AAP and the Pied Piper

           Long ago I had written 'A wake up call' stating the need for a change and that a new party should rise with those who had never been in politics before. I believe I weren't alone in thinking that way. There was a glimmer of hope when Anna Hazare started the movement against corruption. But soon he was pushed down from the heights where the very media took him to. Then there was this new kid in the block - Arvind Kejriwal. He had the guts to stand against the giant like David did to Goliath. With the broom stick he swept
the streets of Delhi and showed Congress where they belong. But at end, when the war has been won, the hero seems to be throwing away the mantle and running away. The actions that followed have sown some serious thoughts in my mind. I doubt if people of Delhi have been royally fooled by this new bunch.

         I really wished if this party had the chance of governing the state because of their manifesto. But now I feel it was more like the manifestos any other party has ever released saying they'll do this and that for the people which will be followed by some more promises at the next election. We've seen enough of it. We were all fed up with the Congress due to corruption and it was then BJP rose with the banner 'party with a difference,' only to prove themselves to be worse than the other. Seems like history has repeated with a new difference.

          When I look at the outcome of the recent Delhi election, beyond the anger on Congress and the 'Modi' factor, what played a crucial role was the bait AAP threw. If the new party could eat into the vote share of Congress, sweeping it away like a whirlwind, wouldn't it be because of the promises AAP made? Free water and half-priced power - who wouldn't be tempted? AAP came out with the most unrealistic of promises as Arun Jaitley and Sheila Deekshit pointed out, if I'm not wrong. Of late I have a feeling that Kejriwal's intention was just to make sure that the government fall and not actually to form an ideal government. That is what I feel by his decision of not forming government even after getting so much of support.

          If Kejriwal had a real intention of giving a proper governance he should have taken the support, may it be of BJP or Congress, and formed the government. Saying that Congress and BJP are both corrupt and hence won't take their support is meaningless. If so he shouldn't have even contested and taken votes because he can never say that it was only those who are perfect in every way that voted for him. I don't think even he himself is perfect in everything, forget about those who voted. If his intention was right he should have headed the government and proved what he could do. When he says he is ready for another election is he not blowing away the money of those who donated with so much enthusiasm and above all the trust they put on him? Wouldn't it be a waste of public money more than anything else? Is he not running away from the responsibility that has been entrusted on him by the public?

          More than anything, the reason for the running away I feel is because he knows very well that the promises he made at the time of election is false and unrealistic. He would have released such a manifesto thinking he can drain away people from voting for those in power since they were so frustrated with corruption. But he never would have thought that his manifesto had the power to lure people into it like a magnet. Who would want to say no when promised with green pastures? Of course all these years every party did the same, but not to fool people to such an extent. And now that the unexpected happened, and people opted for him, he might be thinking that if he takes it up he'll have to fulfill the promises. Being a former IRS officer he should be knowing the realities at least to some extent.

         If Kejriwal really meant proper governance he should have staked claim and formed the government. In such an instance he need not succumb to the pressure of those who supports him. He can always do the right and show what it is meant to be clean governance. If such a government falls under pressure, doing what is right and just, people will surely stand by them. And if an election is held then they can come in  full power because people would have realized that they mean business. Their performance in the coming months would have given them a real base in the national arena as well as a run up to general elections. But if they are running away from doing so, then they are only cheating those who worked hard for them. I only wish if they take the mantle, prove me wrong in doubting them, and show the world what it means by GOVERNMENT.

Namo Namaha

NaMo, the third time Chief Minister when I write this, the man who is said to have changed the face of Gujarat, projected by media and many Indians as the future PM of India – is he the right one to lead India? Well, I’m not the right person to answer it, being a non-voter, but the general public of our nation. We need to wait and see what is in store.

When the world is getting ready to accept him as the future PM of our nation, especially with US and other nations reconsidering their stands on his visa, I have my own reservations about his candidature due to various reasons. Here I’m penning down few of the reasons.

The foremost reason why I find it hard to see him in the post is his dictatorship. India being a democratic nation it’ll be almost impossible for him to do anything at all. He may be able to reign in his state with his muscle power. But how can he ever manage India as a whole, especially with everyone wanting freedom from even their own people. The recent Telengana issue speaks a volume about it.

Those who are shouting from the top of their voices and those who wish very badly to see him in the post will one day curse themselves or at least will wish if that had never happened.  The Yeddiyurappa episode will only be just a precedent. His own people would want to get rid of him one day, the reason being every person wants to be on top.

When I say about danger, it is for various reasons. Bravery is good, which Modi is said to have, but wisdom is what is required to take us forward as a nation. Bravery will end up in destruction whereas wisdom will bring prosperity. Many bravehearts think he has the capability to take us for a war against Pakistan. But what about the consequences? Is patriotism all about hating other nations than loving our nation? We live at peace now. Won’t a war take away all that we have earned so far?

For that matter, I seriously doubt the bravery of the so called hero. Is he really a braveheart? What makes me doubtful about his bravery is his stance on the Gujarat riots. I have no idea what really happened. In this era of paid news we cannot trust anything. Yet in his case there are two sides to it. If he was brave to the likes of Hitler to mastermind the massacre isn’t he a coward who runs away without accepting it? On the other hand if he’s innocent isn’t he nothing but a false hero being carried on the shoulder by those who think he is the mastermind? Both ways he doesn’t seem to have any substance. He still lives in a shadow not able to confront it. Majority of them who supports him are in a dream world, blinded by emotions. This is evident from the words and deeds of almost all the Modi fans. They cannot digest the truth. I’ve realized this as few of my own friends, who knows me well, thinks of me as a different person than what I am, though I always make my stance clear. Though they are well educated they still cannot understand realities. If they cannot believe what I am telling about myself, how can they ever understand or believe other things?

When it comes to diplomacy, Modi will be an utter failure unless he changes himself. And if he changes then there will be no difference between him and others. I would like to point out the Kandahar incident. The self-proclaimed ‘patriots’ who always spoke about teaching a lesson had to bend their knees. I won’t call it as a failure because that’s what diplomacy is. A war is not the answer. But the Modi fans won’t understand that.

Speaking about changing himself, I feel he is a person who betrays his own people to fulfil his ambitions. It is evident from the Sadbhavana rallies and the makeover he’s trying to achieve. He may be able to fool most of them, but still he’ll be alienating himself from at least few of his own fans with an eye on the coveted post. Maybe few of them will realize it one day, but others will still remain blind as their fancies will remain as it is. But the reality will be that he would make them a fool who considers him as a hero.

Coming to Gujarat as the hub of development under him, I can only look at the hype with doubt, like the ‘Indian Rambo’ story. When we think of that development, I wonder how he could boast of it as it’s not too long ago that there was money pouring in from all corners of the world when an earthquake hit the state. Why is it that he couldn’t manage it himself? And why is it that he still takes funds from Centre, especially as it had been the centre of all industries, rich in natural resources and even the hub of diamonds since ages? 

Though media projects Gujarat to have been developed so much under him I never found Gujarat fare anywhere in national level when it comes to the available data. I did a search for the top most states in all available spheres, but couldn’t find Gujarat anywhere in the first three, especially in terms of literacy, health and even GDP. Of course there is no doubt that Gujarat has developed under him. But at the same time even those states that were considered backward not more than five years ago fares better than Gujarat. Being Chief Minister for three consecutive years won’t make him any better because there are others who had been in the post more than that.

Ruling a state is different from ruling a country. It’s like the frog in the well story. One needs proper understanding of how things happen. Otherwise it’ll be how I thought in my childhood that the best way to eliminate poverty is by printing money and distributing it to all.

Of course I don’t rule out that anyone can do who has a strong will, but not without patience to listen. To lead a country like India one needs to take into confidence at least a large section, though not everyone, considering the diverse culture and above all be really wise than brave.

Ration Card

The world has developed a lot in terms of technology. But often I wonder if I'm living in stone age. The whole system and how worse they plan is once again exposed the way how ration cards are distributed.

         I applied for ration card online and had to take everyone from my family to a cyber center to get my photographs taken. Though I could have taken a photograph  using even my cell phone far, far better than the cyber center web cam, or use any of the photographs I have of mine and my family members', with so much computer knowledge I wonder the reason why all of us had to take the pain of going all the way to get it done. Well, maybe the government want revenue in terms of our travel expense and also help the cyber center people to earn some extra bucks at the same time earn some extra illegal income by the officials in allotting necessary permission to those cyber centers, seems to be some logical conclusions that I can get into. I wish if I could send good photographs of mine and my family members at the comfort of sitting at home. But above that the thought of poor people and also those who are handicapped ran through my mind. Those who struggle to earn a living had to leave their daily bread and go to such a place paying for travel as well as some amount to the cyber center. Of course Rs. 5/- per person at the cyber center is nothing for me, but what about a family of four who earns 100 or 200 bucks a day?

All praise to technology, I got an SMS asking me to go the taluk office, situated 20 km away from home, and collect it. I set off the journey through the pothole filled roads, keeping aside my 20 hour daily schedule, and reached there to see a long winding queue that stretched from 2nd floor to ground floor. I joined the queue and after long someone said they had issued 500 coupons and those without them won't be considered. Ah, what a waste of time. With no other option I had to return thinking how better they could have done if they had sent the coupon number by SMS. At least they could have announced the procedures or put a notice board detailing it. After all I shouldn't complain knowing very well where on earth I live.

I went back another day but to face the same. Some said people come at 3 in in the morning. Thoughts of poor people who has to struggle struck my conscience again. Why is it that there is no proper enquiry counter? Wouldn't it create job opportunity? Why things are not planned properly? Logics over ruled.

Now that the deadline is over I gave up the hope of a ration card. Of course a ration card gives me nothing more than an address proof for my entire family. Beyond that it serves no purpose for me. But what about those who belong to BPL and very much depend on it.

Anyway, as expected there was another SMS stating that deadline is extended for another 5 days. Not withstanding the fact that I've already lost 2 days I decided to take the risk of losing another day. Like the previous days I went and stood in the queue. Those who were in the queue told me that the coupons are issued near the room where the card is being distributed. I went near the room and finally managed to ask someone who seems to be controlling the crowd. He asked me to go and stand in the queue. 

I'll be losing another day. But this time I was determined and came back and stood in the queue making up my mind to stay till the end and figure out how things unfurl. I saw many people joining the queue of which some stayed and others went around trying to figure out the procedures and many leaving as they ran out of patience. No one had any idea how it works. Finally I saw a man coming and issuing coupons. I felt lucky for getting the coupon # 296 as he announced only 300 coupons are issued and rest of them can go back home. Those who didn't get the coupon had to go back.

Waiting in the queue for long I had more than enough time to reflect on many things. The building though seemed new was looking like a haunted place with filth all around. There were waste strewn all around and the corners looked like spittoons.  I saw people from different strata of society, the young, the old, the sick, the handicapped, people from different religion, caste and creed, the poor and the middle class. Of course some were missing, maybe cus they can't afford to come out of their AC buildings and SUVs. When they can buy even injustice with money why should they bother about these silly matters.

The office was situated at the second floor. I felt pity on the handicapped who still struggled to make it over there. There were sick people, there were old people who couldn't even walk. There were ladies, both old and young with kids, and some pregnant. Most of them were standing in the queue without food and water. Who cares? Wouldn't it have been better if there was a lift to take care of these kind of people, or at least keep such offices on ground floor. Is it that some enjoy even by troubling others? Well, logics ruled out. Inefficiency and poor planning rules the whole system. In a selfish world why should we think of others' plight?

Time went by. Saw many people join the queue and many leave. Wanted to inform those who joined later that there is no point standing in queue. But like others I too kept quite. I felt I'm not doing the right thing by not letting them know, but not for long. I saw this person who issued coupon around. I expected him to inform those people. But he was just standing there and chatting to some. Maybe it's an entertainment for him to watch people. Many people being left, many people still moving around clueless, he suddenly started issuing coupons. If he had to issue coupons why didn't he do earlier? He himself announced they won't issue coupons and here he is issuing it again. What about those who stood in the queue for long and left? Had he informed wouldn't they have been benefited. What about the time and money they lost by coming all the way and returning empty handed? He stood there all the while enjoying others suffer. What an entertainment! And who cares? Logics over ruled.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/312683/chaos-reigns-ration-card-distribution.html

A wake up call

Everything that was once made for good has turned to be for the worse. Politics stands out beyond anything. If you think it doesn't matter to you, then you are utterly wrong. No matter how much you run away from it one day you will be hunted down. Negligence is the path to self-destruction. This is a wake up call. Respond before you are hit really hard. You ignore this warning, blame yourself. But regrets won't change anything. 

Most of us have our likes and dislikes based on various factors. No matter how hard you follow a political party, the ground reality is that ideologies are fast eroding, non-existent to be precise, and you can see nothing beyond filth. People are blinded by money, power, religion, caste and creed that they don't see realities. They are ready to kill and die, enslaved by the whims and fancies of power-hungry politicians. There's nothing beyond hatred and divisions that they create.

At a time when we have different parties with different ideologies it is high time we have a new party with new ideologies which is good for the people. Politics these days is deep neck in corruption and violence. Common man always has to bear the brunt, not knowing where to turn to. Every party these days mould young leaders and all they teach is lawlessness. The goodness of everyone is far forgotten. This situation leads to the thought of a new-generation politics that stands for the people with righteousness and justice.

Do you really know the ideologies and policies of the party that you follow? Have you ever tried to understand it? If you know it, have you ever given it a thought of how good or bad it is, not in terms of those who propagate and even yourself, but what is right in the real sense? Does it bring unity and peace? At least now please give it a thought.

Development for tomorrow

Recently there was the eviction of families of Economic Weaker Section staying in Ejipura by BBMP for the development of the property and for a multi-storied building. An old lady, who had to stay in an open tent as her shanty was demolished, reportedly died due to cold. Another woman, who's husband is unemployed due to asthma and has a son studying in Xth, threatened to immolate herself. Thousands have lost their their homes. Where will they go?

When we see the developments happening in the city I often wonder how much more foolish can the planning department be. Is there no one who has some commonsense? They plan for tomorrow without thinking of today. Every planning is done for tomorrow and is completed the day after. But by then we need another planning to overcome the problems of that day. Public seems to have lost all senses on what's happening around. If Viswesvaraya were to be alive today he would have hung himself.

Every road is dug up on the pretext of development works such as metro, road widening, fly-overs, underpass and what not. But why is there no alternative thought about before starting these works? The roads are in such horrible state that vehicles move through places where there is no road at all because where there was road once is just mud now. City roads look like mud roads in villages we have seen decades back.

These development works are done keeping in mind vehicular movements in the current year or maybe 2 years later. But by the time these projects are completed it'll become useless because by then the number of vehicles would've doubled. What is the point in these developments if this is the condition? It is good that we suffer today for a better tomorrow. But what if we have to suffer even tomorrow? We live neither today nor tomorrow. These developments are not only a waste of money and time for everyone but also a nuisance.

I only wish if there was any political party that think of the people than their leaders' greed for money, so that we can live today as well as have a better tomorrow. Alternate roads could've been made before digging up existing roads. As for the Ejipura residents, they should have been provided food and shelter before pulling down their shelters. It could have been done step by step, if not by evacuating and bringing down the whole area at once. All we need is a change in the current political structure and people who has got some sense.