nothing2mind

2020-04-26T13:42:00.001+05:30

Marriage during lockdown: Groom and bride in fix how to travel together

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Gwalior district administration in Madhya Pradesh issued an order on Saturday for marriages under all the religions whereby no more than four persons each from groom and bride’s side including a priest or a qazi or anyone else conducting the marriage will be allowed to attend the marriage, as per the order.

Also, only two vehicles will be allowed to be used either by the groom or the bride side if either of them has to leave the district for another destination for the marriage to be solemnised.

The order issued by the collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh states, “Those organising a marriage can do so at their residence in presence of only four persons each from the groom and the bride side including a pandit/qazi etc. No public place will be allowed to be used for the marriage.”

The order further said, “Only two persons including a driver will be allowed in one vehicle if bride or groom side has to leave the district for another destination for the marriage with the permission to be granted for just two vehicles. The permission for the two vehicles will have to be sought from the sub-divisional magistrate concerned.”

A violation of the order will be punishable under section 188 of CrPC and other relevant Acts. Social distancing norms too will have to be complied with, said the order.

A district administration official who didn’t want to be named said, “The practical problem associated with the order is if a groom or a bride has to leave Gwalior for another destination for the marriage to be solemnised he or she will have to do a lot of arithmetic to decide who else will accompany him/her. If the bride or groom’s family is not using its own cars and hires cars with drivers then only one person in addition to bride/groom can travel with either of them. Also, after the marriage bride and groom will travel back in two different cars with drivers and the other person from the family accompanying bride/groom will be left with no vehicle at all for his return.”

Commissioner, Gwalior division MB Ojha said, “The order has been issued as per the instructions from the Central government.”

2020-04-26T13:37:00.000+05:30

I am not dead but alive, says Covid patient in video, health dept admits lapse

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Health department in Madhya Pradesh admitted its lapse in declaring a young Covid-19 patient dead in Ujjain, 190 kilometres west of Bhopal, and issued a show cause notice on Saturday to the doctor concerned who committed the grave error, as per statement of a health department official in Ujjain.

The department swung into action and issued the show cause notice to the doctor moments after a video clip posted by the 30-year-old patient admitted to a private medical college in Ujjain went viral on social media.

The patient is heard saying in the video clip, "I was admitted to RD Gardi Hospital two days back. I read in a newspaper on Saturday that I have been declared dead whereas I am alive and healthy. Nothing has happened to me. Please share this video with others and improve the arrangements here.”

Chief medical and health officer (CMHO), Ujjain Dr Anusuiya Gawali Sinha said, “The name of the patient was entered in the record as dead in place of a 60-year-old Covid-19 patient from Ujjain who died on Thursday. The doctor who happens to be the nodal officer has admitted his lapse saying that it happened due to confusion over names and addresses. I have issued a show cause notice to him and sought his explanation as to why action be not taken against him and his institution by the health department. Also, I have warned him that such an error should not be repeated in future.”

On Saturday, Madhya Pradesh saw increase of as many as 99 new Covid-19 patients taking the tally of the Covid-19 patients in the state to 1945. Out of these patients, 1085 were registered in Indore alone followed by 388 in Bhopal and 103 in Ujjain.

There has been death of as many as 99 of the 1945 patients with 57 reported dead in Indore, 15 in Ujjain and 9 in Bhopal.

According to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis, an institute set up by the state government in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh was the fifth among the states in the total number of persons affected as per the data available on Friday evening. The 159 new reported cases on Friday were from six districts. The test positivity rate increased from 5.10% to 5.26% whereas recovery rate had fallen from 12.035 to 11.38%. The case fatality rate increased slightly from 4.92% to 4.98%.

(With input from Anand Nigam, journalist in Ujjain)

2018-02-12T13:40:00.001+05:30

A story on don Atiq Ahmad which I did in Allahabad last year in February during Uttar Pradesh elections but couldn't appear in print

Akhilesh poster boy but not Shivpal

Allahabad: A board fixed on railing of the roof reads ‘Public relations office, Ateeq Ahmad, ex-MP, Samajvadi Party, 6, Karbala, GT Road, Allahabad’.

This has pictures of Mafiosi-turned-politician Ateeq (54) and his brother Khalid Azim Ashraf (38), an ex-MLA on one side and that of father-son duo Samajvadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on the other.

Slogans on the top read ‘Samajvadi Party zindabad, Mulayam Singh Yadav zindabad and Akhilesh Yadav zindabad’.

It may sound ironical to the followers of ex-state SP chief Shivpal Yadav that the board doesn’t have any image of or ‘zindabad’ for him whereas it was his love for Ateeq and another Mafiosi-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari that cost him his position in nephew Akhilesh Yadav’s cabinet, led to a high drama in the state capital for several months, brought more than two decades old Samajvadi Party to the brink of split and relegated Mulayam-Shivpal to the stature of persona non-grata in the party.

Sitting in the office surrounded by local residents and also armed security personnel ex-MLA Ashraf, a co-accused in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case, glances through a sheet of papers which has in it names of constituencies where don and his team ‘are helping the party and its candidates’ to boost their prospects as was claimed by Ashraf.

Though Ateeq was dumped as the party candidate by the party’s national president Akhilesh Yadav, the government’s soft corner for him was well discernible.

He was sent to Naini jail about a week back in connection with an attack on Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture Technology and Science (SHIATS), Naini’s staff. But the arrest came almost a month after an FIR was lodged and that too only after high court rapped the police.

Ateeq’s absence in Muslims dominated Allahabad west constituency, his bastion, due to his being in jail ahead of polling couldn’t have come at a better time for a slain MLA’s wife and sitting BSP MLA Puja Pal (37). However, she still feels threatened.

“Ateeq is in jail because of me. He cannot sit idle. I face threat to my life but the problem is election cannot be fought from home”, said two-time MLA Puja talking to the Hindustan Times while she got onto an open jeep to lead a procession of more than 500 bike riding youths from Khuldabad.

BJP has fielded late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri’s grandson Sidharth Nath Singh (53) while SP Richa Singh (29).

Ashraf rubbished the threat perception and dubbed the FIRs filed against Ateeq and him as ‘certificates’ rewarded to them for raising their voice for the minority community and the OBC’.

“Had he been content with merely being an MLA and MP there would have been hardly any FIR against him. He wants to become a leader but whenever we raise our voice for downtrodden section of society we start facing troubles”, said Ashraf who along with Ateeq had absconded for 5 years after BSP chief Mayawati came to power in 2007.

Ateeq has been an accused in June 1995 state guest house episode too in which Mayawati was allegedly attacked by the then SP MLAs including Ateeq to save the then Mulayam Singh Yadav government which was reduced to minority after BSP withdrawing its support to the government.

In reply to a question Ashraf claimed Ateeq was not dropped as a candidate but he himself chose to withdraw from the contest.

“We also decided none of the family members would contest from Allahabad west or from anywhere this year as whenever we contest elections all the forces against us get together to implicate us in false charges”, he added.

Shivpal Yadav made Ateeq the party’s candidate on Kanpur Cantt seat in December last year despite apparently vehement opposition by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. The latter dropped him as the candidate the moment he took the party’s reins in his hands.

As per the affidavit Ateeq had filed at the time of filing his nomination papers for 2014 Lok Sabha elections he faces serious charges under various sections of IPC in at least 18 cases which include certain cases of murder.

2017-03-15T11:02:00.000+05:30

'MINISTER DIGGING INTO COMPLAINANT'S PAST'

Campaigning for his election with police security cover ahead of polling in Amethi assembly constituency on February 27 Uttar Pradesh’s controversial minister Gayatri Prajapati (49) who was arrested today from Lucknow was digging into the past of the woman simultaneously who had accused him and his aides of gang raping her repeatedly for over 2 years.

The minister also faces charges under Protection of children from sexual offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 for allegedly molesting the woman’s minor daughter presently hospitalised at AIIMS, Delhi.

The minister was on the run after issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him a couple of days back. His phone was constantly switched off. His passport had been impounded and a look-out notice issued as the minister was allegedly attempting to flee the country. Governor Uttar Pradesh Ram Naik had reportedly written to chief minister Akhilesh Singh asking why Prajapati was continuing in his cabinet.

The passport was impounded and look-out notice issued hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a scathing attack on SP-Cong alliance said the alliance was chanting Gayatri Prajapati Mantra instead of Gayatri Mantra.

Barely 5 days ahead of the polling the minister, in his conversation with me in Amethi, told me as to how he had procured some documents and was in the process of getting more which would help him get relief from the court. On his possible arrest he said he had filed an application in the SC to present his side. “Police are investigating the matter to see if the charges stand prima facie.”

Blaming the BJP for a conspiracy against him due to his work as, he said, he was working to consolidate at least 17 weaker sections castes for Samajvadi Party the minister had dubbed SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav Lord Shiva, Akhilesh Yadav as Lord Ganesha and himself as ‘Nandi’ (mount of Lord Shiva).

However, police sources said since the complainant woman had already accused the police of not acting on her complaints against the minister and rather intimidating her and her daughter in a bid to silence them the documents with the minister would hardly help him get any reprieve.

BJP leader Anugrah Narayan Mishra said everybody in Amethi knew the consequences of raising his voice against the minister. As far as his disappearance was concerned it’s not possible that the ruling party leaders were not aware of his whereabouts.

Much to disappointment of the minister he not only lost the assembly elections but Samajvadi Party also faced a humiliating defeat. The BJP leaders' election promise was to arrest Prajapati immediately after coming to power. However, before the BJP could form the government formally the police authorities acted swiftly for obvious reasons. There was no confusion in their mind on arrest of the minister, though the SP government is technically still in power till the BJP govt is formed. Arrest of the minister's aides and his son mounted pressure on him to come out of his hiding and he was ultimately arrested today.

2015-04-20T02:10:00.001+05:30

समय तेजी से निकलता है। २००८ से २०१५ हो गए और मध्य प्रदेश गवर्नमेंट ने इतने सालों के बाद अंततः मीडिया अवार्ड्स का ऐलान कर ही दिया। न सिर्फ ऐलान बल्कि अवार्ड्स के दो समारोह भी आयोजित कर दिए तथा सम्मानित पत्रकार बंधुओं को सम्मानित भी कर दिया. पर जहाँ बुद्धिजीवी हों वहां मतभेद न हो हो ही नहीं सकता। अतः अवार्ड्स पर विवाद अवश्यम्भावी था। मेरे एक मित्र ने मुझे फ़ोन किया और विवाद पर मेरा विचार जानना चाहा। मैंने कहा कि सबसे पहले हमे अवार्ड मिलने वाले मित्रों को बधाई देना चाहिए. जूरी के फैसले का सम्मान करना चाहिए. सम्मान देना तथा सम्मान प्राप्त करना दो पक्षों के बीच की बात है. एक पक्ष ने सम्मान देने के लिए कुछ पैरामीटर्स बनाये हैं तथा सम्मान प्राप्त करने वाला उस पैरामीटर्स पर खरा उतरता है. अतः इसमें विवाद कहाँ है? दूसरी बात ये है की अगर हम ये विचार करें की एक पत्रकार को जानने वाले मध्य प्रदेश में और उससे बाहर ५००० लोग हैं। तो सम्मान प्राप्त करने के बाद हो सकता है की उसको जानने वालों की संख्या कुछ बढ़ जाए या हो सकता है दुगुनी हो जाए। पर जिसे सम्मान नहीं मिलता है उसको जानने वालों की संख्या ५००० तो रहेगी। वह ४९९९ तो नहीं होगी. मैं ये भी मानता हूँ कि अगर एक पत्रकार की पहचान सिर्फ किसी एक अवार्ड से है तो फिर उसने अपने आपको पत्रकार कहलाने का हक़ खो दिया. फिर हमारा अवार्ड हमारा अपना काम है. अगर हम अपनी लेखनी से कुछ लोगों का भला करते हैं, कुछ की परेशानिया दूर करते हैं तो ये सबसे बड़ा अवार्ड है.

खैर इन पुरस्कारों का निहितार्थ चाहे जो कुछ भी हो और विवाद चाहे कुछ भी हो एक अच्छी बात ये हुई है की कम से कम सरकार ने एक नयी व्यवस्था तो शुरू की जिससे पत्रकार बिरादरी का सम्मान तो बढ़ा है. मेरे नज़र में ऐसे कई पत्रकार हैं जो सम्मान के हक़दार थे पर मुझे लगता है की उनका कद इतना ऊँचा है की वे सम्मान के दरकार नहीं हैं. ऐसे बहुत से नाम हैं जिनको मैंने पत्रकारिता के शीर्ष पर देखा है जब मैं भोपाल आया और उनमे से कई आज भी एक्टिव जर्नलिज्म में हैं. अगर वो सम्मानित लोगों के सूची में होते तो और भी अच्छा होता। कुछ गड़बड़ियां भी हुईं जैसे कि मैं अपने मित्र सतीश एलिया जी और प्रभु पटेरिया जी को आंचलिक पत्रकार की सीमा में नहीं बांध सकता। राजेश सिरोठिया जी को प्रादेशिक पत्रकार की सीमा में नहीं बाँध सकता।

पर अगर हम एक समुदाय की भावना से देखें तो अपनी बिरादरी के कुछ लोगों के सम्मान से पुरे पत्रकार बिरादरी का सम्मान हुआ है. जैसा की समन्वय भवन में मुख्य मंत्री शिवराज सिंह चौहान ने कहा उन्होंने भी खोजी पत्रकारिता की तो पता चला की विवाद टालने के लिए इतने सालों से अवार्ड नहीं दिए जा रहे थे। अतः इतने बड़े आयोजन में सब कुछ शत प्रतिशत सही होगा ऐसा संभव नहीं है. अंततः एक नयी शुरुआत और सभी मित्रो को बधाई। sunday को सम्मानित लोगों में मेरे मित्र मनीष dixit जो की हमारे साथ कई वर्ष hindustan टाइम्स में काम कर चुके हैँ तथा नितेन्द्र शर्मा भी थे अतः मेरे लिए ये आयोजन और भी ख़ुशी देने वाला था।

पर कहानी में एक ट्विस्ट भी है। वरिष्ठ पत्रकार रजत शर्मा के एक कमेंट ने राष्टीय पुरुस्कारों के समारोह में मुख्यमंत्री के मन में एक खटास पैदा कर दी। अपने भाषण के दौरान मुख्यमंत्री की तरफ मुड़ते हुए रजत शर्मा ने कहा की जल्द ही उनके कार्यक्रम आपकी अदालत में दिग्विजय सिंह को बुलायेंगे. उनकी बॉडी लैंग्वेज से पता चल गया कि एक शानदार एंकर ने एक भारी चूक कर दी है. मुख्यमंत्री का चेहरा जो की नामी पत्रकार शेखर गुप्ता के प्रशंसा से दमक रहा था अचानक स्विच ऑफ हो गया और वे असहज दिखने लगे। आमंत्रित पत्रकारों और अन्य मेहमानो के बीच चर्चा शुरू हो गयी की रजत शर्मा ने वाकई दिग्विजय सिंह का नाम लिया या उन्होंने शिवराज सिंह चौहान के नाम की जगह गलती से दिग्विजय सिंह का नाम ले लिया? मैं स्वयं दुविधा में था पर मेरे मित्र राकेश अग्निहोत्री और प्रभु पटेरिया दोनों आश्वस्त थे की रजत शर्मा ने गलती कर दी है. और अंततः वही हुआ। अपना स्पीच खत्म करने के बाद रजत शर्मा डायस पर मुख्यमंत्री की बगल में अपनी जगह पर वापस बैठे और उन्होंने चौहान से कुछ कहा. मुख्यमंत्री ने अपना सर हिलाया। फिर रजत शर्मा वापस माइक पर आये और उन्होंने सॉरी बोलते हुए ये कहा की उन्होंने एक गलत नाम ले लिया. उन्होंने ये भी कहा कि मंच पर उन्हें ऐसी गलती नहीं करनी चाहिए थी। पर डैमेज तो हो चूका था। अंत में जब मुख्यमंत्री का भाषण हुआ तो उसमें लय गायब था और पूरे समारोह में मुख्यमंत्री के वर्तमान में विरोधी नंबर १ दिग्विजय सिंह का नाम वातावरण में आ चुका था।

अंत में मैं अपने वरिष्ठ और आदरणीय पत्रकार बंधुओं से एक अपील करना चाहूंगा कि वे मानव को मानव रहने दें। चाहें तो उन्हें सुपर मानव बना दें पर उन्हें 'शिव' और भगवान ना बनायें। और उनके सर के बालों को बाल ही रहने दें, जटा ना बनायें नहीं तो उन्हें बालों में कंघी करने में परेशानी होगी। आखिर मुख्यमंत्री का मत भी तो यही है कि 'महाराज की जय' करने वाले 'राजा' का नुकसान ही करते हैं जबकि निंदक को पास रखने पर फायदा ही होता है। 'पुरस्कार' का नाम 'सम्मान' में बदलना तभी सार्थक होगा, नहीं तो वो वाकई में पंजीरी माना जाएगा.

इतने अंतराल के बाद ब्लॉंग पर लिखने के लिए मेरे मित्र प्रभु जी को शुक्रिया जिनका ब्लॉग पढ़कर मैं फिर लिखने को प्रेरित हुआ। पहली बार हिंदी में ब्लॉग पर लिखने पर गलतियों के लिए क्षमा प्रार्थी हूँ।

Call middlemen for railway tickets

2014-06-15T10:56:00.003+05:30

Governments come and go. Every railway minister takes pledge to break the nexus of middlemen (called Dalals in Hindi) and who?? (Of course, our railway employees. Though majority of them are not a part of this nexus: Either they don't believe in malpractice or they don't have opportunity to get engaged in ticket booking process).
Governments go but middlemen remain. Needless to mention untold sufferings to those passengers who try to get tickets from the window or online. Every railway minister for about a decade now also makes lofty claims to strengthen the system of online booking and give excuses for lethargic pace of IRCTC website while attributing it to lakhs of ticket seekers trying to book tickets at the same time. But problem remains.
Questions remain unanswered
If there is so much crowd of ticket seekers how middlemen get tickets with so ease as if they were purchasing potatoes in the market;
why the IRCTC website opens for a common man only after all the tickets were booked;
how it's possible that 600-700 tickets on any route can be booked in just 4-5 minutes;
what is use of setting up windows for Tatkal tickets when only a few can get tickets, that too after spending hours in advance;
how middlemen who roam about at reservation counters almost daily cannot be recognised by railway personnel and force;
Questions would remain unanswered and we are waiting for the new railway minister's announcement that he would rid the system of middlemen and give a foolproof railway ticket reservation system to a passengers.

Gorakhpur

2014-06-15T00:55:00.000+05:30

Crowded streets and lanes...all types of conveyances visible on the roads...overcrowded auto-rickshaws...complete absence of public transport system...roadside pavements encroached upon by businessmen and vendors...sweltering heat...stuffy weather in May...June...Nothing has changed in our Gorakhpur...

--The change visible is multi-storeyed buildings which are now coming up at various points to suggest Gorakhpur is changing and its population explosion is well manifested in apartments....

--Yet the city is lovely...those who belong to this soil can whiff the aroma of the land on landing here..

'Entire political culture converted into Congress culture'

2013-01-07T23:52:00.000+05:30

In Nadi ka Ghar, hardly one kilometer away from the state BJP office- where he stayed for several years as a war room strategist of the party- the BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Anil Madhav Dave appears quite aloof from the state BJP affairs. Recovering after a by-pass surgery Dave has another task ready at his hand, though not political, how to successfully organise the proposed international convention on Narmada River at Hoshangabad in February. Is he at the crossroads of his political career? Here are excerpts of interview with him:

There is a perception in the BJP that your political graph is coming down and social graph moving up. What do you say?
Political graph is never stable. It’s always in up and down position. By nature I am a socio political person. I do politics because I want to see that the country’s system should improve. Otherwise, I don’t see any major change in the system. If you really want any change in the system it’s possible with social movement only, not the political movement. My efforts are to blend the two systems for the social cause. I mix politics with social activism to bring about eventually upliftment of society, complete upliftment of country.

But in the process don’t you think you are losing your political ground?
It hardly matters whether I am gaining or losing. Tell me who was the finance minister of home minister 20 yrs back in the state or the country. Nobody would be able to tell. It means society doesn’t remember the name of a politician but, yes, if someone has done something for the society, the society keeps the name in its mind for a century or decades.

So you think you are going on the right path?
Everyone feels he is on the right path. But the time will tell the truth who is right and wrong.

Where do you politically stand today in your observation?
Politically whatever maximum I can do I do that. People see failure and success in politics with post. But this is another false notion. No one remembers the name of Congress president who was at the time of Gandhi, Tilak or Lohia. But society remembers the name of many many Anna Hazare. So politically, success or failure doesn’t depend on the posts but the contribution you do to the society.

How far have you travelled if you want to be an Anna Hazare?
(Laughs)..I don’t want to be Anna Hazare. Just I want to say success or failure doesn’t indicate the post. I am satisfied with my role.

Is it disillusionment with present day politics?
In politics somehow culture of politics has been converted into Congress culture. That’s why everybody feels that congress way of doing politics is the right way of doing politics. But I think Jansangh way of doing politics is the right way of doing politics. So, when you know the truth but don’t have an opportunity, for God’s sake don’t leave the truth, hold it. Time will change and time keeps on changing. So, creating a change in the Indian political culture that is the big role. I am confident that we would be able to change it.

If’s it is so then don’t you think Jansangh should have been alive today?
There are many politicians who do politics according to Jansangh way of politics. But it will be only known in the country when it is successfully executed from the Red Fort. Look at this- in 2003 (assembly elections in MP) we had a slogan- ‘Vikas ke liye vijay ka sankalp’. That was the theme of the elections in Madhya Pradesh. And look at it today. Development is an issue in every election whether it’s MP or Gujarat or any other state. We set the agenda of development in 2003 and now development is the agenda of the entire country. At a public meeting at Lal Parade ground when Advaniji came and Uma Bharti was declared leader of the campaign the theme was printed in the background of the stage. Advani ji had said he wished tomorrow in the country the government is measured with development yardstick, not gimmicks. And this is what has happened.

But I remember the catchy slogan ‘Mr Banthadhar’. I think this slogan helped the BJP strike chord with people. What do you say?
Entire food is not one vegetable or one thing. You need spice also. That makes it tasty. But no spice is food.

You seem to be keeping away from the party for about three years or so. Any reason?
When I was active in Madhya Pradesh I had never been to Delhi or any leader’s House. Now I have been given a job in Delhi. Being a karyakarta I am supposed to do an assigned work only. Doing ‘dhakka mukki’ to go on dais, crying to speak at mike is a Congress culture. If a job is not assigned to you, you should not do it.

But don’t you think whether it is BJP or the Congress or any other party the culture is same everywhere?
One thing is sure entire culture of this country has been converted into congress way of political culture. We need to change it. Congress culture means more and more people on dais. Everyone wanting positions without hard work and wanting to be on top of the organisation. These are the symptoms of Congress. Unfortunately, this is prevalent everywhere from the DMK to Trinamool, Janta dal to SP and BSP. It has been proved that Congress way of doing politics has failed. Citizens of the country have paid a lot for it

What about the ‘Party with difference’?
I am talking of the entire political spectrum in the country.

So you are not a part of political mainstream here in Madhya Pradesh?
I am always in the mainstream. Yes, not visible because I am in Delhi. The moment I am back they would say you are in the mainstream. Anyways, I have had long long discussions with all office-bearers of this state regarding planning, programme and everything which is a part of running the organisation here.

And result is the change of guard (on December 16)?
(Laughs)..... It’s natural course of politics. Change is always there.

If in your view the Congress culture prevails everywhere then don’t you think the Congress has succeeded? It has not failed.
Congress is more than 100 years old party. Given the worst condition in Gujarat it had 40% share (in votes). There was no leader with the party. There was no brand ambassador like Modi. But still Congress has got its share. But still Congress way of doing politics means a politics which is self-centred, career-oriented and gimmicks based.

You talk of the change. Is there any beginning?
Look in Madhya Pradesh. There is a change. Just compare 10 years of Digvijay Singh’s rule with Shivraj Singh Chouhan government here. During the Congress regime the entire state was ruined. There was no road and power. The law and order situation was bad.

What do you say of government figures like the national crime record bureau figures which put Madhya Pradesh on the top of the states as far as atrocities against women and children are concerned?
This is because police stations have started registering incidents. Just before yesterday a woman committed suicide in another state because her complaint was not registered.

What do you say of illegal mining in Madhya Pradesh?
Illegal mining has become a part of the entire system. We need to change it. We want that there should be no illegal mining in any river or any part of country or state.

Does Anil Madhav Dave raise his voice against the illegal mining before the government?
I keep on putting questions on floor of the Parliament. I bring the subject before the state government and media. Probably I am the politician who says this is the nexus of politicians, bureaucrats and goondas which is responsible for illegal mining. More, hard hitting measures are required to check this.

To what exent you have been able to check illegal mining by raising your voice?
In Narmda area we are able to create awareness. Now, they do it in night only. I brought the situation to the notice of media, government and bureaucracy. But it’s a long way to go. ‘Par itna aasaan nahi, bahut lamba rasta hai (But it’s not an easy task, there is a long way to go)’.

When you come across the allegations about those close to chief minister being involved in illegal mining what is your reaction?
Levelling charges is one thing but proving through judiciary is something else. Passing remarks are not the verdict.

You have been very close to Uma Bharti. Should she not come back to state politics here?
I think no one goes or no one comes. Everyone is always there. Sometimes something is visible more. Sometimes something is visible less. Otherwise, all the party workers who were born and brought up in the state or district there are always there.

You have been very close to Uma. She is not invited to attend any party programme in Madhya Pradesh. She was not invited to attend even the programme which was organised to anoint Narendra Singh Tomar as the state BJP president. Any comments?
Whosoever has taken decision-inviting or not inviting- it’s their own decision. Till I discuss with them I cannot comment. But yes, if there was such a decision they must have given some thought over it.

For the past few years whenever there is a vacancy for the top post in the state BJP your name is not discussed. Any comments?
I don’t think the job of selection is based on discussions on the streets. It is always the job of the party’s central team. When Shivraj ji came as the party president I think he was absolutely busy in Delhi. When Gadkariji became party president hardly anybody can say that he had assessment that he would be national party president. But this is the way of happenings in the world.

So, you are Busy in Delhi now?
Yes, I am extremely busy. A parliamentarian has a lot to contribute to democracy if he or she takes up his job seriously. In the Indian parliamentarian system too much is there to read, a lot to think about and always an ample amount of work to do. If someone doesn’t do that it doesn’t indicate that role of parliamentarian is not there. Congress way of doing politics is culture now. After lunch in Parliament percentage of attendance is very very low. If you look at the questions raised by politicians, issues raised at forums or level of discussions. I see deterioration.
But our forefathers created the system with genuine and pure heart. That’s there. Look at the Upper House of country. Day by day business tycoons are coming into parliament. If this will keep on happening after 20 years or so I should say there may come a day when the entire flaour of the house may smell like Wall Street. So, we will try that the day should not come. All social workers, politicians working at the grassroots they should come and discuss the policies of the country, not the industrialists or multinationals representatives.

Is BJP not sending industrialists to Rajya Sabha?
I am not talking of the Congress or BJP. I am talking of the entire political spectrum. Otherwise, the subject would dilute.

What kind of change do you want in the system?
On August 15, 1947 we got political freedom. But India is yet to achieve freedom from the colonial system which covers our administrative, political, education and taxation structure. We should have a new system and indigenous system which is far ahead of the British system. We are still slave, slave of the colonial/British system. But in the next 10 or 20 years there would be change. There are several socio-political persons including myself who are thinking, planning and working on the new system.

Are you talking of Anna Hhazare’s kind of movement?
A movement cannot create freedom. Movement can create environment. If you want to create a system then creation of a system is like carving a stone to create a statue. In any movement/agitation you cannot create a statue. It needs peace, silence and concentration. Work is going on at certain level. When time will come we will deliver.

Are they politicians involved in the process?
There are politicians, socio politico persons like me, members of various orgnisations. Everyone is thinking we should change the system. Every party has some good names. But yes, majority is from this family.

There are a number of politicians who see the Prime Minister potential in Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. What’s your view?
I think we should think on this question only after last election (results) of the parliament is declared. Then there is a right figure on the ground. But of course Narendra Modi proved his mettle. After all odds he is able to score the game. Now, he doesn’t need any certificate. However, again as far as the PM issue is concerned it depends of the figures of the parliament in the elections (in 2014).

Coming back to the state subject would you like to say something on former state BJP chief Prabhat Jha’s Pokhran statement?
Who has said this is the right person to make comment. What I can say?

What’s your future plan?
I don’t plan it. It’s party which is to decide. My job is to do the assignment with the best of my capabilities and determination and also systematically. I have never given thought on myself.

Like the past two assembly elections will you be a part of the election management for assembly elections?
Nobody has talked to me about this so far.

In your view what was difference between the situations in 2003 and 2008 and between the situations in 2008 and 2013?
In 2003 it was the failure of Digvijay Singh. In 2008 We said to people compare 5 years Vs 50 years. For 2013, we will plan our strategy and disclose it when time comes. But yes, no election is an easy election. Every election must be dealt with complete attention and seriousness

Didn’t you every think of becoming chief minister of the state?
I am a swayamsevak. I am a karyakarta and I just cannot tell you how happy I am doing the work on Narmada. My this work will stand for years to come. I am a combination of socio-political way of working. My working is giving me more satisfaction.

How has been your relationship with former state BJP president Prabhat Jha and present president Narendra Singh Tomar?
Good. (After a pause) Very good.

Isn’t this a political reply?
Laughs………

While on the path of social work did you think enough was enough and I would not bid adieu to politics?
If anyone takes such a decision after failure he is not going to achieve anything. No beggar should try to be a ‘Sanyasi’. It should always be done by a King. You must have something in your hand which you can leave. That should come at a proper time and at the peak of politics. At present. My political journey helps me a lot do my social work. I am able to divert so many things for social cause.

Is the writing work going on?
I write so many things on Indian politics. I have written a book on Shivaji. One ONGC top executive told me that they have started the practice of Shivaji rules in their organisation and there is more production now. I told him this was the success of Shivaji’s working. I am just a salesman of his thought.

You underwent a by-pass surgery what were you thinking when you were entering the operation theatre?
There was nothing to think about. I resigned myself to my fate and in the hands of the commanders- the God and the doctors. After the surgery a doctor gave me a good advice and I think it is valuable for everyone. He said to me that I should get rid of the thinking that I am ailing. If I think this way then I would certainly invite trouble. This mantra helped me a lot. I felt a lot of relieved. Of course, I take precautions. But if the thinking is there at the back of anybody's mind that he is ailing then it means he is nurturing illness in him.

Uttar Pradesh's youngest chief minister

2012-03-10T22:50:00.001+05:30

Uttar Pradesh has its youngest chief minister in 38-year-old Akhilesh Yadav whose address till a few years back was c/o Mulayam Singh Yadav, ex-Defense minister of India. The 'youngest' tab on Akhilesh would have been more suitable had he not inherited the political legacy from his father and had a 'readymade' big ground of Samajvadi Party prepared by his father. Even then his role in rise of Samajvadi Party again in Uttar Pradesh cannot be overlooked.
His dominant role in Samajvadi Party in the past few years even as his father commonly known as Netaji is battling ill health meant the youth section of society getting attached to the party and giving it a definite edge over the parties like BSP, Congress and undoubtedly the BJP. Of the last three parties Congress did and does have a young face in Rahul Gandhi but the BSP and the BJP both were devoid of young leaders and full of oldies whose thought, vision, ideology and principles hardly attracted the youths towards their respective parties.
What came as a shot in the arms of the SP (Samajvadi Party) at the time of elections was Samajvadi Party's (read Akhilesh Yadav's) promise to youths to give them laptops in case the party was voted to power. This move, definitely on the line of Southern states parties, perhaps the first in UP as far as giving of any electronic gadget is concerned, disarmed the rival parties. The youth icon of Congress better known as Yuvraj couldn't think of such a move and his tearing the list of promises of other parties could not cut much ice with the electorate.
But the story doesn't end here. In fact, this is the beginning for Akhilesh Yadav. He would have to strive hard to remove the tag of the 'party of hooligans' from his party. He would have to look for every resources to fulfill the promises to the electorate mainly youths otherwise it has the chances of boomeranging on the party. He has no option also but to deliver if he has to shape up his political career for the coveted post at the centre his father couldn't get to despite being near to it once.

SMSes flow

2010-07-17T23:14:00.000+05:30

Often when we lose all hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, 'Relax Sweet Heart, it's just a bend!' not the end.
*******
smtmz smthn hppns 2 us,
we know that they are fine but v call and ask 'Abe kaisa hai'
V know that v cannnot be forgotten but v use to say 'Bhul gya na mko'
V knw that dey cant go without us but v say 'Mere liye rukna'
V knw that they canot fnsh al stuff without us but v say 'mere liye bhi bachana'
V knw that they will share everything wid us but v say 'mere ko ni btaena na'
V knw tht they are wid us in evry prob but v ask 'mere sth dega na'
V knw it's impsble 2 surviv without them but v say 'kbhi baat mat karna mjhse'
they are the best part of our life....they are friends
*****
For all my dear married friends.....
Love is holding hands in the street, marriage is holding arguments in the street.
Love is dinner for 2 in your favourite restaurant, marriage is a take home packet.
Love is watching movie on a sofa, marriage is one of them sleeping on a sofa.
Loving is talking about having children, marriage is talking about getting away from children.
Love is going to be early, marriage is going to sleep early.
Love is losing yr appetite, marriage is losing yr figure.
TV has no place in luv, marriage is a fight for remote control.
Love is 1 drink and 2 straws, marriage is "don't you think you've had enough!"
Conclusion: "Love is blind, marriage is an eye-opener!" Take care.
*******
Awesome reality: "If 1day we r put to exchange all our troubles across d table, after few moments each one would silently take his own and leave the place.
*****
Evry man needs a wife. Do u knw y...?
Coz dere r a number of things dat go wrong in lyf & 4 evrything we can't blame God or the Government.
*******
A short and true message for Life.......Care should be in heart and not in words...! Anger shud be in words but not in hearts.. but nw a days both r effective in vice versa condition.
*******
A true friend is life d best book, somtime d covr may not be elegant bt d contents r like bars of gold dat u can treasure 4 a lifetime.
******
Santa: Agar operation ke dauran mujhe kuch ho jaaye to usi doctor se shaadi kar lena
Biwe: Aisa kyun keh rahe ho?
Santa: To kya doctor ko maaf kar dun.
******
Never blame any frnds in ur life. Gud frnds giv u happiness; bad frnds giv u experience; worst frnds giv u a lesson; all r essential 4 life.
******
A man to Santa; Aaoji chess khelein
Santa: Tu chal mein sports shoes pehen kar aaya
moral: Speak only when you feel yr words r better than ur silence.
******
Husband: Ye kaisa khana banaya hai tumne "bilkul gobar jaisa?"
Wife: Hey bhagwan is aadmi ne to har cheez chakh rakhi hai...
********
Wich line is usd very oftn when we r wid frnds?
.
.
.
.
.
.
Haramkhoron Gali mat dena ghar se phone hai.
********
"Girl"
A girl is like a bird....
God's most prettiest creation in the world...
The childhood of girls is their golden age.
After that, the world keeps them into beautiful cage..
This innoncent creature, looks like a fairy, who loses her feather when she marry..
She leads all her life in serving others.
She also has a heart, but no one bothers...
A dress of happiness & peasure she wears.
But in every corner, u find a girl shedding tears...

Moral: Give girls the respect they deserve...

*******

Some good SMSes

2010-06-06T14:47:00.000+05:30

SMSes sent by my friends
-------------- ----------
1. Kisi mahaan hasti ne kha hai:

Aurat ki aadhi jindagi husband ki talaash me, aut baqi aadhi us ke talaashi me guzar jati hai.
(And many said men cannot understand women?)

2. The Best relationship is nt d 1 which is free frm problems n misundstg. It's d 1 where 1 sorry n smile can mk everythng perfect as before...............
(Is that so simple?)

3. Zindagi vich SIMRAN di mithas rahe,
Apne SATGUR te pura vishwas rahe,
Kehnnu ta dukha di nagri hai ae zindagi,
par khushi naal kat jave je "WAHEGURU" da sath rahe.

4. Kahte hai accha dost maths ke zero jaisa hota hai, jiski waise to koi keemat nahi hoti hai,
Par wo jiske sath jud jaye uski kimal 10 guna bad jati hai.

5. God's blessings come as a surprise but, how much u receive depends on how much ur heart believes! May u b blessed beyond ur expectation.

6. In this Era of E-mail, E-paper, E-recharge, E-transfer, E-commerce
Let's not 4get "E-eshwar" (God) who makes E-verything E-asy 4 E-very1 E-veryday

7. Relation is when someone hurts you, you don't hurt back...
When someone shouts at you, You don't shout back...
But wehn someone needs you, You alwyz come back...

8. MAN in GOD's shop- Wat do you sell??
GOD- Whatever ur heart desires
Man-I want success & happiness..?
GOD smiled- I sell only seeds, not fruits

9. Hsbnd- Judge sahab mujhe talaq chahiye,
Pichle 1 saal se meri biwi ne mujhse baat nahi ki hai,
Judge- Ek baar fir se soch le,
aisi biwi kismat se milti hai.

10. Award winnin poster:
Showin a fish caught on a hook & the caption read:
"Even a fish would stay out of trouble if it would have kept its mouth shut"

Ratan Dixitji's, his team's and others timely support

2010-01-24T22:12:00.000+05:30

The Allahabad News Reporters Club (ANRC) president Ratan Dixitji called up on January 23 evening lodging a complaint to me as to why I did not tell him about the need of blood for my father-in-law presently hospitalised at Allahabad.'आपने मुझे बताया क्यों नहीं' was his complaint.

I never have any doubt about my long lasting relation with the ANRC having been its secretary twice in succession about a decade back. And at the same time, I never have any doubt about the love and affection the office-bearers all along the line since I left have for me in their hearts. So, when Ratanji called me up and said the abovementioned words I was emotional.

It's rare virtue of people in Allahabad that they never forget you whatever distance you might have travelled after leaving the historical city and whatever time it was when you left. They expect love and affection from you and never hesitate in reciprocate your gesture. I told Ratanji that I had spoken to Club Secretary Devendra Singhji about the same and I thought he might have discussed with him.

However, it was Ratanji's arrival in the scene that one unit of blood was arranged immediately. He also assured me of arranging another unit the next day. However, meanwhile, my brother-in-law Abhishek donated blood with the help of Devendraji and others. My friend Harishankar Mishra offered his blood. He even went to the Allahabad Medical Association's blood bank to donate his blood but his blood pressure was too high then and the blood bank staff refused to take his blood.

That a journalist offer his own blood is quite unusual and unheard of. But in Allahabad the journalist like Harishankar Mishra has set a precedent. My ex-colleaque Suraj Sinha who helped my in-laws a lot in the day time was also willing to donate his blood.

I wish Ratanji and his team great success during their present stint. I also wish Harishankar, Suraj and all who extended help in time a bright future. I also wish there were more journalists and people like Harishankar Mishra who did not hesitate in the noble cause of blood donation (I will write another piece on how I shed my inhibition about blood donation with the help of Harishankar Mishra).

Mumbai or Bombay

2009-10-11T13:54:00.001+05:30

Juliet:
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

This quote or phrase "What is in a name?" has been used in print and in conversation for ‘n’ number of times world over. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fell in love with each other in Shakespeare’s world famous lyrical tale of “star-cross’d” lovers. Juliet tells Romeo (The two comes from two warring families) that a name is an artificial and meaningless convention, and that she loves the person not his name (rather surname) and not his family.

Of course, when there love is names become insignificant. But Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by Raj Thackrey wants people to stick to using the word Mumbai instead of Bombay while referring to the financial capital of India. Their view is that ‘Bombay’ denotes a legacy of British period whereas Mumbai is swadeshi originating from Deity Mumba Devi’s place.

The political party activists recently threatened that they would not allow screening of Karan Johar’s movie ‘Wake Up Sid’ as it has in it use of word Bombay repeatedly instead of Mumbai. Johar fell in line.

One of very renowned journalists of country Vir Sanghvi in his column in Hindustan Times on October 11, 2009 has very well analysed the entire episode.

A fully agree with him. Why this fuss in Mumbai only? One is free to call Kolkata as Calcutta in Kolkata. One would not face any threat over there. One is free to call Chennai as Madras and one would not face any threat over there. In fact people from the states which see the change of names are still emotionally attached to both the words or more a city is referred to in print or conversation.

Mr Sanghvi’s column reminded me of the fact that in the city of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh where I spent several years of my adolescence the divide between Hindu and Muslim communities was well discernible. I remember there were certain other changes too but I don’t remember exactly the names of the localities.

A drive by right wing activists about three decades back led to rechristening of the name of market Alinagar as Arya Nagar and Urdu Bazar as Hindi Bazar. The new names found mention on the shopkeepers boards too on their shops.

But in all these years (I still go to the place as many of my relations live there and I have to pass through the city to get to my native village) I don’t remember if any of my friends/relatives or myself ever called the localities by their new names.

I have not heard of any such incident when even a member of a particular minority community was ever bashed up or threatened with dire consequences for talking of ‘Ali Nagar’ or ‘Urdu Bazar’ in place of ‘Arya Nagar’ and ‘Hindi Bazar’.

When I moved to Allahabad I found the city full of Colonial era names Clive Road, Thorn Hill Road, Church Lane, Stanley Road, Muir Road etc. Some new names came up like Maharishi Dayanand Marg but hardly anybody hires a rickshaw or auto-rickshaw asking him to take him to Maharishi Dayanand Marg. Leave the city streets apart nobody goes to Prayag (the old name of Allahabad) but he or she goes to Allahabad. If one is to refer to Prayag in Allahabad a particular locality named Prayag crosses the mind.
Mumbai progressed and flourished even if it was known as Bombay and it became financial capital of the country.

If we are going to dump the old name are we going to dump its progress also that the city achieved during the period when it was known as Bombay? Are we going to erase the word from all the film songs in which the city has been referred to as Bombay? Should we not allow people to get used to new name Mumbai in course of time while using the new name repeatedly on documents/ railway reservation forms/ air tickets and in correspondence?

Are we making the city a progressive one by intimidating people to use its new name or else……

Columbus to America via bachelorhood

2009-09-13T12:52:00.000+05:30

The following is the SMS received on my cellphone from a friend. Read this and laugh.You are at will to add some more questions to the list.

"If Columbus had been married he might have never discovered America because.....
Where are u going?
With whom?
How are u going?
To discover what?
Why only u?
What do I do when u r not here?
Can I come?
Coming back when?
Dinner ghat per hi khaoge?
Mere liye kya laoge?"

Mindboggling questions

2009-09-02T12:36:00.000+05:30

The following questions came from a reader of my blog. This is mindboggling to me. Pls try, if you can, giving the answers:

1. What goes up and down stairs without moving?
2. Give it food and it will live; give it water and it will die.
3. What can you catch but not throw?
4. I run, yet I have no legs. What am I?
5. Take one out and scratch my head, I am now black but once was red.
6. Remove the outside, cook the inside, eat the outside, throw away the inside.
7. What goes around the world and stays in a corner?
8. What gets wetter the more it dries?
9. The more there is, the less you see.
10. They come at night without being called and are lost in the day without being stolen.
11. What kind of room has no windows or doors?
12. I have holes on the top and bottom. I have holes on my left and on my right. And I have holes in the middle, yet I still hold water. What am I?
13. I look at you, you look at me, I raise my right, you raise your left. What is this object?
14. It has no top or bottom but it can hold flesh, bones, and blood all at the same time. What is this object?
15. The more you take the more you leave behind.
16. Light as a feather, there is nothing in it; the strongest man can't hold it for much more than a minute.
17. As I walked along the path I saw something with four fingers and one thumb, but it was not flesh, fish, bone, or fowl.
18. What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?
19. I went into the woods and got it, I sat down to seek it, I brought it home with me because I couldn't find it.
20. What can fill a room but takes up no space?
21. It is weightless, you can see it, and if you put it in a barrel it will make the barrel lighter?
22. No sooner spoken than broken. What is it?
23. Only two backbones and thousands of ribs.
24. Four jolly men sat down to play, And played all night till the break of day. They played for cash and not for fun, With a separate score for every one. When it came time to square accounts, They all had made quite fair amounts. Now, not one has lost and all have gained, Tell me, now, this can you explain?
25. Jack and Jill are lying on the floor inside the house, dead. They died from lack of water. There is shattered glass next to them. How did they die?
26. Why don't lobsters share?
27. A barrel of water weighs 20 pounds. What must you add to it to make it weigh 12 pounds?28. Big as a biscuit, deep as a cup, Even a river can't fill it up. What is it?
29. Clara Clatter was born on December 27th, yet her birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible?
30. He has married many women but has never married. Who is he?
31. If a rooster laid a brown egg and a white egg, what kind of chicks would hatch?
32. If you have it, you want to share it. If you share it, you don't have it. What is it?
33. You can't keep this until you have given it.
34. Take off my skin, I won't cry, but you will. What am I?
35. What book was once owned by only the wealthy, but now everyone can have it? You can't buy it in a bookstore or take it from the library.
36. What can go up and come down without moving?
37. What do you fill with empty hands?
38. What do you serve that you can't eat?
39. What do you throw out when you want to use it but take in when you don't want to use it?40. What goes up and never comes down?
41. What has a foot on each side and one in the middle?
42. What has to be broken before it can be used?
43. What kind of coat can be put on only when wet?
44. What question can you never answer "yes" to?
45. What's the greatest worldwide use of cowhide?
46. Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg are white?" or "The yolk of the egg is white?"
47. You answer me, although I never ask you questions. What am I?

Jaswant SINGH

2009-08-22T14:32:00.000+05:30

Whenever I think of Sardar Patel his caste never comes to my mind. In fact, Sardar Patel or any leader with towering personality ceases to be a member from any caste or community. He or she is simply a great personality, not confined to shackles of caste and creed.

But the recent development in the BJP rather storm over the book on Mohammed Ali Jinnah which has mention of Sardar Patel too in it as responsible for partition of the country has led to some interesting analysis in a section of media. The conclusion drawn is Thakurs influence in the politics is on the wane and also that in the war of Thakur vs Thakur it is the Thakur 'kaum' which is at the receiving end.

Jaswant Singh who wrote the book and Rajnath Singh who took action against him are both are thakurs or Rajput in a more refined expression. Rajnath Singh is said to be under tremendous pressure to show he has some authority in the party. There is little likelihood of his retaining his post after January, 2010 after the organisational elections.

There are other leaders too in politics, as media analysis goes on, who are not enjoying the heyday in Indian politics. In Samajvadi Party, once the blue eyed boy of the SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Amar Singh is still recovering from his illness. He is already facing a lot of heat from inside the party for his proximity to Yadav. In the Congress, Arjun Singh era is almost gone. Digvijay Singh seemed to be enjoying a comfortable position after the party' recovery of the sort in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh as he happens to be in charge of the state but there Rita Bahuguna Joshi has now stolen the limelight with her fiery attack against UP Chief Minister Mayawati. Now, Brahmins whose massive support to BSP earned the party clear majority in Vidhan Sahba seem to be rallying behind Joshi or this is what the Congress is planning to see.

Natwar Singh who embraced the SP after his exit from the Congress is nowhere in the scene.

In Madhya Pradesh another Thakur has lost his charm after Lok Sabha elections. The party's poor performance in Lok Sabha elections as compared to 2004 polls has eclipsed the image of Narendra Singh Tomar. He is also not likely to retain his seat the next year. Another Thakur Rampal Singh is also looking for political rehabilitation after defeat in a row in State Assembly election and Lok Sabha elections.

As the media's analysis goes on it remains to be seen how the Thakurs return with the bang to the political centrestage. It also remains to be seen how my friend MP Singh reacts to these developments.

Will the time come when we stop looking at the things without the prism of caste?

Nature and development

2009-08-09T15:15:00.000+05:30

A visit to Kolar dam on Saturday filled me with thrill and excitement. The nature's beauty lies in bounty in the forest and reservoir, the lifeline for Bhopal, as Bhopal people get drinking water from the reservoir also apart from the upper lake.

Sometime back, a senior journalist sounded upset on seeing the Mall culture thriving in the cities. He asked why did we talk of concrete structures only when we talked of development. He also asked if we were really following any planned development theory. A building here and a building there. An office here an office there. A shopping complex here and a shopping complex there. So on and so forth.

I could realise his agony. I also believe in a planned development. To me, a civilised society can make a big progress in the lap of nature also.

Destroying the nature means denying ourselves the invaluable shield of nature what the God has gifted to us and what cannot be created artificially.

However, we have to strike a balance between development and the nature or in other words nature and development has to go together.

I cannot imagine a life isolated in forest devoid of roads, power, education institutions, health facilities etc. But I cannot imagine a life either fully soaked in modernity with no nature around.

That Madhya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet chose a 'forest' at Kolar dam to hold its meeting and discuss the state's 'development' with a renewed zeal stemming from the nature's beauty abound at the site corroborates my point that development and nature have to complement each other.

Voting experience

2009-04-30T13:45:00.000+05:30

One of my strong desires has been to get my name see in the voters list and be a 'jimmedar' shahari of the nation. Watching the election affairs from across the fence was like, what I thought, tasting the coffee from a table away from the coffee pot placed on another table.

But it appeared to me so cumbersome a process that, frankly speaking, I shuddered in taking a pro-active step in getting myself enrolled till I had a helping hand from senior journalist and politician Ratan Dixit in Allahabad to get the journalists in Allahabad to get their voter ID cards and get their names added to the voters list.

Gleefully, many a journalist including myself lined up to get ourselves photographed at the Public Relations Office, Allahabad, the thing specially arranged for us. Certainly a big smile was on our faces, for we were soon going to be proud owner of voters I Card which was to remind us for long in future of our duties of a 'jimmedar shahri' to the nation. I kept on waiting for the I-card. Months passed and so the years. I inquired about the same but the card never came.

Frankly admitting I was at fault too as I did not take a pro-active step in pursuing the authorities and obtaining the card. The reason being, which may be dubbed as a lame excuse as well, I had to move regularly to rural areas first for coverage of elections at the time of almost every election.

When I came to Bhopal the urge of being a jimmedar shahari in me once again called me upon to get my wife and my name enrolled as voters. One of my office colleagues and myself once even went to the collectorate too to inquire how to get forms and where to be submitted. We got forms from there also which were to be filled at the time of voters lists revision.

Not to let the chance go this time I took two forms from the government perosonnel who came in my colony for survey. My wife and I filled the forms and submitted it to the office concerned by the specified time. We were on the cloud nine when we received our voter ID Cards. Obviously, my joy and excitement had no bounds. But soon the taste of the sweetness turned sour. There were mistakes galore in the cards. I had become 'Rajat Kumar' in place of 'Ranjan Kumar'. Address was wrongly mentioned too.

Unflinching in my commitment in being the proud owner of the voter I-card I was ready to go extra miles. I obtained the forms for correction of mistakes, filled it up and submitted it. We received our new cards. I cannot explain in words how privileged we felt in standing in the queue for casting our votes at the time of assembly elections in November, 2008. After casting our votes we thought we performed our duties of responsible citizens after a long time. This gave a sense of relief and pride in us.

In the same mood we proceeded again to cast our 'valuable' votes in Lok Sabha elections this year. Exuding confidence I asked the political party workers to give our voters slips, at a party's voters assistance booth. After putting in some effort they succeeded in finding my wife's name along with her blurred photo. But much to my surprise, my name was missing, not to say of my photograph. I was at fault again that I relied too much on the government machinery and got relaxed. I should have checked the voters list to see if my name was still there.

Though I missed the opportunity of casting my vote I still have the sense of satisfaction that my card is there with me. At least my wife could cast her vote. For which party????? Why should I tell you?

Team work

2009-04-30T12:13:00.000+05:30

I never had an iota of doubt that a team work can do wonders particularly in a crisis situation. My belief came true and the impact of teamwork was reflected in full measure when a crisis hit my colleague Manish Dixit. He hardly knew and so did we, all his colleagues, that his life was in peril when he was admitted to Parul Hospital in Bhopal in an ailing condition. Soon we found, much to our disbelief, that he was battling for his life.

It was Manish's frantic voice in a timely call to our colleague Sravani Sarkar who immediately got in touch with Dr Padmakar Tripathi seeking his urgent help. It was great of Dr Tripathi to give a ring to Manish and his choked voice on phone conveyed gravity of his condition to a seasoned doctor what Dr Tripathi is.

Instead of giving a tip or two or advising Manish to go to some nearby hospital, what many a doctor would like to do in such a sitution while being preoccupied with their business, Dr Tripathi rushed to his house and took him to the Hospital.

To make matters worse Manish's wife Reena Dixit who rushed to the hospital with her husband to take care of him, found herself afflicted by the same disease what Manish was affected by. She had to be admitted in the same ICU. That was not all. Manish's elder son Yash was also diagonsed to be suffering from similar disease who did not complain much about his sufferings seeing his parents in a bad shape. Rather, he chose to suffer in silence.

Much to our worry Manish condition did not show any sign of improvement. He had a lot of difficulty in breathing. The doctors advice was to shift him to any super speciality hospital in Delhi or Mumbai. Air ambulance was needed. But a seasoned doctor Dr NP Mishra advised against his being shifted to Delhi in such a critical condition. Shifting Manish to a local hospital was the only choice. He was then shifted to National Hospital.

Here came support from many. Besides the HT team members led by Resident Editor NK Singh our ex-bureau chief Abhilash Khandekar rushed to the hospital on knowing about his critical condition.There seemed to be help and prayers for Manish's life pouring in from various quarters.The bylines policy implementation seems to have gone haywire once again. Manish's wife and son looked comparatively better. That was a solace to us in the crisis situation.

With the hard work of doctors who include Dr NP Mishra, Dr Pankaj Agarwal, Dr PK Pandey, Dr Sanjay Tandon, Dr PK Agarwal and above all timely help from Dr Padmakar Tripathi Manish is smiling today and working among us. There are several others including Manish relations who did their best to see that the family did not feel alone in its struggle against odds.

What I intend to convey through this piece is the importance of team work. The team stood by the family like a rock arranging many things in time. Literally, everybody chipped in.

What I realise intensely and I get horrified over the thought that delay of merely a couple of hours at the initial stage would have been proved fatal for Manish as said the doctors. Of course, everything fell in place because the God was with us.

This crisis left many questions unanswered before me. Do we really extend such a helping hand to somebody who falls sick in our neighbourhood? Do we really behave like a team in the society when such a crisis hits anyone in our neighbourhood? What do happen to those from the weaker class who cannot arrange good amount of money in time and don't have access to private hospitals or seasoned doctors?