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..