Let us not kid ourselves. India is under seize. And as always, Indians know this much better and since much earlier than our fuddy duddy politicians. We live in our country the way people live in Gaza or perhaps in Srinagar. Bombs, murders, thefts, unaccountable or irrlevant politicians are a way of life.
We all go on with doing our daily chores, hoping and praying that while do so, we wouldnt suddnely die an untimely death. For us, life goes on, as it has to. Is there an alternative?
We cant hope for justice, prevention, security, safety, law and order.
How different does that sound from being in Darfur? I guess, the only difference is that we have skyscrapers, fancy cars and big shopping malls for the 10% population that can afford it. Otherwise, we are all living our daily lives praying not to get killed. If my guess is right, i guess the probability of someone dying such a death in India would be similar to that of one in Gaza or Darfur, if we discount the hugely larger population that we have. May be that is going to be our strength some day - terrorists getting tired of killing so many of us.
How, just how, can politcians continue to talk regionalism, casteism, religion, and of all the things, smoking bans whilst India goes through such attacks year after year.
They travel all over the world. Why dont they see that New York hasnt had another attack ever since, London hasnt been yet attacked but Mumbai has been repeatedly attacked. And its not just about Mumbai. Its the whole country. Why? How cold blooded can they be? Tragedy is that this includes all politicians, of all shades and hues. They are all for something or the other, for Marathis, for Sri Lanka Tamils, for Hindus, for Muslims, for SC/STs...there is no one who is for Indians despite all bullshit talk of Hindutva and Hindustan and what not.
What, if at all, can be done? I dont have hope from humans in India. Do you?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Let Them Dance-Editorial-Opinion-The Times of India
Let Them Dance-Editorial-Opinion-The Times of India
While in principal, there can be no argument against that, who decides what is moral, what is right and what is wrong? To what length does a city or its people need to go to become "global"? If, for instance, foreigners start coming to my city, Lucknow, in hordes, does that mean the Lucknow ki tehzeeb (or whatever is left of it) should be subsumed to the "global" culture just so Lucknow becomes a truly global city? There is no right or wrong answer. Its just the leadership and the larger public opinion that would decide so, if and when the time comes. Is Dubai not a global city?Amsterdam is a global city. As global as any can be. May be we need to legalize marijuana. How about emulating Singapore? Let's legalize prostituion then. Copying Paris? Lets legalize and allow weddings for gays. Build some casinos as well and some strip bars. Well, why not. In a truly globalized, 21st century, all of this is quite ok and accepted, isnt it?Do we even know what percentage of the local population in Bangalore goes to discs for dancing and prancing around in the night?Globalization doesnt just mean dancing around for either men or women. It means providing facilities of international standards, having an infrastructure that others come to emulate. Let Bangalore provide roads, clean drinking water in the taps, 24 hour electricity, roads for women to walk safely on at 2am in the night, police that truly holds up the peace of the city like the European police and public transport like that of Hong Kong. That then would be a truly global city. For the population of Bangalore, dancing will come naturally then irrespective of whether pubs and discs are open after mid night or not.
While in principal, there can be no argument against that, who decides what is moral, what is right and what is wrong? To what length does a city or its people need to go to become "global"? If, for instance, foreigners start coming to my city, Lucknow, in hordes, does that mean the Lucknow ki tehzeeb (or whatever is left of it) should be subsumed to the "global" culture just so Lucknow becomes a truly global city? There is no right or wrong answer. Its just the leadership and the larger public opinion that would decide so, if and when the time comes. Is Dubai not a global city?Amsterdam is a global city. As global as any can be. May be we need to legalize marijuana. How about emulating Singapore? Let's legalize prostituion then. Copying Paris? Lets legalize and allow weddings for gays. Build some casinos as well and some strip bars. Well, why not. In a truly globalized, 21st century, all of this is quite ok and accepted, isnt it?Do we even know what percentage of the local population in Bangalore goes to discs for dancing and prancing around in the night?Globalization doesnt just mean dancing around for either men or women. It means providing facilities of international standards, having an infrastructure that others come to emulate. Let Bangalore provide roads, clean drinking water in the taps, 24 hour electricity, roads for women to walk safely on at 2am in the night, police that truly holds up the peace of the city like the European police and public transport like that of Hong Kong. That then would be a truly global city. For the population of Bangalore, dancing will come naturally then irrespective of whether pubs and discs are open after mid night or not.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
India and Kashmir
Put Out The Fire-Editorial-Opinion-The Times of India
Unless we integrate the Valley with the rest of the country, these issues are likely to continue forever into the future. Before Independence, the place was ruled by a Hindu king. Can we imagine a Hindu ruler now? Before independence, there didnt seem to be any communcal problems in Kashmir. Now since the last 20 years there are. Unless we try and integrate, things are not going to change. No point in saying that the Valley has special rights and is a special state thanks to its unique culture. The very culture we used to talk about has changed now. That culture was a great blend of Sufism and Hinduism - with both religions living together in peace and harmony. Now neither Sufism is left and nor is Hinduism. That is why even common discussions result in classifying Kashmir as the only state with a majority muslim population. I am sure that Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, Patel and all the others never envisaged such a situation. The ground realities having changed so much, the case is for the integration of Kashmir rather than its continued isolation from the rest of India. We need a repeat of Punjab in Kashmir without continuing to harp on its long lost "unique" culture.
Unless we integrate the Valley with the rest of the country, these issues are likely to continue forever into the future. Before Independence, the place was ruled by a Hindu king. Can we imagine a Hindu ruler now? Before independence, there didnt seem to be any communcal problems in Kashmir. Now since the last 20 years there are. Unless we try and integrate, things are not going to change. No point in saying that the Valley has special rights and is a special state thanks to its unique culture. The very culture we used to talk about has changed now. That culture was a great blend of Sufism and Hinduism - with both religions living together in peace and harmony. Now neither Sufism is left and nor is Hinduism. That is why even common discussions result in classifying Kashmir as the only state with a majority muslim population. I am sure that Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, Patel and all the others never envisaged such a situation. The ground realities having changed so much, the case is for the integration of Kashmir rather than its continued isolation from the rest of India. We need a repeat of Punjab in Kashmir without continuing to harp on its long lost "unique" culture.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Irrelevance of G 8 meetings for the South
http://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&tab=wm#inbox
In this day and age, the G-8 meetings are about as relevant to the average human being living in any part of the Globe as a game of cards at the Gymkhana would be to to people living in Naraina or Powai. Instead of worrying or bothering about such clubs, like minded countries like India, South Africa, Brazil, perhaps China (like minded?), Nigeria, should form a club with genuine participation and interest levels to generate ideas and action agendas that cater specifically to the needs of the poor living in these and similar other countries. For this to happen, such a grouping should involve select scientists, sociologists, local NGO representatives and important business leaders. Such a grouping should be funded by contributions from the government / businesses and its effectivity measured in terms of the actual business and cooperation ideas generated and implemented. It would be far more practical and workable, with accountability. If this gets implemented, the poor people residing in these countries will see real change for their benefit. Then they wouldnt really need to bother about what games are being played at the Gymkhana and whose hand is better than the rest. Such discussions are better off covered on Page 3 instead of being headline news.
In this day and age, the G-8 meetings are about as relevant to the average human being living in any part of the Globe as a game of cards at the Gymkhana would be to to people living in Naraina or Powai. Instead of worrying or bothering about such clubs, like minded countries like India, South Africa, Brazil, perhaps China (like minded?), Nigeria, should form a club with genuine participation and interest levels to generate ideas and action agendas that cater specifically to the needs of the poor living in these and similar other countries. For this to happen, such a grouping should involve select scientists, sociologists, local NGO representatives and important business leaders. Such a grouping should be funded by contributions from the government / businesses and its effectivity measured in terms of the actual business and cooperation ideas generated and implemented. It would be far more practical and workable, with accountability. If this gets implemented, the poor people residing in these countries will see real change for their benefit. Then they wouldnt really need to bother about what games are being played at the Gymkhana and whose hand is better than the rest. Such discussions are better off covered on Page 3 instead of being headline news.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
BJP Election Manifesto
The BJP still has a chance at the next elections. But the problem with them is that they also never learn from their mistakes. The more they try to act different, the more similar they become to Congress. They have still a chance and should in fact look at constuting a shadow cabinet from within their own party and the rest of the NDA partners. They should speak of policies that they would implement. They should, as we speak now, start a nationwide program for membership drives and funds for the next election. If they start a grass roots movement now, they have a huge chance of succeeding.But they need to be be clear on what they offer and how they go about doing it.They should pioneer a point based quota system and take a leaf from Mayawati on this.They should pioneer the introduction of coupone for people below the poverty line with banks delivering these coupons to people directlyThey should pioneer food for work programs where the work being done is of permanent nature and focuses on construction activities like building roads, schools, hospitals etc. in the rural areas. They should announce incentives to massively increase government employment but only in fields like police, security, intelligence, education.They should look at integrating forest dwelling tribals with the development of forests. Incentives and schemes should be focused on that ensure protection of the tiger and the development of the tribals living on those forests. These are not mutually exclusive. If their focus stays on the economy, jobs, security and education, then with the kind of image they already have, they can come back to power very successfully.
But then the big question is whether they are ready and more important whether India's time has really come?
But then the big question is whether they are ready and more important whether India's time has really come?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Call the bluff
It is high time the Indian politicians and Indian citizens called the bluff of these non sensical and irrelevant Indian marxists.
These guys do nothing beyond talk. They have no specific agenda except for opposing any and everything right from the nuclear talks to Jodha Akbar! I mean, come on guys, give your selves a break.
Why is it that they continue to garner media and political attention? What is it in them that despite supporting China in the 1962 war, they still continue to be heard? Even when they hardly get enough votes to be even politically relevant to any degree except being represented in two states in the entire country.
People should be apologetic and embarressed about being called communists in today's day and age. And yet here we are regularly listening to their ridiculous banter. Why? What is it that even the BJP is worried about them?
These guys do nothing beyond talk. They have no specific agenda except for opposing any and everything right from the nuclear talks to Jodha Akbar! I mean, come on guys, give your selves a break.
Why is it that they continue to garner media and political attention? What is it in them that despite supporting China in the 1962 war, they still continue to be heard? Even when they hardly get enough votes to be even politically relevant to any degree except being represented in two states in the entire country.
People should be apologetic and embarressed about being called communists in today's day and age. And yet here we are regularly listening to their ridiculous banter. Why? What is it that even the BJP is worried about them?
Monday, January 21, 2008
Delhi is a polluted and congested city
Everyone knows things are not getting any better in our capital city. With increasing road congestion comes higher amount of air pollution. With the higherst per capita income city in the country attracting migrants by the thousands every week, it is bound to get more heavily populated. With increasing population comes the stretch on resources and comes the water pollution, sanitation, higher level of sewage, just about everything!
Delhi could begin with learning simple things from within the country. For instance, as regards water, it could simply borrow from what Jayalalitha did in Chennai. Make it compulsory by law for all high rises to have water harvesting including rain water harvesting within a stipulated time frame, say by December 2009. Just need to share notes with Chennai on how this has changed the drinking water supply situation there.
Then, simple things like building concrete walls on both sides of the Yamuna right from where it enters New Delhi to the point where it exits. The dirty nullah water can then go along these walls through canals and get collected at the end of Delhi state in a large sewage treatment plant. A private company could develop this and also make money by selling the fertilizers / biofuel that come up from this sewage treatment plant. Some of this could even be used to light up the Yamuna in the evenings.
Instead of giving licenses to all and sundry for operating transport buses within the city, the government should insist on 4-5 big companies with credible business experience to operate these buses across Delhi. They could be insisted upon to give the existing drivers a first right of refusal to join the new bus fleets, subject to driving tests.
At the same time these companies should be insisted upon to use eco friendly, modern buses with driver operated doors so that there is no option for anyone to hang on to the door handles of a moving bus.
It would be far easier to manage a few companies than so many independent operators. Instead of thinking of buses as a menace, the Delhi government ought to give them special treatment and ensure that bus routes are prioritised across Delhi. Once the bus services are regularized, there should be special dedicated paths for the buses and they should get priority over all other vehicles.
Thereafter, the car parking fee should be increased manifold in the main office districts and on all parking spaces near any heavy traffic route. This would incentivize commuters to start car pools or avoid using cars altogether on a daily basis. The parking charges for 4 wheelers should be calculated basis some kind of a benchmark with the rentals for office / residential space in that area. Surely if a person works in an office area that probably costs the company Rs. 10,000 per sq.ft., he should not be expected to park his car for Rs. 10 per 4 hours or some such ridiculous amount.
As a further incentive for car pool, the government must introduce congestion fee in the main areas. Those who really have the money can always pay. And Delhi having the highest per capita income has a load of money anyways. So this could probably increase the government revenues significantly.
To ensure a market dependent rate, the government could offer parking spaces to established companies that work with handicapped people and that agree to automate the parking spaces. With these two conditions, whichever company agrees to pay the highest revenues back to the government should be granted licenses co terminus with the government.
With a decreasing number of cars and a priority to buses across all areas of Delhi, the government should then designate quite a few areas as pedestrian only areas, for instance, CP, Chandni Chowk, Sarojini Nagar, to take a few examples.
With the increased revenues coming through these, the government then should look at developing dedicated cycle paths across the state of Delhi and definitely so in areas that are now under development. Ideally, the cycle paths should be in place through large swathes of Delhi well before the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
Will the government even start thinking on these lines? Well...now, thats a question!
Delhi could begin with learning simple things from within the country. For instance, as regards water, it could simply borrow from what Jayalalitha did in Chennai. Make it compulsory by law for all high rises to have water harvesting including rain water harvesting within a stipulated time frame, say by December 2009. Just need to share notes with Chennai on how this has changed the drinking water supply situation there.
Then, simple things like building concrete walls on both sides of the Yamuna right from where it enters New Delhi to the point where it exits. The dirty nullah water can then go along these walls through canals and get collected at the end of Delhi state in a large sewage treatment plant. A private company could develop this and also make money by selling the fertilizers / biofuel that come up from this sewage treatment plant. Some of this could even be used to light up the Yamuna in the evenings.
Instead of giving licenses to all and sundry for operating transport buses within the city, the government should insist on 4-5 big companies with credible business experience to operate these buses across Delhi. They could be insisted upon to give the existing drivers a first right of refusal to join the new bus fleets, subject to driving tests.
At the same time these companies should be insisted upon to use eco friendly, modern buses with driver operated doors so that there is no option for anyone to hang on to the door handles of a moving bus.
It would be far easier to manage a few companies than so many independent operators. Instead of thinking of buses as a menace, the Delhi government ought to give them special treatment and ensure that bus routes are prioritised across Delhi. Once the bus services are regularized, there should be special dedicated paths for the buses and they should get priority over all other vehicles.
Thereafter, the car parking fee should be increased manifold in the main office districts and on all parking spaces near any heavy traffic route. This would incentivize commuters to start car pools or avoid using cars altogether on a daily basis. The parking charges for 4 wheelers should be calculated basis some kind of a benchmark with the rentals for office / residential space in that area. Surely if a person works in an office area that probably costs the company Rs. 10,000 per sq.ft., he should not be expected to park his car for Rs. 10 per 4 hours or some such ridiculous amount.
As a further incentive for car pool, the government must introduce congestion fee in the main areas. Those who really have the money can always pay. And Delhi having the highest per capita income has a load of money anyways. So this could probably increase the government revenues significantly.
To ensure a market dependent rate, the government could offer parking spaces to established companies that work with handicapped people and that agree to automate the parking spaces. With these two conditions, whichever company agrees to pay the highest revenues back to the government should be granted licenses co terminus with the government.
With a decreasing number of cars and a priority to buses across all areas of Delhi, the government should then designate quite a few areas as pedestrian only areas, for instance, CP, Chandni Chowk, Sarojini Nagar, to take a few examples.
With the increased revenues coming through these, the government then should look at developing dedicated cycle paths across the state of Delhi and definitely so in areas that are now under development. Ideally, the cycle paths should be in place through large swathes of Delhi well before the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
Will the government even start thinking on these lines? Well...now, thats a question!
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