The answer is the pathetic state of affairs that this government ha landed everyone in. First some of the crowning economic glories

1. In its remarkable lack of foresight, they refused to raise fuel prices in decimals so now they have a unbearable subsidy bill that requires them to increase it in tens of rupees
2. The great Rural money distribution schemes (read NREGA), which saw rural inflation hitting an all time had no long term strategy in place. we now have a lot of well wth no water, roads that lead no where and rural labour that refuses to be cost effective. Worst part – no long term employment was generated to increase demand (therefore indirect taxation) or income (increase in direct taxation also denied)
3. Then there is govt sponsored corporate mismanagement of COAL INDIA, ONGC, LIC  to name a few
4. Stupid subsidies of Railways, like of Air India rescue and above all back tracking of almost all SEZ projects

Basically its a government that is running low and dry.  Now if this government is to fall – we would have a situation that the successor will have all the problems and no solutions. On the contrary if the present goverment is to continue they will be forced to reverse all the subsidies – solve the economic clutter and go down in 2014 general elections as ahugely unpopular government.

This is one game in which patience has its own rewards, as for us the, people of this mighty country, we are just casualties – collateral damage of the game!

Didi

This Blog is not about Mamta Banerjee,  the honorable CM of WB. This blog just intends to have some jokes aimed at the the way we live and die – for which we dont blame or credit any politician (My parents are just hard working middle class aam aadmi)

So here are some jokes:

Why Monsoon may be week this year?
The eastern part of the monsoon winds will fear crossing an eastern state for fear of arrest. (I am not naming west bengal)

Why is Royal Bengal Tiger going extinct?
Because it didn’t vote for Big Sister hence not allowed to copulate. Also its Royal. (Reference to big brother – getting him to be a female is figment of my imagination)

Why is Shikh Hasina suffering Insomnia?
Beacause  Didi may find Bangaladesh to be a joke and send the entire country to prison. (Reference to Didi of Dexter the animated series)

How is Idi Ameen Translated in Bengali?
Its written as ‘didi’ (Reference to popular TV serial hitler Didi)
 

Justice-Denied

I speak today – because I can, with no guarantees that will it may change anytime. I remain a mango man in a nation with no justice or hope of it.

Today Adnan Patarwala’s killers we acquitted for lack of evidence (and I am not going to use the word accused – for our elected government told so to the court and lost) – it’s the same story over and over again.

Anyone with guts can drive in and kill us – any of us… sometime it would be cronies of Hafiz Saeed that decide that we need not live, sometime it’s the police force of Modi – that decides to let Indian citizens (reffered as Muslims) to get killed, sometimes it’s our friends and family. Under no circumstance can we expect justice.

People who oversaw that post Godhra carnage ( at the very least it was the policing failure) got promoted to DGP of state, those who killed hapless Sikhs in ‘84 went free and those who kill you and me every day will have better life – every day. Us the mango men – will have none.

So what exactly is the problem? Well if I were to murder you, and be accused for the same – I would be charged in FIR in at least a month after the incident, another 6 months will be lost before filing a charge sheet. By this time I would have already secured enough legal points to secure a bail or at least avoid a remand.

Then will come the City magistrate court – which would take 3-5 years to decide. Then there is a High corts and then the Supreme court. At which point I can always appeal like Sukhram for old age. Even if I get punishment – well you would have lived two lives (believing in Hindu cycle of rebirth)  – dying both times  simultaneously being raped and discriminated for being a mango men .

We the people of India should have had deserved better – can we import a sheriff from wild west in exchange for an Italian waitress?

In this Nation people are respected for their high rank, not being superior in their jobs. We work hard to ensure our feudalistic way of life are never challenged. Our institutions are just a cover for incompetantcy to shine in all the wonderful ways.

One such institution that was able to change this cover into armour was Indian armed forces. Personal egos have always clashed in GHQ – with very few places at top – rising criteria was always ass licking than the performance.

But someday this cover was to be blown – Gen VK Singh did it – with the world witnessing a test so serious that threatens you me and everybody.

We have fourth most powerful man in the world challenged on a personal ego by a nobody (in world history as of yet) called AK Anthony. Mr Anthony thinks that in India – govenrments control who is born and when. Well I just became a father and vouch that this is not the case – even mother of nation Sonia Gandhi will have to agree.

Well Mr Anthony – You dont control who get born when – But Indian Army Chief can potentially control who dies in his country and when ( starting our way of life). Do not challenge him on an Institutional basis… because if this institution were to find its life – ours will be scarce. You could have always dismiss him – do it – but don’t fight him on false pretext – you don’t win against professional soldiers in arm wrestling.

As for rest of us – we believe somehow Gen. Singh will spare rest of us – and keep this personal. Otherwise as per article 34 – he could well be the martial law administrator.

Then came the ‘strategic document’ from her boss – Obama – which cited an ally in every one circling China.

US obviously is preparing for the next great game – my guess a ‘pro democracy’ movement in China. Chinese know this but they remain defensive (pretty good at that).

That gets back to us – China relies on its friendship with Pakistan, Iran and North Korea to tide over some stupid overnight efforts by Yankies. Much of the Sino game is our backyard. While Indian mindset remains not so allying with China – wounds of 1962 may be – it might be a time to ponder all over again.

The world is on brink of a major change. US has a major challenge in China and would like us to ally with Washington. China needs friends – they actually have none. And us – well we can’t change our neighbours…

It might just be the right time to reactivate the thought of strategic defense treaty with Russia, China and India.  Come to think – today we can solve almost all our impending (including Aksai Chin) by offering this olive branch. Also it would cut Pakistan at the mercy of US which – post Geronimo cant support them (at least no congress approved aid)

What I am suggesting is our own end game that can solve dispute over Arunachal, Aksai Chin, cut Pakistani ambitions (of Indian downfall), have a strong trading partner (in China), and military support from Moscow.

Of all things – we do know that US works only for one motive – profit. They didn’t go to Europe to fight WW2 till the time they themselves had  a pearl harbor. They can to our region because 9/11 happened. They historically have favoured ‘regimes’ over people and countries. At least our leaders should explore this option… Chinese need us much more than we need them and we can have them at a bargain!

Yesterday Delhi High Court ( Sorry honorable delhi High Court) ruled (more like threatened) Facebook and Google to censor (and obviously invade our privacy) our conversation or thoughts that we put online.

I wish I could spell out my real feelings – but I fear the dreaded ‘contempt of court’. But still its more of a failure of legislature and political mindset  than the court themselves that such a ‘obeservation’ has been delivered.

Courts work towards providing justice within the scope of existing legislations – they may take liberty of interpreting the intentions behind the law but the law itself is the defining rule of the game. That takes us to the fact the Indian laws towards ‘community sesitivities’ are by defination inclined to silence the simmiring dfferences.

If we have two people who don’t agreen with each other – our laws try to gag both instead of promoting a intelligent and insightful debate. And this is not limited our laws – its our collective mindset. Citizens of India often resort to violence to Gag the opponent – from domestic violence to road rage all are the examples of the same… our rules, laws and the Delhi High court obeservation in this case are not different.

However one important point has been missed by legal experts while commenting (or avoiding the comment – fear of Court’s contempt is all prevelant) that Internet is a one to one communication platform. One does not readily see ‘hate’ stories neither on facebook or on Google unless an active effort to find out the same is made.

In effect if someone approaches Indian legal system for having found something offending to his believes, chances are he/she was looking for it. For anyone (except courts – I fear contemp proceedings) it’s  illogical situation. Irrespective what any individual may believe, a seach (not google – real life search) can always get you on the opposite end of that belief. This is not hate content dissimation. Banning Facebook and Google (In China – again not challenging Delhi High Court Decision)  is like banning knife – for people may use it to commit suicide.

Irrespective I may have to start studing Cultural revolution of China – up close and personal for some learned men in India favour China over our 5000 years of cultural openess. The question which still remain is a simple one – will CP be renamed Tiananmen square ???

Manmohan can speak

For last two days we have had a rare event happening, our dear (or at least Madam’s dear) MMS has been speaking in public.

This is not a mean feat – from the guy who reads text like his life depends on reading the verbatim, it’s like betting his life. Today he spoke of need to tackle malnutrition among kids.

I am sure this speech is just a prologue for the national food bill (prepared by the extra constitutional authority – National Advisory Council – headed by Madam). Following is the epilogue for the bill (can also be read as obituary of Indian economy as we knew it)

MMS (Imaginary speech in middle of 2013) :

My fellow citizens, followers of Madam, Followers of Baba, Madam, Baba, Didi, Amma and Behanji – we are faced with a critical situation.

With our food security bill we have been able to feed many still born and already born Indians. In doing so we look forward to a India that is healthy and fit to face our current situation.

We have had to spend 2,000,000,000,000 rupees (USD 40 Billion) to ensure this health. When I see all around me, I find every person to be exceptionally healthy now.

My chief secretory, along with the Chef Secretary of every state, has gained weight. And it doesn’t just stop there – our recent surveys indicate that everyone from Surpunch and BDO upwards has gained weight.

That’s not all – it has also resulted in unexpected windfalls for Luxury item sales and pleasure travels. Not to mention that the spends have also enabled Indians (that we surveyed as above) to own multiple houses and commercial interests.
We have therefore come to a conclusion that a well fed India is a fed up India. If only nutritional requirements can be met in our villages, our cities can buy Porsche, Lamborghini and private jets.

However in doing so our tax collections have gone down as large sums of cash seems to have vanished – although opposition claims that this money changed to black – as the ex-governor of RBI I can assure every citizen that our money does not changes color – it’s just missing.

Because of this missing money our tax collections have gone down and we don’t have any money left. As you might know – no government employee has been payed for last three months. They have collectively gone on strike, we don’t know how to keep things moving.

We tried to implement ESMA but even Security personal – including Armed forces refused to come to duty.

Since it has become impossible to continue as the prime minister of this nation. However my A** is stuck to PM chair with fevicol I hereby dissolve the union – please remember me forever as the person who scripted, and successfully read the obituary of 5,000 year old nation.

Mar gaya Hind !

Right to Education

When Right to Education was first read in highlights I felt happy – almost euphoric and told my wife that at last India got a law that meets need of very foundation of who we are.

While reading the articles (and later the law itself) I felt that good times are here. However now that the act is being implemented two basic questions –

Question 1

Why is government killing a business idea of education? Business of education came into existing because government by its own failures to invest created a need for them. Now the business Idea is being killed – which may put many such schools out of work and our bleeding fiscal coffers cannot support the public spending to replace them.

Yes we liked the government for doing what it did – the same way we appreciate Mohd. Bin Tuglaq’s (also called wisest fool of Indian History)   efforts to shift the capital or to introduce new currency (both of which are failure of gigantic proportions read here)

Question 2

25% reservation in all schools…? I understand the socialistic desire of the government and the directive principle in government, but imposing it will not work.

I was educated to be clerk in this country – almost by luck I ended to be an executive (not much of a difference except I earn more – give more taxes and only work – don’t live). Then there were people (in my batch itself) who were educated to manage business, others were trained to be engineers etc. We  all became what our families wanted us to become. Sadly that remains the case even today.

And it’s the case simply because education system itself is not there to provide guidance & enhance skills – i.e. guidance still comes from family and not from education.

In such cases what the hell are we educating our kids for?

The RTE simply ignores this part ensuring that 25% reservation of poor kids (with families that will hardly be able to provide guidance) to compete against a majority – that will invariably be more successful.

It will breed hostility in lower section of society against the wealth itself – it’s a disaster

Are there any solutions?

To be honest – I don’t know. But that’s because i haven’t given a due diligence. People who drafted a goddamn policy certainly need to do better than a drunk blogger

The latest example is that of minority quota within OBC. I will not go into constitutional validity of this – but political parties – across segments have accomplished a googly that few could forsee.

What are minorities in India?

Muslims – 13.43%

Christians - 2.34%

Sikh – 1.87%

Buddhist – 0.77%

Jains – 0.44%

Then there are others…

So minorities in India are not ‘Muslims’. So if reservation is given to minorities who would benefit?

My bet – its Jains and Christians and why … well see the following literacy rates -

Jains have a Literacy rate of 94.1%, Christians 80.3% compared to Muslims who have just 59.1% rate.

We are practically seeing a rebirth of Meena – OBC dominance in resurgent Christians and Jains by Minority reservation. Muslims have again been fooled – and their Votes secured !

Today Stephen Roach, non -executive chairman at Morgan Stanley, warned that India might add a new chapter to the world in rescission. This was some thing that was not quite in my mind. Come to think – in our part of the world – we are the world. If we fail as an economy, there is no one from Pacific to Indian Ocean who will be safe.

A potential Indian economic failure will also be the failure of Liberty and democracy as we know it. Suddenly the authoritarian and controlled systems of China will be the model for world to succeed. I don’t have anything in person against this – but i do write this blog because i think free. Freedom to choose who you are and what you become (for that matter what becomes of you) is what being a human is all about.

Its also a theological/religious question. I am a Hindu and I believe in all gods of all the civilizations that world can possibly put across to me (for the record i believe in 340 Million of them – i am sure the ones that you believe is a subset or i can add without a significant change to the number). Which means even my believes are inherently tolerant an multifaceted (unlike the present chinese make believe of putting only nation first).

If Indian economy fails its not just the failure of its Industry captains but also of world’s (likely) oldest civilization – and its right to survive in the world of tomorrow. Further the implications themselves are catastrophic.

We need to act and act urgently.

First where are we going wrong?

We are going wrong with our growth patterns. While our growth have been in principle an urban phenomenon – no serious effort to make our growth -’inclusive’ has been made.

While India’s growth over the last couple of decades has been only marginally lower than China’s, the number of people lifted from poverty in India pales into comparison with its Asian neighbor: 70 million for India; 400 million for China. Prof. Sen pointed out in his book, “Development as Freedom,” that the fruits and opportunities of freedom – including freedom to work – can only be had if people have the most basic skills of literacy and numeracy; something hundreds of millions of Indians lack.

Though it is generally held that while primary education in India stinks, higher education is brilliant, this is not entirely true. The top elitist institutions are second to none, for sure, but many – in fact the majority – who graduate from mainstream institutions of “higher learning” are considered unemployable.

Growth has allowed the rich to acquire more private gains, but has hampered the poor by neglecting social public goods, including the very basics of health, nutrition, education and shelter.

So the idea is simple – invest in Schooling. Primary school needs to made and maintained through NREGA funds and be connected back to right to education.

Use the funds further to educate the sections which need ‘social empowerment’ and delete the reservation when this generation graduates.

Have a plan to setup massive ‘professional training institutes’ as the primary school audience educates to secondary and further. Not just 5 year plan – have a plan for 15 years.

Second – Drive the growth from cities

Being rich is NOT BAD. If cities are growing – encourage their growth. You need the revenues from cities to cevelop rest of India. A non inclusive grwth itself is not bad – make that a trailer for the inclusive growth movie that will follow.

Third – Invest in Citizens Happiness

Happiness to average citizens comes from stability and security. Today Indians have been forced to work in trade centers of Mumbai and Delhi for lack of opportunities else where.

If  just the transport infrastructure were to improve, the workers of these cities may easily NOT leave their homes in 250 KM radius. Tokyo can be cited as an example.

Bottomline – Make large cities larger. Begin in investing happiness by lessening internally displaced people. If they remain in their hometowns – communities and culture can pass their happiness further down.

Or just do anything but fail…. please don’t