Gujarat shows the way, in water distribution and irrigation...

Recently Shri Sharad Pawar and Shri Jairam Ramesh, the two of the prominent UPA ministers visited state of Gujarat to check on drought like condition in Gujarat and have a dialogue with Hon. C.M. of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi regarding the help from center.

Shri Narendra Modi, though his state suffering from acute drought, offered center to supply their surplus electricity for power deficient states and in return demanded additional supply of gas. Shri Sharad Pawar was immensely impressed with Gujarat’s irrigation and distribution of water.

But,

This is not the breaking news of this piece.

The motive behind propagating this subject is God’s mercy, a bit late no doubt on certain states like Uttarakhand, Kerala, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh etc. where rain God has been favorable. Maharashtra and Gujarat have been unfortunate in this and the scarcity of drinking water as well as fodder is hitting hard.

Heavy rains over river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh, has brought additional water supply in Sardar Sarovar dam over Narmada in Gujarat. While I write this pic, the Sardar Sarovar is overflowing.

And,

That would lessen the gravity of scarcity of drinking water.

But,

This does not permit us to rejoice because till last 12 years, rain God had been delighted with India and hence, drought like conditions hardly existed. That does not allow us, to relax and be completely dependent on rain flow and not possess sufficient man-made devices to conquer the situation.

§  The height of Sardar Sarovar has been controversial issue since long.

§   In February 1999, the Supreme Court of India gave the go ahead for the dam's height to be raised to 88 m (289 ft) from the initial 80 m (260 ft).

§  In October 2000 again, in a 2 to 1 majority judgment in the Supreme Court, the government was allowed to construct the dam up to 90 m (300 ft).^[9]

§  In May 2002, the Narmada Control Authority approved increasing the height of the dam to 95 m (312 ft).

§  In March 2004, the Authority allowed a 15 m (49 ft) height increase to 110 m (360 ft).

§  In March 2006, the Narmada Control Authority gave clearance for the height of the dam to increased from 110.64 m (363.0 ft) to 121.92 m (400.0 ft). This came after 2003 when the Supreme Court of India refused allow the height of the dam to increase again.

§  Recently, the height of dam is128 m.

The Gujarat Govt. had demanded to put up flood-gates over existing height of Sardar Sarovar dam. These flood-gates would have increased the height of dam by 10 m.enabled the existing 280 sq. km. lake to be increased in over 400 sq.km and this additional accumulation of water could easily irrigate and supply water to far off lands of Saurashtra and Kutch.

The issue of rehabilitation was raised by “Narmada Bachao Andolan” and Medha Patkar, but eventually the rehabilitation of people concerned has been successfully done. Actually, it is inevitable and water supply reaching to far off land is much larger issue than few thousand, if has to vacate their land and rehabilitate. Thus, the central Govt.’s unnecessary obdurate conduct is nothing but loss to common man. Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment and vision has somewhat eradicated this folly of center’s  behavior. The water amass reaches the far off corner of the state through motor pumps but the cost incur is turning out to be steep.

Gujarat Govt. has been fervently negotiating with center to grant this floodgates but probably lack of understanding of severity of situation or indifference towards Gujarat’s demand or further still, political calculations to not allow a gain to Team Gujarat...Whatever may be the case, but finally the sufferer is Common man of Gujarat..

And,

The central UPA Govt. is entirely to be blamed....

Ghar kab Aaoge, kaho kab aaoge...Yeh ghar tum bina suna suna hai...

A few days back, the country went in frenzy with Sarabjeet Singh-Surjeet Singh issue. Countrymen suffered the anguish and pain experienced by the family of both, for long number of years, along with them. Person in foreign jails presumably and not being aware of their precise where abouts, is horrifying.
Surjeet Singh, after being freed from Pakistan jail, claimed that there are number of Indian soldiers in Pak jails, living dreadful existence. Many of them, who had fought relentlessly and laid their lives to free our motherland from foreign [its irony, we have to mention Pakistan as foreign, which was very much part of our own dear homeland, a few years back....] attacks. It is sadly shocking that Indian Govt.s in center, have hardly taken any firm and unyielding steps, [except on counted occasion] to free these dedicated sons of India.
After Bangla Desh war, in 1971, Bharat freed 93,007 Pakistani soldiers  held in Eastern [Bangla] border and 3,703 soldiers on Western border, near Pakistan. Total of 96,710 Pak soldiers, were respectfully handed back to Pak authorities. On our front, Pakistan freed 616 war prisoners but did not free 54 more, out of them 34 were of Officer’s ranking!!! In 1972, when Late Mrs. Gandhi, the then P.M. signed the Shimla Agreement and returned the land to Pak, which was won by Indian army, she hesitated in demanding custody of those 54 war prisoners, who are till date, leading hideous existence in Pak jails.
When Gen. Zia-Ul-Haque capured power from the then P.M. of Pakistan, Late Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto in 1978 and he was in Kot-Lakhpat prison. He was unable to sleep at nights due to voice and noise of shriek and cries. He enquired to the officials and the truth came out...The war prisoners of 1971 Indo-Pak war, were physically and mentally tortured and they were in disoriented state, thus this screams.!!! This story has been portrayed in Victoria Scofield, BBC reporter’s book, “Bhutto’s trial and execution”.
In 1979, during Chaudhary Charan Singh’s rule the then MoS for External Affairs, Shri Samrendra Kundu had presented a list of 54 war prisoners, who had fought against the foe, Pakistan risking their own lives. 29 of them were from army and 25 belonged to air force.
But,
The irony is the Indian Govt.s have never really insisted adamantly to liberate these national heroes!!! Except on one occasion, when Shri Atal Bihari Bajpayee had raised the issue in Agra Summit in 2001 with Parvez Mushraff, the Pak president of that time
 but,
With the failure of the summit, the issue got buried there and then.
It is not the matter of Pakistan’s shamelessness  and disregarding reverence of international agreements  only but it is about Indian Govt.s  pathetically feeble conduct. In Dec.1971, Pak radio announced the capturing of five Indian Pilots alive. Indian Govt. has the recording as proof, Indian spies, for N number of times repeatedly affirmed the news that more than 40 war prisoners are in captive but despite of all these Indian Govt. could not gather courage to pressurize Pak to release  the them. Neither at the time of Shimla Agreement, nor after it!!!
Out of these 54 ill-fated once, two of them belong to Gujarat. Flt. Lieutenant Nagaswami Shankar hails from Vadodara and Captain Kalyan Rathod is from Sabarkantha district. On their behalf, Advocate M.K. Pal from Rajkot has been diligently fighting for the cause in Gujarat High Court. On last 20th April, Gujarat High Court, passed a verdict, condemning  the  central govt. for their negligence in undertaking efforts of liberating these 54 soldiers of Mother India. The Gujarat High Court ordered the Central Govt. to provide the kith and kin of those soldiers with entire pay of all these years as well as the pension package, within two weeks. The Gujarat HC also ordered the Central Govt. to appeal in International Court of Justice, for liberation of these soldiers.
But,
The Central Govt. did the unimaginable...
They agreed to the order of Gujarat HC. regarding payment and pension but appealed in Hon. SC against Gujarat HC in the matter of challenging Pakistan in International Court of Justice!!! What should have been a  voluntary  move by the Central Govt. to persist about liberating Indian war prisoners, in stead the”Hon” Central Govt. is filing case against the issue!!!
Lieutenant Carnal Rajkumar Pattu and Brigadier Manmohan Sharma have written a documentation kind of thesis called “Indian Prisoners of War in Pakistan”. It contains  the evidences and testimony about the prisoner’s heartbreaking condition  and their family’s plight. The book has Major A.K. Ghosh’s picture on the cover  and in 1991 issue of Time magazine, the same Major Ghose standing behind the bar has appeared on cover.
Flt. Lieutenant Harvinder Singh is [was?] son of Squadron Leader Gurubaksh Singh. He was informed about his son being incarcerate in the hands of enemy and was sent the address for communication. Gurubaksh Singh wrote innumerable letters but received no reply. When he contacted  the Air Force headquarters, he was instructed to appeal for the pension stating that his son was no more and refused to part with any more details. Without proof, the Squadron Leader was not prepared to believe it and obtain death pension!!!
Similar is the case of Flt. Lieutenant V.P. Tambe. On 4th Dec. ’71, Tambe’s aircraft was shot and smashed. Pak newspapers published the news and Mrs. Damyanti Tambe, consoled herself that her husband was still alive. When Pakistani authority handed over the 616 war prisoners post war, he was not one among many. Mrs Tambe pleaded and implored the authority but Indian authority was unmoved. She was instructed to accept the death pension, instead!!! In 1978, during Morarji Desai’s tenure as PM, one Bangladeshi defense officer came to Jamnagar and on Jamnagar Airbase, met up with Tambe’s brother, who was in Air force, too. The Bangla officer informed Tambe’s brother that in Layalpur jail of Pakistan, a person named Tambe who has similar looks is kept and he keeps writing his name on wall with brick!!! Damyanti Tambe, appealed again. Advocate Pal has decided to support her in receiving justice.
In 1983, after Late Mrs. Gandhi regained power, the subject became persistent and Indira Gandhi decided to send six war prisoner’s families to Pakistan. They would be illustrated with all the said Indian prisoners and the family’s would recognize them. Pakistan never wished to agree on such arrangement but under  international pressure, they agreed to demonstrate them, very much reluctantly. As soon as they departed, Mrs. Gandhi passed a comment  criticizing Pak Govt. about disrespectful conduct with Khan Abdul Gafar Khan. The relations between two countries were strained again and in reaction, Pakistan showed only 3 prisoners, instead of 23 as promised and only the Multan jail. The prisoners were those who were involved in Smuggling or had crossed the border unintentionally!!!
And,
The group returned empty-handed. The Human Right Activists  of Pak, Ashma Jahangir and Ansar Burney supported the claim of war prisoner’s families. Ashma Jahangir, in her interview to BBC in 1991 had asserted that there were 43 war prisoners in Pak jails.
Advocate Pal states that his mission is to unshackle the soldiers, who have dedicated their lives for Ma Bharti. The Govt. can not forget them or disregard their kith’s plight. As per the information from an Indian Spy, only one Carnal has met with death but all others are alive and leading distasteful lives...
And,
It’s a disgrace for our Govt. in center.

Are we prepared to adopt American Presidential system?

Presidential election in our country is just round the corner. Every other hour, some or the other BREAKING NEWS regarding this election is conquering our T.V. screens. First, it was regarding selection of presidential candidate, than about winning the support of major and minor parties….
And,
This election has turned into one big Warring event…
Imagine, the appointment of the First Person of our country and the entire scenario is nothing else but militaristic episode.
India, being a democracy,  the President is powerful rubber stamp with no power to implement and more so, because usually [of course, not always] the post is filled by existing leader of the political party and he/she follows the instructions as well as wishes of the Govt. []This has been a practice, so far].
Looking at Presidential strength, other than our country, we generally sight at Presidential democracy of USA. Where as what we follow in India, is adoption of British pattern, where President takes the role of King/Queen of Britain and plays passive role. USA, too were ruled by British and fought to acquire their independence but they espoused different form of democracy.
Now, in current scenario, Presidential election has become an extension of thrusting power game, the question is doing rounds in mindsets of people, that why not American presidential system?
What is American Presidential system?
American Presidential System projects Head of state that performs as head of administrative group, too. American Prez is elected directly by citizen’s voting and is entitled to rule for at least 4 years. He/she has the authority to directly appoint talented various personalities as head of different departments. USA has two party system and whenever any minute group comes into existence, within sometime it merges with the one of the major parties. Since last 150 years, US has had Republican and Democratic parties and the President is chosen from either of the party.
In comparison, our country has number of parties apart from the leading ruling and opposition. Agreed, administration and performance of the govt. in power would be comparatively, induce less corruption but the bona fide meaning of term “democracy” could be jeopardized.  Democracy implies Expression of political beliefs, not  violating the peace and harmony of the society. India being multi linguistic nation as well as it represents diversification in religion, too. Hence, the representation of smaller groups, existing on state levels has to be incorporated. In addition, India is a country, with centuries old history and social strata. The then social and economic systems, which were boon in olden era that elaborated inclusive social fabric, later on with passage of time and during foreign rules, turned out to be cause for Class and Caste division. The huge class of people of the country had been victim of caste and class schism and thus, exploited. In such circumstances, their representation in current democratic system becomes inevitable. Thus, American Presidential system, however may be pertinent in theory but for India’s contemporary socio-political scenario, it may not be appositely applicable.

Corruption in Public Sectors by Congress in its 60+ rule.

Congress and corruption both start with “C”. Thus bonding between them is unbreakably strong. India attained independence in 1947  and the first Govt. was formed under the leadership of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had few non-Congressi leaders, who were assigned ministeries. Mahatma Gandhi had asked Pandit Nehru to incorporate Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukharjee in the cabinet, though their political beliefs were anti-Congress, due to their commitment and capabililities  to serve the nation.
Pandit Nehru ‘s ideology was inclining towards Socialism and thus, he dreaded Privatization. Public Sectors were given gratuitous importance and the loop-holes of in Public Sectors were overlooked. He addressed Public Sectors as “Temples of Modern India.”He feared Privatization would lead to money accumulation in hands of few and India, being young and over-populated nation with more people residing in BPL, the deprived class would remained more and more underpriviledged.
But,
This optimism of Pandit Nehru, invented Public Sectors which turned into Power centralization centers and which in turn gave birth to colossal corruption. Pandit Nehru’s gradient towards Socialism was integrated in numerous Public Corporations such as Steel, Drugs, Fertilizers, Engineering Consultancy, Farming and Food Imports, Mining, Oil Refinaries, Hotel and Commodity Trading. Today, Commodity Trading has ignited such huge speculations in basic food products that the undue and excessive rise in price results in unbearable burden on common man’s shoulder.
Pandit Nehru’s whim regarding creating uncountable Public Corporations swallowed Rs. 6000 crores in 1969 to 23,000 crores in 1990. The Govt. attributed Rs. 50,000 crores in deficiet budget. About 390 such ”temples” have digested mammoth public money.
When Maharashtra’s  Finance Minister was Forest Development Corporation’s Chairperson, he was ordered to appoint Congress jobless Karyakartas on various posts. Thus, he generated superfluous  Corporations in Congress led states, which provided high salary and perks to them.
And,
This unplanned so called economic reforms is the main cause for decline in economic growth. Mind well, complete open economy is not the answer to the over-populated country like ours but resorting to uncontrolled Public Sector has led to corruption on huge scale.

Where the womenfolks prosper, the community flourishes.. Kudos to Sewa International Trust and Gujarat Govt.'s efforts.

Motherland Bharatmata is bursting with colorful diversity and accompanied by uncountable talent. Indian womenfolk has always portrayed artistic pursuits even while performing household chorus. Their fingers are home to multiple flair and thus, their courage to support the family in bad times, is outstanding.
In 2001, Kutch in Gujarat was an epic center for horrendous earthquake and as a result the lives were devastated. Those, who were affluent gathered their lives at faster pace but the economically backward were terribly shattered.
But,
Their fingers were replete with abounding embroidery art and their courage to get back to life with zest, impressed the Sewa International Trust of RSS and they took it up on themselves to re-habitate these women and their families and help them to walk on the path of self-reliance. Thus, it started a few years back in a small area called Jiyapar, few kilometers away from Bhuj, in Kutch district. Jiyapar, too was completely crushed in 01 earthquake but, with the enormous funding of Shree Swaminarayan Trust and common man’s zeal, the village was once again set up.
The Sewa International Trust initiated the womenfolk belonging to Rabari, Aahir, Harijan and such economically backward classes to develop and project their art and skill to help them to be economically independent and stand on her two feet. The Silk and threads were ordered from Banaras and looms were set up. The products produced by them were exhibited in various exhibitions. Few foreigners were so impressed that they ordered bulk orders. The local trust was formed named, Kutch Sewa Kala Kendra, which worked in association with Sewa International Trust.
Later, Gujarat Govt. gave a plot of 8,950 sq.feet to construct where 2300 sq.ft center was built. Sewing Machines set up to mechanize the work and get larger output.
Sewa International Trust is RSS outfit which is one of its many projects that works for the welfare of the society. Not only for their social upliftment but also their economic development.
Shri Narendra Modiji’s Gujarat Govt. has womenfolk s progress, very close to their heart. Shri Modiji inaugurated the Kutch Sewa Kala Kendra, the training and design Center in Jiyapar and saluted the Nari Shakti...

The saga of sinking INR...

The Value of Rupee is all time low, at present. The value of Dollar, as compared to INR is Rs. 52.3 and GBP [Great Britian Pound] is Rs.82.9, as on today..
One is obligatory to discover the reason behind such a huge of fall in our currency value as there is not any visible grounds that one can suspect of, other than Indian Govt.’s inefficiency and may be, intentions...
The rainfall has been unvarying since few years and nation not really facing any severe drought like situation.
But,
Still, the value of Indian Rupee has degraded and stooped to its lowest..
When India attained independence on 15th August 1947, there was no debt on Indian economy and the value of 1 Rs.=1 $!!! With the introduction of Five year plan, the Indian Govt. needed funds, thus they started borrowing and started devaluing Indian Rupee. This situation was worsened when Indo-China war broke out in 1962 and later during Indo-Pak war in 1965.The Rupee was further de-valued as India needed finances to buy weapon.
In 1966, when Mrs. Indira Gandhi became the P.M. the inflation had reached to its peak.To maintain the US aids, USA Govt. demanded and pressurized to further devalue the Indian currency against US and kept the value of INR at Rs.7=$1. The then ministers Mr. Krismachari and Mr. Kamraj opposed vehemently to this policy but to no avail as Mrs. Gandhi was adamant about having the US aid.
After 1970, the value of US$ grew stronger to INR due to incompetence of Indian politician, the then Govt. of Mrs. Gandhi and bully of US. The exchange rate of $1=Rs.7.47 in 1970 which rose to $1=Rs.8.40.in 1975. After the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi in 1984 and the Bofors scandal as well as tumbling of Mr. Rajiv Gandhi’s governance brought the INR still further down to $1=Rs. 12.36 in 1985. In 1990, the value of 1 US $=INR 17.50...
Whenever India faced economic crisis, US made India de-value the INR by giving financial aids or trading benefits. In 1991, under Shri Narsimha Rao’s govt. India faced dire drop in INR against US$. The Indian Forex Reserve sunk to its bottom  and at a point of time, the Indian Forex Reserve was as low which allowed payment of only 3 months import bills. To overcome this crisis, Indian Govt. borrowed hugely from International Monetary Funds [IMF]  with the condition that INR would be de-valued further. Due to this, the 1 US$ became 24.38INR. from Rs. 16.49.
After this, the US dollar has been on ascending spree. 1 US $= 28.97 INR in 1992. In 1995, 1 US$=34.96 INR. In year 2000, 1 US $= INR 46.78.
But,
In 2002, for the first time in the history, the INR became stronger than the US $. In December 2002, the value of INR=48.14 and in 2003, the INR was 45.57 and in 2004, the INR was 43.84 as compared to 1 US $.
Today, the value of Dollar as compared to INR is on top. It makes one wonder, the cause behind this....
The reasons can be plenty..
Whenever the value of INR has dripped, naturally the foreign investment has flown in. Not the entire investment, is fair purpose investments. Lately, whenever the  Rupee is de-valued, it is accompanied by colossal amount of Black money invested by Indians in foreign banks.
It is very important to control the de- valuation of Indian Rupee to prevent the decay of Indian economy.

The value of Indian currency slipppping down...

Day and day out, the Indian economy slips on descending order. The price rise acute and shortages of basic goods accurate. The inflation shooting up on rocketing speed. The poor becoming poorer even though the weather God has not completely not blessed our land. The drought like situation prevailing on a small scale here and there but not the entire country is in the clasp of it.
The scarcity experienced due to unimaginable corruption in the distribution system of  basic goods as well as speculations permitted in necessary products  like Dal Chawal, Sugar n Spices...It is the irony when the Govt. itself becomes party to such shoddy activities. “Jiska Raja Vyapari, Uski Praja Bhikhari”.   If the speculation commotion  persists of luxuries, it is still permit able as it does not really amend common men’s lives but to augment the cost of most necessary edibles, is criminal.
But,
The saga of misery does not end here. Recently, the value of Indian currency is falling exceptionally low. It may appear to world, that Indian economy is plummeting due to exhausted resources or natural calamities but we all know, none of it is true. It is mainly and only the result of unparallel sleaze in intention of people in power, lack of purest of purpose  and commitment to bring about change in the most marginalized person’s lives. As a result, the value of Dollar and Pound is shooooting up. In reality, the British economy is in doldrums and their infrastructural development is diminishing. The rich and elite class of UK is on verge of shifting base. Same is the condition of USA, where unemployment due to collapsing of economic reforms is on ever so high. In such scenario, there does not seem to be one good reason for Rupee to fall on eternal low.
But, Yes....
There is a reason.
The Black money hidden in foreign banks has turned out to be the burning issue and slowly and steadily the citizens are becoming aware of it. Now, the time might come when to bring the Black money back becomes an inevitable issue for the UPA Govt.
And,
It is an open secret, about the ownership of the Black money. If the value of Rupee falls, increasing the value of Dollar, bringing back Black money would be more profitable....
Isn’t it?
Think....