#.Standpoint wishes all its readers a happy and productive new year 2011,hope unlike the last year thoroughly marked with corruption,new year would promise brighter time...being a stakeholder of humanity,let's fight with demonic greed to make world just&equitable..a better place for living!
Following the many horrendous setbacks from political circle, public life at large in India is confronting the serrated edge. Domino effects of corrupt nexus among politicians-corporate and most odiously of media chocking every tint of idealism and forcing fairness on confusing cul-de-sac. In our nation, where sacking of high order corrupt officials is still a distant dream and investigations largely produced as food for thought to leverage gonzo journalism hardly presents a moralistic scene, normally expected from government with superb references of Indian constitution.
Erosion of confidence from systemic functioning and political leadership have culminated over the years with reckoning malpractices and manipulated ravening among the peoples involved in every big scam. In such affordable blind wave, lobbyists found their niche to intervene at policy level in government, in the close Dickensian Company of political leaders and journalists with godly footing in the industry.
Raghuram Rajan in his work “Fault Lines” gone to the locus of fabricated fortunes founded on the base of lobbyism and sinful connections that cultivating an obscene numbers of growing Indian billionaires. With these antagonistic developments, India knocking the Forbes list of billionaires through amazing pace albeit in developmental indices and corruption ratio, it’s doing worst even than the trivial sub-Saharan countries. Its desperating fall of moral convictions in a nation which has glorious history of men with integrity in public life-for them pennilessness was a subdued affair for pepping up with the national causes.
Recent outbreak of scams giving stout sign of a new corrupt culture that incubated on the misuse of authority and ones consine…Indian economists must propose here, a nifty index for measuring the growing gap of income. Now the differences of income, if one is not entitled to an authority or not being corrupt minded have to trail with their corrupt counterparts by millionth times unlike few years back, when the gulf was in hundred or thousand times.
Moreover, forefront would not going to be their/idealists front in any circumstances as with better connection in mainstream authoritative world, theirs presence would be much worthwhile for ribbon slashing and flashing with endemic pace in front of cameras funded by global bosses.
In this fanciful time, people’s aspirations getting crushed by the sections with vested interests in either politics or business-what we have recently saw in the case of selfless social activist, Vinayak Sen who is facing the charge of sedition on the baseless evidence of possessing a copy of Marx’s Das Capital and an invitation for lecture from a non profit organization.
Adding the fuel-after uncharted zone from big wrong like, defense and finance; now judiciary too undergoing with same maladies of blind judgment for specific causes. Though scams have remains intermittent over the years but the scale it has touched in this year have completely thrashed the imagination of mass folk which is overt betrayal to their civic rights.
Even in this dark time, I have faith in system and individual capacities of few in public life including PM Manmohan Singh, who himself would have realization what he has lost as leader in last one and half year. In internal matters, he hardly in touch with the grim realities and its redressal-thanks to our growing size of economy that engaging world leaders at our door steps, so giving atleast one-sided Philip to PM on this front as no Gandhi ever had real interests in foreign affairs.
In next year too, peoples confidence would be hold on toes as investigation agencies in charge of scams would handle this as mundane assignment and finally let pass a big respite to persons/culprits involved in this…probably, these high shot characters would enhance more grip over the sordid mechanism for next big foul plays?
What to observe or not, that would be depend on the intent and stands of individuals but politicians, corporate, media-persons and lobbyists with lucid prefix “corrupt” would keep maligning our collective consciousness and confidence, if peoples will not choose the right way to govern themselves. A proper attitude could be a solace on many counts…let it give a chance!
Atul Kumar Thakur
December 30, 2010, Thursday, New Delhi
Mail: atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
Friday, December 31, 2010
Edge of being Bihar!
Defying all the tantrums of reactionary opposition, Nitish Kumar led NDA’s upscaled victory trounced even all the preordained forecast about the Bihar’s poll. Nitish, gifted yet a meticulous leader in mainline politics is among few statesmen today who elude spontaneous outpouring and never let allow any manipulation in the figure of speech. This is marked shift in the leadership inside Bihar, where sardonic demonstration of Lalu Yadav-Rabri Devi and theirs Cabinet have been crisped as an indictment for state and in general for the fate of its oppressed peoples.
What Nitish and his government have done most remarkable in last five years was, complete clampdown on political criminals-both inside the party and outside of it. Deglamourization of crime vehementally inculcate on collective scale to move on for future and retrieve some old glory on which the pride of Bihar can blossom.
Outset to end of first term of Nitish as Chief Minister proved not only milestone in Bihar but overall n state politics-nobody can refute his charisma and his justifying commitment for inclusive growth which probably enabled Ramchandra Guha to rate Nitish as most thoughtful leader of India. Nitish, just after a land sliding win with 206 seats {JD{U}-115,BJP-91}in Assembly election recalled an added caution of Guha that like Ram Krishna Hegde in Karnataka, he shouldn’t chase the tedious routes of politics at centre.
In same encouraging but rapt press conference, he attributed the mandate for aspirations of mass Bihari-besides, it was indeed heartening to see the way he raised his task for more empowered and prosperous Bihar and ruling out any ambition for highest executive rank with mentioning the suggestions made by Ramchandra Guha. No inanity for victory was a clear departure from RJD-LJP style wild saas!
The champion of trivia against the real issues, Lalu Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan were put on toes, with abysmal legislative presence and end of theirs rational in politics, now have entitled them not more than figurehead in theirs respective parties. Now, Mr. Yadav’s positions is very downsized in Bihar, overt rebellion of close ranks and especially of infamous relatives leaves ominous sign for any further revival of his fortune. His detrimental attitude of rule, had completely demolished the organic aspirations of development from 1990to 2005-quest for new Bihar started with a pursuit of scrubbing the maligned impressions under the honest efforts of Nitish Kumar.
Almost extinction of left parties could be co-related to theirs internal strife and lack of proper working plan in Bihar. Fallen grace of Congress is the outcome of its active stakeholding during the wild eras {1990-2005} and its corrupt legacies nourished under the appointed observers from Delhi. Certainly, the party could do much better without the crony mentoring of party observer, Mukul Wasnik, who spent most of time in distorting the local leadership with flawed favourism in ticket distribution…sycophancy is chant of gone era, atleast now that must embarrass its central leaders and family in command.
On the day of verdict, I received first few lines from Ramchandra Guha “Thanks for this good news, your state under the abled leadership of Nitish Babu deserves it…”- his excitement and constructive support of media/intellectuals have given Nitish Kumar an ample thumbs up for victory. As he is already on track for new maneuverings to give Bihar all supplements that was lost during the dark years-here, a delicate policy on investment would be required to tap the fine infrastructure in state. Coal linkage is certainly a major impediment in Bihar’s way but this time government is better equipped with resilient mandate from all side to negotiate the contentious matters with centre more profoundly.
Bihar could be a hub of services and agro-processed processed industries with abundant raw materials and very competent human resources. Working in this emerged Bihar would be an edge for early participant from industry; impetus which the state promises of good governance and inclusive development-most scarce qualities in present time. With unlimited potential from all side, Bihar is ready to receive the advances of positive engagement with growth agents…in next five years; Nitish Kumar government has golden time to shape the balance future for state and at next for the nation. As always, wind of change in Indian politics shall come from Bihar-after many years, expected is all positive for a new lease of life to political profession. Time is exactly conducive to play big shot by Nitish Kumar…what Bihar needs now…
Atul Kumar Thakur
December29, 2010, Wednesday, New Delhi
Mail: atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
What Nitish and his government have done most remarkable in last five years was, complete clampdown on political criminals-both inside the party and outside of it. Deglamourization of crime vehementally inculcate on collective scale to move on for future and retrieve some old glory on which the pride of Bihar can blossom.
Outset to end of first term of Nitish as Chief Minister proved not only milestone in Bihar but overall n state politics-nobody can refute his charisma and his justifying commitment for inclusive growth which probably enabled Ramchandra Guha to rate Nitish as most thoughtful leader of India. Nitish, just after a land sliding win with 206 seats {JD{U}-115,BJP-91}in Assembly election recalled an added caution of Guha that like Ram Krishna Hegde in Karnataka, he shouldn’t chase the tedious routes of politics at centre.
In same encouraging but rapt press conference, he attributed the mandate for aspirations of mass Bihari-besides, it was indeed heartening to see the way he raised his task for more empowered and prosperous Bihar and ruling out any ambition for highest executive rank with mentioning the suggestions made by Ramchandra Guha. No inanity for victory was a clear departure from RJD-LJP style wild saas!
The champion of trivia against the real issues, Lalu Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan were put on toes, with abysmal legislative presence and end of theirs rational in politics, now have entitled them not more than figurehead in theirs respective parties. Now, Mr. Yadav’s positions is very downsized in Bihar, overt rebellion of close ranks and especially of infamous relatives leaves ominous sign for any further revival of his fortune. His detrimental attitude of rule, had completely demolished the organic aspirations of development from 1990to 2005-quest for new Bihar started with a pursuit of scrubbing the maligned impressions under the honest efforts of Nitish Kumar.
Almost extinction of left parties could be co-related to theirs internal strife and lack of proper working plan in Bihar. Fallen grace of Congress is the outcome of its active stakeholding during the wild eras {1990-2005} and its corrupt legacies nourished under the appointed observers from Delhi. Certainly, the party could do much better without the crony mentoring of party observer, Mukul Wasnik, who spent most of time in distorting the local leadership with flawed favourism in ticket distribution…sycophancy is chant of gone era, atleast now that must embarrass its central leaders and family in command.
On the day of verdict, I received first few lines from Ramchandra Guha “Thanks for this good news, your state under the abled leadership of Nitish Babu deserves it…”- his excitement and constructive support of media/intellectuals have given Nitish Kumar an ample thumbs up for victory. As he is already on track for new maneuverings to give Bihar all supplements that was lost during the dark years-here, a delicate policy on investment would be required to tap the fine infrastructure in state. Coal linkage is certainly a major impediment in Bihar’s way but this time government is better equipped with resilient mandate from all side to negotiate the contentious matters with centre more profoundly.
Bihar could be a hub of services and agro-processed processed industries with abundant raw materials and very competent human resources. Working in this emerged Bihar would be an edge for early participant from industry; impetus which the state promises of good governance and inclusive development-most scarce qualities in present time. With unlimited potential from all side, Bihar is ready to receive the advances of positive engagement with growth agents…in next five years; Nitish Kumar government has golden time to shape the balance future for state and at next for the nation. As always, wind of change in Indian politics shall come from Bihar-after many years, expected is all positive for a new lease of life to political profession. Time is exactly conducive to play big shot by Nitish Kumar…what Bihar needs now…
Atul Kumar Thakur
December29, 2010, Wednesday, New Delhi
Mail: atul_mdb@rediffmail.com
Thursday, December 30, 2010
March on Twin Mountains?
Moving enroute Delhi to scenic Uttarakhand, one can easily grasp the socio-ecological differences it holds from neighboring dusty milieu of Western UP, and the proven rational behind the bifurcation of major power block called erstwhile Uttar Pradesh. The river Ganga, with whom, I have been in great acquaintance since my formative and deformative developmental years in its cult cities-Patna and Banaras, always gives me natural impulse to look around the dynamics of life through the prism of miraculous consistency and nuanced inferences.
So, I found same stunning taste in my morning tea in Haridwar and evening tea in Hrishikesh, as used to have on Assi Ghat in Banaras years back-moreover, this twin cities, with its nourishing incentives of Mountain ranges endowed within me a spurt to feel the world of hills with open consine.
Before the outbreak of deadly winter, it was quite normal to assimilate in natural conditions of Haridwar-although it could have utmost tough in the deeper regions of Uttarakhand. Height of Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi were two bewildering destination for me inside the Haridwar…for years, I heard about the centrality of Har Ki Paudi besides the left and right position of these mid size Mountains. Leaving here the discourse of left or right at Hotel room, we {along with parents and brother} had a debating breakfast over my plan of expedition instead to opt for an easy though stodgy Rope to conquer the heights.
My stubbornness made impact while observing the relative havocks of Udan Khatola/Rope by three other genuine stakeholders of proposed expedition…finally journey begun for Mansa Devi amidst the closer interaction with monkeys than men that further boosted intertwining with the nature.
But unlike the sporadic wave of humane aspirations in the way, presence of packed mineral water gave the overt sign of market reach…hence; few were takers for Mountain froutes or free drinking water as purchasing power with its combo habitual obsession hardly leaves room for rational consideration. On the friendly path with few auxiliary halt at beautiful spots along with curriculard exchange of ideas with abandoned jewels/petty traders and sanitary activists, we reached to the peak height.
At the peak of height, Mansa Devi temple resembling like hanging tower of Pisa is indeed a place where you can leave the mind to rest-even without having a sip of easily available Cola drinks; here too, tea could be the best things while having bird view on Ganga and nearby little urban settlements. Downward journey was obviously a normalizing exercise before hoping on in Car for a new journey to another Crest-Chandi Devi. Further, misdemeanor of our driver led us to an unplanned adventure which would seemed like a fairy tale unless the realization hadn’t happen forwardly with us…for scrimping few miles, we were put to an old abandoned route.
During this most unusual journey, we came across only two human species, both were petty traders and highly saturated from the worldly affairs even in present nasty global time. For them, path was okay, so for me despite shading views from my camp-lastly passion overpowered the wisdom and another trip ignited. Heading on along with cusp of life and dangers, my earlier overtures with Sherpas enabled me ready to face an abnormal circumstance…albeit except a bag pack and rock solid attitude, nothing could be comparable with me and those daring Sherpas. Through relentless undermining the oddities, we anyhow reached another hanging peak where too Cola were available much chilled than hot cup of tea and Coffee.
Anyhow, at this beautiful hanging spot, we had a short shopping spree before returning with few normal fellows with worldly affiliations. On a normal path, journey was much easier but I remained remorseless with my expedition, as I saw the world and characters whose memories would remain vivid throughout my life. My reading of Hegel’s “Phenomenology of Spirit” helped me for a while in sorting out the hurdles of self-consciousness but without following the dialectics between “Lordship and Bondsman”-I kept the book inside my bag pack before making a deal with prepaid Car for an evening in Hrishikesh.
Around thirty miles of journey easily lead to a promising ecological zone where the hope is still intact for a broad socio-ethical interface with nature. In this amazing town, we could spent only few hours though it remained very relevant…ferried across the hanging bridge of Ram and Lakshman Jhoola {built in early 1930’s by British administration} was like accompanying the streams of clean Ganga for fine moments. We left the plans for much higher Nilkanth peak for future, instead spent few more hours at calm, clean and cool bank of Ganga.
Long-lived memories remain the true outcome from such fulfilling exploration of ecosystem…a well deserved sleep was waiting for us in Hotel at the bank of Ganga in Haridwar but before that scroll the remote for Nepal national TV, after years-gloom of politics in Nepal and unbreakable code of corruption inside India stuffed remarkably for nightmares . Morning was relaxed with tea-breakfast and day was engaging with six hours road journey to Delhi…
Atul Kumar Thakur
December28, 2010, Tuesday, New Delhi
atul_mdb@rediffmaail.com
So, I found same stunning taste in my morning tea in Haridwar and evening tea in Hrishikesh, as used to have on Assi Ghat in Banaras years back-moreover, this twin cities, with its nourishing incentives of Mountain ranges endowed within me a spurt to feel the world of hills with open consine.
Before the outbreak of deadly winter, it was quite normal to assimilate in natural conditions of Haridwar-although it could have utmost tough in the deeper regions of Uttarakhand. Height of Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi were two bewildering destination for me inside the Haridwar…for years, I heard about the centrality of Har Ki Paudi besides the left and right position of these mid size Mountains. Leaving here the discourse of left or right at Hotel room, we {along with parents and brother} had a debating breakfast over my plan of expedition instead to opt for an easy though stodgy Rope to conquer the heights.
My stubbornness made impact while observing the relative havocks of Udan Khatola/Rope by three other genuine stakeholders of proposed expedition…finally journey begun for Mansa Devi amidst the closer interaction with monkeys than men that further boosted intertwining with the nature.
But unlike the sporadic wave of humane aspirations in the way, presence of packed mineral water gave the overt sign of market reach…hence; few were takers for Mountain froutes or free drinking water as purchasing power with its combo habitual obsession hardly leaves room for rational consideration. On the friendly path with few auxiliary halt at beautiful spots along with curriculard exchange of ideas with abandoned jewels/petty traders and sanitary activists, we reached to the peak height.
At the peak of height, Mansa Devi temple resembling like hanging tower of Pisa is indeed a place where you can leave the mind to rest-even without having a sip of easily available Cola drinks; here too, tea could be the best things while having bird view on Ganga and nearby little urban settlements. Downward journey was obviously a normalizing exercise before hoping on in Car for a new journey to another Crest-Chandi Devi. Further, misdemeanor of our driver led us to an unplanned adventure which would seemed like a fairy tale unless the realization hadn’t happen forwardly with us…for scrimping few miles, we were put to an old abandoned route.
During this most unusual journey, we came across only two human species, both were petty traders and highly saturated from the worldly affairs even in present nasty global time. For them, path was okay, so for me despite shading views from my camp-lastly passion overpowered the wisdom and another trip ignited. Heading on along with cusp of life and dangers, my earlier overtures with Sherpas enabled me ready to face an abnormal circumstance…albeit except a bag pack and rock solid attitude, nothing could be comparable with me and those daring Sherpas. Through relentless undermining the oddities, we anyhow reached another hanging peak where too Cola were available much chilled than hot cup of tea and Coffee.
Anyhow, at this beautiful hanging spot, we had a short shopping spree before returning with few normal fellows with worldly affiliations. On a normal path, journey was much easier but I remained remorseless with my expedition, as I saw the world and characters whose memories would remain vivid throughout my life. My reading of Hegel’s “Phenomenology of Spirit” helped me for a while in sorting out the hurdles of self-consciousness but without following the dialectics between “Lordship and Bondsman”-I kept the book inside my bag pack before making a deal with prepaid Car for an evening in Hrishikesh.
Around thirty miles of journey easily lead to a promising ecological zone where the hope is still intact for a broad socio-ethical interface with nature. In this amazing town, we could spent only few hours though it remained very relevant…ferried across the hanging bridge of Ram and Lakshman Jhoola {built in early 1930’s by British administration} was like accompanying the streams of clean Ganga for fine moments. We left the plans for much higher Nilkanth peak for future, instead spent few more hours at calm, clean and cool bank of Ganga.
Long-lived memories remain the true outcome from such fulfilling exploration of ecosystem…a well deserved sleep was waiting for us in Hotel at the bank of Ganga in Haridwar but before that scroll the remote for Nepal national TV, after years-gloom of politics in Nepal and unbreakable code of corruption inside India stuffed remarkably for nightmares . Morning was relaxed with tea-breakfast and day was engaging with six hours road journey to Delhi…
Atul Kumar Thakur
December28, 2010, Tuesday, New Delhi
atul_mdb@rediffmaail.com
Letters to Frontline-IV
Bihar {Frontline, November5, 2010}
This is with reference to the article “Battle for Bihar” {October8}. Politics in Bihar underwent unfortunate changes after the defeat of the Jaggannath Mishra led regimes in the 1990 election. There was despair in the state for one and a half decades under the Lalu Yadav-Rabri Devi regime. Today, optimism is high because of the pleasant outcome in the past five years. The state of affairs is not yet ideal, but improvement from here on will be easier than it would have been five years back. The next five years are going to be make or break for Bihar.
Kashmir {Frontline, October 8, 2010}
In the article “First Steps” {September 24}, the author suggests a peaceful, autonomous Kashmir within the Indian Union. It is a positive model that should at least be considered. I also agreed with the Views expressed in the article on historical decisions such as the imposition of Article 370 and the appointment of a Governor in place of the Sadr-e-Riyasat.
However, I have reservations about the view in the article on the role of separatist and pro-Pakistani forces: Syed Ali Shah Geelani does not seem to realize the consequences of Kashmir leaving the Indian Union. Creation of an Islamic buffer state would not only pose a serious threat to India’s national security but would also devastate the strategic scenario of South Asia.
Throughout its history, Kashmir remained untouched by religious biases. Any political foul play to change its social fabric would be unfortunate. How can separatists be considered worthy of the peoples trust when they have always purchased their own vested interest?
Atul Kumar Thakur
December 28, 2010, Tuesday
Sahibabad {Ghaziabad}
atul_mdb@rediffmaail.com
This is with reference to the article “Battle for Bihar” {October8}. Politics in Bihar underwent unfortunate changes after the defeat of the Jaggannath Mishra led regimes in the 1990 election. There was despair in the state for one and a half decades under the Lalu Yadav-Rabri Devi regime. Today, optimism is high because of the pleasant outcome in the past five years. The state of affairs is not yet ideal, but improvement from here on will be easier than it would have been five years back. The next five years are going to be make or break for Bihar.
Kashmir {Frontline, October 8, 2010}
In the article “First Steps” {September 24}, the author suggests a peaceful, autonomous Kashmir within the Indian Union. It is a positive model that should at least be considered. I also agreed with the Views expressed in the article on historical decisions such as the imposition of Article 370 and the appointment of a Governor in place of the Sadr-e-Riyasat.
However, I have reservations about the view in the article on the role of separatist and pro-Pakistani forces: Syed Ali Shah Geelani does not seem to realize the consequences of Kashmir leaving the Indian Union. Creation of an Islamic buffer state would not only pose a serious threat to India’s national security but would also devastate the strategic scenario of South Asia.
Throughout its history, Kashmir remained untouched by religious biases. Any political foul play to change its social fabric would be unfortunate. How can separatists be considered worthy of the peoples trust when they have always purchased their own vested interest?
Atul Kumar Thakur
December 28, 2010, Tuesday
Sahibabad {Ghaziabad}
atul_mdb@rediffmaail.com
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