BMIC Controversy

The controversial BMIC (Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor) case now seems to be driving a wedge between Karnataka's ruling 'allies' who are deeply divided on the issue, mainly due to the ongoing 'war of words' between the CM and NICE's MD and for reasons not quite lucid to the public. There has arisen a new controversy about the false declaration that the CM made in his affidavit for the 2004 Assembly elections. Whatever the agreement signed maybe, there has to exist an agreement among all political parties, of not scrapping and undoing the policy decisions taken by a previous government in the greater benefit of the state.

'Success' of the Jews

The modern day Jews are perhaps the most successful community on the face of the Earth. Their success is not because of some extraordinary intelligence or ingenuity, but because they have weathered several pogroms, many of which were invited by them and the rest due to external causes.They also remain by far the most united community of all due to which they were able to withstand and survive to this day.However, the Jews are to be blamed for the ills which are plaguing them mainly in Israel. They were indeed the ones who started the Zionist movement (explained further on) for establishing a permanent homeland when the British were leaving their then territory of Palestine. Due to their influence and intense lobbying the Jews could acheive their goal.Their goal though sympathetic, was at the cost of displacing many Palestinians. Around 7 to 8 million Palestinians who were living in Palestine for generations suddenly found themselves on the streets on one 'fine' day and later in refugee camps under miserable living conditions. They were not even allowed to live peacefully in the refugee camps. The Shattila massacre of innocent Palestinian refugees in Lebanon at the behest of Ariel Sharon is well known.It is ironic that even when the Palestinians pelt stones at the Israeli troops they are called terrorists and are replied back with 'rubber bullets' which are in fact live bullets coated with rubber (they are lethal). Helicopter gunships frequently batter Palestinian homes with missiles and kill people with rockets and bullets. It is common knowledge that Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a paraplegic was killed with a rocket launched from a helicopter gunship. The charge of the killers is that he was masterminding operations against the Israeli aggressors. It is beyond human knowledge as to how a paraplegic who has to be helped to the maximum with his daily human chores could be ascertained to be a terrorist. Even kids are not spared by this aggressor.The Jews are so influential that are the de facto rulers of the United States of America. The country runs as per their whims and fancies. Almost all the advisors and aidesof the US president are Jews and so are the countries richest individuals. USA derives its power mainly from its wealth and its inevitable fallout which is military power. So, the source of this wealth is what controls this moolah-crazy country.History explains this better than today. The Jewish community received the maximum number of Prophets sent by God, however, they also assassinated the maximum number of Prophets mainly those of their community. They disastrously deviated from the true path as ordained by God Almighty. They paid for their arrogance and continue to do so. In the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe they were mainly moneylenders as vividly potrayed by the Shylock from "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare. It is this profession of their's that made Adolf Hitler hate them so much that later in life, when power was at his disposal he started what we now know as the HOLOCAUST.Only time will tell whether they would learn from all their past mistakes, which atleast doesn't seem to happen in the near future.

NOTE: This post is not intended against any community. As wisdom says "There exist good and evil people in all communities."

Farcical reservations- Sense or Nonsense?

There seems to be an unwanted urgency on the Government’s part to implement the reservation for OBCs in central institutions, which can’t be understood by a fairly large section of society. This undemocratic imposition of quotas, unprecedented in any nation definitely doesn’t augur well for a nation like India least of all while trying to compete with countries like China. India, which is already bogged down with more than its fair share of problems like red tape, poor infrastructure, poor labour policies etc., certainly doesn’t need more.
One thing about quotas apart from the fact that they butcher merit is that the majority section (the reserved) of society is being misled and pitted against the minority section (the unreserved). After Hindu-Muslim politics we are seeing a dangerous trend with caste and quota politics ruling the roost. One thing if nothing else the quota controversy has thrown light on is the great divide which exists in our society, being pulled further apart by crooked politicians, the selfishness with which each of these sections of society “blow the trumpet” for themselves.
The very clever government of ours is trying to downplay all this by saying it would increase seats in the central institutions with a status quo in the seats meant for the General category. This is pure nonsense and defies human logic.
· Did you know that in the IITs, IIMs and other central institutions there already exists around 25% reservation for the SC/ST and the physically handicapped. Add to all this 27% for the OBCs. For the number of seats to remain unchanged there should be an increase by atleast 50%! This outrageous increase in seats is something which no decent central institution would be willing to do if it also cares about the quality of education remaining undiluted, leave alone the even more outrageous cost of around Rs. 8000 crores to the state exchequer.
· Group ‘A’ officers (includes IAS officers too) in the Central Government and most state governments get reservations even in their promotions! This defies human logic because the person concerned is already in a very good position (mainly through quotas) on top of which is the promotion reservation. Quota upon quota!!!
· In the state of Tamil Nadu where the reservation is an obnoxious 69%, the ‘backward classes’ with regard to the medical admissions also corner around 80% of the seats in the 31% general category, which totally puts the reserved candidates in control of almost 94% of the total medical seats in the state. Do such socially, financially developed people deserve reservations?

Robbing Peter to pay Paul is what exactly portrays the quota system prevalent in India. It is heartburning for the General category candidates when someone totally undeserving gets a special privilege and snatches away a seat rightfully due to the meritorious.
The big question however is who decides which caste belongs to which category. Looking around us we find wealthy communities among the reserved categories particularly among the OBCs.
The ‘Meena’ community of Rajasthan is a glaring example. It is classified as a Scheduled Tribe, due to which it corners an unfairly large chunk of the seats reserved for the STs in various central government exams including the Civil Services exam.
The removal of communities from the reserved list is not done with as much enthusiasm as that shown in the addition. It is a sorrid state of affairs in India, with politicians doing very little for the truly disadvantaged but instead pampering the large, powerful sections of the reserved communities in a shameless bid to appease them. The main beneficiaries among the OBCs have also been the large, united, politically influential communities like the Yadavs, Jats, Kurmis etc. and not many of the artisan and other professional castes like the barbers, washermen etc.
Reservation can’t be removed from those who have availed it but it can definitely be ensured that this blunder doesn’t happen again with the people’s will. A major relook and regrouping of the castes, thereby giving a major overhaul is the need of the hour. The skewed benefit of reservation has to go immediately. ‘Creamy layers’ must be set in place with annual income levels being set at around Rs. 120,000 (Rs. 10,000 p.m). Let us also remember that the government is under no obligation to make its citizens millionaires. A check on the ‘caste certificate’ trade is also very essential. Serious and meaningful time limits have to be set and a bar on those who have already availed reservation either for study or work. Look at the practical realities of India (urban and rural) to find a way to uplift communities like the Muslims (worse off than even the SCs in most of India).
All said and done the ONUS is on the PEOPLE to see to it that people-sensitive governments are voted to power, particularly those not having people like Mr. Arjun Singh, waiting for the opportune time to wreak havoc, which a country like ours can ill afford.

NOTE: This post isn't against reservation per se but for meaningful reservations.

EC Overhaul required

A tall and reputed constitutional body like the Election Commission bestowed with the sacrosanct responsibility of conducting 'free and fair' elections, has acted in a very obvious, partisan manner. The developments over the past few days have left not so unfounded fears in many of the citizens of this nation, particularly so when there is a grave need for this institution to be above petty politics. Moreover when it is the conduct of elections in a 'free and fair' manner, which is pivotal to a vibrant democracy like ours. All this urgently warrants a major overhaul of the body by the President by sacking some of the tainted if the need be.

(Published in The Times of India on the 21st of March, 2006)

Jaya, RS Disqualification

It is very sad to note that motives are attributable to a once tall institution like the Election Commission, looking at the way they handled the Jaya Bachchan issue. A Rajya Sabha MP holding an 'office of profit' is not unprecedented and 'out of the blue.' This is not an issue that could be decided hastily as the Election Commission did, without much contemplation and debate, and certainly not one that warranted immediate disqualification. All these developments convey to the people that the government to further its villifying agenda is using the EC.

(Published in The Hindu on the 20th of March, 2006)

Power of the Ballot

The thumping victory of Hamas in the recent Palestinian elections definitely seems to be a change for the better especially with allegations that Fatah, off late, has been riddled with nepotism, inefficiency, corruption etc. However, it would indeed augur well for the much beleaguered Palestinians only if Hamas is truly capable in finding a lasting solution to this longstanding crisis. Hope our very own groups like the Kashmiri separatists, Maoists etc. take a cue from this.

(Published in The Deccan Herald)

Hamas' win

The win of Hamas in the Palestinian elections has well highlighted the fact that even militant groups can indeed participate in elections and win the public mandate. This support of the people would finally pave the way for their demilitarization. Hope our groups like the Maoists and Kashmiri separatists are listening, for the power of the ballot far surpasses that of the gun.

(Published in the Deccan Herald on the 28th of January, 2006)

Golden opportunity

The visit of the Saudi King to India is a blessing in disguise. It is a rare opportunity for us to capitalize and strengthen our longstanding concern of oil security. His visit to China and India also signifies Saudi Arabia 's paradigm geo-political shift towards the "Asian Giants." This could very well be heralded as the beginning of the domination of the world scene by the two Asian powers, akin to the emergence of the United States in the aftermath of World War II.

Buta must go

Buta Singh shamelessly wants to cling to his gubernatorial post despite the scathing indictment by the Supreme Court. Despite his report to the Union Cabinet in undue haste, the latter had no obligation to follow it verbatim. This entire episode makes one thing amply clear, that all this was done at the behest of an influential ally of the ruling coalition. The larger question at this juncture, however is whether we at all need this post of "Governor", for it has far outlived its efficacy.

De-freeze Government recruitment

Instead of cutting down heavily on recruitment, as recommended by the V^th Pay Commission, the government must realize that there is a wrongly skewed recruitment policy i.e. wrong people in the wrong places. It would do well for the nation if recruitment were more organized. Instead of huge recruitment in the unproductive areas, it would be appreciated if it were otherwise.

Hajj subsidy!!!

The fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj, is a ritual obligatory only to those who are mentally, physically and financially able to undertake it. The subsidy by the government is wrong in the light of the above fact and vividly seems be nothing but an appeasement of the 'Muslim vote-bank.' Moreover, the way in which the applicants are chosen is by way of a 'lucky draw', akin to gambling. This too is a gross violation of the tenets of Islam.

IIM graduates in government!!!

Why can't IIM/IIT graduates, whose education has been heavily subsidised by the exchequer, be made to perform a mandatory service period in the government? Their infusion would very likely bring about radical changes due to their ideas and intellect, and eventually augur well for the people of India. There would for sure be a sea change in the efficiency and the attitude which is most worrying. It is high time the government took note of such alternatives to shape up the babudom.

Admiralgate?

It is sad to note that Admiral Arun Prakash, a close relative of him is alleged to have committed Naval data theft, is unaware of who makes calls from his own residential telephone exchange in response to serious charges against the Admiral that calls were in fact made from the Admiral's residence to Arms dealers despite having the Naval Intelligence. Three officers who were caught earlier in connection with this case were summarily dismissed from service without the court martial procedure, which now seems to have been done merely to hush up the case. Interestingly, not much headway has been made into the investigation of the Admiral's nephew's role.

Kudos to Iran!

Kudos to Iran for sticking to its guns in challenging USA's hegemony saying it would go ahead, come what may, in its quest for nuclear energy for purely civilian purposes. But in the light of the Iraq case it now seems that Iran too is a fit case for the US's quest for newer and larger oil and gas reserves. That apart, Israel can remain the undisputed 'leader' of the Middle East. Well what is this if not "two shots in a single throw"?

(Published in the Deccan Herald on the 21st of January, 2006)

The Iran fiasco

The carrot and stick policy of the US towards India seems to be working this time too. The US, determined to upset the Indo-Iran oil pipeline deal is luring us with its 'Civilian nuclear deal', to have its way acting as a proxy for Israel, to make India repeat the blunder of voting against Iran in the Security Council. The larger idea behind all this is the vast oil and natural gas reserves and cessation of a danger to Israeli aggression in the Middle East.