Who wants to commit suicide on a sunny day?

Whenever a new scam surfaces, it reminds me of ‘Namak ka Daroga’ , the story on earning black money, penned by Munshi Premchand. In the story, the father preaches his son Munshi Vanshidhar that ‘Vetan Purnavaasi ke chaand ki tarah hai, jo dhire-dhire ghaT-te hue lupta ho jaata hai. Upari aaya bahta hua shrot hai, jisase sadaiv pyaas bujhaati hai. Vetan manushya deta hai, isise usme vriddhi nahi hoti.Upari aamdani-ishwar deta hai, isise uski barkat hoti hai’.

It seems, our political masters along with their top brigade in various government departments and offices have taken the above preaching in letter and spirit. They are therefore leaving no stone unturned to make the most from the opportunities that they steal. And, they are in a race to outdo each other. Plethora of scams coming to light one after the other, from different corners of the country, has left the general public dumbfounded. From the figures that are coming out on Black Money, from sources none other than the Swiss Bank itself, India has more black money than rest of the world combined! India tops the list with 1500 billion dollars in black money!! Also, Government has the list of those contributing to the treasury of Swiss bank, but won’t disclose it!!! And to top it all, they also have valid reasons for not making it public!!!! Phew!!!!!

More than anything else, what is difficult to understand is that – what purpose all this huge sum of money serves to them, lying for years and years together in some corner of a Swiss bank? It doesn’t do any good to the money launderers, but certainly has put a lot of strain on the already weakened and fragile backbone of the common man. Let good sense prevail on the government to bring back the money, disclose the names and mete-out harshest punishment to all those involved in it- without any trial or enquiries; come whatever! But, Alas! It seems many in the government too have vested interests and they are having a field day in sharing the loot. Who wants to commit suicide on a sunny day?

However, it is heartening to learn from news reports that in Agra hundreds of ordinary people from all walks of life turned up and joined the march against corruption on Sunday, January 30,2011 . The march was a part of the nationwide campaign against corruption, organised by various social organisations on the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination - which is observed as Martyr's Day. Gandhi stood for transparency in action. Let's hope the protests by ordinary people take the form of a revolution. 

Madhukar Mohan

 

Milay Sur Mera Tumhara...

Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi departed for his eternal abode, but I wish the integrity song sung by him and the other ratnas of India in all the major languages of the country- 'Milay Sur Mera Tumhara, toh Sur Bane Hamara' keeps binding hearts together. On the occasion of Republic Day, he deserves a big salute from all of us for his great service to the nation and the world of music, for earning name and fame for India, and giving classical music its due place.

DD started relaying this song in 1985, and today it has become more relevant. From different corners of our country, we keep hearing demands for a separate state, for a separate nation. More than anything, it is the political mileage that a particular political party or an individual leader is interested in such demands. Certainly, such demands are not in the interest of general public. It only creates divide and discord among the ordinary people, results in loss of precious lives and public property. This only weakens the nation and doesn't champion our cause.

We are a great nation, a young nation with lot of potential and growing in all the fields that promises a great future for us. Lasting Peace and Prosperity - these should be the aim of our leaders – the ambitious young and veterans alike. The process has started with Bihar - where Nitish Kumar got his second term only because of the general public, specially the women, who came out in large numbers to vote for him - for having brought peace to the state and showing a promise of prosperity during his last reign. I hear that this time caste feeling didn't work. I see light at the end of the tunnel!

Milay Sur Mera Tumhara, Toh Sur Bane Hamara!  How True!!

Jai Hind!

Madhukar Mohan

Food For Thought

In the light of the rising food prices, last year - on 13^th  Jan2010, the Government had announced several measures aimed at ensuring availability of essential commodities in the open market. More than a year has passed since then, without palpable drop in prices of food items. On the contrary, India’s food price Index rose to a high of 16.91% .  

Hike in price of petroleum products (especially Petrol) has become a regular feature now and in the last one year alone, the rise in petrol prices has been about 22% - all in the name of removing subsidy from it! While petrol is seen as ‘rich man’s fuel’ by the government, I am yet to see a two-wheeler that runs on kerosene or diesel! Certainly, rising petrol prices has further added to the crushing burden on the household budget.

In contrast to above stats on food price Index and regular hike in petrol prices- in the name of subsidy, the parliamentarians food in the Parliament canteen are highly subsidized and are immune to any kind of inflation!

The menu card of the canteen in our Parliament reads something like this-

Tea: Re 1 a cup
Soup: Rs 5.50
Rice kheer: Rs 5
Mutton biryani: Rs 27
Fish curry: Rs 13
Vegetarian meal: Rs 12.30
Non-vegetarian meal: Rs 22

Amazed! But, it is true.

Subsidy needs to be removed here first.

Madhukar Mohan

My First Blog - On A Positive Note

On posting my debut blog – I am thrilled to go online – with a lot of hope for India – banking on the strength of the ordinary Indians. To begin something new, one looks for an auspicious time. But, I was looking for a story with positivity – a story that can showcase the power of An Ordinary Indian!

Recently, I came across an article on Prakash Kaur. Who is she?

She is a very ordinary Indian, from the land of Punjab. At 60, Prakash Kaur is mother of 60 girls with ages ranging from a toddler of few months to college going students!

Yeah! That is right. Prakash Kaur in her Unique Home in Jalandhar lives with her 60 girls- the abandoned girls – who were once either left on the streets or dumped on the garbage heap by none other than their own biological parents. Her UNIQUE HOME is run by a trust named after Bhai Ghanayya Ji, a disciple of Sri Guru Gobind Singh.

Prakash Kaur – herself was abandoned by her parents due to her gender and she knows the pain of living a life without parental care. Hence, in 1993 she came to the rescue of young lives and took up the noble cause of taking care of the abandoned girls and giving them a respectable life. Now, her home is lit with beautiful smiles of these young girls, which further energizes her to pursue her commitment of giving a new meaning to the lives of those otherwise hapless young girls.

At a time when our politicians, bureaucrats, judiciary and everyone in the seat of power are busy amassing wealth and back stabbing their own people, Prakash Kaur- as an ordinary Indian is a leaving example of how an ordinary Indian can positively impact the emergence of India as a country with values.

I bow to her for all her compassion, commitment and strength.

Madhukar Mohan