The Prince Can't Dance Sa--------.

Then there was the Prince  - an analysis of  how to acquire and maintain power, created by Machiavelli,  and now a Prince was to be coronated by the Congress, who, despite popular demand  had managed to hide him from a public debate. However, a persistent Arnab Goswami managed to rope him in for an interview. What humongous efforts went into prepare for this encounter would never be known, what is known is that the interview was a personal disaster for the man and an ominous sign for the Congress gravely upsetting  it's Apple Cart.A famous movie song says it all,
                                                           bund ho muthhi to lakh ki,
                                                           khul gayi to phir khak si 

That RaGa proved that every word above is worth its weight in gold is a foregone conclusion. Though he claims to be M Phil from Oxford, subject not known, wonder if he ever laid his hands on Machiavelli,s treatise, considered a guiding beacon for those who want to rule. If he had he wouldn,t have missed these golden lines,
                                He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, 
                                   sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.

I m not going into the nuances of the questions in the interview.However, the outcome is gratifying as it confirmed that political naivety can be an asset when one promotes fresh ideas .But political stupidity can only spell doom and gloom; not only for the perpetrator but the entire brood that supports such ignominy.The Congress party finds itself slam bang in the eye of such a controversy stirred by the heir apparent.

 The "Interview" expected to be a three pointer (slam dunk) moment to elevate the Yuvraj on the national center stage and strengthen Congress's moorings, turned out to be a Snowden/Gorbachev moment for the Congress, not only causing indefensible embarrassment to the Party, the same that happened to US post Snowden revelations, but also signalling a disquiet, divergence and ultimate split in the UPA on the lines of what Gorbachev's Perestroika did to the erstwhile USSR.

The extant political edge that the UPA enjoyed will quickly erode after this interview. Condemned to manage the  faux pas, all by itself,  the Congress men and women, deeply consumed by their subservience to the Family, continue to eulogise about the great virtues of truth, candidness, boldness and courage displayed by the Yuvraj. Unfortunately, he only stated the obvious, about 1984 carnage which, has been in the public domain for the last thirty years.  The fact of the matter is that he has disturbed the "Beehive", unleashing  volleys of queries to establish accountability of the then Govt and the Congress men involved in that genocide.

Wonder if the Congress's DT Deptt and the Think Tanks ever imagined the outcome to be so damaging as it is turning out to be. But having been in existence for almost 130 years and led the nation to ruins, lagging way behind in every human development index, it had to, one day, face its Waterloo, especially when it is trying to promote the most unworthy to lead the nation.

 Arnab deserves kudos for arranging the occasion for the Yuvraj (Prince) to exercise the Samson option, and also deliver an appropriate obituary  that his Party truly deserves  for its machinations, malfeasance, corruption and political expediency. That it was delivered  so magnificently, for fifty minutes,by its own creation, the heir apparent, is a wake up call for all  political parties trying to promote dynasties, however inept, incompetent and unsuitable they may be for the job. 

A Presidential Vision or a faux pas

In his customary Republic Day address the President made two highly loaded statements."The Govt is not a charity shop and "Populist anarchy can not be a substitute for governance and elections do not give any person the license to flirt with illusions.Those who seek the trust of voters must promise only what is possible".

Presidential addresses so far were generally predictable, cliche ridden drab monologues, largely aimed at promoting the cause of the ruling party by sweeping their ills and failures under the carpet and blowing minor successes into accomplishments of gigantic proportions. However, Mr Mukerjee  embarked on a new adventure by exposing his political leanings/ likes and dislikes, which, under the given circumstances, have the potential to give it a controversial twist.

What could be the drivers of such an outburst? Was it an omnibus message to all parties or a wake up call for select few. He also spoke about corruption and there is no denying the fact that without dealing with the cancer of political corruption blighting the country and robbing it of revenue from mineral resources, through corrupt politicians receiving bribes from investors, the country shall continue to have the worst poverty levels globally.

Yogendra Yadav of the AAP displayed astute statesmanship when he deflected the whirlwind by saying that the President meant the Economic policies of the UPA, where Mr Mukerji was once a Finance Minister. A clever repartee indeed.

AAP  has a tough road ahead. It's growing political  interests at national level require it to step up its campaign to harness  those interests.  But when it does so, it is often accused or perceived as "anarchic, indiscreet and assertive," as it  challenges the status quo and the turf of the Congress and the BJP. So whatever AAP does will draw criticism. Thus, the best option for them to avoid heartburn  is  to ignore it, as they did in the instant case. It will augur well for the nation and its political climate if political parties were to avoid partisan polemics and diatribes that are coarse and crafty.

Regrettably being  past masters at the politics of decadence, it is well nigh impossible for the old genre politicians to reconcile to the new thoughts and nuances behind the emerging aspirations.It may seem anarchic and revolutionary to them, but this is not an isolated case. Frustration of the people against governance of doles and high handedness is manifesting the world over. Ukraine, Tunisia, Egypt and Bahrain are few examples.

While it does not behoove well for the President, the custodian of the Constitution, to air  his political preferences ,India will do well to maintain its resilience and ignore such faux pas.

Republic Day Celebrations,Pride hounded by Prejudices and Archaic Mindset

Arvind Kejriwal's utterances about the futility and worthlessness of Republic Day celebrations drew tremendous media  attention and criticism from his detractors.Was he utterly wrong, when the media was trying to hound him for sabotaging the Republic Day Celebrations, and he said "Republic Day does not mean people enjoying tableau at Rajpath... it means the rule of people. Or " what is the point of celebrating Republic Day when women are getting raped in Delhi ?

Prima facie nothing unparliamentry,derogatory or disrespectful, especially when the onus to bring about a rapprochement and end the impasse(Dharna) rested with the Central Govt. But then, true to their style, to garner a few brownie points, at whatever the cost to the nation and its homogeneity, the opposition and the media went hammer and tongs to project it as the most blasphemous, sacrilegious and anti national comment made by any Indian.The likes of Prakash Jawadekar,of BJP, in order to influence the most apolitical organisation in the country, the Armed Forces, went on to term it as an insult to them.  Did Arvind say anything about the Armed Forces? No, nothing! So shouldn't such derelicts(PJ) be tried  for sedition when they try to arouse and inflame the passions of uniformed men against a Chief Minster ? Equally untenable and incoherent were the statements made by almost all the spokespersons of other political parties, displaying intellectual bankruptcy that obtains amongst the political class.

Why as a nation are we so hackneyed, intolerant and apathetic to discuss or question some archaic practices. Shouldn't we change with changing times and environment or continue to be stuck in a time warp? 

 Let us examine the rationale for the pride that we take in the jamboree that occurs on the Raj Path on 26 January. What is it all about? What are we trying to showcase? Is it our Military Might  through military hardware,more than 90% of which is imported, or the impeccable demeanour,discipline and commitment of the Armed Forces and Paramilitary Forces marching ever so smartly, in inclement weather, to the patriotic melodies of various bands. Or by parading  the few gallant men who have earned the highest gallantry awards over the years. Regrettably both are conveniently forgotten by the evening of 26th and remembered and revered only when a calamity strikes the nation. Or Is it the colourful tableau's of various States, which are getting so predictable and jarring over the years. 

So what is the message conveyed and the end state achieved by the mega bucks and time spent to host this event.Wonder if anyone has ever worked out the cost/benefit analysis, not economic but cultural,national unity, national pride etc etc.

Can a nation whose 70% of the population lives below the poverty line,toiling relentlessly for two square meals yet dying an impoverished death afford such extravaganza. How proud are we of the fact that many die on the streets of Delhi for want of a shelter in extreme cold yet our Head of the State lives in a 340 room mansion in a estate sprawling over 330 acres, with a repertoire of almost 2000 staff. Or does his travelling in a cavalcade of 20 vehicles led by an entourage of horse riding military men(a battalion of whom is housed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan) down the Rajpath, an imperial legacy inherited from the Viceroys, on 26 January arouse a sense of pride and nationhood in us.

 But then he says Govt is not a charity shop.Wonder who is living on charity?

 Is Arvind wrong when he questions the status quo and the living prejudices trained against the common man and wants to set them right ? Do we too need some answers or are we going to continue with the blinkers on, reveling in the dreams that the Media, Movies and self serving Politicians sell us.

Anarchy,Brinkmanship or Wake up Call

What happened in Delhi on 21 and 22 jan was a  shame,a crying shame for this country. Not because of what Arvind and the AAP did but the way the Central Govt, the political parties, womens welfare organisation and particularly the media acquitted themselves over the last two days.It was not anarchy unleashed by AAP as pronounced by Mr Shinde but brinkmanship of the lowest order unleashed by the practitioners of our archaic political and social system.

 Occupation of Rail Bhavan lawns by AAP volunteers occurred after a couldn't careless response by the Home Minister of India, Mr Shinde, to the complaint lodged by the Chief Minster, against dereliction of duty and misdemeanour by some personnel of Delhi police. Consequent blockage of traffic and suspension of Metro services to the heart of Delhi  causing inconvenience to the commuters in the central vista of Lutyen's Delhi was a small price paid to highlight the rot that has set in the functioning and administration of Delhi police. 

Travails and trauma suffered by the common man to get a favourable response from Delhi police, to their complaints against hooligans,rapists and drug peddlers are well known. As is the well known fact that the police is in cahoots with the criminals and connives with them to ensure a steady, uninterrupted business. Yet, despite decades of dilly dallying and Supreme Court intervention, no effort has been made to pass the police reforms or make Delhi Police accountable to the CM of Delhi.

So when the Law Minister of Delhi, Somanth Bharati, responding to peoples complaints against a flourishing drugs and sex racket,asked the police to  raid the colony,Kharki extension, they blatantly refused to help. Not only they failed to perform their duty but declined any plea by the Minister to raid and arrest the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. Inevitable fallout was the Chief Minister, who justifiably has no love lost for the police, was piqued by their misdemeanour and failure to perform a legitimate function.So he requested  the Home Minister of Govt of India, Mr Shinde,the custodian of Delhi Police, to suspend the Police Officers for dereliction of duty  and order an inquiry, who, true to his form did not respond leaving the AAP no choice but to protest.

And then the Opposition, the intelligentsia, the womens organisations and the media went berserk, and without a shred of evidence pandered every possible homily and insult on hapless Mr Bharti and the AAP seeking immediate removal of Mr Bharti from the Law Minister's post.Things came to a head when Arvind, in the given circumstances, made small change of the Republic Day celebrations.Was he wrong in what he said is a subject of deep introspection based on realism.I will come back to it some other day. 

 However, it gave ample opportunity to the hoity toity, the beneficiaries of the existing political disposition, to project their holier than though attitude and fire their illogical, illegitimate and unintelligent salvos against Arvind and the AAP. Every cliche in the political,social and media's lexicon juxtaposed on the half understood provisions of the Constitution,Law and environmentally governed social norms was unleashed to castigate Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet colleagues and the Party.So much so that some disgruntled elements, unable to measure up to the exacting standards set by AAP, like Kiran Bedi, Beany, Capt Gopinath and Tina Sharma, wanted nowhere else, found ample time and space on the ever pliable media to air their ignorance and stupidity.

But what was most disturbing was a concerted attempt by the Media and the Women Organisations to turn the episode into a racial and gender issue,where non existed. Regrettably all these self styled well wishers forgot the men and women on the spot, the residents of Kharki Ext.The daily ignominies,lawlessness and high handedness of the Police and criminal elements they endure has no meaning for these wannabes.What matters the most to them is to flout their half baked  pseudo concepts of governance,social conduct and welfare.The country be damned!Pakistan and other smaller neighbours of India can sleep in peace because India is hurtling down the chasm in self atrophy mode set by these pseudos.

India, time has come  to wake up from the reverie of pseudo secularism and hypocritical democracy based on Class,Caste and Religion.The unproductive and adjustable norms have unleashed rampant corruption, promoted  "chalta hai" attitude and set us back by half a century.Time has come  to restore a degree of accountability and transperancy in  the political and administrative class.

Is Arvind Kejriwal in a Hurry or are we in a Time Warp

A big disconnect is emerging in the way politics and governance is run in this country and the way AAP would like to run it.This is not the first occasion when Arvind has demanded immediate action by the Central govt, on certain issues raised by his govt.The present move by the AAP to hold dharna at Rail Bhavan whether right or wrong will be proven in "due course of time", a euphemism for comfort, drawn by the govts in the meandering and unproductive ways of governance practiced so far.

 My hunch is that he is right in what he wants and the pace at which he wants as he has demonstrated it abundantly by reducing the electricity charges and free water supply within first week of forming his govt. But to his dismay he is confronted with an establishment and a man, Home Minister, Shinde, who largely believes in the principle, "this will also pass". He also faces political adversaries who were humiliated by AAPs stunning performance in Delhi elections and are relentlessly trying to get even with him at every step by opposing him for the sake of opposition.What is worst is that some of his erstwhile colleagues like Kiran Bedi and some sections of media are turning hostile calling it "vigilante" and "gorilla politics". Regrettably all these doubters overlook the fact that sixty seven years have passed us by, yet, a large percentage of our population continues to live in poverty bereft of education,healthcare and basic facilities taken for granted by the citizens of many countries who gained independence much after us.Who is responsible for this, is their any way to fix responsibility and accountability and make a change or are we going to continue with the laissez faire and revel in the status quo?

My belief is, time has come for a change.We have to leave our past behind , get out of the time warp and the syndrome of hum dekhenge, humein dekhna hai, hum dekh rahe hain, law will take its own course,etc and act, act if we really care for ourselves and our country.Would we be happy if Arvind gave us a govt like the Mulyams,Maywatis,Mundas,Ekkas,Lalus or Sorens.They did nothing but enjoy the comforts of their political maneouvering  and  resultant triumphs, draining the exchequers and denuding their States of natural resources,  forever depriving the common man of basic necessities like roti, kapda,makan,water, education, healthcare and a life of dignity or would we like the governance of principles given by Arvind,who, like a soldier called to battle, has staked everything dear to him including his govt at the altar of priciples of public good.We need to think differently, we need a change of mind set.Arvind hs set the ball rolling, it is for the nation to take a call.

Saving India,Empowerement and self governance the AAP way.

Arvind Kejriwal"s crusade to empower people at the grassroots level, to run their local affairs with consensus/referendum and not be victims of the whims and fancies of their elected reps, is facing stiff resistance from the powers that be. A paradigm shift from the utterly corrupt, decadent and convenient model of governance/administration practiced thus far in this sham of a democracy that  so many want us to believe to be the best thing happening to India.

 Is it really such a difficult proposition to implement as the detractors make it out to be? Well, not so. But it would require a complete overhaul of our psyche,of lack of dignity of labour and pride in one's work, of lack of societal norms, lack of nationhood and living on doles like reservations,NREGA,MNREGA et all, developed over years of impoverishment, both physical and intellectual. Degradation of the  latter is ominous as one loses the will/ability to discern the right from the wrong and tends to believe in the hype and chimera created to promote the existing charade of inclusiveness and emancipation of the backward and deprived. Thereby vertically dividing the society between the haves and havenots and prompting  large sections of the society, based on religion and caste, to seek to be brought under the umbrella of reservations and freebies.

 Consequently any proposal to have a relook at our social structure, devised at the time of independence more than six decades back, is deemed to be a sacrilege of unpardonable proportions.So for the moment I will return to where I started; inclusive democracy vis a vis the representative democracy.

 But then, again I falter as something deep inside me tells me that the psyche of doles is the key issue. Any change in that would be the magical key of "open sesame" to inclusiveness, enablement band empowerment.. Having joined, lived and thrived in a system that is open to any Indian to join and flourish based on merit and not caste,class or religion,I am tempted to believe that God has blessed each one of us equally.What defines us in life is not any inequity endowed by the almighty, but capitulation to the borders,fences and obstacles created by lesser mortals as the governing  norms.

However, returning to the matter of self governance, its success is hinged on changing the mind set,taking the first few steps undeterred by the passivism and negativity. Enlightening the masses with innumerable successful examples of such endeavours and creating a spirit of societal and national good, will provide it the impetus to the success it deserves.

Rahul Gandhi,Is he a Victim of Circumstances

I watched the AICC and CWC meet hoping to hear something about a course correction and the future direction that the Congress would give this nation, beleaguered  by their non performance and rampant corruption in the past five years. Despite what the Congressmen may claim, my final take was that the entire charade was a well thought out construct to bring the heir apparent center stage. Listening to the views of Congressmen and women of all hues, in TV interviews during the Conference and post it, I was totally convinced of the opinion I carried.

Unconvincing, contrived, abhorrent and subservient views of many delegates set me thinking whether Rahul is to be really blamed for what he is, or is he a victim of the circumstances facing challenges that are not of his making. A creation of  political machinations,ambitions and aspirations, of innumerable sycophants who surround him 24/7 !

Are the detractors too cynical and envious of his background, or do they have the right ammunition to fire the skeptical salvos that they cherish so much? A tricky dilemma to analyse and come to a viable conclusion.

Notwithstanding that, let me narrate something that I heard some  forty years back about the tricks many Congressmen play to gain good will and proximity to the family.

There is one Feroze Gandhi market in Ludhiana. This came up in the seventies when Giani Zail Singh was the  chief minister of  Punjab.He had appointed a political follower of his,who lost Assembly elections, as the Chairman of Ludhiana Improvement Trust ,which undertook the construction of  a market on Ferozepore road.When time came for inauguration and naming of the market, after lot of deliberations G Zail Singh suggested that the market be named Feroze Gandhi Market.

Many questioned the wisdom of choosing such an innocuous name, which had nothing to do with Sikh history or history of Punjab and why not  name the market after some  Sikh guru ,a ruler, or a war hero of 1971 Indo Pak war. After listening to all views, the Chief Minister revealed his master stroke saying that since Sanjay Gandhi was coming to inaugurate the market, this was a good opportunity to impress him by giving the market his father's name.This would serve two purposes, impress the son as well as the mother,Indiara Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India and create a favourable niche amongst the family for Zail Singh as well as the Chairman. Greta thinking by a long distance runner in Indian political arena, who was made the President of India by Indira Gandhi.

 So the legacy carries on till this day, as was evident during the Meet.Whilst every Indian says that the only take away from cliche ridden speech of RG was that he displayed the raw courage to roar in his own den,the Congressmen and women trip head over heels (of each other) to tell the world about the great vision, leadership,ingenuity and creativity displayed by their leader. The cacophony grows louder in the  fervent hope of being noticed one day.There is no limit to sycophancy,so does RG really deserve to be blamed for that. 

A Leadership Mishap

For part of the day I watched  proceedings at the AICC meet.To give a wholesome coverage CNN-IBN was seeking views of various delegates on anointment of Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the party.It was with utter dismay and disgust that I watched  the chorus at the meeting and the unanimity of the delegates, including the incumbent PM, in projecting him as the only leader(messiah) of this nation. One Mr Mukesh Sharma, a Congress strongman from Delhi went on to say that Rahul Gandhi is the best leader not only for India but for the world. Wonder what parameters/benchmarks, other than subservience, were adopted to come to such befuddling conclusion.

What sets Rahul Gandhi so apart,other than his surname, that the entire Congress elite clamours and genuflects at the very mention of his name.What I find extremely reprehensible is that for the last ten years the nation has been victimised with this charade but the protagonist, the man in question, is yet to give a single hint of his intellect,fortitude,commitment,intentions,analytical ability,expertise or professional knowledge. Leadership is strongest and most effective when it fosters an ideal; it is weakest and most defective when it falls short of that ideal.Wonder what ideal Rahul Gandhi stands for, to give him the distinction, that the party so willingly showers on him.

I have nothing much to comment on his speech as it was nothing but an inventory of old cliches that the nation has been exposed to for the last ten years.The only novelty was display of his ability to roar in his own den. Attitude of the Lord Master, was vividly exposed when he reiterated the oft repeated rhetoric of  graces and charities showered by the Congress "we gave you this, we gave you that" .

 He made a passing reference on the need to fight corruption but conveniently forgot to mention the senility,corruption,and ineptness of the UPA, led by Congress, that has set this country back by half a century not only in materialistic terms but in character,integrity and nationhood.

 Giving bills, passing laws and acts will not alleviate the miseries of millions of impoverished Indians if the will is missing at the level of the leadership.Rahul perhaps forgets that rot in the fish starts in the head. 2G, CWG, Coalgate, Adarsh are but a few examples of this malaise.If he truly means business he must get down to sort this plague rather than continue to indulge in rhetoric.

The AAP Conundrum

What started yesterday as an internal rumbling in the AAP,has today grabbed  headlines in the media and come center stage on the national discourse. Admittedly, this is a setback for which, the AAP was perhaps not prepared at such an early stage of their innings.But much that the Congress and the BJP would be delighted at the chaos, to the chagrin, it also highlights the immense significance the AAP has garnered in its short existence. 

That it has happened to the AAP should not surprise many.As Niccolo Machiavelli said
 " There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things".

The sterling success of the AAP at the hustings in Delhi based on issues of corruption and political morals hasn't gone down well with our elitist and self serving politicians. So they will not miss any opportunity to win back their turf by decrying and embarrassing the AAP no matter what it takes. 

So did Mr Binny project any concrete issue or evidence to prove that the AAP was faulting in its agenda or manifesto.To my reckoning there was nothing new or true in what he said.

                          " What was new was not true and what was true was not new". 

What came to fore was a highly tutored articulation loaded with cliches and diatribes so common in our political discourse. If  AAPs response that what Binny articulated were the issues raised by Mr Harshvardhan  in the Assembly is true then Binny aptly fits in the mould  described by the wise  Chankya  centuries back
 "Of a rascal(दुर्जन) and a serpent (सर्प), the serpent is the better of the two, for he strikes only at the time he is destined to kill, while the former at every step.

Whilst  these public utterances will make Mr Binny a favourite of the BJP and the Congress, for a while,it certainly is a wake up call for the AAP to reassess its endeavour to recruit maximum number of people without verification.The nation wide campaign to induct members and volunteers gives a God send opportunity to the opposition to plant moles to disturb AAP's apple cart at crucial moments turning them into a controversial party.Its time to start the churning (manthan) and cull out all pots filled with venom before they turn into Binnys.

Yesterday I witnessed my first ever meeting of a  political party. The Aam Aadmi Party  meeting of volunteers at Jain Trust Hall in Ashok Nagar, Bangalore.What an experience it was. There were no goons or thieves clad in spot less whites masquerading as political messiahs.Most volunteers were in the age group of 30 to 40 years, common people attired in their regular clothes.
 Much beyond my wildest expectations and deep apprehensions based on dealing with political bigs and smalls, the meeting commenced on the dot at 1800 hrs.Every one except the coordinators and the speakers sat on the floor in perfectly aligned rows allowing for their colleagues to be accommodated in whatever space was available. Yet the response was so overwhelming that despite the fact that there were about 500 people cramped in the hall around 200 were standing all around.
The single point agenda, the focus of the meeting was how to win the general elections.Mr Prithvi Reddy , member of the central executive committee  of the Party took pains to explain various challenges faced by the party and how to overcome them.Response from the volunteers was to say the least "frightening," not for me, but, for the archaic and self serving outfits like the Congress, BJP,SP,BSP,RJD,JD(U),DMK,AIADMK et all.
For me it was an exhilarating and blissful moment to get the sense that after 67 years of political chicanery based on Dynasty,Religion,Caste and Class the time was now coming to see some well meaning,conscientious,educated and determined individuals, based on their merit of public good, occupy the political space. If the enthusiasm and deep sense of commitment displayed by the volunteers is an indicator I am certain the AAP will garner more than 50% of the 28 parliamentary constituencies in Karnataka. Pray the same comes true in other States to rid us of the political plague that has occupied the center stage for so long.

These are my views on an editorial in Business Standard.

Mr Editor where were you when the lights and water went out of a common man's life? Regrettably this opinion contributes magnificently to the efforts of the stooges and cohorts of the Congress,who were in power in Delhi for 15 years and at the center for 10 years to promote their single point agenda,"the succession plan", to elevate a dead horse to the a position he least deserves.How do you forget the wonderful governing model of the Congress inherited from another young Prime Minister,"Hume Dekhna hai,hum dekhenge,hum dekhte rehenge"that gave rise to policy paralysis and rampant corruption, which has set the nation back by at least half a century and deprived the citizens of a decent living.

It is woeful that we continue to thrive in the imperial mind set of governing by laws emanating from lal batti and brute force.Peoples perceptions and aspirations have changed over the years,so must the method of governance.To chastise Arvind for not accepting security on the lines of Mulayam and Mayawati and decry his valiant effort to connect with the people akin to running a NGO is sheer effrontery.Delhi elected him,as he is one of them,"to govern and not to rule". Its time the political masters descend from their ill acquired high horses, connect with the people and listen to them to provide the governance they deserve.
Though a part failure in the first attempt, AAP has made a noble beginning.That such a laudable grassroots endeavour would be thumping success is a given. Please watch the next Durbar.
I would be delighted to share this space after six months for candid views on this earnest efforts of the AAP.

Saving India, AAP wins Opposition winces

What I wrote in the morning on Kejriwal's first Janta Durbar were the  views of an observer watching  proceedings from a distance. People came in their thousands, much beyond the expectations of the govt, to  express their solidarity and faith in the ability of the AAP to deliver. This was also an expression of the simmering discontent against the malaise spread by rampant corruption , maladministration and misrule of self aggrandizement  by Sheila Dixit led govt of Congress over the last 15 years.  

 It is a pity that an honest attempt by Kejriwal to address this virulent dilemma, faced daily by the common man, came a cropper for no fault of AAP.

Assurance given by the Chief Minister that issue of crowd control would be sorted out in the next meeting is a given. But churlish comments and dubious joy expressed by the opposition, especially the BJP, calling it a drama staged for cheap popularity, conveys political highhandedness and apathy for the common man. What is disgusting is the elitist and immature comment made by Kiran Bedi, that " you can't govern from footpaths or rooftops." How conveniently she  forgets that all grassroot movements in India, especially those by her mentor, Anna, started from the footpaths.How can she overlook the unprecedented connect that Kejriwal has with the common man? His empathy and care for the people led him to the roof top, a vantage point at that given moment, to calm the surging crowds , who dissipated moments after he addressed them from there. Isn't that abundant proof of the love and respect a common man has for him.

Wonder why the opposition fails to recognise that all diatribes, against this honest endeavour of AAP, are at their own peril.

Arvind Meets Headwind

As I write this, Delhi Chief Minister(CM), Arvind Kejriwal's first,Janta Darbar, public grievances meeting along with all his cabinet colleagues outside Delhi Secretariat has just got over. The CM had to leave the meeting half way as people poured in their thousands to air their grievances.That all arrangements made by the police and the well meaning AAP were overwhelmed  is no surprise.This is just one indicator of how the malaise spread by rampant corruption , maladministration and misrule of self aggrandizement  by Sheila Dixit led govt of Congress over last 15 years  has left the common man distraught, dissatisfied and unhappy.

While there were voices of discontent as people who were waiting since 0700 hrs in the morning  could neither meet the CM  nor his ministers, what was disconcerting was many leading questions asked by some media channels to spread negativity and convey a sense that such meetings are doomed to be a failure and help no one. But kudos to the public who despite the discomfort and negativity maintained their composure and admired this noble effort of AAP govt.

 Kejriwal, undoubtedly is a symbol of hope, a breath of fresh air for millions of impoverished Indians who have  been exploited to the hilt by self serving politicians. Peoples disgruntlement with past governments and hopes triggered by the AAP to alleviate their miseries will take a long time to come to fruition in a decadent and inept system inherited by AAP. Undoubtedly  a complete  overhaul is required in the wretched system but more important is that the public would have to be patient, albeit for a short while, to allow this noble endeavour to succeed. A good beginning has been made for providing good and inclusive governance to the common man .

This is my response to an article published online in the Business-Standard. The original article is here.

For sixty seven years the wily politicians have driven the nation like a mindless donkey,who can see nothing beyond the blinkers.That the AAP has emerged as a beacon of hope for over a billion impoverished and exploited Indians hasn't gone down well with those who have been led into daylight after a life time in a shadowy cage(of their own making) because they fancy that the shadows which they formerly saw are truer than the objects which are now shown to them.Mr Vishwas is one among the many who refuse to emerge from the cave.

No one in a right frame of mind should miss the paradigm shift that is occurring in the governance of Delhi.What Mr Vishwas refers to as freebies and largess's actually reflect the attitude,the sincerity,the integrity and fortitude of  Arvind Kejriwal and his team who till yesterday were called gutter snipes.The same very Digvijays,Shankar Prasads,Salman Khurshids,Sambit Patras and Renuka Choudharys who till yesterday were scornfully mocking and challenging the AAP to contest elections are now now squirming under their skins for misjudging the power of Aam Admi.Cleansing of politics from the stranglehold of self serving politicians, who were there for a life long binge, has just begun and much to the chagrin of Mr Vishwas and his ilk, there is no stopping the AAP juggernaut. 

Response to article in BS

This is my response to an article published online in the Business-Standard. The original article is Here.

India's irony is that despite its burgeoning population it will not die of starvation. It is dying under the sheer weight of ignorance; the learned nonsense of the elite and vast emptiness of the masses.

Without any consideration the central theme touted by all politicians, for a progressive India,is the huge demographic dividend that India enjoys. Is the youth being channeled in the right direction? Is our education system up to it? Are we imparting the right skills and education to empower the youth or are a large percentage merely finishing College to show off an unemployable degree due lack of appropriate skills and knowledge. A human bomb is ticking away created by disparities in education and inequalities of skill.  We have to get our primary,secondary and higher education system right.

Whilst the Europeans could go back to their farms and eek a living, where will hundreds of million Indians turn to. We are already facing severe water crunch and drought to sustain productivity on the existing agricultural land. If what the writer says is true, we are in for an unprecedented anarchy.Time and tide have yet not deserted us. What we need is visionary leadership who can call a spade a spade,set the education system right, amend labour laws and not fall prey to petty politics.

Missing Realism

This is my response to an article published online in the Business Standard. The original article is Here.

The singular misfortune of India, political pandering by unworthy politicians including those elevated to the highest post has manifested again. Without a shred of regret the PM attempted vainly to justify all misdeeds of his Govt and pass the buck to others. There was nothing new or true in what he said.

Whatever was new was not true and what was true was not new.

How unfortunate that one golden opportunity he had to connect with an expectant nation and give direction to bring things on even keel was squandered in an attempt to decry Modi and propagate Pappu. Calling Modi a disaster was the most disingenuous and unkind way of combating a man who is emerging as a leader of the masses. With this he has forfeited the only undiluted and genuine credentials of being a gentleman that had somehow survived. His uncompromising bid to praise and propagate the cause of the most unworthy, "the Family", especially the scion have left ash in the mouths of all indians endowed with average intelligence.How conveniently he overlooks the antecedents of Pappu whose past generations starting with Nehru to Indira Gandhi to his father only wrecked havoc on national growth and international standing amongst the comity of nations. That the Congress has repeatedly chosen to mock the average Indian is lost on him as for some strange reasons he has bartered every other quality of a good leader and a well meaning man, of any worth, at the altar of hanging on to power irrespective of how the history judges him. India certainly deserves better.

Hopefully this lame conference that lacked any conviction and was held to promote the one,"Pappu",has woken up India, to the real worth of the Congress and its leaders, to seek the change it deserves.

Indian expats feel the Kejriwal effect | GulfNews.com

Indian expats feel the Kejriwal effect | GulfNews.com.
Though I am not an expat, presently visiting my children in Dubai, I wholeheartedly agree with the positive views expressed about the AAP. My views follow:-

Kejriwal/AAP effect is a sweeping phenomenon that will engulf every right thinking patriotic indian in its fold. Why has this radical change that invited humungous cynicism and diatribes from the existing political class and intelligencia become such an overnight success. My view is that it relates to the awakening of fundamental goodness, compassion and patriotism in every well meaning Indian, who have been exploited to the hilt by a coterie of few self serving subservient, no good politicians.This upsurge may seem sudden but it has been simmering , like the Arab Spring, among the masses who thus far did not have a voice or  any other means, other than the manipulated and manufactured public opinion called democracy, to vent their frustration.
The emergence of AAP and the winds of change that they promise from the decadent political system based on caste, class, religion and parochial interests, has given credibility to the litmus test of democracy , the ballot. We, therefore, see hordes of young Indians aligning with this change and volunteering to carry this crusade forward to its logical end. Congress and its dynastic politics, and politicians, who survive on their subservience and proximity to the Family are passe. So are the venues of success for BJP  beginning to shut as other than Modi,  only hypocrites with big mouths and small brains seem to occupy the centre stage  in that party , which certainly will be its own undoing. Other regional parties that hold  sway in coalition  era have acquitted themselves with distinction in promoting  corruption and parochialism. They too will feel the heat of AAP and pay for their misdeeds. It would be hard to stop the AAP juggernaut, the peoples movement.

Change is the Key.

 Quotes by many leading lights suggest change is inevitable. But the most significant is the one by Mahatma Gandhi, "be the change that you want to see".Thats what Arvind Kejriwal and his wise men did despite serious reservations of their mentor, Anna Hazare. What a radical and constructive change it has been, perhaps even the protagonists weren't expecting it.
How do we take this forward to build a spirit of nationhood amongst all Indians, irrespective of their caste ,creed and religion. Undoubtedly a daunting task but certainly doable given the winds of change that are sweeping the nation especially among  the youth who are seeking a credible and accountable governance.
So whats the first step. My view, a change of attitude! a new awakening with regard to our system of education and reservations.Any suggestion to reconsider/rethink reservations is almost blasphemous in India. I can already sense hundreds of swords being drawn to decapitate such audacity. But just pause and give a somber thought, are reservations a boon they were intended to be, or have they turned into a bane, an enigma to be exploited by few unworthies like Mayawati,Mulayam,Paswan, Raja and Lalu Yadav.
Would compulsory education where we teach our children, to stand straight with pride and never bend before anyone but god, to stand in  line and not push and pull,to study with purpose,play with joy,to laugh and never shed tears but in prayer, to compete with dignity and work with pride, give a semblance of propriety and pride in our decadent system that promotes cut throat competition and the desire to succeed at any cost. It certainly would, all it needs is a concerted effort and inculcation of confidence among all stakeholders.