INDIA NOW ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!!

More than a month into hibernation from blogging, the present status that India has been bestowed among the world countries has compelled me into writing this post. A thirty year old ban on supply of nuclear source materials and technology to India has been lifted in the recently concluded Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) meet, which is a representative body of a conglomeration of 45 nuclear power countries. This is the first positive step towards the Indo-US nuclear deal to be signed and it signals that half the well is crossed. The complete leap to the other side depends on the acceptance to the deal from the US Congress. The highlight of the NSG meet was amidst resistance from countries like Austria, New Zealand and indirectly China, India was exempted from the signing of the Non-proliferation treaty (NPT) which is mandatory for any country to obtain the source and technology. This exemption has come from recognition of India as a responsible nuclear power. Now India is next to the five major nuclear power countries. As said in the last post this acceptance has facilitated trade from countries other than the United States of America. Apart from the explicit benefits the deal is going to bring, there would also be an improvement in the economics of power. This was very much evident with power stocks climbing to phenomenal prices.

The role played by America in materializing the deal at the NSG meet has to be lauded since it was in a way responsible for other countries accepting to the India’s non-signing of the NPT. It was ruckus back in India when a letter from the US government to the US Congress was leaked to the media bringing out speculations that the deal has invisible clauses and conditions for India performing future nuclear tests. It maybe noted that India is free to go ahead with the testing on times of non conducive external political scenario. If in case the agreed terms are overridden the subsequent cancellation of the deal is only possible after a number of sittings and paying of suitable compensation for the loss incurred.

Whatsoever that is said of the deal, it is sure to cut down power crisis which is looming large on the faces of the India public and days of darkness will soon be in the dark. The materialization of the deal would also help in the development of medical and other scientific process. Life would then be really imparted to the mantra “India Shining”

"POWER" DEAL

It was all smiles for the UPA government when it passed the acid test at last despite allegations from the opposition that the trust votes were bought. Mr.Manmohan Singh would have had my vote in his kitty if I was asked!! This does not entrust my liking to the policies of Congress or to any other political party. I support the signing of the nuclear deal with America only from the perspective of a common man who is tormented by the depleting non-renewable energy resources which indirectly shows up as unscheduled power cuts affecting homes and industries, shortage of fuels to spring life in automobiles etc. Fingers point to failure of monsoon and increased agricultural demands as the cause for this scenario. Added to this shortage in power generation is the difficulty in harnessing solar, hydel and wind power which are subject to seasonal effects. Here is deal which is a blessing and appears to me as the most viable option!!

Opposition has been raised in the name of national security and growing upper hand of America in the world political stage. Indirectly the deal would also help foster ties with other countries like France, Germany etc. This even includes a group of scientists who fear the independence in research would be lost. The threat as seen includes inspection of nuclear facilities by the appointed committees. But it has been failed to understand is that it excludes defence and military facilities. Another supporting point for opposing the deal is the abundance of a radioactive material ‘Thorium’ in India which could be used for nuclear power generation without the need for American participation. Power generation is possible only with improvement in technology and knowledge transition which the deal would facilitate. A special never given before incentive offered to India is the non requirement to sign the “Non proliferation treaty” which has already raised eyebrows of several world leaders.

Much has been talked about how profitable the deal would be for India. But it is blessing in disguise for America also as it would help improve trade relations and commerce. A “new clear policy” on this issue is what is expected to make India really shine!!

USELESS OR USEDLESS?

I am a person of belief that India's nation building models as idealised by visionaries like Sri.Pandit Nehru , Dr.A.P.J.Abdul kalam are the ones whose foundation rests on the shoulders of the country’s youth. Unlike other measurable metrics like GDP, GNP the pro-active role played by youth is an immeasurable quantity the effect of which is quite indirect and powerful. The question is have our young minds realized their part in the process of architecting the future of India?Daily news reports and the observations of my own has brought in me fears of the non-realization of a developed, a mightier and a stronger India.

One of the reasons I believe for this state of affair is the vacuum created due to the absence of towering and good role models who could be looked in awe and followed.

Rightly said Swami Chinmayananda “The youth are not useless but they are used less” and this has been another set back factor. The energies which could accelerate us to the summit are simply wasted in performing the unwanted and unwarranted.

This grave situation cannot be overcome even if the right external motivational push is offered because the tamarind nut will remain sour even when watered with sugar solution!! Only an inward will to contribute and a befitting response to the need of the hour could make the future secure and bright. As Bono puts it “This is a time for bold measures. This the country, you are the generation”

THE IGNORANT MINDS

When asked what anyone does on a Sunday, the answer expected is obvious. Late rise ups, entertainment shows, delicious meal to fill up the tummy and an afternoon siesta. Is it right on our part to call Sunday still the first day of the week when we cling to our beds, lock ourselves indoors and do nothing constructive?? The above question invokes the same answer from the questioner also!!

Last Sunday was different as it gave a chance to realize the lack of awareness among children and their parents alike who belonged to lower economic strata as I had been called to scrutinize applications for the uniform distribution to the deserving and needy by a social service organization in my locality. Columns in the application forms received printed in the regional language were all incomplete information. The applicants were unable to furnish even their personal details correctly. When kids of the same age could spell words never heard of here were a bunch of kids who spelled even their own names wrong. My heart sympathizes with these ignorant minds. Next time when somebody says “tomorrow’s India rests firmly on the hands of today’s children” you are supposed to be screwing your own ass. When a significant percentage of country’s young population are unaware of their own personal information, all these catchy liners are like hiding the nakedness with bare hands which serves no good purpose.

Action from the Governmental or philanthropists, NGOs should not stop just with provision of free education, nourished food or generous charities and funds. Opportunities to engage in the process of holistic development have to be created today to realize a stronger India tomorrow. As Albert Einstein puts it “All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual”.

THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET

From the common man point of view, I would rate the budget a fairly good one. The increase in the income tax slab exemption will in a way help manage the household budget against the raising prices of the essential and necessary commodities. Agricultural loans taken by small and marginal farmers from government banks have been fully waived, which is a welcome move, but what the finance minister has failed to understand is that the most likely cause of the miseries farmers face is due to borrowing from the private money lenders. The additional burden of 60,000 crores on the Government would be taken care, thanks to no change in corporate taxes, surcharges and raise in capital gain tax. The ethics involved in the loan repayment stands forgotten and it has resulted in a scenario “YOU BORROW AND WE WAIVE”. These two aspects indicate the budget ahs been prepared keeping in mind the elections next year.

The two foundations based on which the country leap frogs are education and health care. Copious funds have been allocated for these two sectors keeping in mind the millennium goals and what needs to be done is to monitor and ensure that funds are properly used. Women and child specific schemes have been given special importance. Essential base products in fertilizer (naptha) and drug manufacture (like anti HIV) have been given total relief. Efforts of the finance minister have to be lauded for providing tax exemptions to persons who pay medical premium for their parent/parents. At least to be cut off from the tax net, I assume the numbers in old-age homes will decline!! Prices of small and hybrid cars and two wheelers are bound to come down with cut in the excise duties which may encourage a lot of buyers therefore increasing productivity and hence development.

Information technology which was considered the growth rider earlier has not been given the tax holiday but its good sign that this privilege has been extended for establishment of hospitals in lesser developed areas and three star and four star hotels in regions housing UNESCO earmarked sites for a five year period starting 2008. This may in a way generate direct and indirect employment.

While the health ministry is advertising against smoking in any form, is the finance minister inviting people indirectly towards the usage of filtered cigarettes by increasing the excise duty of unfiltered cigarettes (which has higher consumption) on par with the former??

It is difficult to satisfy the expectations of everyone. The views on the budget may vary but for the common man, it was his budget.

LALU GOODY EXPRESS

I made sure that I was before the television to witness the live telecast of the Indian railway budget 2008-09. One difficulty watching it was when I was slowly accustoming myself to Lalu’s self derived English accent it was made really inaudible by the increasing decibels from the opposition side. Usual chaos remained. Amidst all this the union minister for railways remained unscathed and witty and continued with his prepared budget speech until the speaker adjourned the house. First things first, the minister and his team has to lauded for making the Indian Railways an organization of profit. In the wake of central elections next year it appears to me as a budget targeted at the aam-admi (common man), which I assume are well above his expectations. The fares have been considerably reduced even in the premium classes which did not find a place for long. Reduction in the fares of AC classes is primarily to stay in the race with low cost airlines. Given the choice I think people will prefer the skies as it saves time at the same cost. Concessions have been showered on women senior citizens, girl students and decorated service personnel. Number of garib raths and new routes has been increased. Social welfare schemes have been announced. Infrastructural developments that include building of green toilets, world class stations, phased execution of capacity augmentation etc have also been proposed .Porters have been promised promotion to gang men (group D) after screening procedures. Public private partnerships have been called for raising capitals for the developmental activities. Its own staff has been made happy by a number of goodness schemes.

Even though these features make it a populist budget I noticed a few areas which have been just touched only on surface or magnificently camouflaged in the name of benefits.

• The freight load estimates are planned to be increased. There was no mention of steps needed for improvement of tracks to carry the additional freight.

• Railway security just includes deployment of CCTVs, metal detectors, baggage screening systems etc which misses to fill the void. Permanent task forces have to be formed to combat terrorist attacks and handle emergencies.

• Concession to HIV patients, women senior citizens will not cost the railways dearly as you won’t find the affected advertising their illness or grannies packing their bags for the journey.

In all it appears that, it was a smooth ride for the “Lalu budget express”.

WHO TAUGHT THE ANTS TO FALL IN LINE??

“The roads there are spick and span”

“You can’t find garbage strewn anywhere in the public there”

“The airports there are at its international best”

“Bribe, that’s the word you will find only in the dictionary there”

These are ‘feels good’ certifications awarded by most of our fellow Indians who have travelled abroad or have been impressed by system there. They would in fact contribute in the best possible way in order to make the above statements true, at least to avoid being fined and get recognized as responsible Indian visitors. All this disappear in thin air when the same pair of feet lands on the Indian soil or the same rules are to be obeyed here in practice. Hey, what’s wrong in following being an Indian when in India?:)

So that lets us free in India to litter the streets with garbage, vandalize shops, disrupt law and order in the name of silent protests, vroom off before red goes green and use the public transport system without tickets and when caught bribe the official with loads, quicken and lubricate the efficiency and performance of concerned authorities with liquid cash (I hear, now even deliveries could be made before the full ten months!!) and still complain that the country has been fed to dogs and is absolute pits irrespective of we lacking self discipline and ethics. Who taught the ants to fall in line??

An easy way of escapism from this allegation which has been devised is to question the country about its credibility and what it has offered all long. Take a moment to think what we have done to expect a dear return. As you sow, so it reaps. Analogously here it applies to country as well. We grow with the country and the country grows with us-mutual symbiosis.

DIVERSED OR DIVORCED??

I am one of the billion plus Indian citizens who are unhappy with the way the country is. It was always a moment of pride for me at a young age to read in history and geography books that my country had “diverse” characteristics. It is pot-potpourri only in sense of geographic and cultural assets. Only the physical boundaries are giving a sense that we are brothers born of the same mother.

There are proofs supporting the fact that ‘angels’ of peaceful co-existence had charmed this “magic” land. The real split in terms of self defined terms like faith, caste, and race had its roots only during the reign of the Britishers. Thanks to the policy of “divide and rule”, that present day politicians find it any easy tool to earn the warmth of many (and wrath of some). Questions may arise regarding the division during the Vedic times in terms of classes. It was division based on the duty the people should perform. India that fragmented into pieces in the English rule is yet to find the missing pieces of the jig-saw. The confluences of rivers are celebrated but it’s a bitter fact that there is no confluence of the minds and the hearts. The books of harmony would now describe India, as a land of “divorce” characteristics.

For the minds to unite:

Resist divide,

Conduct brotherhood,

Cultivate tolerance,

Amplify love,

Lose hate, and

Gain hearts.