Monday 30 March 2009

Barking Dogs

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Don’t you think the Varun bashing is going overboard? Is this an issue that needs to be given so much of importance for such an extended period of time? Who is not spewing the venom against their own brethren? What do they want? Nowadays the quality of politics is too low that there is no presence of quality is seen around.



I am still at lost to realize in what way Varun’s statement was communal or that invokes violence. All he said that is he will cut off those who offend Hindus or Hinduism. At the outset this is a hypothetical statement. If at all people are reacting to this statement, then they are proving that they are in the process of offending Hinduism and they need protection from the retaliation. In all fairnes, is it not a statement made in self-defense?



Equality does not mean that one has to be suppressed to the maximum. The Maharashtra Govt has cleared an amount of Rs 24 crore in various projects for development in just 9 days. What does this imply when the elections are nearing too close? When the farmers were dying committing suicide, this is the same Government watching them helplessly. Now where from are they doling out this money just to appease a section of the people? What would you call this? Secularism?The height of the irony is the advice from Priyanka Vadra who suggested Varun to read Gita. "Madamji, Varun had gone through Gita or else why he should contest his cousin? Dont you know that Mahabharata was also fought between cousins?" Its high time Priyanka read undistorted Indian history now.



The tolerance levels of Hindus should not be abused. If at all India is unsafe, it is unsafe for the Hindus who live here. Any one can vouch for this going by the recent monthly-blast celebrations IM had on India and the Government simply sat back and watched it. Our Prime Minister lost his sleep when an Indian from a minority community was arrested elsewhere under suspicion but he had sound sleep when India was literally burnt month after month at various places.



Why is that only when hindus retaliate – mind it – they are not starting on their own but retaliating – people cry of communalism? What sort of religious equality are we practicing? How many of the media personnel went over board when the entire bogie of Indian railways was set ablaze by a few fanatics causing damage to lives and the Government property? They maintained silence because they were from the minority sect?



Varun’s statement can be considered as an act of self-defense. He did not say that Muslims should go out of the country. He said, you are free to live here but don’t fiddle with Hindus. No longer would Hindus tolerate this in silence. The Government has not arrested Sanjay Dutt who was proven guilty by the court in providing logistic support to the terrorist elements in the 1993 blasts. Irony is he is contesting. The destruction of Babri structure and Godhra is repeatedly raked but the ’84 Sikh riots are conveniently forgotten. Where else it will happen that Hindus in their own homeland had to leave and run for their life like refugees? This is what was happening in Kashmir for the past two decades and why the press is silent on this? Is it because the driving force is from the minority sect?



After all, Varun only said and politicians are notorious for not keeping their word. What is happening elsewhere is in action but the authorities are silently watching it.



Oh my secular friends, we are not against minorities. We are against the appeasement policies adapted by the authorities that are biased. Have the minorities ever felt insecure in India? If at all they felt, it was the myth created by the pseudo-secularists. There were many instances where the authorities sprinted additional miles to appease the minority sect even if it meant hurting the sentiments of the majority sect. We are against the selective secularism approach adapted. Irony is, the minorities do not realize that such an approach would only keep the minorities in status quo and the development will never happen. High time they realized that these are vote gaining gimmicks adapted by the political parties.



It is the country of hindus. Hindus should realize that 800 years of moghul rule had not changed us and what can these Taliban do to us? It’s the time for us to remain united and act without a prejudice. Don’t talk show in action. Mind it a barking dog never bites.

Monday 23 March 2009

National Identity

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India has remained in the league of developing country for long. One is not sure when it will be in the league of developed countries. Indians are hoping to build India into a super power and the Vision-2020 is geared towards this goal. However, one factor that nags us is the confusion that exists regarding our national identity. We are known for our attitude of craving for recognition from the West or White Race. Unless we get a certification from the West or White race, we term it backwardness. My question is: Will a superpower allow these things?



Can we define what the Identity of a nation is? Does it exist or ever felt in India? Perhaps, we felt it only when we watched India playing cricket. Indians are highly competitive as individuals but a total failure as a team. We resemble the Navgraha with each one of us facing at different directions. We also argue that what every individual see is right and the best and persuade others to accept it.



After all, why do we need a National Identity? How does an Indian identify himself with his country? No answers; because we don’t have one. History says India never remained a country prior to Akbar and hence it has no identity. Whatever it has is a mixture of various cultures left over by the invaders. There is no original Indian per se. All I can say is that our history is a book of distorted stories. With our attitude of craving for recognition from White race, we distorted our history to please them. One had the audacity to compare India to a doughnut with center empty and the periphery being the only identity. Adding insult to injury is, if one opposed such things, they are labeled as Fascists. May be, we the Indians, have allowed one to make such a remark and to an extent our behavior too, supported this argument.



Nation first – is the foundation stone to build a national identity. Our politicians were successful in keeping the people perpetually divided on the lines of Caste, Region, Religion and what not? The formation of third front by a cluster of regional parties who do not have a national ideology, dreaming to rule India is an irony. None of these political parties can express their unbiased views on a public issue like Cauvery water dispute. They knew that doing so would cost their vote bank in either of the States involved. This situation is the result of lack of National Identity.



Do we need a National Identity? Our education system never emphasized on the need of National Identity and hence the citizens did not attempt much to learn that. Thus, the bond that supposed to exist between a nation and its citizen is missing in India. Precisely, this is the reason; we need an identity for our nation – To develop a bond between the nation and its citizens. It is not an antibiotic that can be injected into the system whenever we felt weak. It has to come from within like the natural immune system developed in our body.



National identity is not about jingoism. It is about mutual respect among the citizens irrespective of their social status or any other identity. All are citizens of this country and all of us are equal. This is practically possible only if the respect expressed is mutual. Our civilization always embraced differences reciprocally. Indian philosophy is built on celebrating diversity — from Gods to languages to cultures to traditions.



What is our National Identity? Shall we say Corruption, Lack of civic sense, Me-first-society-last attitude, and son-of-the-soil? These are some of the traits we possess but these cannot be our identities.



Shall we say Secularism? Secularism, literally, is the antonym of Spiritualism or a synonym of Atheism. India is a spiritual country. However, we feel shy in declaring it so. In the Indian political context, secularism has a different meaning altogether. The political pundits, although, claim it meant equality of all religions, it is not practiced in this manner. It is applied in a selective manner. Dual standards are evident from the approaches adapted time and again. It is appeasing one at the cost of another.



While “satanic verses” is banned, book ridiculing Ram & Sita is published by the Govt. When cartoons attacking satirically on Islam are condemned, Hindu deities portrayed in nude is termed as expression of artistic freedom. Hosting an Ifthar party and meeting Imams and issuing fatwa is secular but meeting Shankaracharya is communal. Even the Election Commission, that is supposed to be a neutral office, christened a party that opposed BJP as Secular (Janata Dal Secular). What they wanted to imply by doing this is known to them only.



In short, the secularism in India is selective – means Hindu bashing. If you talk for Hindu, you are labeled communal but you can join hands with leaders of religious groups and claim yourself secular. The approach of the governments in handling the issue of land leasing for Amarnath yatra is a fine illustration to the secular approach in India



So, can we say the secularism what practiced in India is our National Identity? Not at all!



Shall we say diversity? Diversity yes but not fragments. If classifying a person on religious line is a sin, then what do we say on classifying people on caste or regional lines? However, you can do this under the camouflage of social-justice. People cry that conversion takes place because discrimination is practiced in Hinduism. Why can’t the Govt stop the sops extended to the discriminated society once they are converted, if other religions do not discriminate?



In the name of social justice, Hindus are divided. Diversity never posed a problem to Indians in the past. Unfortunately, Independent India brought in the quota system by adapting caste identities. Thus they failed to protect individual’s rights. This divided people and this was exploited by politicians aka vote-bank entrepreneurs. The people are so pampered that politicians are ready to do anything fearing offending these small fragments even it meant at the cost of the nation.



Pity is, in the name of diversity, we focused more on the fragments and we kept on fragmenting ourselves. One cannot have a national identity that fragments the country.



Shall we say Hindutva? This is a phrase coined in by the intellectual mafia of the Indian educated elites. To be precise, there is no such factor present as Hindutva! Our civilization is ages old and is subjected to changes from time and again as to accommodate the social changes happened. Hence, none of us knew its original form. The name Hindu got originated because it flourished on the banks of river Sind. Ours is a Dharma (rules & regulations) and this culture is not created by a single man like all other religions. Dharma is not a religion but a walk of life. Had it been a religion, it would not have recommended changes according to the changes in the society. The smritis explain this very clearly. This reflects our identity of accommodating and respecting the others sentiments. It accommodates all the diversities in the society. Its a pity that less educated ones distorted the real meanings and gave it a wrong meaning. However, the same can be changed.


The need of National Identity is a must at this point of time. I have listed my choices and leave it you to decide which one would suit us. One can differ from my views, after all, Hinduism taught me this – to respect others sentiments. However, we need to arrive at a consensus considering the national interest as the prime factor

National Identity

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India has remained in the league of developing country for long. One is not sure when it will be in the league of developed countries. Indians are hoping to build India into a super power and the Vision-2020 is geared towards this goal. However, one factor that nags us is the confusion that exists regarding our national identity. We are known for our attitude of craving for recognition from the West or White Race. Unless we get a certification from the West or White race, we term it backwardness. My question is: Will a superpower allow these things?




Can we define what the Identity of a nation is? Does it exist or ever felt in India? Perhaps, we felt it only when we watched India playing cricket. Indians are highly competitive as individuals but a total failure as a team. We resemble the Navgraha with each one of us facing at different directions. We also argue that what every individual see is right and the best and persuade others to accept it.




After all, why do we need a National Identity? How does an Indian identify himself with his country? No answers; because we don’t have one. History says India never remained a country prior to Akbar and hence it has no identity. Whatever it has is a mixture of various cultures left over by the invaders. There is no original Indian per se. All I can say is that our history is a book of distorted stories. With our attitude of craving for recognition from White race, we distorted our history to please them. One had the audacity to compare India to a doughnut with center empty and the periphery being the only identity. Adding insult to injury is, if one opposed such things, they are labeled as Fascists. May be, we the Indians, have allowed one to make such a remark and to an extent our behavior too, supported this argument.




Nation first – is the foundation stone to build a national identity. Our politicians were successful in keeping the people perpetually divided on the lines of Caste, Region, Religion and what not? The formation of third front by a cluster of regional parties who do not have a national ideology, dreaming to rule India is an irony. None of these political parties can express their unbiased views on a public issue like Cauvery water dispute. They knew that doing so would cost their vote bank in either of the States involved. This situation is the result of lack of National Identity.




Do we need a National Identity? Our education system never emphasized on the need of National Identity and hence the citizens did not attempt much to learn that. Thus, the bond that supposed to exist between a nation and its citizen is missing in India. Precisely, this is the reason; we need an identity for our nation – To develop a bond between the nation and its citizens. It is not an antibiotic that can be injected into the system whenever we felt weak. It has to come from within like the natural immune system developed in our body.




National identity is not about jingoism. It is about mutual respect among the citizens irrespective of their social status or any other identity. All are citizens of this country and all of us are equal. This is practically possible only if the respect expressed is mutual. Our civilization always embraced differences reciprocally. Indian philosophy is built on celebrating diversity — from Gods to languages to cultures to traditions.




What is our National Identity? Shall we say Corruption, Lack of civic sense, Me-first-society-last attitude, and son-of-the-soil? These are some of the traits we possess but these cannot be our identities.




Shall we say Secularism? Secularism, literally, is the antonym of Spiritualism or a synonym of Atheism. India is a spiritual country. However, we feel shy in declaring it so. In the Indian political context, secularism has a different meaning altogether. The political pundits, although, claim it meant equality of all religions, it is not practiced in this manner. It is applied in a selective manner. Dual standards are evident from the approaches adapted time and again. It is appeasing one at the cost of another.




While “satanic verses” is banned, book ridiculing Ram & Sita is published by the Govt. When cartoons attacking satirically on Islam are condemned, Hindu deities portrayed in nude is termed as expression of artistic freedom. Hosting an Ifthar party and meeting Imams and issuing fatwa is secular but meeting Shankaracharya is communal. Even the Election Commission, that is supposed to be a neutral office, christened a party that opposed BJP as Secular (Janata Dal Secular). What they wanted to imply by doing this is known to them only.




In short, the secularism in India is selective – means Hindu bashing. If you talk for Hindu, you are labeled communal but you can join hands with leaders of religious groups and claim yourself secular. The approach of the governments in handling the issue of land leasing for Amarnath yatra is a fine illustration to the secular approach in India




So, can we say the secularism what practiced in India is our National Identity? Not at all!




Shall we say diversity? Diversity yes but not fragments. If classifying a person on religious line is a sin, then what do we say on classifying people on caste or regional lines? However, you can do this under the camouflage of social-justice. People cry that conversion takes place because discrimination is practiced in Hinduism. Why can’t the Govt stop the sops extended to the discriminated society once they are converted, if other religions do not discriminate?




In the name of social justice, Hindus are divided. Diversity never posed a problem to Indians in the past. Unfortunately, Independent India brought in the quota system by adapting caste identities. Thus they failed to protect individual’s rights. This divided people and this was exploited by politicians aka vote-bank entrepreneurs. The people are so pampered that politicians are ready to do anything fearing offending these small fragments even it meant at the cost of the nation.




Pity is, in the name of diversity, we focused more on the fragments and we kept on fragmenting ourselves. One cannot have a national identity that fragments the country.




Shall we say Hindutva? This is a phrase coined in by the intellectual mafia of the Indian educated elites. To be precise, there is no such factor present as Hindutva! Our civilization is ages old and is subjected to changes from time and again as to accommodate the social changes happened. Hence, none of us knew its original form. The name Hindu got originated because it flourished on the banks of river Sind. Ours is a Dharma (rules & regulations) and this culture is not created by a single man like all other religions. Dharma is not a religion but a walk of life. Had it been a religion, it would not have recommended changes according to the changes in the society. The smritis explain this very clearly. This reflects our identity of accommodating and respecting the others sentiments. It accommodates all the diversities in the society. Its a pity that less educated ones distorted the real meanings and gave it a wrong meaning. However, the same can be changed.



The need of National Identity is a must at this point of time. I have listed my choices and leave it you to decide which one would suit us. One can differ from my views, after all, Hinduism taught me this – to respect others sentiments. However, we need to arrive at a consensus considering the national interest as the prime factor

Friday 13 March 2009

The Third Front is an Affront

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The election euphoria is heating up. Almost all ordinary news becomes sensational during these days and the people of India are treated with more masala than the news per se. The buzz word for the past one week is the “Third Front”. This front has nothing to do with ideologies but with opportunities. This is a cluster of small regional parties who over estimate their value and has no national image. However, they are pretty good at their regional levels.



With the two major national parties Congress and BJP failing to act authoritatively while negotiating seat sharing with regional parties, India is turning more federal which is not a healthy sign. It is an irony that these two major parties put together do not represent half of the House. This number is not likely to increase as these two parties are not given more seats to contest by their small partners.



The rest of the house is represented by regional parties who do not know what is meant by national ideology. They represent their respective regions and are not willing to come out of it. Ironically, these two national parties count on such regional parties, courtesy, the identity these parties possess in their respective regions.



The debates in Parliament are long forgotten matter. One finds the house disrupted more than it discussed. Bills are not allowed to read let alone debating on it. The previous regime had the dubious record of having the least hours worked in a single tenure. This is the result of lack of accountability. With weaker center, one can’t even think of it. Under such circumstances, where the time for debates is limited, one cannot expect unrecognized parties gets more representation in the debates. Hence, electing an independent has no meaning.



Worst case would be, these smaller parties clubbing together (with an outside support from the communist parties for whom China is their motherland) forming a Government at the Center. The media adds fuel to such fire by projecting Mayawati as the future PM. The only qualification she has is she hails from Dalit Caste. Hailing from a caste that was considered once untouchable cannot become a sole criterion to become a Prime Minister of our country. This seat deserves much more capabilities and merits.



One should not get surprised if any of these two national parties support Mayawati to become a PM just to get an acknowledgement from the media and society for supporting the cause of social-justice. India need not have to prove its stand on social-justice to anyone else and we all knew who we are. India needs something more than that at present.



With economy under severe crisis, had it been in any other country, slew of debates would be happening but here in India nothing of that sort is happening. None of the parties rake this issue nor do they have a road-map to stabilize this situation. India is one of the most difficult countries in the world to do business in. After Narasimha Rao opened the flood gates in 1991, all his successors followed him in continuing the reforms. Even the communists who ideologically opposed it had no other option but to support it. These reforms have its advantages and its limitations.



We need a government who can act stern and implement harsh economic policies that may not sound popular. We can’t provide job security any longer at the cost of performance. Government employees should realize now that they either perform or perish! The government formed by smaller parties with the support from Communists would never allow this to happen. This will, in turn, throw spokes on the wheel of our country’s progress!



The issues of internal security, Kashmir, Cross-border terrorism, Economics, development, etc., do not occupy the agenda during the elections any longer. All it matters is regionalism, secularism, minority appeasement, populist measures and no importance to welfare of the country. As to accommodate smaller parties in their umbrella (after all this is the number game), the major parties are forced to compromise on their core principles (if at all they have one) and they come out with a Common Minimum Program of implementation that never takes off. Thus, the potential of multiple issues getting generated to be catered resulting in loss of focus. In the end, one cannot see a single entity with strong center but a picture where major parties are being crushed under and dominated by these smaller parties. Slowly, this leads to stagnation.


Imagine a Government heading India that has no national Ideology, for whom national interest meant nothing. With power being ceded to regions, how can this Government act on the policies of National security which is the utmost need of this hour? India needs a decisive Government, an assertive Government that can take hard decisions. Nuclear deal is singed and so is the deal with IAEA. Hence we may not expect major agreement in the next 5 years. However, India needs to pull up its socks pertaining to upgrading its Navy, Military and Police forces. This requires a strong Government at the center to do so.

A weak center cannot have control over the States. It cannot take a firm stand on disputes like Cauvery Water sharing or border issue between Maharashtra and Karnataka or the likes of it. A weak center would allow indiscipline and insubordination to flourish which is against the nation’s health. The control or the lack of it by the Central parties over Shekhawat or Narayan Rane is a good example for this. When we boasted “Unity in Diversity” we indirectly bragged on our hypocrisy. We lacked unity and history is a proof to this. With such Government at the center, days are not too far, when one would require a Visa to visit another State in India!



Infrastructure is one area where the present government failed to pay attention. The golden quadrilateral project that completed 81% when the NDA Govt left, got completed only 56% at the end of this regime. In the name of supporting “aam aadmi”, developmental projects were being shelved and the opportunities of employment were thwarted. Redistribution-through-corruption will increase as states become more powerful in center. Here again, the state that returns most number of MPs would get major chunk of the infrastructure projects over-ruling the needs. This is not healthy in nation’s perspective.



Diplomacy is an area that is expected to get affected badly with a weaker Government at the center. With smaller parties ruling the country, they would hardly get time to discuss with their neighboring countries. What will be their stand on LTTE-Srilanka or Kashmir-POK-Pakistan, or Bangladesh-Bengal, or Arunachal Pradesh – China? Such nightmares do not allow me to sleep.



If these two national parties, Congress and BJP, still feel that they are the guardians of protecting the honor of our country, they would not allow this to happen. In the sense, at any cost, they should not allow the third front to from a Government. One might say it is the votes that decide. Still, If these two parties join hands and form a National Government (in case of a hung Parliament that seems obvious) under a common leadership. These two parties has potential leaders who can bail this country out of the crisis and these two parties has presence almost all over India. Their actions cannot be termed biased and accountability automatically fall in place.



With CEC and the President handpicked by the present government, we cannot expect them to take a neutral stand in case of hung parliament. However, those who are interested in the welfare of the country have no other option but to form a national government with representation from the major parties. Will it happen?

Sunday 8 March 2009

FAQs on Voter Registration, Voter ID

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If you are a new voter this election, or would like to vote but do not know where to start, this 'questions and answers' report is for you. Even if you are regular voter, there is information here that you could utilize.



Who are eligible to enroll as voters?
You are eligible for registration if you are 18 years and above on the qualifying date (January1st of the year of preparation of voters’ list). You must be an ordinary resident of the constituency /ward in which you live.


What does ordinary resident mean?
You are said to be an ordinary resident of the place where you mainly / normally reside. If you are living or working away in a city / town other than the place where you normally reside, you can choose to register either at home or at the place where you are studying / working, but not both!


How do I enroll (register) myself as a new voter?
Fill out Form 6. It can be downloaded from the EC website (www.eci.gov.in). You can access this from any cyber café near your house.
Form 6 is also available at your nearest Revenue office if you live in a municipality, Tahsildar’s office if you live in a Taluka (rural), and Revenue sub-divisional office if you live in a mofussil area.
Form 6 is also available at offices of the Election Commission of India.


What documents are needed while filing Form 6?
Address Proof (photocopy) and an identity card (photocopy). Any of the following documents are valid address proof: PAN Card, Property Tax Receipt, Water bill, Electricity bill, Telephone bill, LPG (cooking gas) bill, Bank account statement, Residential rental/lease agreement, Pension cards, Passport.


Where do I go for registration? What are the timings?
Citizens in municipalities are served by Assistant Electoral Registration Officers at every Revenue Department’s sub-division offices and by Electoral Registration Officers at the Revenue Department’s Division offices. Find out your ward number and contact the Revenue department (Registration) office that has the jurisdiction of your ward. Voter registration forms are accepted during regular office work timings, Monday-Saturday.
For rural areas, file Form 6 at the Tahsildar’s office if you live in a Taluka and Revenue sub-divisional office if you live in a Mofussil area.
If you unable to find out office of registration, call the returning officer for your constituency and you will be directed to the nearest registration office.
While handing over Form 6, do not forget to collect the acknowledgement slip from the receiving clerk.


What is the last date to enroll as a new voter/for filing the Form 6s?
In general, voter registrations are accepted up to one week before the last date for filing of nominations of candidates To find out the election schedule for your region, go to the EC elections schedule page.


If I submit my Form 6 now, will I get a voter ID card?
It is unlikely that you would get a voter ID card, before the coming elections. You will be able to get this after the elections.


How do I vote if I have enrolled recently but do not have a voter ID card?
On the date of voting, carry the acknowledgement that you received when you filed the Form 6, an address proof with the address details that you filled with the Form 6 and a photo identity to the polling booth.


I have moved to a new place, within the same constituency. How do I give a change of address?
Fill up Form 8A, and submit an address proof of your current residence, and a copy of the old voter ID. The instructions on how to get Form 6 apply to all forms.


I have moved to a new place, from another constituency, within the same state. How do I give a change of address?
Fill up Form 6, and submit an address proof of your current residence. Obtain a deletion certificate from the other constituency by filing Form 7.


I have moved from another state. How do I give a change of address?
Fill up Form 7 to delete yourself from old constituency. Obtain a deletion certificate from the previous constituency and file along with the new Form 6.


How do I make corrections to the details on my voter ID card or my particulars on the Electoral roll?
File Form 8 after filling it up with the correct details.


How do I verify if my name is included in the electoral rolls?
For your name to be in the rolls, you must have registered as voter. Contact the Electoral Registration Office nearest you.



QUESTIONS REGARDING CANDIDATES AND SCRUTINY
What kind of information does a candidate have to file with the returning officer?
According to a Supreme Court order dated 13th March 2003, every candidate will have to file affidavits with the following information:
¨ Criminal antecedent of the candidate
¨ Assets
¨ Liabilities including government dues
¨ Educational Qualifications
This information is to be displayed on the notice board of the Returning Officer and to be supplied to media representatives, candidates and citizens upon request.


How do I contact high ranking election officials?
The contact information for all state chief electoral officers and senior officers are available at the website of the Election Commission. Click here to download contacts from ECI.


How do I report malpractices (hoardings, candidate misstatements/lies/conduct, money and liquor distribution, defacement of walls, loudspeakers...)?
Complain to the state’s chief electoral officer and/or EC nominated election observers.


For further details in this regard, you can also visit here

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