Government and Armed Forces

It was great to see so many people stand up for boosting moral of Armed Forces which was  claimed to be supposedly lowered by remark of an average human right activist on suggestion of plebiscite of Kashmir . People wrote at length about how one suggestion by an individual was an act of utter disrespect for Armed forces. Encouraged by this sudden flow of  concern by people I am sharing  following two facts for your consideration to decide how Governments sometimes treat veterans of Armed Forces.

Isn't it ironic that the Government which is proposing to spend 3000 crores for rebuilding Lutyens' Bungalows at Delhi that accommodates 100 odd politicians has filed second reconsideration petition in supreme court  for amendment of  the effective date of benefits of arrears of   pension anomalies  for ex - service officers and men from Jan 2006 to Sept 2012 . The sixth pay commission became effective  from 01 Jan 2006 so the pension should have been amended for that day .However as some  anomalies in Pay commission in case of retired personnel were resolved later Government wants to pay arrears  from  24 Sept 2012  .SC had quashed the appeal of Government in Single Bench so they have applied for review.

Insensitivity that is shown  in  formulation of policies   against disabled and war disabled soldiers results in number of cases going to court . When Court upholds and justifiably intervenes , soldiers are forced into ruthless litigation. . Government  with its large team of  lawyers and Solicitors  is busy waging  a war against its own disabled soldiers, but can these soldiers and their families afford to effectively fight this war against the official establishment at the level of the Supreme Court? 

The question looms large,  don't  the people who gave their youth and sometimes their whole life without many complaints about  injustice, hardships and high handedness of authorities within the forces for the honor of  emblem on their caps, deserve peaceful and dignified existence even after they are out of uniform?

It is time we learn to respect vertical people instead of writing sweet obituaries about them  when they become horizontal .

Challenges before AAP and Arvind Kejriwal

The success of Aam Adami Party is not in 28 seats that it won in recent assembly elections. Its real success lies in inception of this belief that ordinary and common people with extraordinary resolve in their mind and uncommon fire in their heart, can get support of public against the swindling mercenary style politics of professional politicians. Their victory has, in many ways, rejuvenated the hope for a democracy, where people we choose to represent us, do not become, our rulers.

A new Government of these young unknown names will be sworn into power in hours from now. Needless to say, this authority to govern will come with a bagful of responsibilities and expectations that is already bursting at the seams . As an average, unknown, nation loving citizen, following are few things that I suggest that they watch out for

1. Don’t confuse populism with socialism: Socialism in its true sense is judicious investment of human and material resources to generate growth that raises the standard of living for the masses. Socialism must aim at uniformity rather than equality . Task of good government is to convert population into useful human resource that can substantiate growth for individuals and nation. Job of government is to develop means for dignified existence of citizens rather than distribute freebies for political gains. A thinking and rational citizen does not necessarily need things for free. He wants quality of goods and services in easy and uninterrupted manner for a transparent cost for all. Onus should be on improving the quality rather than just reducing the price. Take for example electricity, focus should be on bringing down transmission and distribution losses to reduce cost , amicable profit cutting of companies through audit, without tempering too much with demand supply equation and disturbing the costing mechanism or we stand a fear of going back to DESU days of anarchy.

2. Take humanistic capitalism route over pseudo Marxist path: Any social engineering, no matter, how purposeful requires finances that come from direct and indirect taxes. Every welfare scheme costs exchequer an amount . Hence , industry and corporate should be encouraged with conducive policies for growth with minimum of administrative hassles that sadly is lacking from their focus so far. This in my humble opinion is the major reason of popularity of Mr. Narendra Modi. "Amiri hatao " should not take over "Garibi Hatao" in a zest for equality. Growth in industries and infrastructure will also create new jobs that will lead to sustainable development.

3. Have a diversified model for development: India is a diverse country and has vast socio- economic stratum. Aspirations of different segments of society are very different , diverse and demanding. For example, middle class and youth would like to have boost to entrepreneurship through easy availability of loans and government sponsored ventures. Riches and established industries would look for policies favorable for export for business diversification and alliance with foreign collaborators for technological up-gradation and capital investments. Poor sections of society would justifiably want protection and right to dignified existence by provision of basic amenities at subsidized cost besides essential education facilities , basic health and protection that indeed are responsibilities , obligation and duty of every government in a welfare state. These diverse requirements demand a much wider model for growth than their present Gandhian model of 'Swaraj'.

4. Be Diplomatic in Public speaking: Media these days is news hungry , more than willing to put words in mouth of leaders to form another story. They need to choose their words carefully. They really need to realize that sending the corrupt to jail is job of court not the political party leaders. Thankfully they have masters like Mr.Yogendra Yadav who are perfect in their measured responses.

5. Never mind the cynics : This world of full of people who criticize each and everything that is new without understanding the meaning of popular adage that "every great event starts with a hearsay and ends with a dogma". This compulsive habit ,this ardent desire to show that they know the other side and inside of every story is out of psychological complexes in personality. Critics will talk, there will be caricatures in the social media every hour and there will be lot of venom spiting by paid party workers of opponents and some unpaid self proclaimed intellectuals . Unperturbed by these noises ,they should continue to focus on task cut out for them because only work and time will be their reply to such elements

6.Take required security cover : It is a welcome step to put an end to VIP culture of which every self respecting citizen finds very offending but at the same time Arvind needs to realize that he is taking on mafia in a big way and a certain amount of security is essential for public figures. As the saying goes "Believe in God but lock your car " . There is hardly any need to publicize his route and moves that will only make him a soft target. He should also prepare and bring to lime light a second line of leaders . Democracy and party politics can never be a one man show. 

Young India will be watching them starry eyed for they stand to parent rebirth of morality in Indian polity . The period of gestation may be long and delivery very painful, but I think , no one can dedicate their lives for better cause than this . Destiny and Public have offered them a unique opportunity. Hope they don’t waste it. As a well wisher, supporter and admirer of their believes , I sincerely wish them best of luck.

An Adverse Divide

A British tabloid once called India a poor country of rich people. Our country truly is a kaleidoscope of extremities. The contrast between haves and deprived is too alarming. Walking through the plush suburbs one feels a sense of excitement looking at the development but a few more steps brings us face to face with another dark reality where you see human life vegetating in slums.

Economic surveys tell us that GDP is growing at 7% plus, yet we have farmers committing suicide and people dying of starvation. We sign pacts for acquiring nuclear fuel for our nuclear power generating stations but a sizable population has to live without electricity. We have Institute that are second to none in the field of engineering and management but millions of children still do not have privilege of primary education.

Equality can never be ensured but uniformity must be at hand to really have freedom in true sense. Everyone cannot be affluent but in a civilized society every human should have a right to dignified existence that separates human from the animal sleeping on the street.

The root cause of divide has been this cheap form of socialism that thrives on slogans and promises, it should be understood that Socialism is an ideology which has never managed to distribute power and wealth without some folks at the top getting the bulk of it. The nexus that snatches from achievers under the pretext of disseminating it to have not’s uses it for populist gains and subsequently ends up in achieving nothing for anyone.

In contrast capitalism and laissez-faire , though are theories based on the moral principle of the protection of the individual's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness .their principles assert that wealth is not a fixed quantity and one person's success does not come at the expense of others. They sound good but truly demand a moralistic society where citizens are willing to discharge their responsibilities and duties with the same zeal with which they demand their rights. It demands a society where those who have in abundance have the compassion to understand the hunger of those who have nothing and wisdom to know upsetting dangers of such divide.

To ensure that the gains are fairly disseminated First thing we should essentially do away with is this leitmotif, this misbelieve, that the poor and deprived need charity. In contrast what they need is consistent work near their place of habitation. Instead of finding ways of giving cheap and free and through back doors for political mileage, the prime concern of government must be to ensure an apt conversion of population into human resource. A couple of industrial training Institute and fairly functioning agriculture schools will do lot of help to villagers and make them more aware of latest and prudent techniques of doing the given job. As Robert A. Heinlein said, "Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded -- here and there, now and then -- are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating the people then slip back into abject poverty."

It is fact that post liberalization poverty has decreased because of the additional opportunity available there should be a constant endeavor to move towards free economy. We are a flourishing democracy for 65 years now and it is time we move vigorously towards free economy rather than having protectionist regime that benefits a select few. It is wisely said by P.J .Rourke"Wealth is based on productivity, and productivity is fabulously expandable."