long live the Sikhs, may they continue protecting us all as they had through the centuries..

A Growing state with a strong will to succeed

Long ago(3decades back),the 'white revolution', that is production of milk and processing it through a network of cooperatives had started here,in Gujarat.Now there is 'green revolution' as farmers have merged their farmers to make Cooperative Farms which are large and have modernized the mode of production.For some states growth seems very natural, so industrialization comes easy for Gujarat.It has the highest GDP compared to other states and the national average.Gujarat has had double digit growth for several years in a row. But growth or progress is not just measured by wealth, but many other indices: growth in agriculture, education, governance, infrastructure and macro economy. It has most factories, big industries, oil refineries, because the government is attracting industrialists to invest here. 
Gujarat grew and grew.Traders from Gujarat live all over India and world, want to invest in their own state.Gujarati traders who want to invest here and take this opportunity to gain identity in their home state.More than anything else, industries thrive here because there is mass poverty which spells cheap labor force.The poor people are extremely docile,who have to earn daily wages for daily bread; and the industrialists are extremely ambitious business men who can make best use of abundant labor.This combinations is just right for speedy industrialization. The grueling poverty seems like a pre-condition for industrial growth. Industrialization is taking place fast.
Industries are cordially invited.'Maruti-suzuki' had plans to move to Gujarat from Haryana state where there were strikes; 'nano' has set up factory in 14 months here when it took 28 months in West Bengal(where new land policy has driven out 'nano')Physical infrastructure has been delivered by governments as framing of  positive policies, and the governance is excellent. Government can be accessed by anyone on-line, and  any question can be asked.Here,anyone can go meet the leader who was elected.As soon as changes in the IT Act 2000 as new 'Rules framed in 2011' are made, they will be updated here first.To improve efficiency of power in the state 'eUrja' is to be implemented soon.The leaders here are one step ahead ushering in progress.
Urbanization came in leaps and bounds here.Within a span of two decades, villages became towns; and towns into cities.People are very active and the conditions were right for growth.People are tuned to work. Women work from home making small scale cottage industries.Men were active outside-- working and trading.
Few lapses.Education and health are indices in which it lags behind.Gujarat's workforce exhibit weak predisposition, their health has deteriorated as number of anemic cases have become very very high now.But social infrastructure does not indicate progress.Democratic organizations should empower people and raise living standards of all.White revolution still used old mode of technology. In traditional homesteads,women milk the cows  and take the milk to cooperatives' collection centers in pots carrying it on their heads.There are no modern dairy farms with milking machines and tankers. Industrialists here  know how to use toiling women  for making ultra modern milk processing units and packaged milk products. Perfect example of modern methods to exploit masses who are willingly engaging in tasks involving drudgery.Instead of industrializing Dairy farms, they are using the innocent people squeezing them out completely pushing them to the limits of existence.They know how to make perfect network of exploitation. The true success of an effective industrial policy is in modernization of the mode of production with.Wealth and industries do not indicate progress.Collective movement to development is a true growth paradigm, not just growth of one section of society(the rich industrialists only).The new manufacturing policy has plans for new industrial clusters planed for Gujarat, so there is going to be great development in Gujarat;hopefully the simple people's lot will  improve too. To succeed by all means is meritorious, but not at the cost of the weak and poor. The weaker class will have a poor quality of life and shorter life-span but the state will be fully industrialized. We want all to develop and have healthy long life.

Festival for Remembering Sacrifice

Today, "Eid" was celebrated by followers of the Islam. There are 14 million Muslims in India. They had celebrated by going to the 'Eidgah' and mosques for morning prayers. There is peace and serenity in the silent way they pray;and there is unity and discipline in their way of worship together. After prayers, they wish each others 'Eid' greetings and hug to convey feelings of brotherhood. They remembered their prophet who had offered his son to their God. And God asked for a sacred goat instead.They shared their 'Eid' feast with relatives.They make sure to give money for charity. After their prayers the children seek blessing of their elders who give them money to spend at the markets nearby. At a single festival, we can see their feeling of brotherhood among the Muslim people, their spirit of sharing with the poor, their joy of  feasting with relatives, their love for children, and their deep reverence for their prophet in the prayers. Such a joyous festival is the most admirable among all common festivals.They are a peace loving people who value love for family, who value brotherhood, who have empathy for less privileged and who have great reverence for God.
Muslims in India are an integral part of our national life,many are surgeons, many are judges,many are scientists, lecturers artists musicians and so on. In any field they choose,  Muslim people will excel and will reach the top for they are perfect scholars. And they are very honest in any businesses they engage in.And they are devoted artists.They exhibit perfect skills in several professions.
In India, the Islamic people have cohabited the subcontinent with us for one thousand years(since the invasion of the Ghaznavids). Although one of the followers of prophet had come to India and settled in Kerala, Islam had spread later only.We have a common culture which cannot be distinguished(separated) now; Persian words have been incorporated in our language, Hindi. Most of legal terms are Persian; terms for land holding, land revenue are also Persian in origin. Our most enjoyable 'Ghazals',and popular songs are in Persian too. The monuments made by the Muslim kings have added crowning glory to the Indian architecture.Indian cooking has also incorporated Persian delights; our dress was from their culture too('salwar-kameez'). Hindi's most courteous and beautiful words are 'Urdu"(Persian) in origin. So many  many Urdu words convey deep feelings .There is no aspect of our life  that we do not share with our Islamic heritage.We are truly  enriched by Islamic culture in India.

Land of coconut palms:An Example in Super-Industrial Society

The state of Kerala is located in the southern part of India. 'Kera' means coconut which is grown in abundance there.People’s culture determines how they take to development and industrialisation.Government's policies are most transparent in implementation in the state of Kerala.Largest number of bank accounts are here; it is called a ’remittance economy’ as citizens depend on remittances sent by their relatives working outside Kerala. It is ranked as the state with highest media exposure; they have highest number of cell phone contacts, they also have highly used broad-band connections. It has the highest Human Development Index comparable to the developed nations.


Best Education and welfare schemes work here. People of Kerala state are EXTREMELY hard-working; and they know that there is only important goal in life and that is to work to make money and send money to their homes in Kerala. They are highly educated (99% literacy rate). The people of Kerala migrate to all parts of India and the world to work as hard as they can and earn. They work in industries all over the world and have grown industries everywhere.They want their state to be clean of pollution and they have always blocked industrialization here. They do not even allow dams to come up; they had claimed that native species of monkey(simavalan) is an endangered genus and if a dam comes up in its habitat it will become extinct, so the “silent valley” projects became silent long long ago. Now legislation has been made to stop the usage of insecticides with chemicals like “endosulfan” which has harmed the health of the people in rubber plantations. Compensations were paid to the families of the affected. Even industrial farming (using inorganic fertilisers & insecticides) is harmful, affecting the people. Because the people are highly educated and seek the best solutions, their state remains green and the people are content. The welfare schemes have become successful and the poor are provided for basic amenities. Their society is diverse in culture (Hindu-56%, Christian-19%, and Muslim-24%) but they are a congenial people, and who are tolerant and peace loving. Out of living together they have evolved a common culture- the Keralite lifestyle.


The industrial society goes together with the nuclear family (man wife and children) but the Keralites live in a ‘super-industrial’ society as solitary man(and independent women) migrate to where jobs are and earning as long as they can;children also learn to value work, when they grow up leave Kerala to a place of their career destinations. That is how they have shaped their culture keeping up with ‘super industrial’ world. All women pursue careers working very hard; and men earn out side Kerala and talk about their favourite subject-politics(this is only a stereotype). They live all over the world and keep in touch with their culture by reading newspapers in their language and by linking with the media (in their language). And as a people they are united in their yearning(like the salmon fish in sea which returns to its home streams) to return to their home towns for the yearly festival of ‘Onam’. They feel on the day of 'Onam', their king, who is in heaven, visits his people to see if they are happy; and they call their homeland “God’s own country”, a fitting name for a land which looks like heaven—always green and beautiful. From air plane or on google maps Kerala looks like a shiny little green gem which it is.

Industrializing India

For rapid industrialisation many conditions are necessary. Many decisions by government are made for growth of industries like improving industrial relations (like minimum wages); and many policies are made on trade for making sale and buying of property easy; and new regulations regarding taxes are being re-made constantly. An amalgamation of several legislation which favour industrialisation went into the making of the 'manufacturing policy'. Formulation may seem very perfect but implementation has several road-blocks especially environmental clearance and land clearance which may cause delays. These can be transparently done by e-auction or e-procurement or e-tendering. For rapid industrialization,  streamlining the processes is very urgent now. Government had given tax-concessions but had delayed clearances. If there are unexpected losses, insurance can save industries. But loss of money due to delays will not be paid by any insurance. Labour laws may work against the newly born industries, causing more loss. Skilled workforce is not easily available; the time taken for training would cause some economic loss to new industries also.
Is industrialization creating new livelihoods? No. Employment generation is what the government wants from industrialisation. But industries grow because they keep minimum workforce as all possible work is fully automated. This will create very few jobs for few skilled people. Government will have to spend more on welfare measures as employment generation is not taking place while industrializing. For getting few jobs, big spendings on 'national policy' (which concentrates on only limited places) is not worth the expenditure. Growth paradigms can be shown as models, so that state governments can initialise steps to industrialise themselves.
If the total ‘loss and gain’ is calculated, more social tension, labour unrest, more inequality will result from the 'new' policy; while pleasing the industrialists the workers' plight will be ignored. Government will spend more on the making of schemes; and taxes that it will receive from industries would be very less. Environmental degradation cannot be erased, and exploitation cannot be addressed justifiably.
But the eternal march of civilisation cannot be stopped and industrialization will take place. We certainly cannot go back to older peasant culture, and industrialisation is here to stay. Overcoming the growing pains is the solution. To provide welfare for the workers--- for making proper homes, schools for making food and health schemes. Better plans are needed for better electricity and water supply, for better roads, for sanitation and waste disposal systems. These are the needs of the ever growing urban India. While industrializing  these have to be addressed to, for the making of future India.

Indians: at work and at prayer

The endless of hours of work occupies our all the moments of our lives,except few moments. We are thankful for all the blessings God us given us. On prayer days we take a break to worship. On the occasion of the “Chhath puja” or the sixth day after Diwali, the Sun and the river are worshipped for giving us life, and for well being of our families. In remote places folk traditions evolved and as people moved and spread to other places, they carried their prayers or their culture with them. This was one of the oldest prayers to the Sun. Although this prayer was not part of Delhi's culture, now it is here. Yesterday, the celebration commenced as prayers were made and sweet rice was shared. Today worshippers brought to the river banks small winnows holding fruits, flowers and sugarcane which were offered to the Sun and to the river. Standing half submerged in the river worshippers prayed, communicating with our creator and the Sun God, thanking for the bounties of the Earth and the water of the rivers. By re-enacting these prayers every year, we thank God for what he has given us. Today they prayed standing in the river facing the setting Sun. Tomorrow morning they will pray standing in the river just before sunrise and offer morning prayers as the Sun rises in the sky; they will be again offering the Sun God, flowers, fruits and sugarcane. We are grateful to the sun god for blessing us with these plants and the environment(Sun) to grow them in. We Indians are genuine worshippers of nature; we realise that it is from the Sun and the waters in the rivers we get food. We humans can survive because of the Sun. In our prayers, and their meanings, we are all united. Let us keep our rivers pure and our environment clean; and be thankful for the energy of the Sun which will always be shining upon us and blessing us.

Who turned the lights off

Electricity now is a 'basic right'. India is lit by electricity from thermal power plants which are fuelled by coal. ‘Coal India’ was a large coal company owned by the government, but now many private firms are mining for coal. When coal reserves will get lower, the private firms would keep a hidden stock, so that they can sell at scarce times. Scarce times are coming. Coal reserves have been exhausted now. Many important power plants do not have reserves and will be in a critical stage when power generation can stop anytime. In panic mode, new policies are being made to acquire more forest area for mining coal.

How are our power plants running? Central Electricity Authority (CEA) says 33 plants (Capacity of 39054 MW) do not have coal security and are running on critical mode. Delhi metropolis is provided with power from Rajghat thermal power house having capacity of 135Mw, and Badarpur plant with capacity of 705MW only .Haryana is powered by Panipat plant with 1360, Yamuna Nagar with 600MW and Indira Gandhi plant with 500MW. Uttar Pradesh has Rihand with 2000MW, Singrauli with 2000MW and Bhilai with 500MW among others.

Who has what? Private firms are trying to acquire coal mines overseas as demand is foreseen. Many private coal firms like Reliance Power, Lanco Infratech, Peabody Energy, Shenhua Energy are acquiring mines in a big way(Peabody-246 mt and Shenhua-256 mt). Moreover coal quality is better in overseas coal. Indian firms are spending much to acquire abroad. Adani acquired Linc Energy of Queensland for $2.72 billion, Reliance Power acquired at Indonesia for $2 billion, GVK group 1.26 million, Lanco acquired at Australia $780 million and GMR acquired coal for $650 million respectively. So we will get coal somehow.

Industries will be worst affected—industries depend on electricity for functioning. They will be running at higher cost than before. And cost of their product would be higher. Power rationing will affect their functioning. There are many industrial areas adjoining the city of Delhi in Haryana state people are used to power rationing. For Delhi’s roads to be lit all night, power from neighbouring Haryana state was cut or reduced. Soon the process of making infrastructure will slow down or stop till the power crisis is over. Plans will be delayed. Factories would all come to a standstill.
We should change over to other sources of energy like solar energy to add to hydroelectric power. Wind energy can be generated in those places where there is high velocity wind. More non-conventional energy sources will be explored when the cost of energy becomes very high.

What will happen to cost of electricity? When the coal prices go up, these coal firms will sell at high cost, power will be generated at a higher cost; and so the cost of electricity will increase. Those poor households, who wanted to pay for getting electricity connection, will not want an electricity connection now; for it is out of their reach now.  Will the poor man (who is able to earn to buy little food only) be able to afford electricity? City municipalities and townships will have to allocate much for keeping the street lights on all night and will increase taxes. And the increased tax of the city municipalities will be paid by the poor citizens. So he will become more impoverished by rising cost of power. The poorest citizens cannot cut down on food bill, so he may be have his home “disconnected” to save on electricity bill. He can change his residence (with lesser rent). For his livelihood he has to live in the town and cannot move away. He will try to earn better (he cannot pay very high municipal tax). He will become the urban poor with no savings. That is the cost of high coal price---making of the modern urban poor. The most burdened man on Earth will have to take more burdens.