India in mourning

India is mourning the death of the gang rape victim who had died of the injuries inflicted on her. She fought bravely, to survive but could not For 13 days  doctors had tried hard to keep her alive and they could not. Now there are candle light prayers by the same protesters who were asking their rulers, "why is there no protection to the women in India".After learning about the kind of violence that Indian women face, the blogs appreciating Indian culture are no more relevant .How can such brutal attack happen on women in India, what cruel mind could imagine such act.
Gender crimes are rising in the darker side of India. 

A meeting for planning future

National Development Council meeting took place yesterday so that the elected elite can plan for all around development of the country in terms of expenditures of the state. Ground plan for the twelfth five-year plan has begun. Elected people from all states of India were called and were given chance  to present their views. Performances of various past schemes were discussed; their performance in terms of their impact on common people was balanced with the audit of expenditures made. Growth must be shared by all, only then the nation would advance. There has been growth in industry and there has been reduction in poverty.Inclusion has been achieved. But is it sustainable? The total plan is to improve the standard of living of the common man. But contrary to this, subsidies will be reduced gradually. Outcomes were analysed in terms of productivity of investments; 25% has been invested in public sector and 75% in private sector. While analyzing  few policies had stood up to expectations. Partially implemented policies showed less progress like 6%. That was bad. Worse were there too:”policy lock jam” was reflected by many which were showing less than 5% progress. Sectors like agriculture, power, infrastructure, health, education, skill development were given highest priorities. Although half of our population is engaged in agriculture, it is lesser than 15% in our GDP now than before. By itself agriculture has improved. Agricultural growth has accelerated from 2.4% in tenth five-year plan to 3.3% in eleventh five-year plan. Manufacturing policies have not fared well as they had been planned,as the growth is not sustainable.  Many PPP (Private Public Partnerships) have been started but not finished. The ventures have halted. SEZs(Special Economic Zones) have failed. Mining industry is not faring well with strict environmental clearances. We are importing metals.In energy sector, we are importing 80% of our needs and offering it to the people at subsidized cost. It is not rational. There are regional imbalances. Some states feel they have not been given enough money for development. The backward states have done better than the national average and are progressing. Real wages of people has improved. When MGREGA(Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act) gives people work and correct wages, the demand for the workers had risen, and hence their wages. Production has increased but it has to go on to other sectors like water, sanitation, health and education. It has not.The outcome is that we need more meetings so that the central government can understand the needs of the state governments.

People want action

Our leaders know “diplomatic talk” well. So they can freely communicate with foreign leaders. But when it comes to talking with our people, they fail to connect. They know well how to “talk without concern” Till they are candidates in election, they act like “the common man” They are so "uncommitted" to the problems of the people.They do not empathize with the people.After Politicians get power, they are not concerned with the common people. The gang rape incident(December 16) has affected the minds of the people of New Delhi, they are seeking answers from the state.When so many people are continuously protesting in the streets of Delhi, politicians should come and talk to the people. And say that this won’t happen again and that we will make proper laws and change our police machinery and so on. They do not know the mood of the people or care for the welfare of the people.Young educated Indians do not know where to turn to for seeking solution. These young people have, all of a sudden, discovered that they live in an uncivilized society--women are afraid of leaving their homes.

Protesters continue to protest, and government is doing nothing.Politicians have delegated a commission of Inquiry under Commission Inquiry Act 1952(60 of 1952)to look into the state of affairs. This will take time. Protesters want something done now. So can the people make the government act fast? Within a month, we will come up with an answer for the questions which people have. 

India--Among Asian Countries

Even with several internal problems of its own, India has very good relations with its neighbours.Countries like Nepal, feel very close to India. We have implemented many developmental projects there. We have helped them modernize their government too.Countries like Bhutan also feel very happy that India helps them in every way to modernize and bring e- governance in their lands. Bangladesh feels India is helps them in every way possible.Now ASEAN (Southeast Asian)countries have made us feel important by showing how deeply India is involved with them-- we share history religion and culture. Our craftsmen had created splendid temples with intricate architecture in their lands. Their religion came from India(Buddhism). They feel deeply connected to us. They want to continue having warm cordial relationships with us. We maintain good relations and we realise that we need to make a partnership for peace.We have big plans for making a super trading bloc by encouraging trade and commerce. We share solidarity as we have one vision--growth of Asia. We have signed ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. We tried settling of debate over territorial issue in South China Sea.We are not dominant or exploitative, we are always kind and helpful.We are liked, admired and appreciated everywhere in Asia.

Unstoppable protests of citizens

Few days back the crime of gang rape was committed on a bus in New Delhi. This was magnified by newspapers/tv media and it has infuriated the educated people of New Delhi. They had protested every day for the last six days, and they have been continuously protesting. Today over 250000 people came out to protest.They want the government to respond to them. Even without a leader, they arrive in the cold Winter days and protesting in front of the President's house. Police tried to stop the building of mob by teargas,water cannons and by lathi charge(beating) When nothing worked, they physically removed the people and placed them in buses and moved them to remote parts of New Delhi.Section 144 was imposed in Delhi, in order to stop protests.People are upset because of the causal way of the police in finding the culprits. People are determined to get the accused maximum punishment. At present, it is 7 years imprisonment for rape. But people want life term or capital punishment.The accused hire best lawyers and get away easily, people want more stringent punishment. Can punishment stop this crime?
All of a sudden, the young educated people of Delhi, can see the cruelty and the meanness of patriarchal culture that rest of India is caught in. This issue has brought into light the reality of medieval mindsets. What motivates these people to indulge in gang rape? If individuals are committing this crime, we can trace their psychological background for it; but when several men are involved, we cannot see it in psychological perspective, it has to be studied as a sociological phenomena. Weak people are victimised instead of being protected like women, girl children and economically poor/weak individuals.Male domination, group psyche--like enjoying common game;all those committing it, see it as a sport.So men do not "think" while engaging in a common cruel sport? "Khap-panchyats" dictate that women should be married away early, so that this does not happen. Even minsters of Parliament who are elected from rural India recommend this as a solution.All this reflects their backward mindsets, many part of India are inhabited by these people with ancient mindsets.Only on few rapes are reported, it brings "shame " to the women. Why? Ordinary women residing in Delhi are scared, crime can happen anywhere around them, and police do not help them. There is lack of faith in Police.
To cope with this crime, drivers and conductors of buses must be sensitised to deal with the women passengers who need protection.Policemen/policewomen should become worthy of trust. So that women will approach them when they have this problem. Police must behave in a compassionate manner towards victims.Registration of these cases must be made quickly, before evidence is lost.Fast-track courts must be made, so that these cases are dealt with immediately.
When there is no seriousness on the part of the police machinery and when the courts take much time, there is no deterrent. And hence increase in rape cases.Of the registered cases only 26% of cases are convicted.Most rape cases are not reported More than 600 rape cases have been reported in Delhi this year.NCRB(National Crime Records Bureau) says that 90% of rape cases take place among known people. In a big city with anonymous citizenry, statistics cannot explain everything. The truth is gender crimes are alarmingly high, as economic pressures weigh on the individuals here.
People who are educated have become aware that they live in an insecure city, and are seeking assurance from their rulers. They should be allowed to protest.If we are a true democracy, we have a right to protest. If that is taken away, then we are making a mockery of democracy.

Regulation of Banks

50% of Indians do not have any access to banks. Even when they do have access, the credit that is kept in it is half of what is saved by Indians. Indians feel that the option to keep one's  own money in bank is not a good one. People would rather buy gold and keep as savings than keep in bank. More safe options are explored. Banking Regulation (Amendment ) Bill was passed three days ago by the Indian Parliament. This Bill was passed to put industry on the path of higher growth ladder. The Bill empowers the banking regulator, Reserve Bank of India(RBI) as it can intervene in management of banks. RBI can now make licenses conditional to the norms sited by it.
By this Bill, government has made it easy for private capital to be invested in the Indian baking sector and at the same time it has raised investor's rights. Previously, government was spending taxpayers money to expand banks. Now private banks will come about as they are allowed to. RBI will keep an eye on new banks and their activities.RBI has power to shut down"sick" banks too. Private banks are more successful for they bring in innovative technological modernisation faster(use of Internet).In management also, private banks are superior and give customer a better service.Private banks benefit by giving confidence to the lenders; and they are trusted better by the borrowers. The profit generated by lending motivates the private banks to expand. The infrastructure created by the private banking sector can be used by the government As rural India needs banks, so that the social security schemes could be promoted more effectively.Private banks will open newer markets which the government can use. The money people have would be more visible to government now.Thus government will benefit by universal banking.Largest savings will be invested in banks--ready for investment as capital.The development of economy is directly linked the banking networks we have, so we will have bigger and better networks.This way the foundation for growth will be made.  

More laws for economic reforms

New laws are made, so that there is more transparency in private companies.Yesterday,the Lower House of the Indian Parliament, gave approval for Companies Bill,2011.The existing companies Bill was made in 1956 when thee were only thirty thousand registered companies in India. Now there are 850000 registered companies doing business in India.The new law will make the directors of the companies more accountable and it would improve corporate practises.Corporate social responsibility would be "built-in" As per the new law, more power has been given to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office(SFIO). Now there will be better relationship with investigating agencies(of state and central governments),IT dept, Information Technology Ministry and the SFIO.Now technology is also helping us too.Fast track courts will settle disputes very fast, so that business can go on uninterrupted.The new law also says the 2% of profit will go towards corporate social responsibility.The independent directors of companies will have a fixed term in office.Stricter disclosures are expected. And there will be investor protection too. So India is ready for growth.Individuals have to motivate themselves for it.And laws are made for the purpose of promoting growth.