Home Blog Page 636

Ayodhya- Temple move of the Centre is a welcome-step

G Indira
-
0
Ayodhya- Temple move of the Centre is a welcome-step

The Centre’s letter of submission to the supreme court on the undisputed land to be freed from the litigation of the case to pave the way for Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas to build a magnificent Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a welcome step. Editorial after editorial in the mainstream print media have presented a bleak picture on the move stating that it would rob away the premise on which this government stands: ‘sab ka sath, sab ka vikas’ and would not benefit the party electorally. It’s strange on what ground they are drawing those conclusions.

Every political party has a chunk of core-dedicated voters. They cling to that party through thick and thin as they believe that their aspirations can get fulfilled through that party coming to power. Strong emotional issues like Ramjanmabhoomi are forever-evergreen in their memory. Election after election, the core voters of BJP have been waiting for the party to bring their surreal Ayodhya temple dream to reality. In this full-majority government of BJP, if their dream is not realised, when? is their question. Whether the issue is in the court or out of court they don’t bother much. Nitty-gritty of the issue is not their(people’s) botheration. For them, it’s the responsibility of the party that promised.

For BJP, going on development-agenda to elections is the correct choice. However, honouring the age- old commitment to Ayodhya temple is equally important. Whether the temple issue brings votes for the party or not is beside the point. If the decision of the government (by asking the court to allow for construction of the temple in the undisputed area) gets votes (by way of approval from people) it’s good. The party could win more seats in the Hindi heartland. Even otherwise, in the worst case scenario of losing, it (the party) would have the satisfaction of living up to the expectations of its core- constituency. The party can also take the moral high ground that it delivers on what it promises. So, both ways the decision is beneficial for the party’s survival and existence. For, in any case, betraying the core-voters of their trust is dangerous.

Political parties need to protect their core-ideological base. Donald Trump, the president of US, has been trying his best to keep his poll-promises of anti-immigration, building wall- barrier with Mexico in the Mexican border, ‘America first’-policy and declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel to please the evangelical groups. The president did all to please his core-voters. Forgetting the dedicated voters after attaining power by becoming more centrist to appeal to Lutyens Delhi doesn’t augur well for an ideological party.

Now the ball is in the supreme court. It’s for the court to decide. It is clear that liberal democratic courts and governments do not go by the faith/ religious sentiments of the majorities. It is evident by the way the supreme court accepted/entertained the plea against Sanskrit prayers in Kendriya Vidyalayas and referred to 5-judge bench. The slokas ‘Asato ma sadgamaya’ and ‘Om saha navavatu’ though shantivakyas (invocations of peace and brotherhood) from Upanishads have a universal appeal with no Hindu religious connotation (to gods). Sanskrit language and the inherent wisdom of slokas in it are a part of Bharat’s culture. The liberal-secular Constitution and laws should ensure that they be made part of their(school students) prayers. They should see to the benefit of the future generations by learning those slokas which have immense wisdom latently hidden, which they can make use of later in their life to their and country’s progress.

Now, one is inquisitive to see how these two cases (Ayodhya Ram-Temple and Sanskrit prayers in KVs) are decided by the apex court. For, the future of India depends much on the court’s verdict.

Rahul Gandhi’s UBI Promise has a whole lot of questions

G Indira
-
0
Rahul Gandhi’s UBI Promise has a whole lot of questions

Shri Rahul Gandhi’s all of a sudden declaration of Universal Basic Income (UBI) to the targeted poorer sections in the society may appeal to Congress-lovers and socialists at large, as it is aimed at, to serve and feed the poor. However, the modalities of implementing the plan, not being in place, it has become questionable and seemed to be a hurried one. Here, in this case, the Congress president appeared to be more eager to outwit the BJP before it (the party) presents its forthcoming Financial Budget in the Parliament and (supposedly) announcing the schemes of similar kind to the poor.

The political parties and the elite of the country are drawn to this reality of the poor being poor only when Oxfam in its recent report put the lopsided growth of the country with the country’s rich being super rich (even in international standards) and the poor being in utter poverty, living in hunger. It became clear to all, after the eye-opening report that the issues of the poor needed to be addressed immediately fair and square. The context being provided, the age-old Congress party which was again the causer of this poverty in the country with its marathon rule coupled with crony capitalism took this recourse to universal basic income formula in an erratic way.

To begin with, UBI is a concept brought forward by the world economists long ago but gained currency, of late, because of automation. It (UBI) centres around the idea that the government would pay a certain flat fee to every adult citizen in order to fend himself as Artificial Intelligence (AI) would replace him from labour/work. This is what is happening in the developed world with the Industry 4.0 (fourth industrial revolution), so they are trying to guarantee income.

In India’s case, there’s no such dearth for labour/work. Still being a developing country, India is not fully automated. However, the Congress is saying, since the others (sections of society) have means of earning, only the very poor have to be given money. The question is, where would the money come from to pay for the scheme espoused by the party i.e. the-UBI? Would they increase taxes and burden on the middle classes? Or would they impose wealth tax and inheritance taxes on the rich? I don’t think any government would take the latter measure, for most of our law-makers are from among the affluent and they wouldn’t impose taxes on themselves.

All the developed countries impose wealth and inheritance taxes on their rich. But in India, however much wealth a person has, it will be inherited by his offspring fully and automatically after his demise. The former finance minister P. Chidambaram said (on NDTV on 28th Jan) that they are working out on UBI and release the plan in their election manifesto. In that case, he (Shri Chidambaram) being the coordinator of the drafting committee, would he impose on himself and his ilk (being super rich) the wealth and inheritance taxes? would he dare to bring in those taxes on all the stinking-rich Indians? Of course, his party president is also one such richly rich person. If he really does, that would be the proper way to go ahead with Congresses’ scheme of UBI. But never in the history of Congress such decisions are taken.

The proposal to throw money at people and flagging the program as something noble is a lazy-man’s response to a complex problem of Poverty-alleviation with a deeper entrenched-roots. In the case of UBI, the following questions arise: 1. Along with UBI, would the existing subsidies to the poor and the other welfare programs continue? 2. Is it partial or complete substitute to the existing social security or welfare programs? 3. Would it not be good to spend money on health, education and skill development of the poor? The poor lack access to those said things much more than to money.

To give people a basic income of around some amount, requiring nothing in return, no reciprocal obligation seems absurd. Under the existing welfare measures, some people are already being paid even if they don’t work. May be, as some argue, a Basic Income serves as the venture capital for the poor to do other kinds of work.

But when they seek other jobs and increase their income, how would the UBI get reduced or stopped? What are the assessment scales or criteria to notice the poor have risen. Once they’re poor, are they poor for life?

Some time ago, the same Rahul Gandhi stated that poverty is a state of mind as if it was a mental concept rather than a physical one. Now, the tone is changed. All in all, one can say, the Congress party has jumped the gun on this big issue of UBI without doing proper homework.

My Two-cents on the so-called ‘Women’s discrimination’ in Sabarimala

Kavita Menon
-
0
My Two-cents on the so-called ‘Women’s discrimination’ in Sabarimala

I like to think I am a modern women. I am not the breadwinner but the home-maker. I don’t cook and clean all the time. I am not the first one to rise in the morning in my household. In fact it’s my husband who is up at the earliest light, and while he showers and starts on his morning routine the family is just waking up, after those prime thirty minutes of ‘caught’ sleep. I can vouch that I am not the only one. There are many other families out there like ours.

I have been able to choose how I spend my time and the cause I spend it on. I also stand up for a lot of women’s issues and rights where there is ‘real’ discrimination.

So it is very sad to see that when there are many real and hurtful incidents happening against women in various parts of India, the Sabarimala women petitioners have managed to find time, money and other resources to indulge in a court case where not a single woman is getting hurt.

They are looking at an imaginary so-called ‘discrimination’ – a discrimination that doesn’t exist. The centuries-old age barrier was made in Sabarimala or Sabari Hills Temple to help maintain the Brahmacharya state of the lord of the temple.

Many will point out that Lord Hanuman is a Brahmachari and women still go to his temple. For these people, I would like to point out that there are different types of Brahmacharis – some practice it while following minimum requirements; others take it few steps further and impose harder restrictions on themselves. One such example is of the Jain monks who practice a very strict form of chaste Brahmachari life.

The Jain monks don’t mingle in society, while Lord Hanuman lived in society and was a warrior. Jain monks will not hurt anyone – they live within meager means – either grow their food, or get it by Bheeksha; they pull hair out of their head to not hurt any creatures living in it etc. to list a few.

They also do not let a woman be in the same room as them – especially women in the reproductive stages of their lives. What is to be said about this type of Brahmacharya? Does one tell these Jain monks that they are going overboard and need to tone it down? We don’t, because we respect their customs and traditions. It is not harmful to anyone. Why would one want to unnecessarily hurt their sentiments? The same is the concept of Sabarimala Temple – the customs and rituals there have never been hurtful or harmful to any women.

The Lord himself has chosen his home among the mountains deep in the jungles filled with ferocious tigers and wild elephants. Isn’t that telling in itself that he wanted to live an isolated life?

From centuries past it has been believed that faith is what got those brave ardent devotees through the tough rigorous trekking journey to the temple. And so, when many sons, dads, brothers, sisters and grandmothers made this pilgrimage, their families at home prayed for their safe and successful journeys.

Whole families of these devotees observed fasts, maintained hygiene, and followed the prayer routine staying away from socializing. This 41-day observance is the period of time given by devotees to themselves to keep their mind and body devoid of all the bad thoughts, focusing only on God and prayer. During this time, their emotions are in control – mind doesn’t get distracted, and they practice a form of ‘Sanyas’ or renunciation from worldly pleasures. It is akin to a ‘Self’ cleansing process.

As a devotee climbs the Eighteen Holy steps and enters the temple grounds, he or she can see the words – ‘Tat Vam Asi’ inscribed on the Temple. This Sanskrit phrase roughly translates to ‘That art thou’, or ‘You are that’, meaning the Self – in its original, pure, primordial state – is wholly or partially identifiable or identical with the Ultimate Reality that is the basis and origin of all phenomena.

In simpler words, You are the one that you seek. At the end of this arduous journey, this simple truth is revealed to you. The “One” you seek is in “you”. God is in you. God is you. And that God and you are the same.

Many pilgrims who have visited this temple and undertaken strict penance want to repeat it. Many have been going on this pilgrimage their whole lives. What is so magical about this Hindu Temple that has been extremely accepting of followers from different religions? A devotee mentioned that there is some pull, a magnetic force that keeps bringing them back. The sense of ‘Oneness’ with the Lord is profound and can be experienced by one who is a true believer.

It will be interesting to watch whether the infamous activist Ms. Trupti Desai will follow the 41-day fast and other observances undertaken by a devotee while on the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Obviously she is not set to go to this Hindu temple as a devotee, she is going there to ‘conquer’ it – add to her list – one more harmless religious place of worship conquered while hurting sentiments of its actual devotees.

This has been said and heard many times – a true devotee will respect the sentiments expressed by the Lord and honor his wishes, and not fight to go to a place of worship that he or she doesn’t even care about or intend to visit, as is the case of the Sabarimala petitioners.

The Sabarimala petitioners were clueless about the temple and the deity installed there. None of them were from Kerala or even malayalis for that matter. They had read about some imagined discrimination exaggerated by a woman journalist in a newspaper article, and had come up with the idea to avenge the ‘non-existent’ woman devotees wanting to visit the temple.

One of the petitioners had a change of mind. She realized women of Kerala had not asked for this change in their Temple rituals and were not in favor of it. So who were they fighting this case for? The other petitioner stuck to her stance on ‘liberating’ the women of Kerala – this in the first State in India to achieve 100% literacy, and which until recent times followed the Matriarchal form of Society. If this is not the biggest joke, what is?

These petitioners expect women devotees to be grateful to them for bringing about this verdict in Supreme Court. And, when they don’t react the way they want them to, the women devotees opposing the SC verdict are labeled as ‘slaves of years and years of patriarchal system’ by the ‘liberated’ Feminazis & Pressitutes.

To the Ladies who petitioned, enough with indulging in an imagined discrimination – go find a real battle to fight! These are the days of Navratri, and one of the slogans going around is – “Everyday a Durga is killed, Kali is hurt…” Find a real issue where you are actually saving a child, a woman from getting harmed… and then we will stand with YOU!

Until then learn to respect the beliefs of others!

Note: Late publication – This article was written by author couple weeks after the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala Temple came out.

10% general quota : How to determine 8 lakh: Effective in Central Posts from 1-2-2019

CA Vineet Sodhani
-
0
10% general quota : How to determine 8 lakh: Effective in Central Posts from 1-2-2019

1. Introduction
Vide Constitution (103rd) Amendment Act, 2019, Articles 15(6) and 16(6) have been inserted for providing maximum 10% reservation to Economically Weaker Sections [EWS] of the hitherto unreserved category. This write-up makes an attempt to analyse who all are eligible for this benefit and how to determine Rs. 8 lakh limit for the purpose.

2. Office Memorandum defining ‘Economically Weaker Sections’ [EWS]

The Office Memorandum No. F.No.20013/01/2018-BC-II dated 17.1.2019 issued by Government of India, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment defining ‘Economically Weaker Sections’ [EWS] is as follows :

“1.In pursuance of insertion of clauses 15(6) and 16(6) in the Constitution vide the Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019 and in order to enable the Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) who are not covered under the existing scheme of reservations for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, to receive the benefits of reservation on a preferential basis in civil posts and services in the Government of India and admission in Educational Institutions, it has been decided by the Government to provide 10% reservation to EWSs in civil posts and services in Government of India and admission in Educational Institutions.

2.Persons who are not covered under the existing scheme of reservations for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and whose family has gross annual income below Rs. 8.00 lakh are to be identified as EWSs for the benefit of reservation. Family for this purpose will include the person who seeks benefit of reservation, his/her parents and siblings below the age of 18 years as also his/her spouse and children below the age of 18 years. The income shall include income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business, profession etc. and it will be income for the financial year prior to the year of application. Also persons whose family owns or possesses any of the following assets shall be excluded from being identified as EWSs, irrespective of the family income: •

i. 5 acres of Agricultural Land and above;

ii. Residential flat of 1000 sq. ft. and above;

iii. Residential plot of 100 sq. yards and above in notified municipalities;

iv. Residential plot of 200 sq. yards and above in areas other than the notified municipalities.

3. The income and assets of the families as mentioned in para 2 would be required to be certified by an officer not below the rank of Tehsildar in the States/UTs. The officer who issues the certificate would do the same after carefully verifying all relevant documents following due process as prescribed by the respective State/UT.

***

5. Instructions regarding reservation in employment and admission to educational institutions will be issued by DOPT and Ministry of HRD respectively.”

3. 10% EWS Quota effective from 1-2-2019 in Centre

The Office Memorandum No. F. No.36039/1/2019-Estt.(Res.) dated 19-1-2019, issued by Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training contains the following provisions :

 “2. In pursuance of the above Office Memorandum, it is hereby notified that 10% reservation would be provided for Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) in central government posts and services and would be effective in respect of all Direct Recruitment vacancies to be notified on or after 01.02.2019.

3. Detailed Instructions regarding operation of roster and procedure for implementation of EWS reservation will be issued separately.”

4. Analysis – Who all are covered

This 10% quota benefit is for Economically Weaker Sections [EWS], as defined above, being individuals of any religion, caste or creed, but, excluding SC/ST/OBCs. In short, eligible persons = EWS as defined less SC/ST/OBCs.

5. Analysis – Steps determine EWS

Whether an individual is eligible for EWS quota can be determined as follows (all conditions must be fulfilled):

Step 1 Should not be SC/ST/OBC is Centre or State List (as applicable)
Step 2 Person may be of any religion, caste or creed
Step 3 Determine Family

Family = Self + Spouse + Parents + Minor Brother/Sister (below 18 years) + Minor Children (below 18 years)

Example : If Mr. X seeks reservation, then, family of Mr. X = Mr. X + Mr. X’s wife + Mr. X’s parents (father & mother) + Minor brothers/sisters of Mr. X + Minor Children of Mr. X
Step 4 The family as defined above should have gross annual income of preceding financial year i.e., of 2017-18 below Rs. 8.00 lakh. The limit of Rs. 8 lakh shall include income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business, profession etc.

Thus, —

  1. family income will be considered
  2. income of preceding financial year i.e., for the financial year prior to the year of application will be considered
  3. even agricultural income will form part of this

Example 1 : Mr. P seeks reservation. His father has salary Rs. 5 lakh per annum and interest income Rs. 1 lakh per annum. His his grandfather has income Rs. 7 lakh. There is no other source of income. Here, Mr. P is eligible as family does not include grandfather. His family income is 5+1 = Rs. 6 lakh.

Example 2 : Mr. Q seeks reservation. His father is a farmer and has agricultural income exempted from income-tax of Rs. 5 lakh per annum and interest income Rs. 4 lakh per annum. There is no other source of income. Here, Mr. P is not eligible as family income is 5+4 = Rs. 9 lakh.
Step 5 Family, as defined above, should not have :

i. Agricultural Land 5 acres and above
ii. Residential Flat 1000 sq. ft. and above
iii. Residential Plot ♦ 100 sq. yards in notified municipalities;

♦ 200 sq. yards and above in areas other than the notified municipalities.

In short, to be eligible, the family should have income below Rs. 8 lakh in preceding financial year and should have :

i. Agricultural Land Below 5 acres
ii. Residential Flat Below 1000 sq. ft.
iii. Residential Plot Below :

♦ 100 sq. yards in notified municipalities;

♦ 200 sq. yards and above in areas other than the notified municipalities.

Example 1 : Mr. R seeks reservation. His father has annual salary of Rs. 7 lakh and no other income. His father also owns a residential flat of size 1,000 sq. ft. Here, Mr. R is not eligible.

Example 2 : Mr. S seeks reservation. His father has annual salary of Rs. 7 lakh and no other income. His grandfather owns a plot of size 250 sq. yards. Here, Mr. S is eligible as grandfather is not covered within family.
Step 6 Obtain certificate from by officer not below the rank of Tehsildar in the States/UTs

 

Mahagathbandhan 2.0? Sorry, my money’s on Modi for 2019

Rishi Khemani
-
0
Mahagathbandhan 2.0? Sorry, my money’s on Modi for 2019

The United India Rally, as they called it, was recently held in Kolkata where leaders from almost every party in the opposition came together to unite for a ‘common motive’. The present dispensation was the central point of their one-way discussion and leaders as young as Hardik Patel and as old as HD Deve Gowda took the stage to contribute to their common topic of speech i.e. ‘the country is facing a crisis in the form of this government’s rule’. However, if this rally should eventually turn into a pre-poll or post-poll alliance, it is bound to fail and there are many reasons for it, some of which are mentioned below.

Same Old, Same Old
Firstly, this foundation of campaign, which includes the manufactured fear of threat to the constitution and secular fabric of the country ever since this government came to power, has been used too often to maintain its sharpness and lustre. There is no right and wrong in politics but monotony affects the performance. People get bored of listening to the same things again and again. Political campaigning is an art where the rallies provide the stage and leaders are the artists. Perform or get thrown out of the race, that is how cut-throat this competition is and you can’t win it if you’re not good at it. The opposition lacks a performer like Modi, someone who can be a rabble-rouser when the time and situation demands it. On the other hand, he’s also someone who’s proved to the country time and again, through his administrative work and governance, that he’s the best fit for the job. His charisma gives the BJP a head start every time they’re going into an election.

Too many cooks spoil the broth
Secondly, with so many players in the team, each one of them would want the butter after the churning. The chances of in-fighting are more than just good if a coalition government so big in size is realized. The stage in this United India rally had faces which were previously known to be foes, politicians who hitherto couldn’t see eye to eye. In such a scenario, lucrative ministries wouldn’t be given away as alms to one another if a situation like that arises.

Watch and learn before you step into the ring
Finally, the BJP is smart enough to make this look like a climax scene of a Bollywood action movie where the hero fights many villains. Modi is a seasoned politician, a brilliant orator and someone who commands respect from all quarters and when he’ll make this a tussle of ‘us versus them’, people will listen. Also, all these political strategies are going to ride on the  back of this government’s achievements, giving a different angle to the election debate. The BJP will push forward their development agenda mixed with mild Hindutva, which is likely to beat the opposition’s caste arithmetic, social engineering and fear-mongering. The alliance, if there will be one, would be unnatural in the sense that rivals who couldn’t stand each other are coming together to share the spoils. The BJP will not hold back, they will say this out loud and rightly so, because it is what it is – an unholy alliance.

To sum this up, we can only assume that this Mahagathbandhan 2.0 against Modi is a no-go and the idea that this would fail in the same way its younger sibling failed in Bihar is conceivable.

जॉर्ज साहब के बहाने आज फिर कांग्रेस और सेकुलरों के कुकर्म याद कर लीजिए

Saurabh Bhaarat
-
0
जॉर्ज साहब के बहाने आज फिर कांग्रेस और सेकुलरों के कुकर्म याद कर लीजिए

जॉर्ज साहब नहीं रहे। मैं समाजवादी तो नहीं लेकिन जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस इस देश के एकमात्र ऐसे समाजवादी नेता रहे जिनके लिए मन मे सदा आदर भाव रहा। एक समय था जब इंदिरा गांधी जैसी भ्रष्ट तानाशाह के खिलाफ जॉर्ज की एक आवाज पर पूरे देश की ट्रेन रुक जाती थी। इंदिरा की आँख में आँख डालकर उन्हें सर से पांव तक झूठी कहने वाले और कांस्टीट्यूशन क्लब में अम्बेडकर और राजेंद्र प्रसाद के बगल में सोनिया गांधी की तस्वीर देखकर उसे उखाड़ फेंकवाने वाले जार्ज से वंशवाद की चाटुकारिता करने वाला हर कांग्रेसी हद दर्जे की घृणा करता था।

इसी घृणा के चलते अटल जी की सरकार में रक्षा मंत्री रहे जॉर्ज के खिलाफ कांग्रेसियों द्वारा ताबूत घोटाले जैसा निहायत ही झूठा और मनगढ़ंत आरोप मढ़ा गया, उन्हें कफनचोर जैसी अपमानजनक गालियाँ दी गईं। कारगिल युद्ध मे जवानों की गिरती लाशों को सम्मानजनक ढंग से रखने के लिए पर्याप्त संख्या में ताबूत न होने के कारण आपात स्थिति में बिना टेंडर के ही ताबूत खरीदने का आदेश जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस ने दिया क्योंकि यदि टेंडर निकालते तो कई दिन लगते और तब तक खुले में शवों का अंबार लग जाता जो शहीद जवानों के साथ-साथ पूरे देश के लिए अपमानजनक होता। लेकिन नीच कांग्रेसियों ने बिना टेंडर के ताबूत खरीदने की प्रक्रिया को घोटाला कहकर प्रचारित किया। मामला सुप्रीम कोर्ट तक गया और अंततः सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने माना कि ताबूत खरीदी प्रक्रिया में घोटाले जैसा कुछ नहीं हुआ और सारे आरोप राजनीति से प्रेरित थे।

लेकिन दुःख की बात यह थी कि सुप्रीम कोर्ट के इस निर्णय को सुनने के लिए जॉर्ज साहब चेतना में नहीं थे। उन्हें अल्जाइमर की बीमारी हो चुकी थी जो उनकी मृत्यु तक बनी रही। इस प्रकार अपनी अंतर्चेतना में वो अपने ऊपर लगाए गए घटिया आरोपों की पीड़ा में ही चले गए। सुप्रीम कोर्ट में झूठ पकड़े जाने के बावजूद भी किसी निर्लज्ज कांग्रेसी ने अपने कुकृत्य के लिए माफी नहीं मांगी।

दुःखद यह भी रहा कि एक ओर तो कांग्रेस की भ्रष्ट और वंशवादी राजनीति के विरुद्ध जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस जीवन भर लड़ते रहे, दुर्भाग्य से दूसरी ओर उनके ही मौकापरस्त चेले कालांतर में ‘सेकुलरिज्म’ के नाम पर उसी कांग्रेस की गोद मे जा बैठे, चाहे वो मुलायम रहे हों या लालू, चाहे शरद यादव और यहाँ तक कि कुछ समय के लिए नीतीश कुमार भी। अपने चेलों की दगाबाजी के बावजूद भी जब तक शरीर ने साथ दिया तब तक जॉर्ज “कांग्रेस मुक्त भारत” की दिशा में ही पूरी ऊर्जा के साथ लगे रहे।

बहरहाल, जॉर्ज साहब हमेशा ईमानदारी, सादगी और लोकतांत्रिक प्रतिरोध की राजनीति के प्रतीक बन रहेंगे। बहुत कम ही लोग जानते होंगे कि जॉर्ज साहब के सरकारी बंगले में कोई गेट नहीं था। ये उनका अपना स्टाइल था कि जनता और जनप्रतिनिधि के बीच गेट जैसे अवरोध क्यों! कांग्रेसी भ्रष्टाचार, अकर्मण्यता, कुशासन और तानाशाही के खिलाफ “अखिल भारतीय चक्काजाम” और “भारत बंद” जैसे उग्र विरोधी तौर-तरीकों के रचयिता का नाम था जॉर्ज। आंदोलन, जुझारूपन, मुखरता और उसूलों पर लड़-भिड़ जाने का दूसरा नाम था जॉर्ज।

राजनीतिक बन्दी को गिरफ्तारी की सूचना दे देना ही गिरफ्तारी मान ली जाती है लेकिन आपातकाल में जॉर्ज को जिस तरह लोहे की जंजीरों में जकड़ कर गिरफ्तार किया गया मानों उस समय पूरी कांग्रेस उनसे थर-थर कांप रही हो। अब जॉर्ज हमारे बीच नहीं हैं लेकिन जॉर्ज के संघर्षों और कांग्रेसियों की कायरताजन्य क्रूरता का ऐतिहासिक उदाहरण बनी यह तस्वीर सदा-सर्वदा हमारे मन-मस्तिष्क में अंकित रहेगी।

प्रणाम जॉर्ज साहब। विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।

The ideal refugee: The Parsis- know to spread only love

Opindia
-
0
The ideal refugee: The Parsis- know to spread only love

A few Persians following the Islamic conquest somehow managed to escape to China and India. The Sassanid King along with his court lived in exile in China. A major part of China was ruled by the Tang dynasty. With the Tang help, they tried in vain to conquer back their land. On his death bed, the Persian King looked towards the west and is believed to have said, “I tried all for my homeland.” Turning towards the east with the Chinese Emperor in attendance, he said, “I am thankful to China my new homeland.”

In India, the followers of Zoroastrianism who came from Persia are called Parsis. By the same time when the Sassanids were given refuge in China, many Parsis landed on the shores of Western India. Indians back then followed the policy of not letting aliens enter their towns and villages. They were allowed to camp or stay at the rest houses on the outskirts. The arrivals were provided with supplies and watched. When there was no reason to doubt only then entry was given. The Hindu King of the place where they had landed, sent them the supplies with the word that they are already full and that there is no place for new people.

The Parsis sent back a glass of milk with sugar as an offering to King saying as the sugar is not visible in the milk, yet it adds sweetness; our presence will only add sweetness to your land. The King gave them entry with the condition of accepting local language and clothing. The Parsis asked for one more thing. Unlike Indians who don’t carry footwear in their temples, Parsis are required by faith to wear them – the King accepted. Parsis for more than a millennia now have lived in India. Iran, the place of their origin is now ruled by an Islamic theocracy. Of the 1.3 billion of the Indian population, Parsis are just 70,000 but they have made contributions to India in every field. They have lived true to the words of their ancestors. The goodwill of the community is such that when population rise is being checked, the Parsis are being incentivized to increase their numbers.

For a person who has left his land and moved to another, love for both lands should be a part of him. Leaving the country of origin is neither a divorce to it nor love for it is a reason to not assimilate in new lands. Both the identities can simultaneously exist. But, there is a conflict. People are not willing to leave the habits which failed them. Those who have failed are expecting the conscience of others to be conquered not by goodness, but by using the naivety of the hosts against them. This has made many citizens of the host countries apprehensive about those coming in.

Differences in society are increasing. Apprehensions are not unfounded and the wellbeing of people who already are citizen comes first before new people are settled. To be grateful and loyal to the land which gives refuge is the least it expects. People may originate anywhere but the land which gives shelter is their new motherland.

Lord Krishna had two mothers, one who gave birth to him and another who raised him. If the devotees of Krishna are asked the name of his mother, most at first take the name of the latter.

One cannot pick between the two eyes he has, he will not puncture one for another.

Republished from my personal blog – https://bit.ly/2Rkuz2c

Yoga & Meditation: Laughed at and tarnished in India; recognised and valued in rest of the world

pravita
-
0
Yoga & Meditation: Laughed at and tarnished in India; recognised and valued in rest of the world

The Lazar lab at the Harvard University is dedicated to the study of the impact of Yoga and meditation on various cognitive and behavioral functions. Their results suggest that meditation can produce experience-based structural alterations in the brain. They also found evidence that meditation may slow down the age related atrophy of certain areas of the brain. There are other research that shows that yoga can teach children how to isolate themselves from harmful thoughts or emotions, thus, reducing anxiety and increased attention levels.

Other studies suggest that “mindful movement” such as Yoga helps to enhance kids’ working memory, attentional control, and cognitive flexibility. Some studies have gone as far as concluding that Yoga has a positive effect on students’ academic performance or engagement, particularly among students who’ve struggled with traumatic experiences such as poverty and struggle with self-regulation as a result. After all, decades of research have shown that it’s hard for a child who hasn’t learned how to respond to stress to do well in school.

Kalaripayattu is one of the most ancient and comprehensive art form of India. It has an excellent system of physical training, effective self-defence techniques, both armed and unarmed, training for excellent flexibility for physical and mental strength and is based on the Dravidian culture of India. Kalaripayattu is considered as the basis for all martial arts. Ironically, today, finding a Kalaripayattu facility in Kerala is like finding a needle in a haystack while every street corner is filled with karate, kung-fu and jiu jitsu training centers. It’s like ridiculing the delicious, organic, healthy and economical traditional food and paying premium for the food that the west has labelled as junk and unhealthy. Reluctance to accepting the core Indian values is built into the Indian psyche. Generally, Indians tend to appreciate the merits of Indianness only when some external source, most of the time the western culture, accepts them. This could be a side effect of years of imperialism.

Thanks in part to western influence and TV culture, Yoga is certainly experiencing a revival in contemporary India. At least in urban India, Yoga is becoming a status symbol. It’s cool to be seen with yYoga mats. White collar professionals suffering from diseases of prosperity like hypertension and diabetes are turning to yoga as an alternative medicine. The first International Day of Yoga, with an internationally sponsored resolution at the United Nations, was celebrated on June 21, 2015. In his proposal for this day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi explained to the United Nations:

Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature.

Appreciating Indianness and promoting Indian values is not something to be ashamed of. Being Indian is beyond watching Bollywood movies, celebrating festivals and wearing traditional attire and sharing A.R. Rahman’s Vande Mataram video on WhatsApp on the republic day. All that being said, an important aspect of all these practices — Yoga, Kalaripayattu, Ayurveda, Siddha etc. is their strong roots in vedanta and Hinduism. Yoga is twinned with sāṃkhya as one of the six orthodox darshanas (worldviews) of Hindu philosophy, with Patañjali’s Yogaśāstra, a seminal collection of texts written between the second century BCE and fifth century CE.

It is perhaps this association with Hindutva ideology, that’s preventing these practices from becoming popular in the country. How can we be secular, inclusive, and tolerant but at the same time, help our citizens reap the benefits of these time tested practices that can promote health and wellness? People should disassociate them from religious ideals and should welcome these ideologies as multivalent terms covering a diverse collection of ideas and practices. Parents should set aside time everyday to help their children embody and explore yoga’s ethical and moral codes and make it really a way of life.

What is Voter data from the past elections talking loudly to the Tamil Nadu BJP wing?

premsriram
-
0
What is Voter data from the past elections talking loudly to the Tamil Nadu BJP wing?

With the advent of digital technologies, it becomes increasingly essential for big and small parties to start looking at how the votes are cast across the previous elections. It is a known fact that this played a major role in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, however it felt like the Tamil Nadu BJP strategists left a lot to be wanting with regard to their performance in the very crucial south state. Though it did not matter in 2014, Tamil Nadu would turn out to be a crucial state for BJP to make up for potential losses in UP due to a the unholy alliance between the SP and BSP.

Tamil Nadu is always known to be a state of loyal voter bastions for the ADMK and DMK. To continue winning seats, parties eventually align with one of the two main parties forgetting their ideologies and why they were formed in the first place. The stronghold of leaders like Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha have ensured that no other alternative could be considered for the past few decades. However, things clearly could change starting this Lok sabha elections provided BJP uses their limited resources in the right manner instead of becoming too ambitious. Even getting more than 15 seats (with or without alliances) would partially compensate for the potential losses in UP.

The Swing seats

The assembly map of Tamil Nadu

The map above marks the swing parliamentary seats in north Tamil Nadu based on the voter data in the past 5 elections. The ones in red are traditionally DMK bastions (where the DMK have won 3 or more times in the past 5 elections) and this includes constituencies like Krishnagiri, Vellore, Arakonam and Sriperumdur. While ADMK bastions include Salem, Tiruppur, Thiruvannamalai and Dharmapuri. It does not add much value spending campaigning resources on these areas, the only way the BJP can gain traction in these areas are by suitable pre poll alliances.

What is more important to BJP are regions marked in yellow where the voters have never really fixed and voted for one party in a majoritarian fashion which we typically call as swing seats. We can find that important regions like Nammakal, Arani, Kancheepuram fall into this category and the BJP south wing should focus their limited resources in influencing voter base into this area to look at a different kind of an alternative and believing that their vote could actually count to make a change. Other constituencies where biparty swing is seen include Dindigul, Erode. Virudunagar, Tiruvannamalai, Theni , SIvaganaga, and  Nagercoil.

During the 2014 elections when the DMK was trounced because of 2g corruption charges looming over their head, ADMK was the natural alternative because people did not believe a vote for BJP would actually count in making a change. Despite this, there was a surprise thrown in Kanniyakumari where a strong leader like Pon Radhakrishnan won the seat by more than a lakh of votes, when we try make sense into this we can see that both the lok sabha results and assembly election results of the past 5 years support this trend. Kanniyakumari has always been a region open to change and voting generously for parties other than DMK and the AIADMK. This year might be the start where more constituencies fall into this bracket, but BJP should be the first mover to capitalize this or would lose the plot forever.

Why India can’t afford to have another Indira

Shubham Singh
-
0
Why India can’t afford to have another Indira

Suddenly twitter started to trend with the hashtag Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Politics. Supporters of Congress started celebrating it like Holi and Diwali. Posters were made showing her as the incarnation of ‘Durga‘ and showing her features, that she resembles with Ms Indira Gandhi. With her entry into politics officially, the mystery and secrecy, real and carefully contrived, about her role in her party came to an end. This may be welcome as it’s every individual’s right to join politics. But by finally laying its “Priyanka card” out on the table, the Congress, has shown that they were finding difficulty in the race of 2019 general elections.

This step may work as oxygen for congress in UP, as the situations are complicated for them. They are not a part of SP- BSP alliance or say Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati didn’t want any risk. So to search for ground in UP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra can be helpful as people connect to her emotionally as per congress leaders. Those who praises Indira Gandhi, think that she will also act like her grandmother. But does India really need another Indira or even can India afford to have another Indira?

Indira Gandhi was a authoritarian leader who ruled for herself and not for the people’s benefit. She disturbed the balance between judiciary and executive, and suspended democracy for 2 full years, jailing all political opposition. She and her oppressive son Sanjay tried their best to destroy democracy to establish a dynasty. So we need Priyanka Gandhi to repeat this all? Looking at the few of incidents shows that Indira Gandhi was having very high ambitions that too not for the benefit of the country but only for the chair of power.

Imposition of Emergency in Country

On 12 June 1975, Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha of the Allahabad High Court found the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi guilty on the charge of misuse of government machinery for her election campaign in 1971. Indira Gandhi challenged the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court. Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, on 24 June 1975, upheld the High Court judgement and ordered all privileges Gandhi received as an MP be stopped, and that she be debarred from voting. However, she was allowed to continue as Prime Minister.

Emergency in India was enforced in 1975

The next day, JP organised a large rally in Delhi, where he said that a police officer must reject the orders of government if the order is immoral and unethical as this was Mahatma Gandhi’s motto during the freedom struggle. Such a statement was taken as a sign of inciting rebellion in the country. Later that day, Indira Gandhi requested President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to issue a proclamation of a state of emergency and he did this. Within three hours, the electricity to all major newspapers was cut and the political opposition arrested. The proposal was sent without discussion with the Union Cabinet, who only learnt of it and ratified it the next morning.

Eliminating Opposition

Invoking article 352 of the Indian Constitution, Ms Gandhi granted herself extraordinary powers and launched a massive crackdown on civil liberties and political opposition. The Government used police forces across the country to place thousands of protesters and strike leaders under preventive detention. Vijayaraje Scindia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Raj Narain, Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, Jivatram Kripalani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, Satyendra Narayan Sinha and other protest leaders were immediately arrested. Organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS) and Jamaat-e-Islami along with some political parties were banned. Numerous Communist leaders were arrested along with many others involved with their party.

Manipulating Judiciary

At least nine high courts pronounced that even after the declaration of an emergency a person could challenge his detention. The Supreme Court, now under the Indira Gandhi-appointed Chief Justice A. N. Ray, over-ruled all of them upholding the state’s plea for power to detain a person without the necessity of informing him of the reasons/grounds of his arrest or, to suspend his personal liberties or, to deprive him of his right to life, in an absolute manner (the habeas corpuscase’).

Sanjay Gandhi Terror

Sanjay Gandhi with his mother Indira Gandhi

The unofficial king of Emergency was the younger son of Indira, Sanjay who was termed as the ‘Goonda‘ of the nation powered by his mother’s power. Sycophancy was a legacy that indiara passed to generations ahead. In September 1976, Sanjay Gandhi initiated a widespread compulsory sterilisation program to limit population growth. The campaign primarily involved getting males to undergo vasectomy. Quotas were set up that enthusiastic supporters and government officials worked hard to achieve. There were allegations of coercion of unwilling candidates too. In 1976–1977, the program counted 8.3 million sterilisations, up from 2.7 million the previous year. The bad publicity led every government since 1977 to stress that family planning is an entirely voluntary program.

Cultivating Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale 

The 1970s the Akalis had become a powerful political force and Indira wanted a counterweight to them. Zail Singh and Indira Gandhi, on the advise of Sanjay gandhi decided to support and help bhindrawale grow in stature politically. Eventually Bhindrawale became more powerful than the akalis and wanted Khalistan. Indira could no longer control him. Bhindrawale decided to occupy the Golden Temple premises. It did lot of harm for the Golden Temple. It was totally destroyed.

These were the few of the incidents which shows that Indira Gandhi brought India as close as possible to a totalitarian dictatorship. So people who want Priyanka Gandhi in the role of her grandmother must at least think twice before coming to any conclusion.

1...635636637...889Page 636 of 889