Are Our MPs Talking and Acting Responsibly?

We, the ordinary Indians, many times wonder about the psyche of some of our politicians – whom we elect after a lot of thought – hoping that they would carry out their responsibilities with sincerity. However, their senseless bizarre acts and inexplicable utterances leave us clueless. Their deeds and utterances make headlines, they are discussed by expert panels on news channels, political parties thru their spokesperson give their version of interpretation, the concerned interest groups – divided on religious, geographical or cultural differences try to escalate or play down such deeds or utterances – depending on how they perceive them. However, an ordinary Indian, is normally unable to make any head or tail out of it. We, at the best either ignore it or forget them with time.

While, we may accept that sometimes the uttered words were misunderstood and were spoken in some different context with no wrong intentions – but most of the times – it is stated with a purpose. Only they know – why did they say and what good purpose it serves to the society.

May be not so intelligent and being an ordinary Indian, I would not like to dissect and analyse the incidences which were in bad taste and were rightly not taken in good humour by the media and the public. My only purpose to mention or quote a few of the incidences (taken from the internet sources) is to solely express my helplessness and amusement at what they do, what they speak vis-à-vis what their responsibilities are as an elected representative of ordinary Indians!

Some quotes for ready reference -

-    BJP MP from Unnao, Sri Sakshi Maharaj gave the statement, "I believe Nathuram Godse was also a nationalist and Mahatma Gandhiji also did a lot for the nation. Godse was an aggrieved person. He may have done something by mistake but was not an anti- national. He was a patriot."

-    Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti had earlier this month courted a controversy for allegedly making communal remarks and using unparliamentary language ( Raamzaadaa and Haraamzaadaa ) while addressing a rally in Delhi.

-    Addressing a rally in Moradabad, Mulayam Singh Yadav, MP and supremo of Samajwadi Party, “Ladkiyan pehle dosti karti hain. Ladke-ladki mein matbhed ho jata hai. Matbhed hone key baad usey rape ka naam dey deti hain. Ladko sey galti ho jati hai. Kya rape case mein phasi di jayegi? (First girls develop friendship with boys. They when differences occur, they level rape charges. Boys commit mistakes. Will they be hanged for rape).”

-    Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chief Minister of Bihar gave a statement – ‘Upper caste people are foreigners’.

May good sense prevail and such utterances are avoided in future by our elected representatives – in the best interest of the people they are supposed to serve and in the larger interest of the country.

BJP at the Centre has a good opportunity to prove its credentials – has enough voice to make and break rules in the Parliament. However, the irresponsible manner in which some of its politicians are giving statements and involving themselves in controversial issues - may prove to be too costly for the party.

I hope and wish that PM Modi – the man on mission with lot of commitments – is able to rein them.

I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2015. May we channelize all our energy in constructive thinking and productive deeds. Let’s all work together for a better India.

Titbits

End of Regional Politics!

With the recent Vidhan Sabha polls for Haryana and Maharashtra, politically speaking, while Congress has hit the nadir; it has also drawn curtains on the regional parties and dented irreparably the political career of the likes of MNS. It may be the beginning of the end of petty politics era. Voters seem to be looking at a bigger picture now; perhaps, with a strong leadership at the helm of affairs. A welcome sign for India, the emerging economic and political power house globally!

Swachchh Bharat Abhiyaan

What binds us together that we layman boast is the common thread of unity; despite having numerous dialects and languages, cultures and traditions, history and geography, caste and colour, et al. But, we never ever mentioned one unique binding quality of ours is – we least bother about cleanliness and remain immune to it despite the repeated cases of dengue, cholera, malaria killing us in all the nook and corners of our country. Imagine yourself travelling by train and approaching a city – stinking filth spread over acres, people defecating on the rail tracks, rag pickers busy picking the recyclable garbage are a common site and one can’t differentiate one city with the other – this is unique to us.

I wonder why 2^nd October is observed as a National Holiday. I know that it happens to be the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation – but so far all these years, the smiling portraits of Mahatma Gandhi remained locked inside the offices and no one of us bothered to even clean him. It is commendable that the new Government at the Centre took the initiative of Swachchh Bharat Abhiyaan as a tribute to the Mahatma who worked tirelessly for the freedom of the nation and cleanliness around us. For the first time Mahatma Gandhi got his due, his photos were dusted, children were made aware of his teachings, government officials sweated with brooms in their hands.

Not much will change, unless we ourselves understand our duty to keep our surrounding clean and pressurize those offices whose duty it is to dispose off the waste to a designated place for further processing and treatment.

The Industrialists and the Government too need to take note of it. Mere symbolic brooming is not going to work. They need to become more sensitive to environment and in turn sensitize their people to adopt clean disposal methods and avoid polluting the water, land and air with industrial wastes. Government and the Industrialists must fix a time frame within which the environmental friendly waste disposal methods are put into operation.

And, do we not need to be sensitive during festivities? I saw clouds of thick smoke all around when I took a drive at night at around 11.00pm and the roads, colonies were littered with paper remains of the crackers!

To adopt and adapt Swachchh Bharat Abhiyaan we need to really work hard!

I see a humble man in ‘56” ka Seena’ !

While Narendra Modi boasted of his 56” chest, it sounded a bit arrogant to many. Seen as a strongman by his colleagues, opposition and even the media; he has emerged with a stronger image internationally too upon his recent visits to Japan and USA.

Whatever he meant by his 56" Chest remark, I see Narendra Modi as a humble man! Three news coverages have not gone unnoticed. Before leaving for Delhi he bowed to his mother, before his maiden entry to Lok Sabha – he bowed and prayed at the steps of the temple of democracy and on his birthday he visited his mother and took her blessings. She also gave him some money and he accepted it humbly. A strongman in power bowing to a frail aged woman in her nineties, seeking her blessings – is a picture in contrast! I hope this must have been noticed by all the youngsters, and it is infact a message to all of them. We owe our life and success in life, to our parents. Thus, we need to respect them, always. Our tradition and culture has always taught us – ‘Vande Mataram’. Modi is simply practicing it, demonstrating it. Any contradictions!

Indo-Pak Cross Border Firings

So far I have not been able to make head or tail out of the cross border firings. Why it happens in peace! Is it just to kill the boredom at the border? Or, as is reported, it is the tactics applied by Pak for infiltrating the terrorists into India? Or, it is just to keep alive the issue in the name of Kashmiris? Whatever. For years India has been reacting with lot of restrictions by retaliatory firings. It is learnt that now BSF and Military has been given ‘free-hand’ to react. But, is the situation going to improve? I doubt.

The floods in J&K

The floods devastated the entire valley. Going by the media coverage, government did make sincere efforts in rescuing the lives of those who got stuck in the valley. But, it is not over yet. It is an opportune time for the government to make right moves, take sincere efforts and provide the local populace all the assistance that is required to bring back life in them and accelerate the implementation of economic packages for the State. Sincere helping hand from the government at this moment would help in instilling the confidence among the people and would help them in filling the void that they have so far experienced due to one reason or the other.

Achchhe Din Aaaye!

This time the people in India voted decisively for Modi Sarkaar. Even the ardent of the followers of Modi might not have dreamt of it. But, it has happened and the 15^th Prime Minister of India – Mr. Narendra Modi would be shortly completing his first 100 days at the helm of affairs with the promise of Achchhe Din!

It is difficult to judge a government’s performance based on hundred days at Office. But, the sincerity shown by the government in understanding the issues of general interest and remaining rooted to the ground realities despite having absolute majority and no challenge from the Opposition speaks volumes about the commitment shown so far by the government. Speaking personally about Modi, while offering prayers on his maiden entry to the Lok Sabha signaled his high regard for the Constitution; his public acknowledgement on Republic Day about the good works of the past Prime Ministers made it clear that he won’t be belittling any past governments but would focus on his agenda of good governance.

It is well known that he is an excellent administrator, skilled orator, a dreamer with belief in his dreams and one who is passionate about work; it seems that people have taken right decision by opting for him and his governance.

With the mandate he got and subsequent to that his taking over control of everything that could have disturbed him here and there in the next five years, politically he has become one of the strongest Prime Ministers. So far, the signals emanating from the government has helped in further building of confidence among the masses and it is hoped that the policies and plans are put into action and are executed timely for their implementation within schedule.

India with its young population, who voted wholeheartedly for him, have got the right leader at right time. It would be important for the government to engage the youth in creative and productive pursuits by creating ample opportunities for them.

As far as foreign policies are concerned, Modi would be handling them sensibly. But, as far as Pakistan is concerned, it would keep posing challenges in the form of Kashmir and terrorism. It would be interesting to see that how Modi tackles Pakistan and the Kashmir issue. Certainly, it is not going to be that easy for the Modi Sarkaar.

I hope and wish that the Achchhe Din is now not far away for the common citizens. Let us all work with commitment and sincerity, else, one man can’t change the destiny of the nation. Hence, unless we make it happen, Achchhe Din will remain a mirage for the common people.

The Time to Act as a Change Agent

First thing first! My heartfelt condolences for Khushwant Singh – who left us all on 20^th March 2014. He epitomized life in true sense. And what a meaningful life he lived, peaceful death he had and graceful adieu he received! A dream run!

The Financial Year 2013-14 is coming to an end with good gains in stock market. In general, the mood is upbeat, may be with expectations in the air – before the largest democracy of the world gets engaged in electioneering.

The atmosphere is getting charged up as the lists of candidates are getting finalized by various political parties, the old horses are switching sides, new forces are getting ready for making big stride and new equations and alliances are being worked out by the political parties to enhance their electioneering might. All sorts of comments, accusations by the political parties against their rivals appears to be high on agenda for each of the parties. While one party accuses the other of communalism, the other accuses of wide corruption and mudslinging goes on. Such accusations would become more and more acidic and cacophonous – till the campaigning comes to a hault and votes are cast.

Going by the mood and reports pouring in day in and out on electronic media, BJP appears to leading with its NDA allies, Congress appears to be weak and trailing with its UPA allies and Aam Aaadmi Party (AAP) appears to be making dent here and there and might win a few seats including Delhi. But, it is too early to jump on conclusions.

This election is going to be different than earlier elections, to some extent. There is no denying the fact that entry of Kejariwal and his party AAP has made a lot difference. They have hammered well and deeply into the psyche of all political parties, their leaders, the businessmen, the youth and the common man that Corruption is the biggest threat and the prime reason why our countrymen are still struggling to get the minimum basic needs for themselves, for their family and for their society. Secondly, AAP has made tremendous contribution in involving the youth and the common masses in politics and making them aware about the importance of electing and empowering the leaders with clean image. Thirdly, the political leadership is wary of the common people now and they can’t fool them and take them for granted anymore – atleast for now. During this election, the political parties are not taking risk in fielding the known corrupt leaders. It certainly may be termed as AAP Effect and a welcome development!

The AAP Effect would have been more pronounced had the Kejariwal government in Delhi had been more sensible during its short stint. It appeared to be in too much hurry and at times illogical. In my view they should have made an effort in giving good governance in the heart of the country – with available resources and powers – and while doing that they could have simultaneously strengthened their position in the Assembly by logical discussions, obtaining consensus on vital issues and then forwarding them to the Centre. This could have placed them in an invincible position by showcasing their maturity and understanding of issues. Alas, it couldn’t happen and the people of Delhi had to sit on Dharna with AAP as an opposition and with AAP as the government! Kejariwal and AAP might have worked out the strategy of forming and exiting the government, but to some extent people did feel cheated. Had he continued with conviction and sensible governance, AAP in particular and the country in general would have been benefitted much more. And, in this General Election, it could have been really a force to reckon with.

I admire Kejariwal and AAP for standing strong against the corrupt, I admire his guts in challenging the Who’s Who of this country. However, he should be careful in making such accusations and he should give such statements only when he has enough evidences and resources at his hand, else, he would see himself buried deep in piles of lawsuits filed against him. He should focus and preserve his energy for doing good things rather than enervate himself in unproductive affairs.

The countdown for the biggest dance of democracy has begun. Let’s hope it culminates in providing a stable, corruption free, growth oriented government that would genuinely work for the poor and uplifting their living conditions with all sincerity.

Let’s individually decide about the best option available. Let’s vote for the best candidate and if no one fits our conscience, let’s vote for ‘None Of The Above’ i.e. the NOTA option on the EVMs and the Ballot Papers! Let’s we – the ordinary Indians - be the change agent.