OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – TAMILNADU POLITICS

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – TAMILNADU POLITICS

Gopu and Shyam met over a cup of coffee as the channels were busy telecasting the news of Rajnikant entering political arena in Tamilandu.  This time in the coffee shop too, they found vociferous voices, as if the whole world has come down.  Of course, the discussion was about Rajnikant expressing his arrival to politics and also as he had said he would contest all the 234 seats in Tamilnadu. 

Gopu said that his age might be a consideration for this action of plunging into politics as he is nothing to lose from the of theprofession which has given everything to him.  The followers or fans of his can no more be kept with him with new films.  If they have to be kept in the hold from nowonwards, the only way is to utilize their energies on a common goal, which is nothing but entering politics.  For a man, who has kept himself aloof, without expressing any clear views on many subjects that were the concern of Tamilnadu including Jallikattu, Cauvery water issue – he considers that itself may help him to open a new chapter without the impact of such issues and also only with the impact of the movies.  Rajnikant knows full well, that he has kept a particular base of his film following intact, so for. 

Shyam said that the news of the entry into politics is inevitable.  If he does not announce now, then the situation in Tamilnadu which is very fluid now, it will an opportunity lost.  The ruling party’s infighting and split factions and main opposition party’s none to well performance of late is the right opportunity for anyone thinking of entering into politics.  That Kamalhasan is after the CM’s Chair and has told he would announce his plans in a few months, might have also acted as a catalyst for this action of Rajnikant.  The two friends and foes, have been in Oneupmanship and have many a comments made by them directly or indirectly to that effect.  It is obvious that Kamal who had projected himself as an Athiest and have the blessings of DMK is now countered by the religious Rajnikant.

As for the people of Tamilnadu, they have surprised many, whenever such faction fighting has been seen in the Dravidian parties, with supporting MGR when parted company with DMK and supporting J Jayalalitha to oust Janaki as CM.  However they have remained within the Dravidian fold, except when Sri Vasan of Tamil Manila Congress was given 60 odd seats with Rajnikant supporting them.  That cannot be construed as Sri Vasan got that many seats because of Rajnikant but people wanted a change from the Dravidian Parties.  The smaller parties have been riding on the back of DMK and AIADMK to retian their benfits out of the rules of these two parties.  Presently with the DMK not in its formal glory with Stalin and Alagiri not acting in Unison and with the appeal of 2G case in higher courts may not have a chance to   come back until something unusual happens.  As for the AIADMK, there is every chance of splitting further, if the EPS-OPS combine not act in unison and may pave the way for the President’s Rule and ultimate downfall of them.  Herein comes the importance of other people who are in politics of Tamilnadu to take advantage of the situation.  Rajnikant has thrown in his towel before others.  But both Shyam and Gopu were of the opinion that this advantage cannot be fully utilized unless and until the party itself takes shape with adequate ground work for him in a short period.  Apart from the fan following, those who are supporting other parties but fans of Rajnikant to be brought back in their fold within a short period.  Here in also, what the BJP in centre has decided for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls is of importance.  Whether there will be tacit support and backing of Rajnikant to get a fair share of the votes during Lok Sabha polls, and also to get in turn the support of MPs won for his party.

Both Gopu and Shyam felt this is the possibility and perhaps this assured? Help of BJP would have been the cause of the decision of Rajnikant , who was wavering until these years to enter politics. As for BJP, they are interested in getting the backing of MPs from Tamilnadu and which they cannot get on their own.  More will be known before February 2018, when present Tamilnadu EPS-OPS combine, whether they are able to overcome the threat of faction led by TTV Dinakaran, who would spend money like water to get things done in his favour.

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - R K NAGAR BY-ELECTION

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - R K NAGAR BYELECTION 

Gopu and Shyam met over a cup of coffee after their phone call after by election result of R K Nagar in Chennai.  Though there were four by elections and the in the West Bengal, Sabang seat Congress which had won earlier with 56% votes lost this time with less than 10% vote, losing the Deposit, this was pushed to the background by the Tamilnadu by-election.  TMC has won the WB seat.  In Arunachal Pradesh in the Pakke-kessang Assembly seat and in UP in the Sikkandra assembly seat BJP has won. 

Thus though the TMC has wrested the seat from Congress in WB in the by-election and BJP has won both in Arunchal Preadesh and UP in by-elections, these were pushed to the background with the result of the victory of TTV Dinakaran, close relative of Sasikala of the breakaway faction of the AIADMK who stood as an Independent with Pressure Cooker as the symbol.  Obviously many households of R P Nagar had the benefit of Pressure Cooker given to them.  Some even doubted what was inside the cooker.

Widespread rumours in Tamilnadu of money being given was around Rs.10000/- per voter and it appears Tamilnadu will never come out of Corruption by its leaders and people.   Gopu was very furious about this aspect of people who also were for freebies for normal day to day activities and also expecting money from parties contesting elections.   Some years before, people used to joke that get the money and vote as you like.  But recently in all elections of Tamilnadu, it seems the highest offerer gets to win.  Gopu also said that the stature of candidates we get has come drastically to a new low with people who are corrupt and expecting to be jailed for their misdemeanours being elected by people purely based on the gifts offered.  Corrupt politician is certain that he would get elected by being the highest offerer to the people.  There is no shame on the part of the candidate as well as the majority of the people of the constituency.

Shyam looked this at a completely different angle and said the Main Opposition party wanted to bring down the government of EPS-OPS combine by dividing the AIADMK and thus wanted mid term elections in which they can create split votes between the factions of AIADMK and win the elections.  How much of the votes of DMK has thus been transferred to TTV in this arguement is not known.  If it is true, the DMK has not credited themselves well as both the factions AIADMK have polled together 85% of votes leaving only 15% to DMK.  It does not augur well for that party.  Shyam was also very critical of the performance of the BJP, who have fielded a candidate knowing fully well they have not worked well in the constituency earlier but taking part in the elections, only to get 50% of the votes of NOTA votes.  The other important factor that  should be seen is that DMK was not alone and their friendly parties who supported them - Congress, Communists, TVC of Thirumavalavan and other smaller parties only to see that their share of votes dwindle further.  

It is now expected there would definitely some changes in the pattern of the ruling by the EPS-OPS combine said Shyam. He said that unless they definitely work together, they cannot keep the following they had and should think that R K Nagar as an isolated incidence where their rivals have given more than them to the electorate.  But only time will tell what happens to the AIADMK Party. 

Shyam also told Gopu that a section of the people of Tamilandu who are against freebies and also consider both DMK and AIADMK should be voted out as they are immersed in corruption are not happy at all with the verdict of R K Nagar and like to have Presdient's rule in Tamilnadu.  These people want the President rule should be for longer time and freebies should be reduced and corrupt taken up severely during this period and bring back Tamilnadu to the national stream and they also say that Tamilnadu which has lost its earlier glory in national competitive examinations should regain its supremacy in education.  Will the youth of Tamilnadu caught in the web of the Maya of Tamil Cinema come out of it and bring Tamilnadu to the past glory in education, employment and development?

Gopu replied that would augur well for Tamilnadu.  Gopu also said the Election Commission has not been serious about complaints of bribes to voters.  Shyam felt the official machinery in Tamilnadu is corrupt and nothing can be done as of now. Both agreed to meet again.

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - BLUE WHALE CHALLENGE

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - BLUE WHALE CHALLENGE

Shyam and Gopu met over a cup of coffee and their discussion centered around the Internet Game Blue Whale Challenge, which has already started to impact the younger generation of India.  This Internet Game has caught the imagination of the Youngsters of India as a number of challenges are given step by step.  But the unfortunate thing, is the last step, where in the challenge is to commit suicide.  Every right thinking person should be against this game, said Shyam to Gopu.  Already this has claimed the lives of few persons in India and it must be reiterated that it is totally against Indian culture and no has a right to instruct to take the life.  As the number of young people with more spare time without employment and those who think that in the name of challenge get the benefit of support of their deeds which they consider difficult have drawn more and more people of late, taking to this game.

The game goes like this.   A group of administrators give a particular task to be completed on that day and for a period of 50 days and the final act is the committing of suicide.  Paticipants are expected to share the photos of their performance of the task.    These daily tasks start off easy — such as listening to certain genres of music, waking up at odd hours, watching a horror movie, among others, and then slowly escalate to carving out shapes on one’s skin, self-mutilation and eventually suicide. 
Lot of uncertainty remains how the participant gets into this game - whether by means of any special App., or some social media platforms.   A number of different hashtags— #bluewhalechallenge, #curatorfindme, #i_am_whale — act as signals for the ANONYMOUS curators.

From the above itself, it can be seen that people who do not know the actual agency participate in the game and the weak links in the society get drawn to this without knowing the implications.   A totally unacceptable game where it asks for one's life to be taken - though it may be in the last stage - so what?

The general public should rise their voice against this game where in the middle of the game asking people to mutilate themselves, drawing whale in Blood etc.,  As the agency has not carried out its activities coming out in public, hidden are the ways this game continues and one can come to know of this only from people around, from friends, families who have come across the game itself or mutilations and suicides.   



Shyam said in America and Europe advisories have been issued to schools to be in look out of children using social media platforms for the chances of participation in this game.  Origin appears to be in Russia with around 130 deaths related to this and there have been two arrests.  The Government of India would do well by approaching Russian authorities to prevent even before the game starts in India in full scale.   Already, there have been some cases reported.  On July 30, the first case was alleged to have been due to this game in Mumbai, when a 14 year old boy jumped of the building.  On August 10, a class VII student from was pulled away from the final leap to death.  He seems to have recorded all the 50 stages in his school diary.  On August 12, in West Bengal, a class 12 student committed suicide allegedly due to the game.

It appears the Kerala Government is to approach Centre to ban the game in India.

Gopu said the society should voice their concern, the parents of school going children should be watchful of the activities of their children in social media, the State Governments ask for ban of this game and also the Centre should be proactive in banning the game.   The NGOs of this country have no time for raising their voice for such ban of the game, and have all their times only to precipitate matters to go against the present Central Government.  Gopu and Shyam left deciding to meet again.

The first case of alleged Blue Whale suicide in India was reported on July 30, when a 14-year-old boy jumped to death from the seventh floor of a building in Mumbai. On August 10, a Class VII student in Indore was pulled away before he could take the final leap. He apparently recorded all 50 stages in his school diary. A Class X student in West Bengal, allegedly playing the game, committed suicide on August 12. His body was found in the bathroom, his face covered in a plastic bag and with a cord ..

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/60135835.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

The first case of alleged Blue Whale suicide in India was reported on July 30, when a 14-year-old boy jumped to death from the seventh floor of a building in Mumbai. On August 10, a Class VII student in Indore was pulled away before he could take the final leap. He apparently recorded all 50 stages in his school diary. A Class X student in West Bengal, allegedly playing the game, committed suicide on August 12. His body was found in the bathroom, his face covered in a plastic bag and with a cord ..

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/60135835.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

The first case of alleged Blue Whale suicide in India was reported on July 30, when a 14-year-old boy jumped to death from the seventh floor of a building in Mumbai. On August 10, a Class VII student in Indore was pulled away before he could take the final leap. He apparently recorded all 50 stages in his school diary. A Class X student in West Bengal, allegedly playing the game, committed suicide on August 12. His body was found in the bathroom, his face covered in a plastic bag and with a cord ..

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/60135835.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

The first case of alleged Blue Whale suicide in India was reported on July 30, when a 14-year-old boy jumped to death from the seventh floor of a building in Mumbai. On August 10, a Class VII student in Indore was pulled away before he could take the final leap. He apparently recorded all 50 stages in his school diary. A Class X student in West Bengal, allegedly playing the game, committed suicide on August 12. His body was found in the bathroom, his face covered in a plastic bag and with a cord ..

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/60135835.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - ARE MUSLIMS INSECURE IN INDIA

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - ARE MUSLIMS INSECURE IN INDIA

Shyam and Gopu met over a cup of coffee, reminding themselves that they are meeting after a long time.   The call by Shyam to Gopu was on the subject of the recent comment by the outgoing Vice President Sri Hamid Ansari that the Muslims in India are insecure.   It cannot be taken just as a remark from a person who has not been nominated for a third time, instead from a former Ambassador for various West Asian Countries including Iran, from a former Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University, from a former Chairman of the Minority Commission in India.  By holding various posts before becoming the Vice President, as an active person in the upliftment of the Community to which he belongs, his own service seems to be too inadequate for the community to come up in the social life of this country.   Or only people like him have enjoyed the benefits offered by the appeasement policy of the erstwhile UPA Government and not reaching the lower echelons of his clan. Then the serious question comes to the mind, what is wrong with this community that they cannot come up in life in spite of the various concessions being offered by successive governments.   The various points that comes to our mind, also was of concern to Shyam and he called Gopu to disucss it over a cup of coffee.

Shyam first mentioned to Gopu about the comment of outgoing Vice President on the conditions of the Muslims and the insecurity that they are facing presently.   His oblique reference was that his position is that of the Party which brought him as the Vice President and it is more of a political statement to put the present NDA government in discomfort.   For a person who was holding the high office of the Vice President, it becomes imperative, that he is obliged to explain to the people of India, from when a situation has arisen that the Muslims feel insecure, to bring the real  issue and his mindset on the subject.   A former Ambassador for quite sometime in different countries in West Asia, he should have been exercised about the condition of the Yazidis of Iraq at the hands of ISIS and he had no time to comment on the same.   Whoever had suffered at the hands of somebody else should have pained him, instead he has singled out the condition of the Muslims in India, which gets negated by the various high offices that have been held by Muslims either in Central Cabinet or President/Vice President, Dy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Governors and Chief Ministers of State, Chief Justice of the Suprement Court, and judges of various courts, Principals of Colleges, Eminent Doctors and even as personnel in the armed forces.   He has not brought out clearly what bothered him, renaming of roads, position of the government in Triple Talaq, Love jihad, Education levels of Muslims, concessions being given to other communities other than Muslims.   Had he mentioned, it would have been better for people to realize what is bothering this man, who had held several high offices and has also come up in the ladder due to the opportunity he had in joining the Indian Foreign Service.    Obviously, the Prime Minister Modi was right in telling that he could not come out with whatever he had in his mind with the Constitutional Responsibilities with the post of VP and his mindset and earlier association with the services for the Muslim Community has come out now with these comments.

With more time now available to the VP, now that he is more free, he should concentrate on the welfare measures, which it seems could not be done in his long stint of 10 years as VP -

He should concentrate on the 1) Educational requirements of Muslims other than Madarsas 2) A clear commitment for a family norm for Muslims in tune with the economic conditions and not too much lean on the government for the same. 3) A harmonious family with the conditions suited to India and not from the desert culture, in matters of marriage and supporting of family (Multiple marriage concept was not just for social considerations but also people killing people, thus the widows had to be socially supported 4) This would make to educate the Muslim community to accept that Killings are not solutions and they are barbaric and would be condemned whichever part of the world it happens. 5) When 4 above is accepted, not to spread violence in Friday congregations and unequivocally condemn violence.  6) Economic considerations should decide family matters and with all these conditions successfully brought, the hate for others whether they follow idol worship or follow whichever path to salvation, wont bother the vast majority of Muslims who think they are insecure.   Will Mr. Hamid Ansari help bringing these conditions for a safe, harmonious life in India for all sections of Society?   This will bring down the expenditure for the government too which is spending most of the hard earned money of the taxpayers for the  security of the People of this country, including Muslims and all other religions.

Gopu while agreeing with many of the arguments put forth by Shyam, felt it is on the very shoulders of people like Mr. Ansari that the responsibility lies in bringing the correct picture to the last man in his religion and also condemn violence as a source of solution which would help the atmosphere to clear for a happier India.

Mr. Ansari will also dispel the feeling of insecurity in villages/towns of various parts of India whether the Muslims are in majority such as Mallapuram in Kerala.  When an interviewer is biased and does not ask these questions, may be the general public had to intervene through Social Media.   The sold out MSM with biased reporting is no way going to help in bringing harmony and Mr. Ansari with all his academic brilliance, experience of serving in difficult circumstances in his career in the Foreign Service, the experience he has gained by visiting various countries as a VP, his first hand knowledge of the peoples representatives as the Chairman of the Rajya Saba should come in handy for bringing peace and harmony to all sections of Society in India and not just for the Muslim community alone.

Shyam and Gopu agreed to meet again.






 

Political Reality in India

Political Reality in India

Sri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Congress who once said Modi is fit only to serve tea in Congress Office has now told that only if all parties come together Modi can be defeated. Yes on paper and based on statistics, that no party in India could garner more than 50% of votes polled so for, in almost all the elections, except around 40 instances in State elections. The party which wins gets around 40-45% as a maximum, in many elections to States and Centre is common. All India level national elections have not seen any party at any time getting more than 50% on its own. Thus this suggestion of Sri Mani Shankar Aiyar. Though it appears to be logically correct, no party could survive the association of Congress of late, as many State elections have proved. Out of necessity of survival and to be existing as a force for a future onslaught only all these combinations have served so for, except Bihar elections. Parties are wary to have alliance with Congress and the image of that Party has been brought down beyond imagination by successive ineptness shown by its leaders and "clinging to opposing BJP" as its strategy. Opposing for the sack of showing their presence in many national issues and being done at the instance of the President of the Party, where there is merit or not and various accusations of corruption on its leaders only are in the minds of the people.

The Congress party which wants to thrive on negative vote to BJP in that case have to wait for another 10 years for picking holes in the present governance. If it really wants to make a presence and that it expects people to support overwhelmingly, it can happen only with totally changing its present pattern of working.

Regional leaders, who have no connections with any past leadership being son or relative and a new set of leaders who can be really projected that no corruption charges in any form exist in their family may bring fresh air. Punjab elections have proved that. The country also can have a national party as a real opposition which does not take decisions to protect its already acquired wealth and have no interests to put down proven leaders for the sake of protecting the interest of a few persons. A beginning from now may bring in a healthy political climate to the country in about 5 years from now which will call for bold decisions in Congress party to come out of the clutches of the present family rule. Will the Mani Shankar Aiyars of the Congress can do this or will rely on the negative impressions to be built up on the ruling party.

As for the Communists, unless they come out of their image of building up party cadre in Adminstration, the days that it would be wiped out completely is not too far! It is clearly felt by the people, when anarchy prevails and the people could do nothing but to watch the party cadres unleash their unlimited powers in the day to day life of the people. The murders in Kerala will definitely have a backlash and it is only going to bring in BJP initially present in small way and finally occupying power in that State.

As for the Aam Admi Party, it can proved that it would go back on assurances given to the people, especially on the corruption front. The corruption crusaders have not acquitted well in opposing Ms. Shiela Dixit before coming to power and later changing their stance. Instead they have brought disrepute on their selves by themselves involving in corruption, dramas starting immediately before elections starting from throwing ink, shoes or asking an army veteran's family members to protest. It may appear that it all gives some room initially, but in the long run does not serve the purpose. Assuming roles offered by the people in elections have to be respected in action, whether in ruling or in opposition. This is going to be biggest test for this party and more the party takes its decision on unilateral level, the more the party will disintegrate into splinter groups.

The days of caste/religious equations will not serve in the long run and UP elections have proven it. Yes this time too, parties would have ventured on regional population on caste/religious basis to nominate candidates. But when you present a larger picture of national interest, people are ready to go by it.

Thus with BJP gaining all around from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, where is the opposition for a healthy democracy who will oppose for the interest of the country and not for their self interest and real corruption crusaders and watchdogs not swayed by the positions in governance. Certainly this cannot be expected from any conglomeration of regional parties with family as their interest or a national party with a similar cause.

Corruption in India and personal honesty

CORRUPTION IN INDIA AND PERSONAL HONESTY

The importance this topic has assumed of late after the news that India is one of the most corrupt countries in the world needs attention by every right thinking individual.    When India had the reputation of Gupta’s Golden Age when a lady could walk on the street in the night with all jewelleries.    India was one of the richest countries with lot of wealth and was leading the better part of the world in Trade by Sea and as well as land.  The Kings of the South had even established their reign as far as Thailand on the  Northeast and Indonesia on the Southeast.  There are many stories based on the trades these South Indian Kings with Romanians and Italians.  The Kings could fetch the Arab horses in number for their army and use for peace as well as during war.   The people were trained in sword fight and their army consisted of cavalry, elephant squads etc.,  Even after winning of these lands, the primary cause was for expanding the trade and brought wealth in the form of gems and jewellery.  They were not plundered as by Mugals and but brought after successful trade.  Ghandhara as seen in Mahabharat, a kingdom in Bharat Varsha had been ruled by many Hindu kings so much so, Ghandari derived her name from that place.  This is to only bring out the fact that they were following principles based on Honesty and were following dharma even when they engaged countries in war.  A clear expansionist motto was only seen on these wars and the countries so held were treated very well.   So much so, these countries have a fair number of south Indians settled there.  When the Kings found there were wrongdoings the punishments were very severe on the one hand and when the Kings found that the person punished was later found not guilty they have gone to the extent of giving up their lives, as the case of the Pandian King of Madurai in the case of Kannagi episode.  Ghandhara as seen in Mahabharat, a kingdom in Bharat Varsha had been ruled by many Hindu kings so much so, Ghandari derived her name from that place.  

This is to say that when honesty had its pride, dishonesty was put down with a heavy hand.   Common people who wanted to live a fair life had it easy and the kings had even spies to check what is going on in the raj.   Where is the problem presently, where Judiciary, Legislature represented by the Politicians, Executives represented by the officials in the Government and the fourth estate, the Media have all gone wrong – where the entire society is given to the practices of corruption.     The point to be noted here is where practically no corruption was existing in Judiciary,  open talk goes on accusing the same of Corrupt and not just corrupt of the few, but of the many.  What does the suicide note of the CM of Arunachal Pradesh indicates – he has leveled charges on the Judges and closer to their family and Advocates of the SC and not just in terms of a few lakhs but in terms of Crores and Hundreds of Crores.  Whether this can be substantiated and especially with the present system of investigation remains to be seen.   Lot of accusations have come up on Justices of the Supreme Court, many who have retired from service.  A clear pointer is - all is not well with the Judiciary.  Once when a common man looses faith in the Judiciary, there Is no meaning in talking of elimination of corruption.  We would be fooling ourselves by thinking that everything is fine.   An uncorrupt investigating agency closely follows this.  But what we are seeing on this front too is dismal.  Retired officials from the investigating agencies are accused of favouring thus sabotaging the investigation itself.  This along with executives of the government discharging various decision making areas have been accused of corruption and even CAG has come very heavily during the UPA2 regime on many of the projects, auctions etc.,  It does not augur well for Indian politics with reported seizures during the UP election by the EC of the following:  122.26 Cr Cash/ Rs65.31Cr Liquor/ Rs9.61 Cr narcotics/ 25.61Cr gold and silver.   Then the Police force controlled by the various home ministries of the State and Centre have been found wanting in arresting the wrongdoers, not filing and presenting to the court in a way, conviction follows.  Many a times, the court has let people free for Charges not proven conclusively and the benefit of doubt going to the accused.   Charges are not framed on appropriate sections. There are cases of selective filing of charges even among the accused leading to partial conviction of the accusers.   Here our Politicians also will join hands in interfering in the cases as they are interested in some of the individuals connected with the cases.  Mafias control or armtwist justice.  All the same, whether an accused is let off with any one of the means with improper functioning of the Judiciary, selective misuse of powers by the government officials and interference from the rulers.

Media – the present day – less said the better.   Most of the media are owned by the business companies and they in turn have interests of their own, so much so, they back political parties of particular ideology or shall we say no ideology – and go to the extent of funding the political parties in violation of all norms and hoodwinking the laws meant to cover political funding.  Now a new situation has arisen which can be seen that the Judiciary, executives, politicians and Media combine and wreck the truth and their priorities on each case varies according to the interests they serve.  No doubt, the common man is the sufferer.  But for the social media being active as seen now, these people will have a free run.  Apart from these, still honest men are left in all the fields mentioned above, who are a minority, and feel suffocated with the present environment of Corrupts all around.

How is the new way forward can overcome the present state?  It is going to be very difficult.  It is not going to be that easy to bring to book a majority by the minority, who are honest.   Cartels will start functioning to protect their interests.  It is easier in one way, by identifying people who were vested with powers to relax conditions for payment to government – whether excise, customs or IT.  Find these people whether they have the wealth according to their known sources of Income.  Inspectors of all hues, whether law and order, food/health, commercial tax, Factory, environments, forest, revenue… they are the kingpins of corruption in this country backed by the Governments and the Ministers.    Unless a concerted effort is made to bring to book these men initially and the rest in all the four areas of Judiciary, executives, legislatures and Media – we can never claim to be a country without corruption.

Thus the question of what has changed from days of the Gupta’s Golden Age?  How did we falter in our Personal Honesty?   A series of measures taken by the invaders and total dependence on office jobs in foreign rule have made us boneless wonders and have totally given up our resolve to be honest.  Our safety under the British Raj assumed more importance than the concern for society and our totally giving up Joint Family System has made us not to answer to anyone, especially those elders who lived very much for principles and austere life.   Thus erosion of culture and a selfish life lead to wants increasing and the need to cope up with that resulted in corrupt life.   Values built up in the society through the ages were forgotten or violating it for the sack of personal happiness has become the order of the day.  When societies concern diminishes, self got importance, corruption became a way of life.   The people who vote are no exception who vote based on caste, religion and for consideration given during elections both in cash and kind, clearly bring out the sad state of personal honesty today.  Severe punishments, water tight cases by investigating agencies, no political interference, stopping of funding of political parties, transparency in dealing with matters relating to public by government establishments and above all Personal Honesty by returning to our older ways of respecting our tradition and culture which were in the larger interests of society – is the need of the hour.   Will we bring our land the lost glory – will we have leaders who are men of calibre who could motivate and a top to bottom correction of the pyramids of power, will we have a Judiciary which will ape of Algu Chaudhary of the Panchparameswar story by Munshi Premchand, will we have a police force without blemishes, will we have a Politician of calibre of Sri  C. Rajagopalachari who had made his political partymen not to be seen in the Secretariat corridors,  Will we have a media that is fair and just.  Seems quite difficult indeed.

May we give credence to our culture and traditions and uphold truth which ensures personal honesty to get over the present ills of the society.

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – RECENT REVELATIONS ON FOREIGN BANK ACCOUNTS

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – RECENT REVELATIONS ON FOREIGN BANK ACCOUNTS

It was decided by Shyam and Gopu to meet with the new revelations of foreign bank account of Sri Karthik Chidambaram, son of the former Finance Minister in the UPA Govrnment.

The revelations though important were not given the due importance by the TV channels and even the newspapers.  The Hindu carried the press conference with details in its Page 12 (Bangalore Edition), with the IPL auction and Ben Stoke leading the pack occupying the Front Page.   The details given by Dr. Swamy is not just about an account in some foreign bank but about 21 accounts as alleged by him not figuring in the retuns of IT filed by Mr. Karthik Chidambaram.  Dr. Swamy asked for the intervention of the PM Shri Modi, alleging inaction on the part of the Ministry of Finance.  If so, this is a very serious matter.  It all the more assumes importance with the allegation of Dr. Swamy, that the inaction is due to the officials appointed by the previous Finance Minister who were the ones to deal with the matter and to cap it all, he said that it is for saving the father and son duo.

Gopu told Shyam, as he was sipping the coffee, the allegation that investigative agencies have been asking to prosecute Mr. Karthik Chidambaram under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act but it has not happened also assumes importance, as it seems there is willful act of not going about even initiating action on the matter.  Shyam felt it needs more details such as the period in which the investigative agencies informed for action to prosecute.  If it had been over a considerable period of time, the matter assumes serious proportion.  Even the question arises whether the matter was taken by Dr. Swamy too with the Minsitry of Finance and seeing no action only, he has requested the PM to intervene.   Above all, Shyam felt the party as a whole, BJP should rise up in eradicating corruption.  By this time, they should have called Dr. Swamy to address their party working committee members which would have naturally brought all members connected to give their opinion and also act further on the subject.

Later in the day, however Mr. Karthik Chidambaram has tweeted that some outrageous claims have been made about him. His IT filings are upto date and in conformance the rules requirements.  He has also said his companies have made all declarations as per the statutory requirements. 

The matter being very serious, it invites the Prime Minsiter’s immediate attention and hope the PMO is keeping him abreast of the developments on 21 foreign bank accounts of Mr. Karthik Chidambaram and also the reply tweet of Mr. Karthik Chidambaram on the subject.   Though the report on The Hindu on this particular article their special correspondent does not reveal the amount involved, there is reports various Social Media Platforms, that the amount involved is 6Lakh Crores.  Hope the Prime Minsiter who is hell bent on eradicating corruption will do the needful said Gopu and asked for details from Shyam in the coming weeks, as he would be busy with his office work and bid bye.