Indra's Drishtikona (Viewpoint)

Indra's Drishtikona (Viewpoint) http://drishtikona.com My online journal with thoughts, opinions, comments and more.. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:04:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 Indra's Drishtikona (Viewpoint) http://drishtikona.com/images/favicon.gif http://drishtikona.com en Ashamed Bihar and Terrorism in Assembly http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002781.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002781.php#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:19:32 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002781.php

Were they elected by the people of Bihar to do the same that they did in Bihar assembly and the whole country saw? Are they not fooling the people? Are the people of Bihar ready to accept their actions and concur with it? And if it is for telling the people how actively they worked as their representatives through these acts of vandalism destroying the public properties, will the people re-elect them in the coming assembly election? If they still do, it will be a disgrace for Bihar, its leaders such as Jay Prakash Narayan and its people? The opposition can certainly demand the discussion and even the resignation of the chief minster on the issue of suspected corruption but it doesn't have the mandate to take law in their own hands, to physically fight in the house or to overturn the desks, break the chairs and uproot the microphones or hurl slippers at speaker? And all these happened in full view of the TV cameras and shown almost live to the whole country. One can see a woman legislator going almost berserk throwing flower vases, Photo. Was there a necessity of her Chandi act? Suspensions are not good enough for the offenders.Law must be same for the legislators for criminal offences.What they did in assembly can't be and must not be termed as democratic protests. Why can't the legislators involved in violating the law and acting as criminals, the lady in particular that can easily be recognized be charged and convicted? Why don't some PIL enthusiast come forward and demand legal proceedings against them? Why the constitution not be amended to jail such persons in the same manner as commoners? I wonder why Bihar is learning all bad things from everywhere, from the legislators of UP and Karnataka, or some from the neighbouring Bengal? I wish they get worried about the drought or the flood. --- PS: Perhaps the present agitation of opposition in Bihar and the way it is being carried and continued will go in favour of Nitish instead of harming his prospect in the coming election. I conclude this after talking to some persons of Bihar in Noida. Perhaps the strategists have missed to understand this. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002781.php/feed/ Bandh or Political Terrorism http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002775.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002775.php#comments Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:51:01 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002775.php Lalu, Ram Bilas or for that matter all the political leaders who very often call these strikes or Bandhs as they call it, appreciate the difficulties and mental agonies of people affected in many ways by the rogue followers who manage these bandhs? Who should take the responsibility of the incidents of violence? Will Lalu and Ram Bilas justify their bandh supporters raining lathis on vehicle owners and shopkeepers who defied the bandh? And then Rakesh had to take a flight on July 9 itself for Hyderabad via New Delhi without attending the marriage of his sister-in-law. Rakesh reached Patna around 8PM on July 8 and returned to Patna airport by 12 noon on the next day without attending the marriage and any other function. He had to leave behind his wife and kids in Patna. And all the mess was due to the strike called by Lalu=Paswan against the price rise in the country. Interestingly, he had already seen one on July 5, when he arrived in Delhi in early morning on July 5. Fortunately, as it was in Delhi, he could come to Noida without any problem. Leaders of Bihar have learnt the nitty-gritty of managing the bandhs in effective manner so that no sane person dares to come out from his house in a bandh perhaps from the masters of the art in the neighbouring state. Democracy allows only willing participation in protests. It never gives a license to resort to violence and threat to make others participate in a protest. Why should not the party resorting to violence in the democratic protests be banned? Why should the students be stopped from going to their schools and the poor workers to their works and the patients even critical ones are not allowed to go to hospitals? I don’t know what Lalu and Paswan would have advised his sons if they get involved in such a situation. I and many feel aghast against the riding prices. But has any bandh that caused inconveniences to millions of people and loss of many types yielded any result? Is a check on the price rise their intention? Are not they showing their strength in this election year to their vote banks and trying to embarrass the state government? K Subramanayam has very rightly called these bandhs as acts of terror similar to one carried out by the Naxalites in the country. Why should not the political leaders innovate a peaceful way of protest without causing the loss to individuals or the nation? If these leaders try to copy everything that US does, why can’t they follow the same for democratic protests too? ]]> Lalu, Ram Bilas or for that matter all the political leaders who very often call these strikes or Bandhs as they call it, appreciate the difficulties and mental agonies of people affected in many ways by the rogue followers who manage these bandhs? Who should take the responsibility of the incidents of violence? Will Lalu and Ram Bilas justify their bandh supporters raining lathis on vehicle owners and shopkeepers who defied the bandh? And then Rakesh had to take a flight on July 9 itself for Hyderabad via New Delhi without attending the marriage of his sister-in-law. Rakesh reached Patna around 8PM on July 8 and returned to Patna airport by 12 noon on the next day without attending the marriage and any other function. He had to leave behind his wife and kids in Patna. And all the mess was due to the strike called by Lalu=Paswan against the price rise in the country. Interestingly, he had already seen one on July 5, when he arrived in Delhi in early morning on July 5. Fortunately, as it was in Delhi, he could come to Noida without any problem. Leaders of Bihar have learnt the nitty-gritty of managing the bandhs in effective manner so that no sane person dares to come out from his house in a bandh perhaps from the masters of the art in the neighbouring state. Democracy allows only willing participation in protests. It never gives a license to resort to violence and threat to make others participate in a protest. Why should not the party resorting to violence in the democratic protests be banned? Why should the students be stopped from going to their schools and the poor workers to their works and the patients even critical ones are not allowed to go to hospitals? I don’t know what Lalu and Paswan would have advised his sons if they get involved in such a situation. I and many feel aghast against the riding prices. But has any bandh that caused inconveniences to millions of people and loss of many types yielded any result? Is a check on the price rise their intention? Are not they showing their strength in this election year to their vote banks and trying to embarrass the state government? K Subramanayam has very rightly called these bandhs as acts of terror similar to one carried out by the Naxalites in the country. Why should not the political leaders innovate a peaceful way of protest without causing the loss to individuals or the nation? If these leaders try to copy everything that US does, why can’t they follow the same for democratic protests too? ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002775.php/feed/ My Dilemma: Forward and Backward Castes http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002773.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002773.php#comments Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:12:33 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002773.php I don’t understand if the bill will not trouble the landowners of other castes who are pretty big in numbers. So why didn’t the organizers call the representatives of landholders of all castes to participate? Is it not unfortunate while the country is on fire in most of its corner, be it Kashmir, Manipur or Chattisgarh, some very senior cabinet ministers in New Delhi are debating and as I opine wasting their precious time on the issue of having a census on caste basis or not? It is unfortunate but nothing can be done. I know many sections of the society are still very backward, and the reason for the same is only the lack of education. The leadership of the region over the last six decades has failed to understand the importance of education. Unfortunately, the so-called leaders of schedule castes or so called other backward class never understood nor attempted to bring about the revolution through education. Many a times, I and perhaps many hold a view that these leaders believed in the advantage in keeping the communities ignorant without education to keep their dominance in politics. But my focus here is different. Let me emphasize that there is no difference between in other backward classes (OBC) and so called forward classes in the region, if one looks in depth in their quality of living, affluence level and even culture and values. I firmed up this view during my last visit to my village, when I happen to move around doing some research. Around my village that is predominantly of forward class, there are villages in which some are dominated by the forward class but in many, the people of other backward classes (OBC) are dominant. The dominance relates to the land holding of the village. In each of the village, the major landholding is with the families of different castes, and not necessarily forward classes. Let someone take an unbiased study of the living standard and style of the families. There is hardly much difference between those of the forward and OBC caste. Rather in many cases, on average OBC families may today be better off because of the traditional social taboos of restricting oneself to only the profession of the ancestors. However, the families with no land holding, irrespective of castes but particularly dalits and mahadalits, need preferential treatment. Even the families of OBC and forward castes need government support as the financial conditions of a large number of them are miserable. With the abolition of the zamindari back in 1950s and breaking up of joint families in almost all castes and communities, the land holding on average is hardly between 2 to 5 acres. It is really difficult to make good living with that amount of land, particularly where the farming is totally dependent on the timely rain and monsoon. Perpetuating the reservation or adding some more may be a political solution, but certainly not the best solution to bring about equity in society and improving the relationships between various classes and categories. Instead of waiving off the loans, the government must work extensively on irrigation projects small and big conserving all the water and its use and for ensured rural electrification for every household who can afford for improving employability through individual entrepreneurships. Every child must be ensured the traditional or job oriented (skill building) education to have employability. The overall cost to the nation because of the dismal healthcare infrastructure is huge. The government and the private sector must pour huge investment. Many families even today spend everything in its possession to save life from deceases and remain in perpetual poverty. But the most important is that all the actions must generate and improve the fellowship and brotherhood among the all people, and nothing should be done that is divisive, for example caste census. Let few regional leaders not make mess of this great nation. ]]> I don’t understand if the bill will not trouble the landowners of other castes who are pretty big in numbers. So why didn’t the organizers call the representatives of landholders of all castes to participate? Is it not unfortunate while the country is on fire in most of its corner, be it Kashmir, Manipur or Chattisgarh, some very senior cabinet ministers in New Delhi are debating and as I opine wasting their precious time on the issue of having a census on caste basis or not? It is unfortunate but nothing can be done. I know many sections of the society are still very backward, and the reason for the same is only the lack of education. The leadership of the region over the last six decades has failed to understand the importance of education. Unfortunately, the so-called leaders of schedule castes or so called other backward class never understood nor attempted to bring about the revolution through education. Many a times, I and perhaps many hold a view that these leaders believed in the advantage in keeping the communities ignorant without education to keep their dominance in politics. But my focus here is different. Let me emphasize that there is no difference between in other backward classes (OBC) and so called forward classes in the region, if one looks in depth in their quality of living, affluence level and even culture and values. I firmed up this view during my last visit to my village, when I happen to move around doing some research. Around my village that is predominantly of forward class, there are villages in which some are dominated by the forward class but in many, the people of other backward classes (OBC) are dominant. The dominance relates to the land holding of the village. In each of the village, the major landholding is with the families of different castes, and not necessarily forward classes. Let someone take an unbiased study of the living standard and style of the families. There is hardly much difference between those of the forward and OBC caste. Rather in many cases, on average OBC families may today be better off because of the traditional social taboos of restricting oneself to only the profession of the ancestors. However, the families with no land holding, irrespective of castes but particularly dalits and mahadalits, need preferential treatment. Even the families of OBC and forward castes need government support as the financial conditions of a large number of them are miserable. With the abolition of the zamindari back in 1950s and breaking up of joint families in almost all castes and communities, the land holding on average is hardly between 2 to 5 acres. It is really difficult to make good living with that amount of land, particularly where the farming is totally dependent on the timely rain and monsoon. Perpetuating the reservation or adding some more may be a political solution, but certainly not the best solution to bring about equity in society and improving the relationships between various classes and categories. Instead of waiving off the loans, the government must work extensively on irrigation projects small and big conserving all the water and its use and for ensured rural electrification for every household who can afford for improving employability through individual entrepreneurships. Every child must be ensured the traditional or job oriented (skill building) education to have employability. The overall cost to the nation because of the dismal healthcare infrastructure is huge. The government and the private sector must pour huge investment. Many families even today spend everything in its possession to save life from deceases and remain in perpetual poverty. But the most important is that all the actions must generate and improve the fellowship and brotherhood among the all people, and nothing should be done that is divisive, for example caste census. Let few regional leaders not make mess of this great nation. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002773.php/feed/ Arrogant or Overconfident Nitish http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002764.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002764.php#comments Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:51:04 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002764.php reported, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returned the Rs.5 crore that had been given for the purpose. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday returned the Rs.5 crore that had been given for the purpose. I don’t consider it as an example of his ‘biharipan’, that he wants to propagate. Even Ahmad Patel, Sonia’s confidant denounced Nitish’s action, as Rs 5 crore of Gujarat was not of Modi but of and from the people of Gujarat. It is an insult of a donor, however small he may be. Is Nitish not harming the interest of large number of persons of Bihar origin working in Gujarat? Unfortunately, Nitish over these four years has become more arrogant and autocrat almost following the footstep of Lalu. Some very favourable reportings in media might have brought the damage. Does it mean the beginning of the end of the rise that many like me expected? One thing is but sure that his latest behavior is not of the same maturity that he showed in his utterances and action earlier. He might be in control of JD-U today. But in Bihar it doesn’t take much time to go down the hill. Nitish is neither even democratic in his action. He hardly consults the cabinet or his party. The way he decided to support the women’s reservation bill against the wishes of his party president and then supported caste census was the example of his inconsistency. Should not he consult his cabinet before taking the decision of returning the Gujarat donation? Did he do that? It is unfortunate that Congress doesn’t have good leaders left in Bihar and BJP leaders of the state are neither united nor ready to take the challenge. Can Nitish stop Lalu and BJP going together in election, if Lalu thinks Muslims will vote for Nitish? However, I still wish Nitish to succeed in the next election to see a developed Bihar sooner and in my life, but to keep his humility in tact. Neither arrogance nor overconfidence pays back as much as humility, and ultimately, Bihar will suffer for individual's ego. Will Nitish playing a two-in-one role of Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya succeed in his smart rather shrewd plans?]]> reported, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returned the Rs.5 crore that had been given for the purpose. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday returned the Rs.5 crore that had been given for the purpose. I don’t consider it as an example of his ‘biharipan’, that he wants to propagate. Even Ahmad Patel, Sonia’s confidant denounced Nitish’s action, as Rs 5 crore of Gujarat was not of Modi but of and from the people of Gujarat. It is an insult of a donor, however small he may be. Is Nitish not harming the interest of large number of persons of Bihar origin working in Gujarat? Unfortunately, Nitish over these four years has become more arrogant and autocrat almost following the footstep of Lalu. Some very favourable reportings in media might have brought the damage. Does it mean the beginning of the end of the rise that many like me expected? One thing is but sure that his latest behavior is not of the same maturity that he showed in his utterances and action earlier. He might be in control of JD-U today. But in Bihar it doesn’t take much time to go down the hill. Nitish is neither even democratic in his action. He hardly consults the cabinet or his party. The way he decided to support the women’s reservation bill against the wishes of his party president and then supported caste census was the example of his inconsistency. Should not he consult his cabinet before taking the decision of returning the Gujarat donation? Did he do that? It is unfortunate that Congress doesn’t have good leaders left in Bihar and BJP leaders of the state are neither united nor ready to take the challenge. Can Nitish stop Lalu and BJP going together in election, if Lalu thinks Muslims will vote for Nitish? However, I still wish Nitish to succeed in the next election to see a developed Bihar sooner and in my life, but to keep his humility in tact. Neither arrogance nor overconfidence pays back as much as humility, and ultimately, Bihar will suffer for individual's ego. Will Nitish playing a two-in-one role of Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya succeed in his smart rather shrewd plans?]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002764.php/feed/ Bhopal Tragedy: Warren Anderson Hanging or Urgent Actions http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002762.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002762.php#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:28:14 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002762.php Warren Anderson, I wish to remind our friends few things. Was it not a great courage and laudable act of Warren Anderson that he visited Bhopal even after knowing that a major catastrophe has happened because of the negligence of design or maintenance of the plant that came under his control? I am sure he would have been advised not to come to Bhopal under that condition. As a good manager, he dared as he wanted to see himself the loss caused. How many of the Indian company executives would dare to do that under similar condition? In Indian film, some of the factory owners might visit the affected premises where an industrial accident would have caused so many deaths and miseries, and the anger of the people there are at the maximum but in real situation hardly someone will dare. Even with all the assurances from the Indian government many things causing physical harm to Anderson would have happened. I wish the present protest would have been directed to some more useful issues. Why couldn't the site be cleaned in last two decades or more? Why couldn't the people affected were rehabilitated? Why can't the government save its citizens first and then charge the expenses to the party responsible, in this case Dow Chemical that took over the assets of Union carbide after a buyout? Why didn't the government of India take up the issue at the highest level with the Presidents of US with whom Mr. Man Mohan Singh has a lot of love? Why couldn't Dow Chemicals be persuaded to clean up the place, as it had the expertise? A law ministry note in 2008 clearly said that Dow Chemicals is liable for cleaning up the toxic Bhopal site. Despite this, Dow Chemicals claimed that the Indian government gave it an assurance that it is not liable for the clean-up. What was done to ensure the effective use of the fund sanctioned and provided for the rehabilitation work? How did the centre or state perform? What has been done by NGOs so that the help reaches to those affected and not to unscrupulous ones? Barkha Dutt's 'We, The People' on NDTV on June 13 was pretty revealing and shocking too. The media, the ruling party and opposition are engaging the people of the country about fixing the responsibility of allowing Warren Anderson to slip away to US. However, I could come to know of some information that I did not know. And I am sure India and Indians could have done better to mitigate the miseries of thousands of the people. The site of the major chemical disaster is still not cleaned. And the place is still dangerous for the people living around it. Dow chemical that have acquisitioned Union Carbide is not ready to do the clean up. Why couldn't the site be closed and cleaned? Why should it wait for Dow chemicals to clean? Why should the offer of Ratan Tata be not taken seriously where he asked India Inc to come forward and clean up the site? Quite a good number of families, perhaps in thousands, are still living in the area surrounding it that is dangerous for habitation. Why couldn't they be moved to safer places? Why can't it be done today? The underground water being used by the inhabitants there are poisonous and causing many harmful deceases and illness among the people. Why couldn't the government provide a speedy and assured medical help? Why didn't the big companies participated in it? Why can't the MCI appeal their members to help in the task? Why couldn't the system provide even safe drinking water with all the technologies and resources available in the country? And those affected by the Bhopal gas leak have hardly got good enough compensation. If the government agencies agree to it, why can't it provide sufficient compensation to those who are really affected? i again suggest the government to create a ten billion dollar fund for disaster mitigation. Instead, the country's prime minister Man Mohan is happy by appointing a GoM and then after certain media pressure he asks GoM to give report in 10 days. Why did he fail to do anything substantial in last six years when he held the top most position of the country? This is what appears in an article in Outlook:

"Bhopals will happen, but the country has to progress." Hard to believe, and enraging too. According to Sathyu Sarangi, a member of the Bhopal Group for Information & Action, a voluntary body, this is what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told him and six of his colleagues when they met him on April 17, 2006, to press for action against Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the American firm Dow Chemical Company since 2001. "Yes, I remember that clearly. This is what the prime minister said," Sarangi tells Outlook.

And a senior cabinet minister such as Pranab Mukherji is satisfied by providing protection to Arjun Singh's action and mollifying the public sentiment by promising to try for Anderson extradition. ---- PS: Deepak Parekh, Chairman HDFC Bank, who is on the board of several companies and known for his frank and no-nonsense attitude towards most issues pertaining to governance and the corporate sector, has views worth appreciating by all those who talk about the Bhopal Tragedy.]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002762.php/feed/ Mr. Nitish! Very Poor of You http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002760.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002760.php#comments Sun, 13 Jun 2010 23:31:54 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002760.php Should he not behave with Modi as a chief minister of a much more developed state? Is it the way a host state chief behaves with the chief minister of a state that employs large number of Bihar’s immigrants? What happens if the people of Gujarat take it as humiliation for its chief minister and react? How can Nitish deny that the photograph showing “Narendra Modi joining hands with Nitish Kumar in a Ludhiana rally” is really just a reprint? I myself had watched that to happen. Modi has won election after election in Gujarat and remains chief minster because of his development work and popularity and not only because he is a BJP man. Most of the biggest industrialists adore him for his efficient way of working. Every Indian has seen how fast Tata Motors moved to Sanand in Gujarat after the Mamta’s Singur fiasco. At that time, even Nitish had invited Ratan Tata. Why could Nitish not attract any of the industrialists for any project worth a mention in the whole of his term? Nitish Kumar cancelled a dinner he was hosting at his official residence for visiting BJP leaders including Modi. I wish Nitish wouldn’t have done that. It’s not a way a mature leader behaves. Rather Nitish would have invited Modi for dinner on one to one basis, as Modi was the visiting chief minister of a state of India. Nitish’s statement on the Gujarat’s contribution for Kosi flood victims was also in bad taste. If Muslims of Bihar decides the party to be voted on basis of the hatred shown against Modi, I pity Nitish even if he wins. Nitish must get them in his folds by his own work towards their welfare. There is something beyond politics too and that is the way one behaves with friends and foes. Perhaps Nitish has gone under the influence of some sycophants in his closer circle. As it appears Sharad Yadav is trying to save the situation but it will still be prudent if Nitish talks to Modi. Will Nitish like a similar behavior from Modi when he goes to Gujarat? And Nitish must make a point to visit the state to see how his own men have found shelter there. I wish he learns something from Modi too. Look what Modi said while addressing the people of Bihar in Patna:"People of Bihar have contributed to Gujarat's progress. I have come here to salute the people of Bihar." However, I still think the people of Bihar must re-elect Nitish and wish Nitish to avoid speaking a little too much. ]]> Should he not behave with Modi as a chief minister of a much more developed state? Is it the way a host state chief behaves with the chief minister of a state that employs large number of Bihar’s immigrants? What happens if the people of Gujarat take it as humiliation for its chief minister and react? How can Nitish deny that the photograph showing “Narendra Modi joining hands with Nitish Kumar in a Ludhiana rally” is really just a reprint? I myself had watched that to happen. Modi has won election after election in Gujarat and remains chief minster because of his development work and popularity and not only because he is a BJP man. Most of the biggest industrialists adore him for his efficient way of working. Every Indian has seen how fast Tata Motors moved to Sanand in Gujarat after the Mamta’s Singur fiasco. At that time, even Nitish had invited Ratan Tata. Why could Nitish not attract any of the industrialists for any project worth a mention in the whole of his term? Nitish Kumar cancelled a dinner he was hosting at his official residence for visiting BJP leaders including Modi. I wish Nitish wouldn’t have done that. It’s not a way a mature leader behaves. Rather Nitish would have invited Modi for dinner on one to one basis, as Modi was the visiting chief minister of a state of India. Nitish’s statement on the Gujarat’s contribution for Kosi flood victims was also in bad taste. If Muslims of Bihar decides the party to be voted on basis of the hatred shown against Modi, I pity Nitish even if he wins. Nitish must get them in his folds by his own work towards their welfare. There is something beyond politics too and that is the way one behaves with friends and foes. Perhaps Nitish has gone under the influence of some sycophants in his closer circle. As it appears Sharad Yadav is trying to save the situation but it will still be prudent if Nitish talks to Modi. Will Nitish like a similar behavior from Modi when he goes to Gujarat? And Nitish must make a point to visit the state to see how his own men have found shelter there. I wish he learns something from Modi too. Look what Modi said while addressing the people of Bihar in Patna:"People of Bihar have contributed to Gujarat's progress. I have come here to salute the people of Bihar." However, I still think the people of Bihar must re-elect Nitish and wish Nitish to avoid speaking a little too much. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002760.php/feed/ Will Mamta’s Dream Get Realized? http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002756.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002756.php#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:53:27 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002756.php journalists and reporters are so excited about Mamta’s electoral success in West Bengal. First of all, the wins in municipalities and corporations don’t guarantee the similar win when the whole of Bengal comprising rural and urban areas goes for general election. Leftists claim better hold in rural areas that has majority of seats. I still opine that Mamta’s slogan Maa, Mati, Manush may be nice sounding but has nothing unique unless the farmers get the best price, the good education becomes universal, the sufficient and nutritious food and health care are ensured drastically reducing the early child mortality, and every youth is trained in at least some skill to be employable. One can sweep an election with emotionally exploiting the locals, but can’t win the hearts of the mass of miserable lots without a clear mission and implementation strategies based on past experiences of failures of not happenings I wish Mamta and the experts and intellectuals seeking her entry into her inner circle come out with the vision openly. Sometimes, the change may even be worse. However, I was stunned with a news item that says Mamta ‘promises to give Calcutta an expert each for each Trinamul councillor. And there are 95 of them.’ Will she do the same for each of his MLAs or MPs? I don’t find any of her ministers in central cabinet (including Mamta herself) performing visibly well. Perhaps they all including the didi is too busy with the home state. Some say, ‘didigiri rules’. But will it be sufficient enough for satisfying the expectations of the people of the state who have been left behind over decades. It is a fact that a large number of middle class voters have lost its love for the leftists. I do also wonder that many reporters today talk so openly about the corruption in ruling party and of its cadre members in positions of power and its ministers. Will the millions of cadre members give up the authority enjoyed so easily? Will they not try to regain the lost ground with the people who matters at all cost? As many think, the leftists have mastered the art and technologies of winning election. It will be difficult to defeat the leftists so easily. And even if Mamta wins, her win must come with overwhelming majority, otherwise the leftists will make her life as well as that of the people of Bengal miserable. Is, as a columnist has written, ‘West Bengal is preparing for an upheaval’? ]]> journalists and reporters are so excited about Mamta’s electoral success in West Bengal. First of all, the wins in municipalities and corporations don’t guarantee the similar win when the whole of Bengal comprising rural and urban areas goes for general election. Leftists claim better hold in rural areas that has majority of seats. I still opine that Mamta’s slogan Maa, Mati, Manush may be nice sounding but has nothing unique unless the farmers get the best price, the good education becomes universal, the sufficient and nutritious food and health care are ensured drastically reducing the early child mortality, and every youth is trained in at least some skill to be employable. One can sweep an election with emotionally exploiting the locals, but can’t win the hearts of the mass of miserable lots without a clear mission and implementation strategies based on past experiences of failures of not happenings I wish Mamta and the experts and intellectuals seeking her entry into her inner circle come out with the vision openly. Sometimes, the change may even be worse. However, I was stunned with a news item that says Mamta ‘promises to give Calcutta an expert each for each Trinamul councillor. And there are 95 of them.’ Will she do the same for each of his MLAs or MPs? I don’t find any of her ministers in central cabinet (including Mamta herself) performing visibly well. Perhaps they all including the didi is too busy with the home state. Some say, ‘didigiri rules’. But will it be sufficient enough for satisfying the expectations of the people of the state who have been left behind over decades. It is a fact that a large number of middle class voters have lost its love for the leftists. I do also wonder that many reporters today talk so openly about the corruption in ruling party and of its cadre members in positions of power and its ministers. Will the millions of cadre members give up the authority enjoyed so easily? Will they not try to regain the lost ground with the people who matters at all cost? As many think, the leftists have mastered the art and technologies of winning election. It will be difficult to defeat the leftists so easily. And even if Mamta wins, her win must come with overwhelming majority, otherwise the leftists will make her life as well as that of the people of Bengal miserable. Is, as a columnist has written, ‘West Bengal is preparing for an upheaval’? ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/indian_politics/002756.php/feed/