I support Anna Hazare Movement !

So, a particular movement has taken the nation by storm! The bottled-up feelings of India's common man has found a way out, making the entire world sit up and watch.
And frankly, there is every reason for the common man to be angry. Just today there was news that a private medical college in Mumbai is asking for 1.7 crore as capitation fee for P.G. Radiology course. Certainly, this comes under corruption? And this is just one of the few incidents that have been reported. Just the other day, somebody told me that the gas cylinder boy charges her an extra Rs.15 for the cylinder he delivers home.
And so with all this if Anna Hazare says that PM should also come under the ambit of Lokpal Bill, what is wrong?
Years ago, Laloo Prasad Yadav, the then Chief Minister of Bihar was asked to step down as his name figured in the fodder scandal. Yes he did step down, only to make his wife Rabri Devi the Chief Minister of Bihar! Could the government do anything there? What followed was total anarchy with steep rise in corruption, kidnapping and other such anti-social happenings. Is it possible to forget how Mayawati, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has squandered crores of rupees on making a bungalow as also statues of her mentor Kanshi Ram and herself ?
It would be disastrous to have such persons on the prime minister's seat; worst still to watch them make merry with Comptroller and Auditor General as well as other official bodies watching them helplessly!
Saying that Anna Hazare is challenging the authority of those who have been elected to power by the people of India, is an incorrect argument. We all know that many of these parliamentarians have a tainted or criminal record and that they have come to power because of luck, manipulation, money or whatever. Thus, if they  play foul, so can the common man. Let's say, All is fair in corrupt politics!

Education. Between Resolution and Implementation lies Breeding Ground For Corruption

I stay in Indore (MP). The other day my maid's 7th standard daughter came to me with her science book. I had left science long ago. I was therefore a little hesitant. Moreover the book was in Hindi. That again posed a problem. But realizing that she had no other help, I decided to teach her as much as I could. The little girl flipped open the Revision Questions and took me to the question on Acids, Bases and Alkalies.
 I asked her,"Have you read the lesson?"
 She answered sheepishly that she hadn't. "Okay, fine.Let's both read and try to understand."
The lesson talked of how a turmeric stain could turn red. There were pictures of Glass Tube, Beaker and several other equipment. In a casual way I said to her, "The teacher must have showed you this experiment in the lab?"
The girl gave me a confused look and said sheepishly, "I study in a government school, you know."
That was not my intention to hurt her and so I felt bad.
" Look dear, all government schools are properly funded by the government. Anyway, if there is no lab in your school, this text book should not have been prescribed."
Whatever, the Unit Test was close at hand and I had no desire to upset or scare the girl. And so in a layman's language I explained that if a turmeric stain is washed with soap water, it turns red.
The girl understood the example very well.
The entire incident is a sure sign of mismanagement and corruption. I am not sure if I should blame the government entirely for this. But then there has been a mistake somewhere which has resulted mismanagement and corruption. The only solution could be a surprise check once a while. If not, the MP government will have to be prepared for a large number of school dropouts, in spite of heavy promotion of literacy in the state.

Artificial Price Rise, Law & Order Breakdown... Can Emergency help?

The year was 1975. It was the second day of Emergency. My Higher Secondary Exams were over and I was free. That day I followed my father to the market. Just then he showed me a shop which was quite famous in Delhi. Pointing at the shelves he asked, "Before this, did you see the shops so well stocked?'' I replied in the negative. My father continued, "See, how hoarding has come under check!"
Well, that is how I remember Emergency. It brought all corruption and hoarding under check. And I miss it now. Particularly, when I see the artificial price rise of onions and other items. There is something terribly wrong. I fully agree with the senior FCI official who said on TV the other day that  the price of rice, wheat, etc. has not increased as it is reaching the common man through FCI distribution system. The problem is arising wherever there is a middleman.
The culprit has been  well identified. And culprits have been identified at other places also.There is massive corruption. If 5 ministers are good, we have 15 MPs & MLAs who either have nexus with the underworld or are themselves 'dons'. The startling example is that of  the Bahujan Samaj Party  MLA in the Uttar Pradesh Government, who is facing charges of raping a minor and then framing charges of theft against her.Will Mayawati or the Central Government be able to do anything? I really wonder! Mainly, because our laws have many loop holes.
Unfortunately, Emergency is remembered for all the wrong reasons in India. Yes, excesses were committed and that was bad. But now after learning lessons from the past, can't we sift away the bad points and make use of Emergency in the right manner? For a short time?
At the moment our Democracy is in total shambles.13 robberies take place in the Capital on one single day and the culprits don't get caught. Either they have political connections or they are seasoned robbers who had kept watch on the victims for several days. But, whatever the police is helpless. There seems to be a tremendous shortage of police. And so their day revolves around checking rapes, escorting VIPs and keeping a watchful eye on explosive materials anywhere around. Besides, not all policemen can be given a clean chit.
In such a grim situation, it is really sad that both government and the opposition have closed all options around them. Emergency is bad because of all the excesses that took place! But Democracy with all the excesses like meaningless price rise, massive corruption, law & order breakdown is good, very good!
Oh, come on! Leaders wake up now. It's a warlike situation in the country. Whether ruling or in the opposition please unite and think of a plausible solution fast, very fast.

2010 Commonwealth Games

The ad by Sahara India's Subroto Roy today in the newspapers, seeking peace and harmony in the wake of the Commonwealth Games has come a trifle too late. A lot of damage has been done to the country's image. At first we had Mani Shankar Aiyer speaking maliciously and then the media talking of corruption as well as discussing the qualifications and salaries of the people handling the project.

What was the media doing when the preparation for the Games actually started? Why didn't they question then? Isn't it shameful that when the Commonwealth Games are round the corner, some people in power have got down to spoiling the image of the country! Can we imagine this happening in any other country? If there has been misuse of money or power, let the inquiry be conducted after the event. On my part, I am really not bothered if Kalmadi's team members are post- graduates or mere graduates. For, if they have the required expertise there seems no problem at all. I know of several reverend men and women who are not qualified enough and yet have left a mark in this world.

As an Indian I wish the Indian Government all success in the Commonwealth Games.