Lokpal Bill or Lokayukta Bill has been passed

Both houses of the Parliament have passed the historical Lokpal Bill on Dec 17 and 18. It had been approved by the Union Cabinet in 2011 itself. So it is now law. This was enacted to establish a way to check corruption in government practices. Few persons staged a walk-out and it did not help; some had voted against it too. The dominant party was weak because of the big loss in the last elections. And the new emerging party had created a new- awakening among the people. It is at this light that the anti-corruption bill got passed. It is called Lokayukta at states.Even the office of the prime minister will come under its purview. Bill lays down time-lines for preliminary enquiry, investigation, and trial; and special courts will established for this. Foreign contribution Regulation Act of Rupees more that ten Lakhs will be under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal bill. All senior government officers will be covered by the ombudsman (excluding personnel in navy, army and the Coast Guard) Any property acquired by the government officials will be noted. These are some of the features which will go a long way to end the corrupt practices which have brought our country down. There is new hope and happiness that India would arise and achieve glory.

Election Results

The election results from  four different states have come. They show that voters have tried to get rid of the ruling party and have tried to bring in new party. The appeal of the "new corruption-free" promise is greater than ever before. High cost of living, cost of electricity, and mis-handling of protests (when a women was gang-raped and murdered in Delhi streets on December 16 last year) made Delhites vote a brand new party. In other three states, lack of development, scams and inflation made voters to vote against the ruling party. Whatever the issue may be people voted for a change and exercised their democratic rights. Arrival of a new party in the capital has set an example for rest of the nation.The whole nation is now aware that they have an option to establish a new order while getting rid of the older one. New view points can be visualized now from a higher level.

A life which is a true inspiration

Nelson Mandela died today and he was great inspiration for all of us. He was one of the greatest souls who had worked for bringing equality among mankind. It is very very sad to know of his death. Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela had inspired each other. Mandela was a living legend  as the process to end to inequality had started long long ago. The continuity in the revolution has been broken with his death. Never-the-less the aspiration to bring greater equality among mankind must go on. Whether we have a leader or not we must think hard and solve problems plaguing humanity. It is a sad day for we have lost him.

Migrating people-seeking livlihoods

Urban areas are plagued by slums--agglomeration of unskilled people. But these people living in congested conditions are the true builders of India. In India, in 2001, 27% of the population was urban but in 2011, it was 31% And this is constantly increasing. In New Delhi, migration is taking place from far away rural areas in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. They provide raw labour for the growth of the city--flyovers, bridges, metro rail, mega malls roads and all buildings. The un-organised sector or construction workers, manual labourers, servants,pushcart vendors rickshaw pullers, coolies and so on. Contractors hire them informally. They have contributed the most for the infrastructural growth but they are swept aside as they do not ask for their rights.They live and die in the worst conditions possible. They sleep in the side-walks or platforms and provide cheep labour as and when we need. In 1979, Inter-state Migration Act was enacted, so that they get some dignity, some space to stay, some health-care and some money to visit their rural homes. Still they have unprotected lives. This Act is not properly implemented, as all are in the un-organized sector. Some we promised jobs abroad and made to work in the construction of a five-star hotel. After the construction was over, they were thrown out, as unwritten promises are never kept. They are always cheated. Many come to seek livelihoods and all cannot be enumerated. Only the physical slum is visible. Urban jungle is brutal to these innocent masses whose sweat and blood has built the modern urban India. These people were never given their rightful place. They beautify the city by making the parks, pavements and  roads but their lives are far from beautiful. What has the government done for these masses? Farmers who have lost their livelihoods suffer in urban India. And we are doing nothing........We will go on buying food products at high costs and let these farmers die in the streets! This is cruel India, what monument are we creating for the future? Buildings built with sweat of these poor people. We are urbanizing very very fast, and we have to pay attention to these people. Rehabilitation must take place as they must be taught new skills. Not only must more funds allocated by city municipalities for them, the funds must be used effectively. New groups will arrive and the "re-skilling" process will go on and on. Where to accommodate them?

Elections--can we select a leader

All people want are the basic needs of proper roads, electricity, and water supply. But they do not get these whom so ever they elect. Promises are made but never kept. Government's activities are minimum and none of the national goals are ever met. At this time how can we elect a "good leader"? Are they any "good leaders"? All stoop into corruption and gross mismanagement. Can elections have any meaning? High cost of living cannot be controlled but can we withstand it? No we cannot withstand this for long. And by electing a good leader there is possibility that things will become better. We believe in our power to change things. And our expectations are high, so we all voted. In Delhi the voter turnout was highest ever, in 2008, it was 57%, while it was 67% in now. More women voted than ever before. More young persons voted as they have started thinking beyond the stereo-typed "traditionally dressed politician with folded hands pose" (kurtha pajama politician with namastae pose) If there was too much familiarity (like "vote for uncle")  it was strongly disliked by young people.
Women feel empowered to exercise the secret ballot to choose a leader whom their husbands do not like. Issues did matter, there were more scams than ever before, so the reigning party has to go. No leader can give a repeat performance. Rallies did not work out, as nobody turned out. People were inclined to watch on TV itself. Those who did go to rallies had to know what the candidate spoke on, whether he was credible. Charisma did matter in the making of the politician's victory as the results will show. Road shows worked out, as an aspiring leader can address to micro issues in each locality. Visiting localities and residences helped a lot to influence voters. Many issued addressed in live TV, got the aspiring candidate in big trouble. Media would tear things out of context, and keep on questioning. It was irritating the viewers. Social media mattered as the response to the words of the aspiring ones were scrutinized immediately and expressed immediately. How can a candidate give an "ordinary person" image and at the same time give a "sophisticated person" image? What does the voter want? Now that matters more than ever now.  "My vote counts" is what everyone believes in. Let us wait for the results.

Faith in modern institutions is shaken

The truth and the ideal are very different. The Supreme Court makes laws, but they are not implemented. Various sexual harassment cases are, and they are kept pending in court for a very long time. The committees constituted fail to give reports. A senior retired judge has been named as harassing an female intern and this is shocking. Laws like the Vishaka judgement in 1997 or domestic violence Act 2007, cannot help women, when their women's rights are transgressed by those who make the laws themselves. Many times the Supreme Court helps the "upper privileged class" For instance the Flats of Campa Cola Society at Mumbai were going to be demolished on November 15,2013 as they were built illegally. But the occupants who wee from the privileged class had made protests, and had appealed, and it was postponed till May 2014. This gives them enough time to find a proper solution. Thousands of time, lower class citizens living in slums were forced out of their homes and were never given time to find alternate arrangements. Their cries were never heard by Supreme Court or any court. The law should be same for all, whether upper class citizens or lower class people. There is lack of coherence. The uncertainty in the process of making laws. There is double standard for different kind of citizens and this shakes our faith in the judicial system. People have lost faith in the democratic institutions, including the legal courts. Now people have taken other methods of resolving conflicts. As only the rich can afford lawyers and courts, and the courts give favourable judgements to those who have best lawyers, the poor cannot afford best lawyers and they never get the right judgements. The time taken by courts to resolve makes the whole process unworthy. Extra legal methods have emerged, like "khap panchayats", "kuchery" village courts etc. People believe in activists more and more now. Some have resorted to violence of the Naxals now, the resolution is speedy. This is very sad, that we have no faith in the law making bodies, no faith in democratic institutions. This is actually a step backwards in civilization. What will the future be like when no one believes in courts? We must believe that God will teach us how to live......    

Cost of living

We are consuming more than we produce. Agriculture has become better than ever before, but we are not producing enough for feeding ourselves, and the prices of the food items are very very high. We importing  while paying in dollars and that has affected our economy too much. Electioneering politicians are concentrating on using divisions like religion and caste for getting votes. But they can get votes by by saying how they will bring about agricultural reforms. Vegetables and fruits cost high and there is no way to control it as there is no "minimum support price" for it. Does the farmer know how much of what to grow, so that he can  provide us with that? No, Nobody told the farmer what to grow. There was once too much potatoes, and now there is scarcity. They have to be taught to observe market trends. Market intelligence is urgently needed. There is no one to fill in the gap. SO government must step in. National stability is now getting upset over price of vegetables. There is need to re-build the agricultural infrastructure. Reconstruction of agricultural society must take place from the grass roots. The small and marginal farmers who have left forming must b encouraged to grow crops again. Children of farmers have left agriculture and have moved on to other professions. And there is discontinuity in agricultural society. Many have moved to urban India and have become daily wage earners. They have lost faith in agriculture because they had experienced losses. With the input costs being high, they were not able to produce enough to make profits. The poor farmers need assistance, loans, micro-financing, and some kind of insurance. The rich rural farmer or the big land lords are making big profits. He can afford the high production costs, and seek assistance and is aware of market trends; he knows how to hoard away and sell at the time of scarcity. The rich farmer grows richer. Vegetables become costlier, onion prices have risen 300%. Now we must do something to stop further rise.

Believing in India

When foreign brokerage firms evaluate Indian markets and comment on political climate, it is taken seriously. Because it is election time. One of the electioneering contestants was boosted while predicting investor sentiment without having true vision of the political set up in India. The state which has many industries has given many tax exceptions to industrialists, not all of India is like this. A contestant from that state is expected to become the next leader, and that cannot be predicted. We have a weak unstable government which has resulted in creating a judiciary which is now making laws. We also have a highly reactive media which causes panic among citizens. The people have lost all confidence and are just not interested in investing in the industries.And investor reaction drives markets. Sluggish markets mean slow growth. Corporates have been an agent of change. Corporates never down-grade themselves, the growth has been 4.4% in the first quarter of this year. That is a positive sign, as we are coming out of the slow-down.
Since, we have been upgraded by opinion of foreign brokerage firms, and that is a positive comment which would further boost investment in India. FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) has increased by 35% Services sector has contributed more than the manufacturing sector. We cannot think backwards, we cannot change policies by going back in time. We can only think forward. What matters is the kind of policy we would adopt after the elections(five states are going to the polls right now) There are limits to what the government can do. Can the government control prices of commodities? No. The markets control prices. If the different parties elected form a club and try to think it out, it may work. Or if a small party comes to power, and it takes the advice of the best minds, it will work out also.
What will help is a climate where uncertainty is removed, fear psychosis is removed. Then, investor confidence will increase tremendously. The Indians outside India would invest in India, taking advantage of tax reductions. The world has confidence on Indians, for we are the best.Let us believe in ourselves.

Election Promises

Election promises are being made by all candidates. One is promising 35 Kilograms of cereal. Another is promising laptop for students. Another is promising free electricity for small motors in their fields for irrigation. Everyone of the voters are insecure as economy is in a very bad condition, cost of living is very high. Cost of food items, cost of consumer durables, cost of accommodation are all very very high. Most people are poor, but India at the same time has 103 billionaires.
When voters are asked what they want, they ask for good roads, continuous electricity, for good hospitals and for good educational institutions. And none of the  candidates promise that. Basics are in the minds of people but not in the those electioneering.
While electioneering in the tribal regions, some(politicians) claim that they have generational links with the tribes. And that his father knew them, and that his grandmother knew them. But that is irrelevant, he does not have any connection with them. An educated person can understand that, but uneducated tribals do not. They feel the affinity. Electioneering works well on the uneducated people. What kind of leaders are being elected? Will these leaders truly understand the needs of the people? For self-preservation, these leaders may keep these people uneducated. What would future be like while they elect unworthy candidates?

Claiming glory

As electioneering is going on, we can see that all the leaders want part of the glory of our freedom fighters. Some try to show how they are themselves like the leaders of the past. Some want to claim that they are proud to be in the same party of those heroes of the past. It is a show of shallow vision and arrogant behavior. We do not know how to select a leader now. All have exhibited their lack of knowledge of history. If they claim anything, it is their stupidity which they rightfully deserve. With television and internet, we can clearly see that we have no good leaders for the future. Thank God, bureaucrats do not have to take orders from politicians any more. Our supreme court has said that bureaucrats do not have to take oral orders  from our politicians. Our goal should be "to make the politicians less powerful" Now we have an option,NOTA which means that we need not vote for any candidate or party.

Women in festive India

The festivals of 'Dushera' and 'Karvachauth' were celebrated in October. The spirit of festivals arouse the women; and the fasting was strictly followed by the women folks. Most festivals in India are 'women-centric' Women decorate themselves with 'mehendi' and colourful clothes. Consumerism has made festivals a costly affair. There is more and more commercialization of festivals like "Dushera sale" or "Diwali sale" (which is going on now). Gold is an important part of festive mood, so there is more buying of gold. With women becoming a major part of work-force, they have more power to spend than ever before. On normal months, women may spend Rupees.4000, but on festival months it would be more than double like about Rupees. 9000. Indian women derive great contentment in spending on festivals as it renews their bonds with the family and the community. Such social spending becomes a necessity for the continuation of the Indian culture and lifestyle. Modernism has not made psyche of Indian women to forget their cultural moorings.This kind of adherence to culture has become more and more costly given the bad state of the economy. What this shows is that women's income has increased, and they have become more powerful--power to spend. That is a positive sign. In future India, women will become more powerful.

Industrial migrants

Plight of the industrial migrants is most appalling in India. They work as servant or they work as construction workers and they live in the streets. Exploitation of the migrants makes their condition the most deplorable. Contractors take advantage of their vulnerable position. Once India used to live in villages. But the insecurity of livelihood in agriculture has changed all that. Now Indian population is moving to the towns and cities of India. In the urban India, we have no space for them, but we require their labour. In 2004 there were 1362 towns and in 2012 there are 3864 towns. In the year 2001, 27.8% of Indian population lived in urban areas. In 2011, 31.16% of Indian population lives in urban India. And the percentage moving to urban India is growing constantly. Those who are moving to urban India are non-skilled persons. Since they have no way of making a living in rural India, they are migrating in large numbers. Previously they were living in the fringes, taking fire wood from forests, living as land less labourers in rural area. We are now protecting the forests, so they cannot have any firewood. They are now forced to migrate. We can protect the forests, but we cannot protect the people of India?
Now persons from Odissa and Bihar move to far away states like, Kerala or Maharastra. If the migration was within a state or within a region, we can try to protect them. State migration Act 1979 tries to stop un-protected migration for livelihood. But nothing can stop poor people. They move into cities, live in the pavements and try to find work. What do we offer them? little money to buy food, no room to stay, their condition is most appalling....
Some shelter must be provided immediately to these people, as soon as they arrive. At the least tents can be allotted. Rehabilitation must be started as soon as they arrive too. They must be taught some skill or other. A job which would be give a good source of income should be given. More financial allocations for the poor by the government can solve this crisis. More than that, effective use of the allocated funds must be made. When a given group is rehabilitated, new groups arrive and this goes on. Migration is not stopping (even with MGNREGA)  We are urbanizing very fast. Decorating the city with beautiful tiles in pavements, with gardens and with fancy street lights are useless when we allow the poor to perish in the streets. 

Indian brains and the IT boom

When the computer revolution came transforming the world, Indians were at the fore front. They took to it like fish to water. Realizing this, IT firms took their Industry to India. And this gave a further boost to Indian people---they can stay in their home country while working in the industry( they did not have to migrate to work) This inspired the Indian government to step up their technology to match the prevalent trends. So despite Indian  bureaucracy's complexities, we are trying hard to upgrade ourselves. There are of course many reasons why there is some slow down in the IT industry in India; there are faulty land policies, there are tax norms and red-tapism which act as hindrances. Making of infrastructures should be given top priority; and this should take place fast so that we can make hay while sun shines. If do not allow the industry to boom here, it will bloom else where in the world and Indians would not get golden chance to rise with it.

Coal allocations questioned

Coal blocks were allocated to those industrialists who had made favours to the political parties. This has now come out in the open when CBI(Central Bureau of Investigations) questioned these industrialists. Now it is a matter of time that these industrialists must answer in the court of law. What is amazing is that the elected elite are saying "you cannot  question the prime minister" even before we have asked anything. Already measures for "cover-up" are going on. Not only that action are being taken to curb the powers of CBI. The fact is industrialists who have taken undue advantage have acquired our national resources by unfair means. And we will question it, whoever has made these allocations will be questioned too. This exploitation cannot go on for ever.  

Tainted leaders

The ordinance which would get rid of criminals among political elite was trashed just when three of the elected elite were sentenced to jail. That is, criminal behaviour in political life will not be tolerated. The convicted got jail sentence. After serving jail for 4-5 years and paying about 25 lakhs as fine, these elected leaders will not be able to contest elections for eleven years. Already these elite have decided to make their wives stand in elections on their behalf. There is no stopping for these criminals. Only when we stop electing these wolves to rule over the masses(sheep like people), we may have democracy. We have to stop dominant aggressive criminal persons from entering politics. How to do that? Because those who are aggressive enter politics and they are criminals who have nothing else to do. Good people have entered other professions and do not like dirty games of politics.

Why more attacks

Today, we were attacked by our hostile neighbour. We were about to start talks with them, and they attack as if to say that they do not want "talks" We are a friendly nation, but we are being seen as weak. Three from enemy camp barged into our police station and opened fired at all. Then thy entered army camp and shot our Lieutenant colonel and other army personnel. Our leaders must think now and act fast. This kind of intrusion is far from friendly. They can openly discuss why they do not like us instead of harming and starting a fight. As human beings, we can listen to reason. Killing spree will have to end now. We are very strong country and not weak as assumed.

India is an illusion or a mirage

What is India......a suffering mass of people...who can no longer exist because of lack of a proper government. We do not have a record of number of people, we do not know the needs of the people, we have no proper way to help them. We have many schools and colleges for the few rich. Access to government's facilities also is for the rich and the influential. The rest of the masses suffer without proper livelihoods, without proper schools, without proper health facilities, without a future. Living here is like living in ghost land. Any semblance to a rich culture, or a fine civilization is only a mirage or illusion. Only when there is prosperity, the real culture and traditions be appreciated. Unless we have  good governance, we could be called ghost India where there are only suffering masses. For being a democracy, we need to give basic economic rights to the people and we cannot. Then and now India remains "a phantom India".

Engineers of India

Best engineers in the world are from India. Engineering is taught well in our colleges. Unfortunately the best engineers leave India seeking better opportunities outside India. This is brain drain. World has gained from India's engineers. Our engineers lead the way for others, so that all can come up. Because of many Public private partnerships, infrastructure development in taking place in a fast pace. The engineers in India have helped India to progress. Civil engineers have made great structures in urban India,like  buildings flyovers, metro trains etc. Electrical, electronic engineers, computer engineers, mechanical engineers have also contributed to the growth of India's manufacturing sector. When the economy improves and industries start manufacturing  at full swing, engineers will bring big changes to India. Innovative engineers can solve problems of mass transport and help in urban planning to create new townships. Electronics engineers design newer chips for computers and have brought revolutions.

High Cost of Vegetables and Fruits

Farmers are a vanishing tribe Tillers of soil cannot make a living in modern India as they had for centuries. Farmers till the soil and try to make out a living, but with seeds which are costly, and irrigation costs being so high, they are not able to make a profit. Rich farmers have modernized. They have started large scale farming, and they store their produce (like onions) in huge storehouses.Many many poor farmers have had to moved to urban India because they cannot store. Now costs of vegetables and fruits are very high for all. Since there are only few farmers producing, we have to tolerate high prices, which the market dictates. This is the cost we pay for not understanding the problems of the farmers. Untill we help the poor farmer succeed in growing, we will have to tolerate the high prices.

Lack of basic needs

If one needs basics like food or shelter in urban India, a new migrant is not able to find any. New arrivals come to search for new livelihoods,and they become labourers. They are not aware of their rights, if they do not get paid they do not know how to complain They hardly have a place to reside, where water or electricity is provided for. While making huge plazas, malls, parks and metro stations, we have forgotten to make a dwelling for the poor migrant. No proper residences means, they cannot avail government's food schemes. No fixed residences means no schools where their children can go to, no proper hospitals where they can go to. They work as construction workers. They are the builders who contribute their hard work for India's growth and they find themselves an early grave.They are the unknown builders of modern India on whose sweat India grows. We have denied these poor people their basic needs. Unless we give them a place to stay they would vanish, and we will have no labourers who would work for us.

Spiritual India

Not just food, shelter and clothing, a harmonious way of life is needed for human beings to thrive in. For a person to live well, his mind and body must be tuned to face the exigencies in his environment. A peaceful mind is required to live successfully. And Indian people have a spiritual inclination, and this helps in solving their problems. Self control of the mind or spiritual meditation is most important practice which all try to adhere to. But the the basic necessities have to be fulfilled so that we can find solace in spiritual meditation.
The mind lives in the body. And for the body to survive, it needs good food, peaceful place to live. When that is not found here, several professionals leave India. But they never forget to take their culture with them, spiritual meditation. Even living in far away place, Indians are united in their spiritual union. Spiritual quest is within all of us. Once we attain freedom from desire of material wants, we try to immerse in spiritual yoga. It calms us and brings us peace from within.
All that comes when food is given at nominal prices to masses. When health services are extended to all the citizens, and good clean environment is there. Food scheme does not work out. The health services are very very poor. Proper housing is scanty. Environmental degradation is taking place, air and water are poor in quality. The masses are a suffering lot.It is very sad to see a good culture be wasted to poverty and negligence. It is a shame on the government which does not provide the basics for its people. 

Right to compensation and transparency in Land Acquisition

The Right to compensation and transparency in Land Acquisition Bill 2013 has been passed in the Upper House(Rajya Sabha) today at 11 at night. This gives compensation for farmers and dependants on land. It gives compensation for those who would have lost their means of livelihood once their land is acquired. In scheduled areas, land can be acquired after consent from the 'gram sabha'. 70% of owners of land have to give consent for acquisition by  Public Private Partnership projects. And 80% of land owners have to consent for acquisition for public purposes. But is not "farming activity" for the benefit of the public, it provides food  for all. The urgency clause" has limited its area; that is, using this clause land can be acquired when there is a natural calamity or there is threat to national security. When good arable land of the farmer is acquired and dry arid land is given as compensation, the farmer will not benefit. Why are industries made in dry land instead. This bill would protect the individual from arbitrary acquisition. But it falls short of the fact that the farmer is not made a stakeholder in the factory made in his land. Here we have not seen the fact that land provides for this generation and his children and grandchildren a means of livelihood, how to compensate this security that land provides? Can we really rehabilitate the farmer or the land dependants? We are actually working against the people of India....the real people...the farmers. This is the transparent reality. What would their future be like for these people?
Since this bill was amended in the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) after passing in Lower House (Lok Sabha), it has to go back to the Lower House to be passed again. So there is still hope that truth will be heard.

Punishment in India is cruel

If petty thefts take place, the thief is caught and beaten up. Then he is handed to the police who beat him as the process of investigation starts. Custodial deaths are frequent, as suspects are beaten badly while interrogated. Trying out pending cases takes years and years and under-trials are kept in jail for decades. Giving justice to the arrested takes a very long time.  Law takes a long time to. Long jail sentences further aggravates the individual who is accused. But capital punishment is rare. Only those who can afford good lawyers keep seeking justice through higher courts. The rich men commit more crimes, and also get away with it. The poorest who commit petty crimes or just suspected to have committed crime, get penalised the most. When the innocent persons are framed for crimes and are punished for crimes which they had never committed, we know that our judicial system is not good. Long trials only reflect the fact that justice delayed is justice denied. So if there is hell on earth, it is for those who are accused in India.

India in the future.....

Indians will move to all over the world but will retain their identity as a cultural group. Employment opportunities are very limited in India. Increased industrialization and computerization will reduce employment opportunities considerably. With politics slowing down the economic growth, there will be impoverishment of the masses who will depend on social security for every need. People will re-align themselves in a way to appeal to the political elite( form new vote banks) India will have the biggest tourist attracting country. Indians aboard will want to visit their homelands. Tourism will be developed well, as historical places are numerous in India. Agriculture will flourish as research is giving direction to its growth. Industries will grow many folds as Indian government encourages foreign investments. Indian industrialists will be the richest in the world.  Political environment will be same as now. Police forces will be the biggest organisation of the government. Those Indians who have left India will be the most  educated elite in their countries they live in. This is happening now.....

Economic crisis-poor performance by political elite

While our political parties blame each other for economic down turn, the value of the Indian Rupee is going down drastically(against the Dollar) This will affect those students who are going abroad to study; the current  exchange value will give them few dollars with which to manage their fees and for maintenance. Indian traveller will have to pay high to travel outside India. All around apathy prevails as mediocrity amongst the political elite is clearly visible. Wrong policies are pointed out, what led to the down trend. And economic policies are questioned, "why are we doing so poorly?" Industrial growth is going down (it is only 4% this quarter) By attacking each other, the parties cannot solve anything. What is the next step forward? How to stop the nose-diving Rupee? We buy petroleum using the Dollar. And this import has cost us a lot. We want to use cars more and more, even when its running cost is high. We do not use on public transport. We import gold, as demand for gold constantly rises. As economy is uncertain, people buy gold with their savings. This puts away money which would have been potentially the most needed  investments. While other emerging economies are coming up well, we have the best agricultural lands,  the largest  mineral deposits and highly educated elite, but we suffer because of wrong economic policies.Thus the poor performance of the political elite has led to downfall of the Indian economy.

Land Bill 2011 has been passed

Under the shroud of acquiring land for "public infrastructure" the land of the common people is acquired for making huge profits by public firms. So, the land acquisition and rehabilitation policies have been revised. While the spirit of the the Food Bill was still in the air, people-friendly land bill has been passed. Now acquiring land would involve consent of the land owners (60% of the land owners) There will be uniformity in land acquiring policies all over India. Compensation for land would be four times the market rate for rural India and twice the market value in urban India. But land prices have shot up hundreds times the market rate. And "market rate" means the amount that is registered which is much much lower that the real value. Land sharks have somehow acquired the land of the common people and have made plans to make big money. Unless the computerization of land records is done very very fast, the people of India would get further impoverished, as they cannot prove that they own their lands. There is need for making the rights of the "seller" more just. He should not be forced to sell but become "stake holder" in the industry created on his land. He should be a partner in the industry that is made on his land. Or the "seller" must lease out his land to the industry and not really "sell" it. There is only ban on mining minerals from multi-crop land. Otherwise there is no restriction. By selling his land, the owner would have lost his means of livelihood and also the means of livelihood for his children (and following generations to come). For the farmer/tribal the land and his culture are most important part of his culture. The land is our heritage...it shows us who we are...our identity..Let us not sell it.
The Lower House (Lok Sabha) has voted 206 in favour and 16 against the Land Bill. Now the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) will vote. There is still hope, that the Bill would give real rights to the owners.

National Food Security Bill 2013

Historic National Food Security Bill 2013 has been passed. The lower house (Lok Sabha) has passed the bill. It will go to the upper house(Rajya Sabha) now. Now 70% of the population will get food grains at subsidized (affordable) price. It will cost 1.3 lakh crores of Rupees to the government but it will give the poor people great relief. There were so many hurdles that we had thought we may not be able to pass it, but we did it. This is the biggest good news for all of us. One big crisis is solved. Open poverty... hungry people will not be seen from now on.  Food is only one of the basic needs. We need to provide shelter(clean living spaces), health facilities and crime-free environment too. Till that is done poverty cannot be erased. We have a long way to go.....

Tryst with destiny

We are offered so many chances to do well. We are unsuccessful in taking the opportunities given to us. There are so many 'if's and 'but's. If we have better leaders, we can prosper. But we have large population of uneducated persons due to which our democracy is not working. We have so many natural resources, but we manage them poorly. We have immense computerization, that we can provide for the weakest. Social security schemes do not work out well. But we do not effectively carry out our policies. Why? Our goals are not clear. Our lack of dedication is seen in whatever we do. Unless we have truly dedicated politicians, bureaucrats and technocrats working together, India would be an  impoverished country in the future. True reformation is to think unanimously and work devotedly; it should start from within each of us, only then India will prosper. Given the immense wealth of the Indian nation, we can do it.(IF we want to grow) Future depends on us.

Brutality of the strong against the weak

While we are trying to tackle the economic downturn, we have found that our borders are not secure. China threatens us by encroaching into Indian territory. Chinese soldiers just jump over borders and enter India and claim it as their own. This is a clear violation. We cannot allow it. We are a peaceful nation but we know that we have to defend ourselves first. Our political class will unite to defend our nation. It is in this hope that we go on with our lives.
China wants to be the superpower in Asia. It does not want any competition from India. By engaging in war, we will back on development. This is how China stops India from developing--- by engaging us with threats of war. 

The poor and poverty

Seventy five percent of the rural people are very poor in India. And 50% of urban population is classified as poor. Why? none of government's efforts have reached them. There is some that digital delivery of services will help us reach them. Even when there are bumper crops, 25% of the population is left hungry. 40% of children are malnourished.  Figures are depressing. Have we made any progress? In 1973, 60% of the population was poverty stricken. Not only is the percentage of poor increased, their numbers has increased (population now is several times than that in 1973)  The amount of grains available to feed the masses has increased several times too. The idea of poverty line has to be revised. Now we cannot really correlate consumption patterns with poverty line. And there is also fluctuating rate of consumption. Statistics cannot show reality. There is less poverty now than ever before. But our view of it has changed. Poverty cannot be measured by amount of Rupees spent by the "poor person".It is measured by the facility available to him-- does he have basic amenities, does he have any medical benefits, does he have roof over his head, does he have pension schemes and so on. By these standards, the poor are still very poor. Perhaps if we focus on how to provide these people with basic needs, we can erase poverty. That will take place in some distant future. At present the Food Security Bill will be delivering food to 67% of the population. There is also fear that this would impoverish the government. Can we really feed the billions?    

Trying to inspire

Speeches were by heads of state to inspire the people but these were mere words. We are being threatened by foreign powers at our borders in the East and in the West, and its not time to make excuses on 'why we are doing so well' It is highly disappointing to hear these 'uncommitted' leaders. Economically we are not doing so well. The ordinary people have to pay high prices for food stuff, and other basic necessities. With no savings, how can the citizens survive? Those who do survive are those who have made money the wrong way, those with businesses which do not pay tax, businesses which evade policies and businesses which exploit the workers. WE were giving hope taht Food Security Bill will erase poverty and that computerization will magically solve every other problem. Can it? That the free mid-day meal will continue and that we won't poison children again was an excuse. That the flood situation has affected many and that we mourn for the lives lost is another irrelevant statement. Speeches were on all current excuses on current happenings. So we are a nation who specialise in making excuses" May be the young will learn from our mistakes and not be like us. With politicians who get away with accepting bribes how can we do well? Such politicians make speeches with crocodile tears. These are wolves which weep when the sheep get wet in the rain; they do not care for the people, but act if they were crying. So where is the nation heading? All the arguing in the Parliament stopped when we heard news that our not-so-friendly neighbour violated the ceasefire norms repeatedly several times. 'We have got to something mood' was there. We are a peace loving nation. But if we are pierced like this we will take steps which would make us not to love peace. While our foreign minister is giving statements on why he had to change statements, one of our submarines blew up in the docks. Eighteen lives were lost. This is big set back for our navy. We will rebuild more ships, we have to. When our national security is at stake, all of us unite. 

Youth Day

The Inter-national Youth day was celebrated today. This means few speeches in schools and colleges. But the Indian youth must realize that they have big responsibilities in running the Indian nation. We are at present moulding a just democracy, But the youth( who are the rulers and citizens of the future) must know how to run a true democracy. We are making policies and rules. But the future generation will know what the consequences of these policies are. They may have to change them. There are also big issues like unemployment which they have to face. There is reason to fear that educated unemployment will increase several fold in the coming years. Many will have to leave India to get jobs. When they leave they do not cease to be Indians, but part of India that lives outside India. They will continue to affect life in India. With economic times being so tough, how will the youth of today raise family and prepare for old age? Can the youth make India's future bright? Can they save themselves from the exigencies of the harsh economic conditions? These are questions for the future when industrialization and computerization would have reduced the number of jobs significantly. 

Trying to create a shield

The Right to Information Act will apply to political elite also, but a bill has been tabled to exclude political parties from investigations of RTI. The RTI amendment bill proposes to exclude political parties from the transparency law(RTI) Such kind of immunity from RTI will give the political parties a shield to protect themselves. That is they will continue to be non-transparent and indulge in wrong practices. We make laws and also by-laws to evade laws! This would also nullify Central Information Commission. The reason given for evade RTI is that political rivals would misuse provisions of RTI. But that is not going to happen as politicking will have new rules compatible to the new political climate which will emerge with RTI. If political parties are excluded from the ambit of RTI, they will get away with graft, bribe and accumulating wealth by wrong ways. The passing or not passing this bill will make a very big difference in the way we elect our leaders.   

Why are we still so backward?

There are 117000 rickshaw pullers in the city of Delhi alone. Who are these people? They are migrating labourers. Because of economic backwardness of their localities they have migrated to cities where they work very hard. Why is there so much poverty in India? The elected elite are highly inefficient lot. There are no leaders who are good enough to lead the country. Government carries out its activities as exigencies emerge. There is no clear planning. Even with vast resources we remain backward. The general population is suffering as government does not give them any proper social security. While the labourers works all their lives, they gets no pension benefits. But the bureaucrat does almost nothing and gets big pensions, health care benefits and so on. So the poor man is gradually perishing. Many poverty stricken labourers migrate to the cities seeking livelihoods. Many work as construction workers and their job becomes harsher than in rural India. They work without rest. All this indicates poor planning in the part of the government. We cannot provide adequate housing, water facility or health facility for the poor workers. The backwardness arises out of lack of vision to make these basic necessities.Our leaders do not have any vision (except vision of how to win the next election) Poverty rises out of lack of leadership. We did not make any plans for these people. But there is hope. Although we had started industrialisation late, we have brought great deal of computerisation in both government and non-government organisations) which will speed up technological growth. Once there is technological growth, we can successfully get rid of poverty. We must also invent newer methods and keep up with the West in technology, otherwise we would be always lagging behind. We need not just technological innovations, we need to realize that the rights of the people is important in the growth of a nation. 

Companies Bill 2012

The Companies Bill 2012 has been passed by both the houses now. Last companies Bill was made in 1956, and we need new updated practices for new exigencies of the economic climate. It is in tune with latest global practices. Investor protection cells will give them greater empowerment. With practices with global compliance, there will be greater confidence. From now onwards, minority shareholding will be regulated as they have rights. Class action suite is now permitted. Its now better suited for foreign companies as practices are more similar. Shareholders and investors have a say in the actions of the company. Grievances must be addressed as early as possible. Every five years auditors will be changed. They must follow SEBI regulations. Corporate social responsibility is 2% (or 5%for corporates)of profits Companies must reveal their accounts now. Disclosure is mandatory. Website of companies will give details of rules. Modern technology is incorporated as there will be e-voting by shareholders. Mergers would be easily possible, now. There will be seats reserved for women in the companies' boards, this will bring in greater egalitarianism and promote positive affirmative action. Growth is expected with the passing of this bill. This bill still needs President's approval. This could pave the way for bigger increase in economic activities than ever before. That means better, faster and greater growth of the Indian nation.

Sharing the feeling called India

India is united not by political compulsion but the fact that all Indians share common culture. The commonality emerges where ever you travel in India. They share faith, they share family values, they share ideals and they share aspirations. Aspirations like seeking higher and higher education for making livelihoods, and in seeking religious goals ( seeking moksha by following the righteous path) are common among all Indians. For decades Indians had left their homelands seeking a new way of making a living. They had settled down on foreign lands but still essentially have deep love for India and they still share beliefs of all Indians. Even when India is not doing well in economic development and is lagging behind in industrialization  the people of Indian ethnic origin are proud of their homeland. The pull of Indian culture makes one love India. Indian music, cuisine and artefacts are loved by all world wide. This blog is for those who share their love and concern for India. You do not have to be in India to share the feeling called India. Heart should be Indian to share this feeling.

Border soldiers are killed

When our army persons are killed in the border, we are most distressed. The infighting among the inefficient political elite is clearly seen in the number of persons killed. While we talk about good diplomacy and trade with our neighbors, our army is being slaughtered. We are fooling ourselves by thinking "all is well" and that we are having good relations with our neighbors. Five of our soldiers were killed in the Western borders, and the sixth one survived to tell the story. If this goes on, they must know that there is a limit to our tolerance. We do have good ammunition and large army personnel. We really do not want to deploy them as we are a peaceful nation and would not consider war as an option to settle disputes. But these are trying times, we cannot stand dishonor of encroachment at our borders. We are taking so much effort to make peace with this hostile neighbor, nothing seems to work. Already we have 43 different bills to pass in this session of Parliament (monsoon session) And now we have to worry about the hostility at our borders. Internal issues have to be attended before we can divert our attention to external threats.

New decision by empowered people

Villagers want the rights over their lands and do not want mining industry to overpower them. The ninth meeting of "gram sabha" in Odisha's Niyamgiri hills, it was decided that aluminium refinery will not be set up in their lands.The villagers have cultural rights over their lands. This decision  took place at 500 kilometres from the city of Bhubaneswar,Odisha.
This is the real voice of the people. They do not want development (as we see it) They want to be left alone. They prefer their simple life. Coming of industries would reduce their spaces, their roles and the very "identity" of the people. They have not turned away from modernisation nor have they turned against civilisation, they just want freedom to be themselves. They have that right. Let the pristine beauty of their land be.... 

Punishment for carrying out one's duty?

An officer was removed for doing her job. She had exposed a sand Mafia( illegally mining the sand in the river beds) and that was her duty as a government officer. But this was disliked by the political class and she was suspended from her job. Media immediately told this news to the people--how unfair it is. Even after that the political class claims that this was the right action. Sand Mafia carries on its work as usual, as if nothing has happened. This is the real truth is--politicians rule while supporting criminals. And there is no one to question them or stop them. If a powerful officer can be pushed out like this, what about the average Indian. An average Indian is a powerless creature living out his life in an unjust society dominated by ruthless political elite. What would be the future of this nation be like? Despite having a large educated intelligentsia, we do not take action against wrong activities of the wrongful representatives of the state. Media will go on highlighting the happenings, with hope that a more just order will triumph bringing an end to mafia..

Can we predict future of India

Indians who are educated would migrate to foreign lands in large numbers but still hold on to their cultural identity---Indian family ideals, our value systems, our love for knowledge and wisdom. They would always read avidly about Indian cultural ethos and be enchanted by it. The super rich would harness the political elite and control the economy. The poor worker citizens would struggle to form trade unions. Poverty stricken masses would be living in hordes. Farming will become high-tech. Bio-diversity of Indian fauna and flora would disappear. Water quality will become very poor for the common citizens. Industrial complexes would arise making the rich corporate class richer. Tourism would become a big industry, as there are plenty of historical monuments. Terrorism will rise as there would be vast differences between the rich and the poor. Role of the government will become reduced in the life of the citizens. We will all be helpless people of a hollowed nation.
There is faith that creates hope in us and we can avert that "helpless future" For every day is a day of beginning. If computerization of governance takes place quickly, we can help each and every citizen achieve his potential. And future will be bright. A good  governance will claim its rightful place by accounting for every one of its activities. Government would be the most powerful organization making effective utilization of its resources and make benefits for all.

New State in the Indian Union

Statehood for Telengana was supported by the UPA government. It must be passed in the Parliament now.  The people of Andhra Pradesh have long been asking for a split in the state. When States Re organisation Act 1956 was passed, the state of Andhra Pradesh was carved out of the Madras Presidency and merged with Hyderabad state. The need for Telengana was felt in 1969 itself. But aspirations  for separate state became frequent from 2001. When states of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh can were allowed to split into two, it is only logical that Andhra Pradesh can be given the same chance. The Prime minister will recommend to the President the draft of the Re organisation Bill. Then President will recommend it to Andhra Prdesh assembly and legislative council. This will take a month. Then the bill will get law ministry for vetting. Cabinet will discuss the issue and clear it and send it to Parliament. The split will be finalized in about six months, after it is sent to the home ministry for four months. The new state of Telengana will be 1.14 lakh sq. km; the whole state was 2.37 lakh sq km of total Andra Pradesh. 3.44 crores of people will live in Telengana while whole Andrhra Pradesh was 8.46 crores of persons. Most important aspect of Andra Pradesh is that it has 22 billion tonnes of coal reserves; it has bauxite, chromite, precious stones, and iron ore in 50 % of all the districts. Sharing of these minerals would not be even. So it would be loss for the people. But if they can overcome political strife, the split is worth it. After the split a new picture is emerging, tribal areas in Odissa is adjacent to Telengana(to be); next to Madhay Pradesh is Chattisgarh which has tribal population next to this area; next to Bihar is Jharkhand which has tribal area (where bauxite mining is being stopped for the perpetuation of tribal way of life) With the rise of tribal nation, a new kind of identity is being forged by making independent states. But all this is taking place after the primary calculation of how many votes from where will come from these splits for the dominant party, we should not forget that aspect.  

Food security scheme--how secure is it

We are about to launch Food Security scheme for the masses--67% of the Indian population. Can we give a fair distribution of food grains? For decades we have had "Fair Price Shops" or "Ration shops" which were distributing grains at subsidized rates for all citizens. Each family had a "Ration Card" by which he could get rice or wheat, sugar, kerosene or Liquid Petroleum Gas, sometimes cooking oil too. But it did not work out well, our grains were replaced by cheap sub-standard grains. And the shop owner sold our grains at higher rates. The FCI (Food Corporation of India) trucks which were delivering the grains were diverted to private granaries and our grains had never arrived at the shops. In a few states like Chattisgarh and Tamil Nadu, the scheme of Fair Price shops or PDS was very successful without any leakages. So there is no need of additional schemes. Three categories have been divided among the states which need food scheme most. First category does not need any help as already PDS is successful. Second category will get 50% of grains to be distributed from the central government. Other states which need most urgently will get 75% of required amount of grains from the central government. All this is arbitrary.
In the city of New Delhi, the food scheme will start from September 1,2013. In rest of the country, it will take six months to start the scheme of distribution. When there is computerization of PDS, there are no leakages. But now we are going to learn this all over again. This can go on for a little time only. When the grains in the storehouses become exhausted, we cannot give subsidized food grains. In place of it we will be giving cash so that poor people can buy grains (at the rate of 15 Rupees per kilogram) Once people become dependent on this scheme, we cannot make them independent of the government. Where is it taking us toward? Dependent population.

Genetically modified foods

India has been blessed with natural herbs and fine quality of native food crops. God has given us a great variety of plants of our own. We need not create new species of our own. GM foods are not sustainable politically speaking; they pose environmental threats and they are not healthy scientifically speaking. Owning "seed" rights is just not logical. If you use a particular seed you have to pay to the owner of the "genes" and this is not a good practice. Once you have created a new plant, it should be shared free of cost. The Indo-US Agriculture Knowledge initiative is pushing in the genetically modified foods into India. Just to maintain ties with them, we cannot adopt these foods. Today ninety percent of cotton seeds are owned by "monsanto", a foreign firm. Farmers have to pay for these seeds. The genetically modified plant of cotton will give infertile seeds, so farmers have to buy seeds at exorbitant prices.The genetically modified foods kill off the beneficial bacteria in our stomachs. When we know that it is unhealthy, then we should not allow it. It has been found that genetically modified foods cause lesions in the stomach of the person who has eaten it. Rats are used for testing genetically modified foods but they do not have a long life, so long term effects cannot be measured or tested for. Disease like cancer occur when people who consume  genetically modified foods over a long period of time. Realizing this, bt brinjal was banned in 2010. But field trials for twenty plants have been approved, so that they can be brought to the market.They are rice, tomato, groundnut, potato, corn, sorghum, okra, mustard, wheat, watermelon, papaya, sugarcane, rubber, caster, banana. The soil which is used to grow genetically modified plants becomes infertile as beneficial bacteria in it are killed. This causes ecological damages. The biodiversity of our native plants is threatened by the "super species" of plants--genetically modified plants or monster plants. These plants will dominate and our native species of rice,which was hardy and nutritious will be gone; soon native plants will disappear when these dominant species arrive. When God has created invaluable herbs for healing and healthy foods for a good diet, why go for genetically modified plant species? 

Why do we feel so small

When a big global power visits a small country like ours, we are nervous. Whenever an emissary from a super power visits us, we feel apprehensive. "What do they want from us?"---is in our minds. Tension is further increased when they want more and more trade links with us. Fair trade is never possible between unequal nations. There is the "exploited" nation and the "exploiting" nation. When those who have superior knowledge of the worth of our mineral wealth, come seeking it, we are bound to be exploited. The super power would like to take the mineral wealth at low costs from us because we do not know its actual worth. This has been repeated all through history. But we are different now, we can see easily what these powers want. And we know how to be equal partners in trade and commerce. Times have changed and we have changed with it.
Another topic that is brought up is that we must "look East" That is we must look at South-east Asia, towards our neighbours in the far East. This is told to us because the superpower does not want us to look at the Western neighbours like  Afghanistan, Iran or Iraq. There is reason to believe that super power want to club together to make a stronger team to face China. Our geo-political position puts us at equidistant with East and the West. We want to keep good relations with all. An this non-aligned position is the best. All talk talk cannot really solve anything. There is industrialization and there will be global warming which we cannot stop that. Other countries have industrialized and they want India "not to industrialize" Because we can grow bigger with industrialization and  will not remain a small power. We will grow bigger, but we will not threaten others.There is only a show of concern over global warming. Can anything be done about global warming? In the geological life of the planet, we go through global warming followed by quick setting of an ice age. It was during one ice age when early man can out of Africa and took refuge in caves. He migrated to other part of the world. When Earth's waters were frozen in the Northern and Southern poles, sea was less turbulent, and there were land passages to Indonesia and Australia. Then the global warming melted away the ice and made the seas more prominent and the land connecting the continents disappeared into the sea. We were cut off from each other. Now after the global warming, another ice age will be beginning. And between the two ice ages man has made civilizations. Will all civilizations survive another ice age? Superpowers cannot stop the coming of ice age or global warming, these are cycles of the Earth like Winter Spring, Summer or Fall.. 

Why is the Indian nation still backward

We have not learnt how to form effective groups. For any task to be done, there is need of group organization and that is lacking among Indians. In formal Indian organization, there is exhibition of hatred and scorn for those below one's status and at the same time there is dislike for those above one's status. Among equals, there is mutual suspicion;  and there is the feeling that the other should not have more benefits than one self. There are deep-set quarrels about superior and inferior statuses.That is there is an obsession with hierarchy of abilities of one another--- "I am better than that one" syndrome. This bisects group cohesion, with the result the group cannot not get any thing done, may it be policy making or simple office work. Because of different socio-economic statuses or cultural orientations or educational backgrounds people vary. But there is uniformity in the fact that they make ineffective groups. There is no group solidarity. There are always individuals who give away the weakness of other members easily. When there is an order from a superior role for a given group, there is mutual quarrel in demonstrating why it is not the individual's responsibility. In the end the task is not performed or delayed. At most times the boss has to not just give orders but also use threats. Whenever the boss shouted like the "zamindar" or the "lord" of feudal India, it had a negative impact for it reduced the self-confidence of individuals of the group who had to follow the orders. More over the superiors have complex that they are always correct and they do not head to the advice of  others. Often abuses are used upon the lower staff. The bosses also shatter the personality of the lower staff, affecting his self-worth. The worker is reduced to a slave.There is lack of support from other individual worker too. If trade unionism develops the individual worker will get his rights. But co-workers do not support individuals as their own job is at stake. Neither is there group solidarity nor group cohesion. To conclude, Indians cannot function in coordinated groups Even when we have immense natural resources, and even when we have an educated manpower, we do not know how to work well together.This makes us a nation of ineffective workers. Unless we learn to tolerate each others differences, and learn to cooperate and coordinate our activities, we cannot rise out of backwardness.

    

New solutions for the people

When forest rights were not given to the tribal populations residing in it, government took over forests and chased away the tribals as they were considered as encroaching on forest lands. But the Forests rights Act,2006 gave tribal people rights over their own land. The Act gave the people rights over holding deeds for the land they had cultivated. Local governments interpreted the law differently and tribals were not given rights. Almost always there was ambiguity in finding out which piece of land belonged to whom and in this pretext the tribal population was denied rights. But that has changed now. Under the Act, "gram sabhas" certified on which families cultivated which land in 2005 and land deed documents were forwarded to the state government. State government (Gujrat had rejected 128 thousand out of 182 thousand claims) rejected claims as exact locations of lands were arbitrary; even if claimed lands were given, it would be a small part of land. Action Research in Community Health and Development (ARCH) which was a non government organization had appealed to High Court saying that the claims were based on "panchnamas" or case records or official receipts or satellite imaging from Goggle or National Remote Sensing Agency. These were not accepted. But now new solution has emerged since old surveying methods were not precise, GPS was employed using hand held devices which costs only 12000 Rupees. Using this hand held device, one's land could be precisely measured by walking around one's plot of land and marking it, a map was immediately made of his land. This map was put on top of satellite image map and his land was marked genuine. Now tribes did not have to depend on a government department to tell them which was their land. When the tribals went with these supporting maps, their land claims were restored to them. Now forest department allows these tribes to bring in tractors to plough their fields. The rights of the tribes were realized by successfully adopting this new solution to their problem. Digitization of land records can help a great deal if done quickly.   

Poverty has declined

Poverty in India has declined from 407.1 millions below poverty line in the year 2004-5 to 269.3 million the year 2011-12. In urban areas the reduction is from 326.3 million to 216.5 millions in those years. And in rural areas also the decline in poverty is considerable from  80.8 million to 52.8 millions. The decline in poverty comes from the fact that there is increase in real per capita consumption. Poverty decline is derived from the fact that there is increase in monthly per capita consumption expenditure. It can also mean that the people are spending more on food for consumption because they have to. Costs of food has increased too. These figures cannot explain the realities. The fact is that cost of living has increased several times more. Compared the period 1993-4 to 2004-5, there is three times poverty reduction. Life is tough for all people rural and urban. Massive migration from rural to urban areas does show that people are moving to seek employment to get food. These migrations reflect the realities of poverty. When they come to urban areas, they do not have ready-made jobs. They work as construction site workers, as servants as manual labor (coolies) as cooks, as sweepers. To make a living in urban India is very very tough. And no poverty figures can describe the plight of such people.Life in India is cruel for the weak people. But the rich upper classes enjoy beautiful India. The poor struggle for drinking water, basic food, electricity, decent homes, medical care and schools for their children. Poverty figures do not show that, there are no statistics to describe their plight.Life is very very tough for the simple people of India.