How to bring professionalism into I.A.S

Fruitful Initiative and genuine hard-work would continue to suffer for some more time unless and until the so-called permanent executives are allowed to enjoy a certain amount of uninterrupted tenure in any job and assured of a freedom to specialise in a particular field of one's interest for certain period of time permitting the country to gain and benefit from such a professionalism.  

Awaiting a conducive atmosphere to make it a reality. 

Coalgate

As correctly argued by Sunjoy Joshi in his article "The Emperor's New Clothes" (TOI Chennai dated October 1 , 2012 , any policy regarding the use of natural resources must ensure that any process of selection must not only be transparent but should also demonstrably be seen to be so. This is what the Supreme Court of India has also reiterated in its judgment. The CAG figures with regard to undue gains to individual companies need not be taken as absolutely correct but it certainly indicates the level of arbitrariness or favouritism shown in the process of allocation of spectrum or the coal blocks. 

For instance the CAG in his report tabled on the floor of Parliament on Friday, August 17, 2012 indicated that the government extended windfall gains (coal-gate) of Rs 1.86 lakh crore to private players by distributing coal blocks without bidding over the years. Even the high tenet of capitalism demands that the market forces should decide the actual prices of commodities - raw materials or the finished goods.

Seen in this context the politicians, courts and authorities should devise the ways of allocation in such a way that the process doesn't become questionable at a later date.

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Unprecedented climate extremes over last decade: UN report

On Tuesday, July 9, 2013 the U.N launched a report in which it was revealed that between 2001 and 2010 the world experienced unprecedented high-impact climate extremes and national temperature records were broken much more than in any other decade in the past.

Michael Jarraud , the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said "rising concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases are changing our climate, with far reaching implications for our environment and our oceans , which are absorbing both carbon dioxide and heat".

Extreme floods, droughts and tropical cyclones were experienced across the world throughout the decade and more than 370,000 people died as a result of these, representing a 20 per cent increase in casualties from the previous decade. Tropical cyclones alone killed nearly 170000 people , affecting over 250 million and caused estimated damages of $ 380 billion.

Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services which met in Geneva in the first week of July, 2013 was expected to help countries and communities cope with long term climate change and associated extreme weather events.

Man's mighty powers and achievements can hardly stand before the nature's fury and check the adverse consequences. Mankind should know its limitations and control its adverse actions. The play of tectonic plates and the magma underneath the surface of earth expected to erupt in the form of volcanoes from time to time holds the key for the survival and longevity of human beings on earth in the days to come. Let us pray for the delay and decrease in its intensity so that we can enjoy this blue-coloured paradise in the milky-way galaxy. A perusal of the "Amazing Planet" a three-episode documentary film produced by National Geographic Channel would strengthen this fear beyond any doubt because the way this planet was formed, disturbed, the continents were shaped and bifurcated and the havoc played by mega volcanoes and earthquakes during the last several millions of years is beyond anybody's imagination. 

Progress and Pitfalls of Indian Democracy

Rule of Law, enshrined in the basic philosophy of liberty, equality and fraternity, and to be achieved by the government of the people, for the people and by the people, would empower democracy in a society. After a few centuries of alien rule and subjugation. India ultimately achieved its hard-earned freedom in 1947 thanks to self-less efforts and sacrifices on the part of freedom fighters from different corners of the nation. 50 years of self-rule is not sufficiently a long period in the history of a gigantic sub-continent like India to feel highly jubilant about its achievements or get awe-struck at its failures, compared to other countries like U.S.A, China, U.S.S.R who were sovereign and independent for ages before the exit of English rule from India. All the same it is a fairly and substantial duration of time which can indicate the direction in which it is moving and the mid-course corrections needed to take this nation forward and to provide economic and social justice to each and every citizen at least by the end of next 50 years.

Independent India has been immensely successful in checking large-scale famines and starvation deaths experienced in British rule from time to time. It has graduated from the nation of a major importer of food-grains to a self-sufficient economy within two decades and is now in a position to not only feed its ever-multiplying population but also export some surplus to other countries (198 million tons produced in 1994-95 and exported 10 million tons in 1995-96). Five-year plans were largely responsible for the level of industrialisation it has achieved to the envy of several leading nations -- establishment of large-scale and mega industries in steel, mines, petroleum, coal, power, textiles, and medium and small scale industries scattered all over the country providing a strong base for the capital and consumer goods. A strong and enlightened scientific community has emerged over a period of time from the universities, I.C.A.R and C.S.I.R establishments. Umpteen numbers of technological institutes including I.I.Ts of international repute have sprung all over the places.

Comparatively law and order has been maintained peacefully without any major civil war as has been seen in the neighbourhood like Pakistan and Afghanistan recently. Luckily India is still one piece and in fact Sikkim has been added to its territory. And major uprising in places like J&K, Punjab and Assam has been contained and elected governments have been put on the saddle. External aggressions had been tackled satisfactorily. Elections have been held from time to time and the people had the authority to change governments at its will. A small aberration in the form of emergency in mid seventies had passed off quickly.

Freedom and democracy have been preserved, though of course at a heavy cost and slow progress in economic sphere. Probably due to its diversity and vastness of the area no authoritarian rule from any quarters could emerge so far despite several and vulnerable situations on its long journey during this period. In spite of a few shortcomings the governments have successfully provided opportunities the underprivileged sections of the populace with reservation in educational institutions and jobs. Many a family from these groups have come up and occupied respectable positions in politics and governments.

Political leaders and governmental authorities had however failed to appreciate the importance of controlled population growth and total literacy of its citizens. They dreamt of big things but forgot to safeguard the fundamentals of human progress with the result we are fast approaching a stage when we may touch a figure of 1000 millions by 2000 AD(by  this time - 2012/13 we are touching 1.2 billions) and overtake China within a decade or two as the most populace nation in the -world. Countries who were in shambles and got freedom after us are now turning to be a model for us to follow.

What a shame!. It is now all the more difficult to contain these two monsters for one or two decades. India is unable to provide safe drinking water and basic health care to its citizens even after 50 - 65 years. One -third of its population lives below the poverty line. Mega projects got attention whereas micro plans suffered a criminal neglect. Unemployment and underemployment of the work-force in both urban and rural areas has been the admitted defeat of successive governments both in the Centre and the states.

Standard of morality and probity in politics, education, business, bureaucracy and judiciary has touched the rock bottom over these years and the people manning these institutions are no more able to carry conviction with the people. Every activity of theirs is taken with a pinch of salt and viewed with a bit of suspicion. God help our masters in the days to come and it would be nothing short of a miracle if the future governments really achieve any substantial progress in the short-run. Electorates are unable to decide the best rulers and now the things have come to such a pass that the minority governments are forced to rule in the Centre and in a few states. Hung Parliament and Hung Assemblies are going to be the order of the day hereafter.

In spite of electoral frauds being committed in several places the majority of the voters are not really aware whom to vote and how to sustain a well-meaning and clean governments for five years at a stretch. Disparities of income and wealth are on the rise despite solemn objectives of all our plans and budgets year after year. Expectations of the people are aroused by false and ridiculous promises in the form of manifestos on the eve of elections which create chaos and confusion for the newly elected governments and the nexus between the politicians, criminals and bureaucrats has created havoc in the economic and social life of the people.

Society is torn into pieces on account of certain ugly factors like language, religion, castes, sectional and vested interests.  Agitation, bandhs, strikes, closures, violence etc. are a daily occurrence in some part or the other. Inter-state disputes over river-water are an endemic and eternal issue defying solution at all levels. Insurgency and terrorism have become the regular phenomenon in certain pockets of the country. Demand for separate statehood has been on the rise in several places. Urbanisation and heavy migration from the rural areas have made life for those already staying there miserable while the people living in slums are leading a life worse than that of animals. When are we going to end all these ills afflicting our society with the present Constitution,Parliamentary form of government, Judicial system and the Bureaucracy is a big and one million dollar question for every Indian citizen to ponder and act quickly and earnestly.

India is a sleeping giant and if this giant is to be shaken up from its slumber, nothing short of an earthquake in the form of a second freedom struggle or peaceful revolution can ensure a return to safe and self rule for one and all -- haves and have-nots. India, 'a very paradise on earth' ( Max Mueller ) is to be preserved for our posterity in full and fertile form at any cost. We should strive for the following as desired by the 14-point historic resolution "Agenda for India" adopted by 6-day Special Session of Parliament a couple of years ago:

• Calling for probity and accountability in public life

• Achieving universal primary education by 2005 / 15 AD

• Ridding the polity of criminalisation,

• Enforcing radical electoral reforms,

• Prudent management of the economy, and

• A vigorous national campaign to check population growth.

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Clean air on Sale

The most populace country in the world, namely, China has undergone a Sea Change in increasing the number of vehicles/automobiles and number of factories.  On account of this development the environment in the Country especially in and around the Capital of Beijing is highly disturbed and  polluted. The Capital city invariably remains under a thick smoke cloud like a snow fall.  The people have started wearing mask to protect their faces from air pollution.  Although the Chinese Government has taken a number of steps to protect environment, things have not improved considerably. Under these circumstances, an industrialist named  Mr. Chen Quangpio started collecting the clean air in cans and selling at a price of Rs.40/- per can. This man of  44 years old has sold almost 80 lakh cans so far.

Hail the Chief Minister

The infanticide practised against the female gender was curbed by the Chief Minister Selvi. J. Jayalalitha, in the year 1992.  Due to her effort under the caption ‘Cradle Children Scheme’ as many as 3,501 girl children and 695 male children were saved and protected. Under a different scheme called ‘Girl Child Protection Scheme’ in those families where the annual income was less than Rs 50,000/- and having only one girl child with one of the parents having undergone family planning before they attained 35 yrs, a sum of Rs.50, 000/- was kept as Fixed Deposit for such a child and the same amount was to be released with interest to the girl at the age of 18 yrs. Similarly the provision for those families having two girl children was to the extent of Rs.25, 000/- each. Of late the girls getting married are also given 4 grams of gold and marriage allowances depending on their education and qualifications.

No doubt girl children will sing in praise of the Chief Minister Selvi. J. Jayalalitha.

5 crore moved out of poverty: Government

The times news network reported on March 20, 2012  that as per the data released  by Planning Commission the poverty level had significantly declined between 2004 – 2005 and 2009- 10. The new estimates are based on the poverty line that averages Rs. 672.8 per month (Rs. 22.43 per day) in rural areas and Rs. 859.6 per month (Rs. 28.65 per day) in urban areas for 2009-10. In a state like Delhi, the urban poverty line translated to Rs. 34.67 per person per day. In the Supreme Court, the government had earlier submitted that the updated poverty line was likely to be Rs. 26 per day in rural areas & Rs. 32 per day in the towns in June 2011. As things stand, a host of centrally sponsored social security schemes for the poor exclude those above these poverty lines from availing of the benefits under the scheme. By the lowered bench marks, poverty across the country declined by 7.3%.

That Bihar under Nitish Kumar grew at over 10% between2004-05 & 2009-10 is now well known.  There is no doubt that poverty level is coming down percentage-wise but in absolute numbers it is still huge defying solution and worrying the well-wishers in the country.