Lessons from N-E India

Well, in a normal day's life, one does hardly take notice of events happening in the North-Eastern (NE) states of our country. There had been many efforts from centre government to engage NE states in nation building. This perhaps has one of the major cause for the alienation of region and its people. But off late, there are special packages being started hitherto neglected area.

NE states are a region made up of multiple tribes each having their distinct identity and culture. The difficulties faced by Centre in NE are:
a) These tribes have been fighting against each other for dominance so as to utilise central funds and usurp the political power,
b) Many dominant tribes have been at arms against Centre for gaining autonomy at expense of other not so dominant ones,
c) There were several secessionist movements in NE region.

The common man in this region pays the cost of all this turmoil. No surprises that people, there, consider people from Hindi heartland or down south are outsiders or from Mainland India.

Despite these issues, in recently held assembly elections across three NE states, Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. There are certain learning for the other Mainland states.

Three states Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland have reported voting percentage of 93%, 85% and 83% respectively. Tripura, thus in a way, setting a new National record in terms of voter turn out in an Assembly elections.

One must take into account the fact that such huge voter turn out in spite of boycott or strike called by various militant groups means lot, talks about the courage and understanding of people of NE states about the exercise of their constitutional right.

Well, one may ask Why am I going over board about this voter turn around? The answer is:
a) More the people exercise their right more representative would be the Government,
b) The politician who take advantage of lesser polling would be defeated and thus in a way putting disadvantages of the First Past the Post Electoral System to rest.

There lessons for other states of the country where voter turnout in successive elections has not been up to the expectations. Thus, resulting in election of ever so incompetent people to Assemblies and Parliament. The  leaders thus elected try to colour electoral in communal and castiest ways, thus further fragmenting the society.
Moreover, there are lessons for ever so critical younger educated voters who hardly turn out to vote and then in hindsight, blame the system for repeatedly electing the competent politicians.

As said earlier, larger the voter turn out, better would it be for for polity. There are far reaching advantage of large voter turn out:
a) Will flush out the non performing leaders,
b) Leaders would become more accountable for their actions and deeds,
c) Corruption could be rooted out,
d) Makes way for common person with following in local areas to participate and actually win elections,
e) Dynastic/Personality sycophant could be rooted out.

Well, the list of advantages can go on and on.

There have been talks about implementing compulsory voting in elections for all registered voters. Though, Gujrat has taken an initiative,in fact, Assembly has passed compulsory voting in local municipal and panchayat elections legislation twice. But such compulsory voting legislation goes against the Fundamental Right of a person under Right for Freedom of Expression. So, even if implemented it would lead to unnecessary litigation. The choice of exercising the vote must always be conscience driven however state should make all possible arrangements for achieving 100% voter enrolment.

On a large note, till the time much talked about electoral reforms are implemented by our leaders (who, whether Rightist/Centrist/Leftist, in first place would never implement something which reduces their chances of wining elections), the near 100% voter turn would serve our country in a great deal.

NE States probably due to higher literacy rates have recognised the power of higher voter turn out, now its turn of the other states play their part.

The Ordeal

It is same time of the year when you sit glued to the UPSC website and follow many blogs which speculate the cut-off and probable date of result of CS Mains Examination.

So, on 22nd Feb, I was restless since morning and after 3 pm kept checking the commission's website every 15-20 minutes for result. As it turned out, the result was published around 1830 hours and much to my agony, I didn't find my roll no amongst the list of successful candidates. This marked end of another yearly cycle of going through basic NCERT Books, Newspapers etc.

The failure has become kind of annual ritual for me, with success being elusive since the old school days. As I drove back to home with exasperated, had this numb feeling could feel my limbs, questions came to my mind where did i loose it?  Questions ranging from whether it was wrong choice of optionals or lack of writing practice or should I really be writing Services exam in the first place were flooding my mind.

Having devoted close to 3 years in preparing for Services exams have had their effect on both personal and professional aspects. There has been a constant, untiring support from family and friends, but then How long shall I continue following this unfulfilled dream of mine at cost of personal and professional aspects?

Looking around, I find people progressing on their tracks but time has kind of stood still for me. I find myself still stuck in the year 2010. I had choose Civil services over higher studies, now there is no going back. The hair have already started to grey. At this juncture, there is also on consolation prize on offer as well. The only silver lining remains that at least I have continued with my job (however unrewarding it might have been).

Now, since failure is always unwelcome but this year, the turn of events before result has made it even more painful. Weeks before result, I received a letter at home from Commission asking for re-submission of certain certificate as one i had submitted earlier couldn't be verified. This letter had set the beliefs at home and to some extent in me as well, that may be may be this time, i might have crossed the line. What makes the failure painful is that there were hopes ignited at home who have waited patiently for 3-4 years for some good news. As I fail, these hopes would once again suffer a setback.

So, the question again remains, Shall I write the exam again this year? The answer was at back of my mind the instance I didn't find my Roll No in list. YES, I would!

I don't see myself continuing with my current job. Also having chosen preparing for Services over going for higher studies, I do not see "not" writing the exam again as an option.

Moreover, the urge to be a Civil Servant is like quicksand, the harder I try to come out of it (citing failures), faster I get sinking into the preparation for next battle. With successive failures year on year, I feel inching closer and closer to that prestigious post.

Failures, they say, are part of life and one must face them head on. Let me make it clear, it is much easier said than done. Failure not only hamper you, it does effect your near and dear ones in many worse ways than it does you in first place. The only way to over come Failure is to start again with a clear mind, with a firm resolve of doing things in right way and belief in your ability to succeed.

To end it in a filmy way, since there are No Unhappy Endings, so lets brace for the year 2013. Prepare a fresh. May be much elusive success is just around the corner. There are talks of major change in mains pattern in 2013 if that happens, it would work to my advantage. For the clearing the Preliminary remains the focus.

Here comes the Tory again.

So, What made David Cameron to visit India twice in span of 3 years. Perhaps, the Leader of Centre-Right Conservative Leader, much to his disbelief has understood the importance of being in good books of India in a shorter span than many of his western counterparts.

David Cameron had made immigration a major electoral issue in 2010 general elections in Britain. His party had made accusation that immigration had risen many fold under the decade old Labour party rule. Cameron formed a coalition government, taking support from Liberal Democrats highlighting anti immigration stance.

Cameron was part of the bee line of international leaders who visited India 2010 with various Defence, Nuclear, Energy deals. Same story in 2013! His visit is sandwiched between those of French President and German Premier. 

David Cameron, not in distant past, had made public the stringent immigration rule which limited the number of students applying for UK universities, in addition, he also immigration procedures were made cumbersome for skilled blue collar and white collar job seekers from India. Worst hit from this rules were the health care professionals from India.

Then, all of sudden, what made Cameron change his stance, he hurriedly came back in span of 3 years with his caravan to India. Announcing, liberal student and business visas for Indians.

There has been a 25% drop in the number of Indian students applying for British Universities in 2012-13 for first time in last 16 years. Foreign students bring 8 billion Pounds to UK, Indian students contribute handsomely in this figure. British economy has seen double dip since 2007-8 economic recession. So, quite understandably, Cameron has his eyes set on Indian students to help him pull British economy out of its misery.

Moreover, Cameron was an opportunity to revive the talks for the Medium Multi Role Aircraft deal of Indian Air Force which Britain (along Italy, Germany and Spain) led consortium lost to French Rafale in 2012. This multi billion dollar deal would have helped British economy.

Ironically for him, India most probably is going to cancel Rs 3000 crore deal of the Augusta Westland helicopters after accusations were made in Italy for middlemen offering kickback in India to favour Augusta Westland.

He has expressed his sadness for the horrific 1919 Jalianwala Bagh incident but stopped short of offering an apology. Quietly, Cameron also made legitimate claim over Kohinoor diamond.

David Cameron has realised that in the DAVID vs GOLIATH story of 19th century, characters  have in fact switched their roles and Britain is no longer the GOLIATH, she used to be. 

A New Israel: IRAN

An awkward title to start with for a country which sees Israel as its opponent and vice versa. Off late, in view of the US led western economic restrictions, Iran has all but not fallen apart. Despite being pushed to against wall for its ambitious Nuclear Programme, Iran has been holding on with lesser friends to boost of.

Now why a new Israel:
a) To start with, the kind of Geo-political positioning of both the countries vis-a-vis their opponents is the first similarity between the two nations. Israel, formed in post WW-II time frame by Colonial powers and pushing out the people living there for time immemorial , is surrounded by Arab country. Israel fought wars against these Arab countries and came on top each time.

Similarly, Iran being a Shia dominated country around 95% of its population is Shia doesn't have healthy relation with Sunni Arab world. Saudi Arabia and other countries see Iran as with same eye as Israel.

But here putting to rest the old saying " Enemy of your Enemy is a friend!", there is no love lost between the Israel and Iran.

So, with this geopolitical background, Iran faces more or less same challenges as does the Israel.

b) Secondly, Iran has developed its own defence capabilities as have Israel. Catch here is that Israelis does get western education and money for building such capabilities while Iranians have done it own their own (or say by reverse engineering the Soviet weapons).

c) Thirdly, Iranians IT professionals had capabilities to find out a Israel/US developed internet bug (FLAME which has infected their critical installations)  in their systems and have successfully shunted that out. I wonder how many countries in world could do that when faced with immense economic restrictions.

Recent Rocket launch with a monkey on board and his safe return also speaks volumes of their capabilities.

d) No country in 20th century had courage of challenging the American hegemony as Iran has done when it had openly said that it would block the Gulf of Hormuz in wake of US led sanctions. Gulf of Hormuz has 20% of world's petroleum supplies passing through it. It takes some courage to challenge a mad elephant as US on rampage.

Indian Stand:
As always, Indian diplomacy has been played into the hands of US.

Firstly, by opting out of Iran-Pakistan-India(IPI) Gas pipeline in view of US pressure and had put its money on US advocated Turkmenistan-Afghan-Pakistan-India(TAPI) Gas pipeline. This, inspite of the fact following facts,

   a) Iran holds the world's second largest Natural Gad reserves after Russia,
   b) IPI would have more economical,
   c) IPI might have led to ONGC Videsh/Oil India winning more oil/gas fields in Iran closure to country,
   d) Lastly, IPI on paper looks much more feasible and safer than TAPI as TAPI would eventually run   across troubled areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Secondly, we are reducing oil imports from Iran, which in present day economic scenario would have saved precious foreign reserve as Iranians have agreed to accept payments in Rupees or could have accepted oil in return for Wheat, Medicines and manufacturing goods.

We, as always, did lost a plot here.

Verdict:
In all the above stated points, one must remember that Israel always had US led western countries at her back in all its fights against it enemies while Iran has been fighting on this war almost single handedly with some help from Russia and China in security council.

At last, one sum up that, Iran is facing more adversaries than Israel and still continuing standing up to the Nobel Laureate General and his friendlies countries. History is full of examples of civilisations and nations which when pushed to brink have came out of those with flying colours.

A Nation on Boil

A Nation on Boil

It is a cold December night and been six days since the horrible Delhi Gang rape. The protests have been going on in the capital and across country since then. But the latest turn of events, I think, have suddenly turned this Social protest into a much wider Governance issue which has tested the so called Democratic values of our nation to their limits.

The brutal crackdown on the peaceful protesters has bought anything but shame to our country’s image of being the largest working democracy in the world.

The rapes have been happening across the breadth of country for a long time but hardly have they been reported in media.

For long these culprits of these heinous crimes have gone unchallenged. The demonstrations happening at the India Gate has been culmination of long withheld public anger against the lax attitude of police and other government machinery, equally responsible is the judiciary.

Most of these rapes committed against weaker sections of society are not reported in police, those which get reported hardly see any police action due to influence of high caste people. Hardly are the charge sheets filed and even if charge sheets do get filed by police in most of the cases police makes a weak case for victims. The very abysmally low conviction rate in such crimes also fails to deter the possible perpetrates.  The lower judiciary is also at fault for the delay caused in awarding justice to the victim. Even this delayed justice comes after lots of social stigma and trauma.

There have been 3-4 more rapes cases reported in media even after 16^th December Delhi case which reflects that there is no end to this sickness in our society.

Demand for Capital Punishment

There have been voices rising asking for capital punishment for rapes. Government has given a hint of awarding capital punishment in rarest of rare rape cases. This proposal of government raises a question, how does it justifies that a rape committed by one person is a lesser crime than the one committed by a group of persons.  

In place of Capital punishment, these criminals must be given stern social punishment and they must be made to realize their crime, capital punishment would way too easy for them.

Need of the hour

More than strict law against rapes, more CCTV cameras, more police presence on public places, better police conditioning towards women, fast track courts and higher conviction rates, what India needs at this hour is the conditioning of young children by their parents. The parents must stop giving more entitlement rights to male children thus putting the girl children at disadvantage. The male children and young boys must be conditioned in such a way that they don’t see smartly dressed modern age girls as challenge to their entitlements.

Also the commodification of the females by commercial companies has resulted in objectification of women. This lousy representation of women has to stop in commercials and popular media. The sleazy film songs exaggerate the women’s status in our patriarchal society.    

Brutality at India Gate

Coming to bigger picture, India calls itself the largest working democracy in the world and gives huge of lip service to nations across the globe for their brutal handling of protest.

However, in recent times, India, herself, has failed to come in term with protests irrespective of their nature be it peasant protest against forceful land grab by government, tribal protest against mining, demand of new statehood and countless more.

Constitution being the supreme law in our country fails in the every hands of its protector who take an oath before entering their respective offices to uphold it at all times. But time and again, citizens peaceful protesting, executing their rights under Article 19 of Constitution have been made target of state brutality citing one or the other lame reason.

The simmering public anger, in peaceful protest, has not only been result of recent rapes cases but also for the general failure in governance of the country over last 4-5 years. To put blame only on central executive would be wrong, across the country in several states common people have been suffering at the hands of incapable executive and administrative machinery. The opposition in states as well as at centre has time and again failed to raise issues and demand justification from respective governments at both centre and state level.

The headless social protest of people to impress upon the government to enact a strict law has not got any support from any of the major political party. This shows the general apathy among our political leadership across the spectrum towards issues affecting common man. No social activists, aspiring politician, aspiring PM candidate have come out at India Gate and supported the people.   We do not need a former Chief of Staff to fight for us who (government willing) would have been part of same executive or Swami whose own wealth is questionable or others.

People of India, anyway  are better off without support of so claimed champion of people’s cause and this headless movement would achieve its goal. It is the masses who make sacrifices to attain their goals and still remain faceless.

Why is the Head of State silent on this huge failure of law and order when the young and old innocent peacefully protesting people are being victimised at place which is stone’s throw away from his heavenly abode? Has he forgotten the oath administered to him to safeguard the Constitution and People of this Republic?

It won’t be harsh for me to say that the image which a Cartoonist drew of National Emblem few months back was truly justified yesterday. The protectors of public have not only turned their back at people but are also targeting them for negligence of their own.

There are reports of student wings of national party inciting violence at India Gate. At least now, at this sensitive juncture in growth of over nation, political parties must realize not to use such issues for their own political benefit.

Law and order has taken a severe beating with rising crimes, but yesterday’s brutal crackdown on peaceful protest has taken it to a new low.

It is time when people take this protest to its logical conclusion and don’t stop at anything short of a better (to say the least) governance which we deserve. Any amount of lip service by government should not be the end of it.

I hope that on Monday Supreme Court to take Suo Motto notice of this failure of law and order, make Delhi government and MHA give a suitable response to people of India.

Let us make sure that this moment in time does not end up being a small dot on larger canvass like the recent anti-corruption protests. As the preamble of our Constitution says, We, the People, are the sovereign, the government is accountable to us. It is not for us to demand safest from government. This protest should become a watershed moment in the history of our nation. 

Government must act fast stop BECAUSE BUCK STOPS WITH THE PEOPLE OF INDIA.

The Gang rape victim has given us opportunity not only to get safer India for ourselves but also to raise the long standing failure of governance issues.