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Republic Day: What does it really mean to us?

2011-01-25T17:45:00.000+05:30

Amid the brouhaha of corruption and scandal in government (commonwealth scandal, Sukna land scam, 2G-spectrum, Aadarsh society scam etc.), we are going to celebrate 62nd republic day on Wednesday. Preparations for Republic day parade celebrations are in full swing to showcase achievements in dissemination of justice, liberty, equality, security of citizens, our rich culture, alleviation of poverty etc in the national parade through various cultural programmes, military feasts and tableaux. But the question is that do we really have enough cause to celebrate or the celebrations are as formal as the job-going man takes the opportunity as a vacation day.

As a democracy, we have achieved quite a lot of the above mentioned aspects enshrined in our constitution. But after 61 years of our Republic we have not yet translated the vision and aspirations of the constitution-makers into reality. Their dreams will remain unfulfilled until equality and justice reaches every citizen of our nation.

We have achieved many milestones in these 61 years to cheer about. That’s why we are called the largest democracy of the world. But somewhere down the line we have not met the commitments taken at the time when we adopted the constitution created by ourselves (an elected constitutional committee headed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar) on 26 January, 1950. The notion enshrined in the preamble represents the constitution’s objective. On this front where do we stand? Rule of law; liberty of thought; expression, belief, faith and worship; right to information; right to education for children; laws against child labor; child marriage; laws for violence against women etc are some achievements to count.

But we are lacking far behind in its implementation.

Even now cases of child marriage, child labour, violence against women, dowry, communal violence etc. are reported daily. Justice is still far away from the reach of the poor people. On the equality front, we are nowhere in achieving this goal. In political representation and opportunities in government jobs we have set some equality parameters and are doing fine. But more needs to be done.

In respect to equality, the most worrying issue is the ever-increasing gap between the rich and the poor. According to the Planning Commission data, on one hand, 27.5% of our population is living below poverty line and on the other; the number of millionaires in the country is increasing by leaps and bounds. The Naxal problem also shows the intensity of existing disparity between the haves and the have-nots.?

Of late decades India's economy has grown at an average annual rate of about 7 percent, reducing poverty by 10 percent. However, 35 percent of the world's poor still live in India (according to Wikipedia), and 28 percent of the country's population continues to live below the poverty line. More than one third of our population lives on less than Rs. 45 (a dollar) a day and 80 percent live on less than two dollars a day. India's recent economic growth has been attributed to the service industry, but 60 percent of the workforce remains in agriculture.

Unity in diversity is also under threat, with rising demands for separate states (even nation); the incidents like Mumbai-North-Indians story are getting more prevalent day by day. As a democracy India has been by and large successful. Many countries got freedom in the mid-19th century about the same time when

India got its own from the British rule. Many of them failed as a nation-state and are struggling even now to prove that their democracy is going to work properly. There are examples amongst our neighboring nations where countries have gone under dictatorships and Army rule for the most of its ruling period. If there has been a democratically elected rule, it has been for a very short time and they remain as politically unstable countries.

We have developed as a great democracy with good political culture. The three branches of government, Legislative, Executive and Judiciary are very balanced and have been functioning smoothly all through these years except during the Emergency crisis in 1975 declared by then the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Taking the whole developments and pros and cons all through the years of Republic into account, we come to learn that we have not yet translated the vision and aspirations of the constitution-makers into reality. Their dreams will remain unfulfilled until equality and justice reaches to every citizen of our nation and regionalism, communalism and caste based differences vanish from our society. So let’s pledge to take this commitment to make their vision and dreams come true. Only then it will be a real celebration of our being a Republic.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy: 20,000 Deaths, after 26 Years, 2 Years of Jail

2010-06-07T16:08:00.000+05:30

Sufferers of Bhopal Gas Tragedy have in pangs all through the 26 years beginning Dec. 2-3, 1984. There was some consoling moment expected by the affected families in the form of justice by punishing those guilty of the incident, but that too got shattered when district session court pronounced all the eight accused with tiny punishment. They were held guilty under Sections 304-[A] (causing death by negligence), 304-[2] (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 336, 337 and 338 (gross negligence) of the Indian Penal Code. The maximum punishment under this provision is 2 years. The sentencing in the case is expected later. The most important thing is that Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson is still absconding.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Mohan P Tiwari pronounced the verdict in a packed court room convicting all the eight accused including 85-year-old former Union Carbide Chairman Keshub Mahindra in the Bhopal Gas tragedy case. This came 26 years after the world's worst industrial disaster that had left over 15,000-20,000 people dead and thousands of people with incurable diseases. Even second generation is affected with diseases

However, there was no no word on Warren Anderson, the then Chairman of Union Carbide Corporation of the US, who was declared an absconder after he did not subject himself to trial in the case that began 23 years ago.

Indian government too seems to be in denial mode of bringing justice to those thousands of people affected by the tragedy. David Headley is being tried by all hooks and crook to be punished for his possible involvement in the killing of 200 people in 26/11 Mumbai terrorists attack but the main culprits of Bhopal Gas Tragedy or killer of more than 20,000 people are walking scot-free and government is not trying to bring those culprits to book of justice. Affected people are blaming the government that Anderson is a corporate tycoon and political parties gain financially to fight elections from businessmen. If they do not get justice, government intention will remain in questions.

All this is happening before the government under different political parties. In these 26 years the Congress and the BJP have been in power in the state but have done nothing to bring those culprits to book of justice. Compensations have been insufficient to those survivors struggling for their lives because of killer diseases not to talk of the dead ones.

Now, there is one more risky business waiting in to come into force. Nuclear plant has to be set up on Indian land on the line of Union Carbide. In case of mishap government has prepared nuclear liability bill. But many sections in our politics of society are against the current format of the compensations referred in the bill. On international standard too it lacks behind and does not meet the criterion. So, the question remains to be answered- is government going with the attitude ‘couldn’t care less’?

People Are Vulnerable to Maoist Attacks

2010-05-30T21:49:00.000+05:30

Maoists are having the laugh at last. In Jhargram they came and executed the plan of heinous killing of innocent people travelling in Mumbai-bound train. ‘Who the buck stops with’ is doing the round in political spectrum. Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee is blaming law and order situation in the state for the mishap. Bharatiya Janata Party is blaming the Congress for their contention of ‘limited mandate’ thought. Left party is blaming the Congress of supporting the insurgents by not taking any action against the rebels. It is here blame game instead of solving the most puzzled trouble India is having right now.
People are silent sufferers of all this. Common men don’t want to understand what the cause is, what would have saved or what might have been if that policy were adopted. What the people want is safety and peace. But, unfortunately we have been devoid of this. In near future there is no hope on this count.
It is high time the whole debate about limited mandate on the fight against Naxalism, of this being a Centre or a state subject and a law and order issue only must be closed once and for all. This ought to be treated as a serious national problem with requisite and firm response. How many more innocent lives would be lost before the government and political parties took notice. It may be that parties understand the need of the urgency of settlement of the issue, parties are in the web of blame game to gain political mileage and strengthen vote bank.
Addressing a rally organised by the Darjeeling unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist), West Bengal’s Urban Development Minister Ashok Bhattacharya said: “All Maoists are getting support from the Congress Party. When we said this earlier they denied this. Now what will they say? There is no security. We have been saying since many days to give security to the passengers.” This is an example of blame game (or truth?). Such is being done from all side.
The main opposition party too demanded that railway minister Mamata Banerjee devote ‘full attention’ to her ministry. The party wondered if there was some slip-up somewhere as the Naxals had already announced the 'Black Week' but no precautionary measures were taken.
Though, all the political parties are expressing their views as if it is on their top priority, but it is, unfortunately, lasting in being the headlines gallery only. Media is also so much concerned. But I think it in superfluous way. With some exception all the media houses are in tendency to flow in the stream of shallow. Very few bother to think that the use of force against the Maoists will quill the insurgency. Apart from taking the force application in Maoists rampant areas, it is urgently required to provide food water, development and do the real welfare of tribes and the poor.
One after another killing attack is being executed by Maoists. It seems government is waiting a massacre to occur. They are left to come and attack innocent crowd and go safely. It requires responsibility on government part why the Maoists are carrying uninterrupted attacks on their own wills?
I agree with the BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad that government should understand the enormity of the challenge. It is high time the Government of India, the Congress Party and their allies spoke in one language and there ought not be any confusion about it.
This whole episode is smoking in cipher resulting no clear plan or action against Maoists. There is absolute absence of strategy on government part. Now, we expect all parties agree in tackling the menace of such gratitude.

Do the Senior Citizens Deserve Being Dejected?

2010-05-22T21:57:00.000+05:30

Being a senior citizen seems to have become a curse. Loneliness hurts them most. Why Gen-Next is reluctant to support them? With age, the loneliness of seniors gets worse. It’s time Gen-Next looked back on those days when these seniors raised them.

Traditionally, Indian society has revered parents. Infact, it has respected them the way it respects god. Children would shower their love and affection on them. But with modernisation and the evolving ‘nuclear family’ concept, such reverence for parents seems to have registered a decline. The older the parents become, the lesser the respect they receive from their children. They are not only neglected and ignored but also deprived of their own property; they are sometimes ousted from their own home by their own children, leading to their loneliness. This is a new trend that has emerged in our society.

According to the census released nearly two years back, about 11 per cent of India’s 76.4 million people aged 60 years and above do not have anyone below 60 years of age living with them. Close to 8.5 million of India’s elderly stay all by themselves or with other old people. This includes 4.9 million women (or 12.6 per cent of elderly women) and 3.6 million men (9.5 per cent of elderly men). And this does not reckon those living in old-age homes. Interestingly, this phenomenon is more pronounced in rural areas, where 11.9 per cent of the aged have to fend for themselves, as compared to urban areas where the proportion is 8.6 per cent.

This shows that the loneliness of our elders has been rising at an uncomfortable pace. It’s more than what we assume. The older they become, more their loneliness. Unaware of this fact, the ‘Gen-Next’ wears a ‘could-not-care-less’ attitude. The generation next seems to believe in the present only; not in the future and not in past. With the ‘nuclear family’ concept gaining prominence, the younger generation has started to live all by itself, leaving the rest to their fate. It has no time to spare for their elders. This is what essentially exposes the elders to loneliness. ‘Gen-Next’ is reluctant to look back on those days when the elders sacrificed everything to ensure the welfare of their children. Gen-next must remember the saying, ‘if you don’t know where you come from, you won’t know where you have to go.’

Having said that we have to admit that even the younger generation faces a lot of problems these days. Becoming older, naturally means becoming more vulnerable. The older one gets, the weaker one’s stamina becomes. Given this reality, seniors need greater support from their children. They need sympathy and love. But exposed as it is to the vicissitudes of a materialism-driven world, Gen-next is finding it too tough to eke out a living. Seniors only face problems where they are entitled to comfort and respect. They did their best for the welfare of their children, while the latter were growing up. The elders derived pleasure even as they suffered for the welfare of their children. In turn the elders expect nothing but love, affection and attention from their children. But unfortunately, many of the elders are being denied this. They are being sidelined.

In such a condition, we need to provide relief to the affected elders to the best of our ability. The government should launch schemes to provide financial support to them. Infact there are a lot of schemes but they are inadequate even to ensure their hand-to-mouth existence. There are vridhashrams (shelters for old and lonely people) available, where lonely elders are taken care of. But the elders are reluctant to seek shelter there. They are so affectionate to their children that they want to work for their children’s well-being even during their dotage. Probably their motto is:

Ham chhayadar ped the to chhaya ke kam aaye

Aur jab sukh gaye to jalane ke kam aaye !

'Paid News': Where Does Media's Responsibility Lie?

2010-05-11T15:25:00.000+05:30

It is media that has an eye on every institution and establishment and the functioning and execution of works. But the question is who will oversee the media and to whom media is accountable to? If it is media that regulates itself, doesn’t the self-regulation come under scanner?
Few days back the Parliament was abuzz with media’s way of reporting, especially about ‘paid news’. And law-makers seemed to be setting up some provisions to stop misuse of mass media.
‘Paid news’ may sound off unnoticeable business, but it has big consequences. ‘Paid news’ means- a reporter or media house accepts or asks for money to publish or broadcast news. How ridiculous it is that reporters gathered to cover a story but are served with money and press releases! Or sitting in an AC chamber, a media house official deals with someone for news publication! The whole gambit indicates that the story doesn’t qualify to be news, but are created and published for money. Common man is duped, so what.
In election time this business is rampant in media. Thus, what is an advertisement is published or telecasted as news. Here, there may be solution for media houses. Like advertisement it may be specified some place, or time slot as ‘paid news’ for print and electronic respectively.

Where the root takes in this regard? Though, this practice has started in media after India adopted free-economy policy. Corporates and media came closer and marketing managers became stronger than the editor of a media establishment. This was the time when the poor started to lose their place in main stream media.
The poor have always been at the receiving end of discrimination. With the induction of liberalisation and market economy in 1991, globalisation and consumerism has become dominant force and this has created a huge disparity between the poor and the rich. The poor ie layman are left with their own fate.

Media (the only hope for the common man) is supposed to be advocating for the deprived sections of society. But media itself has become an integral part of consumerism and corporate system. To what extent media is playing the role expected by the society?

To grab the power has been attraction in human evolution since the primitive age. Being in 21st century media have a big stake in power. A report published in newspaper or broadcasted on air leads a government to step down from power. Leaders, ministers, administrations, etc have succumbed to media, because of the power media exercises.

But what the ethics (media ethics) say?
The lead character in the Hollywood science-fiction movie, Spiderman says, “With great power comes the great responsibility.” On this scale where does the media stands today? It is doubtful, that is why veteran journalists and media persons have been batting for media ethics to be set up, instead of external guidelines by government. It will be better for media to follow its own ethics before the time takes turn when there is a cry for ‘give media freedom of speech’

Bridge the Gap Between People

2010-05-09T14:30:00.000+05:30

The moment we step into the Delhi Metro train we are alerted by metro set-up with the sound, ‘mind the gap’. True! Gap demands attention because it is dangerous.

We are metro-relished, eyeing a living habitant on the moon and exploring the possibilities of life beyond our planet in cosmos. Yes, this is what defines our evolution, modernization or development. But no one bothers to think that this characteristics well-suit a tiny section of the population of India. There is a different ‘world’ of a large portion of the population.

It can be divided roughly in two sections. One has the dream of metro, moon and beyond this planet. On the other hand, other section is living by the traditions and traditional customs. The ratio would be approximately 20: 80 respectively. This is the ratio which shows the disparity in our society and many terms, such as; poverty and richness, educated and literate or illiterate, conventional and modernized etc.

The killing of a journalist from Jharkhand, Nirupama Pathak is the stark example of that of 80 percent of the population. What the investigation is suggesting is that she fell a prey to honour killing. She was killed (?) because her family thought she put a stigma on their reputation and degraded their social status. Her mistake was that she was in a relationship and somehow, she conceived a child. The societal pressure is so high that family is unhesitant even to kill its near and dear ones.
Is the society, here, the driving force in such cases? Or is it family that is the only culprit?

Whoever it might be, but such kind of act is totally unacceptable. If sometimes, family members are ready to accept what is perceived to be going against societal norms, it is society that is coming openly to maim the societal norms breaker. And Khap Panchayats have all been in news for such notorious reasons.

We are quite aware of the living conditions of the widows in our country, especially villages. They have to suffer under many restrictions.

The killing of Nirupama Pathak, honour killings by Khap Panchayts in Haryana, Punjab or child marriages in Rajasthan are few to count that have borne the brunt of conservatives living, mainly in the villages of India. And also, these are few cases that we come to know because these made the headlines in media.

A big number of such cases don’t make headlines but occupy a place in the media and still goes unnoticed. Not to talk of cases that are not even reported, in which a person is forced to boil in troubles and trauma by the society for defying convention and thinking out of the box.

The scene is clear. For one section personal freedom is exercised by oneself and that’s why one is looking forward to going beyond planet. But for the other section personal freedom is subject to society or societal norms. Even ‘which cloth to wear and which not’, ‘whom to talk to’ etc. comes under societal domain. So, here is a huge gap.

Now, if the gap is too wide to stretch your feet across or it is gap only there, even though we are alerted with the sound ‘mind the gap’ now and again, will it be of any help? We will be in dangerous situation. The buck stops with us (society) more than the government. Bridge the gap.

Is IPL T-20 a Threat to T-20 World Cup?

2010-05-05T15:13:00.000+05:30

TWENTY20 World Cup has 24 matches in total to be played within 17 days. It consists of 12 teams that are 12 countries. Indian Premier League T-20 has, till now, eight teams only but matches played are 60 in 45 days. And this event is organised in one country, though; players are from across the cricket playing world. What does the number game suggest? Is the IPL enjoying more power than that of T-20 World Cup?
Just before the T-20 World Cup inaugurated this year, IPL T-20 had concluded. All through 45 days of IPL matches, cricket-fever was high in India for on the field show. But off the field row (tamasha) seasoned with politics, politicians, money, glamour etc added a high voltage to electrifying performance of IPL. Now, as the WC is going on, we need to get a reality-check of IPL’s relevancy in current format.
If we go by the parameters of media coverage and viewership, the T-20 WC counts importance. In India itself media coverage and viewership of the WC is higher, though, IPL’s outplays the WC’s in India.

And IPL also attracted media and viewers overseas, but in terms of the whole world, the WC will be rated higher than IPL. Whatever the fact may be, but the truth is that like England Premier League (football), a domestic cricket IPL is in position to be compared with the T-20 WC. What are the factors leading it to such a huge success?

Is it glamour, money, enticing policy or good management? Actually, these all are combining into a bonanza. First thing is that IPL got an excellent management that knew where to head to. Management did the way market demanded. Policy adopted by the management drew a huge investment and turned it into an economic hub. It is well-known fact that market and economy is run by profit and loss.
Money matters and here, I can say, and then IPL matters. There is a maxim that says ‘might is right’, so is the IPL. On these counts there is no similarity or any comparison as the IPL is a ‘mine of money’.
The T-20 WC lacks behind in these terms. Its policy, way of holding matches, running organisation etc don’t follow the trajectory IPL has been setting milestones.
The T-20 WC may not have been riding on ladder as fast as the IPL but WC has a lot (such as quality of players, level of contest and clean image) to be counted while comparing with IPL.

British General Elections: Why Not with ‘US-effect’?

2010-05-04T14:35:00.000+05:30

With the British general election nearing a start on 6th May, political leaders have started to launch personal attacks against each other after testing all the domestic and to some extent international issues. Although, opinion polls show a growing support for the opposition Conservative Party. But amidst all this, one thing seems to be missing from their poll issues being discussed in the election campaigns that are holding discussion on the global issues. The question is what happened to their global exposure?

Unlike the United States presidential election, British general elections are not attracting the whole world as a result people in other countries don’t seem to be discussing as to who-will-be the PM, pros and cons and other issues in the light of the upcoming British elections.

Once upon a time it was said for the British Empire that ‘Sun never sets in the British Empire’ and every eye used to be set on the happenings of little importance. So, why don’t the prime ministerial hopefuls, David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg bring the issues of global importance into the light in the elections?

Actually, these top contestants for forming the government are running their campaign on three levels, domestic policy, economy and taxes policy and international affaires. As per the ongoing campaign, it seems, their contention is based on the development of infrastructure, unemployment, taxes, agricultural policy, government welfare programs for under privileged, etc. An expert on international affairs says that it is only a follow-up of the US policy.

Now, time has come of age, British are not that influential in the arena of world affairs. Now that place has been occupied by the US. So, that’s why election process begins in the US and discussions, pros and cons, back ground of the Presidential candidates, their to be-strategy etc. starts being discussed in other parts of the world.

Newspapers, TV channels and Radio from all over the world have full coverage of the US elections. This shows that the people are quite interested in the US elections. During the election campaign in the US, other countries' people start contemplating which candidate will be good for them and their countries as the President of the US. The expectation of the people from all over the world grows high as the US now affects every part of the world.

Whatever the scene might be, but going by the electioneering campaign, it seems to be a different story all together. Given that the governing Labour Party will be looking to secure a fourth consecutive term in office and to restore support lost back in year 1997. The Conservative Party will seek to gain a dominant position in UK politics after its loss in 1990s, so that it can replace Labour as the governing party.

The Liberal Democrats hope to make gains from both the sides; their most realistic ambition, as the campaign began, was to hold the balance of power in a hung parliament.

Till recently, the contest was pretty much a Labour versus Tory fight with neither expected to get a clear mandate. Since the televised debates between the three leaders, their poll ratings have risen to the point where many are considering the possibility of a Liberal Democrat role in Government. Whosoever comes into power, he will be on a watch for his policy on International affairs apart from the domestic policy.

Eradicate Corruption Else It'll Eradicate People's Faith in Govt.

2010-05-02T15:56:00.000+05:30

FROM INDIAN diplomat Madhuri Gupta in Pakistan to Indian Premier League row-series, Sukna land scam, Jharkhand ex-chief minister Madhu Koda to Medical Council of India (MCI) chief Ketan Desai’s corruption charges are a few samples of rampant bribery and corruption in our country, or we may say society. Some people go asking which place India ranks at in the world in terms of corruption? Why do we need to count on ranks? Isn’t daily experience enough to know where our country heads to?

In terms of corruption our country’s condition is pathetic. Even hand-to-mouth living people are being made to give bribe to get a ‘Rs 80 per day job’ under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). Here, it is completely irrelevant to count on that India ranks at 84th or 76th position.

Now, last week’s breaking headline was MCI chief caught accepting a bribe of two crore rupees from the vice-president of Patiala-based Gyan Sagar Medical College and Hospital. Why was he taking bribe and college eager to pay the buck? Clearly, the college was not fulfilling some criterion and wished to be served 'no objection certificate'. Now, being a medical college that operates on human lives, it was risking so many lives for the purpose of serving self-interest.

This is a sample of high profile cases involved in corruption. Of late, it has been IPL imbroglio that also involves corruption (as the IT department indicates and claims a huge inappropriateness in the case). Big names are under scanner and as the clouds of ongoing investigation in rigging bids, telecast rights for web and television media and favouring relatives in getting stakes in franchises. This is not any less high profile case than 'Satyam scam' last year. The scam was played on with the help of Pricewaterhouse Coopers' chartered accountants (CA).

Corruption cases' revelations have been showing that market, money and financial centers, like tax departments, audit houses etc have been a telltale of corruption exposures.

Black colour is almost impossible to be converted into white (without some high powered chemicals), but in terms of money, 'black' (money) is easily converted into 'white' (money). Money earned illegally or through bribery is settled with very ease converting them into legal money.

This can't be expected much from people living in money-made haven of luxury. But what is the prostration of corruption and to what extent in the society of have-nots (hand-to-mouth living people in villages)?

The well-known fact is that educated, literate and illiterate (not educated) have to give bribe for their ration cards, certificate of being an Indian, caste, income etc. Nowadays, they have to give bribe to get a 'Rs 80 per day job-card' under National Rural Guarantee Act (NREGA), because people are not aware of their rights; this is one of the reason bribery and corruption is rampant and open in government funds.

Bribery and corruption has got social acceptance, as people often ask what you earn from job. If the person earns extra money (as by bribery) he boasts of the fact. And while looking for bride, groom side wants to know how much the bride earns extra-money apart from his salary (earn from bribe or corruption). If there is no extra-income, marriage may not take place.

Actually, bribe and corruption is running in our society as dynamically as the world. But still we should not lose a hope of corruption-free society. And this is possible only when we, common people fight against it together. So let’s abolish corruption!

Truth Speaking People Are Called Cynical!

2010-04-28T22:00:00.000+05:30

While having a discussion with my friend, a man of principle, over Medical Council of India (MCI) chief Ketan Desai’s corruption charges, I asked him, “Do you know which place India ranks at in the world in terms of corruption?” “I don’t believe in data. This is meant to manipulate truth and facts. Daily experience is enough. Even hand-to-mouth living people are being made to give bribe to get a ‘Rs. 80 per day job’ under NREGA. Actually, bribe and corruption is running in our society as dynamically as the world is” he said.

His contention rightly raises a question that why we nee to count data. It’s completely irrelevant to contend that India ranks at 137th or 127th position.

MCI chief was caught accepting a bribe of Rs. 2 crore from the vice-president of Patiala-based Gyam Sagar Medical College and Hospital. Why was he taking bribe and college eager to pay the buck? Clearly, the college was not fulfilling some criterion and wished to be served 'no objection certificate'. Now, being a medical college that operates on human lives, it was risking so many lives for the purpose of serving self-interest. This is a sample of high profile cases involved in corruption. Of late, it's been IPL imbroglio that also involves corruption ( as the IT department indicates and claims a huge inappropriateness in the case). Big name are under scanner and as the clouds of ongoing investigation in rigging bids, telecast rights for web and television media and favoring relatives in getting stakes in franchises. This is not any less high profile case than 'Satyam Scam' last year. The scam was played on with the help of Pricewaterhouse Coopers' chartered accountants (CA).

Corruption cases' revelations have been showing that market, money and financial centers, like tax departments, audit houses etc. have been a telltale of corruption exposures.

Black color is almost impossible to be converted into white (without some high powered chemicals), but in terms of money, 'black' (money) is easily converted into 'white' (money). Money earned illegally or through bribery is settled with very ease converting them into legal money.

This can't be expected much from people living in money-made heaven of luxury. But what's the prostration of corruption and to what extent in the society of have-nots (hand-to-mouth living people in villages)?

The well-known fact is that educated, literate and illiterate (not educated) have to give bribe for their ration cards, certificate of being an Indian, caste, income etc. Now days, they have to give bribe to get a 'Rs. 80 per day job-card' under National Rural Guarantee Act (NREGA). Because people are not aware of their rights, this is one of the reason bribery and corruption is rampant and open in government funds.

Bribery and corruption has got social acceptance, as people often ask what you earn from job. And while looking for bride, groom side wants to know how much the bride earns extra-money apart from his salary (earn from bribe or corruption). If there is no extra-income marriage may not take place.

Now, going by my friend's view that no need to count on data, daily experience is enough, society may call him cynical!

Phone Tapping : A Political Weapon?

2010-04-27T20:45:00.000+05:30

IS the government fearing coup d’etat from the opposition or looking for weapons to counter-attack in theParliament if opposition parties attack verbally? What is the purpose of phone tapping of some top political leaders by wiretap technology? Though, the government (Congress) has rubbished all the allegations of phone tapping by any order from the government department, the whole episode creates confusion over the phone tapping.
Government sources denied phones of politicians being tapped, but saidNational Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) did try out surveillance. Congress may justify it by saying that agencies do not need permission since they survey certain areas from time to time. It was suggested that some of these activities were overseen by the national security advisor or cabinet secretariat where the external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing is administering for some time.

Taking into account Congress’s contention, who will justify it to exercise on political leaders? We are constant targets of terrorist attacks of late and are all the time vulnerable to extremists, like Naxalites killing police personnel (Dantewada) and common man. Why not these intelligence agencies do exercises on such activities?
Whatever the ground reality is, but one thing here is clear that government is under suspicion of phone tapping. Actually, government has been criticised of late on price rise, inflation, on foreign policy, for Shashi Tharoor issue. So Congress was looking for an opportunity to find some counter-attack weapons in the Parliament if the opposition gets tough with the government.

It was the kind of phone tapping, when Karat, whose phone was tapped in 2008, when the Opposition moved a no-confidence motion, was not surprised either. United Progressive Alliance government is resorting to tapping of phones of political leaders that is illegal and intolerable.
Given the reason, Congress has made it clear that the party itself doesn’t know where this order came from and is giving assurances that whoever is involved in the act will be brought to public. But these all seems to be defending itself from worsening condition anymore.
Politicians all across the party have described it unethical to tap any political leader’s private chat. Bharatiya Janata Party senior leader L K Advani says that it is an emergency era like action. Bihar chief minister says it is a bow to our democracy. CPI leader D Raja said India was a democracy and not a military-state where personal freedoms were barred.

BJP will bring this issue to Parliament on Monday (April 26) for sure. Whatever, the whole drama is, now, government has to own up responsibility and take action against those responsible.

Right to Education : Who Gets Benefits?

2010-04-25T19:26:00.000+05:30

HISTORICALLY, RIGHT to Education (RTE), a fundamental right, came into effect on April 1. With this right every children in the age group of 6-14 years, of this nation, has the right to free education and the government is in compulsion to do so. How many children have claimed their right to education till now? If there is anyone who claimed the right who is it? If no one has claimed it, this means either everyone is educated or they don’t feel the importance of education or they don’t know whether they have any ‘Right’ as such.

There has not been any great achievement in this regard. Till now, probably, one claim has been made for the right, that, too from Delhi. Delhi is a very small (tiny) part of India. Not to talk of remote villages, if the capital of the nation has such an abysmal record. What are the exact problems with this and what are the solutions to these problems?

Free and compulsory education to children in the age group of 6-14 years is the responsibility of both, the Central and State government. The children have legal rights as the constitutional amendment Act describes. Interesting fact is that crores of children have not seen school and so they are devoid of fundamental rights. Thus government is breaching the legal rights of children. Who cares!

Government did its job of enlisting it in the Constitution. Leaders don’t have enough time to ponder over any issue (except vote bank management issues). Administrators don’t bother themselves to think at large as they remain sure of no deduction in salary for underperformance. And the beneficiaries themselves do not know if they have any right, whatsoever.

Right to Education Act provides some measures to impart education to all: such as; the poor and unprivileged children, especially schedule caste, schedule tribe and physically challenged, will get admission to private schools as 25 percent seats will be reserved for them in those schools. To restrain drop-outs there has been measures. There will be no physical punishment, no interview or test at the time of admission; no one will be failed in the examination in any circumstances till eighth standard. But still the Act has some measure flaws: such as; the same provisions for private and public schools, confusion over distribution of financial responsibilities between State and Center.
It is mentioned in the Act that there must be some reform in qualities of education. But if schools’ infrastructure and facilities vary hugely and if there is such a huge gap between schools, how would any one think of bringing quality whatsoever.

The Act provides education for 14 years of age of a child, but what about the fact that after the age, disparity of opportunity increases? There have been some provisions for controlling capitation fees. Not to talk of government failure in stopping the capitation fees prevalent in our education system, government is not regulating high fees of private schools.

Going through these facets of the RTE, where we find this Act counting on superbly. Right from the beginning, it has been scoring low on all fronts. The Right has been given to children but there’s hardly anyone who is benefiting from it.

India-Pak will be on Watch at the SAARC summit

2010-04-24T19:00:00.000+05:30

The relation between the two nations, India and Pakistan has been of 'hide and seek' since they got separated. Will the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit scheduled to be held next week in the hilly nation Bhutan be the platform to break the jinx?

Any possibilities of meeting between the two countries' top leaders, gives a hope of fruitful dialogue on mutual relations between the two nations. As of now, there is no any indication of any bilateral meeting between the two leaders, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani. Foreign secretary Nirupma Rao briefed the press that India had not received any request for bilateral meeting on the sidelines of SAARC summit from Pakistan till now.

If Pakistan is not initiating any move in this direction, then why not India raises a hand of friendship? Is it any compulsion before India? Actually, India has many apprehensions about offering talks with Pakistan. Firstly, previous offerings of talks and friendship have summarily been unwelcomed. Secondly, every time India holds a talk gets back terrorist attack instead. Thirdly, India believes Pakistan has terrorism as a state policy against India. Fourth, Pakistan is running terrorist camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Fifth, Pakistan is not acting against key attackers of 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Etc.

Pakistan, though, retorts all the allegations and puts India under scanner. It has all the time blamed India for failure of talks between the two countries. Of late, Pakistan has been blaming India for alleged terror infiltration in Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province and Baluchistan bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan has an edge over India when the two nations had a meeting in Sharm-El-Sheikh on the sidelines of NAM summit and India agreed to admit the issue in talks. Back home in India Manmohan Singh had to face a strong criticism across the political parties in India. Lastly, Singh had to clear description of the agreement at Sharm-El-Sheikh saying – this is confusion because of bad drafting of the agreement.

All the issues above mentioned suggest that the whole region has become the most debated and irresolvable. And there are some other mediators (read USA and China) are taking it as an opportunity for the sake of serving their own purposes. Pakistan too is giving them much space to that at one hand by supporting terrorism and on the other, by directly involving China in the contentious region. Apart from it Pakistan has adopted new policies as well. Pakistan’s blame of India as terrorism sponsoring country is one of them.

Till very recently, it has been India blaming Pakistan of infiltrating terrorism in Indian Territory. Of late, Pakistan has India in its bucket of blame game. Whatever comes in the way of agreement is terrorism. No matter who is blaming, it is people of the both side who is becoming the scapegoat of the two nations.

Commonwealth Games: Com(e) on wealth!

2010-04-23T14:47:00.000+05:30

Delhi is committed to showcase ‘India Shining’ at the event of Commonwealth Games to be organised this year in New Delhi. Preparations are in full swing. Roads are being given completely a new shape. Slums are being abolished and replaced with malls or malls-like glittering buildings. Games venues are being prepared on the lines of Beijing Olympic venues. Crores of rupees are being spent to organise a less than a week event. Government message is clear- foreigners, while in Delhi, see ‘India is shining’.

For many governments there has always been easy way to do away with problems by making up adjustments. Now, government is wary of casting image of India before the world as a modern, developed and poverty-free country. For this government has decided to cover up loopholes, flaws and shortcomings. The poor are being denied a space in the surrounding area, which will be the spotlight places for foreigners. Clearly, if you don’t see poverty around, you will think it does not exist. The government has been quite successful in executing the policy. If we visit Delhi Airport, Gurgaon Expressway, Noida, Delhi Metro, Conought Place, Games Village, etc there has been a complete makeshift or is in the final phase of make-believe frame. But when we take a route of Outer Ring Road side area, we come across the ‘India shining’ truth, where slums, poverty and bad shape of roads are rampant.

The money box has been opened for creating infrastructure and development according to comports and convenience for millionaires. Commonwealth designed Delhi will be true place suited well for them as it will be money-made heavens and here poor can not adjust themselves in any circumstances. Actually, in the name of CWG, government is presenting an excuse to switch spending on an infrastructure for luxury which is essential for a class that has as much money as it can't be finished easily.

Recent budget of Delhi government made provisions of huge spending on CWG and when public and intellectuals are criticising the policy, government is coming openly supporting its cause of organising the games in royal style. Government is seen advocating and justifying price rise of everything, even essential food items and grains for the poor. Governments are said to be 'royal' and it is well-known that 'royal' don't let the poor to be living in the vicinity.

Government is mesmerised with the being Olympic-effect. The moment Beijing Olympic was inaugurated and dazzled the whole world by superb show of acrobats, might, technological power, etc, all were praise for Beijing. Now, New Delhi wants to experience the moment and praise from the world, though, somewhat at a lower platform, CWG. So Delhi is on the same track to organise the event (naked show-off of money); as Beijing went through by center of attraction only, not the sheer truth behind the curtain.

CWG needs to be organised superbly, for sure and common man accepts it happily. But not at the cost of snatching their hand-to-mouth sustenance of the people by burdening extra hidden levy. Inflation is already high (inflation is said to be an automatic tax on common man). Let India shine by not shunning the poor!

IPL tamasha: Off the field show is outdoing on the field show

2010-04-22T14:38:00.000+05:30

For long curiosity of cricket fans in India has been ‘on the field show’. With the induction of IPL, curiosity touched a new height for on the field. Now, for more than a week it’s IPL’s off the field show that’s drawing the attention of cricket fans and cricket-distracters alike at the same time. To read the story about IPL in newspapers readers are rushing to the front page of the newspaper contrary to that of sports page, as the IPL has taken a political twist of late.

The whole drama began with IPL commissioner Lalit Modi’s tweet, passed through political twist and is set to end in tragedy for many stake holders in the IPL and outside (such as; Mr. Tharoor). After the resignation of foreign state minister Shashi Tharoor and withdrawal of stake holding from Rendezvous Sports World by Sunanda Pushkar, it’s IPL boss Modi’s turn who will have to bear the brunt of consequences in the ongoing episode.

News leaking out from the government side indicates that Modi’s ally agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has cut his connection with the IPL honcho and is in the process to summon him to quit the post. Though, Modi defied it and vowed to battle on till the bitter end. Now, as the current political developments suggest Modi is to face the axe of government. Congress leadership is of the view that IPl’s affairs are full of irregularities and Modi is within an income tax probe.

Given the facts, BCCI, governament, BCCI chief Shashank Manohar, Pawar, Jaitley and Rajiv Shukla all are against Modi as IPL chairman. IT officials's indications about some missing files and questioning of Mr. Modi add an insult to wounds of IPL chief.

The whole episode has pushed down the aspirations of excercising power of the two leaders, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and ex- minister Shashi Tharoor. From the beginning of his career in cricket, Modi has been trying hard to grab power and exercise it. In the process he got success and was running IPL completely at his will. In the meanwhile, a tweet by him put an irresistible break on his long term aspiration. On the other side, Tharoor himself coveted to get the top post of the world, general secretary of the United Nations. But he failed to translate the opportunity to success. Though, he found an opportunity to grab power in Indian government. But, lastly, IPL's storm pushed his aspiration too back.

Now, the issue is still not finished (even though Modi is forced to have resigned) and there are possibilities of the issue getting more intense as the lack of transparency is still missing from the whole IPL affairs. In all these days, IPL's on the field show, somewhere down the line, has lost its shine in the shade of Modi-Tharoor (IPL-Modi-Tharoor-Sunanda-IT-department-cricket-capitalism) affairs. Simply, 'off the field show' is outdoing 'on the field show'!

Poverty: A joke or junk for government?

2010-04-21T18:16:00.000+05:30

POVERTY-STUCK India has the other facet as well that glitters all the way in stock market, gross domestic product(GDP) growth rate, increasing numbers of millionaires, mushrooming of malls etc in the country. But no one bothers to think about the 15 per cent population which goes to bed hungry. This statistics prove the famous proverb 'bhagwan kisi ko bhukha nahin sulata (God provides food to everyone at the end of a day)’ to be wrong.

Life has become a joke for poor and hungry people in the country as the overnment too is not letting any stone unturned in making the life of the poor a complete joke.

It is strange that government is planning to provide cheaper and easy access to LPG gas supply to those, who can not afford two meals. What a paradox! It is to give cooking gas to the have-nots while the poor don’t have any food grains to cook.

In the name of environmental issues, government is boasting of its programme to be launched-gas supply - to the poor in cities and distant villages, everywhere. If more than 15 per cent people are forced to sleep with no food in their stomach, what those people will do with the gas supplied to them, even though it is for free?

Government, here, may contend that it has already launched programmes like the one that provides 25-kg of food grains to the poor every month at a very cheaper rate. But it is painful for the government to accept that the grains meant for the poor don’t reach them. If it, somehow, is distributed among them is quite not fit to be eaten as the grains are completely rotten. Rampant malnutrition and dying of starvation also supports the cause.

A committee's report headed by West Bengal Finance Minister Arjun Sen Gupta says that vast majority of people are still earning not more than Rs 20 per day. This is a stunning revelation. Government is still apprehensive about all the findings. This data may be horrifying for us but not for the government. Government, actually, finds an opportunity to gain something from all these. Of late, government's data on below poverty line (BPL) numbers throw the people to doubt the government's intention about welfare of the poor family.

The poor people are forced to eat air (as they have nothing to eat and remain breathing only). They are habituated to do so. That is why government is trying to give air (gas). Now, where government itself is habituated to work, plan in air (imagination), nothing more could be expected as such.

In Exile Taslima already, to be Exiled again?

2010-03-02T18:51:00.000+05:30

Artists and writers have always been made scapegoats by governments, as the history gives many examples to support this fact. Of late, we heard the news of one of the best painters of modern India, M. F Husain, currently living in exile, being given a Qatari citizenship. And now, Taslima Nasreen, a poet, columnist, novelist and activist living in India, already facing an exile from her own country, Bangladesh is now in a row again for some reasons.

Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen has denied the allegations that the article published in a Karnataka newspaper allegedly written by her, which caused violent protests in Shimoga and Hassan town, is a deliberate attempt to malign her and misuse her writings. She reiterated that in any of her writings she has never mentioned that Prophet Muhammad was against burkha. Here question arises that what went wrong with the incident?

If we go by her profile we notice that from a modest literary profile in the late 1980s, she rose to global fame by the end of the twentieth century owing to her radical feminist views and her criticism of Islam in particular and of religion in general. She faced a hurl of criticism and ultimately she was made to live in exile. But in the mean time she did not retreat her opinion what she was of. She faced everything for her cause. In response she got the support from Indian side in spite of some Muslim radical’s protests. She is facing kind of protests as is painter M. F Husain.

Hussain, 95, often called the Picasso of India, has been living in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London since 2006. He is hounded by Hindu fanatics for his depiction of their deities in the nude. India’s most famous contemporary artist Husain, according to news reports, has decided to accept Qatar’s offer of citizenship. This is a humiliation for India as the government has not only failed to stop radicals from vandalizing Husain’s paintings but also has not taken any step to bring the painter back home.

If we have a glance on the history of the arts, paintings, literature and human development, we find that from Picasso to Copernicus, Galileo all faced trouble in their work. When Catholic Church was being challenged, challengers were called Protestants.

So, Taslima is questionable or not, it will only be clear only after scrutiny, but going by the records, she has an edge in the issue.

Do the poor deserve disdain?

2010-02-26T16:02:00.000+05:30

Everyday we listen to man gossiping about the laborers come to Delhi and are forcing Delhi’s resources under huge pressure. Laborers, especially, outsiders come out on roads, in buses, in public places etc. and make places dirty, they behave roughly.

We assume poverty a curse on poor people but fail to asses the situation of society the poor live in. It is assumed that the rich face problem because of poor people: as, the poor are burden on the limited resources and that’s why poor families and slums are being displaced everywhere, be it in metropolitan cities or smaller places like in Singur. But still the fact is that the rich are flourishing because of existence of poverty all over.

It’s hard to understand why people just try to blame the poor for their plight and the resultant problem that the rich face. In Delhi, we experience the regular influx of people. Everyday, we hear that laborers, who come to Delhi, force its resources buckle under huge pressure. Laborers, especially, outsiders come out on the roads, in buses, in public places. They dirty everything around them and behave roughly. Their way of walking and talking is disgusting. They are not fit to be in a metropolitan city. The labourers tarnish the pretty face of new India. This new India belongs to the billionaires, who should not look back. But the poor labourers are dragging new India into the pits!

This new India is of, for and by the rich and middle class, as the make-belief of the creamy layer. But all these are far from truth. This new India and Bharat is of, for and by the people of India. All people living in India are its citizen. The rich claim that new India is developed by them only. Is it true? No, not really. What about skyscrapers, malls, flyovers and big construction? All these are erected by most ordinary workers and labourers. On one hand, labourers are being thrown out of cities, while on the other, they are being utilised for its development. Nothing could be more unjust.

It is perceived that the poor are tarnishing the face of new India, never mind their backbreaking toil. If they refuse work, will the rich, air condition-addicted man work in his place? Will the rich contribute in the nation building process, as the poor do?

The labourers work for Rs. 70-80 per day. Can the rich think of living on just such a paltry sum? All facilities that the rich avail are at the expense of the poor. About 80 per cent of the resources are utilised by the rich (20 per cent of the population). Everything produced is the result of the work of poor farmers and laborers. Talk about rice, wheat, mango, pulses and other edible items easily available for the rich. Who produced these? But, the rich still believe that they keep the world running. Nothing could be far from truth!

Government’s packages to give relief to the have-nots often irritate the rich. They perceive that such help would make the poor rely on government’s funds. They would become parasites, as it will create laziness in them. The rich believe the poor are burden on the population. Poor families believe in ‘more children, more the means of livelihood’. That’s true for them, as they do not have money enough to give education to their children. They themselves can’t earn more than Rs. 70-80, even after working day and night. What options are available to them? They are not to be blamed for having more than two children, as it’s their economic compulsion.

The poor need compassion of the rich, not their hatred or disdain.

Are Citizens Soft Target?

2010-02-15T16:48:00.000+05:30

Are we secure? Malegaon blast, Samjhauta Express blast, Delhi bomb blast, 26/11 Mumbai blast and now Saturday’s blast in Pune raises a valid question about our security situations. It is despite measures taken after 26/11 attack on Mumbai. Anti-terror squad likes; ATS, NIA and other intelligence agencies seem to be a failure. Terrorists are having the laugh at last, not we and we are left to be softly attacked. Terrorists are free to come to our cities, roam around, blast cities and go back to their den. And the very next time we are waiting for another blast to occur.

Pune blast occurred at a time when we have been assured by the home minister Mr. P. Chidambaram again and again that people of this country need not to fear, everyone is secure. Any terror attack will not be tolerated here anymore. But, we are suffering attacks again and again and, somehow or the other it is being tolerated. After each and every attack we are patted with the verbal sound ‘people are resilient’. Of course, life does not come to a standstill. But this does not mean that those, responsible for the protection and security of people, go random on the grave concern.

Union home minister Mr. Chidambaram’s view on the blast is that it was not because of intelligence failure. He very categorically blamed the private establishments for security lapses and not following the security norms (frisking of visitors and regular check-ups of luggage). While on the other hand, Maharashtra home minister R. R. Patil has accepted intelligence failure in the incident. Now, the two different opinions are confusing the citizens. The question arises here is that if it is not an intelligence failure, then whose failure? Are intelligence agencies given the task of fulfilling some formalities or its job starts after a terror strike has taken place? With this we can not disagree with Chidambaram’s view that private establishments and institutions also need to follow strict security checks.

An important twist to the story also involves this one. News is coming in that there were alerts issued to government and administration earlier two times by an intelligence agency. And according to alerts, police were deployed to keep extra-vigilance. But the tight security was drawn back last week. In the meanwhile, Shiv Sena-SRK’s contention came to the fore and Sena activists threatened to stop screening of the SRK’s movie ‘My Name Is Khan’ in Maharashtra. They threatened the Cineplex’s not to run the movie and if they do so they will have to bear the brunt of Sena. Maha government acted against the Sena goons and deployed police forces everywhere in the city to stop the Sena’s violence. So, all police forces were put in the service to release the movie smoothly. Some people are criticizing the Chavan government for leaving the people unsafe to terrorists.

Their concern is that while there was an alert of terror strike in the city of Pune, why Maha government lifted the tight security and left the city vulnerable to any suck attack and put all the forces to secure cinema halls in Mmbai?

We are vulnerable to terrorists and extremists, seems to be an accepted truth in our country. But who makes us to believe so? Is it those who are responsible to keep in check on such incidents? Whosoever the stops with, buddy?

Shahrukh-Chavan Are on Shiv Sena's Target

2010-02-13T19:20:00.000+05:30

‘Is Chavan the chief minister of Maharashtra or actor Shah Rukh Khan's bodyguard?’ This is the sentence Thackeray used in an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna'. This provoked me to think that if Chavan is labeled with someone’s bodyguard then for what threat he is guarding him against. Is it a terror attack or an offensive one? If Chavan is guarding SRK then, those groups are terrorizing evidently.

Actually, Chief Minister Chavan’s job is to guard the public for sure and if he is doing so, not a big issue to make it public. But the Thackeray’s statement give an impression that he is shrilling in disturbance given by the public when people went to watch the movie despite all brouhaha made by the Sena in Maharashtra. The Thackerays are upset with their failure to mobilize goons to sabotage the public property. And Ashok Chavan has played a key role in making it a success, even though Mr. Chavan was under pressure from the party high command.

Anyway Shiv Sena is doing all this in the name of patriotism. Their stand is that why SRK made a statement that Pakistani cricket players be included in the IPL franchisees. So lest he retracts his statement his movie will not be screened in Maharashtra. The Sena is passing decrees as if they are the ultimate ruler of the state. But people have denied observing their order.

People have given this shock just after when Rahul Gandhi visited Mumbai last week and people gave a slap in the face of Sena. Even then the Thackerays did not feel humiliated, though they were actually.

Now, Thackeray had accused Chavan of succumbing to vote-bank politics and deploying tight security with AK-47s to ensure that Khan's film release was smooth. Allegations and counter-allegations are political weapons for politicians and we can see it this way. But who is playing politics and in which way is not in disguise. If Shiv Sena and MNS are one face of the coin then, Chavan’s Congress, NCP and BJP are the other face. Few days back Chavan had made a statement that only Marathi speaking people can be a driving license holder. Untill very recently the BJP was with Sena despite its divisive politics, but now sensing loss the BJP is now departing itself from Sena’s action. And for encouragement of Shiv Sena and MNS’s chauvinistic politics who will be held responsible?

It’s very true that Thackerays got tasted their power there. They were reduced to almost negligence in the state by the people, Maharashtiyans. All Maharashtriyans deserve the credit for doing away with the chauvinistic politics and politicians. But I feel very sad that to face such a political party Maharashtra government needed to put unprecedented security for the release of the movie, ‘My Name Is Khan’. With the release of the movie Maharashtra was turned into a fortress. Is this an achievement to release a movie in such a security, while it should have been taken very easily? Why it is so? Isn't it government's failure that a political party is forcing government to go through such pressure?

Here I don't see any achievement in releasing this movie in such a way. People there won the heart of every Indian, but government needs to look within whether Shiv Sena is doing wrong now or it has been accustomed to it for long time ago. Who is responsible for the whole mess?