Elections in Maharashtra.

Honey moon followed by the married life of 25 years between BJP and SHIV SENA has come to an end. Sena's leader Uddhav Thackeray wants to become the CM of Maharashtra state now at any cost. If not now never later, he thinks so. Similarly the BJP wants to capitalise the Modi factor and establish their rule in an important state without losing further time. Now do it, may be impossible later, they seem to think that way. Due to the concern expressed by RSS so far, the decision for separation has been delayed till now. Otherwise this decision was already taken by Modi-Shaw duo long back. Some of the smaller groups may join BJP deserting SENA in all probability. The loser will be SENA at the end, one would tend to believe.

Similarly both Congress and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party headed by Sharad Pawar) have separated, after 15 years of friendship, trying to test their waters independently. 

In a way it is a good opportunity for all the four - two national parties and two state-level parties headed by regional  satraps to try their luck and prove their strength in individual capacity.

A good show! Let us await the results after the elections.

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Spine is fine?

Spine (backbone) of a human being is an important organ. A slight damage caused to it would paralyse the movement of a person. It helps stand erect and walk straight always. 

I remember two important persons in my official career: Mr.A.S.Das former Commissioner of Sagar Division when I was Collector of Sagar District under him. Mr. Ajit Jogi, the first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh when I was one of the Principal Secretaries in his government. Both the gentlemen were very active physically and mentally. But a slight oversight or delayed action on the part of experts in a hospital at Mumbai paralysed their bodies beyond anybody's control and imagination.

Friends: Take care of the spine and let us not cause any damage due to our own negligence at least.

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Judiciary is no example for fast justice?

It is reported that a tradition had existed during the last eight years allowing the Supreme Court of india to enjoy annual vacation for about seven weeks in summer season like educational institutions and the said tradition has unfortunately taken the shape of a rule of the Court from this year onwards although the present Chief Justice R.M.Lodha was advocating the abrogation of such a vacation to the court and pleading for 365 days'  working like in the case of hospitals.

The Bar Council of India and other judges of the court opposed the move of Justice Lodha for 365 days' working. Who wants hard work? An intelligent approach can ensure enough rest to the judges and lawyers by allowing them to take adequate leave individually as and when needed. Who would listen to such a wise counsel?

It is also reported that the courts don't close for summer vacation in countries like France and USA. Canada Supreme Court and U.K Supreme Court close only for 11 and 24 days  respectively in an year.

India has about 19000 judges working now. According to National Court Management System, the number of judges/ courts have increased six times whereas the number of cases have risen by twelve times in the last 30 years.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Unless the mindset of lawyers and judges changes there can never be a legal reform ensuring fast justice in this country.

Floods in J & K

It is reported that the State of Jammu & Kashmir has received such rains and floods after sixty years, and some say, after one hundred years. All the rivers in the state - Jhelam, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj  are in spate causing extensive damage to the properties and the lives of people and animals ( more than 200 people are dead till now) for about a week now. The union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the prime minister Narendra Modi have visited the state and inspected the areas by land and air.

Unexpected natural disasters normally prove to be beyond everybody's control for the time being but people and the government learn a lesson and adjust to the situation in the short and medium term finally. The P.M has announced a relief assistance to the extent of Rs 1000 crore and more as also the distribution of two lakh blankets immediately.

Rehabilitation of the area and the people with proper compensation to the needy will take a few months now. However a long term plan including short term measures to effectively tackle such a situation is the need of the hour. This is true of not only J&K but other states as well.

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What a fall to a challenging hero of 2014 General Elections?

A cartoon by Surendra in the Hindu on Saturday, September 6,2014 in which the Vice President of Congress Party, Rahul Gandhi is shown uttering the following words to his mother:

"Mom, I need a margadarshak committee to guide me"

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