खुशवंत सिंह के परिवार ने भगत सिंह को किस दृष्टि से देखा?

पिछले महीने प्रसिद्ध लेखक और पत्रकार खुशवंत सिंह ९९ वर्ष की आयु में दुनिया छोड़ गए। उन्होंने एक लम्बी और कई मानों में संपूर्ण ज़िन्दगी जी। इस लेख को मैं इसके शीर्षक के सन्दर्भ तक सीमित रखूँगा। दरअसल कुछ लोगों ने हाल ही में खुशवंत सिंह पर फेसबुक में चर्चा के दौरान यह आरोप लगाया था कि खुशवंत सिंह के पिता ने भगत सिंह के खिलाफ ब्रिटिश सरकार का साथ दिया था. मैं यहाँ पर खुशवंत सिंह की जीवनी (Truth, love & a little malice) के एक अंश का हिंदी सार प्रस्तुत कर रहा हूँ। यह अंश जीवनी के तीसरे अध्याय (College Years in Delhi & Lahore) में से लिया गया है। निम्नलिखित सार को पढ़िए और फैसला कीजिये कि भगत सिंह से संम्बन्धित आरोप कितना सही है:

खुशवंत सिंह दिल्ली के St Stephen’s College में दुसरे वर्ष के छात्र थे जब भगत सिंह, राज गुरु और सुखदेव ने फांसी के तख्ते पर शहादत पाई. उनकी फांसी के विरोध में पुरे देश में स्कूल और कॉलेज बन्ध रखे गए. मगर St Stephen’s खुला था. उस दिन कॉलेज में सुबह की प्रार्थना के बाद खुशवंत और उनके एक साथी विद्यार्थी ने "भगत सिंह जिंदाबाद" का नारा लगाया और कॉलेज के flagmast पर तिरंगा फेहराया. इसके बाद खुशवंत और उनके साथी को कॉलेज के कार्यवाहक प्रिंसिपल ने जवाबतलब किया. उनको डांटा गया और यह चेतावनी दी गयी कि अगर दोबारा ऐसी हरकत की तो कॉलेज से निष्कासित कर दिए जायोगे. खुशवंत ने वादा किया कि वह दोबारा से ऐसा नहीं करंगे परन्तु उन्होंने प्रिंसिपल से यह आग्रह किया कि इस घटना के बारे में उनके पिता को न बताया जाये.

खुशवंत अपनी किशोरावस्था से जुडी एक दूसरी घटना में भी भगत सिंह का उल्लेख करते हैं. उन दिनों वह अपने अंकल-औंटी के साथ शिमला में छुट्टियाँ बिता रहे थे. उनके अंकल पंजाब विधान सभा (अंग्रेजो के ज़माने में) के सदस्य थे और मंत्री पद पाने को इच्छुक थे. वह अक्सर governor और सत्तासीन दुसरे महत्वपूर्ण लोगों के सामने अपनी मंत्री पद की दावेदारी पेश करते रहते थे. खुशवंत के अनुसार उनके अंकल अपने समय के ablest Sikh politician थे. उस ज़माने में पंजाब की राजनीती पर जाट समुदाय का गहरा प्रभाव था. चूँकि अंकल एक Jat agriculturalist नहीं थे, इस लिए वह राजनीति में ऊँचे पद नहीं हासिल कर पाए. पंजाब सरकार में केवल एक हिन्दू मंत्री को छोड़ कर बाकी सब मंत्री जाट थे. सिख मंत्री थे सर सुंदर सिंह मजीठिया -- a Jat with aristocratic pretensions.

एक दिन अंकल ने शिमला के नामी होटल Davico’s में एक चाय पार्टी का आयोजन किया. शिमला की elite society के ३००-४०० लोग, जिनमे पंजाब सरकार के मंत्री भी शामिल थे, इस पार्टी में आये. उन दिनों खुशवंत को एक एल्बम में मशहूर हस्तियों के हस्ताक्षर करवाने का शौक था. वह इस एल्बम में पंडित नेहरु और सरोजिनी नायडू के हस्ताक्षर ले चुके थे. वह भगत सिंह के हस्ताक्षर नहीं करवा सके थे, इसलिए उन्होंने एल्बम में भगत सिंह का फोटो चिपकाया हुआ था. उस चाय पार्टी में भी खुशवंत उपस्थित elite लोगों से उनके हस्ताक्षर करवा रहे थे. सबसे अंत में वह पंजाब सरकार के मंत्री सर सुंदर सिंह मजीठिया के पास गए. मजीठिया ने एल्बम के पन्ने पलटना शुरू कर दिया यह देखने के लिए कि किन-किन हस्तियों ने उसमे हस्ताक्षर किये हैं. जब मजीठिया ने भगत सिंह का फोटो देखा, तो उन्होने खुशवंत से गुस्से से पुछा, "तुमने इसका फोटो क्यों लगाया है." खुशवंत का जवाब था, "क्योंकि वह मेरा हीरो है." मजीठिया ने उपहास करते हुए कहा, "वह हीरो नहीं काफिर है." (काफिर इसलिए कहा क्योंकि भगत सिंह ने सिख धरम की परंपरा के खिलाफ अपने बाल और दाढ़ी कटवा ली थी.)

इसके बाद मजीठिया ने चिल्लाते हुए कहा, “इस काफिर की फोटो वाली एल्बम में मैं हस्ताक्षर नहीं करूंगा," और एल्बम को फ़ेंक दिया. उनके इस व्यवहार ने खुशवंत को हिला कर रख दिया और वह रोने लगे. इस पर खुशवंत के पिता के ख़ास दोस्त सेवा सिंह और उनकी बीवी ने मजीठिया को आड़े हाथों लिया. उन्होंने चिल्लाते हुए मजीठिया को कहा: "How dare you treat this boy in this way? He has every right to admire Bhagat Singh. We all do." इसके बाद मजीठिया पैर पटकता हुआ वहां से चला गया.

खुशवंत आगे लिखते हैं कि इस घटना ने पार्टी किरकिरी कर दी थी और उनके अंकल-औंटी बहुत जायदा upset हो गए थे. खुशवंत मजीठिया को उनके अशिष्ट व्यवहार के लिए कभी माफ़ नहीं कर सके. न ही उन्होंने भविष्य में मजीठिया के बेटों और पौत्रों के दोस्ती के आग्रह स्वीकार किये.

आज Sir John Strachey अपनी कब्र में करवट ले रहे होंगे।

Strachey के अपनी कब्र में करवट लेने का कारण — १३६ साल पहले Strachey ने हिंदुस्तान के लोगों और तत्कालीन हिंदुस्तानी शासकों कि अपार भिन्नताओं को  देखते हुए यह कभी सपने में भी नहीं सोचा था कि भारत कभी European modern nation की तरह एक राष्ट्र बन सकता है और वह भी लोकतान्त्रिक राष्ट्र!!!

Strachey १९वीं शताब्दी के अंत में भारत की ब्रिटिश सरकार में भिन्न-भिन्न पदों पर रहे और वह Governor-General कि Council के सदस्य भी बन गए। उन्होंने १८८८ में यानि कि १३६ साल पहले, कैंब्रिज में भारत पर अपने अनुभवों पर आधारित कई लेक्चर दिए। इन लेक्चरस को एक किताब जिसका नाम था "India" के रूप में प्रकाशित भी किया गया। यह किताब उन अँग्रेज युवाओं के लिए काफी शिक्षाप्रद थी जो भारत में ब्रिटिश सरकार के अंतर्गत नौकरी करना चाहते थे।

प्रसिद्ध इतिहासकार रामचंद्र गुहा अपनी किताब 'India after Gandhi' मैं लिखते हैं:

In Strachey's view, the differences between the countries of Europe were much smaller than those between the 'countries' of India. 'Scotland is more like Spain than Bengal is like the Punjab.'... 'the first and most essential thing to learn about india (is) — that there is not, and never was an India, or even any country of India possessing, according to any European ideas, any sort of unity, physical, political, social or religious.'

आज Strachey के आकलन को सिरे से नकारते हुए हिंदुस्तान ने एक मजबूत लोकतंत्र बन कर विशव के सामने अद्वित्य उदहारण प्रस्तुत किया है। इसके लिए आम आदमी और सेना का योगदान बहुत महत्वपूर्ण रहा है। हालांकि आम आदमी कभी-कभी कुछ नेताओं की स्वार्थ की राजनीती को नहीं पहचान पाया, मगर उसने ज़्यादातर शांतिपूर्वक तरीके से सरकारों को बदला है। सेना ने भी कभी-कभी देश में उत्तपन राजनितिक अस्थिरता को राजनेताओं को ही सुलझाने दिया और वह अपनी barracks से निकल कर सत्ता के गलियारों में दाखिल नहीं हुई।

LONG LIVE THE INDIA OF VIBRANT DEMOCRACY, PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH!!!

आज स्वपाल क़ानून बनाने का दिन है!!!

सभी हिन्दुस्तानियों को ६५वें गणतंत्र दिवस की बहुत-बहुत बधाई एवं ढेरों शुभकामनायें!!!

यह ख़ुशी की बात है कि भारत के गणतंत्र बनने के ६४ वर्ष बाद और प्रथम लोकपाल बिल के संसद में प्रस्तुत किये जाने के ४४ साल बाद, आज नेता-बाबू-पुलिस पर अंकुश लगाने के लिए हमारे सविधान में लोकपाल template जुड़ चुकी है। भले ही अरविन्द केजरीवाल उससे Jokepal कहें, परन्तु लोकपाल template को upgrade करके भविष्य में मनचाहा रूप दिया जा सकता है।

कानून के जरिय तो हमने नेता-बाबू-पुलिस पर अंकुश लगाने का लोकपाल कानून का जुगाड़ कर लिया है। इसको मैंने जुगाड़ इसलिए कहा है क्योंकि यह एक फलदायी प्रयास तभी साबित होगा जब प्रत्येक हिंदुस्तानी अपना-अपना स्वपाल पारित करे और उसे ईमानदारी से लागू करे। क्योंकि अगर हम अपने सरकारी संपर्क में पिछले दरवाज़े का इस्तेमाल करेंगे और अपने सामाजिक व्यवहार में अनुशासन पर नहीं चलेंगे तो सख्त से सख्त लोकपाल कानून भी नेता-बाबू-पुलिस पर इच्छित अंकुश नहीं लगा पायेगा।

तो आप कब स्वपाल कानून पास करके उसे ईमानदारी से लागू करने जा रहें है???

कांग्रेस की ज़मीन और वादे मोदी के!!!

एक सवाल — क्या बांग्लादेश या भूटान का कोई PM उम्मीद्वार bullet trains, smart cities, प्रतिभा विकास, IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, technology development और उन्नत कृषि के वैसे वादे कर सकता है, जैसे नरेंद्र मोदी ने गत रविवार को किये? मुझे पता है आपका उत्तर होगा नहीं? कारण भी आपको पता है कि इन देशों के पास ये सब काम करने के लिए वह आधार ही नहीं है जो आजादी के बाद भारत में कृषि, औद्योगिक, तकनिकी एवं मानव संसाधन के विकास से बना। यानि कि मोदी, जो भारत को कांग्रेस से मुक्ति दिलाना चाहते हैं, को ये सब वादे करने के लिए ज़मीन कांग्रेस ने ही तैयार करके दी है।

Technology development प्रोत्साहन देते हुए राजीव गांधी ने २९ साल पहले भारत में computer के इस्तेमाल की बड़े पैमाने पर शुरुआत करवाई। और उन्होंने सैम पित्रोदा की अध्यक्षता में Technology Mission की स्थापना भी की। पित्रोदा को भारत कि संचार क्रांति का जनक भी कह सकते हैं। वह अपने काम के लिए भारत सरकार से न राजीव के समय में वेतन लेते थे, न आज लेते हैं। राजीव के शासन की Technology development से जुडी एक और महत्वपूर्ण बात यह है कि उन दिनों TV प्रसारण को देश के कोने-कोने में पहुँचाने के लिए लगभग रोज़ ही एक नया TV transmitter कहीं न कहीं शुरू होता था।

Talent यानि प्रतिभा विकास को राजीव सरकार ने बढ़ावा देने के किये १९८६ की शिक्षा निति के तहत हर ज़िले में जवाहर प्रतिभा विद्यालयं स्थापित करने का निर्णय लिया। आज देश में लगभग ५९३ जवाहर प्रतिभा विद्यालयं हैं जहाँ प्रतिभाशाली विद्यार्थियों को अपनी प्रतिभा विक्सित करने के लिए एक खास माहोल मिलता है।

अंत में, मैं १९८५ में computer के इस्तेमाल को लेकर देश में क्या माहोल था उस पर २९ साल पहले लिखे हुए अपने ही एक term paper (100 pages) के निम्नलिखित अंशों द्वारा आज के नौजवानों को अवगत करना चाहता हूँ। Term paper का विषय था — Computer's Applications in Press Industry, जो कि मैंने अपने YMCA (New Delhi) से Journalism Diploma करते हुए लिखा था।

२९ साल पहले कुछ माहोल ऐसा था — These days there is so much talk about the 21st century and computers in our country. Whether a planner, policy-maker, or a man in the street — all seem to be greatly impressed by the incredible accomplishments of that small piece of electronic circuitry called 'micro-chip'. The new-look Congress Government's main thrust is also on advanced technology. With the aim of taking the country into the 21st century as a developed nation, the new Government is encouraging application of computers on a large scale in all walks of day-to-day life.

...The hesitant acceptance of new technology by Indian workforce is mainly because of two reasons. One is fear of retrenchment and other the possible health hazards of new technology...

...Definitely the use of computers will create new job opportunities, especially in the maintenance and manufacturing of computers. But it will take time...

Term paper के उपरोक्त अंशों में मैंने एक भविष्यवक्ता की तरह जो computer-based industry की बात कही थी वह सच हो चुकी है। उस समय मुझे computer में software के उपयोगिता का पता नहीं था इसलिए मैं software-based industry के विकास की सम्भावना से अनजान था।

इस term paper मैं मैंने Patriot newspaper के production में computer के इस्तेमाल से आये बदलावों पर रौशनी डाली थी। Patriot newspaper से स्वन्तरता सेनानी अरुणा आसफ अली जुडी हुई थी और इस अखबार कि computer प्रणाली का उदघाटन तत्कालीन प्रधान मंत्री इंदिरा गांधी ने ७ फरवरी १९८४ को किया था। यानि कि computer का इस्तेमाल इंदिरा गांधी के शासन काल में शुरु हो चूका था परन्तु इस इस्तेमाल का बड़े पैमाने पर विस्तार राजीव के शासन काल में हुआ। राजीव के शासन काल में ही अमेरिका, भारत को super computer देने पर राजी हुआ था

Who says Rahul is a 'Pappu'?

Rahul's emergence as a confident warrior, I am sure, must have surprised many Congress-baiters. Yesterday (17.01.2014) Rahul's 41-minute speech at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session was a surprising anti-thesis of his 'Pappu' image built by the Saffron social media army. In his vociferously delivered speech Rahul said all the right things about fighting corruption, about encouraging the demoralized Congress 'karyakarta', about equality of women in important affairs of the nation, and about helping poor people lead a better life. He also cracked good jokes like the opposition's good marketing skills in selling combs and giving hair-cuts (exaggerated promises) to the bald people.

Through his speech Rahul has successfully presented himself to the people not as Modi's 'shehzada' but as someone who is tuned in to the India reality. However, Congress supporters wanted Rahul to get into this 'avatar' long ago to blunt the Modi's tireless and many times unfounded attack on Nehru and the Congress rule. Most people believe that now it's too late for the Congress to come back into the reckoning at the hustings. But I believe Rahul can surely minimize Congress losses if he succeeds in convincing people, particularly the youth, that the Congress is not all about the Gandhi dynasty. In his speech, he also talked about transforming the Congress into a 21st century outfit. Already, at Rahul's initiative, internal polls have been held in NSUI and the Youth Congress to democratically elect their office-bearers.

For Rahul, it's really an uphill task to convince people about UPA's commitment to fight corruption when over the past three years, media and the opposition have successfully drilled into people's mind that the UPA government is highly corrupt. Let's see how his sister Priyanka, highly efficient technology man Sam Pitroda and other Congress stalwarts help Rahul in this task. One essential caution for all Congress media managers is to don't shoot from the hip at Modi and other Saffron leaders. They must not do a Mani Shanker Aiyar in mocking at Modi's 'chaiwala'  background.

Today, would Delhi go by opinion polls or the AAP undercurrent would turn into a tide? I wish the latter!

So, today Delhiites are voting their new government for next five years. A POLL OF ALL OPINION POLLS, which were conducted between Aug 2 and Dec 1, predicts a hung Assembly with seats position as follows: Congress 26, BJP 30, AAP 12 and others 2.

I congratulate AAP for its sincere efforts in making corruption and clean governance important poll issues and emerging as a strong contender to form government in Delhi. MY SUPPORT IS FOR AAP, which is going to make a historic, countable entry into Delhi Assembly.

AAP has for the first time in Delhi’s electoral history has turned the Capital’s bipolar polity into a three-some phenomenon. Though both AAP and BJP on the basis their own opinion polls/ assessment claim huge victories, no independent opinion poll has confirmed their claims. Here exceptions are the two opinion polls of India Today which have predicted BJP victory.

However, at the ground level and while talking to middle class Delhiites I have noticed an undercurrent in AAP’s favour . If this undercurrent sustains till their pressing the EVM button, then ALL INDEPENDENT OPINION POLLS ARE GOING TO FALL FLAT ON THEIR FACE. And, this would be the first time that opinions polls would be so off the mark.

I have been following the opinion polls since the 1984 Lok Sabha polls. That year for the first time in India, the India Today group had conducted an opinion poll and predicted a huge 400 plus seat victory for the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress. The opinion poll proved right as Indians in sympathy to Indira Gandhi’s assassination had voted overwhelmingly for Rajiv and Congress.

Today evening or tomorrow evening we will move over to the EXIT POLLS, which would be telecast by almost all news channels. These polls will give a more better idea of the expected poll results as these are conducted on the people who have already voted.

I end with good wishes for TEAM AAP and a request that if you come to power then please don’t go for populist measures and enable Delhiites to have realistic expectations from the government and, more importantly, also discharge their responsibilities/duties towards Delhi and the nation.

परेशानियों से मुक्ति का सरल उपाय

इस कविता कि खुराक दिन में तीन बार अच्छे मूड में चाय के सात लेने से ज़िन्दगी कि परेशानियां कभी नहीं सताएंगी।  ये कविता मुझे एक फेसबुक के डाक्टर ने दी है:  


जो पाया कभी सोचा नहीं,
जो सोचा कभी मिला नहीं,
जो मिला रास आया नहीं,
जो खोया वो याद आता है
पर, जो पाया संभाला जाता नहीं,
क्यों अजीब सी पहेली है ज़िन्दगी
जिसको कोई सुलझा पाता नहीं.

जीवन में कभी समझौता करना पड़े तो कोई बड़ी बात
नहीं है,
क्योंकि झुकता वही है जिसमें जान होती है,
अकड़ तो मुरदे की पहचान होती है।

ज़िन्दगी जीने के दो तरीके होते है!
पहला: जो पसंद है उसे हासिल करना सीख लो!
दूसरा: जो हासिल है उसे पसंद करना सीख लो!

जिंदगी जीना आसान नहीं होता; 
बिना संघर्ष कोई महान नहीं होता; 
जब तक न पड़े हथोड़े की चोट,
पत्थर भी भगवान नहीं होता।

जिंदगी बहुत कुछ सिखाती है;
कभी हंसती है तो कभी रुलाती है; 
पर जो हर हाल में खुश रहते हैं, 
जिंदगी उनके आगे सर झुकाती है।

चेहरे की हंसी से हर गम चुराओ; 
बहुत कुछ बोलो पर कुछ ना छुपाओ;
खुद ना रूठो कभी, पर सबको मनाओ;
राज़ है ये जिंदगी का बस जीते चले जाओ।

रामू चायवाला भी दिल्ली के मुख्यमंत्री के पद की दौड़ में है

शायद आपको याद हो नरेंद्र मोदी ने प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह को हाल में ही इस बात के लिए लताड़ा था कि उन्होंने अमेरिका जा कर ओबामा के सामने देश कि गरीबी का रोना रोया है। यानि कि गरीबी कि मार्केटिंग की है। परन्तु मोदी खुद भी अपने ज़्यादातर भाषणों में अपने भूतकाल  के चायवाले बैकग्राउंड की चर्चा करना नहीं भूलते। क्या इसे किसी तरह की मार्केटिंग कहा जा सकता है?

खैर मोदी के भाषणों का असर चायवालों कि बिरादरी पर हो गया है और उन्होंने एक नयी पार्टी, चायवाला पार्टी, बना ली है। इस पार्टी के अद्यक्ष रामू भी ४ दिसंबर को होने वाले दिल्ली विधान सभा के चुनावों में शीला दीक्षित, हर्षवर्धन एवं अरविन्द केजरीवाल की तरह मुख्यमंत्री के पद की दौड़ में हैं।  यह बात मुझे तब पता चली जब मैंने दिल्ली विश्विद्यालय के कैंपस में दो छात्रों को बात करते सुना। ये छात्र कुछ इस तरह बात कर रहे थे:

राहुल: चल नरेंद्र यार रामू की चाय पीने चलते हैं।

नरेंद्र: रामू की चाय अब नहीं मिलेगी।

राहुल: क्यों?

नरेंद्र: जब से रामू ने सुना है की मोदी जी कभी चाय बेचा करते थे तब से उसने अपनी दुकान बंद कर दी है। और एक नयी पार्टी, चायवाला पार्टी, बना ली है।

राहुल: अरे उसे तो बहुत समर्थन मिल सकता है। दिल्ली में जगह-जगह तो चायवाले हैं और लाखों लोग उनसे चाय  पीते हैं।

नरेंद्र: यार, जिस तरह से रामू भाषण देता फिर रहा है और लोगों को आकर्षित कर रहा है, वह मुख्यमंत्री बन सकता है।

राहुल:  क्या कहता है भाषण में?

नरेंद्र: कल कमला मार्केट में अच्छी-खासी भीड़ के सामने आग्रहपूर्वक कह रहा था: "भाइयों और बहनों, मैं भी चाय बेचता हूँ मुझे देश की न सही कम से कम दिल्ली की सेवा करने का मोका दीजिये।"

राहुल:  क्या रामू ने कोई चुनावी वायदे किये?

नरेंद्र: हाँ कह रहा था कि अगर मैं दिल्ली का मुख्यमंत्री बना तो हर दिल्ली वाले को रोज़ दो चाय मुफ्त मिलेगी। वह भी पानी की नहीं, दूध में पती वाली चाय मलाई मार के।

राहुल: उसने यह नहीं कहा कि साथ में फेन और मट्ठी भी देगा?

नरेंद्र: हाँ यही बात एक बन्दे ने भी रामू से पूछी थी।  

राहुल:  तो रामू क्या बोला?

नरेंद्र: रामू बोला चाय कि तो मेरी पक्की गारंटी है।  फेन-मट्ठी के लिए केंद्रीय सरकार से पूछना पड़ेगा।

राहुल: चलो यार, रामू को जिताओ। दूध पती वाली चाय मिलेगी मलाई मार के। 

नरेंद्र: रामू ने यह भी कहा कि आप प्लास्टिक के पिद्दी-पिद्दी कप में चाय पीना भूल जाओगे। स्टील का बड़ा गिलास मिलेगा आधा भर के। इस पर एक बन्दे ने कहा, "आप फेन-मट्ठी नहीं देंगे, कम से कम  चाय तो गिलास भर के दीजिये।"

राहुल: तो रामू क्या बोला? 

नरेंद्र: वह बोला इसके लिए मुझे केंद्रीय सरकार से पूछना पड़ेगा। देखिये आप मेरी मजबूरी समझिये। में केंद्रीय सरकार से सम्बन्ध ख़राब नहीं कर सकता। आखिर मुझे भी पांच साल सरकार चलानी है।

राहुल: यार बात तो समझदारी की कर रहा है।

नरेंद्र: अब रामू की बात बहुत हुई।  चल जल्दी से माल रोड चलते हैं। आज चाय सैंडविच खिलाने की तेरी बारी है।

राहुल: मैं कहाँ मना कर रहा हूँ। मेरा मन तो रामू की दूध पती मलाई वाली चाय पीने का कर रहा है।

नरेंद्र: रामू की चाय जब मिलेगी तब मिलेगी, आज तो तू जेब ढीली कर.

राहुल: चल तू भी पैसे खर्च करवा के ही मानेगा।


तो इस तरह नरेंद्र और राहुल एक दुसरे के कंधे पर हाथ रखे हुए माल रोड कि और बढ़ चलते हैं।

अगर आप भी रामू की दूध पती मलाई वाली चाय पीना चाह्ते हैं तो ४ दिसंबर रामू को वोट देना नो भूलें। 

JISKA DAR THA WAHI HUA... feeling sorry for AAP

I begin with the following excerpt taken from my email sent to India Against Corruption on August 6, 2012 (about 15 months ago) when some members of Team Anna had decided to form a political party but the formation of AAP was still 4-5 months away:

"I wish to draw Team Anna’s attention to the following famous quote: Power corrupts. Absolutely power corrupts absolutely. In the context of this quote, I think Team Anna’s decision to turn themselves into a political outfit is fraught with serious adverse consequences for their anti-corruption crusade… Anna ji and a bunch of his loyalists can remain honest all their life. But, can they guarantee that the candidates they would choose for fighting polls would also prove to be diehard anti-corruption crusaders?"

The above excerpt, if seen in the light of the clippings of some AAP candidates’ alleged corrupt behaviour which were shown on social media yesterday (Nov 21), proves my fears right. Actually, I believe if fighting corruption is a mission of a bunch of people being supported by a few lakhs Delhiites, it won’t succeed. Particularly if you are a new party trying to eradicate corruption by ‘sweeping’ established parties by your 'jhadu’ (broom) out of reckoning. After all, not all the leaders in the BJP and Congress are corrupt. And, those who are corrupt can go to any extent to harm you.

Politics is like a “koyle ki kothri jisme Manmohan Singh jaisa imandaar aadmi bhi kala nazar aata hai.” As far as corruption and chai-pani culture are concerned, I don’t think that even BJP’s star CMs Narendra Modi, Shiv Raj Singh Chohan and Raman Singh can claim that they have banished these evils from their states.

The most important requirement to fight corruption effectively is the political consensus at the national level on the ways to fight corruption. And, then the strong will of bureaucrats and you and me to ensure that the political consensus leads to desired results. 

If your heart really beats for anti-corruption crusade then please do not follow shortcuts to get your work done in govt offices. 

Anna is right in questioning Kejriwal

In the morning’s post (‘Corporate Bank Politics’), I had written, “Though I do not agree with certain aspects of the AAP poll campaign…” As today Anna Hazare has asked Arvind Kejriwal whether the donations (collected during Anna’s 16-day fast in August 2011 at Delhi’s Ram Lila Maidan) are being used for poll purposes, I also wish to state my reservations about the AAP poll campaign.

Please have a look at this excerpt from my letter emailed to India Against Corruption 18 months ago following the decision of some Team Anna members to form a political party to fight corruption. At that time formation of the Aam Aadmi Party was still 4-5 months away.

The excerpt: “I think we can effectively challenge a system from outside. Once we become part of the system, we become prone to do compromises on our stated principles or agenda for surviving in that system.  Needless to say, Team Anna as a political outfit would need a comfortable majority to enact laws, which, as things stand today, is a Himalayan task to muster. Obviously, to succeed in the numbers game, they would have to compromise with their anti-corruption agenda…” 

Now, after observing the behaviour of AAP over the last one year, I think the party has done compromises to survive in the political system. I won’t go into the AAP funding because going by the AAP claims in the media, I only know that they have collected about Rs 19 crore from common Indians and NRIs. My reservations on the AAP poll campaign are as follows:

1. Long ago Anna Hazare had clarified to Arvind Kejriwal that AAP would not use his name in the poll campaign. But Anna's name is the fulcrum of the AAP poll campaign. 
2. AAP has painted Delhi black and white, claiming that it would pass Anna’s Jan Lokpal Bill on December 29 after coming to power in Delhi. Anna has rightly questioned AAP on this claim because Anna's Bill was meant to be passed by the Union govt not by a State govt. (I think AAP also wants to take advantage of people's emotions attached with Dec 29, the day Delhi Braveheart died last year.) 
3. In some AAP posters, the sentence "5 saal ki gudiya ko bachaya" (He saved a five-year-old innocent girl) is written below Kejriwal’s picture. Adjacent to his picture there is a picture of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who is blamed for the rising crimes against women. I found it in bad taste that Kejriwal, who claims to be a selfless leader, is asking votes in the name of a five-year-old innocent rape victim. 
4. No political party in Independent India has used huge posters to claim its victory on the basis of opinion polls commissioned by itself. But AAP has used autos and other strategic places to put big or small posters to claim that 41% Delhiites want Arvind Kejriwal to be Delhi CM and 46% Delhiites want AAP to form the govt. I think this is not an ethical way to mould people's opinion in your favour.  
5. Arvind Kejriwal hates the BJP and Congress in the same way as Narendra Modi hates the Congress. But in a democracy, particularly in the present times of coalition govts, you would need the Opposition's cooperation to complete legislative business. Otherwise House boycotts by the Opposition would paralyze your govt as has been happening with the minority Manmohan Singh govt for the past two years. 
6. Ironically, despite Kejriwal’s hate for BJP/Ccngress, AAP has fielded in Delhi polls about 10 candidates who in the past were associated with these parties. Interestingly, Kejriwal had gone on record in the media, saying AAP had asked its supporters’ views online about admitting BJP/Congress leaders. Then he told that AAP supporters had warned against admitting these leaders because ‘ye AAP ko kha jayenge.” Now, why this turnaround by AAP? Maybe, AAP will use these leaders as Vibhishanas to destroy the BJP/Congress Lankas!   
   
   

‘CORPORATE BANK POLITICS’

I’ve just coined this term. Let me clarify that it has nothing to do with the Corporate Bank. Actually, the context is the inquiry ordered by the Indian Government into the alleged foreign connection of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) funds on the direction of the Delhi High Court given during a PIL hearing. Though I do not agree with certain aspects of the AAP poll campaign, I feel targeting only AAP is not proper. Wish the petitioner ML Sharma had broad-based his petition to know about the funding sources of big fishes like Congress and BJP. 

Now, I come to the term ‘corporate bank politics’. We are very much familiar with the ‘vote bank politics’ song of the Saffron brigade, which will  remain a chart buster till the 2014 battle is not over. But, we must also know that apart from votes, a candidate needs notes (money) for fighting and winning polls, which are taken care of by ‘corporate bank politics’.  

We have heard a lot about minority appeasement, but corporate appeasement is also a reality of our democracy. The simple reason is that there are no free lunches except those available in school mid-day meals. Saying it differently, no corporate would back a political party with its money just for charity. Any political investment from corporates materializes only when they had already been appeased or are sure of being appeased in future through favourable tweaking in govt policies.  

An ordinary voter, like you and me, may not get the benefits proclaimed in poll manifestoes in return for our votes, but corporates due to their sheer money power and in the name of development schemes always succeed in reaping huge gains from their money invested in political parties. 

It's fine for Narendra Modi to say that he wants to be the chowkidar (watchman) of India in Delhi. But here a million dollar question is: How would Modi say no to the corporates who are putting crores these days in organizing his hi-tech mega rallies? 

In contrast to BJP and Congress' banking on corporate money to fight polls, Arvind Kejriwal has collected money from the masses. This is a good step for cleansing politics. If he comes to power, this would enable him resist coporates pressuring govt for undue favours. In America also, political funding is quite transparent with special fund-raising dinners organized by political parties going to polls. We too can make political funding transparent and minimize indirect corporate influence on politics by exploring the idea of late Prime Minister VP Singh who had talked of govt financing poll expenses of candidates.

Once Advani called Manmohan ‘NIKAMMA’ and got a befitting reply, but now Manmohan’s silence and ‘inaction’ are hurting himself as well as AAM ADMI

In July 2008, BJP leader LK Advani as the Leader of Opposition had called Manmohan Singh as a ‘NIKAMMA’ (useless) Prime Minister during the debate on a no-trust a motion against the UPA-I govt. Then replying to the no-trust motion, Manmohan Singh had given a befitting reply (link given below) whose excerpts are as follows:

“The Leader of Opposition, Shri L.K. Advani has chosen to use all manner of abusive objectives to describe my performance. He has described me as the weakest Prime Minister, a nikamma PM, and of having devalued the office of PM. To fulfill his ambitions, he has made at least three attempts to topple our government. But on each occasion his astrologers have misled him…  All I can say is that before leveling charges of incompetence on others, Shri Advani should do some introspection. Can our nation forgive a Home Minister who slept when the terrorists were knocking at the doors of our Parliament? Can our nation forgive a person who single handedly provided the inspiration for the destruction of the Babri Masjid with all the terrible consequences that followed? To atone for his sins, he suddenly decided to visit Pakistan and there he discovered new virtues in Mr. Jinnah. Alas, his own party and his mentors in the RSS disowned him on this issue. Can our nation approve the conduct of a Home Minister who was sleeping while Gujarat was burning leading to the loss of thousands of innocent lives?...”

This strong reply presented Manmohan as an able PM and he received applause from the people as well as media. But for the last two years the country has seen a different Manmohan who has allowed himself to be painted by the vociferous Narendra Modi as a ‘man of no action’.  We all know that the scam charges, deserting political allies, rising prices of petroleum products, and gloomy world economic scenario have contributed to Manmohan’s woes. But when the poor and middle classes see the govt being unable to control even vegetable prices (which are not linked to dollar), they have no option but to consider the Manmohan govt as ineffective.

Media has time and again attributed the rise in onion prices to hoarding and black marketing of onions. Now I think hoarding and black marketing have also spread to other vegetables, like potato and tomato whose prices are also skyrocketing. It’s possible that many traders, having loyalty to the anti-Congress camp, may be resorting to these malpractices to paint the Manmohan govt in bad colours. But, to prove its sincerity for aam admi’s welfare, the Manmohan govt should have informed people regularly about its actions or its instructions given to state govts to check vegetables hoarding and black marketing.

I think Manmohan and  top Congress leaders very well know that the masses living with high inflation won’t care that UPA II is the first govt in Independent India, which acted against some of its own ministers and some members of high-profile political families, who were put behind bars for their alleged corrupt acts. They also know that people are facing hardships because of subsidy removal from petroleum products, which is a major factor of general price rise but is a good step to encourage judicious use of petroleum products and generate more resources for the exchequer.

But neither Manmohan nor top Congress leaders appear to be doing anything that would tell the aam admi that they understand his problems and want to help him. Have they already conceded defeat to Narendra Modi? 

Manmohan’s reply to no-trust motion: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-22/india/27927772_1_astrologers-home-minister-shri-advani

Intelligentsia’s ‘HISTORIC DECISION’ of Oct 2013, and ‘HONEST’ money making in politics

Noted columnist Vir Sanghvi has brought good news for Narendra Modi’s supporters in his article in today’s Hindustan Times (link given below). The very first para will make the hearts of Modi supporters dance with joy. The para reads: “When the history of this period of Indian politics is written, October 2013 will be remembered as the month when the intelligentsia and the commentariat decided that it was inevitable that Narendra Modi would become the next prime minister.”

Though Sanghvi has predicted Modi’s ascension to the PM chair, the latter’s supporters instead of thanking Sanghvi have criticized him left and right in the comments below his article on the HT website. The reason is they consider him and some other journalists as Congress spokesmen.  And, as usual the Ganhdis and poor Manmohan Singh also faced a lot of flak in these comments. Just comments of two bloggers as samples:

·         I have every doubt that Muck Mute Singh's brain transplantation has been secretly done to make him remote operated & programmable by his operators.

·         I'd vote Modi only if he promises to put Nehru-Gandhi clan, current UPA cabinet with PM in jail forever.

   

Now let me tell you about ‘honest’ money making in politics. According to an article in The Week (Nov 10, 2013), the assets of Chhatisgarh Chief Minister and some of his ministers have grown six fold since the last Assembly elections, that is, in just five years. Also, the ‘poorest’ candidate in the last elections with declared assets of Rs 20 lakh, today owns assets worth Rs 1 crore 4 lakh. I think Chhatisgarh ministers can help eradicate corruption from India if they come out with a ‘how to’ book on fast money making in politics ‘honestly’. I am sure after reading this book all Indian politicians as well as the masses will be able to make money fast without indulging in corruption.

Vir Sanghvi article link: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/viewsvirsanghvi/a-great-sense-of-betrayal-why-india-feels-let-down-by-manmohan/article1-1150835.aspx

Praising ‘Pappu’ means inviting the ire of the largely anti-Rahul social media, but I will take the risk

Actually, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has started something in Youth Congress and NSUI, which if followed by THE CONGRESS ITSELF and other political parties in the country would help weed out criminals from politics and give more political power to people.

Before getting to the point, let me introduce you to ‘Governance Now’ (a fortnightly magazine) and FAME (an organization), and remind you of former Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh. The three-year-old magazine ‘Governance Now’ was founded by Adhikari brothers (Gautam and Markand, who own the SAB channel) and Anurag Batra to focus on governance issues and problems in India. Former Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh now heads the Foundation for Advanced Management of Elections (FAME) whose one aim is to promote internal democracy in political parties.

I take yet another digression to remind you of Rahul’s beehive speech at the CII in April last. In that speech Rahul had said that we the masses elect about 5000 MPs and MLAs. And, who could get elected as MPs and MLAs is decided by ONLY 200 TO 300 PEOPLE (the combined strength of ticket distributors in all parties). Then Rahul’s poser was, “…How can we talk about anything if just 200 people are defining those Vidhan Sabhas and Parliament?”

Now, coming to the topic, I refer to an article (link given below) in ‘Governance Now’ (Oct 16-31 2013 issue) that links FAME with Rahul, Youth Congress, and NSUI. After its formation about four-five years ago, FAME had written to all political parties to take its help in bringing internal democracy in them. However, no party sought FAME help. In other words, NO PARTY CARES HOW DEMOCRATIC IT ITSELF IS. However, Rahul sought FAME help in conducting regular elections to Youth Congress and NSUI units in all the states. Before accepting Rahul's request, FAME put the condition that “it would have the last word on all matters". Rahul agreed. And, for the last three years, FAME has been supervising Youth Congress/NSUI elections. In some cases the kin of some top Congress leaders were disqualified for rules violation but Rahul kept his word and did not intervene.

FAME has strict rules regarding selection of candidates for internal party polls. Not only convicted persons but even the persons charged with offences punishable with imprisonment up to five years can’t stand for elections. Violation of campaigning rules can also nullify a person’s nomination.

Rahul’s aim is to start selecting party leaders from booth level to district level, state level and national level through a truly internal democratic process with no scope for para-dropping leaders boasting of family connections. To underline the significance of this exercise, the slogan 'Neta bano, neta chuno' has been coined. This way Rahul would make it sure that ONLY 200 TO 300 PEOPLE do not get to decide who could be our MPs or MLAs. 

Rahul has given himself ten years to bring complete internal democracy in Congress. When Prof Jagdeep Chhoker, founding member of Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) asked him about the possibility of his failure in this task, then Rahul replied, "I will walk away and somebody else will have to do it." 

I wish Rahul success because it would help him shake off the dynasty baggage and make Congressmen look beyond a Gandhi.

‘Governance Now’ article link: http://www.governancenow.com/news/regular-story/how-rahul-our-insider-system

Can a middle class Indian or a poor Indian buy 36 pant-shirt suits or kurta-churidaars every year?

‘No’ would certainly be your answer. Before I come to the topic, I put another poser: Can a middle class Indian or a poor Indian afford Bvlgari spectacle frames, Monteblanc pen and Swiss luxury watch Movado? I know you will again answer in the negative.  

Let me continue with my puzzle. Here are the words of a ‘strong’ leader: "We have lived poverty and have known the pain of the poor. When someone makes fun of poor people, I feel the pain because I spent my childhood in poverty. " 

Almost at every major rally over the last two months this man has talked about his tea-vendor background and ridiculed someone as  ‘Shehzaada’, ‘Prince’ or ‘Yuvraaj’. Now, you’ve got it and I need not tell you that I am talking about BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

The above words he has uttered at his Kanpur rally today (Oct 19). At the rally he again made fun of Rahul by calling him ‘Yuvraaj’ and saying "People who are born with a silver spoon do not understand what poverty means and the pain of poor people."

But for your information, Modi gets 36 kurta-churidaars stitched every year in khadi, khadi silk and khadi linen. And, he prefers Bvlgari spectacle frames, Montblanc pens and Swiss luxury watch Movado.* Modi was not born with a silver spoon. But doesn't now he has the tastes similar to those of people born with a silver spoon? Maybe, if he comes to power we would all be able to live in luxury? 

PS: Yesterday Congress leader Digvijaya Singh told us that Gujarat has the highest per capita debt in the country.

*According to an article in The Week magazine (Sept 29, 2013) 

Datia tragedy reminds me of Anusha's words

I pay tribute to over 115 devotees who have died due to a stampede caused by rumours of bridge collapse near the Ratangarh temple in Datia, Madhya Pradesh yesterday (Oct 13).

Given the utter lack of discipline in us coupled with our mostly superficial devotion to religion and apathetic government machinery, Datia-type tragedies can happen anywhere, in fact, have happened in the past in other states also.

   

The Datia stampede reminds me of these words: 'Nothing can happen until people stand up and regulate the system.' These words were uttered by Anusha Rizvi, director of ‘Peepli Live’, a film on farmers’ suicide, when the film was released over three years ago. I had also responded to Anusha’s words with a post in this blog (‘Anusha, your’re right’) on August 14, 2010. The post is still there intact.

The Datia tragedy shows we are not ready to regulate the system.  Isn’t it surprising that in a land where numerous people in the past had done 'ghor tapasaya' for getting the blessings of god, today we are spreading rumours to break queues to have a quick ‘darshan’ of our deity? It shows our devotion to the deity is only skin deep. Shouldn't it be a serious concern for the people who always talk highly of Hindu religion and Hindu culture?  Actually, big religious festivals are used by all — petty shopkeepers, policemen, and people associated with religious institutions — to milk money from the masses' devotion for their deities.

A popular belief of Hindu religion is: ‘Kan kan mein bhagwan’. That is, God is present all around us in all things, even in the minutest particle. So, then why we waste time standing in miles-long queues for a deity’s darshan?  Isn’t it better to meditate by focusing on our deity in serene surroundings near our homes and spend the time that we waste in long queues in environment protection work.

My request to people managing religious institutions: If they are really sincere about proper management of religious institutions for the good of society, then they can seek advice of IIM passouts. I am sure that these passouts, who can do anything from selling soft drinks to managing the economy, can certainly help in preventing devotees going to heaven while they are praying their deity for good, long life on earth!

Bitter onion facts and ALL-PARTY ALLIANCE!!!

The skyrocketing onion prices have created a big hole in our pockets over the last two months. And, see what a prominent onion trader operating in the Lasalgaon market, India’s largest onion market, feels about our plight: “If prices have gone up from Rs 20 to Rs 80 a kilo, the middle class is paying hardly Rs 120 more than their average monthly spending. This should not disturb them so much.”

The Lasalgaon market is in Maharashtra’s Nashik district where 70 per cent of India’s onion trade occurs. 

The above quote is part of the cover story of THE WEEK magazine's current issue available at this link: http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/theWeekContent.do?contentId=15176275&programId=1073755753&tabId=13&BV_ID=@@@&categoryId=-208261 

Some more consumer gyaan (learning) related to the onion trade conducted in the Lasalgaon market over the past few months is as follows:

• A farmer who sold his produce at Rs 3500 a quintal, his profit after paying for raw material and labour costs was only Rs 9 a kilo.
• According to a farmer activist, traders in Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) alone earned more than Rs 150 crore in just four days (Aug 12–15) this year.
• According to the leader of a prominent organization, “The (onion) auctions are a farce… Once the bidding is over, the winner announces the price. The farmers have to sell their crop to him even if the price does not meet their production cost. They get beaten up if they refuse.” 

Over the last few weeks we have seen much hue and cry over onion price rise in media and in the political arena. But hardly anyone told us about the plight of the onion farmer and how few traders monopolistic practices have created the artificial onion scarcity and consequent steep price rise.

Maybe it's due to the all-party alliance which is protecting the traders' interest in Nashik. One farmer activist points to this all-party alliance in these words: “About 90 per cent of the traders belong to the BJP; the state co-operative and agriculture ministers are from the Congress; and NCP chief Sharad Pawar is the Union agriculture minister." 

Manmohan 'marketed poverty' before Obama, but what the Gujarat 'strongman' is doing?

PM hopeful of BJP Narendra Modi recently charged PM Manmohan Singh of marketing India’s poverty before President Obama at their meeting on Sept 28. OK. Now, let's see what Modi himself is doing. Between Sept 15 and Oct 2, Modi spoke thrice (at Rewari and Delhi rallies and at a college students’ meet in Delhi) about his tea-vendor background. Isn't it marketing of Modi's humble background to touch a chord in the common man for electoral gains. Our former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri also came from a humble background.  He lost his father when he was only one. Given Shastri’s nature one doesn’t think he had ever tried to market his humble background like Modi is doing these days.

Vajpayee's statesmanship and potential PM's Congress-mukt Bharat

Noted historian and scholar Ramchandra Guha in one of his articles (link given at the bottom) narrates an example of statesmanship and political tolerance set by BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee while serving as foreign minister in the Janata Party govt in 1977. In the 1977 elections, the newly-formed Janata Party, in which BJP's erstwhile avatar Jana Sangh was merged, had trounced the Congress and formed the govt at the Centre.

When Vajpayee as Foreign Minister went to his office in South Block for the first time, he looked around, and immediately spotted a blank space on the wall. (He knew the room well, as he had often visited it as an Opposition MP.) "Panditji ki tasveer kahan gayi? (Where is the portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru that used to hang there?)." The officers present in the room remained silent. Actually, they had themselves removed Nehru’s portrait, thinking that Vajpayee who had been jailed during the 1975-77 Emergency by Indira Gandhi would detest her father Nehru. But Vajpayee commanded, "Wapas lao. Satara saal hamare videsh mantri rahe. (Bring back the portrait. He was our Foreign Minister for 17 years.) So Nehru's portrait was brought back. 

The above anecdote shows Vajpayee's magnanimity as well as statesmanship in accepting the important role Nehru played as the first PM and as Foreign Minister in building modern India. In fact, Nehru was also highly impressed by Vajpayee's oratorial skills when the latter was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1957. He had reportedly told his fellow parliamentarians that this young MP would emerge as a big leader in future. 

Now, see the contrast. Today potential PM Narendra Modi, belonging to the very party of Vajpayee, in his speeches seems to blame Nehru for all the ills afflicting the country. Young Indians also get carried away by Modi's speeches. But an impartial observer would give Nehru credit for laying the foundation of a democratic and plural India which provided an opportunity to people from backward castes, like Narendra Modi, Mayawati, and  Laloo Prasad Yadav, to develop political leadership qualities and become national leaders. 

Though Modi became a national leader by enjoying the fundamental rights bestowed upon him by the Indian democracy, he has coined the highly undemocratic slogan 'Congress-mukt Bharat' (Congress-free India). Many political leaders have great differences with BJP leaders. But nobody has ever coined the slogan 'BJP-mukt Bharat' (BJP-free India). 

I think a true democrat knows well that in a liberal society like India's anybody within the framework of law has the right to propagate his/her views or ideology. Does Modi need to be reminded of the requirement to tolerate one's opponents in a democratic polity?   

Ramchandra Guha's article is available at the following link:  

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130629/jsp/opinion/story_17049899.jsp#.UlFWctLI0mY

India needs 125 crore Lokpal Acts to fight corruption

Yesterday (Oct 5) I watched Abhigyan’s programme 'Sisayat Aur Bhrashtachar' (Politics and Corruption) at NDTV. In the programme, the young Indians appeared highly agitated to uproot corruption from India. And, the political leaders and political analysts, invited for the programme, also underlined the need to end corruption and focus on development. 

The young participants and some political leaders felt that enacting new laws and the Lokpal Act is a sure shot remedy to end corruption. However, JD(U) leader Sabir Ali felt that we already have very good laws which if implemented sincerely can remove corruption. I totally agree with Ali's views. However, I would like to add one thing here that if the Lokpal Act is considered a necessity then one Act won't do. Actually we all 125 crore Indians must enact our individual Lokpal Acts not to abet or indulge in corruption. 

A solid support for this argument is that recent poll surveys have shown that only a minuscule percentage of respondents consider corruption to be a poll issue. The C fore survey, published on Sept 19, 2013 in the Hindustan Times (HT), revealed that only 7% Delhiites consider corruption to be a poll issue. Similarly two earlier all-India poll surveys, conducted by the HT and The Week magazine, put the percentage of respondents concerned over corruption at 10 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively. So, corruption does not bother us much unless we are participating in a TV debate, or unless Anna Hazare sits on a dharna at Jantar Mantar or Ram Lila Maidan. For the anti-corruption movement to succeed, the young participants in Abhigyan's programme must abhor corruption in real life by not following themselves and also preventing their parents from treading the chai-paani route while dealing with the govt machinery. 

Regarding the political class's role in ending corruption, I strongly support the view expressed by NCP leader B P Tripathi in the programme, that all political parties must join hands to design effective ways to end corruption. This will ensure continued mass awakening and fight against participation cutting across castes, religions, and regions. 

In the programme, discussion also veered to development as a poll issue. I feel development is an issue which suits every politician for two reasons. (a) By undertaking development works a politician can fulfil the expectations of his/her electorate and can keep winning elections for a long time. (b) Any development work involves granting contracts worth crores of rupees, and it’s a godsend for the corrupt among the political lot to mint money.

An important but largely ignored aspect is the quality of development works.  Are we or our leaders concerned enough to ensure that we really get the expected return in terms of quality for the tonnes  of money being devoured by development works? Perhaps nobody is concerned. The reason: The masses have enough on their plate in the form of personal and family issues, and the rampant chai-paani culture makes even the honest among politicians/babus to look the other way when quality is compromised in development works. 

In this regard no govt is different irrespective of its political hue. For example, take the case of Delhi. An impartial quality and cost audit of the public works being carried out by MCD departments (controlled by BJP) and Delhi govt departments (controlled by Congress), will reveal same instances of unnecessary cost escalations, and lack of proper supervision leading to substandard quality in the works. So, our precious financial resources are not being used to construct buildings and infrastructure for 'sadiyon ke liye' though a company claims to produce cement for building 'imarats sadiyon ke liye'.

Another example on quality concerns comes from a story carried by The Week magazine few months back. The story reported that according to an NGO, Rahul Gandhi's economic package for Bundelkhand has allegedly been turned into a money spinner for the corrupt. Crores have reportedly been made through fake vouchers in the names of dead people, fake bills, non-transparent contracts and sub-standard works. It is alleged that among fake bills, earthmovers with fake registration numbers are mentioned, and scooters and motorbikes are represented as tractors used for digging to create rain harvesting structures.

Wish media devote due attention to the quality of development works as these are financed by budgets whose deficits are spiralling.