Logjam in Indian Parliament

The monsoon session of the Parliament has been thoroughly disturbed by the opposition parties esp. The Congress Party so far. Some 25 MPs of the Congress in Lok Sabha were suspended from the participation of proceedings for five working days last week. Many important pieces of legislation are pending for discussion before their passing. The adamant posture of the main opposition in dismissing the Union Foreign minister Ms. Sushma Swaraj, Rajasthan CM Vijaya raje Scindia and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chawhan for their corrupt roles in the recent past has created a stumbling block in Parliament.

May be the Congress is showing its anger and annoyance towards the BJP in retaliation to the unruly behaviour and noncooperation displayed by the BJP in its earlier avatar as the main opposition party in the last regime. Tit for tat?

Well, who is the victim of such behaviour on the part of responsible political parties ruling this nation and also trying to become a super power and surpass China in economic and military sectors soon. We are certainly not on a right track. 

Our law makers should set good standards not only in law making but also in maintaining the decency and decorum in conducting the business of the Houses of Parliament as well as not wasting the public money and their valuable time. Public is watching and wondering what happened to our legislators. Why are they fighting like street urchins? Can't they set high standards and be a role model to the state assemblies in the process?

As the normal citizens of this country we can only plead before our leaders and parties to be responsible towards their jobs and duties.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

From the pen of a well-wisher:

Avoidable controversies to be avoided for next 5 years

It would be better if BJP leaders avoid giving controversial statements on issues connected with religion and such other sensitive matters and necessitating counter statements by other leaders in the government. Example: issue of "secularism". It would unnecessarily erode the confidence of the people in the party and create an impression that there is no coherent thinking and unity in policy making and approach in its implementation. Unity of purpose both in the short term and long term alone can build the party's prospects on a permanent footing. Otherwise it would be like any other party known for time-serving and self-seeking butch of individuals enjoying the perks of office after a handsome victory at the hustings unwittingly and certainly testing the patience of voters and volatile young generation with a high expectation from the ruling class.

Pl. focus on economic issues like development, socially justifiable investment,  unemployment, inflation, infrastructure etc. 

Prime Ministers like Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh spent most of their time outside the country with little contribution directly to the general welfare of Indian citizens.

Karma yogi Narendra Modi would do well if he can avoid the ' moah ' for foreign visits and concentrate fully on the burning issues of India. Very few visits would of course be needed for FDIs and establishing good will in the international community.

+++++++++++++++

Three Stalwarts

P.C.Alexander, the bureaucrat,

M.S.Swaminathan, the agriculture scientist,

A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, the space & nuclear scientist.

All the three were great personalities in their own ways. All the three were loyal and obedient public servants of the establishment in their respective fields. They were pretty close to the Prime Minsters of the day. They tried their level best to excel in their fields and enter the office of the President of India. Luck and circumstances enabled Dr Kalam only to occupy the post for five years although he was willing to serve a second term but the change of ruling party at the centre ensured his replacement by a pure politician.

In the case of Dr Kalam, the advantage was, he was a bachelor devoted to the science of military weaponry, space research and nuclear research, the latter two parts of which were very dear to the then Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, another bachelor, by the way. It also ensured the award of Bharat Ratna to this true Indian from Muslim Community. His devotion to the national cause through his consistent attempts, talks and writings earned the warmth of one and all and overwhelming connect with the student community till he breathed his last.

Of course as an administrator I too had a chance to find fault with his approach in certain matters. As the President of India he failed to dispose of the mercy petitions pending before him. He was a positive man with no desire to see the other side of the coin. Even his successor Ms. Pratibha Patil proved better in her assignment as the President. India needs doer and not a shirker on any ground whatsoever. Good or bad, you have to perform the duty. On one or two occasions he had to sign the bills sent by the Union Cabinet after his sending them back for reconsideration. As a citizen I expected him to resign on moral grounds rather than approving the same, looking to his stature and calibre. Well that was not to be. You need to have a very strong personality to say no to a wrong and unconvincing situation. Secondly I never saw him pursuing his pet theories and projects as a people's President with the chief ministers of this country whom he kept in high esteem and for whom he made PPP in person on the economic and social projects and programmes meant for those states in particular. It was very unfortunate of course.

No one could beat him however in 21st century so far in time utilisation for the welfare of this nation. May his soul rest in peace.

++++++++++++++

Jails in UP, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh most crowded

UP alone contributes to overcrowding by close to 32000 prisoners ( against a capacity of 47518 inmates) while the country's figure is around 42000. 

Prisons in C.G are crowded by 8930 inmates i.e 14780 in all as against a capacity of 5850.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Dr. Kalam

Dr Kalam was a storehouse of knowledge and wisdom and a powerhouse for motivational talks and writings.

Probably he had nearly 14 hours a day for this purpose in the last 10-12 years, it seems. The most successful man in time utilisation in the absence of any family commitments and bad habits like others in the society!

+++++++++

Lee Kuan Yew

A law student from Cambridge, otherwise born into the third generation middle class Chinese family in Singapore in 1923, had the opportunity to form the People's Action Party  in 1954 and win the elections in 1959. Lee became the Prime Minister. After an initial merger with Malaysia, Singapore parted the way after two years and started its forward march under his rule since 1960. 

In the next three decades he transformed a tiny and sleepy fisherman island into an economically powerful city nation. Now the per capita income in Singapore is around  U S. dollar 55000/. 

Reason for success:

Enterprising and dedicated leadership

Incorruptible and strict government

Control on freedom of speech and media

Single party rule for 3-4 decades with no opposition

People's cooperation with the government

Is it possible in India to repeat that system given the constitution of India, diversity in race, religion, language, culture, history, geography etc? Not really.

A disciplined democracy, with press freedom subordinated to national goals, pronounced and practised by selfless individuals at the apex level and supported by a bureaucracy committed to the Constitution of India and the socialistic pattern of Indian society alone can pave the way for transformation of India into a world class nation developed in all aspects.

Can the Modi's role and rule be expected to usher in such a transformation in India?

++++++++++++++++++

Do or die

A big battle is expected in Bihar during the ensuing Assembly elections between BJP under Narendra Modi and others under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.

BJP National President Amit Shah has started the campaign today with 160 raths from Patna. Caste factor may or may not work in anybody's favour this time. Powerful oratory skills would be deployed by the PM.

Nativity in Nitish would be tested for his sincerity and honesty with which he has worked as CM so far  in the state. It is a political battle worth watching in the days to come.

The PM would  take this election in a much more serious way after the debacle in Delhi. If he wins this time, nobody can challenge him easily for the next ten years. If he fails it would be a big blow to his stature and hard work.

++++++++++