Every one knows that Mani Shanker Aiyer is a brilliant and articulate man. But that's not a qualification for getting an important portfolio. When he was moved from Petroleum to Panchayti Raj, he felt demoted and marginalised. It was reported that he complained to Sonia Gandhi that he knew nothing about Panchayati Raj. She is believed to have retorted that he knew nothing about petroleum too when he was given that portfolio. The point is you are given a job and you have to excel at it or quit. He claims in his address that he was always a Leftist. So are most people in their teens when they dream of an equal world. But on growing up, they realize that equality does not even exist in the Communist parties’ politburos. He further claims that the economic reforms made him a Marxist. He should honestly admit that it is his dislike for PM, who didn't let him continue and moved him to Panchayati Raj that makes him question why credit for economic reforms should be given to Manmohan Singh. Either way, it amounts to a confession that Economic reforms are not to be discredited. Marxism only created utopian states, which either collapsed (U.S.S.R., for instance) or embraced capitalism like China. Statistics apart, the fact remains that China has recorded phenomenal growth and exceeded India in every part of the economic game. Aiyer for all his frustration should remember that you need to produce more goods and services for every one to have them and social justice does not mean taking away from some to give to others. Can one deny a communication revolution in the country with ordinary masons, plumbers, carpenters and vendors not just flashing mobile phones but using them to get custom? The answer to inequalities lies in finding ways and means to end them and delivering sermons at the CII is surely not the ideal way.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
On the Wagah Border
On the Wagah Border
We sped fast to cover the 30 kms distance from Amritsar to the Wagah border. The cab driver told us that we need to take our place by 4 P.M. to be able to see the Retreat ceremony. Though we made it in time, yet the vantage positions were already occupied. This we realised after the details of the area sinked in. There was a huge gate on the Indian side with a camera crew on top to shoot the ceremony. The sides of the road looked like a stadium with all the steps filled up with people who had thronged to catch a glimpse. I decided to stand in the middle of the road, along the barricade of a thick rope but he BSF sentry would shove me repeatedly asking me to move. Patriotic songs blared at full volume from huge speakers installed on the top of BSF unit’s quarters and an athletic jawan goaded the crowd to cheer and raise the slogans loud enough to reach the other side. For the Pakistani gate, with a photograph of Jinnah visible from a distance of 500-odd meters that separated us, also had hundreds of people seated in a similar fashion trying to drown the Indians by using their lung-power. Hindustan Zindabad met with a piercing sound of Pakistan Paindabad. Some small children on our side tried to outsmart the other side by shouting murdabad as soon as Pakistan was heard over their amplifiers but the BSF jawans dissuaded them from shouting any slogans other than those in praise of India. As seconds turned into minutes and minutes into quarters, the restless crowd was fed with new slogans like “Vande Matram”. There was hostility in the air as BSF jawans and Pakistani Rangers at a distance tried to stamp life out of roads beneath by raising their knees almost to their chests and stamping the earth harshly. Then the unexpected happened. All of us were pushed to one side. When we looked back, we saw the Lahore-Delhi-Lahore bus moving slowly towards the borders as the two gates on Indian and Pakistani sides were opened to enable it cross over. The passengers peeped out and waved and captured the excitement outside on cameras. The crowd of curious onlookers waved back trying unsuccessfully to figure out their nationality. Not an easy job since Indians and Pakistanis look so much alike. Once the bus was gone, the crowds were back to their old game.
As the Sun dipped over the Pakistani horizon, it took a lot of heat away from the proceedings. The BSF jawan explained the contours of the ceremony and asked the crowd to stand up silently. The command into the microphone was the longest one ever heard over the years. The soldiers marched into each other’s territory briefly and began lowering the flags of the two nations by pulling the strings diagonally. There was aloud cheer as the two flags overlapped half way through and the vendors tried to encash the sentiment by offering CDs of the film Border vigorously. The soldiers embraced before the gates were closed in the twilight. The new day would bring new faces to the borders on both the sides and the love-hate relationship between the two neighbours would be demonstrated again. As I turned back, passing by the custom and immigration offices, I could not suppress a thought. If thousands of people throng the border on both the sides just to see a ceremony, how many must be keen to cross over and meet the people of the other side-only if the politicians and police would let them go over!
India-Pakistan relations are held hostage by them. There was a terse reminder of the same as people looked at a double fencing on both sides of the border. What is this passage for? I enquired from an armed guard. What you just saw was only a gate. This is actually the border. The double fence with flood lights is to prevent infiltration from the Pakistani side. The embraces disappeared from my mind and cross-border filled the vacuous space.
***
We sped fast to cover the 30 kms distance from Amritsar to the Wagah border. The cab driver told us that we need to take our place by 4 P.M. to be able to see the Retreat ceremony. Though we made it in time, yet the vantage positions were already occupied. This we realised after the details of the area sinked in. There was a huge gate on the Indian side with a camera crew on top to shoot the ceremony. The sides of the road looked like a stadium with all the steps filled up with people who had thronged to catch a glimpse. I decided to stand in the middle of the road, along the barricade of a thick rope but he BSF sentry would shove me repeatedly asking me to move. Patriotic songs blared at full volume from huge speakers installed on the top of BSF unit’s quarters and an athletic jawan goaded the crowd to cheer and raise the slogans loud enough to reach the other side. For the Pakistani gate, with a photograph of Jinnah visible from a distance of 500-odd meters that separated us, also had hundreds of people seated in a similar fashion trying to drown the Indians by using their lung-power. Hindustan Zindabad met with a piercing sound of Pakistan Paindabad. Some small children on our side tried to outsmart the other side by shouting murdabad as soon as Pakistan was heard over their amplifiers but the BSF jawans dissuaded them from shouting any slogans other than those in praise of India. As seconds turned into minutes and minutes into quarters, the restless crowd was fed with new slogans like “Vande Matram”. There was hostility in the air as BSF jawans and Pakistani Rangers at a distance tried to stamp life out of roads beneath by raising their knees almost to their chests and stamping the earth harshly. Then the unexpected happened. All of us were pushed to one side. When we looked back, we saw the Lahore-Delhi-Lahore bus moving slowly towards the borders as the two gates on Indian and Pakistani sides were opened to enable it cross over. The passengers peeped out and waved and captured the excitement outside on cameras. The crowd of curious onlookers waved back trying unsuccessfully to figure out their nationality. Not an easy job since Indians and Pakistanis look so much alike. Once the bus was gone, the crowds were back to their old game.
As the Sun dipped over the Pakistani horizon, it took a lot of heat away from the proceedings. The BSF jawan explained the contours of the ceremony and asked the crowd to stand up silently. The command into the microphone was the longest one ever heard over the years. The soldiers marched into each other’s territory briefly and began lowering the flags of the two nations by pulling the strings diagonally. There was aloud cheer as the two flags overlapped half way through and the vendors tried to encash the sentiment by offering CDs of the film Border vigorously. The soldiers embraced before the gates were closed in the twilight. The new day would bring new faces to the borders on both the sides and the love-hate relationship between the two neighbours would be demonstrated again. As I turned back, passing by the custom and immigration offices, I could not suppress a thought. If thousands of people throng the border on both the sides just to see a ceremony, how many must be keen to cross over and meet the people of the other side-only if the politicians and police would let them go over!
India-Pakistan relations are held hostage by them. There was a terse reminder of the same as people looked at a double fencing on both sides of the border. What is this passage for? I enquired from an armed guard. What you just saw was only a gate. This is actually the border. The double fence with flood lights is to prevent infiltration from the Pakistani side. The embraces disappeared from my mind and cross-border filled the vacuous space.
***
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
MNS vs. North Indians
MNS vs. North Indians
The MNS activists have repeated their heinous act. They attacked candidates who came to appear for an examination to be conducted by the Indian Railways. Their grouse is that people who do not belong to Maharashtra grab the jobs in the state to the exclusion or disadvantage of locals. This is not the first time they have indulge in such violence against North Indians. Nor do they care about the sense of outrage their actions cause among victims or others. The MNS, off course, is trying to carve out a space for itself following a split with Shiv Sena. Its aggressive posturing is directed to ensure for itself a significant share of the Maharashtrian vote whenever polls are held next in that state. Its ambitions may include a virtual take over of the Shiv Sena’s role in anticipation of a decline in the latter’s fortunes as Bal Thackeray’s hold on the masses lessens with advancing age. MNS is not the only outfit, which arouses regional sentiment in order to derive electoral benefits. TMC recently threw out Tata’s Nano from Singur to make a dent in Left’s share of rural vote in Bengal. It resorted to physical attacks on the unit’s personnel to prevent them from functioning on the site. What is reprehensible about MNS actions is not limited to physically attacking young men aspiring to find employment on the basis of merit. It is the belief that even national entities like the Indian Railways are not free to hold all- India competitions in its stronghold, Mumbai and must restrict recruitment to local candidates. The outfit has been issuing threats to all and sundry over a variety of issues. Jet will not be allowed to fly out of Mumbai. It would not be allowed to impose a salary cut. The people from Bihar can not perform Chat puja in Maharashtra. Nor they can ply taxis in the city. The shops and business establishments can only use Marathi on display boards. In order to enlarge its hold on local population, it can go to any extent while the law and order machinery watches the situation mutely. The reason is that the local administration does not want to acquire an anti- Maharashtrian image. So let the poor candidates and taxi drivers be thrashed in full public view while the Home Minister issues a routine statement condemning the assaults and the police commissioner promises action against the culprits. The warrant of arrest against the man responsible for taking the law unto his own hands is either not executed or is released on a personal bond at his residence itself only for the sake of record. He instigates violence and is set free to repeat his illegal actions. This is not “maha-nirman” but “maha-vinash”. It is futile to argue with organizations like MNS to rise above regional and parochial issues and think in national terms. But the nation does expect from the State and the Central government that those who take law into their own hands, wherever and whoever they may be, should be dealt with sternly. Politics is being increasingly played at the expense of innocent citizens those who are peacefully leading their lives. Their life and liberty must be protected as enshrined in the Constitution.
The MNS activists have repeated their heinous act. They attacked candidates who came to appear for an examination to be conducted by the Indian Railways. Their grouse is that people who do not belong to Maharashtra grab the jobs in the state to the exclusion or disadvantage of locals. This is not the first time they have indulge in such violence against North Indians. Nor do they care about the sense of outrage their actions cause among victims or others. The MNS, off course, is trying to carve out a space for itself following a split with Shiv Sena. Its aggressive posturing is directed to ensure for itself a significant share of the Maharashtrian vote whenever polls are held next in that state. Its ambitions may include a virtual take over of the Shiv Sena’s role in anticipation of a decline in the latter’s fortunes as Bal Thackeray’s hold on the masses lessens with advancing age. MNS is not the only outfit, which arouses regional sentiment in order to derive electoral benefits. TMC recently threw out Tata’s Nano from Singur to make a dent in Left’s share of rural vote in Bengal. It resorted to physical attacks on the unit’s personnel to prevent them from functioning on the site. What is reprehensible about MNS actions is not limited to physically attacking young men aspiring to find employment on the basis of merit. It is the belief that even national entities like the Indian Railways are not free to hold all- India competitions in its stronghold, Mumbai and must restrict recruitment to local candidates. The outfit has been issuing threats to all and sundry over a variety of issues. Jet will not be allowed to fly out of Mumbai. It would not be allowed to impose a salary cut. The people from Bihar can not perform Chat puja in Maharashtra. Nor they can ply taxis in the city. The shops and business establishments can only use Marathi on display boards. In order to enlarge its hold on local population, it can go to any extent while the law and order machinery watches the situation mutely. The reason is that the local administration does not want to acquire an anti- Maharashtrian image. So let the poor candidates and taxi drivers be thrashed in full public view while the Home Minister issues a routine statement condemning the assaults and the police commissioner promises action against the culprits. The warrant of arrest against the man responsible for taking the law unto his own hands is either not executed or is released on a personal bond at his residence itself only for the sake of record. He instigates violence and is set free to repeat his illegal actions. This is not “maha-nirman” but “maha-vinash”. It is futile to argue with organizations like MNS to rise above regional and parochial issues and think in national terms. But the nation does expect from the State and the Central government that those who take law into their own hands, wherever and whoever they may be, should be dealt with sternly. Politics is being increasingly played at the expense of innocent citizens those who are peacefully leading their lives. Their life and liberty must be protected as enshrined in the Constitution.
Friday, October 17, 2008
From Singur to Sanand
From Singur to Sanand
Ever since Tata announced the decision to relocate the nano project from the trouble-torn Singur in West Bengal to Sanand in Gujarat, there have been mixed reactions. For the Hindu liberals as well as the progressive Left, there is nothing worse than the master-mind of Godhra and arch-rioter, Modi. The inaction of Gujarat police during the infamous riots directed against the Muslim minority is taken as proof of complicity of state administration in subduing those who dared raise their heads against nationalist Hindus and had targeted the kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya with arson and murder. Frankly, one is either a Modi-baiter or a Modi admirer. Be it in politics or media, there have been few voices, which condemned both-what preceded and followed Godhra. Modi cocked a snook at his critics spread across the media, political opponents within and without, judiciary et al and derided them publically. He called them enemies of the asmita or self-respect of Gujarat and rallied the locals behind himself. What he could not win with his self-effacing ideology, he conquered with a clinically-efficient administration. Be it the building of infrastructure or providing post-floods emergency relief, there was a stamp of his ruthless pursuit of goals. He has been unsparing in action, overbearing in confidence and patient in pursuing ambitions. Few state leaders have shown the dynamic resolve to grab the Nano project by doing the entire homework in ten days. The Opposition in Gujarat stands vanquished and the Modi-baiters across the nation petrified at the turn of events. A Gujarat with its efficient governance but no room for dissent may look like India’s Singapore. The rest of India needs to learn from it how to grow and Modi’s Gujarat needs to re-learn that democratic or human rights are not antithetical to growth. We need to follow our economic goals in a fair and firm manner. The Nano’s progress from a chaotic Singur to a sanguine Sanand should be an eye-opener for those who cannot think beyond stereotypes.
Ever since Tata announced the decision to relocate the nano project from the trouble-torn Singur in West Bengal to Sanand in Gujarat, there have been mixed reactions. For the Hindu liberals as well as the progressive Left, there is nothing worse than the master-mind of Godhra and arch-rioter, Modi. The inaction of Gujarat police during the infamous riots directed against the Muslim minority is taken as proof of complicity of state administration in subduing those who dared raise their heads against nationalist Hindus and had targeted the kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya with arson and murder. Frankly, one is either a Modi-baiter or a Modi admirer. Be it in politics or media, there have been few voices, which condemned both-what preceded and followed Godhra. Modi cocked a snook at his critics spread across the media, political opponents within and without, judiciary et al and derided them publically. He called them enemies of the asmita or self-respect of Gujarat and rallied the locals behind himself. What he could not win with his self-effacing ideology, he conquered with a clinically-efficient administration. Be it the building of infrastructure or providing post-floods emergency relief, there was a stamp of his ruthless pursuit of goals. He has been unsparing in action, overbearing in confidence and patient in pursuing ambitions. Few state leaders have shown the dynamic resolve to grab the Nano project by doing the entire homework in ten days. The Opposition in Gujarat stands vanquished and the Modi-baiters across the nation petrified at the turn of events. A Gujarat with its efficient governance but no room for dissent may look like India’s Singapore. The rest of India needs to learn from it how to grow and Modi’s Gujarat needs to re-learn that democratic or human rights are not antithetical to growth. We need to follow our economic goals in a fair and firm manner. The Nano’s progress from a chaotic Singur to a sanguine Sanand should be an eye-opener for those who cannot think beyond stereotypes.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Politics of Protest
Following the killing of a VHP leader engaged in reconverting Christians to Hinduism allegedly by some Maoists, Hindu activists belonging to VHP and Bajrang Dal indulged in mayhem in Orissa and some other BJP ruled States like Karnataka. 50 Christians have so far been killed, more than 5000 dwellings razed, over 100 Churches torched and not less than 50 thousand members of the Christian community rendered homeless. This is not the only case where people take the law into their own hands rather than allowing it to take its course. A policeman was lynched by protestors in Jammu as part of protest demonstrations over the Amarnath land row. Not long ago, Gurjars were shown indulging in senseless violence in Rajasthan demanding ST status for their community. They uprooted railway lines, blocked national highways and refused to cremate the corpses lying in the open. The doctors go on flash strikes to protest assaults on them by next of kin of those allegedly neglected in the hospitals. The security guard of a Sikh saint fired a shot at a crowd of his opponents in Mumbai killing one of them. The crowd reacted by damaging trains and hurting their passengers. A couple of children died in a religious ashram and its supporters and opponents fought a pitched battle damaging what ever came in their way. The repetitive attacks on its factory and workers at Singur have made Tata Motors move out its upcoming Nano small car unit out of West Bengal but Mamata Bannerji of TMC who spearheaded the agitation is unrepentant in anticipation of electoral gains.
Curiously, the controversy over transfer of a piece of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board in Kashmir has both Hindus and Muslims complaining of injustice and persecution. Violent processions were taken out by one community in order to save a piece of land while rail and road movement was brought to a halt by the other to demand it. The dispute at Singur also showed TMC and CPM supporters voicing conflicting opinions and charging each other with inciting violence. The violence in Orissa too is attributed by Hindu outfits to forced conversions by missionaries while Christians deny it and blame it on a drive to consolidate Hindu votes by carrying out anti-minority propaganda. A murder should be investigated by the police. Instead of allowing the law to take its own course, the incidents are hijacked by political parties, which create disaffection and discord for their narrow ideological or electoral gains.
It is human to protest especially when one feels aggrieved. Many people around the world feel at some time or the other that they have been given a raw deal. But few take to rioting and destruction of public property with such a sense of glee and abandon as we do. One wonders why in all such situations, the public property often bears the brunt of peoples’ fury. Police vehicles are routinely burnt and fire engines trying to douse the flames stoned. Public buses and trains are damaged and tracks uprooted to bring rail traffic to a halt. Many innocent lives are lost when security forces have to open fire to control rampaging mobs. Have we no respect for law or concern for protecting public property? Should we not think twice before we vandalize what has been built with our own money and for our own benefit? Why rape a nun to seek revenge for someone’s murder? Did the poor woman kill the Hindu leader? We must ponder and refuse to play the games politicians and religious leaders set out for us. The authorities should also redress the legitimate grievances of the people in time and remove the impression that only violent protests are heeded in our country. In a mature democracy, the right to protest must not degenerate it into a licence to kill and destroy.
***
Curiously, the controversy over transfer of a piece of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board in Kashmir has both Hindus and Muslims complaining of injustice and persecution. Violent processions were taken out by one community in order to save a piece of land while rail and road movement was brought to a halt by the other to demand it. The dispute at Singur also showed TMC and CPM supporters voicing conflicting opinions and charging each other with inciting violence. The violence in Orissa too is attributed by Hindu outfits to forced conversions by missionaries while Christians deny it and blame it on a drive to consolidate Hindu votes by carrying out anti-minority propaganda. A murder should be investigated by the police. Instead of allowing the law to take its own course, the incidents are hijacked by political parties, which create disaffection and discord for their narrow ideological or electoral gains.
It is human to protest especially when one feels aggrieved. Many people around the world feel at some time or the other that they have been given a raw deal. But few take to rioting and destruction of public property with such a sense of glee and abandon as we do. One wonders why in all such situations, the public property often bears the brunt of peoples’ fury. Police vehicles are routinely burnt and fire engines trying to douse the flames stoned. Public buses and trains are damaged and tracks uprooted to bring rail traffic to a halt. Many innocent lives are lost when security forces have to open fire to control rampaging mobs. Have we no respect for law or concern for protecting public property? Should we not think twice before we vandalize what has been built with our own money and for our own benefit? Why rape a nun to seek revenge for someone’s murder? Did the poor woman kill the Hindu leader? We must ponder and refuse to play the games politicians and religious leaders set out for us. The authorities should also redress the legitimate grievances of the people in time and remove the impression that only violent protests are heeded in our country. In a mature democracy, the right to protest must not degenerate it into a licence to kill and destroy.
***
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