For some, nothing is actually enough

Even though the UPA government has been insensitive, incapable, tainted with galore of scams and shown all the traits of a lacklustre government, it deserves undoubted appreciation for hanging Kasab. For all the wrongs that it has done, is currently doing and will do in the future; the endless criticism it receives, I'd say, it is still less. But it certainly doesn't mean that when it does something good, we should shadow it completely.

In Kasab's case, the UPA needs appreciation. It has hanged Kasab. May be they took time, but considering the complex relations we maintain with Pakistan, this delay can be justified. Even after keeping him alive for four years, giving him enough time to try and use all his and his masters' tactics, the Pakistan defence lawyer still said that 'a key evidence has been lost'. 

Now that Kasab has become history, it doesn't become a reason good enough for the opposition to simply laud the government. If it does, according to them and many others, they fail to be an 'opposition' any more. This is where we really prove to be a not-so-good democracy. Opposition doesn't mean it has to oppose all what the ruling party does, irrespective of the merits. In the race to prove that they are strong and to gain some brownie points every time, they tend to forget what 'constructive opposition' is.

The opposition's and the critics' claim that Afsal Guru is yet to be hanged is right, but they should appreciate the UPA for Kasab's execution. 

Hold your horses people, Afsal Guru too will be given the invitation to Yerwada soon.

'Mango People' in 'Banana Republic' - Procrastinate, the day isn't far!

The shiv-sainiks displayed highest level of discipline on the day of their leader's demise and on the following day during the farewell procession. They need to be lauded for this because not only was the city of Mumbai, but the entire state of Maharashtra was put on high alert and slightest of a spark would have created havoc.

But, I was pretty sure, given the history of the sainiks, that their resort to peace would not last long.

The most happening city of India had come to a complete halt on the 17th and 18th. Vehicles did not ply, local trains ran empty and the all-time-busy Mumbaikars had a zero day, whether they wanted it or not. Most accepted this, unquestioned, as if like a diktat. Some were frustrated, a few vented it out, through the present day pressure release valve - the social media.

One among the few was a 21 year old, candid, some may say immature, girl from Thane district, a strong hold of the sainiks, who wrote on her Facebook page that people like Thackarey die often, but 'bandh' on such days was not required. The girl, in the wildest of her dreams, would not have thought that she would be a victim to the sainik's ire.

Yes, she was arrested, the same night, reportedly under IPC section 505(2) and section 66(A) of the Information Technology act. The former talks about creating enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes and the latter about causing harm to an individual or group by using electronic media. I still find it difficult to understand how the girl's post happened to do either.

Surprisingly, not just the girl, but her friend who 'liked' the post, in Facebook, was also arrested. The ire doesn't end here. The girl's uncle's clinic was also vandalized by a group of people. The group, however, was not arrested, until today morning. Shocked? Come on, this is India folks!

I aired my resentment against this by posting about this in my Twitter handle and Facebook profile. I, using the freedom of speech given to me by the Constitution, did write to what my mind, and I am sure to many others' too, seemed right. I was asked by some of my well wishers to show restraint while commenting on such issues, and some even asked me to remove my posts immediately, for my own good. Bearing the fact that my act may bring trouble to my well wishers and respecting their words, I removed those posts, though I had and still have my own reservations and justification. In the present times of diplomacy, I am sure that my justifications will carry no weight.

We are in the largest democracy. We have the longest written and one of the most respected Constitution in the world. Our leaders chose democracy because they wanted us to be our own masters (but not others' masters like in this case). The democracy gives it's people the right to faith in rationality of the human mind. I take extreme pride in being born and living in a country like ours.

However, there are some sections in our laws that curb our sovereignty or give room for people to misconstrue them, section 66(A) of the IT act, for instance. It may be argued by politicians that the courts are here to interpret these provide clarity, but this cannot be an excuse for framing laws that can be misinterpreted easily.

The freedom given to every citizen is not to be taken for granted, be it the rich or the powerful. The law enforcement departments should be more prudent and ensure that they work without bias and not under the pressure of vested interest groups. The law makers should keep in mind the aam admi while drafting laws. The media should work fearlessly and be bold to condemn the wrong doings of those in power. The courts should take suo moto action, when ever the situation demands, and punish those found guilty. In this case, not just the police but also the forces behind the police who made them to act in this manner. Lastly, the aam admi too should be more thoughtful in actions, I mean the people who resort to violence and not the ones who air their genuine concerns.

I certainly do not feel that what the girls have done is wrong. Many respected people in our country and from abroad have expressed their resent. Justice Markandey Katju has written strongly to the Maharashtra Chief Minister and warned him of dire consequences in case of his failure to act. Well known journalist Vinita Deshmukh has started a online signature campaign against the section 66(A) of IT act. (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/appeal-to-prime-minister-manmohan-singh-to-amend/)

I wish, this incident, and the ones that happened in the recent past, give enough gravity to the issue and calls for wide spread deliberations, making the concerned people act in favour of the aam admi.

I hope the government doesn't stay oblivious to such issues and make we, the aam admi of our country 'mango people' in a 'banana republic'.

I would like to end by quoting Chetan Bhagat's response to this incident - "Bravery and bullying are two different things. Arresting people and arresting thoughts are two different things."

Jai Hind!

Kejrileaks 4.0 - the larger issues

Firstly, let me suggest you to watch this video, where Arvind Kejriwal is being interviewed by Rahul Kanwal, the Executive Director of the Headlines Today.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/arvind-kejriwal-exposes-swiss-bank-account-holders/1/228506.html

I really wonder why politicians, the media and so called 'intellectuals' put the complete onus on a person who dares to put out the grief of the public, which of course is in the interest of the nation, to back all that he puts forth with full proof! Are these people forgetting what a whistle blower really is? Are they forgetting that collection of evidence and making a charge foolproof is the duty of the police, the CBI and such similar institutions?

One can't expect the whistle blowers to do this all, always. In some cases collection of proofs and evidences may be an easy task for the whistle blower. In some cases it may be difficult, but not impossible. In some cases it may be impossible for him to do this, given the complexity of the issue. In such cases he may need the help of many people or even the government.

Also, every whistle blower may have different agendas. Some may be interested in just revealing something so as to ensure that the people around are aware of it. Some may want the revealed information/problem to be solved at the earliest but he may not be able to do the latter, all by his own. Some may reveal and also have good established contacts where he can manage to solve the problem to a great extent. There may be some with malicious intents too. All these are up to them and it is left for us to decide whether we should pay heed to them r not.

Let me now be specific. Why are the media channels, in the case of Kejrileaks, busy only in trying to know the authenticity of the charges made by Kejriwal? Why are they very conveniently ignoring the larger issues?

Kejrileaks 4.0 talked about how easy it was to open an account in Swiss banks in general and HSBC in specific, the government's inaction, double standards adopted by the government in approach towards different people and largely an acute systemic failure. 

Kejriwal clearly says that he got some of the names given in the list of 700 people who are having bank accounts in Geneva branch of the HSBC bank, from a senior person in the Congress party. He also admits that it is impossible for him to gather more evidence to substantiate the points he make, given the fact that the black money issue is not a simple one. But, the media persists in only knowing the authenticity of this and nothing else. Let me point out that when this list of 700 people came to the GOI, Mukesh Ambani wrote to Pranab Mukherjee, the then Finance minister stating that he is ready to pay the taxes to 'buy peace'. Doesn't this indicate that there was something wrong that had been done? 

The government denied revealing the names in the list in the Parliament and to us, the aam admi of the nation. The government's excuse was that revealing these names would create havoc in the country. As soon as the list came to the government, Mukesh Ambani writes to it. How did he get to know that his name had appeared in the list? Obviously someone in the government told him this. Not just him, but also the HSBC bank because as soon as this was known, HSBC publicly apologized Ambani and this did come in the news then. Doesn't this clearly show preferential treatment given to Ambani family by our government to save them? Doesn't this expose the double standard of the government where on one side it says that it will not reveal the names, but on the other it helps the people it needs by giving them the details?

Three people's, whose names had appeared in the list of 700, properties and houses were raided by the income tax departments and their statements were recorded in 2011. These statements categorically stated that HSBC was involved in money laundering and acted as 'hawala' agents. Why hasn't the government still arrested the HSBC authorities yet?  

The United Nations of America enacted the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, under which U.S. taxpayers with specified foreign financial assets that exceed certain thresholds must report those to the government and also mandates the foreign banks to report to the government information about accounts held by U.S. citizens and about any firms in which U.S. citizens hold substantial stakes. Why doesn't our government enact such laws? Lack of political consensus, an excuse the government has to all the issues it faces.

The government is clearly playing a dirty game with the aam admi. The level of one's safety and sustainability in this dirty game is determined by his wealth. It takes a lot of courage to stand up against this. Are you ready?

Jai Hind!

Kejriwal exposes crony capitalism

Arvind Kejriwal after a short hiatus, hit the headlines again. This time around, he did not pinpoint any particular individual and his misdoings, but raised a more serious issue - the faulty system which works at the whims and fancies of big corporates.

A corporate worker turned Indian Revenue Services officer turned social activist and now a politician, Kejriwal knows the system in and out. With his first hand experience of how our government machinery works and the legal acumen of veteran lawyer Prashant Bhushan, India Against Corruption has raised a well known, yet serious issue of the pol-biz nexus.

They did not expose anything new, but they collated many facts and minutes of meetings. They joined the dots to show clearly how the Indian government had to succumb to the pressure put by Reliance, which ended up in increasing fuel prices.

In the recent cabinet rejig, as alleged by many, the Petroleum minister Mr. Jaipal Reddy was removed and given a less important ministry because he did not agree to the terms put forth by Reliance. It is also alleged that Reliance used it's clout in the government to transfer him from the Petroleum ministry. This is a quintessential example of crony capitalism.

Crony capitalism determines the postings of public servants and portfolios of ministers. It decide what prices people should pay for commodities.

No doubt that these corporates fuel our economy and takes India to the global scene, but this should not give them powers to influence government decisions.

Business begets money, money begets power; but it is the government which has to prevent this power from crossing the limits, placing the nation and it's people's interests before anything.

Jai Hind!

Policy paralysis to policy puncture - the LPG cylinder cap fiasco

The government of India, in its March 2012 Union Budget had estimated the subsidy expenditure as 2.2 lakh crore rupees. In an attempt to bring the economy back to track, reduce the fiscal deficit and under pressure from the IMF and the World Bank, the UPA 2 government decided to bite the bullet and to cut subsidies. Cutting subsidies meant increase in prices of diesel, LPG, fertilizers, etcetera.

The cutting of LPG subsidies raised eye brows of every Indian mother and wife. The government decided that it will provide only six cylinders a year at subsidized rate, i.e., at Rs. 425. People who needed more would have to shell out Rs. 920 per cylinder, more than double the amount at which cylinders used to be bought earlier. Soon, distressed urban people started to think of alternatives like electric induction cookers, and their rural counterparts thought of bio-gas plants. 

People living in individual houses or bungalows were not as badly hit as the people living in apartments. In apartments, many had piped LPG connections. Cylinders were stored in the society's cylinder bank and gas was supplied to each of the kitchens via pipes. Here the cylinders were registered with the supplier in the name of the society and not individuals. This means, in paper, there was only one single customer. The law said that each customer would be given only six cylinders at the subsidized rate. This simply meant that irrespective of the number of houses in buildings, they would only receive six cylinders at a subsidized rate. One would really wonder how the government managed to not think of this, while framing the law, when we have a huge percentage of people in urban India living in apartments. 

But to the apartment living people's relief, the government soon amended the law and accepted that individual houses in apartments would be considered as separate customers and that each house would get six cylinders per year at subsidized rates.

Now, the government has come up with the 'kind to cash' policy, wherein customers, on displaying their Aadhar card would be given cash, equivalent to the cost of six subsidized cylinders. This was done to avoid pilferage and diminish the role of middlemen. Here again the government has a hurdle to cross. How will the government implement this policy in apartments where only some houses may have an Aadhar card and avail this facility, while others who do not have one will have to continue procuring in kind (cylinders)? Not to forget that each house in the apartment is considered as separate customer but the gas is still being supplied to houses from the common society cylinder bank.

Under the 'one house, one LPG connection' policy, the government had made it illegal for a household to have multiple LPG connections. However, oil marketing companies have the powers to make an exception to this policy by giving a household more than one LPG connection if the household has two kitchens and if they can show that food is being prepared in both kitchens. In this case, such household will get six plus six cylinders at subsidized rates. Is it that difficult to show a room as a kitchen and cook in that room at the time of applying for multiple LPG connections? This would mean that, that particular customer would get twelve cylinders per year, throughout if he manages to do this simple malpractice for a very small period.

Interestingly, the central government has let it for the states to decide as to how many cylinders they want to provide to their people at subsidized rates. The states have the freedom to spend from its exchequer and give more than six cylinders to its people. It is quite possible that the state governments may do this, by spending more than what it actually can, or by taking loans and eventually ask the centre for a relief package or to waive of its debts. Such acts will defeat the entire purpose of this cap on LPG subsidy. 

The restless government at the centre, with less than two years remaining in power is desperately trying to bring in reforms. It would be appropriate if they do not take policy decisions in haste, lest it will shift from policy paralysis to policy puncture.

Why I support Arvind Kejriwal

As a young Indian, I am really worried seeing the lacklustre way of governance prevailing in our country. The politicians, by and large change colours as soon as they are voted to power. Most of them collude with their electoral opponents and be hand in glove in looting the public exchequer. Those who don't collude, rubbish the allegations of wrong doings made by their opponents, without even having the courtesy to let a fair probe into those. 

Politicians abuse senior bureaucrats in press conferences, some rubbish allegations of financial embezzlement saying that lakhs of rupees is too small an amount for a central minister to loot, some admit of having evidences against wrong doings of opposition members but tend to keep it to themselves to prevent the other party from exposing them, some even come into rescue of others so that they get the same 'help' when they themselves are in such a state. Being a democracy what can we, the aam voters do in such grim situations?

What Arvind Kejriwal is doing is an initial step towards a final good. He, with all guns blazing, is exposing the financial wrong doings of people in power, cutting across party lines. In this process he has been successful in driving home the moot point that most, yes most of the people governing us are eating into the chunk of resources which are supposed to be utilized for our good and hence are least bothered about we, the aam janta.

Kejriwal's approach is equated to 'hit and run' by his opponents. When he targeted the Congress, they accused him of being the B-team of the BJP. When he targeted the BJP, Congressmen accused of people within the BJP motivating him against their opponents within the party. Also a senior leader in the Congress, whose words his party men themselves don't pay heed to, accuse Kejriwal of showing vengeance against Sonia Gandhi for not letting him into the National Advisory Council. All politicians continue mud-slinging Kejriwal, lest they understand that they are simply making a fool out of themselves. When one party is targeted, their opponents endorse Kejriwal's allegations, forgetting that they had rubbished Kejriwal when he had spoken against them. This proves who is tensed and whose approach actually is 'hit and run'. Moreover, Kejriwal is neither at the helm of the CBI or the judiciary, nor a member of Parliament to order a probe to bring the issues, he raises to a logical conclusion. He, as an aam admi can only ask for a fair investigation into the cases, which he has and is doing.

People accuse Kejriwal for conducting made-for-media events. What is his mistake if the cameras follow him and shoot whatever he does? Media want headlines and he very well knows to handle them and give them what they want. Is it his mistake? He should rather be appreciated for this. 

Next, he is said to be utopian in his thoughts. Is being optimistic, utopian? He thinks that corruption should be eradicated from our country to the maximum possible extent. He also goes on to say that the present day politicians are status quoists and are least bothered to change the fractured system. I feel that many people are also following the politicians and showing no signs of hope, which is, in no way good for the nation's future.

I see Kejriwal as a person who tried bringing change in the system, initially, being a part of it, as a bureaucrat. Upon realizing the limitations at work, he came out of it, joined the social workers fraternity and acted as an efficient pressure group. Further realizing the government's insensitivity, he decided to be a part of the system again and fight it from within, but this time not as a bureaucrat, but as a politician. I feel that he has given up his cozy living for the good of the people and a vision for a new India. A person with a good intention should be appreciated rather than being accused. I hence totally support his movement.

Jai Hind!

Why Shoot The Messenger?

Sonia Gandhi's son in-law Robert Vadra was in the eye of a storm some days back when India Against Corruption (IAC) activists Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan made public a case of financial impropriety involving Vadra and realty giant DLF.

The allegations made by the activists was that DLF gave properties valued at Rs.300 crore to Vadra at undervalued rates. They also said that Vadra's company with a capital of Rs.50 lakh and with no obvious revenue stream, got an unsecured interest free loan of Rs. 65 crore from DLF. Activists allege a quid pro quo where Vadra, using Sonia's political office may have managed to do favours to DLF.

The details put out in the public in a press conference by Kejriwal and Bhushan was already exposed months back by the national daily - Economic Times.

Media accuses Kejriwal of having taken an immoral and unfair stand by raking up this issue again.

Media questions Kejriwal's attack on the individual Vadra. Media is seeming to forget the fact that Vadra is no simple citizen. He is the son in-law of our nation's one of the most powerful political figures. This very fact makes the issue big. Also the fact that Vadra could have used his mother in-law's clout to make things easy for DLF cannot be brushed under the carpet.

Media accusers Kejriwal of having painted Vadra dark by not giving the latter an opportunity to clear his stand. People in media say that Kejriwal should have spoken to Vadra prior to the expose.

Let us put things in perspective. Firstly, the media should understand that Vadra has a celebrity status. It is said that he is not frisked in airports! How can such a person, especially of the Gandhi family, be contacted by an 'aam aadmi' like Kejriwal? Secondly, all accept, including Kejriwal himself that this issue was first made public by Economic Times months back. Did any of the people in the media and politics who raise such questions now, ask the editor of the Economic Times if he had spoken to Vadra before the news was published? Thirdly, 're-expose' by team Kejriwal was made only after they confirmed the facts by going through the account books of Vadra. Who in the world makes an expose after seeking permission from the people involved? Are the hidden camera exposes made by media aired after seeking permission from the people taped and showed in it?

Media also accuses Kejriwal of using his celebrity to revive this and bring this issue to the fore. I would like to ask what is wrong in using one's celebrity, to bring to the fore, an issue involving corruption tot he tune of crores of Rupees? Be it Vadra or Chandra, Sonia's son in-law or someone else's, corruption is corruption and it needs to be not only exposed but also investigated impartially.

Media should now get into the merits of the case rather than accusing Team Kejriwal for raking this issue. The media should go through the account books of Vadra and make it public. It should interview Vadra and the concerned DLF personnel.

Lot many ministers, including some of the cabinet ministers came out in the media to slam Kejriwal and render support to Vadra. None dared to speak about the case's merit. No opposition party raised this issue when it was published in the Economic Times months back. Nor did the media publish and debate it. Doesn't this raise suspicion?

It was only some days back when Team Kejriwal said this in their press conference, all were overwhelmed. All news channels had this issue being debated in the prime time. Go behind Vadra and DLF, why shoot the messenger? After all he is just asking for a fair trial to happen in this case.

Kejriwal has promised to expose another case of corruption on 10.10.2012. Eagerly waiting for that.

Jai Hind! 

Prize for honesty and uprightedness

In this polluted world, what does one get for being honest, upright, straight forward, sensitive and for being concerned about the larger good of the people? He becomes an outcast! He is sidelined by the people who are corrupt and those who want the status quo to remain.

 

I was very well aware of this treatment. A few days back I got to experience this, when I went to my college to collect my engineering degree certificate, mark sheets, conduct and transfer certificate.

 

Throughout the four years that I was in college, I had been a good student. My marks were quite good, though not excellent. I had given due respect to the teaching and non teaching staff in college, though minimal to those who did not deserve it. I had and still have extremely good relations with good people there. I had never indulged in any sort of malpractices, misbehaviour or any other activity which brought my repute, or that of the college in a bad light.

 

What I did was to raise my voice against the fractured and corrupt system prevailing in my college and against some people who were at the helm of affairs and were responsible to a great extent for creating and maintaining this situation.

 

My concerns were that my college had not been able to obtain an approval from the All India Council for Technical Education for my course even after five long years after the commencement of the course. It also could not put in place a proper system for helping the students in getting employed after completion of the degree programme. They did not even bother to find out what issues the passed out students are facing (which is imperative because mine was a new course). They did not try to communicate with the passed out students and find out what changes need to be done in the course curriculum to make it better.

 

I did raise these issues. I mailed the Dean of my college about these, filed a couple of Right To Information petitions and brought out many latent truths about the fractured system in the public domain. Obviously such acts were making the higher authorities in my college furious and irritated. Except for the fact that they did not realize that all what I did was not for my personal gains but for the benefit of the future students and the institution.

 

When I went to the college to collect my certificates few days back, as expected I was made to wait unnecessarily and was asked to meet the Dean, which I would have done even without their asking me to.

 

I went inside the Dean's cabin and he was good enough to offer me a seat. May be because I was a pass out now, and not a student. He accused me of having grudge against my alma mater. He did not like me filing RTI petitions. He hated to the core, the fact that I had taken the lead in organizing a one day fast in college to support the Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement. He told me that I was in college to study and that I should have done only that. My reply that academics was just one, but not the only part of college life and that an over all development of an individual happens only when one involves in such social causes, was not acceptable to him. At the end of a candid conversation, he thanked me, sarcastically, for my advice given to him.

 

Couple of days later I got my conduct certicate, along with other documents, in which I was awarded 'satisfactory' for my conduct. In the mean time I got to know that for all other students, even for those who had been caught for indulging in malpractices and showing misbehaviour were awarded 'good'. Anyways this was not a surprise for me.

 

I again went to his cabin with these certificates and asked him if 'satisfactory' instead of 'good' in my conduct certificate was for questioning the administration. He told me that my leading the one day fast against corruption spoilt his relationship with the university Vice Chancellor and the Registrar. I am sure that he was exagarrating the situation because I came to know from a very reliable source that the Vice Cahncellor was very happy that the students conducted such an event. Even when I went to the Vice Chancellor to hand over a declaration where many of the students, including me had signed that we shall not indulge in any form of corruption in our lives, he was extremely happy. He even placed the declaration along with many other certificates and photographs in his cabin.

 

The Dean even accused me of not giving due respect to professors and showed me a photograph of his with his teacher's teacher. He, with pride told me that he felt honoured to have a photograph even with his teacher's teacher. For that, I just told him that some years from now, I would become an IAS officer and may be the Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and that then I would have a photograph clicked with him. I had the last word and I came out of his cabin.

 

Professors, parents and friends told me that it was too immature and childish for the Dean to write 'satisfactory' in my certificate. I pray that his narrow mind and thinking develop over the years, though it is difficult at his age of 56!

 

I would like to bring out the fact that had I wanted to save my name, I could have easily sent anonymous mails to the Dean, filed RTI petitions in my school friends' name, etc. Like others, I could have got a 'good' in my certificates. Or even, I could have waited for ten to fifteen days for the new Dean to take charge and get the certificates signed from him and got a 'good' in my certificates. The fact is that I am not bothered if I get a good, satisfactory or even bad in my conduct certificate because it is purely the sole opportunity that I had left open for the Dean to take revenge on me. I had given no room for him to screw me in any other way. At least he is happy that he could do 'something' to me. 

 

This was the first experience I had, fighting against a corrupt system. I am happy that I had a feel of such instances at this early age as my future career in the civil services as a public servant is going to be filled with such incidents.

 

As long as my conscience asks me to raise my voice and fight against the corrupt, I will keep doing it with pride and confidence, though the prize I may receive may not be in my favour.

 

Jai Hindustan! 

 

An open letter to the Prime Minister

Dear Prime Minister,

After a long time of cursing your government, I thought I will write to you.

You are a very respectable person in the government. After Nehru, you have been the only person to be the Prime Minister after completing a full five year term. In a country like ours this is indeed a great achievement.

You have been a globally renowned figure in the field of Economics. You have held very many prestigious positions of power in many Indian and foreign institutions. We all have high regard for you, as an economist.

During the Narasimha Rao prime ministerial-ship, in 1991, you freed India from the License Raj and brought in economic reforms. This exercise totally changed the economic facet of India. You have been lucky enough to have got all the accolades for that. But, it goes without saying that if at all you did not have a brave and risk taking Prime Minister like Mr. Rao, you would not have been able to do anything at all. This shows how important the role of a Prime Minister is, in a country like ours.

You have been lucky enough to be declared the Prime Minister by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, this when she herself had an opportunity to hold that prestigious position of power. Is it that she sacrificed the most powerful position for you or was she denied the opportunity? This still remains ambiguous. Anyways, you were lucky. You had it and you continue to have it despite the galore of issues the UPA is undergoing, corruption being the front runner.

Your government has been infamous for the most number of scams and the humongous loss made to the exchequer (or gained by some individuals). Your ministers and MPs seem to be obsessed with breaking their own records of corruption. And I should tell you that you are gifted with very eloquent speakers in your government, who try to play with words and try to create a clean image of your government. Again, you are so lucky to have such people around. Apart from the money they loot, you should reward them for the brilliant work they do.

But, you will always have the curse of Anna Hazare. You deceived him and the people of India. You announced on the floor of the house that you would pass the Lokpal Bill and you sent a singed letter to Anna saying this, but you have not yet fulfilled that promise of yours. You unleashed the Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate behind Baba Ramdev and tried to somehow tarnish his image. In fact you have tried all means to stop these two activists from raising the issue of corruption.

The 2G scam happened right around you, but you wished to look away from it, and let it materialize. You had an escape route then, because the telecom ministry wasn’t directly under you. But now, in the coal-gate scam, you don’t. It was you who was at the helm of the coal ministry. Now how can you justify this? Are you searching for a scapegoat for the coal-gate too? Well, you may not be lucky in this minister!

Team Anna came out in the public with the draft CAG report that named you in the coal scam. They demanded for an independent SIT to probe the charges. You denied it vehemently. You also added that even if there is an iota of truth in their acquisitions, you would resign from public life.

Now that the CAG has submitted its final report and it still has your name mentioned, have you forgotten the statement that you gave? In 1993 you had submitted your resignation from the post of Finance Minister after a report mentioned that your office could not anticipate the securities scandal. What has changed you from 1993 and 2012? Mrs. Sonia Gandhi?

You, before leaving for Tehran, for the NAM summit, said that you were more concerned about the GDP growth and that you wanted it to happen fast. This was the justification you gave for subverting parliamentary procedures and allotting 142 coal mine blocks. Let alone the fact that most of the allottees were not capable of mining out the mineral and did contribute nothing for the GDP growth. Imagine what the situation would be if each and every minister in your cabinet does this subverting of parliamentary procedures! You also said that your maintaining silence has won over many issues. Sorry. This is not what we want from a Prime Minister. We want you to talk and articulate your stand. Why don’t you learn this art from your friend Manish Tewari?

After coming from the NAM summit, you said that there is no question of your resignation and that the CAG is not right. Also you blame the BJP for stalling the Parliament. You did whatever you wanted to in your way, which has been proven wrong, by a constitutional body, and now you shoot down all the people who point fingers at you? Are you in a primary school to act in such a childish manner? Does your silence remind you of your school days, when all the students were supposed to remain silent?

What is it that you are going to do? Are you going to let this political logjam prevail? Have you thought of something or are you waiting for Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s orders? How does your conscience allow you to be Mrs. Sonia’s poodle all the time? In the last week of June, 2012, you had talked about unleashing ‘animal spirits’. Was Poodle the animal that you meant then?

The nation would be thankful to you and would restore the respect for you if you submit your resignation and keep away from politics. You are good as a teacher or researcher, why don’t you continue doing that? Or at least take some rest in your old age, you have done enough. You have been tagged as an ‘under achiever’, compared to a ‘shikhandi’, ‘dritarashtra’. Haven’t you been happy with these wonderful names you got? Or do you want more names to follow?

For all what you have done, remaining silent and letting the looters to do their job with much ease, you deserve the same punishment what Kasab is going to get. Sorry for being harsh, but you asked for it Mr. Prime Minister.

Hoping that you turn in to a tiger from a poodle soon!

With shame and grief,

A patriot.

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

It's high time we stay away from the 'Engineering Rush'

In India, 2.5 million students pass out of school every year and a whopping 60% of them opt for Engineering as a career. Is India a country which can give 'true' employment opportunities to these 1.5 million engineers every year?

Class 12 is a very crucial academic year and we see students struggling in this period. The pressure from schools, tuition centres, parents and peers is just too much to take. Under this immense pressure, students fail to get enough time to even rationally think what they need to do next in life. Studies show that engineering has been the prominent choice for students, followed by medicine. The latter, requiring very high marks and given the fewer seats available, witnesses lesser number of students. What is it that makes engineering the most favoured choice among the students?

Firstly, the boom in the number of engineering colleges in India and the role played by private players has increased the availability of seats to a great extent. India is home to 3,393 engineering colleges with 14.86 lakh seats. The quality of education rendered in many of these institutions is of course questionable and debatable.

Secondly, the common perception that an engineering degree can fetch one employment easily is widespread. It is true that an engineering graduate gets employed easier, but the question is if the employment is proper and worth the four years an engineering graduate spent in college.

Thirdly, the social status associated with an engineering degree holder is more when compared to arts, commerce and home science degree holders. An engineering graduate is looked upon with much respect in the society, the reasons for which is unknown.

I bet to disagree with this Engineering Rush.

The state of engineering courses offered in India is abysmal and need huge changes for its revival. Lack of quality research and true innovation is writ large in our engineering institutions.

Most of the engineering graduates, irrespective of the stream of engineering they had graduated in, opt for software firms for employment. This, for the simple reasons that presently India is in much need for software developers or workers and these firms offer a better package than the other mainstream engineering firms.

These days there are many other courses in arts and commerce that gives a more enjoyable employment and social respect than engineering. Economists, lawyers, sociologists, charted accountants, journalists, statisticians, etcetera are well placed than engineers.

The only thing that makes engineering distinctive is that, a mere engineering degree can fetch one a job, but in other professions, like the ones mentioned above, one needs to be in the top creamy layer to get a reasonable job. This factor has been the driving force behind this engineering rush in India.

The students and the parents must realize this, and stay away from this rush. Only the students with true innovative, technical mind and passion should opt for engineering as a career. Else, we are not just doing injustice to the profession, but also to the nation as a whole because the statistics of engineering graduates and engineering innovations would show huge contrast.

Schools should play the lead in making the students understand the role of different professions and guiding them rather than just being an institution to conduct classes and examinations. It would be worth the investment if every school employs a full time career guide for this task.

Private players should invest more in educational institutions other than just engineering or technical institutions and bring in good teaching faculty. With the money invested to raise a normal engineering college, one can raise an excellent quality arts or science institution.

Engineering is not the only major option available to school leaving students, it is just one in many available options. Status quo may suit the students who blow with the wind and opt for engineering, but in a long run, the ones who resist the wind and take the path less taken by would benefit.

Jai Hind!

Has the media lost its relevance as the fourth estate, with special reference to the Indian democratic institutions?

The media plays a pivotal role in a democratic country like ours. We are gifted with the media, as a fourth estate, which acts as a pressure group and ensure the effective functioning of the three estates – the judiciary, the executive and the legislature. The Constitution of India provides immense liberality in terms of freedom of speech and expression, as a Fundamental Right, which has been the backbone of the Indian media. With deep penetration of technology, media has now-a-days been able to deliver its duties fantastically. The media has been given extreme importance by all the people, right from a poor rural Indian, to the elite corporate fraternity and to the highly positioned politicians. Also, all of us do consider the media as a part and parcel of our lives. This is evident from the fact that India has humongous news channels and newspapers. There are over 72,000 publications registered with the Registrar of Newspapers of India and over 350 news and current affairs channels. Also, India is now the fastest growing and biggest newspaper market in the world; having pipped China with currently over 110 million copies sold each day! The media has been very functional in terms of exposing a number of crimes that our society witnesses and in keeping track of those until justice is delivered to the aggrieved. It has also been able to reduce the rural-urban divide in terms of disseminating information on culture, technology, trends, etc. effectively.

Media is not only playing this role of extreme importance in India, but in the entire world. The recent struggle in many countries, to overthrow their rulers and also to put a democratic system in place, widely referred to as the ‘Arab Spring’ was also largely successful because of the tireless and fearless role the media played.

The Indian media has certainly been successful to a great extent in raising awareness about major issues among the entire 1.2 billion population of India. It covers the entire length and breadth of the Indian Territory. It acts as an eye opener to its viewers. The present day media, unlike of the past, has been able to expedite the dissemination of information to a great extent, thanks to the technology advancements.

The Indian media is possessed with enormous power as it is the third eye of the common man. The way media presents an issue to the viewers helps in shaping a perspective in every common man’s mind. Hence, the way in which media presents each and every issue becomes extremely crucial. It is capable of bringing small issues to the fore and also showing major events in the dark. This discretionary power of the media lies in the hands of the owners of media houses and also the top editors. Hence it is highly imperative that these people think rationally and in an unbiased manner. 

The media houses choose among various issues, taking into consideration the Television Rating Points (TRP) they obtain. Having such an approach of selectively categorizing issues can be highly detrimental and will lead to biased publishing. For the greed of money, some editors give more importance to only those issues which fetch them more moolah, often referred to as ‘paid news’. Such acts done by some channels or publications can raise serious questions on the credibility of the entire media, as a whole.

The media also, at times deliberately divert attention from certain issues either for their own vested interests or under pressure from the higher echelons of the society. They, at times, blow hot and cold on issues which confuse the viewers and also make it difficult for them to judge the situation. Civil society movements are the most affected with such acts of the media. The media’s unstable publishing of the recent anti-corruption movement and the anti-Koodankulam nuclear power project are some of the examples to substantiate this.

The media also reads too much between the lines causing more trouble to the people involved. Politicians often fall into this trap of the media. Journalists, reporters, writers and editors should hence not go too much in depth into the issues, without proper background study. A media publication which did such an act recently regarding the movement of Army units without prior notification an issuing a warning of a coup, raised serious concerns within the army and also the Prime Minister’s office. Such acts create a bad image on the media.

The media also, by itself, investigates issues and conducts sting operations. Most of these prove to be true. The recent sting operations conducted by the media on the ‘tatkal’ railway ticket booking and doctors conducting illegal sonographic tests and ‘selling’ of babies provided a good proof for the law enforcement agencies to act upon. Here again the media should maintain its ‘lakshman rekha’. Recently, a video tape showing a senior politician in bad light was aired without any proper background checks. Very soon it was removed and stopped from being aired. Such acts can cause high damage to a person’s integrity. The media should hence ensure the authenticity of the video tapes and also take full responsibility of its publishing and should be ready to face the ramifications.

The media also shows nuance regional bias in publishing and covering the issues. The coverage of to the recent Assam riots can be an example of this nuance regional bias. Had such a riot happened in any other region other than that of the North East, the manner in which the media handled the situation would have been entirely different. Many critical issues happening in the north-eastern regions of the Indian Territory has not been covered widely. It is only when the issues boil and reach the peak; the media takes interest in those.

Similarly issues regarding health care, nutrition, sports, etc. do not manage to hit the headlines of our media and hence are underplayed.

However, having said all this, when it comes to our democratic institutions, the Indian media has never remained on the back foot. The media, in fact, has been highly dynamic and pro-active in covering issues related to the judiciary, the executive and the legislature. Hence, on issues related to administration and governance, the Indian media has given special attention. This special attention given to these estates make them more vigilant and perform their functions effectively.

The judiciary has been the most respected estate and the Constitution provides it with enormous powers and hence the judiciary itself acts as a check to the executive and the legislature. Even such a powerful judiciary is under a constant watch of the Indian media. Media follows every trial; understand its judgments and then carry further debate on it. Though it cannot make the judiciary change its final decision by force, it acts as a strong pressure group and helps the judiciary in knowing the public sentiments on certain issues of national importance. 

Cases like the one of death sentence to the three perpetrators of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, the 1992 Bhanwari Devi gang rape case, the 1999 Jessica Lal murder case, the more recent 2008 Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case, etc. were and are, closely watched by the media. Some of these involved top politicians but still the media has not deterred from publishing the news. Hence media makes the judgments made by the judges, under public scrutiny. This attention the media provide is functional and hence it does have an impact on the cases.

The Indian executive is a huge organization and is responsible for the day to day affairs of the nation. It is directly responsible for the growth and fall of the nation due to the policies it adopt. The executive includes the bureaucracy, with a plethora of civil servants and the council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister. Even this large executive does not miss the media attention. Each and every policy adopted or rejected is discussed at length by the media and it explains to the common man why the particular action was taken and if that action was right or wrong. This puts immense pressure on the working of the executive.

But the pressure put on the executive, is essential to make them perform their duties in a better way. Had there been no media, the policy discussions and decisions would not have been known to the aam admi at all. It would have remained known only to the bureaucrats and the ministers.

Issues like the 123 nuclear agreement, the international environmental summits, the recent ones like the FDI in retail, the Lokpal, the MGNREGA scheme, etc. were brought to the fore front by the media. The media does the work of an informer and thus ensures true participative policy making.

The legislature too is under the watch of the media. The exclusive television channels for the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha keep showing live of what is happening inside the Parliament. Media also does highlights when some serious issue happens in the Parliament. The media hence helps people to be aware of the discussions going on inside the Parliament and put forth different perspectives before the people. Interviews with Parliamentarians help the people to realize what the representatives elected by them, are doing for them. Such interviews help the people to choose between the candidates in the future elections. Hence media upholds our democracy.

Even the work of various commissions and committees set up by the government are under the media watch. When the Chairman of the National Commission for Women had named the victim of the Guwahati molestation case in public, the media took up the issue and debated it very constructively. It gave out a large message that naming of the victim in public was wrong and that such commissions should ensure that their members be more cautious while talking. Even the Thorat committee’s report on the removal of 21 cartoons was debated at length in the print and visual media.  It raised serious questions if the removal of content from the textbook just because there was uproar in the Parliament was essential.

The media also aid the constitutional bodies in spreading the message they send out. The CAG reports, though opposed by many Parliamentarians because it named some of them, were sent out to the public, by the media. The corruption and mishandling of funds in government sectors was exposed by the CAG report and the media did not abstain from publishing it. Many rules notified by the CEC during elections are also sent out to the large public by the media, like the caps in election campaign spending. Media themselves carry out investigations to check the political parties. Even the Panchayati Raj Institutions are under the watch of the media. Even the working of a village Sarpanch is keenly looked by the media. Those which are bad are exposed and corrective measures are ensured. Good too are exposed so that it sets a right example to the neighboring villages.  The media also exposes the works of a number of RTI activists, which become a source of inspiration for others. Alongside it helps in raising awareness about the working of government or government funded bodies. 

The media plays a very vital role in a nation like ours. They are a driving force in orienting the minds of the common man. They ensure information is reached to the people as early and effectively as possible. It also ensures constructive democracy. The media, in India is a very powerful tool. It is owned by the elite class and some by politicians. While performing its functions, it should remain free from the clutches of the elite class and the politicians. It should also stick to high ethics, morals and values. It should keep the national interests ahead of the personal gains. If the media does not follow such ethics, not only will the media lose its relevance, but also a new ‘avatar’ of media will take birth – the Social Media. The social media has already been very effective in mobilizing public opinion. Many movements have tasted success because of its effective exploitation of the social media. Social media also has the connection to the youth, which makes it even more powerful. Hence, the birth of social media, as an alternative to the conventional media can be witnessed if the latter becomes dysfunctional.

The freedom of press in India is quite high. This can lead to major problems. Statutory bodies like the Press Council of India, which governs the conduct of print media, should be empowered to a great extent so that these check the functioning of the media. Such statutory bodies for visual media should also be constituted. Only such powerful bodies can be a watchdog to the highly powerful Indian media and prevent it from being destructive. 

Unveiling a thought of mine on the Independence Day

I would like to unveil a thought which was there in my mind for a long time, on this Independence Day.

It is regarding the Indian weddings. A minute of thinking can enlighten you on the money, even an average Indian middle class family, spends on a wedding. Right from consulting as many number of astrologers in town as possible (just to confuse us more) to expensive invitation cards (which anyways goes to the thrash once the date is noted on the calendar) to huge wedding halls (just to increase the electrical power requirement) to professional cameramen to video shoot the entire ceremony (to see and re-see the same events and get bored some day) to sumptuous food (which cannot be eaten by most) and the list goes on. All these expenses just for a matter of five to six hours. And mind me, this may cost a family a lakh or even more, on a minimal lower estimate. Also do not forget the fact that I have not included the major expense of the present day wedding - the Gold! The Gold Rush! Isn't this a bit too much? 

Just because the wedding is a once in a lifetime affair, is so much spending really needed? Can spending so much on an event even be justified? I could not understand why people are not just ready to shed their prejudice and go ahead with a simple ceremony, which a wedding is actually supposed to be. 

Why can't we, the youth, take a firm decision that our weddings and the weddings of our close relatives and friends shall be conducted in a very simple manner? 

I have a definition to this 'simple' wedding I say. Many may reject my view, many may find it preposterous. I am not forcing anyone to adopt this either. But I am sure, my wedding will be in this manner.


Why can't a wedding ceremony be conducted in a temple or a mosque or a church, in presence of just the bride, the bridegroom and both their parents. After the ring or the 'maala' exchange let them go back home, have a good home made lunch and spend the time for themselves. Some day later, let them go to each and every relatives' houses with a box of sweets and spend some time with all of them. This would be a herculean task, but it has its own advantages. This will help the bride or bridegroom understand the family better rather than shaking hands with all the people coming on the stage, one after the other, just for a minute, then another minute to pose themselves to be be photographed. How silly this is! This system is being followed because it really favours the status-quo - this materialistic world, where each minute is worth some Rupees. Just for the sake of it we have all our relatives and friends on the stage on a day and get a photograph clicked (as if for a proof of attendance). 


If a wedding is a once in a lifetime affair and we value it so much, then why do people hesitate to spend some days for it, rather than just some hours? 


This can save huge burden, energy and money and the saved money can be used for charity (if one chooses to). The money we spend in a wedding, if received by a poor family, would be enough to carry out all their expenses for a quarter year or even more. This will include their expenses from food to dress to children's education to travel and what not. Think it over friends, it is we, the youth alone, who can change this system.

We have the energy within us, the will is all what we need. 

Jai Hind!

A Piece on Corruption

Corruption and abuse of power is deep rooted in our nation. Way back in 4^th century BC itself Kautilya’s Arthashastra had given detailed description of the duties of the heads of states, various forms of corruption and the punishments for the crime.  This is clear evidence that corruption was prevalent even in those ages. Kautilya points out how these practices were rampant amongst the administrative officers and the law enforcers. The only major difference that prevails between now and then is that at those ages we had strong laws which were strictly enforced by the kings and well abided by the citizens due to fear of harsh punishments for embezzlement which even included murder. Presently there are laws but are limited to the books. In practice it hardly punishes the corrupt. And even if it does, it is either too less a punishment for the committed crime or is much delayed. Corruption has an enormous impact on the social, economic and political fabric of a nation, eventually disempowering the state.  It provides a free run for the rich who can afford to pay bribes and get their things done speedily, whereas hits hard at the people who cannot afford to pay the bribes. Corruption often leads to criminalization of politics and politicization of crime thereby affecting the political structure of the nation. Transparency International’s survey ranked India at the 95^th position in the list of nations in overall extent of graft. On corruption perception index, India scored 3.1 on a scale from zero to 10, where anything below five is bad news.

Indians, in the past couple of years have been witnessing a galore of scams like the 2G, CWG, Adarsh, revelations on black money, etc. The CWG scam came at a time when the people in the nation were elated seeing the expansion of the Delhi metro, construction of new fly overs, widening of existing roads and beautification of the city. We were proud that we were the hosts to the games. Newspapers were filled with articles and advertisements sensitizing people on basics of civic sense, how to treat foreign nationals, etc. The means of corruption and figures truly let down the people and made them feel ashamed. A treadmill was rented at Rs. 9.75 lakh for 45 days when one could be bought for half the price. Liquid soap was quoted at Rs. 3397 per unit when the same was available in the market at Rs. 460. The way in which the parties involved fudged contracts and manipulated the prices further distressed the people. This showed how the Organizing Committee was not answerable to any one and carried out the malpractices easily. The 2G scam which succeeded the CWG came as another shock to all. The scale of money involved fetched it the tag of India’s biggest scam ever. The DMK’s interest in the issuing of telecom licenses to companies they favoured was clear here. This was carried out right under the nose of the head of our government. It did not take much time for the Adarsh scam to be revealed. It involved the top brass of bureaucracy and military alongside the top politicians including the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The expose regarding the black money of many Indians stashed abroad in the Swiss banks brought much more shame. Estimates revealed that India has $1,456 bn in these banks. The amount if bought back to our nation can liquidate the entire debt of the nation, provide tax free budgets for the next 30 years and also can give Rs. 2.5 lakh per family. The government has not even revealed the names of those persons who have such accounts abroad. Kautilya had an interesting take on the money stashed in another kingdom. He says “Whoever is niggardly in spite of his immense property , hordes in his own house, deposits with citizens or people of his country, or sends out to foreign countries – a spy shall find out more about his income and expenditure as well as who the advisers, friends, servants, relations, partisans of such a niggardly person are. Whoever in a foreign country carries out the work the work of such a niggardly person shall be prevailed upon to give out the secret. When the secret is known, the niggardly person shall be murdered apparently under the orders of his avowed enemy”.

Why is it that India still lags behind in fighting corruption? Political will to curb corruption is most needed. We need a good mechanism too. The mechanism that prevails is limited to the Central Vigilance Commission at the centre. It handles cases against senior officials and has substantial independence. But the problem is that the CVC acts just like an advisory body. All government departments also have a Chief Vigilance Officer. Here the appointments are often delayed and the officer appointed to this post often handles vigilance part time which reduces his efficiency in both works. The Right to Information (RTI) has been a blessing in terms of exposing various crimes but this again can only bring out the data and put pressure on the government. Once the data is known by filing an RTI, what does an individual do?

For curbing corruption we need the right laws and we will also need to educate the people to have the right attitude and understand how the cancer of corruption is affecting the nation. Corporate donations to political parties were banned and this made corporates to make payments covertly for economic favours. Though the ban was lifted in 2003, the corporate and the political parties found it better to make and receive payments covertly. This has rotten our democracy too.

People should understand that bribing is not an investment which gives one a moral right to expect a return through more corruption. The Lokpal Bill if passed will be a tuff law which will, to a great extent stem corruption. The CBI should be made free and independent so that the ruling governments do not use it to silent the opposition. The Lokayuktas should be installed in all states so that the common man in any part of the nation can get speedy justice. The judiciary also needs a revamp. There are around 2.5crore cases pending in the lower courts, 37lakhs in the High Courts and 4600 in the Supreme Court. India has just 12,000 judges for a population of 1.2 billion, which means one judge should look after 8572 people’s cases. This is the reason for the delayed justice which is equivalent to justice being denied. Once all this starts happening, the new entrants into the powerful sectors will be aware of the dire consequences they will have to face.

Coalition+Weak Centre+Bad Governance

A weak Central government is what India is having now and it is sure that no one would have second thoughts on this. The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), both major national parties, do not have the required numbers to form a government in the Centre. They are forced to form a coalition government by obvious softening of stands. The present UPA II has been slammed from the left, right and centre for their inefficiency in tackling inflation, corruption and policy paralysis. Only two major schemes namely the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the Unique Identification Number (UID) were implemented. The latter one again has raised serious questions about the money involved in it and the scheme’s effectiveness itself. Major bills like the Lokpal and the FDI had to be stowed due to lack of support from its own allies. The Centre has been running from pillar to post for gaining credibility and to sustain the government at least till the 2014 polls. In this process of tireless running it often gives in to most of the states’ demands. The demands however are not small - Punjab, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh all asking for a moratorium of the state debts. The Centre is seen heeding to most of them! Are these really necessary? 

Punjab’s SAD’s election manifesto promises included free laptops with data card for children, plots for landless, provident fund for farmers, unemployment allowances, etc. – the implementation of all these costing Rs.10,000crore, this is in addition to the total state expenditure of Rs. 50,883crore. The new annual expenditure thus has increased than the preceding year’s by a whopping 28%, largely due to the rising bills of salary, pension, subsidies, etc. Subsidies alone cost the state Rs.7000crore. Soon after the elections, Prakash Singh Badal did not have second thoughts in appointing 21 Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs), the highest number appointed ever. Each CPS being allotted an official red beacon car with unlimited fuel, a four bedroom house – whose estimated monthly rent would amount to Rs. 75,000, monthly emoluments worth Rs. 60,000 and an annual out-of-state travel allowance of Rs. 2,00,000. And now he CM asks for a waiver of all small saving loans worth Rs. 22,202crore and a moratorium on repayment of Central loans.

The always unpredictable West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee too has asked for a bailout of the debt bequeathed by the Left Government, which amounts to just Rs.2.3 lakh crore. Without losing the golden opportunity, the newly elected young CM of Uttar Pradesh too has asked for a bailout of Central loans amounting to Rs. 2 lakh crore. 

A weak Centre heeding to all these unreasonable demands is a very sad sight. Hope we get a good, strong, stern and development oriented government at the Centre soon.