#KnowYourCountry #KnowIndia - What is Republic Day? Interesting facts about Republic Day

• The Indian Republic Day, which is celebrated on 26th January every year, commemorates the day on which the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950 by replacing the Government of India act (1935). 
• After Independence, on 29th August 1947, a resolution was moved for the appointment of a Drafting committee to draft a constitution for the newly independent India with Dr BR Ambedkar as the Chairman. The Draft committee submitted its draft to the Constituent Assembly on 4th November 1947.  
• After nearly two years of deliberations, the Constitution was adopted and came into effect on 26th January 1950. With that, India officially came to be known as the “Republic of India”.
• As the Indian Constitution incorporates a synthesis of flexibility (contemporary challenges) and rigidity (essential nature), allowing it to respond to the emerging circumstances and situations from time to time, the Indian Constitution is known as a Living Document.
• The president unfurls the flag on Rajpath in New Delhi, followed by other celebrations.
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• When the flag is unfurled on Republic Day, it is closed and tied at the top of the pole. The President unfurls it without pulling the flag up as it takes place on Independence Day. On Republic Day, the country celebrates the day when the Constitution was adopted.
• Republic Day marks the occasion when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950. 
• The constitution was created and was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949.
• Since the India Constitution came into effect in 1950. The first Republic day parade was held 1950. It took place at the Irwin Amphitheater (now Major Dhyan Chand Stadium). Three thousand Indian military personnel and over 100 aircraft participated in the parade.
• In the initial first four years, the venues of these marches were Irwin Stadium, Red Fort, and Ramlila Grounds.
• The first parade at Rajpath was organised in 1955. Pakistan’s Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad attended the event as chief guest. It was the first of the only two times that a Pakistani leader was given the honour.

• The Beating Retreat ceremony, which takes place at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on January 29 every year, traces its origin to a tradition from the 1600s. This tradition to announce the return of the troops began when King James II ordered his troops to beat drums, lower flags and organise a parade to declare the end of a day of combat.
• The first foreign military contingent, French Army soldiers, took part in Republic day Parade in 2018.
• A salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian National flag by Dr. Rajendra Prasad heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic on January 26, 1950.

• PS:  All Images are taken from internet for information purpose only.  Kindly request the owners of the images to inform in case you want them to be removed.  

Public Dialogue of Women's Reservation Bill @Chennai on 21 Jul 2019 - 5 MPs participated

What is Women's Reservation Bill?  

The Women's Reservation Bill or The Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, 2008, is a pending bill in the Parliament of India which propose to amend the Constitution of India to reserve 33% of all seats in the Lower house of Parliament of India, the Lok Sabha, and in all state legislative assemblies for women. The seats were proposed to be reserved in rotation and would have been determined by draw of lots in such a way that a seat would be reserved only once in three consecutive general elections.

The Rajya Sabha passed the bill on 9 March 2010.  However, the Lok Sabha never voted on the bill. The bill is still pending as it never went to the Lok Sabha.   In 1993, a constitutional amendment was passed in India that called for a random one third of village council leader, or pradhan, positions in gram panchayat to be reserved for women.

There is a long-term plan to extend this reservation to parliament and legislative assemblies.Its opponents consider this preferential treatment of women in India as discrimination against them in admissions to schools, colleges, and universities.

Why is it not presented in the floor of Parliament by Governments at Power so far.?    A Public Dailogue on the Womens Reservation Bill in Chennai on 21 Jul 2019

“You can tell the condition of the nation by looking at the status of women.” - Jawaharlal Nehru

“Na Stree Swathantryam Arhati”  - Manusmriti,   Meaning - Woman is undeserving for independence.This phrase reflects our whole attitude  towards women in our country.   Those following Manusmriti has been consistently opposing the WRB.

Ms.Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, honourable Member of Parliament in her keynote address mentioned that this is the only bill pending from passing for the longest period in the parliament.   Sharing of Power is always a question as Power represent authority to take decisions and make changes which will not be beneficial to men.  Seat sharing does have physical challenges even during the UPA government period.  Manifestos of NDA always included the WRB, however, not a single time it was passed in any session of Parliament and it is sad that this is not in agenda of the current session of the Parliament as well.   

There is no response to voices of the people.  Today with 78 women MP’s, it is only 14% in Parliament.   The need for this Women’s Reservation Bill as 108^th amendment to the Constitution will give assured seats/ party tickets for even contesting by the women.    Every law is a problem to someone, and women need to decide on what they want and fight for it.    With the WRB kind of legislations in place, women will be able to voice out for stricter laws against crimes on women like Rape etc. 

"The Bill that every party promises and none pass,"

as DMK MP Kanimozhi eloquently said,

was my power packed Saturday at Loyola college.

VCK MP Ravikumar's words were memorable, Dalits & women have similar standing - lesser among equals by birth, and underserved in political power.

And as Thamizhachi rightly said, political power is a woman's right, not ask.

Dr Ranjana Kumari pointed out that when we say a Bill is tabled there is usually no actual document presented. This one, strangely enough, was presented as a document and torn. And again, and again! Until the ensuing ruckus stalled the bill for 9 years now.

2 MPs from the DMK, Kanimozhi & Sumathy (ThamizhachI), VCK MP Ravikumar and INC MP Dr Jayakumar accepted our demand to raise the #WomensReservationBill in this first session of Parliament.

The ball moves, nay inches towards the goal post ...

Chennai, July 20th 2019.   (Written by Tara Krishnaswamy of Politcal Shakthi)

Merits of Women's Reservation Bill

1.      It will increase the number of women members in Parliament and state assemblies.

2.      Issue related to the women will get much more priority in the Parliament and can be resolved easily.

3.      The abusive and bad atmosphere of the Parliament and state assemblies can become better.

4.      Gender Equality in parliament leading to women empowerment

5.      Provide women with much needed opportunity to come out and participate in political activities

6.      Give women a chance to play an active role in the governance of the country- giving women of India a level playing field in politics and raise their status adn efficiency in the same

7.      Everyone will respect women in our country. Management of Parliament will be better because of the managerial skills of women.

8.      Equal access to participate in social and political activities. Decision making in economic life and politics of the nation.

9.      It will eliminate the gender discrimination in the Parliament.

10.  Rapid improvement in the lifestyle of women.

11.  Full advancement to women in legislation.

12.  Easier to access the democratic functioning for women.

13.  Women in the Parliament will act as a complement to men.

Tribute to Thangatalavi J. Jayalalithaa..

A grieve stricken, despondent, mournful, downcast morning as we mourn, bemoan ,lament the untimely demise of most revered, respected Chief Minister of our Tamil Nadu , Madam Jayalalitha!

TN Chief Minister Selvi J Jayalalithaa 1948-2016

 Friends as the proverbial saying goes ' beauty & brains do not always go together! ' Definitely untrue in Ms Jayalalitha' s case! Ms Jayalaltha was a beautiful woman, a charming smart actress with a great fan following even as an actress AND she was also a highly cultured, educated ,efficient woman, a quick learner with good grasp of men and matters, she was a leader among leaders , a dynamic ,articulate ,charismatic personality who toiled hard , strained every nerve to make Tamil Nadu progress with growth in all spheres ,especially she worked hard for the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden like her mentor MGR !

A linguist proficient in all south Indian languages apart from English and Hindi! As CM, Her string of populist welfare initiatives like Amma Canteen, Amma Salt, Amma water , Amma laptops, Amma Cycles , ,cradle welfare scheme, All women police stations, rain water harvesting,houses ,goats, grinders,new Veeranam scheme etc that have been very successful and hailed by all bear testimony to her success, real concern for the poorest of the poor and others!

As Chief Minister and as head of her party AIADMK, she ruled with an iron hand ! A strong disciplinarian , a level headed leader! Throughout her tenure as super numero uno of her party there was never a voice of dissent in her party ! Party cadres and leaders alike worshipped her, she was their Goddess, God sent messenger to alleviate, nurture better their standard of living! She was the Messiah of the masses ! She held the party together commanding total loyalty , respect, of the cadre even when not in power! A strong willed , fire brand leader who never took failures as set backs! always fought back with resilience,fortitude and self belief and ascended the CM throne 5 times! Amazing, for Ms Jayalalitha Jayaram, a Brahmin that too a woman and a firm believer in God to become and be a Chief Minister of passionate state like Tamil Nadu with deep rooted Dravidian cultural background is no mean achievement, it is just remarkable! She did it with tenacity. her fiery brand of politics unhindered ,unperturbed throughout her chequered career marked with very highs and few lows too !

 She strode like a colossus! she was unmindful of her rare failures, snubbed, kept her adversaries under leash, never allowing them to raise their head ! Dynamic Revolutionary leader Jayalalitha hogged the limelight ,occupied centre stage ,was the cynosure of all eyes whether in power or not! Her rigid stance, no nonsense attitude, tough nature, clarity of thought, decisive actions, firm rule, welfare measures endeared the mass to her! If MGR was the God, his protege Madam Jayalalitha was the Goddess ,the Shakthi, the Rajmatha more popularly ,fondly addressed,called as " Amma "!

Mother' s love is always pristine ,pure ,most unselfish , endearing of all our attachments ,human bondages ,is not it? She was the eternal "_Amma" the doting, caring,the benevolent mother for all! Amazing woman of substance, a quick learner, a voracious reader, a self taught scholar, a statesman par excellent, in personal life , a spinster , a loner whose family is people of Tamil Nadu as she proudly, poignantly used to declare time and again! Leaders may come,leaders may go! Very few make lasting ,salutary impact ! needless to say Jayalaltha was one among them! Ms Jayalalitha was held in awe, commanded greatest respect !

A disciplinarian , a true and most successful AIADMK leader who increased the mass support, mass base of her party manifold after MGR ! She was the pupil who surpassed her teacher MGR , in due course, as she emerged spectacularly from the shadows of her Master MGR whom she hero- worshipped ! she held an iconic identity , a strong connect with the mass especially womenfolk! Her death has left a big vacuum! A void , a breach which can't be cemented that easily! She was an embodiment of women's empowerment! Friends , we all are mortals! Very few like புரட்சித் தலைவி அம்மா ,attain immortality! "The life given us by nature is short, but the memory of well spent life is eternal!- Marcus Cicero, no doubt our people's CM leaves behind glorious memories ! with eyes shut, hands folded and prayers in my lips. i join you all and multitude of our Tamilians in paying homage to her noble soul! God bless you all...In words of Artist doyen Ramesh Krishnamoorthy.

Do Not Let Her Die! AMMA - A saga and an era of glory and empowerment of women ! A Charismatic Leader

It may or may not be her time yet,

why speculate on her health!

Stop wanting her to die 

even if it is the truth that would not sink in

Like you and Me,

She is also a human being!

We all fall sick, go fragile

wanting care and rest !

All of us will one day go!

leaving behind the power and human body!

We will take the paradise gates

That's the only human final destination!

She is a leader, a most charismatic one

Roaring with her voice and opinions

Redeemed a lot with her achievements!

What did she personally achieve!

Family? Peace? Health? 

Wealth and Power gave her a ego boost

Governance had been her mantra in life

Like all aged women, she is fragile now

She will recover and come if God will

Let her take her time to recuperate!

Don't speculate her death and damage

After all, she is no ordinary woman!

She is the 'Thanga Talaivi' like her fans call

AMMA to the masses 

Queen of the Tamil Silver screen

Supreme reign of the Tamilnadu Politics

It is so cheap and mean

with rumors spreading about her 

Even if it is truth, let us respect the human being

for what she is!  The charismatic leader

Do not kill a living legend

let her live long and reign along 

for she leaves behind none to be called her own

She came alone to this world

living alone amidst the crowd

like you and me, she may also go alone!

what would be left behind are deeper footprints

and bigger shoes to fill and feel

May you Amma,  Selvi JJ ,  come back with good health and rule the land that masses have voted you to run the government!

As a responsible leader, people are concerned about your welfare and hence the speculations.   Keeping all aside, we would wish you speedy recovery.  God willing, what is best will be wished to happen for your good and the good of the masses!

 

 

Can you see a relation between Mob Killing of Rape Accused in Nagaland and 'Nirbaya' documentary? If no, time to see!

As the whole of India was debating whether it is right or wrong to ban or not to ban the 'India's daughter' documentary....another girl got victimized by a sadist rapist in Nagaland.   This time, the girl came out boldly stating that she was given Rs 5000 to keep quite by the rapist.....Sadist!  Yes, this is exactly a group of student thought and took onto the streets in silent protest.

The same day,  all the prime news channels were only debating full time on the intentions and thoughts of another sadist who is the death row and two other WELL_EDUCATED lawyers who were again and again telling that it was the fault of Jyothi to be on the streets of Delhi, going out to a movie with a boy friend and spoiling our culture!?!??!???

The young peaceful protest slowly became frenzy..the thoughts of letting another rapist lager in our jails for next several years and then giving a chance to give interview to another foreigner and making him a negative-hero was not letting our youth tolerate.  The students were joined by several of the public, protesting and more than thousand people mobbed on the jail and pulled out the rapist and took the law in their hands....lynched him, made him walk naked and finally killed him.   Is justice done to the girl?  Confusion....Interstate dispute, a collector's suspension and series of arrests followed.   

The orthodox way of punishment to an accused again took to the headlines.    When hundreds of rapes happen and accused rapists continue to survive, why did the mob go frenzy this time and took justice in their hands?  Where did the tolerance and time for justice gone this time?   Was the repeate telecast of Mukesh Singh's interview and the debates triggered this reaction of the people in Nagaland

As a woman, I thought if few more such mob justice instances happen this will make the rapists definitely scared for what happened in Nagaland and keep their zips zipped up in care!   But as a sensitive citizen, I was not comfortable to the thought of the way mob took law in their hands.   This was the way accused used to be punished in several parts of India  during 'Kata Panchayat days'  ; but are we not today going by the rotten legal system...We still will dust our old legal books and wait for justice.  Somehow, both are two extremes.    

Yes, taking law in hands is not the right thing.  We should let the law deal with these rapists.  Same time, feeding them and making them comfortably stay in jails ( Notice Mukesh, and other two accused clean shaved, wearing ironed clothes and looking very healthy  - is there no jail uniforms,  and these guys fed well and sheltered for rest of their lives as their mercy petitions will wait another decade....) is not going to be giving justice to the victims.  Justice delayed is Justice denied.

It is time for us to have a balanced thinking.   It is time to make our men promise of respect, care and equality to women around them.  It is time for women to make their families take up this promise for men's enlightenment than just focus on Women Empowerment

The real happiness of celebrating women's day is only when we see the crimes on women coming down not just in India but across the world.   The real pride of being a woman is when we help the fellow women to empower, enrich and earn their self-respect and self- esteem.   What may come, we women should remain strong and focused.  Stay strong and courageous.  Stay firm to ground and reach skies in our achievements.   Stay Blessed!

Happy Women's Day

Good Bye Dear Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh

Dr. Manmohan Singh will be leaving the Office of the Prime Minister, of the largest democracy in the world in 48 hours from now.  The Country has seen him as a great economist,  a good politician and unfortunately as he retire from his political whirlwind, there is less that this country appreciated in him and more it hated.  However,  when the time came for him to bid adieu to 7, Race Course Road, New Delhi as India's first Sikh Prime Minister, a truly highly qualified politician in Indian diaspora,  a balanced Libran born on 26th September 1932,  my heart aches.  As the world shouts at its peaks that we had a Silent Prime Minister, a dormant politician and a chamcha of the Gandhi family,  the shadows of the scams and silence truly have covered the other side of this humble and honest man who ruled our country for long good 10 years. 

Dr Singh is not a doctorate given by some university as a honor degree.  He earned it with efforts at Oxford.  He did not reach the seat of Prime Minister by luck or for fancy.  He climbed the political ladder step by step.  His experience in United Nations, in the Ministry of Foreign trade,  being Chief economic advisor and also as RBI Governor and heading the planning commission before getting in the ministerial spectrum.  

Thanks to then PM P.V. Narshimha Rao, another whirlwind politician and a shrewed decision maker, who took bolder decisions for the economic progress of this Nation.  It is so sad that the present generation do not even know about the achievements of PVN period that brought in a boom  of economic reliance and opened up gates for foreign investment which boosted our trade and industries.  The combination of PVN and Dr Singh changed the country's fate during the severe financial crisis in early 90's.  The liberal financial reforms changed the destiny of the Nation from being an agriculture based country to a technologically advanced country where the skills and competencies were given greater importance.  From being a self-reliant country to a vastly export oriented Nation generating revenues from global markets transformed the growth of this Nation.

 The Nation that was ravaged by the times of Mandal Commission, Reservation based riots and suicides of young Indians,  got a relief when Dr Singh took over the reigns of the Nation as a Finance Minister in 1991 in PVN's Cabinet.  Less would he have imagined that one day he would take over the hot seat and stay there under fire for 10 long years.   After the strong opposition that set in against Sonia Gandhi becoming Prime Minister after UPA won in 2004 elections, Dr Singh became Sonia's choice.    

Several reforms under his leadership took its wings and reached the common man.  Amongst which RTI definitely needs a mention.  UID, Rural Heath Care, Employment Guarantee and nuclear agreement with United States were surely his plus points during his tenure.  However,  his tenure saw the most traumatic conditions as well.  The government was day in day out haunted by the scams in all the streams of governance.  Corruption and Terrorism took different forms and sizes beyond control.   Dr Singh from being a  transforming leader was pushed to become a silent manager.  From being an aggressive governing head, he was forced to silently  withstand the turbulence within his own government and became a silent spectator. 

Dr Singh dream of creating a role of active politics for betterment of human affairs.  Thinking the unthinkable and making bold decisions keeping the larger growth of the country in mind, Dr Singh definitely made an impact on our economy.  What ever the media may call him, how much ever Press may degrade him and the jokes on Internet create him as a joker,  the truth is that he was a humble man, a honest person, a great academician,  a wonderful thoughtful leader, pushed to be a selfish politician unfortunately and overall a great human being.  For such a diversified Nation like India, it is not easy to manage several ups and downs and Dr. Singh did it with his own charisma

History may record him as a Silent Politician who was a mockery and a puppet in some one's hands.  But the truth will also be realized sooner than later that he was an example of integrity, a man of tolerance, and a leader who had healthy relationships with world leaders and built a strong relationship of understanding and harmony with neighbouring Nations.  Managing insurgencies on all sides, handled terrorism within the country, dealing with a long list of scams and still coming out clean is no easy task.  The biggest mistake probably he had done would be to go silent and immune as the scandals shocked the Nation.  The government would have collapsed many times costing the election commission exchequer further more losses effecting our economy had he gone on a mode of taking strict actions against his own ministers and parliamentarians who have tarnished the image of his government and him as a leader who has the competency to rule and a strong political power.  Being aware of the irregularities and corruption charges and still staying quite was his draw back that made him called as the weakest Prime Minister India could have.  However, despite all this, he quietly did his duties.  He silently went ahead with his reforms and governance.  He did not speak in favour or against of anyone.  He remained calm and himself.  Which is not a sign of a good leader but a great manager.  

At the age of 81, his decision to retire from active politics and giving away for new generations to come in, we would surely miss the wisdom of a great leader.  Every ruler will have his pros and cons.  Dr Singh should be remembered for the best he has given to our country.  Hope he will have a peaceful retired life.  And also wish that the chaos towards the end of his political era should not haunt him in his old age.  We should give him the due respects as some one who managed this Nation for a decade keeping the image of India strong, high, proud and in the growth trajectory in the world map for several causes and reforms .  

May god give Dr Man Mohan Singh a peaceful retired life,  good health and happiness.  May his time give him an opportunity to write why he should not be called a weak prime minister so that we would know his thoughts and as his conscience speaks up the truth.   May the wisdom he shared be appreciated and May he have a life with real internal strength and integral peace at least now that he is out of the hot seat.  God Bless!

Is Watching Pron a Passtime?

Frequent reports of our democratically elected politicians watching pron in the assembly is making us think-  Think Big!. 

Watching pron was not taken seriously and considered as a time pass for many, mostly a regular men's pass time.   of course, women are not spared as well!

Thankfully so far we have not heard on reported incidents of such things in corporate offices, colleges and schools, institutions, though I am sure many keep watching various videos on YouTube and other movies stuff in office cubicles and college corridors. 

The same become criminally offensive than just a pass time when it involves coercion and force...involve minors  and children and involuntary participation.   90% of the junk available on the net is either secretly videoed,. forced, blackmailed, or made for money.   I don't think the globe's  oldest profession had come into existence without force and dire need of survival

What was once confined as  intrinsic (private) dances/ devadasis of old days in the court halls of kings and emperors....now get displayed as item girls , number songs. and hard core sexual display and violent pron without the consent of those involved.  

Good things don't go viral so fast...but these things take so much space on our web.   And .xxx websites are not the once restricted with this stuff.

With every device from the computers, Internet, mobile phones, ipods, ipads, movies, advertisements, television, video games, magazines, books.......everything has an element of Pron, exploitation and rapes...news papers full of news around how children are being raped and killed,  women are abducted and exploited...how films miss use aspiring youngsters,...how young men get molested in hostels and colleges.... the news is only bad!  

 

How are we going to change this mind set.....how are we going to stop this senseless.....sensuous craving of human race as the civilizations progress?  

What is supposed to be confined as a sacred bondage between a man and woman for the continuity of mankind in the name of love,......in the form of lust totally taken a different dimension making SEX a bad word.....and sexual harassment cases a common news.  

Victims don't come forward to complain and fight for justice keeping the sensitivity of the issue.....but how long and how far?  

It reminds me of Sunitha Krishnan and her fight for justice ......but what we need is a sunitha krishnan in each one of us....to rightfully react to injustice...punish the guilty...support the victims,  understand and provide harassed victims with required emotional support and society to provide opportunities to those to revive and rebuild their lives.

Fighting for stopping any form of abuse is every one's right!

Invaders looted the wealth of my nation in the Past and Neta’s are looting much more in Present! What is the future of my country?

Shri Padmanabaswamy temple treasure is only an indication of the prosperous India in the glorious Pre-British days where kings and queens ruled my motherland. This treasure shows the intricate nature of the wealth that my Mother India possessed and the benevolence of the rules and amazing talents of beauty in the art hundreds of years ago. Those were no digital days and all the glorious gold and jewelry recovered only show the artist India with its real skill man ship and excellent talent of hand work that is slowly fading away.

These are the hands of millions of Indians, who need empowerment, it is the time Leaders of our Nation realize that this hands should be filled with the prosperity of tommorrow as early as possible!

For several centuries, Mother India was mercilessly invaded again and again by people who came in the name of trade, and begging for help. For 7 -8 centuries, Indian sub-continent faced continuous war in search of enmassing wealth and mineral resources that the countries geographically landscape had in its belt. We were not only wealthy in Natural Resources, Mineral wealth and man-made prosperity and our puranas and age old stories talk about the wonderful rulers who made people cherish with wealth and happiness.


Gupta Empire, Challukyas, Cholla’s , Pallava’s and Pandhya’s ruled the Nation as the golden age of India before the invasion of Muslim Rulers, and Slow and steady invasion of British into our otherwise peaceful nation. Mughal rules introduced art and architecture to India and at the same time brought in a religious divide amongst the otherwise Hindu dominated country. India being annexed by the most cleaver invasion by East India Company in the mid-18th Century ended the golden period of wealth and self-sufficiency. This was the end of the golden era for India.


As children, we read in our history text books, how Md Ghazni invaded India 17 times and still he could not take away much of its wealth. Every temple and kingdom was filled with the glory of the past and wealth of the Nation that was natural to its existence. Temples were destroyed and palaces were looted in this search and robbery by the so called wealthy developed nations. Thanks to the one sensible king who kept his entire wealth in the secret vaults of the Kerala temple and today we have this as a strong reflection of what it was in the past. Thanks to the Travancore royal family who preserved it so far and been loyal to both the king and the temple god. Otherwise we would have only read about it in history books, seen this in movies and not believed in the truth that my nation was the wealthiest at times.

Even today, if we as a public civil force, form a team and penetrate into the private homes and villas, bank accounts and binami’s of every politician, every member of the parliament in the past and the present, I am sure we will find an equal amount of wealth that would save us from being called a ‘Developing Nation’. If past had been a curse to us as part of the history, the current day scenario is much worse. For what these people are leaving behind to the future generation is a growing cost of living, increased poverty, struggle for survival, the stress of world class competition and an entire ruined and corrupted system.

Indian judiciary can let go a famous actress after she joined her fiancée and cuts her boyfriend’s dead body to multiple pieces and destroy the evidence because of the money she is able to pay into the system , where is the Law of the land? Political and media drama is taking people of India to the heights of tolerance. Every functionary in the country is haunted by a wave of corruption. To get a birth certificate or even worse a death certification, you have to bribe somebody. From the peon to the Prime Minister, everyone is part of this loot. The so called excellent economist and the most reversed Prime Minister of India stands as a silent spectator to the world’s biggest scam dramas as they unfold and still calls the press and says that he is doing what need to be done. Had he been doing what he was supposed to do, India today would have been a developed Nation,. With him occupying the highest chair of democratic government for 2 full terms. Wake Up Dr. Singh, we still believe in you!

And now the most happiest family in India, who can produce films after films spending crores after crores….a young 20 year old K- Klan kid will produce a movie worth 100 crores… with whose money? 87 year old King K of the family called their patriarch happily dons his 2 recognized wives on either side at events. A neighbor having 2 wives is pulled on streets by the same TN police for cheating his first wife? A 20 year old hardworking student who struggled all his childhood to make it to Anna University ends up in some remote college, where as all the kids of K-Klan get to go to the same university…. On what talent basis?

It takes several years for hardworking professional to build a two bedroom apartment, and a NRI struggles between the priorities and expectations of his life and people back home and finally manages to make few lakhs after years of struggle away from home. But these entire clan makes crores after crores that they don’t even know where the money is all spreaded secretly? The easy way to be rich, marry a younger K kid and you will be happily settled, first in life and then in Tihar jail. Mr. Singh and Madam are silent for they very well know that if they try to help the dust off the K family now, they would be equally dusted off by public.

Thanks to CBI finally something is happening. No politician is clean in the country, but enmassing the whole of nation’s wealth in the name of growth and welfare projects is unpardonable? What they did in the Telecom scam is not the 1,70,000 crores loot, but they stopped the possibility of this amount getting into the Indian Treasury as Telecom Dept. profits. How can you be ever developed in these kind of scenarios? We are today the world’s best scammed Nation! Unfortunately! Disgustingly our children are scared to live and lead their lives peacefully in India any longer. It takes our lives off to get one BSNL connection in Chennai, making us run from pillar to post…and our most educated Maran was able to have an entire telephone exchange grounded for his and his family’s personal gain. If we start running special dedicated railway trains and tracks for railway minister, special dedicated unpaid airports for aviation minister, universities for education ministers, when will be a developed Nation?

The life of the ordinary man is not changed for any good after Independence. Today we are still struggling to make both ends meet for millions of people…we are still having the bigger nightmares of illiteracy, unemployment, declining agriculture, increased cost of living, increased and commercialization of temples and education system, horrible transportation system, fraudulent banking systems, unreached health facilities to all of India, terrorism striking from neighbors, dowry deaths, honor killings, fraudulent colleges and professionals, fake pilots, raping policemen, fake medicine manufacturers, female feticides, farmers suicides, water disputes, terror strikes, moists and naxals revolts, language and religious fantasies, child labor, increasing AIDS, etc ,etc and cricketers becoming gods and warriors and our army men most ignored.

If all of the money that politicians have looted in the last 6 decades be brought to books and we rewrite the legal books that are dusted off and written 60 years ago for obedient people of pre-independence era., I am sure we will be a better country. A rape accused gets away paying a fine of Rs 10000, a murderer in the Grover case I mentioned, walks away after 7 years paying Rs 50000, and a dowry death, husband walks away after no proof produced and we let our terrorist whom we have videos recorded as shooting our civilians is provided a high level security and life?., where is the law and justice we are expecting in our country.

The words ‘Asathoma Sadgamaya…….meaning untruth leading to truth’ will never see a dawn in my country unfortunately if this continues. This is the cry of an inner heart of a citizen of India. It is my inner voice that makes me restless, angry and agitated to see the injustices happening and ripping my mother India apart. Please do not let her to bleed! PLEASE HELP MY NATION STOP TO BLEED!

Common Wealth Games 2010: Is it a Red Project turned Green? Or Just a Failed Attempt?

Common Wealth Games 2010 was in mind as the Post for a long time now, and I know this is the right week to write it with a 360* view.
 
Like all Red project that teach us, bitter but better lessons, CWG., had also been a tremendrous, noteworthy project for India.  Here the only difference is that the PMO was our Prime Minister's Office instead of Project Management Office.

Leaving behind its curtains, all the scandals, media hype, adverse situations, infrastructure delays, haphazard things, and hundred other things that shook the CWG with corruption, lack of integrity, red tape, imperfection, missing deadlines, improper organizing, lack of adequate health and medical facilities.. the Opening Ceremony was like the First Tolgate.  Which the Project called CWG 2010... crossed successfully as planned on the D-Day with much cherished cultural display of India's -The Best.

Now, it is saddening to see the CWG Events Stands -  Almost 80% vacant... Where did the spirit go?   Trying to buy the tickets-  Sorry they are all sold...Then, where are the people???? Mystically, the whole project which suddenly looked Green, is now again looking Grey :-(   

3 more days and its all gone...leaving behind an exchequer deficit of 50000 crorers... atleast hope that this is a good lesson for us to handle such massive sports events going forward as a Nation.  Hope this event atleast showed the world our best of talents and a solace is the Winning Medals .... Jai Hind! India! 

Refined Judiciary is the need of the hour

Last couple of Media hyped cases have seen a tremendous change in the way the verdicts have been pronounced in the Indian Courts.

When the whole world applauded Ayodhya verdict, and subsequent verdicts that proved that finally Indian Judiciary is taking its realm towards better judgement...there are string of cases especially those of Women Rape and Murder cases where the acquitted are most from the effluent and powerful backgrounds...where there seems to be no Justice Attained.

It was in 1999, for the first time, I started following such cases., with that of Journalist Shivani Bhatnagar being strangled to death in her Delhi flat as her 10 month old child crawled to her dead body and cried.   Senior politicians and Delhi police commissioner being involved in the case., it took one complete decade even to proclaim Sharma as the main accused and convict.

Priyadarshini Matoo,  Pratiba Murthy, Arushi Talwar, Scarlet Keeling, Jessica Lal,  Ruchikha, and lot more Indian girls have been harassed, brutally and sexually abused and violently killed.   Most of these high profile cases saw famous and rich kith and kin involved and escape from the judicial purview.  What are the main reasons for such loopholes in the system and where is the solace to this?

Witness Security:    The first and foremost reason is that people not coming forward to be witnesses in the case.   Witnesses not only face coercion, strong emotional trauma and physical harassment, they are also threatened to be killed and troubled for life to them and their families.  There is absolutely no security to the people who want to fight for justice and come forward for helping others.   Witnesses being confidential is the only way to prevent witness harassment and this would enable most people to come forward.

Loss of Forensic Evidence:   In the United States, the minute crime happens, the whole place is sealed for any kind of movement.   The forensic evidence remains in tact for the investigation authorities to take the right steps in the right direction.  It is exactly opposite in India, where people get emotional and in the traumatic moments, we act hysterical and destroy the whole valuable evidence that is very much need to crack these cases.  Arushi Talwar case is a classic example.

Misuse of Authority by Police and Administration:    The rich and affluent always escape as the local police are easy to handle.   FIR are not filed immediately, and people under suspicion are not taken into custody until someone really forces them to do so.  This is worse when the people involved are politicians or from the rich background.  Police instead of being a protective force acts in vested interests, there by delaying the whole process of justice.

Prolonged time frame to resolve cases:    Many middle class people do not even find it relevant to fight the legal battles., which are not only costly, time consuming and emotional trauma.   The kind of questions asked in courts, the kind of harassing police investigations, the kind of lawyer fees and running behind hearing after hearing,., the victims find it more easy to leave the fate to God, and leave their destiny to time to heal the injuries in life.    Imagine it took 5 years for a fast court to resolve and convict Pratiba Murthy's killer.

Red-Tapism at highest peak:    The jails in India are filled with 25% of people awaiting court judgements... they are just suspects or they are proxies to the real convicts who happily live in the outside world.   Thousands of cases are pending in courts at every level, and if all the lawyers and judges work sincerely for a year, without taking Winter Session Holidays, Summer Session holidays like school children, and work with appropriate paper work, clear hearings and quick judgements, at least 10% of the cases will be resolved.   Justice delayed is Justice denied.   Unfortunately, here Justice is almost dead

Public Prosecutors and Age old law books:     Look at every famous case, where the convict gets less punishment or escapes one, it is because of their strong defense lawyers, who are not only uptodate and have classical cases as examples, and good library of world judgements to refer to and good amount of junior lawyers to do good research and find loopholes.   Public Prosecutors are government servants who act like any other.   To them, that day the court hearing has to go.  They are not worried about justice, who wins, who losses or what punishment.   Defense lawyers very easily prove that every crime is not the rarest of the rare to result in Capital punishment

Changes to appeal to higher courts:    If the entire judicial system is following, the Indian Penal Code, and if the entire lawyers are well versed and strong in their subjects,. why are we giving chance for people to appeal and appeal and appeal to the higher courts and finally the capital punished people to file mercy petitions with President of India.  There why the lower courts.   It is not the time to de-centralize Supreme Court, but the amount of cases piling up at Supreme court can never ever be redressed.  Moreover the higher courts ruling away the judgement of the lower courts just by saying that the case is in favour of the convict, is a sham on the system.  Mattoo Sr felt the judgement disgusting but the convict thanked his stars.

In small projects we have deadlines., fear of not finishing on time., quality ., customer service and what not as professional.....Nothing like that to Professional Lawyers and Judges.... Are they just like the age old Judicial laws written during Independence Era and based on British Rule and Judgement. 

What a shame when Rathore escapes with Rs 10000 fine and 6 months prison after harassing a teenage talent to death by molesting her.    Why the hell our system is not instilling the fear in the people who think that they can do anything just because they have law in their hands?    There are thousands of Ruchikha's silently suffering in this world.  Where is the Women Empowerment we are talking about?  There are hundreds of girls silently tolerating the harassment in industries, factories and offices and homes of India??? What is the enablement of Women we have achieved?  

There is a need to Refine the Indian Judiciary System., People to go fearless to the Police Stations, File complaints, Fight court battles, bring in Media attention and finally fight for Justice.   Will we get ministers who can bring in this change?   Youth who would boil down to the justice denials happening all around....Will our Citizens feel empowered to bring in Crimeless Society and Fearless Nation to live????   

Gandhian Principles and Vivekananda's inspiration unfortunately just remains in our History Books!!! Wake up India , Wake Up!!!!

Ayodhya Verdict: Babri Masjid Vs Ramajanamabhoomi...Need to look beyond

Another tense day in making towards the History of India...ripping the social secular fabric of the Nation.  Are our minds so narrow and maturity so conservative that we are living in a pre-civilized thinking!.  Is it not time to ponder over our past and create a better future for our children of the Nation.... Too many things to think and react

Any sensible Citizen of the country would understand few facts

1.  Over centuries India had the history of foreign invasions and lot of other religious people destroying Hindu temples and building over had been prevalent.   They exploited the temples for the precious treasure and artistic excellence that the Hindu community possessed ages ago.   Even Taj Mahal is disputed and debated over years, as a old shiva temple called as Tejomahalaya.... does it mean that now we will break it to see what is under the main edifice?  Tolerance had been in the blood of Indians, and over the years, this started to slowly diminish.    So the chances of the Hindu temple broken and buried under the structure of mosque in Ayodhya is quite possible and we have to leave it for an archaeological survey and debate.

2.  Demolishing Mosque in the name of finding a temple remains, is any day not the right thing.   Respecting the faith of other religions is the only way of salvation.   So, what ever happened in 1990 Dec 6th is bleak in the history of India.   Time to repent, and take steps not to repeat.    

3.  Today Ayodhya and its people, both Muslims and Hindus are living in peace and harmony.   The fire, riots and bad memories have only united them and media's any kind of negative debate, portrayal, will only kill this peace lasting since last decade.   Media have to maintain utmost sensitivity in the way the news is telecasted and events are portrayed, as it is not Ayodhya that will burn, but whole of India, will there be any kind of unnecessary triggers.

4.  Lastly, towards an amicable solution,.  If I were, to provide this judgement, my verdict would be to leave the place as is, make it a heritage spot., build a University for Students of India, for Arts and History, similar to something of IIT for Engineering and IIMs for Management, and preserve the dignity of the place with honour.... and then, provide abundant space on either side, one place for Hindu's to move their Rama lalla and Sita Mata idols and begin worship and on the other side, a site for Muslim's to build a mosque and allow them for peaceful worship.      

We have spend 700 crores for Common Wealth Games for getting the worst of Inputs from the world over,  every election costs us close to 500 crores both official and unofficial,   and the whole of the above given project, may not take even 100  crores.  In one way, this project would give employment opportunities to the local people driven and living in fear, and frustration over the years,...Provide world class education, reliving the similar glory of Nalanda, the first university in the world,  and same time, respecting the sentiments of both the communities involved.  

Forget about the differences and look at the similarities of Hindu-Muslim unity and friendship over centuries now in India,  and this is one opportunity for us to proclaim, our long lasting song of "Unity in Diversity"  ...Jai Hind.

let rest of India, continue its business as usual.... I think only jobless people have time and tide to make a mole out of mountains and make issues, become National Calamities...... Lets learn to live in harmony...

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Extract from IBNLive on the "All you want to know about Ayodhya dispute"

Ayodhya title dispute

December 1949: Idols of Ram Lalla & Sita Mata appear 'miraculously' inside the Babri Mosque.
Hindus claim lord Ram has appeared in his birth land, hence land belongs to Hindus.
Total of five title suits filed before the courts claiming ownership of the land.
Two title suits clubbed. Now there are four title suits pending before the courts.
First suit filed on Jan 16, 1950, seeking permission to worship deities in the disputed structure, second suit filed in Dec 1950 by Head of Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, seeking permission to worship deities, first two suits clubbed together by Civil Judge in Faizabad.
Third suit filed in Dec 1959 by Nirmohi Akhara seeking to take charge of the 'temple' from a rival.
Fourth suit filed by Sunni Central Boards of Waqfs, UP, in Dec 1961 seeking removal of idols & possession of mosque.
In April, 1964, all three suits filed by Hindus and the one filed by the Waqf Board are consolidated.
In 1989, petition on behalf of Ram Lalla filed by retired HC Judge claiming ownership of disputed land.
In 1989 Allahabad HC rules that a special three-judge bench will hear all five suits in the lower courts.
HC directs all parties to maintain status quo at the site till matter is finished.


Babri land dispute
1528: Babri Masjid is built, Hindus claim the land was built after demolishing a temple.
1859: British erect fences to separate Hindu, Muslim areas of worship.
1949: Hindus & Muslims file title suits claiming the land, the government takes over the disputed site.
1994: SC orders status quo on all cases till the title suit is settled.
December, 1992: Babri Masjid is razed by kar sevaks, 2,000 people die in post-demolition riots.


Attempts at amicable settlement
Dec 1990: Meeting between Babri Masjid Action Committee & VHP
Hindus: Muslims should respect sentiments
Muslims: Issue can't be dragged backwards
Dec 1990: Hindus & Muslims meet in presence of Mulayam Singh, Sharad Pawar & Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
Hindus: Excavations reveal a temple under the mosque
Muslims: No evidence that temple was destroyed to build mosque
Jan 1991: Meeting between Babri Masjid Action Committee & VHP
Hindus: Remains of temple under the mosque
Muslims: No evidence that temple was destroyed to build mosque

Educational Reforms by Kapil Sibal

One politician who really knows what he is doing and how best that can be done is Kapil Sibal...No doubt his intellect is taking over his intelligence as he drafts the latest Educational Reforms in India after he took over the Ministry of Human Resources development. 3 major decisions that would impact the most important human resources of our Future India- Our Children.

1. Making the 10th standard CBSE examination optional and making it a performance and grade oriented system
2. Bringing in a uniform pattern of evaluation for both engineering and medicine entrance
3. Best of all- No Pre school till the age of four.

With these reforms in place, there is lot more expected from him to continue bringing in a better Educational System in India.

1. Curb the practice of building funds and huge capitation and donations for school and college admissions

2. Streamline college elections and competitions without any political involvement

3. Put a regulatory authority to monitor exhoribant educational expenses

4. Bringing in more recent methods of teaching, enabling Government Schools to become primary educational institutions in India

5. Improving salaries and infrastructure supporting teachers well-beings

6. Building proper schools and libraries in Rural India making education within reach of common man across India

7. Adult education for illiterate Indians to be at mass scale to make India, the most educated Nation in the world.

If these few steps are taken, India not only will prove as the hub for knowledge and development but will also stand tall in terms of growth and economic well being. We need lot more Kapil Sibals' in the process to make this happen sooner than later!

Disgusting Terror Attacks in Pune

Once again, India is bleeding. Who is giving the rights for killing others in this world? Why is this ideology of achieving something by killing innocent civilians. A real war will not be won without facing one on one...be it between two humans or two Nations or two different ideologies. From the times of Hitler to Prabhakaran, the causes failed despite the world ways of handling ideologies because, the way in which the success is sought is not globally accepted. The worst part is making India a scary place to travel for foreigners abroad. We talk, fight, and hate when our Indians are treated badly, or getting killed anywhere in the world today... at the same time, are we are not responsible to collectively aim at protecting the best interests of people coming to India?

One side, the memories of Mumbai blasts did not go away from the world memory,,,the other side, the clashes in Hyderbad in name of Economy, Language and State is defeating the objectives of Progress... and now this Pune Blasts indicate that we have thief's within us. It is not possible for a foreign hand to succeed in creating a terror fear in the Nation without the help of an insider. First and foremost, the responsibility of the Intelligence and Security forces would be to identify the insiders and uproot them from our society. There is no point in playing the blame game, unless we are sure that none in India would support or stand by the terrorists, no matter how much ever we make a noise in the global platform, the Indian Cities are still an easy target.

Security consciousness and National Integrity and Protection is highly visible in the Western World where every Citizen's first responsibility and common sense aims at Home Land Security. Do we have this in us? The day should come when we stop seeing religious flags, party hoardings and flags flying and seeing the National Flag standing in pride as we walk down the streets. Till such day, there is nothing called Patriotism in the minds of Modern Indians that provoke them to fight internally against any form of terrorism. Be it Jai Hind or Jai Ho, we have not set our homes right yet! That's the disgusting truth of terrorism in India today!

Cricket, IPL, Pakistan and Looking Beyond

I am sure cricket fans at home and office would search to hit me for writing this post and I need to get bailed out from their arms.... But when is that we would learn to look beyond??... Cricket in India is not just another sport or game...it is a fervent addiction... a ever living fever with no vaccines.
Cricket has become a part of Average Indian's life and people discuss, debate, devote, dedicate themselves to the love of the matches, players, and the very essence of Modern Day Commercialized Cricket and what else. Even cost of living, corruption, movies, will take a back seat when compared to Cricket Mania in the country.
But the fact is that Cricketers are also human beings and no demi-gods, there is absolutely no necessity to devote so much attention and energies to the game which is supposed to be entertainment and a good sport. Today it has become a worse addiction, money minting industry, fully commercialized and above all, killing other fields of sports. I just wonder why our text books still say Hockey is our National Game.... It should be Cricket now right...
IPL Is a classic example of how 1% of the population can control and absorb the wealth from the 99% of the society... Today, television channels and movies are just copying the events and shows of the west in their regional languages. IPL also did the same trick..instead of foot ball, there emerged cricket deals.....The craziness, the frenzies and the boundless amusement of the game is no doubt a well planned business option ....same time, this addiction had broken the barriers in the name of countries or continents..... IPL succeeded in its endeavour...and we the average Indian made them rich....!
Now comes to my hot topic, Pakistan... Masha Allah! Why Me! Pakistan players not included in the IPL 3rd season... Yeah... let me tell u the story of my neighbour who was once my brother...we fought, we broke, we don't talk, we don't meet, and now slowly we grudge, we hurt, we hate, we destroy, we end. In such a situation, how can I let my children play with his children...doesn't it not sound ridiculous... this hatred is genuine and need to be ongoing process...don't I want it... Huh! its the same story...It is this destroying attitude that is causing a friction everywhere between India and Pakistan...Today we have reached to such a situation where we cant appreciate any bridges between two countries how every peaceful they aim to be at....we always suspect every peace move, we are always threatened by their existence, we are restless with the neighbours... this is not going to change even after 60 years of a havocing partition... gone is gone...RIP the brotherhood! At least let live as sensible neighbours... or else we are making each other's area a harvesting ground not just for terror but for the developed nations to aim at each other, in the time of next world war...which is not so very far! God bless this Planet not just from climatic destruction but a nuclear warfare! Now we Indians, should learn to look beyond cricket, for cricket is no more just a game, but a culture, predominantly changing the way we think and act!!!!

Shashi Tharoor and Contraversy

I am taken by surprise on seeing the kind of reactions Dr Shashi Tharoor is getting for the comments he posted on twitter and his phrase of "Cattle Class". He was quick to explain what he meant and not to insult the passengers travelling by the Economy Class, but our political brothers dont seem to understand the same

Dr Shashi Tharoor is not a product of goondagiri or from any religious fascism and came to Indian political scenario. He is a highly respected world class personality who in fact made India proud when he was contesting for the UN Gen Sec elections recently. He stood 2nd place of the 7 contestants which is a great achievement to India for the kind of place we are still struggling to get in the United Nations. Talented, intellectual, writer, politician and a reformer and such incidents should not provoke him to leave Indian Politics for people like him are the need of the hour in Indian Democracy.

People who didn't know twitter or even who never followed his flow of conversations simply take this as a chance to put him down. Hmm, Good politicians are hard to survive in Indian Politics for sure. One clean politician who silently is doing his job and holding the most respectable position in External Affairs Ministry cannot be demotivated in such a way. Dr Shashi moved from P2 to being to the top most position in UN by his hard work, consistent growth, actions and deeds that reached beyond borders and bringing in solid decision making working for UN. His work spoke of a person who made it to Indian Parliament in last general elections. Let us encourage such leaders than frustrate them to quit soon!