Politics and the senselessness of it all

Of late I have found myself writing more than I have in the last couple of years. Let me rephrase, I am posting a lot more, not writing, because I am now writing of things that I am comfortable sharing. There have been research pieces and thought pieces that I have written in the last couple of years that unfortunately I am hesitant to share in public because I was advised that I sometimes write on topics so controversial that posting in my own name may not be good for me professionally. So, taking that advise I have been selective on what I have posted.

One of the many topics that has interested me over the years has been history. Another one has been politics. In fact, I started writing this blog because I was so frustrated with the affairs of governance of my second home city in the world, London. Well, I will admit that I was a Boris Johnson supporter then. Don’t judge me, hindsight is always 20/20. I then covered the Indian elections for a US website, and I had some very firm views as well. But over the course of the last decade, this is the first time I find myself completely disinterested in politics. I am not indifferent. I am just not drawn to discussions or to writing of what I think. And that is what I want to write about today. Why am I suddenly so disinterested in the polity of the world?

Can anyone point out a single speech, given by a single world leader barring maybe Angela Merkel that talks of thought leadership or is toned with dignity and grace? I would love to hear or read something in that shape and form. The last that I could remember the same was when he had a PV Narasimha Rao, an Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a Lady Thatcher, a Barrack Obama and most recently a Merkel. Of course, this is in my opinion that they had thought leadership and grace and dignity. That some of their decisions may not be right is not the point of contention. Yet slander, arrogance and crassness were not their methodology. I can say the same for Arun Shourie who I had the chance of hearing in person and meeting in person too. It left a great mark on me, a mark of an intellectually honest and dignified politician. The question I am asking now is if he actually is a politician!

Let me leave out the entire four years of oratory of the orange. I think we can all agree that it sometimes stymied the mind into numbness; but we must respect that there was a voting population that liked that agenda or propaganda whatever you may call it. If I want to be heard, then they deserve their voice too. If it soaked my brain with chloroform, it was my problem and mine to deal with. Those who thought otherwise definitely had the right to elect the leader they thought fit. However, I remained uninspired and well that was away from the shores of this ancient land called India. So let me examine what has happened here…

Let me start with the engineer. Someone who started as the representative of the educated middle class wanting to change the system from within. Educated at a premier institute of the nation he showed the light for the youth. Maybe there was hope but then he won the capital city state of India in a turn of events that was less than dignified. Yet the fact that he gave the historically powerful a run for their money is commendable. I would have thought that his first term, sitting in the opposition, would not only have been more graceful but may also have had provided a ground for training. That did not happen. Instead, now in these elections, the man has gone completely senseless. His latest remarks had me scratching my head for a while and I still did not see what he wanted to convey other than sway the public by calling himself the disciple of a freedom fighter. He was retorting to alleged allegations of him being called a terrorist and said that just like the British called the great Bhagat Singh a terrorist. the corrupt politicians of the country were calling him, a disciple of Bhagat Singh a terrorist.

So here are my questions to him – what are the ideals of Bhagat Singh that he has deployed to date? How come the fact that he considers Bhagat Singh a guru only being propagated today? Allegations of corruption have been made against him as well. He is also a politician. So, is he saying he is calling himself a terrorist? And then his tweet calls himself a “sweet terrorist”. Really! This is because he claims to have done a lot of work on education and healthcare. If that were the case, then why did the state of Delhi suffer severe oxygen shortage in the second wave, and he could only finger pointing but not secure oxygen for hospitals starving patients of their breath! Let me forget the past. For the current elections, why is there no discussion on the statistical improvement done and how that will be implemented in the next states where his party is fighting for elections. All this emotional barfing is no different from what we have done since years to confuse the electorate! What had emerged as a potential beacon of hope was just a shooting star that has lost its shine and been enveloped in the darkness of the universe that it floats in.

Next in line are our great leaders from the political party that has a family legacy. The total discord and discontent in that family run party is now well known and the intelligent minds are somewhere idling in the background as the next generation is trying to use the family name and fame to influence the voters once again. But look at how their comments shape up –Punjab should be run by Punjabis but UP people are not interested in coming and ruling Punjab! Really, we want someone to “rule” someone in this day and age! Their mindset is still as if they were the rulers and the rest of the citizens the subjects. Have they really forgotten that this is a socialist, sovereign, democratic republic! What more can be an insult to the constitution of this nation whose first PM was the family and party patriarch! But the emotional electorate does not notice the nuance. Unfortunately, my analytical pea sized brain does and gets fogged all over again.

While this party talks about the current party in power dividing on basis of religion they have adopted divide and conquer on their own agenda. Just that they are camouflaging it as women empowerment. Free rides for women passenger in government buses and 40% reservation for government jobs is nothing but luring a gender based on promises that have weak economic basis and potential to fracture the society on yet another level which is gender. While I may have to content that all politics is luring the vote bank; what irks me the most is the very emotionally twisted mythology loaded delivery of the message. While clamouring that there is a rise of Hindutva, they use the same Hindu mythology to demonise the current government. Double standards like this once again misses the masses whose emotions are heightened, and I am stumped by this irony.

These speeches and promises are not all serious. The next one had me in splits. This is from the so called third front, an unsaid coalition of sorts of all other parties who would like to make it to the governing seats and earn their share too. One of the leaders said the following – a train with 70 seats takes 300 passengers and is not fined so why is there a fine if there are three people on a bike? The man in question went ahead to promise that if his party was voted in then they would allow three people on bike to ride else fine the trains! I am still laughing out loud. I mean centre of gravity, space, road safety, none of this comes to mind of anyone writing or hearing this speech. Just use any analogy to make a statement that can be inciting! That seems to be the way that every politician approaches interactions with the citizens.

And lastly it comes down to those who were voted into power the last time both at the centre and as the governing party for the largest state of the country. I completely lost all faith in them when the chief minister of the largest state, after the second wave, said that anyone who claims that there were deaths due to lack of oxygen in the state should be imprisoned as that is fake news. Having lost a direct reportee in that state due to lack of oxygen, due to the complete apathy of the government, due to the restrictions imposed on RTPCR testing; all I can say is that someone who cannot admit their mistake but still wants to roar with rage has lost my vote and thus my interest. He has the complete confidence of the party leaders and it baffles me. I cannot seem to digest this.

While the world of Indian and global polity engages with citizens in this, what for me is unintelligent fashion, I have chosen to invest my brain power elsewhere. I would like to be able to lead a life that is productive and has a positive impact on the people I interact with. I will do my duty and vote and when I do that, I will take an informed decision. Till then I will enjoy this wonderful life with more exciting and less constricting avenues.  

Making India Work

Over the years I have a rule that I have followed consistently, in professional forums I do not comment on issues that are unrelated to either the topic at hand or which are outside the realm of my professional existence. However, a few days ago, for the first time ever, I broke my own rule.  

I have now been working in India for six years and have spent an equal amount of time in services and manufacturing. The one thing I have come to acknowledge is, a number of individuals have overcome humungous obstacles to achieve a standard of living that their parents could only dream of. Some of their stories give me goose bumps, each time I recount them. So whether it is the story of my colleague whose parents could not read and write but she is a finance professional today, or the story of the young man who moved from the village not knowing English, worked as a peon, attended night college to complete his bachelors and learn English, and then joined one of India’s largest private banks; every accomplishment makes me salute their spirit and achievements. The other thing I have come to appreciate is that while we may all have our differences, when any one of us is in need, the rest of us stand behind, solid as a rock. Recently, a colleague lost his ailing mother. He was out of town and sent an sms. That was all that was needed for the team to brave the torrential Mumbai rains, reach his house, help with all the formalities and last rite preparations and on top of it ensure that he took a flight which even with a delay would get him home in time. This extended support system is rarely seen in other cultures.

 Having said that, I must also admit, the one thing that agonises me the most is the tendency of Indians (me included, I am an Indian and proud to be one) to find someone else responsible for all the woes. Somewhere, accountability for our actions and responsibility for their consequences misses us by miles and miles. And it was a lamenting on similar lines when I decided to break my rule. On the topic of current GDP scenario, one gentleman started his rant on how Indians are intolerant, how the government is ineffective and how the media is irresponsible. After listening to him for five minutes, I had to ask – who are the intolerant Indians, who elects the ineffective government and who reads or watches the irresponsible media without ever writing to the Information and Broadcasting ministry? And then every citizen turns around and says, “what can I do all by myself”; and every time I have the same response, “every drop contributes to making the ocean”. Why do we hesitate to stop littering in public places? Why do we not go and vote even if it is NOTA? Why can we not stop reading and watching the overtly sensational media pretending to give us news and information? If each one of us takes the responsible step, we can usher in change. If we keep waiting for someone else to lead, then we will just have to make do with what we have!

Single person bringing in a different era - Idealistic? Maybe. Honest? Absolutely.  Not impactful? Not at all.

 Idealistically, the freedom struggle is quoted by many as an example of how ordinary citizens contributed to the nation gaining independence. Honest individuals have demonstrated, in recent times, how one person’s quest can lead to positive change – so be it Jessica Lal’s sister who finally got the country to rally behind her and get justice for her sister, or be it the story of how Popatrao Baguji Pawar’s foresight and efforts ensured that Hiware Bazar in the drought prone Maharashtra district of Ahmednagar became the only place in this year’s drought to be breathing; there are multiple incidents of one person creating an impact that can improve thousands of life. Yes these individuals could have waited for someone else but they did not. And yes they needed that every someone else to take some accountability and responsibility, and work with them, to achieve the end result!  

 Historians are writing eulogies about how great a nation we were. I believe, we are still a great nation, with inspiring citizens all around us. All we need is to rise to the occasion and create the consciousness that each one’s prosperity and happiness will only add to that of the others. If there is more money with a larger group of people, there will be more money for everyone eventually (an economic discussion that is for another post maybe). If there is greater harmony, there will be lesser strife. If there is more empathy, there will be fewer intolerance episodes. But none of this can come from the rule of law or from a dictate of any specific individual. This has to come from the individuals who form the civic society and only then will it be sustainable.

Louis L’Armour has summarised my thought beautifully, “To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers."

The Attitude Called Indian Democracy

Democracy has me stumped. I have been trying to figure out what it means for years together now. My inability to do so had me read history, read dictionaries and even put out a poll to my friends with four options hoping that a consensus would lead me to my destination. Nothing helped and I kept thinking and searching till I realized that this seeming endless search was my answer. Democracy is the flexibility of adapting to the times in order to stay the course. It permits that we change gears, alter the pace and even change tracks. All it expects is that we stay the course.

In India we say we celebrate democracy and yet the country is in a flux. Is it because we are not flexible any longer or have we lost our course? I think it is a mix of both.

The politicos and the law makers are an elitist club that has grown accustomed to a comfort zone. With the experience of the most highly placed leaders comes a particular way of doing things. The age separates them from the desires of world’s youngest democratic population. Flexibility is restricted and vision blurred. With the privileges and the inheritance bestowed upon the younger political honchos there is a chasm between their ideas and reality. The course is thus awry but flexibility plentiful to reach the top. Every new idea that can help us as a nation needs to be shaped and implemented by this collective group that evidently is disconnected with majority of the population.

Those who can make a difference are the urban, educated and aware youth. But we seem to be weary already. Not many of us are flexible to join the services (IAS, IFS, IPS etc.) that connect with the common man and shape policy. We are fixated with the private sector, and rightly so, as we want to improve our standard of living. Consequently the services are being staffed with a majority that is there not by choice but by inevitability. We are hesitant in voting and do not believe in the slow process of weeding out the unwanted with our vote. We cry for our rights and demand that we be looked after and yet every day we forget that we have an obligation of honesty, opinion and productive expression to democracy. Thus the onus to shape the nation is on shoulders who are shirking the very responsibility of altering the future of this nation.

In the last few months the Anna Hazare campaign has taken the nation by a storm. He is being credited to the point of paralyzing government policy indecision. People’s emotions, their support and their expression and extrapolation are all first time events for India of this century. I do not support Anna Hazare but I endorse his spirit and salute him for demonstrating to the people of India that one man can indeed make a difference. He has rallied the rural, urban, young, old, rich and poor Indians across religions to gather together and voice their frustration. If he can do it, if Arvind Kejriwal could get us a new law,the why can the honest, educated, well meaning, hard working youth not? People coming together in support of Anna Hazare are from myriad backgrounds but with one desire, to see honest and transparent dealing in all actions of those who are sitting as our representative. All the young working professionals have too many daily triumphs and battles in common which bring us to a common base camp. All that we need to do from here is work hard and together to be able to summit the peak of change.

Every successful summit requires courage, perseverance, guidance and a little bit of luck. We are amongst the world’s youngest countries with the world paying attention to every economic political move that we make. We have an incredibly rich history replete with heroes and role models to provide for inspiration. If we find it within ourselves to learn from our ancestors and positively maneuver the world to focus on us, lady luck will be unable to run away from us. Founders of independent India have left us the incredible legacy of a constitution. A framework that upholds equality, freedom and justice for all; and provides us the guidance that we need to help govern a nation so diverse. Only if we took time to read through it would we know that new laws and agencies are not required. We only need to strengthen the constitution, tweak parts of the Indian penal code, assume responsibility to make the representatives more accountable and to start our climb. Once we find that courage to start and work diligently with perseverance, we will easily summit the change we so eagerly await.

This is a time for India to change. This is a time for Indians to change. This is a time to change our mindset and take responsibility for all actions. We are at the end of the day a 45 year old country. For how long can we keep blaming the 60 pluses in parliament for our woes? Surely if we are smart enough to create an Infosys, win the Grammy and the Oscars, go buy and run Western iconic companies and once in a while even win a cricket World Cup; surely we are able enough to learn the ropes and steer our own nation successfully in the direction of prosperity, peace and harmony. This is the time for the youth of India to awaken and realize that their time to create history has come. We need to show our might in hard work and affirmative action. We need to engage in and explore polity, debate and discuss policy, vote for and veto in twenty first century Indian democracy. We are a great nation and the time has come to prove it. If we cannot change our destiny no one else will.

We Don't Need No Legislation

I was in London the last week and hence missed the hoopla in the country with Anna Hazare’s fast unto death. I was back in the country for a few hours on Saturday and all I could read and hear was how this one man had given the country some hope of seeing lower dishonesty. I was not convinced; not with Anna Hazare’s spirit but with the suggested course of action, the bill itself. Call me a skeptic, call me a cynic; I just do not believe that another law in this country will actually help reduce corruption. The only thing it will do is generate employment – first for those who help the committee research the draft and then for those who become a part of the Lokpal. In fact if the Lokpal is set up it will bejust another way of exploitation and influencing.

These thoughts were loitering in the corners of my brain cells on Saturday night as I queued outside the airport waiting to get in for my next international flight. Suddenly the lingering thoughts burst to the forefront. There were two youngsters praising Anna and cursing the politicians. It was not their chatter that got my sleepy thoughts to wake up and skip around. It was their actions. As they spoke of the rampant treachery in the nation, they were trying to jump the queue. I was amused with the hypocrisy. I encountered the duo yet again at the security check, scurrying around to see how they could move ahead of turn once more.

This attitude and insincerity is what makes me a believer that legislation will not be effective in reducing or ridding the country of corruption. The interest around Anna Hazare’s fast probably benefited the media the most and the telecom company as some attention has been diverted away, finally! The rest of us will talk of this for a while and then move on to being who we are – finding the quickest route possible to achieve our goals.

Aboard my flight I was fighting my time zone clash and decided to watch a movie. I stumbled across a Naomi Watts film, Fair Game. The film is based on the autobiography of an ex-CIA covert agent, Valerie Palmer, who at the time of the US attacking Iraq was almost about to prove that there were no WMD in Iraq. As the invasion started, her husband, an ex-ambassador to Niger started questioning the government’s motives. In order to divert attention away from the tough questions that were posed, the White House made the couple a pawn. Valerie’s cover was blown, her credibility and track record trashed and her husband was made to look like an anti-American. The world knows today that there were no WMD in Iraq but there is a lot of Oil. If the White House could stoop to abysmal levels only to safeguard the President’s ratings and cover up the lies; I am sure that less powerful people, hungrier for power could stoop to lower levels. With resources and might on their side, a legislation will only be a small hurdle. Yes, I was all along thinking of the Lokpal bill.

Corruption is prevalent world over. The difference in India is that we see it blatantly in our faces every single day. That does not mean that we condone it or do not work to rid society of this ill. However, legislation can never work in the absence of willingness. Valerie Palmer and her husband decided to take the challenge head on and speak the truth. They did not succumb to the might of the White House. Anna Hazare did not worry about himself or how would his actions be received by the government. He believed that it was his duty to bring attention to the rampant corruption in the country and the need to address it and so he fearlessly forged ahead with his mission. It is fortitude that got the system to pause and pay attention. It was his sincerity and courage that got the nation to support him, however, the spirit that he would probably like to see (in my view) is probably absent; my point in case being the duo at the airport.

Legislation can work when there is a need to enforce a right, for e.g. the right to vote or the right to religion. Legislation cannot replace ethics, moral conduct or righteousness. So there can be a legislation that provides citizens with the right to query processes and get information, however, then it is up to law and lawmakers to enforce justice. Giving powers to a centralized committee to enforce “justice” in case of corruption related issues only provides an opportunity for the influential to exert pressure on one body rather than fight their ills through the system. We need to acknowledge that in any form or shape, the center of power and influence will remain the same. To bring change we need to change that core. To strengthen and alter that foundation we as citizens need to speak fearlessly and acknowledge our duties. Our primary obligation and most powerful right is the right to vote. If we execute this duty sincerely and sensibly, in time we will be able to rid the system of the leeches it has come to harbor. Our right to free speech and expression is what we need to capitalize on and not rest till the guilty are brought to justice. Numerous examples exist where with the help of truth and media, the aggrieved have secured justice. Yes there is a cost attached to all this. The cost of giving up some of our own comforts, of acknowledging that the blame game needs to start with self and of respecting that the rights that are ours are equally those of the other billion citizens of the country.

It has become fashionable to blame the government for every difficulty that we face. It has equally become a fashion to heap praises on someone who speaks against the system (rightly or wrongly). Grumbling and washing our dirty linen in public has become second nature to us Indians. We need to stop that, pause, reflect and then take a steadier course where we are in not a hurry to reach our final destination. In pace will come sensibility and responsibility. In stride will come the innate ability to render obligations, shoulder responsibilities and apportion credits. It is our country and it is up to us to shape its future. We can either speed into chaos or walk into prosperity. The choice is ours. No legislation can give it or take it from us.

Should there really be a dispute on the Ayodhya Land?

Tomorrow is the big day. The verdict on who the disputed land in Ayodhya belong to will be given by the Allahabad High Court on 24th September 2010. Who can claim that it is their God who should be granted residence on that spot? Which set of believers will have the opportunity to pray on that holy spot? These are questions that are riling up Indians and creating anxiety amongst citizens. Corporates have issued travel warnings. Tension is in the air in cities that saw riots due to the Babri Masjijd issue almost 18 years ago. And I am wondering on the necessity of all of this.

I have been brought up to believe that there is one God. I mean seriously. Think about it. If a corporation cannot function with a co-head structure, if teams need only one leader to guide them towards efficient productive working style and if countries can only take one prime minister or president; is it possible that the world can run as smoothly as it is with more than one God directing the play on planet earth? Impossible that there are more than one God. At least my little brain believes and lives by this theory.

So taking my theory forward, if there is one God; does it really matter whether there is a Ram temple or a Babri Masjid that is constructed on that holy spot! No one is advocating the creation of a casino or a bar or anything that would be considered disrespectful to God. And there is no barring Muslims praying in temples or Hindus praying in a mosque. So I can pray to God at the holy spot irrespective of what place of worship it is.

Should it really matter in what shape is God represented there? Should it matter how the place of worship is addressed? I am a daughter to my parents, a sister to my siblings, a friend to my friends and a colleague to my co-workers. I live many relationships and carry out my duties and responsibilities according to each relationship. It does not change the essence of who I am. And I am but a mere mortal with many a flaw. So if I am recognized as my own person by people, despite the varied relations I share; why can we not accept God as one. He is at the end of the day the Supreme being. The one who is all compassionate and loving. Why do we need to fight over His identity! Do we have our own identities taken care of to fight over how He is represented!

Be it Hinduism or be it Islam or any other religion; love is supposed to be the biggest prayer that human beings can offer to God. Will we really be doing our duty and rendering fair prayers on a spot that is created after spilling blood and spreading hatred? In my view, it will defeat the very essence of God and religion. Why can we not channel our energies for better purposes remains a mystery to me. One that I try to slow unravel everyday; second by second and step after step. I am but a small speck in the world and a cog in the wheel. However, if I make any sense to even one of you, my humble request is that let the cogs work together to run the wheel rather than go in our own directions and tear it apart.

The Present and Future of Indian Politics

As a child, I had the unique fortune of living in a township adjacent to a village, witnessing the simple lives that majority of Indians lead. There were two predominant sources of employment for the community – agriculture and the township’s factory. There were two temples and a mosque in the village and there were varied castes living in the community. There were just two schools where children from all walks of life went and interacted with each other. There was one hospital in the township that catered to the needs of all the people in the vicinity. It was a harmonious existence and the child in me thought that the world was as peaceful as our rural community.

The normal and mundane life of the little village was interrupted on very few occasions. The most vivid memories that I have of such events are of the visits of passing by politicians, stopping to use the guest accommodations of the factory. Those visits were like weddings – the cooks were busy preparing delicacies, security staff shunted around ensuring decorum and safety, flower arrangements adorned the guest house building and all senior factory officials with their wives were in attendance. The drama made no sense to me and the importance of the visiting Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers and Home Ministers etc. escaped my eight year old brain. They might have been important people but never struck me as intelligent and powerful office holders.

Gifted and authoritative to me were the collectors and the other Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers, who visited our township and held intense discussions over rather normal meals, without elaborate displays. Despite the humour and light conversation, ironically the lack of fanfare to me was an indication of the respect that they commanded. That they interacted effortlessly and directly with all the inhabitants of the rural community made them real and humane. These were the people, who I thought, really cared about the community. Reality struck gradually as I grew up and moved out of that little cocoon in to the real world. Today, having lived in a number of Indian cities and abroad, I definitely have a wider perspective.

The upcoming 2009 elections, however, have refreshed my memories and I am forced to think that maybe my child brain was correct to a large extent. The political leadership in India is indeed about self promotion and self profit. There is mass exploitation of people’s sentiments, with all promises made at the beginning and none even remotely fulfilled at the end of the ministerial tenure. Take the example of the local candidates in the holy city of Tirupati. They are busy distributing gold coins worth INR 3,000, with Lord Balaji embossed on them, to the public. The aim is to use the religious sentiments of the populace to strengthen the vote bank! Or take the example of the Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena chief, who tried to use ethnicity as a trump card, stating that the financial capital of India should be foremost for the indigenous people of the state. I cannot remember reading of any promises made whatsoever; however, there is enough evidence to suggest that this very party, fighting for the rights of the local people, has been conspicuous in its absence post the November attacks on Mumbai. There was no help extended by the party during or after the crisis. All the bravado and valour of the party members were and are being used against innocent civilians but none against any perpetrator violating the peace and development of their very own city!

Why is it that Indian politicians need to resort to sentiment exploitation to enrich their vote banks? One reason is a lack of inspirational leaders who can motivate either by example or by oratory skills. Thus the simplest way to incite the crowd is to inflame emotions leading to mass following. Communal politics seems to be the lowest hanging fruit to encash upon. Even in the current elections, the struggling heir of the grand old Indian political family has used religious hatred to garner support. Sad that an educated youth leader would resort to these tactics.

However sad the truth maybe, it is to quite a degree due to the second pillar supporting sectarian politics in India. The most active participants in the country’s politics are the poor and the uneducated. These people, desperately craving a change, are willing to believe anyone who brings the slightest of glimmer of hope. The urban educated middle class, upper middle class and the elite are the weakest link in the democratic setup of the country. These individuals with the wherewithal should not only be active participants but also proponents of civil rights and civic duties. However, these are the very people who encourage corruption and chaos by attempting the short routes to meet their aims. In the garb of having no capable candidate to vote for, they remain completely detached from elections, preventing any weeding out of the most undeserving candidates.

Indian businesses and lobby groups are also culpable in this propaganda. It is true that businesses cannot survive without lobbying as politicians do not make it easy for them. However, if the country’s revenue generators were to take a tough stand against parliamentary wrongdoings, then the sheer lack of economic gains would bring discipline in Indian politics.

The picture is not as gloomy as I portray it to be. The November attacks on Mumbai seem to have played the role of a catalyst in awakening the youth and the able. There is an entry of the upper middle class and elite into politics; key examples being Meera Sanyal (a banker) and Captain Gopinath (a retired Indian Army soldier and an entrepreneur). They might be just two individuals, however, even if they can inspire 200,000 youth it will be a start. The silver lining in the cloud is that these individuals are not attaching themselves to any political party but contesting as independents. This implies that they really aim of doing the right things, in the right way, for the people. Indian political leadership is also not completely devoid of able leadership. There are individuals of mettle such as Sri Arun Shourie, the former disinvestment minister of India. A learned economist and a passionate advocate of his beliefs, he is truly an inspiration. However, such credible names are few and far in between.

There is a ray of hope of change and it is the educated youth who can turn this dream into a reality. I do hope that youth in India recognise their importance and play their role judiciously. The American youth ensured that Obama took helm not just as the first ever African-American president of the United States of America, but also as the voice of the country’s future. Similarly, I hope that Indian youth will see party politics for what it is and start the process of weeding out the most undeserving players from our political arena. It is not realistic to hope for a complete turn around in these elections, however, it is practical to desire the beginning of a new era –an era which once again witnesses the educated and the aware framing the country’s law and policies, leading the country by example and shaping our young nation as a global power of reckoning. It is now over to the educated and able India, it is over to you.

NRI Voting Rights and Upcoming Elections

Dear Friends,

The Mumbai Attacks on 26th November highlighted the ineffective and inefficient State Legislature and Parliament, especially with regards to

- complete lack of co-ordination in organizing an immediate rescue mission,
- preparedness to solicit support of the international community and highlight the country's position in

the wake of a national terror strike,
- a totally mismanaged defence budget with the armed and police forces being very poorly equipped

and trained, and
- an extremely indifferent attitude to the way domestic security and national intelligence

infrastructure is monitored

These individuals, however, are in the position of power because of our choice - either an explicit choice expressed by our vote or an implicit choice in the absence of our vote. It is thus up to each one of us to ensure that we exercise our franchise and weed out the non performing social servants from our houses of power.

For those amongst us who believe that one vote does not count I would like to highlight the following: In the last Karnataka Assembly elections, in 119-Santhemarahalli Assembly, the winning margin was ONLY ONE VOTE. Hence EACH VOTE COUNTS.

AT PRESENT THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA DOES NOT ALLOW NRIs TO BE ABLE TO VOTE. HOWEVER, THERE IS A BILL IN THE PARLIAMENT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS WHICH ADDRESSES THIS VERY POINT. THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE (AMENDMENT), 2006 BILL PROPOSES THAT NRIs BE REGISTERED AND PERMITTED TO VOTE. THE TERM OF THE 14th LOK SABHA EXPIRES IN MAY 2009. IF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT ARE NOT ENACTED BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THE TERM OF THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT, THE INDIAN DIASPORA WILL YET AGAIN BE DEVOID OF ITS RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS OF THE COUNTRY, NOT TO MENTION THAT THE BILL WILL GO INTO SUSPENSION. THE NEW GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT WILL HAVE TO TAKE UP THE ISSUE AFRESH ALL OVER AGAIN.

WE, THEREFORE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE REVISED BILL IS INTRODUCED IN THE PARLIAMENT AND ENACTED AS A PRIORITY IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET SESSION OF THE PARLIAMENT (BUDGET SESSION OF 2009).

To help us get the Bill enacted please sign this petition. Please forward this email to all NRIs you know. (The petition is on http://www.petitiononline.com/VOTENRI/petition.html)

Looking forward to full hearted support from you,

Yours sincerely,

Tanushree
contactus@indiagoes2vote.com (http://www.indiagoes2vote.com/)


PS: The bill can be found on

http://indiagoes2vote.com/resources/Representation+of+People+Act+2006.pdf

and a copy of the Standing Committee's report can be found on

http://indiagoes2vote.com/resources/Standing+Committees+Report+on+the+Bill.pdf

We the Politicians, Celebrities and Citizens of India

The tragedy is not even over and the leadership of the country is out to gain political mileage. The ruling government has presented the resignations of ministers who could have and should have been more responsible not just in their administration but even in their conduct post the tragedy. Does that help? Not really. Does the government really hold them responsible? Who knows? However, the display definitely seems to calm the public. One good thing that this government is doing – building pressure on foreign soils which need to answer questions they have avoided for far too long.

The opposition is on its own trip. "It is a collective culpable negligence of the government. The responsibility should also be collective and no government has the right to survive after this," party spokesperson Rajeev Prataap Rudy said. Did the reigning BJP government in Rajasthan resign after the Jaipur blasts or did Narendra Modi do anything similar after Ahmendabad was attacked? Then who are the opposition to preach! Can they not use their time and effort more productively by maybe setting up blood donation camps or trying to increase border security in the two Border States just mentioned?

And may I ask where the Mayor of Mumbai is? She has not even come forward once to make a statement in the last three days! Why? What is her contribution to help the city heal?

Appalling! And in the midst of this, the Mumbaikars’ are all screaming and shouting, especially the celebrities. Can I ask how many of them have gone to donate blood, or have deemed it their duty to buy medicines or be there to really care for the injured? Physically attend to the critical night and day? They all want to talk sitting in the cosy confines of their homes, sleep with a pistol under their pillow knowing that they have personal security outside or sit in New York and Delhi and use this tragedy as an interesting talk time quip with friends. Let them rush back and come out of their homes and serve the city that has given them their stature and then talk! Raising money and giving donations is not enough. Do not instigate the people. Shram daan is the answer. Sweat for these people and then instigate them!

Personally, I am on my way back to Mumbai. I made a point to my boss this morning – “I want to go home at the earliest, maybe by the weekend if possible, even if you deem it unsafe. It is my home and I want to be there.” I might just donate blood or I might just be the shoulder for a bereaved friend. But I want to be there. His response – “will you promise to do some work as well”, my response – “I promise I will”. Anything to be back at this hour. He was only joking and I know that.

I get aggravated and I get angry. That is not the answer I understand. I apologise for my rants. But I cannot understand why we are all not putting in efforts but just talking. If Gandhi only spoke, India would not have been free! Each one of us can make a difference. Please rise up to this challenge!

We the Citizens of India

Why is it that we Indians find it so easy to criticize everything but find it absolutely so tiresome to make the tiniest of efforts to do our bit? It could be something as simple as cribbing about a dirty Mumbai but not wanting to walk over to a dustbin to throw the garbage. Or it could be about the pollution in the city but our insistence of taking the car to a meeting few blocks down the road!

My favorite is the following – most educated Indians crib about politicians, but never step out to vote. They always have a ready excuse and the most frequently used is – one vote will not make a difference! I would urge us to start keeping a tab of how many of us say this and see if the numbers actually make a difference. Add the number of willing non resident Indian (NRI) voters to it who are discouraged because of our system and the numbers will look even more different. And then add the number of non-willing NRI voters and I bet that the difference will be glaring.

Only 45% people voted in the recent elections in Delhi, a dismal turnout. Anyone to do the stats of how many eligible student voters did their bit? Can someone provide the answer to how many doctors and engineers or businessmen actually walked to the polling booths to have their voice heard? If even one amongst you reading this failed to go to the polling booth, in my view you have do not have a right to question the government. It is not your voice that is being represented as you did not deem it necessary. So when you chose not to put forward someone who would fight for you, how can you question someone who is probably representing the rights of someone else; someone with needs and priorities different from yours?

We live in the world’s most populated democracy and love to scream about our rights as a citizen from the roof tops. Have we, however, ever given even the minutest of thoughts to our duties as a citizen? It is like John F Kennedy said – “Ask not what the country can do for you, ask what you can do for the country.” In fact taking his words further in this hour of a national calamity – let us not ask what the nation will do for us, but what together we can do for the freedom of man!

[JFK’s speech, a must read for every self righteous citizen – can be found on this site]

Economics of Education

Professor King of East London University turned Halloween 2008 into a “Death of Capitalism” party but he is probably celebrating a little prematurely. Like the immortal Bollywood hero, capitalism has suffered incomprehensible battering, is severely injured and is hooked to enormous life support systems. However, with all global experts aiding resuscitation efforts, recovery is now visible; albeit sluggish. Just like the Bolllywood film, which, without the miraculous recovery of the hero would be a big box office flop; normal life in most of the world today will deflate without the existence of capitalism.

Capitalism has permeated our lives to an extent where most of our actions depend on their economic consequences. This includes even the most basic of human necessities such as access to education. In India for example we permit child labour with the excuse that in some cases it is the only means to help families survive. There is never a thought given to the fact that in addition to employing the tiny hands, the mouldable brains could be simultaneously nourished at the work place. But in the guise of practicality (i.e. economic gain), idealism is in hiding; setting lower benchmarks for the society. And we are thrilled at achievement of the mere stretch of our hands needed to touch these low ceilings.

Thus it is heartening and inspiring to know that the Indian parliament has finally (after six long years) passed the Right to Education bill. Now the state is not only guaranteeing free education to all children between the ages of six and fourteen, but also taking accountability such that a legal action is possible in case a child is wrongfully denied access to schooling. Without diluting the original draft, the bill also requires doing away with donation, capitation and interviewing the child or parents as part of a screening procedure. On the face of it, this seems to be a very fair enactment of a fundamental birthright of children.

There is also a requirement for private schools to reserve 25% of the class capacity at entry levels for the disadvantaged children from the neighbourhood. Now this makes complete sense as opposed to the caste based reservation that exists at the under and post graduate levels in India. The Right to Education bill seems to be aiming at creating a level playing field by providing an equal opportunity to all children and hopefully the government will supplement this in the coming years with financial aid for the meritorious but financially challenged pupils. The current “quota system” on the other hand is a blatant exploitation of the prevalent illiteracy to gain electoral votes.

Coming back to the basis of today’s society, the effective enactment of this bill can have far reaching economic benefits for the country. The theory of economics has for long been a proponent of increase in productivity as a means to economic prosperity. The first step in increasing productivity is increasing education levels. This is proven in examples of both Tamil Nadu and Kerela in India[1]. Literacy rate in Kerela is close to a 100%. The availability of skilled workforce in Kerela has earned it the number 5 position in the country in terms of investment attractiveness and infrastructure penetration. This in turn makes the state the third most affluent state in India.

In the 1980s, Tamil Nadu government decided to introduce the mid-day meals in schools. While it is debatable that the introduction of the scheme was more to gain electoral ballots than to promote education, the non-bureaucratic implementation of the scheme resulted in each child in the state spending an average of seven years at school. This is amongst the highest figures in the country and has contributed to the average 6% - 7% growth of the state economy over the last decade and a half (more than the national average in some years).

These two examples give a small preview of what is achievable if the nation with the world’s second largest population can effectively implement the Right to Education bill. Add to this that the average age of the country is c. 25 years and the impact seems to be even more far reaching.

No economic growth is possible without political stability and education can go a long way in making the Indian population more aware of the realistic situation. India is a land of myriad sensitivities. Varied cultures, languages, religions and castes complicate the comprehension of the simplest of view points. Add to this the extensive illiteracy prevalent and today a potent brew is available for the country’s power hungry politicians. Creating communal tensions and using cultural biases to skew perception of the masses away from the truth is what Indian politicians are most adept at.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) chief[2] has recently used cultural origins to create a so called “social welfare” agenda to fight the upcoming general elections. This is because probably he has no other action point on which he can sway the votes of the people in his favour. Instigating the indigenous population of Maharashtra (against immigrants from other Indian states) seems to be a low hanging fruit from which a violent and visible battle can be started. What the leadership has forgotten to highlight is that while immigration into Mumbai exists, the employment opportunities are also almost on an equal footing. Emigrating to other states in search of better livelihoods is an equal option to the people of Maharashtra. There is no law which is pro-immigrants in the state. And finally the same politicians who are crying foul against north Indians have fought previous general elections with predominantly north Indian parties to win a piece of action in the centre. But why has the common man not thought about these arguments, because his mind has not been trained to think beyond what he hears!

In a recent address Justice Shri S.Rajendra Babu, stated “It [education] emancipates the human beings and leads to liberation from ignorance.”[3] With one step having been taken in the right direction one can only hope that with increasing literacy levels, awareness permeates our social framework, such that we are no longer slaves to someone else’s ideas but we can use our own intelligence to make rationale decisions, understand our rights and acknowledge our duties. Hopefully India’s investment into education will be fair and lead us to more prosperity and stability.

[1] Source: India Brand Equity Forum
[2] Followed by the leadership of the Nationalist Congress Party
[3] Inaugural address by Justice Shri S.Rajendra Babu, Chairperson, NHRC at National Level Seminar on “Right to Education ” held on 11th and 12th September 2008 in New Delhi

Land of Jungle Raj

India is a land of contrasts. The north and the south are poles apart. North Indians are typically materialistic while the southerners are spiritual. Languages of the two regions have distinct origins, hence are entirely uncorrelated. If north Indian food is rich and spicy, south Indian food is simple and mild. Similarly, the east and the west have individual identities. The west is more industrialized than the east. While the east is mountainous and lush green, the west is a desert. The typical soft demeanour of east Indians is an antithesis to the more prevalent aggression in west India. With such disparity, I could not find one word or phrase that described modern India. That was until my current trip to the homeland.

Total chaos in Indian politics over the Indo US nuclear deal, the rampant “fix and settle it” attitude of corporate India and the complete ignorance of urban India towards civic responsibilities, highlighted the national attitude and description of India - “survival of the fittest” in a thriving “jungle Raj”.

Nuclear energy can be a part solution to India’s energy crisis. The communists supporting the coalition government, however, object to the Indo US nuclear deal on pretext of “perceived threat to national security”. Instead of devising counter proposals like mature adults, or forming an expert committee to weigh the pros and cons, the left decided to withdraw support and put the country at risk of early elections in the current difficult times. The entire melodrama was a lame means to gain much needed political mileage. Presumably the communists have realized their limitations and dying influence. If the nuclear deal is implemented and successful, the left would not only lose further ground but also a historic election propaganda suggesting all that is foreign is bad. The ensuing horse trading prior to the parliamentary vote of confidence was bewildering. Money was distributed like candy; imprisoned parliamentarians were called to support their factions and blatant opportunistic defection transpired. All in an attempt to retain power and survive! This crude “power hungry" attitude has made us the laughing stock of the world. But do we care?

As long as there is economic advancement at individual level there is little concern for the image of the country, inclusive growth or even working with foresight. We are content in being a reactive society rather than being proactive people. India is predominantly an agricultural economy, however, little has been done to empower farmers, while IT sector for example gets unessential support. Finally, a huge “compassionate” effort was made in the form of the farm loan waiver program in the last budget. More of an attempt to win votes keeping in mind next years’ elections! There is an upcoming sector, however, which could make a difference – the retail sector. At a recent conference, I asked a panel comprising of senior executives of leading Indian retail chains, on how they could help farmers and improve their lives. The answer was crisp and clear. While cooperation between the corporate and the farmer could prove productive, since it does not make sense for the bottom line yet, there is no point in making the effort. Simple analysis shows that a little time, effort and money invested today would help the retailers going forward – reduce dependence on imports, increase sourcing mix, ensuring quality etc. At the same time it will spread prosperity to the grass root level. However, with just the short term in mind there is little that is deemed fit to be done.

When the crunch time comes and there is realisation that something should have been done in the past, Indians have a convenient trick at hand to use – “settle” the issue and fix the problem ostensibly. That is why reliable “relationships” with bureaucracy and judiciary are paramount to succeed in corporate India. If required environmental clearances have not been obtained and the concerned entity is pulled up, it is only a matter of time and a few bank rolls that the enquiry is withdrawn. When an ostentatious amount of money is raised via a ridiculously priced IPO; bankers, regulators and lawyers all keep mum despite glaring absence of any bankable asset to lend value to the project. The clout of the promoter prohibits anyone from speaking their mind and the fee earned is another reason to stifle speech. When post IPO the share price crashes, in a grand (“face saving”) gesture the promoter “dilutes” his own holding by a meagre 3% and conducts a bonus issue. If the investors were purely institutional accounts I would have said well too bad they knew the risk they were undertaking. With substantial retail participation, there needs to be some more prudence adopted. Or will we protect investors only once another stock market scandal surfaces?

There is an absence of independent regulators and think tanks in India. Media and journalists are neither incentivised nor encouraged to build awareness and rouse public discussions. In fact even the educated population enjoys reading Bollywood gossip more than grasping the fundamentals about national economics, policy, politics and security. We seem to be content being a nation that works in hindsight and not with foresight. How then do we propose to grow and become a world leader? Or is it just more talk without substance in the typical Indian fashion?

It happens only in India

India is in dire need of bridging its power deficit gap which could potentially undo all the progress the nation has made to-date. Collaborating with foreign partners on nuclear technology transfer can be a big boon. The left in India, however, disagrees. It is strange but true. The people’s welfare party of India, the left, is not thinking for the people. It is not thinking of the long run. With the government deciding to go ahead with the US nuclear treaty, the left has pulled its support provided to the current coalition government. Result – a vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha tomorrow.

Scenario one: UPA wins and the staus quo remains. However, needing 272 votes, it is unlikely that the UPA government will survive.

Scenario two: UPA loses and there are early elections. In addition to UPA, India loses as in these difficult times attention is shifted from policy making and decision taking matters. There is a drain on the exchequer which only widens the already increasing deficit.

The elections could get the Congress led government comes back to power. Great, once again status quo can be reinstated and the tax payer’s money was only wasted as it is not worth more than water down the drains. However, another unlikely outcome given the current environment of increasing food and oil prices and the lack of support currently being extended to the United Party Alliance (what spectacular unity indeed).

A more probable outcome is another hung parliament with a more fractured coalition. Most likely candidate to lead the new coalition government for India – Mayawati, the erstwhile leader of the “downtrodden”. Does her gang of warlords comprise the new generation think tank that the country needs to leap into another era of growth? Not by any stretch of imagination. If she continues in power then Indians need to brace themselves and prepare for what could be a roller coaster ride. However, once again, in the game of Indian politics, a high likelihood exists of Mayawati government being derailed 6 – 8 months in their seats of power. Having been the Prime Minister, Mayawati would not be able to reclaim her position as the chief minister of her home state Uttar Pradesh (the most populated state in India and hence one with the highest representation in the Parliament). Eliminating a long standing opponent would be a great tactical move by the Congress. However, this would call for another round of general elections and more water down the drain!

While politicians win and lose, the convicted vote for the no confidence motion from their prison cells, the lay man; the most affected person can only wait and watch. So what if she lives in the world’s largest democracy. She, the “proud and educated” Indian citizen has to learn that electoral politics win over electoral welfare any and every day. Such is the state of a shining nation! Some things can happen only in India!

Its all in the family

On a number of occasions my non-Indian friends have expressed their appreciation towards the Indian family system and respect imparted to elders in Indian society. Moments such as these make me swell with pride. Our culture does impart humility to one’s personality and the close knit families provide a vital support system. It helps us value human relationships. Our traditions and history have caused us to evolve into warm, welcoming and affectionate civilization. And this in my opinion is the biggest differentiating factor of the Indian diaspora.

However, on recent occasions I felt that we have taken our way of life to a different level altogether. Not only do we extend to families for moral support, they fairly effortlessly migrate into all other parts of our lives as well. Take the Indian corporate world for starters. Most Indian businesses are family owned. While family ownership has its own benefits in aligning major shareholders’ interests with interests of the company, it has bred complacency in some of the second generation business leaders (if they can be called leaders at all). Close monitoring of the organisation should have increased prudence and efficiency but in a number of organisations it has given rise to serious corporate governance issues. Professionals have not had much say in important decision making processes. This led to job dis-satisfaction and hence migration of qualified individuals to MNCs. The entire cycle curtailed growth of India Inc with a few exceptions like Infosys and Larsen & Toubro standing out. Indian businesses are slowly realising they need to change and some are making more of an effort to embrace global best practices faster than the others. Overseas Indians or NRIs are finding their way back home with some of these “promoter owned” companies with satisfactory compensation and autonomy packages. With Malvinder Singh selling his stake in Ranbaxy, maybe India will witness an increase in the number of professionally managed corporations.

While the situation for India Inc is changing, Indian political scenario is still languishing. Since independence, India has been governed for most part by the Nehru-Gandhi family (directly or indirectly). With one extreme being family led Congress, we have another extreme in the BJP, which is devoid of any strong leader and of any upcoming younger potential. Then we have the regional parties starting with Shiv Sena being the franchise of the Thackrey family, the Biju Janta Dal being the legacy of Biju Patnaik to hand over to the next generation, the Rashtriya Janta Dal which in a democracy is Lalu Prasad Yadav’s way to dictatorship and the Telegu Desam which actually split over a feud on who was the rightful heir after NTR’s demise. The list does not end here but goes on. Once again there are exceptions to this norm, however, none which are strong on a national level and none with a clean charter. There is a severe dearth of educated, dedicated and motivated young politicians wanting to improve the political, judicial and financial state of the country.

The one strong emerging silver line in the cloud of Indian politics is the Lok Paritran, a party founded by engineering graduates from the most reputed institute on Indian shores – IIT (Indian Institute of Technology). The leaders of this organisation are well educated, travelled and well aware. They focus on raising core issues that matter to an average man’s daily life and impact the working of the nation. They seems to have good intentions and have been prudent in their approach – targeting smaller electoral regions where money power might not obscure them, have refrained from shouting from roof tops and most importantly have established local groups to reach out to the masses. Lok Paritran could fill the gap in Indian politics but it will be a time consuming and arduous journey. One can only hope that the party succeeds in what it has set out to achieve.

We Indians pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit and ability to overcome obstacles. Then why can we not be industrial and stand on our feet on our own merit? Why do we depend on the toils of our fathers and forefathers to determine our future? As a young nation on the brink of a new beginning, let us open our eyes, cherish our values and cultures and alter our traditions where they need change. Today’s India came into existence because of a blend of varied cultures and religions. Let us create tomorrow’s India with a mix of the best of east and west. Let us truly carry our heritage forward into the next decade.