Can lotus survive the storm?

Jaswant Singh was expelled from BJP on the charge of praising Mohammad Ali Jinnah in his recently published book. Many of us, who keep tab of media reports and political controversy, would hardly forget that the present opposition leader in parliament and the BJP stalwart Shri Lal Kirihsna Advani too, had praised Jinnah in Pakistan in a political meeting not even long ago. The dust of that controversy has not settled fully and yet another controversy cropped up about Jinnah called the moderate leader. Jinnah was seen by many during freedom struggle as the hardliner and was hell bent on dividing India for Pakistan. Well, we all have read history in India and almost all the books of history have called Jinnah the man behind creating a separate nation out of undivided India. Few history books do talk about the reason behind Jinnah’s intention for a separate nation, but these books are mostly become the reference materials for historical researches. In general, people in India, hardly has any interest in the life and times of a leader who went away taking a part of the country during the independence.

Fact remains obvious as India is largely divided on the basis of caste, region, and religion. Politicians knowing these weaknesses have utilized the inherent sentiment of the people and made these factors sensitive for their vote bank politics. After independence, the ruling party congress chose to be a secular force, while the hindu hardliner, right wing political force remain non-secular in principal to safe guard the interest of majority population of the country and envisioned India to make a hindu nation. Considering the fact that the breakaway Pakistan became an Islamic democratic country after partition, why shouldn’t India with its majority hindu population be a hindu country.

Time and again the right wing hindu organization like Hindu Maha Sabha, Viswa Hindu Parishad, the RSS, and the Bajrang Dal have always showed allegiance to the political force, which remained loyal to the vision of India being a hindu nation. During independence, Jan Sangh became the political opponent of secular force and kept on improving its number of Member of Parliament in subsequent general elections. For reference, in 1977, when Jan Sangh merged with Janata Party, it had 101 MP in Lok Sabha, the lower house of the parliament.

The experiment of Janata government, its debacle and breaking away is now a folk lore in the Indian political history. Everyone knows, to go along with Janata Party experiment was the will and wish of Shri Atal Bihari Bajpayee and everyone would certainly vouch that it was timely and was in the interest of the nation during the emergency. There were leaders in the party who did not buy the philosophy of Bajpayee, coaxed him and moved away. One among them was Balraj Madhoke who blamed Bajpyee alone for the loss of Party’s face value after Janata Party’s failure. Truly the sacrifice of Jan Sangh went futile and it suffered major setback. From Break away Janata Party again emerged a party with the same ideology but a different name called Bhartiya Janata Party, in short the BJP.

Lal Krihsna Advani became the architect of BJP and people would never forget how he brought back the lost pride of the party by simulating the sense of hindutava and benefiting his party forming even the government with support of other parties. Though, he remained the powerful person in his own party, he was never an acceptable face with alliance partner. This is when Atal Bihari Bajpayee took the center stage and subsequently three BJP led government was run under his leadership. BJP fought all the election under his leadership and own because of his charm and charismatic character. Bajpayee had announced his intension to step down in the general election of 1994. In the same election, when it looked that BJP led government once again is going to be in power, the internal tussle revealed the weaknesses of the party which showed allegiance to Advani but was not sure of his leadership. Resultantly, it suffered a loss.

Advani, after 1994 election, remained the opposition leader in the parliament and senior leader in the party and with this capacity he had praised Jinnah in Pakistan. It was not taken in the good light in the party during that time, however, everyone in the party reconciled and he was pardoned. But for the same reason, another senior leader is crucified and expelled from the party. I don’t know how the political analyst view this situation, but one thing is very clear, even in organization like BJP, some are equal and some are more equal. Why is this dual policy and different yardsticks? Is there a fear in BJP, no Advani, and no BJP? Then why blame Nehru family alone?

It looks very ideal that you support your senior leader to show solidarity of the party but somewhere down the line, two senior leaders of a hindu right wing party coming to a conclusion to rake the chapter of history after 62 years of India’s independence in support of Jinnah raises lots of questions. First and foremost, is BJP no more a party which believes in its non-secular nature and trying to shift its stand from a hindu hardliner face to a more widely acceptable face by all the community. But being Advani and the holy alliance of RSS, Bajrang Dal and others in whelms of BJP affairs, it can never be possible. Then what made Advani praise Jinnah in Pakistan? Perhaps by praising Jinnah, he wanted to point finger on Congress, Gandhi and Nehru for deceiving Jinnah on several occasion which made him seek a separate nation. But before it could ring the bell in the congress party, his own people messed up.

Perhaps Advani could not manage sharing the underlying facts with the party leaders before he made that into public speech. Or is it that after debacles of 1994 general election, he realized that Bajpayee’s moderate approach only will make the way for the party to come again in power. And hence, the beginning of praise towards Jinnah was the soft stand towards muslim community. If so, Jaswant was doing another good to the party, why to snub him.

The revelation made by Jaswant Singh after expulsion from the party even raises more serious questions about the intent of Advani, citing the instances when Bajpayee wanted to question Narender Modi about Godhra riots. Advani kept everything under the carpet and pacified Bajpayee. By doing that, surely Advani did not want to buy Bajpayee’s philosophy of secularism. Then, is it simply a face mask to surprise the minority community. Advani lied in case of Kandhahar hijack when Jaswant Singh had gone to bring back the kidnapped civilians. Why did he try to distance himself from the fact?

News report reveals that Jaswant after the loss of party in the 2009 general election wanted a retrospective analysis done. This could be one of the reasons, what Advani wanted to avoid, not to take the blame on him. By doing that, once again he proved that he can not be as brave as Bajpayee who could ask pardon in public if he would do something wrong.

Jaswant Singh’s expulsion also calls wrath because VallavBhai Patel is mentioned in bad light in the book. Gujarat government is banned the circulation and sale of book in the state. What hypocrisy! Vallavbhai Patel always supported Nehru and he had resigned from the post of president of congress for Nehru during independence year of India. It was well evident that even Gandhi had succumbed to the wishes of Nehru to be the first Prime-Minister even at the cost of dividing India. Vallavbhai Patel strongly supported seeing that no one can stop the inevitable. History also speaks the love of Gandhi towards Nehru, which made Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose resign from the post of president of Congress party when Gandhi had once uttered that defeat of Nehru was his own defeat. Reader of history could perceive what kind of treatment even Jinnah would have got from Gandhi. Obviously, the idea of Pakistan would have emerged much before independence and that is a part of the history now.

Although, in private life, Jinnah being Muslim, it is not know that he practice Islam staunchly. Dominiuqe Lapiere and Larry Collins in their book’ Freedom at Midnight’ have thrown some light on his life, which reveals that he was totally a modern personality but was perceived differently in public. May be the political compulsion might have made him do so.

The last question what haunts me loudly is Jaswant Singh’s own soul searching towards the party’s ideologies and its future. Is it a hint that BJP will no more be able get back to the power with continuing Philosophy of Hindutava and it is imperative that bring all caste and religion into its fold to make it a truly national party? Was he trying to set the platform along with Advani to revamp the image of the party?

All this episodes, indicates that Advani was in all likelihood, looking at Jaswant Singh as next inheritor of position in party and above all Jaswant Singh even had blessings of Bajpayee in this regard. But Advani do not seem to be in hurry leaving the party in anyone else’s hand. So, he took the advantage and turned the tide in his favour. But this has created a vacuum in the party, an uncertainty about the leadership, and posed a question about the culture of the party. Above all, it has also created a weak opposition in parliament which is not good for democracy.

The battle in the BJP is on and the murmur of the different camps can be perceived through media though in a limited extent. What unfolds in the coming days and months will reveal the future of BJP. But to be an Indian, I would wish BJP to become a truly secular national party and concentrate on India’s development as electoral issues rather than caste, region, and religion. We have lots of other challenges to deal with such as, poverty, hunger, drought, and sanitation and health. In the twentieth century the aim of the nation is ‘Kaam Kaj’ and not the ‘Ram Raj’. Strong opposition gives an opportunity to the people to have options in the electoral franchise. For the good health of Democracy, I would like BJP to resurrect once gain and come out of the crisis.

Facing Recession

Recession is just like natural disaster and calamities which can leave you reckless, broken, bewildered, and unbelievably put you on your toes to face it, whether you like it or not. This is not a phenomenon in reality yet it keeps on happening. Who is responsible for the recession? Difficult to answer because as every time a disaster hits the reason is different. Similarly the cause analysis spells different stories about recession too. But the worst hits are the people who are at bottom, last in the ladder of hierarchy in the job, and the menials who make their living by earning their daily wages.

There are many reasons which attribute to the recession but one thing which is in centre of all recession is the ‘greed’. Comparing recession with disaster is not even correct in proper terms but to some extent the aftermath of both is quite similar. Natural disaster is the cause of man made reckless use of resources without caring about the nature, which ultimately leads to the ill effect bringing tsunami, heavy storm, flood, famine, and loss of life and property. Till the time a balance is maintain the nature acts judiciously avoiding any ruthless attack on the human life but when the greed supersedes the law of the nature, it goes beyond the control, and then the repercussion is seen. Similarly, in the economic terms the act of human greed which breaks the rule of business brings recession.

For the seer profiteering if the businesses continue creating false markets, false promises and the inflated market prices, it is bound to fall. Most of the recession had similar reasons in the past yet we have not learnt the lesson from it. May be the major contributor of the recession are not the people who support the business empire as the workforce. It is the workforce because of whom product and service flourishes and the few in the commanding position earn in millions and billions of dollars. For these people making millions and billions is like enjoying the horse race and business is like the race course. Their passion of enjoying race and earning is the hard work and toil of the jockeys and the horses yet when the recession hits, it’s the horses and jockeys who are deprive of their job and face the challenge of even feeding themselves. At the time of recession, the so called business stalwarts are ready to steal the oats of the horse and deny the rides to the jockey.

The ethics and business principles what these business tycoons talk during the good times to tame their workforce does not have value when they are pushed to the wall. Recession over the period of time has become enigma within an enigma. Common people do not know what to do and how to avoid the recession. The best is to face it. How to face the recession? No proven rules or methodologies are at place which can teach you the velour of a warrior.

The present situation is no different. Western world’s economic crises have grappled us too. Our jobs are at stake. Every day some or the others are losing the job. Even if you are the smartest of the lot, if your position is scraped or the business is termed sick you are ought to lose your job. The day you lose your job, you definitely ask this question, “why me?” But its not only you alone. There could be larger queue about which you are not aware of.

Many people do suggest and even news articles keep on pouring in the internet media and the print media that if you have more skills perhaps you can save your job. Its all about multi-tasking. At confused state it sounds feasible. But remember, when good times are there in the business it requires specialist to be at place who could drive the business in a profitable direction. Suddenly the scenario changes and the specialist role becomes the generalist. It sounds little ambiguous. When there is tough time, the people who are specialist they only can fight it better and improve the situation rather than becoming generalist. Yes! The specialists will have to work with higher precision without committing silly errors. It requires hard and consistent approach to come out of it.

Merely advising the workforce to acquire many skills will make them jack of all trades but master of none. Yes! Additional skills might help you do your job better but it is never easier or rather appropriate to deviate from your current role to a different role. Such suggestions can only ruin your career. If you want to help yourself during recession, armed yourself with more job knowledge and equip yourself with better handling of the job which can make you winner even at bad times. You require to put not only the hard work but the smart work. The greater part of the avoiding recession might not be at hand for the simple people like us who are the part of task force. But definitely we have some role to play which can help recession diminish faster. The greater insight about your role, planning about your own progress at job, and bringing new dimension to optimize time and effort could be few things which could help you stay in your job even during recession.

Ultimately, the recession is more like a low tide of the business and naturally a high tide is expected. If it is sooner, it is better. But that is something which is beyond our control. Let us make use of the things which are under our control to tackle recession. Again how you address your problem and figure out the possible solution is the personal challenge. And you are the best judge of yourself; someone else can just lend you a helping hand but can not fight your battle. Hold your breath to run a marathon but be wishful to cross the milestone. If you have it in you, you would fare better even in the bad weather.

The results are eye opener

15th Lok Sabha results are out and with this many of the parties too are out. The pollster’s projections before the election of a hung parliament turned out to be the worst ever forecasted projection in the Indian electoral history. Most of the people and politicians who thought of a hung parliament are smelling dust now. Third front which boasted of forming government at the centre could not save their own skin. Fourth front which roar high before election are acting like the rat. The main opposition party which could benefit much due to the anti incumbency factor could not capitalize the votes due to infighting within the party, lack of interest among the politicians to work cohesively, and riding on the old issues of the Ram and Hindu sentiments. The prime-ministerial candidate who looked strong by virtue of his political career lost face because of indiscipline and misconduct of his party members even on the eve of election month.

According to the media and several other learned people who have seen numerous election, this one was most special and most difficult to analyze till the last moment as to who is going to get the majority. No one was clear about any thing. Everyone was projecting the result into their own favour. People were highly confused whom to vote. During this recession time this election was definitely very important one because whosoever is going to rule the rust had to be stable and stability before election seem to be the last thing possible according to the projection. But whatever happened, whichever way it happened, it has happened the best for the country. At this point of time, it is very difficult to analyze how the victorious UPA combination won the election.

However, one thing is very clearly visible, the corrupt politicians like Lalu, Paswan, Mulayam, Amar Singh Choudhary have numbered days in the Indian politics. Other regional parties such TRS, film actor Chiranjeevi’s outfit, and big time TDP all had to see the exit door. But at the same time BJD and JD (U) in Orissa and Bihar has done wonderfully well and proven the projected statistics once again wrong. For Chandrababu Naidu definitely this election would be nightmare and will take time to digest the fact. But for Naveen Patnaik and Nitish, this is the mandate of the people towards their untiring effort of bring development in the state and curbing corruption in the public life.

This is again the election for BJP to understand the fact of good governance and development and not to play the politics of hate and religion. This is the time for politicians to realize region, religion, fake promises will no more go down well with the people. The message is very clear, “perform or perish”.

The result of this election can not be believed so easily, as to how come Indian people have shown their character and have chosen the right person at centre. The people who had spoken about Dr. Man Mohan Singh as the weakest prime minister would certainly see his strength. Truly, now Singh is King. He ran the last government full term with the most corrupted people with him, now the time has come he can have best people to govern India and make the country more strong even during the recession. we will see 15th Lok Sabha results are out and with this many of the parties too are out. The pollster’s projections before the election of a hung parliament turned out to be the worst ever forecasted projection in the Indian electoral history. Most of the people and politicians who thought of a hung parliament are smelling dust now. Third front which boasted of forming government at the centre could not save their own skin. Fourth front which roar high before election are acting like the rat. The main opposition party which could benefit much due to the anti incumbency factor could not capitalize the votes due to infighting within the party, lack of interest among the politicians to work cohesively, and riding on the old issues of the Ram and Hindu sentiments. The prime-ministerial candidate who looked strong by virtue of his political career lost face because of indiscipline and misconduct of his party members even on the eve of election month.

According to the media and several other learned people who have seen numerous election, this one was most special and most difficult to analyze till the last moment as to who is going to get the majority. No one was clear about any thing. Everyone was projecting the result into their own favour. People were highly confused whom to vote. During this recession time this election was definitely very important one because whosoever is going to rule the rust had to be stable and stability before election seem to be the last thing possible according to the projection. But whatever happened, whichever way it happened, it has happened the best for the country. At this point of time, it is very difficult to analyze how the victorious UPA combination won the election.

However, one thing is very clearly visible, the corrupt politicians like Lalu, Paswan, Mulayam, Amar Singh Choudhary have numbered days in the Indian politics. Other regional parties such TRS, film actor Chiranjeevi’s outfit, and big time TDP all had to see the exit door. But at the same time BJD and JD (U) in Orissa and Bihar has done wonderfully well and proven the projected statistics once again wrong. For Chandrababu Naidu definitely this election would be nightmare and will take time to digest the fact. But for Naveen Patnaik and Nitish, this is the mandate of the people towards their untiring effort of bring development in the state and curbing corruption in the public life.

This is again the election for BJP to understand the fact of good governance and development and not to play the politics of hate and religion. This is the time for politicians to realize region, religion, fake promises will no more go down well with the people. The message is very clear, “perform or perish”.

The result of this election can not be believed so easily, as to how come Indian people have shown their character and have chosen the right person at centre. The people who had spoken about Dr. Man Mohan Singh as the weakest prime minister would certainly see his strength. Truly, now Singh is King. He ran the last government full term with the most corrupted people with him, now the time has come he can have best people to govern India and make the country more strong even during the recession. We will see the real test of him in the coming months and I am sure he is going to deliver. Because, there will be no Lalu, Paswan, Mulayam, and Ramdoss to twist his arms. Well, we will see many more things coming out in few days time. But for now at least let us listen and dance on the tune of ‘Singh is Kings…………’.

A lot can happen over coffee

The nostalgia prevailed as I was listening to one of the old songs of Manna De sung in Bengali language about the good old days of coffee house where umpteen times the joint of youths share their dreams, happiness, the momentarily anger, the fight and the by line talks. Song even laments about the degenerating interests of people in Coffee House and describes the passing off the good moments with the passage of times. No more same joints, same crowd, the passion of pooling money just for a cup of coffee for each one of the group or even the sharing one cup of coffee between two friends.


The budding singer, poets, journalists had one point of contact to their seniors with this place. The senior and junior all had one place of meeting and sharing the thoughts and that was “Coffee House”.

Definitely a lot happened over the coffee. Junior journalist learnt the art of journalism from their seniors without any fees; budding poet got review of their poetry from the senior and good tips free of cost. The unemployed lover found a good place to meet his beloved and chat for long time just in lieu of a coffee. It offered unhindered space in the fast moving city life for many of the people to just laze around enlightening their creativity. Everything discussed without any inhibition, right from politics to the profession, coercion to corruption, sorry and disturbed incidence to delighted happenings and many more.


There was no boundary in terms of age, societal status, and professional limitation for the people to come in to Coffee House. The great old hangout, the coffee house, which catered many decades, is still alive in many of the cities. But no more such crowds, only few old journalists warm the chairs and discuss the day’s happenings to put into the press. The new lots have probably found the place in a bar, pub or another happening joint of their tastes.

The new generation’s coffee house is Café Coffee Day where the punch line itself says, “A lot can happen over coffee”. And definitely, a lot happens over coffee. It’s a new generation’s hangout place. The pubs are no safer place any more, Café Coffee Day provides unlimited hours of sitting and gossiping with your new found love, chatting with your friends, even its good place to meet your would be bride. So what! if it makes hole in your pocket. You are earning in five figures and definitely you can afford to spend time here. It remains open till middle of the night but pub strictly closes by given time. So, pubs have limited options to woo your relationship.

The crowd is young, vibrant, and energetic. No one is pedestrian commuter. There are always different brands of car and motorbike parked in front of the coffee day. Finding a place for parking is really tough and getting a table during the peak time is even tougher. In fact this is coffee shop with a new look and this is no match with the Coffee House. There is limited space to sit and talk and hardly any privacy. There is someone on next table who could listen to your intimate talks. There is always a crowd waiting outside to occupy a table. Its more of a commercial joint which attracts the new corporate underdogs to show off their bits and pieces to each others.
 

Both places offer almost same kind of services, light snacks and coffee. But there is a contrast in the appearance of the place and behaviour of the crowd. The oriental look of Coffee House is not the philosophy of Coffee Day. Coffee Day copies the style and looks of European or American setting. Coffee House could run Indian news channel, whereas coffee day runs non stop MTV. Coffee House honour the philosophy of common people’s affordability. Coffee Day lures the young corporate professionals and techies. The yardsticks and boundaries are created to cater the different crowds.

But the idea of hangout remains the same, to find some solace in meeting. I could wonder if I happen to be the part of this new joint I would be just suffocating. Not because I would not be able to pay the bill but because I would not be able to relate to the new crowd. May be I was part time unofficial member of the coffee house which happened to be the part of my short and sweet journalistic career. I had enjoyed the time in coffee house and I have spent few occasional moments in the Café Coffee Day too. The critics might say that I am hypocrite who does not appreciate the new settings but the reality is I can not wear different mask from being my real one. I may not be able to submerge in the crowd which is based on the imitated and borrowed philosophy from another planet.

The hot anger and sullen face after a cry was some time obvious in the coffee house among the young couple which could be missing here. The fierce and hot debate would not be overheard. The quarreling journalists proving their points will not be seen. But to my astonishment, you will found people sobbing near the car park in front of the coffee day. You will find faces saying good bye to broken relationship but hiding their emotions on the table. It is at this point I become even more nostalgic listening to the Manna De’s song. Sharing and caring, everything was part of the Coffee House. It is here that I realize “A lot can happen over coffee” can not match the “lots happened in the Coffee House”. Though, down but not out, three cheers to Coffee House. Long live Coffee House!

Learn from the scars and use your baton

The 15th general election of India for electing members of parliament for the lower house ‘The Lok Sabha’, is going on. The country is phased out for polling on different dates in a span of nearly a month starting from mid April to mid May. The 16th of May is the D-day for all the political parties, which are spreading their party manifesto and post election national agenda if they come in power.

What different is it any way going to be from the earlier elections? Same all old national parties, regional parties and independent candidates, in the rat race for getting elected to ruin the fate of the country and fracture the verdict of voters. Political leaders with lost credibility, malicious background, and futuristic personal ambitions are in the fray. None of the leaders or say candidates in this election can vouch that they will do good to the country and to the people of the country. Even if some new faces may say so, but we all know, sooner or later they will be the part and parcel of the corrupt system which is inherited year after year.

Politicians have lied, misguided, and misled the people of the country in the past to get their vote and they are doing the same thing again. They are the culprit of creating false impression in the mind of the people to make believe on themselves by virtue of caste, class, religion, false hope of reservation, employment, and so many others. All said then done, the aspiration of common people is never met. Politicians always emotionally blackmail people with the sensitive issues, which are not important in their life.

As India’s majority population is educationally backward, politicians always gain advantage over these populations. Unfortunately the educated masses are disgusted to even caste their vote to any of the politicians. They understand these politicians well that they are here to make their way and not taking care of the country or people of the country. They all have their own agendas but not people’s agenda. Well, not casting vote is another crime what the educated Indians have done so far. They suffer from the mania of neglecting this disgusting lot. But in reality they are helping these flocks to get to the power smoothly without any resistance. The educationally forward looking people have bigger responsibility to play. They not only have to caste their votes but tell others also whom to caste the votes. Sensitize people to understand the value of their votes to punish the bad politicians and bring the ones who can look after their aspirations.

We are going through the recession’s period. Our expected growth rate has fallen short of target. National security is bigger problem. Personal security is not guaranteed. The people who come out in the middle to speak truth to help masses are killed mysteriously and butchered publicly. The IITian Satayendra Dubey who wanted to save nation’s wealth not letting it go to the goons and create national highway of quality was murdered. The fact is all known that the secret letter to the prime-minister leaked from his office and Mr Dubey lost his life. What a pity! The Prime- minister’s office is also not secured. The person who finds out pebbles and stones in the tanker of helicopter of Anil Ambani to prevent it from the sabotage commits suicide. It can not be digested. He is purely murdered but who will find out the real culprit. The truth will never come into light.

Today’s agenda of the parties and politicians should be national security, personal security of the people, employment, health, transportation, and education. These were in the national agenda when India won freedom and still remains the agenda. Because, none of these, have been fully realized. We are a billion people nation mostly illiterate, unemployed, lack basic health care, the road to our home is always precarious, and we are prone to terrorist attacks anywhere and stabbed by anyone. The culprit roams scout free. We have not improved where we were rather have deteriorated with the passage of time.

Blame it on those who have ruled us. Blame it on the people who have largely believed on one family people to be the leaders of the country despite their unworthiness to the post of responsibility. Blame it on the leaders who have exploited people on the issue of caste, class and religion. Blame it on the leaders who use nation’s office for their personal benefit and allow the culprits to go unpunished.

Bofors Scam, Fodder Scam, Babari Masjid Demolition, and Godhara riots to name a few are the past deeds of the politicians and political parties. The mere talk of rebuilding Ram Temple and giving reservation to the minority on the basis of religion is the bigger part of the conspiracy to divide Indian people to depend on these politicians. The sober prime minister allows Ottavio Quattrochi and his wife to be free from accusation of receiving kickbacks in Bofors deal whereas the CBI has recorded proof available in their office. How does this weak man lead the strong nation? Can the remotely controlled prime-minister, wise man of economics, who dares to say that he can change the face of recession within three months in India, be believed?

This election has come at a time when there is more confusion in the minds of the voter but still larger chunk of the population thinks the older way. However, the impacts of old tactics are slowly getting diluted. The time is come to think one nation, equal opportunity, education for all, social justice, personal security and national growth. How many of us understand this. How many of us will learn the lesson from the past scars and use our batons to mend ways to change the fate of the nation and our own too?