Oh My India !

Ten Questions GOI needs to answer on FDI Retail Policy

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:35:00 +0000

Ten Questions GOI needs to answer on FDI Retail Policy

I'm on Twitter @jsvasan tweeting mainly on the Nifty50 but also about this-and-that.

Coming next: Civil Disobedience - MK Gandhi style

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 05:50:00 +0000

So the Empire strikes back! Again.

Anna Hazare JLP Committee was a "failed expriment" says Kapil Sibal. Reports suggest Sec 144 ready to be clamped at Jantar mantar ahead of Anna's fast. "Changes will in draft bill will only come out of consultations with other (political) parties". "We will bring a LPB this session of parliament".

What does all this indicate? A determined effort by political parties to recapture the lost territtory of "representing" people at large, a space they had completely vacated in their pre-occupation with themselves and looting the country. That's all.

Anna and even Ramdev jumped into this space - ironically after Anna had given public notice to the Congress and the Government and had recieved silence in response! Now, politcal parties who have no think tanks worth their salt find themselves "answering" to individuals who claim to represent people at large by showing large gatherings at their venues.

While some politicos will allege they are "sponsored" by hidden hands, others will attack them personally since thats all they can do when the ISSUEs find massive popular support. Thus the key question isn't whether the agitators are sponsored or not, but whether the issues are popular or not. As long as the issues are what the common man wants, it will not go away; at best it will simmer till the next blow out. Like volcanoes, when they erupt, they will destroy blindly.

Politicians realise this but prefer to focus on the short term as they are themselves insecure about the long term. But politcal parties like the Congress which are generations old must necessarily bother with the long term if thay are to survive. And that is their failure.

In trying hard to elimnate, minimise and deflect, the Congress, like the BJP is actually mortgaging the future of the country and not just the party. The seeds of an eruption are usually sown many moons before the event. Take Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and the like. The important of the Jat protests or the Telengana agitation has been overlooked by the Congress in its bid to save its won skin, little realising it will only end up killing its whole body.The answer lies in making democracy participative and decentralised.

But for now, the minions of the parties are in charge and the suppression will continue, till the people's volcano erupts.

Sec 144 clamped at Jantar Mantar in anticipation of Anna's announced fast will be the next trigger as people will only see it as gross injustice. The storyline gets interesting.... watch this space.

@jsvasan

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Active Citizens

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:43:00 +0000

For long now, many of us have been involved with specific initiatives like solid waste management, water conservation, renewable energy, street garbage, parks, public toilets, etc etc.

No matter what the subject, one common thread is that all these services and facilities are supposed to be run by government at one level or another, mostly city government. These initiatives bend their backs to TRY and get the government to listen and then HOPEFULLY implement some of them. Civil society is a beggar at the doorstep of their own government.

And no matter whether these civic initiatives are carried out by individuals, groups, RWAs, NGOs, Rotary, Lions, Round Table or other societies, the they have to run from BBMP Officials to Corporators to MLAs to use their influence to TRY and get their own government to act. So civil society are beggars at the hands of their own elected people.

There are some well meaning people in all these forms of power centers – Bureaucrats, Corporators and MLAs. It would be wrong to paint all of them with the same brush, as most of us know. However, these kinds of people in power are a micro-minority and are often stopped by the vested interests who have garnered the majority in these power networks.

The root cause of this malady is that we are a vote-only democracy instead of a participative democracy. The responsibility for this lies with us – the voter – with our political parties and their own lack of internal democracy and accountability, and, ofcourse, the sustained subversion of the federal nature of our constitution.

Our civic minded active citizen has thus far acted through individual channels that focus mostly on one issue, be it solid waste management, water conservation, renewable energy, street garbage, parks, public toilets, etc. Thus their clout is dissipated and like the Accenture TV commercial shows, the little fish have to run for cover when the political heavy weights enter the area.

All this usually results in everyone throwing up their hands in disgust, dismay or some similar emotion. Perhaps quite justifiably. But it also means the educated, emancipated active citizen has abdicated. The gap between a vote-only democracy and a participative one can and should be bridged. Waiting for ‘the system’ to change would be tantamount to abdication.

The Brazilian model where the NGOs et al got together and actually contested the municipal elections on a single platform in a bid to influence if not run local government not only enable successful transformation of their cities but has progressed to the national level. The silent citizen got an avenue to speak up and also determine their own candidates to local government.

It’s time that Bangalore showed the way in participative, local government.

So much for now. Comments most welcome!

Regards,

+91 9880020366

Twitter: @jsvasan

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

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The story of Indian politics

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:59:00 +0000

While walking down the street one day a 'Member of Parliament' is
tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is
met by St. Peter at the entrance.
'Welcome to heaven,' says St. Peter. 'Before you settle in, it seems
there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts,
you see, so we're not sure what to do with you.' 'No problem, just let me in,' says the man. 'Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is
have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose
where to spend eternity.' 'Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,' says the MP.
'I'm sorry, but we have our rules.' And with that, St. Peter escorts
him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors
open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the
distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his
friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him,
shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while
getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game
of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present
is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good
time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that
before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty
farewell and waves while the elevator rises... The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St.
Peter is waiting for him. 'Now it's time to visit heaven.' So, 24 hours pass with the MP joining a group of contented souls
moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a
good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and
St. Peter returns.
'Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven.
'Now choose your eternity.'
The MP reflects for a minute, then he answers: 'Well, I would never
have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I
would be better off in hell.' So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down
to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren
land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed
in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more
trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. 'I
don't understand,' stammers the MP. 'Yesterday I was here and there
was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank
champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a
wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. 'What
happened?' The devil looks at him, smiles and says, 'Yesterday we were
campaigning... Today you voted.' Good luck

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Why people like you and me should join Loksatta - the party of active citizens

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:34:00 +0000

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Is the Lokpal Bill Congress's winning ticket for 2014? Or earlier?

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:11:00 +0000

The GOI constituted a Lokpal Bill [JLPB] Drafting Committee that consists of civil society members nominated by Anna Hazare and only Congress Ministers. They declined to nominate any opposition party members nor did they include any ally in government or outside.

The significance at first escaped my attention, till DNA carried an article that pointedly mentioned that even allies were excluded. For a party that has repeatedly driven home the “compulsions of coalition politics”, why did they exclude allies, let alone the opposition?

The Congress isn’t a new kid on the political block. It is the oldest one! And such a move would have been well calculated. Consider this:

· Everyone acknowledges that fighting corruption is the #1 political & mass issue in India today

· Everyone feels the politicians & election funding are the single largest source of corruption

· Everyone is fed up of the rank failure of the Congress (and it’s UPA) in tackling corruption.

· Everyone believes the Congress is at the centre of the whole problem.

· Everyone gives the Congress absolutely no chance of winning in 2014. A friend even said they’ll even never ever win again.

· Everyone feels the BJP has also failed as an opposition.

Under these circumstances, everyone agrees that only a miracle will save the Congress. Well, one is round the corner!

Since it is the butt end of jokes, everyone also thinks (like I almost always did!) that the Congress is now a bunch of idiots who have no capacity to think let alone think strategically. The Congress is seen as arrogant, opaque and tyrannical. Thus their obituary is being written on front pages and OpEds every day.

STOP, to think.

The congress’s apparent volte face on inclusion of the PM and CJI and lower bureaucracy in the purview of the JLPB is pure strategy.

They hope to garner support of all political parties when the bill is placed before parliament, since the political class does not want a strong JLPB. How can I say that? The JLPB has not materialized since a decade and a half. If any party wanted to bring it forth, everyone had their chance.

When the bill gets all parties committed to watering it down, the Congress will have yet another change of heart, another volte face, this time by the leader of leaders, Sonia or Rahul Gandhi, and it will bring a bill that meets and perhaps exceed the expectations of all people.

Then one of two things can happen:

1. The bill may get through parliament because publicly opposing it would mean political oblivion. In such an event, the Congress re-emerges as the People’s Champion, after RTI. It regains its political supremacy.

2. The GOI falls due to opposition. Snap elections on this ONE issue will give it 2/3^rd majority it will demand for amending the constitution to fight corruption.

The third option of a watered down version is a no-win for all parties. Makes no sense for the Congress.

Either way, the Lokpal Bill may well turn out to be the Congress’s miracle failsafe.

Unless the opposition, as also all other political parties get on the JLPB wagin before the congress does, they may start writing off 2014 (or earlier) and conceding to the Congress!

Twitter: @jsvasan

FB: Srinivasan Jayaraman

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

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INDIA: More the multiplicity of Anti Corruption Agencies, more the Corruption!

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:48:00 +0000

In my studies on corruption and the measures taken around the world on tackling it, I’ve observed one singular thing: The more the number of anti corruption agencies in a country, worse their ranking on corruption by worldwide organisations!

It doesn’t take a PhD to realise the commonsense reason: Multiplicity leads to:

1. Lack of accountability in performance

2. Overlapping of functions

3. Inefficiencies that actually lead to an increase in corruption

The note below gives in brief the basis of my conclusions. Read for yourself.

Now you may argue that the US which also has 6 institutions listed (of which some are private ) has a corruption ranking of 17 while India which also has 5 + a List! Has a ranking of 70. WHY? That’s answered by the report of the World Bank (also quoted below). The QUALITY and EFFICIENCY of delivery of public services in India is pathetic. That’s why a multiplicity of ACAs has resulted in an INCREASE in Corruption. The case for one effective institution like the Lokpal & Lokayukta with ALL the ACAs coming under it is emergent to fight corruption.

@jsvasan

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

------------------- Management Summary -------------------------------------

The single most comprehensive list of Anti Corruption links on the web is here.

This list itself shows that almost every country has but one nodal agency. The EU has two – one for EU as a whole and one for Global.

If you scroll down the list only India has SIX INSTITUTIONS listed as having some role in anti corruption. See Appendix 1. The other countries that list with more than 1 or 2 are (along with Corruption ranking 2009):

Sl. Country Corruption Rank

1. USA 17

2. Argentina 83

3. Brazil 54

4. Mexico 79

5. Colombia 61

6. Liberia 70

7. INDIA 70

A perusal of this list in conjunction with corruption ranking by world audit organisation (click here) their ranks mentioned alongside (above).

The list also has another “List” listed for India with a link that doesn’t work!! There are no such entries for any other country’s anti-corruption agencies.

The World Bank Study on “Reforming Public Services in India” (Feb 2006) says:

“Nor is the country well organized to combat corruption: A multiplicity of overlapping anti-corruption agencies, and dilatory legal processes for tackling cases, has made it difficult to bring the corrupt to book. India’s campaign finance regime also has potentially negative effects on service delivery: The unregulated cost of elections - and the lack of legitimate funding sources, including a system of public funding - has created incentives to extract rents from administrative functions, including the delivery of services, to fund campaign expenses or pay back contributors. Despite, these systemic problems, many innovations in service delivery have taken place in different sectors and states with positive results for citizens, as this report shows.”

And goes on to add:

“1.6 The lack of accountability in turn provides opportunities for corruption. India ranked in ninetieth place in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in 2005. Nor is the country well organized to combat corruption: A multiplicity of anti-corruption institutions with overlapping functions undermines their coherence: A patchwork of Lok Ayuktas, State Vigilance Commissions, and Anti-Corruption Bureaus with widely varying functions constitutes the system for punishing corruption in India's states. Because law and order is a state subject, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cannot pursue corruption allegations against a member of the All-India Services, including the IAS, without state government permission. Departmental disciplinary processes are weak: Civil servants have misused Article 311 of the Constitution, which provides protection against wrongful dismissal, to draw out cases against them to extreme lengths, making it difficult to remove a government servant for non-performance. The Hota Committee on Administrative Reforms has recommended that Article 3 11 be amended to allow for the expedited removal of civil servants involved in corruption cases.”

A multiplicity of ACAs has resulted in an INCREASE in corruption in India as is evident from India’s 2005 ranking Vs it’s 2008 ranking on Corruption.

---------------- End of Management Summary -------------------------

Appendix 1

Anti-Corruption Links

Below are links to some organizations fighting corruption at the regional or international level. Please visit their sites and learn more about their efforts.

Anti-Corruption Intergovernmental Organisations | Other International Organisations | Other Organisations by Country:

Anti-Corruption Intergovernmental Organisations

African Development Bank Group

African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC)

African Union

Anti-Corruption Network (ACN) for Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Council of Europe

European Anti- Fraud Office (OLAF)

European Commission

European Partners Against Corruption (EPAC)

Global Organization Against Corruption (GOPAC)

GOPAC-Europe

International Chamber of Commerce

International Group for Anti-Corruption Coordination (IGAC)

International Monetary Fund

Interpol

Organisation of American States

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Resource Center of Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative for South East Europe

Sothern African Development Community (SADC)

United Nations Criminal Justice Information Network (UNCJIN)

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

UN Global Compact

World Bank

Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (STaR) - World Bank and UNODC

World Economic Forum

Other International Organisations

International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA)

International Association of Anti Corruption Authorities (IAACA)

International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF)

Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)

TRACE International

Transparency International

Other Organisations by Country

Albania

Supervision of the internal audit

Argentina

Anticorruption Office, Ministry of Justice and Human Rights

General Audit of the Republic of Argentina

Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia). Available only in Spanish

Trust in Argentina (Confianza en Argentina). Available only in Spanish

Austria

Federal Bureau for Internal Affairs

Australia

Independent Commission against Corruption

Brunei

Anti-Corruption Bureau

Brazil

Tribunal de Contas da Uniao

Controladoria-Geral da União - CGU

Public Ministry campaign-"O que você tem a ver com a corrupção"

Transparency Portal

UNODC Brazil

Bulgaria

Financial Intelligence Agency

Anti-corruption Coordination Commission

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China

Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)

Colombia

Presidential Programme to the Fight Against Corruption (Programa Presidencial de Lucha contra la Corrupción)

Transparency for Colombia (Transparencia por Colombia)

UNODC Colombia

Ecuador

Comisión de Control Cívico de la Corrupción

El Salvador

Hong Kong

Hong Kong's Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC)

India

Central Vigilance Commission

Department of Public Enterprises

Election Commission

Ministry of Law & Justice

Central Bureau of Investigation

List of Agencies in the Government of India Fighting Corruption

Indonesia

Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (CEC), Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (KPK)

Italy

" Per una Cultura dell'Integrità nella Pubblica Amministrazione", Scuola Superiore della Pubblica Amministrazione (SSPA)

Korea

Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission(ACRC)

Liberia

Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL)

Taking the fight against corruption to communities

Repository of corruption stories reported in the Liberian media

Malaysia

Anti-corruption Agency in Malaysia

Mexico

Comisión Intersecretarial para la Transparencia y el Combate de la Corrupción (CITCC)

The Republic of Montenegro Agency for Anti-Corruption Initiative

Information in English and Crnogorski

New Zealand

State and Service Commission, Integrity and Conduct

E-government in New Zealand

Paraguay

Integrity National Plan (Plan Nacional de Integridad). Available only in Spanish

Contraloría del Paraguay

Peru

Anti-corruption National Commission (Comisión Nacional Anticorrupción)

Philippines

Office of the Ombusdman

Transparent Accountable Governance

Sierra Leone

Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone

Singapore

Corruption Practices Investigation Bureau

South Africa

Public Service Commission

Thailand

Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission

U.S.A

U.S.A. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (Combating Corruption in the Multilateral Development Banks)

Interagency Ethics Council: Standards of conduct for federal employees

IGnet - Federal Inspectors General

Office of Government Ethics

The Brookings Institution

United States Department of Commerce Office of General Counsel

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JURISDICTION of Jan Lokpal - Why a "debate"?!

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Tue, 31 May 2011 12:16:00 +0000

The very fact that a ‘debate’ is running of who is ‘presumed to be above board’’ and is therefore excluded from the purview of an anti-corruption agency is erroneous. Here is why:

Based on a search of public domain (on line) information on the world wide practices of Anti Corruption Agencies (ACAs).

Finding:

1. The later the enactment, the fewer the constraints (if any) are placed on any independent agency to combat corruption.

2. Jurisdiction was more about geographical areas and country boundaries rather than who is to be excluded from its purview.

3. The UN Toolkit as well as other country’s acts specify jurisdiction by the definition of “Public Official”. In Australia, the act specifically includes private parties & companies who may be performing subcontracted work for governmental agencies.

4. The Judiciary is often specifically included in the definition of ‘Public Official’.

5. EU countries are now debating the need for ACAs that transcend boundaries in view of the global nature of corrupt practices and flows of funds that must be seized.

Some Excerpts of note:

1. The practices in Eastern Europe and CIS are reviewed in a paper: click here. The following excerpt of note is below:

“The model of ACA introduced in Latvia and Lithuania is recognized as one of the most effective among the countries that joined the EU in 2004. Their good results are of course to be analyzed and understood in relation not only with the prerogatives and structures and rules regulating their work, but also with regard to coordination with other agencies and the broader administrative environment in the framework of far reaching anti-corruption strategies. Nevertheless these agencies are not immune to problems and criticism.

In Latvia the establishment of the KNAB faced several difficulties, political parties were reluctant to accept the control of the office; there were also rivalries among the KNAB, the police and the Prosecutor General Office, while there were had high expectations for the work of the KNAB and the public expected quick results.

In November 2007 Mr. Aleksejs Loskutovs, the head of the KNAB was suspended by the government of the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, who suspended him alleging fiscal improprieties. Critics accused the Prime Minister of overstepping his powers and said the move was politically motivated as Mr. Loskutovs had been investigating possible campaign violations by Mr. Kalvitis' People's Party.

The KNAB under the supervision of Mr. Loskutovs had built an impressive record: hundreds of officials, businesspeople and politicians had been arrested and convicted for corruption thanks to the work of the agency. The prime minister was accused of actively destroying the reputation of the institution, thousands of people protested in the streets against his controversial moves against KNAB; the prime minister was forced to re-instate Mr. Loskutovs and decided to resign in December 2007.”

The links for KNAB:

http://www.icac.org.hk/newsl/issue15eng/button5.htm

http://www.knab.gov.lv/en/knab/

The admitted weakness is that the KNAB (like the CBI) is UNDER the Cabinet. YET it does NOT have any restriction in investigating anyone as the above excerpt shows.

2. The Australian “Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 No 35” (ICAC) was created UNDER the Prime Minister, but is NOT restricted from investigating anyone. For the Act, click here where “Public Authority” is defined. It includes bodies under The Crown (i.e. The UK connection/s), Judiciary, etc., and is not limited to government servants but any person performing a public service function or act with public funds.

a. The NSW implementation summarises jurisdiction here and excerpt is below:

“The jurisdiction of the ICAC extends to all NSW public sector agencies (except the NSW Police Force) and employees, including government departments, local councils, members of Parliament, ministers, the judiciary and the governor. The ICAC's jurisdiction also extends to those performing public official functions.”

3. The Swedish “Parliamentary Ombudsman – JO” is more of the nature of Indian PAC and reports to Parliament.

“The Institution has no jurisdiction, however, over the actions of members of the Swedish Riksdag (Parliament), the government or individual members of the cabinet, the Chancellor of Justice or members of county or municipal councils. Nor do newspapers, radio and television broadcasts, trade unions, banks, insurance companies, doctors in private practice, lawyers etc. come within the ambit of the Ombudsmen. Other supervisory agencies exist for these areas, such as the Press Council (Pressens opinionsnämnd), the Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen), the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) and the Swedish Bar Association (Svenska advokatsamfundet)”

BBC: “Meanwhile the Swedish National Anti-Corruption Unit (NACU) is understaffed and has to rely on police from other departments to help investigations.” Click here. Sweden continues to have one of the weakest ACUs as per WW opinion. Click here and here. There is no website that shows up on Google for the NACU.

4. The UN Toolkit is perhaps the most comprehensive document in the public domain. It can be found here. A search of this document for “jurisdiction” throws up many references.

One reference of note is reproduced below:

“In jurisdictions where criminal bribery necessarily involves a public official, the offence is often defined broadly to extend to private individuals offered bribes to influence their conduct in a public function, such as exercising electoral functions or carrying out jury duty.

Public sector bribery can target any individual who has the power to make a decision or take an action affecting others and is willing to resort to bribery to influence the outcome. Politicians, regulators, law enforcement officials, judges, prosecutors and inspectors are all potential targets for public sector bribery.”

Specific types of bribery are also defined in this document.

By making the jurisdiction of the Lokpal to even investigate an issue, and renegading on its own GOM proposal, the Government has revealed its true intention. The United Nations ‘model’ has no such restrictions recommended. Only if there is prima facie evidence will the Lokpal even investigate the matter, let alone take it up for sanction.

You decide what should be done!

@jsvasan

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Who cares more for the country? Hosni Mubarak or Manmohan Singh?

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Mon, 30 May 2011 13:18:00 +0000

The world saw the way the Tunisians and Egyptians had to shed blood to get their Dictators out of office. The world is watching Yemen and the other "uprisings" for similar "Freedom".

But in India we are SUPPOSED to have a Government BY, For & Of the People - i.e. Democracy. Yet, after a Nationwide peaceful agitation to bring a Lokpal Bill that has teeth and reach, the Government of India not only opposes any reach it also wants a watered down version of its own draft proposal!

WHAT is the difference between Indian Democracy and the Arab Dictatorships? You tell me!

Given that the Congress (I) has written off beyond 2012 as one news paper said on its front page, maybe they've decided to make the country bleed for any largesse to be shown in the LPB - a decision that even a dictator like Hosni Mubarak spared his country.

So who cares more for the country? Hosni Mubarak or Manmohan Singh? You decide.

Twitter: @jsvasan

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

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Jan Lokpal Bill at Art Of Living with Sri Sri Ravishankar

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Mon, 30 May 2011 07:24:00 +0000

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The truth about Jan Lokpal Bill from the horses mouth!

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Mon, 30 May 2011 07:11:00 +0000

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IAC Public Meeting, Bangalore

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Sat, 28 May 2011 17:46:00 +0000

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Public Consultation of Jan Lokpal Bill in Bangalore

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Fri, 27 May 2011 18:36:00 +0000

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Prevention of Communal & Targeted Violence Bill 2011 - DANGEROUS move by NAC

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:57:00 +0000

Article 13 of the proposed bill released today (26-05-11) states:

“13. Dereliction of duty.- When any person who is or was a public servant not removable from his or her office save by or with the sanction of the Central Government or State Government, as the case may be, authorized to act under any provision of this Act:

(a) exercises the authority vested in him or her colourably or in a manner otherwise than provided under law for the time being in force, which causes or is likely to lead to an offence of communal and targeted violence or by which he or she intends to screen or knowing

it to be likely that he or she will thereby screen any person from legal punishment; or,

(b) omits to exercise lawful authority vested in him or her under law, without reasonable cause, thereby fails to prevent the commission of communal and targeted violence, breach of public order or disruption in the maintenance of services and supplies essential

to a group,

shall be guilty of dereliction of duty.”

Commentary:

This (ABOVE) is an admission that Article 311 of the Constitution is sought to be overridden by this bill – purely because the Central Government may think the State Government protects the bureaucracy that is guilty of dereliction of duty.

In other words, the IAS bureaucracy all over India must now follow the directions of the Central Government (and hence the party in power) whether or not they work in State Governments. To pass judgment that they SHALL be guilty of dereliction of duty even without so much as an enquiry or prosecution illustrates how the Congress now wants to keep the protection of Article 311 where it suits them but reserves absolute power where they choose to go against a State Government (or “rogue” IAS officers who do not toe their line.

THE PROBLEM IS THE EXISTENCE OF ARTICLE 311 IN ITS PRESENT FORM. It is a legacy of the British Raj and retained for the new Brown Sahib in power. IT MUST GO.

HOW COME there is no provision for “Dereliction of Duty” clause for ALL of Government work? Whether in the States or at the Central Government?

This selective usurping of power to be exercised by the very top of Central Government is a DANGEROUS move and could destroy the Federal Fabric of India, let alone stoke communal disharmony.

ARTICLE 311 SHOULD BE AMENDED TO LET MERITS OR DEMERITS OF PROSECUTION BE DECIDED IN A COURT OF LAW UNDER COMMON LAW AND PROCEDURES.

@jsvasan

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

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Amend Article 311 of the Constitution with Lokpal Bill

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:53:00 +0000

To:

The Lokpal Bill Panel

Bangalore Public Consultation

Respected Members of the Panel,

I understand that our public consultation is on the Lokpal Bill itself and not on corruption. However, I read in the papers that one of the points that has already been agreed upon in the last meeting of the panel is to “do away with” the need of “sanction for prosecution” by the Lokpal.

The very act of doing so indicates that this “sanction” is an impediment that has often ensured the guilty cannot be prosecuted. As far as I know, the original authority for this lies in Article 311 of the Constitution of India and is an aspect in IPC/CPC that inherits this.

In the process of this exception being sought to be done away with for the Lokpal, the question arises WHY is it left in the statute at all in its current form?

I ask this question as it is the tool that enables the “system” to offer protection to the bureaucrat who is willing to commit acts of omission and commission at the behest of the superiors who are ultimately the elected politicians in top jobs.

Amending Art 311 itself while passing the Lokpal Bill will remove this in-built protection inherited from the British who had it to serve their own purpose.

The amendment sought is to let the jurisdictional court decide if there is a prima facie case for investigation and / or prosecution.

If bureaucrats at the lowest levels know they could be hauled to court by Aam Admi, it will, in itself, place limits on his obduracy and acts of omission & commission directly benefitting the Aam Admi.

Extract of Article 311 is below for ready reference.

@jsvasan

------------------------------

The article 311 acts as a safeguard to civil servants. It reads as under:

(1) No person who is a member of a civil service of the Union or an all-India service or a civil service of a State or holds a civil post under the Union or a State shall be dismissed or removed by an authority subordinate to that by which he was appointed.

(2) No such person as aforesaid shall be dismissed or removed or reduced in rank except after an inquiry in which he has been informed of the charges against him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of those charges: Provided that where, it is proposed after such inquiry, to impose upon him any such penalty, such penalty may be imposed on the basis of the evidence adduced during such inquiry and it shall not be necessary to give such person any opportunity of making representation on the penalty proposed: Provided further that this clause shall not apply —

(a) where a person is dismissed or removed or reduced in rank on the ground of conduct which has led to his conviction on a criminal charge; or

(b) where the authority empowered to dismiss or remove a person or to reduce him in rank is satisfied that for some reason, to be recorded by that authority in writing, it is not reasonably practicable to hold such inquiry; or

(c) where the President or the Governor, as the case may be, is satisfied that in the interest of the security of the State it is not expedient to hold such inquiry.

(3) If, in respect of any such person as aforesaid, a question arises whether it is reasonably practicable to hold such inquiry as is referred to in clause (2), the decision thereon of the authority empowered to dismiss or remove such person or to reduce him in rank shall be final."

The procedure laid down in Article 311 is intended to assure, first, a measure of security of tenure to Government servants, who are covered by the Article and secondly to provide certain safeguards against arbitrary dismissal or removal of a Government servant or reduction to a lower rank. These provisions are enforceable in a court of law. Where there is an infringement of Article 311, the orders passed by the disciplinary authority are void ab-initio and in the eye of law "no more than a piece of waste paper" and the Government servant will be deemed to have continued in service or in the case of reduction in rank, in his previous post throughout. Article 311 is of the nature of a proviso to Article 310. The exercise of pleasure by the President under Article 310 is thus controlled and regulated by the provisions of Article 311

Ø It is suggested that in the course of the introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill, that Article 311 itself be amended such that the right to ‘sanction to prosecute’ by a superior of the bureaucrat be transferred to the courts who may, after a primafacie review of the suit, accord or deny permission to prosecute. These judgments would also be liable to be appealed as any court verdict.

Thus as in the 2G scam, we wouldn’t have waited years before the culprits are brought to book.

Ø The IPC/CPC is subordinate to the Constitution & should also be amended.

@jsvasan

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

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Osama Bin Laden's assassination killed two birds with 1 bullet

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:06:00 +0000

OBL’s death will probably have just a fleeting effect, if at all, on his network of networks (al Qaeda) since it is common knowledge that the organisation is one of the most “decentralized” terror organisation on planet earth. Thus the actual assassination of Osama Bin Laden being announced by Obama himself is but political mileage at a time when Obama sorely needs to kick start his re-election campaign. That’s the first “bird”.

If the mighty Pakistani Armed forces, especially it’s ISI, claim they didn’t know that OBL was housed in its own safe house, then it’s pure plausible deniability. In fact it is inconceivable that the US troops could launch a ground offensive without Pakistan Army approval, that too, just 100 yards from an Army compound! Ofcourse, the Pakistanis would not want to give up the advantage of currying favour with the Americans for the head of the most wanted criminal in the world!

No, these are far more complex times. Yet, in a way, the raison d’être is pretty simple. Here it is:

OBL’s whereabouts have been known both to US & Pak for a long, long time: even before August 2010 admitted by Obama on TV. However, it stands to reason that once OBL had been ‘collared’, his killing should serve a higher political purpose for both countries.

However, the Pakistanis could not afford the death of OBL in their hands for obvious reasons: they would attract the wrath of the radical masses in Pakistan and needless to say the world which has long being saying the ISI harbours & supports terrorists. This is probably the main reason for eliminating OBL now, instead of a bit closer to the 2012 US Presidential elections.

OBL’s health may have deteriorated so much that keeping him alive much longer may have come into question. At this stage the ISI would have HAD to either eliminate him some other way quietly or have the Americans do it for them thus taking the heat off themselves (ISI). Since Obama’s popularity was facing its strongest challenge, the deal was done.

Obama would have been even keener to bring Osama to US justice. But OBL may have spoken things that would have docked both the US & the Pakistani establishment. So he had to be terminated.

But the extreme haste with which his body was buried in the sea even before the world awoke to the news, leaves little doubt that neither the US nor the Pakistanis wanted any one to get hold of how he died or the state of his health at the time of his death. In the US it would have been impossible to hide without great risk; but off Pakistan, anything was possible. Thus the speed of disposal. By now OBL must be in stomachs of the fish.

The point: OBL was dying and ISI didn’t want his death on their hands. Obama had to take the heat and the domestic political mileage as a package on condition that OBL’s body be disposed off immediately.

That Obama needed to make the announcement near midnight US time was also telling: Claim victory before it became a newswire feed and the US hadn’t yet woken up to put any spokes I this plan. Present a fait accompli.

I think this has little to do with US in Afgan or their withdrawal – which, ofcourse, will be helped on the PR front, the spin the US will give for faster retreat without facing the label of defeat.

@jsvasan

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India Against Corruption - Koramangala 1st May 2011 8 pm.

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Sun, 01 May 2011 16:08:00 +0000

The notice was short, but we had about 50 people show up. Strong and growing!

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The anti-corruption movement can't stand on a one legged platform!

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 14:56:00 +0000

Over two and a half decades ago, when I first got involved with civic movements out of frustration I have been almost “obsessed” with thinking about how India could break the back of the endemic corruption – the vicious circle that has defeated even the most committed and well meaning politician that India has had. In these 63 years, the list of people who have tried and failed is long. Some have even succumbed to join the circle!

The most notable and well publicized phase of the anti-corruption movement was the movement against the Bofors scam that brought down the Congress government and installed a short lived Janata Government. This was a classic case of the corruption system consuming the victor. Believe it or not, it was also the beginning of the nationwide rot because the corruption system became all powerful and could convert anyone who tried to break it.

In 2011, we have a government that is completely corrupt from the very top to the very bottom. But even sadder, the opposition is no different and must protect its own skeletons and so cannot attack the system as ferociously as is needed without running the risk of marginalizing itself. That’s the sad status of Indian politics today.

In a democracy the intervention of the people can only be large enough when the problem is all-pervasive. Corruption is now. Therefore it is no surprise that Anna Hazare’s fast to get a Lokpal Bill with teeth was viewed by the commoner as a fight against corruption. Those who know, including Anna himself, know that the Lokpal Bill is only a first step. IF and WHEN such an act is on the statute, there still remains the huge effort of people filing complaints and the Lokpal investigating and then bringing the crooks to book. If you stop to think now, you will realise that that means millions of people will file millions of complaints over the next millennia before the effect of the Lokpal Bill is felt ON THE GROUND, since corruption is all pervasive today and only getting worse. With luck, it will be a 100 years before corruption is marginalized.

Make no mistake; I am absolutely convinced that we need an effective Lokpal Bill ASAP. It is the 1^st leg of the platform being built to fight corruption.

On the other hand, if the main tool that allows politician to raise the massive amounts of black money is broken, then two things can happen. One: otherwise honest officers would not be as compelled to bend and perform corrupt acts to raise money for the politician he is answerable to. It will also prevent corrupt officers from corrupting his higher ups by buying them with money when they can’t really protect him. Two, the politician will be devoid of the one tool that allows him to “buy” bureaucrats with “protection”. When bureaucrats won’t get protection, they will be less inclined to commit criminal acts, thanks to an effective Lokpal Bill. Thus, the Lokpal is only one leg of a three legged stool.

By giving the Lokpal powers to investigate without having to seek permissions from his higher ups, only one leg of the anti-corruption drive is engaged. The 2^nd leg, one that also gives the politician the power to use government machinery for large scale corruption must be repaired. That remedy lies in amending Article 311. A simple amendment would be sufficient: Instead of the permission of an officer’s higher up (who could well be the very source of the corruption, as we’ve seen in recent times) that power should rest with the courts and the Lokpal who must provide an decision in 30 days and be based only on one criteria: is there a prima facie case?

For those who want to see how politics is at the root of the endemic corruption in India: click here. That was a part of my blog on 2^nd Nov 2010 here.

My other blog on Dec 19^th 2009 on why Article 311 must be amended is here.

And if you want to know what is Article 311 all about, click here.

The 3^rd leg that needs to be created as none exists, is the financial independence of the Judiciary while also incorporating judicial accountability to the public. That’s the third leg of the anti-corruption platform that needs to be created. This is perhaps the easiest to design but will be the most contentious as politicians will want power over this even as they support the move!

In summary:

1. Get an effective Lokpal Act in place

2. Amend Article 311

3. Institute financial independence of the judiciary with direct public accountability.

The real long term solution is an overhaul of our system of governance. Click here.

Twitter: @jsvsan

FB: Jayaraman Srinivasan

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

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A quick primer on India

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 09:47:00 +0000

There's nothing official about this and I don't vouch for the accuracy of the information. But nevertheless, it's a worthwhile quick primer on India.

Oh_My_India.pptx Download this file

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An Alternate View of Sathya Sai Baba

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 07:31:00 +0000

First: I never was a “follower” of Sathya Sai Baba as in religious matters.

When I was about 32, I too was quick to categorise him as a fake as many who question the trickery in his magical powers. This video making the rounds has, similarly, many people belittling the spiritual leader. Most are ‘educated’ and ‘rational’ people, like me. Except that since those “young” days and in the 32 yrs that have followed since my first exposure to Sai Baba, I seem to have learnt a lesson that the young Raju (Satya Sai Baba’s original name) born in Puttaparthi learnt as a kid. This blog is about that lesson. It’s not about Sathya Sai Baba as a miracle man, but about him as an emancipated human being who served the very people who showered their love on him.

The educated need rational explanations to begin to understand and then, perhaps, follow a path. That is both the strength and the curse of the educated. My views on this subject of “belief” are in my blog: “This is God” and I do not wish to elaborate here. However, in order to understand the context of this piece, a mention of that blog is relevant. Do browse it.

The uneducated need another kind of explanation to understand and follow a path. Since they are not schooled in formal logic and scientific methods, they adopt a simple test: WYSIWYG – what you see is what you get. I dare say, many who consider themselves educated are also not quite the scholars of scientific method that they’d like to be and in reality, follow just the crowd.

The masses fall into category 2 in India: Uneducated. When the masses are ‘attracted’ by means that they relate to, they follow. When masses gather, the ‘educated’ soon follow, if only at first to fathom the Guru’s power of attraction. Soon, the mass hysteria takes over and then the ‘educated’ become followers too. When celebs follow (for their own reasons!), everyone is interested. That’s the commonly held phenomenon that Sathya Sai Baba was.

The real-world Sai Baba is worth emulating for his deeds.

Most people with a mass following use it for self-aggrandisation, accumulating wealth and seizing power. The examples are so many that I don’t need to list any.

But what did Satya Sai Baba do? He set up hospitals, schools, colleges, and provided drinking water for the very people who worshipped him. He gave it all back. He left it all in a trust rather than in his personal wealth. That is the real phenomenon of Satya Sai Baba.

That is why I consider him an emancipated soul, one worth emulating.

It is also my opinion that, like me in my early days, the ‘educated’ miss the woods for the trees when they are fixated with the magician’s trade that Satya Sai Baba used to bring together millions of people who heeded his words.

This is one case where the majority is right. Where common wisdom is indeed that: wisdom.

Shri Shri Shri Sathya Sai Baba, may your soul rest in peace.

@jsvasan

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Vineet Narain's case against Bhushans - winning but detrimental!

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:09:00 +0000

The extreme haste with which Anna Hazare appointed the civil society committee members is now playing out that he (Anna) will rue at leisure.

Vineet Narain's case against the Bhushans looks more than plausible, given the way the Jain Hawala Case was derailed & resulted in naught. Even a cursory search on Vineet Narain will throw up the lifelong crusade he's been waging against corruption. There is no reason to suspect his evidence, although his motives do bear a cloud, albeit hazy.

The simple question that when Shanti Bhushan was Law Minister, why didn't he make any attempt to pilot the bill that was by then hanging fire for 10 years (now 43 yrs) is a show stopper as far as Shanti Bhushan's is concerned.

Whether or not the CD is a fake is actually of little consequence to the public.

The problem is that we Indians are more concerned with WHO gets credit rather than WHAT is in the Lokpal Bill and be rest assured that the media will milk this for TRPs till they can. In the bargain, the focus will most certainly be diverted for the moment. Hopefully, Anna won’t give up in disgust.

The source of the problem is that Anna Hazare was hasty in roping the Bhushans in simply because they were the ones who helped him draft the initial Jan Lokpal Bill that he proposed. Given that that draft had already had 12 revisions before it was given to the committee as a basis of discussions, is in itself another indication of great haste in publishing and surely, of questionable legal skills considering the importance that this bill may well be the turning point in Indian democratic history. Had Anna not acted in haste, he would have saved himself, the movement and the nation all the embarrassment by offering plum targets like the Bhushans. Ofcourse, more will “show up” on the others – maybe even Anna Hazare himself – The Empire Strikes Back isn’t a film in this case. It’s real and expect many sequels.

Neither Vineet Narain nor the Bhushans can claim any credit for the one thing that really turned the tide against corruption: raising a whole Nation’s awareness that this fight can be won. That credit is wholly due to Anna Hazare and Gandhi’s concept of sathyagraha. Legal drafting can be done and mis-done by any number of legal luminaries, many of whom may even cooperate with the corrupt to bring down the committee out of sheer envy. But getting a bill through parliament depends entirely on rousing the nation to rise together leaving politicians no option in the matter.

The only way forward is for the focus to revert to the bill and away from who are the heroes.

That job must be the responsibility of Anna Hazare – like it was of Gandhi when similar ego clashes and vested interests wreaked havoc during the independence struggle. If the media are responsible, they can help him do it.

The drafting of the bill is the easiest part of the work. The fight against an Empire that will strike back ala star wars will be the time consuming work and take leadership qualities of a Gandhi. Will Anna Hazare measure up? Or will another step up? Time will tell.

In this age of the ‘speed of thought’, it will be most interesting to see if a 73 yr old man can move at a pace that satisfies a nation of 30 yr olds.

RESISTANCE CAUSES PERSISTENCE. The longer Anna Hazare resists replacing the Bhushans the longer it will take to revert attention back to the bill. If the next target is Arvind Kejriwal, and the onslaught is credible, he too should be replaced. This fight is far too important to let personalities be placed before principles. ULTIMATELY if the draft is unsatisfactory, Anna Hazare should resume the struggle to its logical end.

Twitter: @jsvasan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jsvasan

Tailpiece: The fact that Arvind Kejriwal & Co hadn’t planned for success of the fast arousing a nation’s voice is a telling commentary on the “organisation” of the India Against Corruption movement and it’s “think tank” if one exists at all.

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

PS: For those interested here are some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vineet_Narain

http://www.vineetnarain.net/index.htm

http://twitter.com/#!/KalchakraNews

http://connect.in.com/anna-hazare/article-bhushans-should-quit-panel-vineet-narain-22123-e2fbc5d175124b64d9d7ab69dccb2408a98d60d4.html

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HOW TO IDENTIFY DIFFERENT INDIAN STATES

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 06:27:00 +0000

HOW TO IDENTIFY DIFFERENT CITIZENS OF
INDIA

Scenario 1

Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along, sees them and walks on.

That's MUMBAI
------------ --------- --------- --------- -

Scenario 2

Two guys are fighting.
Both of them take time out and call their friends
on their mobiles.
Now 50 guys are fighting.

You are definitely in PUNJAB !!!
------------ --------- --------- --------- -

Scenario 3

Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along and
tries to make peace.
The first two get together and beat him up.

That's DELHI
------------ --------- --------- --------- -

Scenario 4

Two guys are fighting.
A crowd gathers to watch.
A guy comes along and quietly opens a Chai-stall.

That's AHMEDABAD
------------ --------- --------- --------- -

Scenario 5

Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes.
He writes a software program to stop
the fight.
But the fight doesn't stop because of a virus in
the program.

That's BANGALORE
------------ --------- --------- --------- -

Scenario 6

Two guys are fighting. A crowd gathers to watch.
A guy comes along and quietly says that
"AMMA" doesn't like all this
nonsense.
Peace settles in...

That's CHENNAI
------------ --------- --------- --------- -

Scenario 7

Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along, then
a fourth and they start arguing about who's right.

You are in KOLKATA
------------ --------- --------- --------- -

Scenario 8

Two guys are fighting.
Third guy comes from nearby house and says,
"don't fight in front of my place,
go zumwhere yelse and kyeep fighting".

That's KERALA !
------------ --------- --------- --------- -

and the best one is ....

Scenario 9

Two guys are fighting.

Third guy comes along with a carton of

beer.

All sit together drinking beer and abusing each other

and all go home as friends.

You are in GOA !!!

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Indian ambition

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 07:25:00 +0000

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Untitled

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 13:05:00 +0000

See the full gallery on Posterous

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The Fallacy that Democracy = A better life

noreply@blogger.com (J Srinivasan) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 06:53:00 +0000

The falacy that democracy = freedom is best illustrated by India. I point to the naxal movement as also to the tsunami of corruption scandals exposed these last 2 years and rest my case.

How different is India from Egypt?

Only in ONE way – freedom of speech. When that was abbrogated briefly during India’s “Emergency”, it led to a revolt just like the one in Egypt; except India dealt with it in an election. Everything else remains comparable with the situation in Egypt.

The irony is human beings aren’t actually looking for democracy; People looking for equity, fair play & justice and the freedom & opportunity to aspire for a better life. Thats what all the hoopla boils down to.

This isn't my own theory; it's Maslow's hierarchy of human needs I was taught at IIMA. The only exception is he postulated it in the context of marketing management!

The public needs a "simple" and "single" idea to get transfixed upon and then chase mindlessly. That's why they termed it as "democracy" - and made it marketable. And like all marketing, they spin the benefits and not the duties & drawbacks.

Actually, dictatorships (aka Kingdoms) which ensure that the aspirations of it’s people are met enjoy a great deal of harmony and progress even though their freedom of speech is delicately limited: UAE, KSA, China, etc. apart from the whole history of Indian Kings over a thousand years!

Conversely, when people find that the only access to prosperity and a good life are the preserve of a few, while the majority are left to face an unresponsive administration and justice & equity is only available to the few connected, rich & famous, their experience is one of denial of ‘freedom’ even if their laws theoritically grant them the ‘freedom’ – equity, justice and a good life.

This is India’s situation. And growing worse with an inept and corrupt ruling clan.

Since this realisation is slow to dawn, so will the pressure be slow to build to a bursting point. But when it does, and I dare say it will, the events of Egypt will look like a low tidal wave against the tsunami that will be witnessed.

The Egyptian revolution is credited to the youth using the internet/social media as a tool to communicate and gather in the streets. Even though they “feared” the authorities would swoop down on them for their anti-establishment posts.

Yet, in India, we do NOT see people expressing themselves freely, even though we “enjoy” a theoritical freedom of speech. Why?

It’s the fear and selfishness of the middle class, not the regime that is their worst enemy.

For that to change, the middle class must reach the depths of the “experience” of life as the rural poor did - like the Naxals. Till then, the pressure will continue to grow in the cooker with no outward signals of an impending explosion.

@jsvasan

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

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