Governance and Government

Getting desired GDP Rate

2012-03-01T22:46:00.003-08:00

''I agree with the article. Our GDP is going down. Though we are better than others but we need to see in the light of our over population. From all corners, voices are raised for second phase of economic reform. First phase was done in 1991 as FM by our PM. Now he should repeat as PM. Hard budget is must to cure illness and to achieve desired and stipulated performance. One main hurdle is poor governance due to corruption. It is expected from DGCII to work on this how to partner with government at all level on this in an effective way. I think our two point growth on GDP is eaten away by bad governance as a result of corruption. It is hard to understand why not hard monitoring mechanism are built in programs and projects to assess the performance of the money. Our CAG has pointed out very rightly this issue by his new initiative of performance audit. Anyone can spend any amount of money. Now performing spending is need of our hours. CII here come in picture to intervene and help the governments of all level. For further information, CII can collaborate with CAG office. ''
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/usrmailcomment2.cms?msid=12100122&mailon_commented=1&usercommentid=6885279#toreply6885279

Tainted Characters In The Highest Institution

2012-02-28T20:24:00.001-08:00

Social Marketing of Political Reform

Tainted Characters In The Highest Institution
Arvind Kejariwal, an IITan, stated that persons having criminal records are in parliament. Almost all political parties are opposing him. Some are in open while others by keeping mum. The ruling and opposition parties have given their comments against him. It is very much expected too. The question is what wrong he said. What was his intension behind it? Does he wish to serve any self motto or wide public interest?
To purge our political field, election commission of India (ECI) is writing to government of India time to time to reform political sector. But it is of no avail. In 1999, eleven renowned professors belonging to Indian Institute of Management Ahmadabad formed an association. This association, an NGO, is popularly known as ADR (association for democratic reforms) and doing exemplary work to achieve its mission related to political reform.
Both ADR and ECI are making efforts to clean our polity. But government of India is deaf to their endeavors. And so far no political reform is taken to prevent the growing influence of criminals and money on our polity. Our judiciary by its judicial pronouncement has brought some political reforms. ADR and others approached high and Supreme Court on some issues and got some direction. These directions are serving as political reforms to some extent.
Major effective effort was made by TN Sheshan then CEC to streamline the election process. He tried his best to reduce the manipulation of political actors during election process. For the first time he controlled the criminals from rigging, manipulating and flouting the election process. He overpowered and forced to candidates and parties to follow the rule of the land in elections. Then, he was a great enemy of political parties and political actors. The implementation processes settled during his tenure are guiding principles to conduct free, fair and peaceful elections thereafter. ECI holds it and maintain it. Therefore the criminal activities during elections reduced. But unfortunately side by side, money power activities increased and took in grip.
Illegal money enhanced its influence during elections. Recent assembly election of Tamil Nadu is a good example to prove the point. Huge unaccounted cash seized during election. In ongoing UP elections, huge cash seized. ECI has turned its focus to check this growing cancerous disease of political sector.
The productivity of our parliament is going down. Public is suffering as required laws are not enacted timely. The laws are not amended to accommodate the changing situations. There is no consensus on public issues. But, there is no dissent in increasing of MP development fund, allowances, and salary of our parliamentarians. Principally, one can’t enhance its own salary. But our MPs are doing so. For others they show paucity of resource but for them all is well. This double standard and non-delivery have eroded public faith in our parliament. Acts of our members make or mar the reputation of public institutions.
Growing number of members with criminals records has added salt to wound. This has accelerated the erosion of public esteem for this highest body. Members are disqualified by speakers for taking bribes for asking questions and other issues. Now some are in jail along with his secretary for plundering public resource in 2G. And some was in jail for looting and on corruption charges in game scam. To show this face of our MPs and ministers, judiciary played praise worthy role.
Baba and Anna team came in picture as ray of hopes. Public gave them unexpected support when they raised public issues. Baba focuses on bringing black money back. And Anna is spearheading to have a lokpal and lokayuktas as means to reduce corruption. They are leading movements. Their efforts are supplemented by CAG reports and judiciary by judicial pronouncements.
What conclusion we can draw. By focusing from TN Sheshan to Arvind Kejriwal, we find that opposition to a truth is a time being phenomenon. It is like an impulse and not long lasting. The intension of Anna, Baba, Arvind, Ajay maken,Vinod Rai, and Judiciary look well indented and in public interest. This is the reason they are getting public attention and support. Ebbs are basic characters of social movements. In achieving result on a social issue, the very first step is to make a wide constituency. Above described movements, reports and judgments are highly successful in this respect. They have put seeds in soil. Their respective trees will grow as per their gestation period and give fruits in due course of time.
Both are having credit to build an environment against black money and corruption. Prior to their effort, it was not in limelight. They made it publicly visible. A public pressure is created on government to provide its solution to the public.
If we peep into recent past, those, who tried to raise any public issue or to streamline the system to deliver, are opposed. Judiciary was attacked on over reached ground when it started monitoring the implementation of its pronounced judgments. Baba was given all types of shocks to gag him. All Anna members and Anna are attacked one after other in series. CAG Mr. Vinod Rai was put to humiliating situation to demoralize him and to retard him on the front of his new initiative of performance auditing.
When Ajay Maken sport minister tried to clean sports management associations by a law, he was opposed. He was criticized by big political actors from both sides- ruling and opposition and none other than his own party. When minister of rural development Jairam Ramesh said our IIT, IIM faculty are not world class. He was opposed vehemently. The adage “Truth is bitter” fits here exactly.
In reaction to recent statement of Avind Kejriwal, some are saying he has no faith in democracy. What alternative he has. Some are saying one step ahead, he has insulted our parliament. RJD threatened to bring privileges motion against him in coming parliament session. In centre of all he did so to invite media attention, he is being alleged.
Arvind kejriwal is a big social character of modern India. He is having social bent of mind. This is the reason he was in touch with mother Teresa mission and formed a foundation to do social work. He didn’t go to industrialist which was easy for him being an IRS officer. What little information, I do have about him; I can say he is having all required qualities and qualifications to do great service to the nation. He is much better than our so called social and political workers who claim doing social work. He is a natural social leader. He is a role model to our steel frame and bubus.
In every election, our indigenous NGO ADR published criminal and financial status of contesting candidates. Its reports are well researched and based on facts given by the candidates in their candidature. Their time to time publications are in public domain. We can’t expect much a socialist output from a crime tainted and money making personalities-whose thought in not social. Both are two opposite directions.
Our representative democracy is based on socialistic pattern of society. This allows peace loving and public serving (enriching) personalities. Crime tainted and highly defamed can’t claim peace loving. They can’t serve the society as a whole. Ultimately there move would be self serving. This is the reason there is no laxity in our constitution on this quality of members. May be silent, but tacitly it says this based on convention. It is expected that our leader must have high reputation with social bent of mind.
In view of intention of our constitution, its constituents must be above board. They must enjoy pubic faith by their good deeds and high reputation. So that society can expect good fruits from them. This is what he said what I have understood. His wording, tone, timing may be irritating to some people or class, but he has narrated a truth based on facts. His intention can’t be questioned. Political reform is a long outstanding demand of public to which he gave voice and making it visible like Lokpal. He acted as mouthpiece of public for this issue and coined this public interest matter to serve the society.
We thank to all who criticized him. The more criticism, the more publicity and hence formation of a big constituency, Therefore more service to nation at least in this case. His statement is well intended and to serve the nation. Both Criticism and support are essential to achieve a social goal. Here his intension is political reform to streamline our polity due for long. Arvind has mustered courage to peep into this field. He is just mouth piece for millions who wish to see our parliament pious.
(Views are personal and based on many sources)
Heera Lal
www.makingyouhappy.org
09532998213
References:
1. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kejriwal-calls-MPs-rapists-murderers/articleshow/12048654.cms#access_token=AAABrIHwVZA2UBAOqrbdzNy92NZCaoKLD7frZBIUynZCt8xxZBrnx5NuAz7vcwtjOUgFaxyCNLYlZCKIWRkfvbCl4mZCjRpTMj8ZD&expires_in=5184000
2.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kejriwals-remark-against-MPs-in-context-of-Congress-alleges-BJP/articleshow/12059361.cms
3. http://adrindia.org/
4. http://www.mapsofindia.com/who-is-who/government-politics/t-n-seshan.html
5. http://www.mightylaws.in/585/criminalization-politics-nexus
6. http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/Assembly-Elections-2011/Biggest-seizure-ever-of-black-money-in-elections-from-TN/newdelhi/SP-Article10-684856.aspx
7. http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-9-oclock-news/rs-40-crore-seized-in-two-weeks-black-money-running-polls/221464 8.http://presscouncil.nic.in/speechpdf/Role%20of%20Money%20Power%20in%20Elections,Coimbatore.pdf
9. http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Need-to-curb-money-power-in-elections-and-debar-criminals-to-contest-elections-Pratibha-Patil/5064530163
10. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-03/india/28265336_1_winter-session-prs-legislative-research-productivity
11. http://www.firstpost.com/politics/statistics-don%E2%80%99t-lie-parliament-doesn%E2%80%99t-work-79358.html
12. http://news.oneindia.in/2010/08/22/govt-to-increase-mps-salary-again.html
13. http://hcsingh.com/tag/poverty-in-india-and-salary-increase-of-politicians/
14. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/house-panel-wants-5fold-raise-for-mps-link/615792/
15. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvind_Kejriwal
16. http://www.liveindia.com/news/a.html
17. http://www.civilserviceindia.com/subject/Essay/Sports_promotion.html
18. http://expressbuzz.com/sport/No-reason-to-oppose-Sports-Bill/330286.html
19. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maken-not-aware-of-ground-realities-says-bcci/1/149646.html
20. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-02/india/30105592_1_sports-minister-sports-development-bill-federations
21. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-02/news/30105890_1_national-sports-development-bill-principles-of-good-governance-bcci-vice-president
22. http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2824/stories/20111202282401100.htm
23. http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?277465
24. http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/675034.aspx
25 . http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-23/india/29573775_1_iits-and-iims-iit-mumbai-world-class

Corruption movement led by Anna- Suggestion to take it ahead by positive actions

2012-01-06T05:47:00.000-08:00

Respected Kejriwalji,
First of all i disgree with your word crossroads.It is not. It is a natural phase. This is a movement. Movement seldom achieves its aims in one go. It shows the sinusoidal behavior. Ups are followed by downs. Since you and your team started this, there is no rest. It is continuosuly galloping. It is but natural, it needs rest. Anyway you and your team did well. Work done by you so far is 100% successful. You have developed Anna in each and every house. This is a great achievement. Now Corrupt and its portector are naked in the eye of puplic. These achievement can't belittle.
Happy to read your news. There are two ways in doing a thing. One is destructive and the other is construtive approch. In other words, either by supporting or by opposing. So far we are opposing. Now as a suggestion, I would like to tell you that please switch over to support. In assembley elections support the best candidate in each constituency irrespective of his or her party affliation. This will create the required atmosphere and environment to take the movement ahead in right direction..
Based on my experince, i'm sending this suggetion. I did positive work by destruction actions like removing encroachment and throwing the materials of poor living on government lands illegally. I also did positive work by developing many parks and green belts as head of a head of urban local body. In both, i did positive work. But latter is more effective and appealing than the former. Please don't be on corssroads. Please do positive work by construtive work. So far we did positive work through destruction. I think we should switch over to positive work by construction i.e. by supporting good candidates of all parties. Whole country is with you. Some are in open and others are in hidden. But all are supporting you from their places as issue of corruption is related to them.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/People-should-suggest-the-way-ahead-for-Team-Anna/articleshow/11383019.cms
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'People should suggest the way ahead for Team Anna’ - The Times of India

Trade Mark of 2011 is Corruption- A historical year for Indians

2012-01-01T06:55:00.001-08:00

On the last day of 2011, I pondered what trade mark is to be assigned for this ending calendar year. After deep thought, I found one word “Corruption” which attracted the most. It is a social product of Anna team. They are marketing it with full fanfare as social marketers. This is the single issue which hits all Indians inside as well as outside the country.
Anna team is not alone to take its credit. To know its genesis, we need to focus on Baba RamDeo. He is making people aware with the platform Swabhiman trust for many years. Initiall, he staged a protest in RamLila ground. He tried to raise the issue of black money and corruption. He pressurized the government of India to act for bringing black money back. He is highly successful in his mission. Government reacted against him and he suffered because he did some unthinkable mistake. One main reason among many is that he is not having a good team to carry on such time taking and slow changing process.
After black money issue of Baba, another team came into picture. This team is led by Anna. He is having a core team of renowned persons. They took a protest in Delhi against corruption. To curb the growing cancerous corruption, they put a demand for a strong lokpal as a weapon to kill it. This lokpal bill is pending for last 43 years. They termed their agitation as second freedom movement against corruption. Corruption is very rampant and affecting all in some form. They got support beyond their imagination.
People get medium to vent up their negative energy generated by corruption. The image of Anna was one major factor for gathering huge support. His agitation brought central government to its knee. Political parties are playing with this issue to get some benefit. But overall impression of pubic is against the political class. This is very dangerous proposition for the country. Reduction of faith in political actors and institutions are not good sign. But it is a fact and it is known to them.
Corruption is the biggest hurdle in development. It is growing slowly and silently. It is affecting all and retarding their growth pace. Inspite of its great negative effect, it couldn’t become a public issue. Thank to god that he sent two saints in 2011 in the form of Baba and Anna who made it a visible public issue. They compelled the governments to act upon unwillingly.
Social media played very important role in connecting people and exchanging their ideas freely. Through free social media, public supported, endorsed the movement against corruption. It took a shape as it is a movement leading the country to free it from corruption. Yet, we don’t get a tangible result in the form of lokpal, but a strong environment against it has been built. Its heat is felt by the corrupt government. It may be of any party or any state. The credit of government of India is at stake. Chief Minister of Karnataka lost his seat because of his corrupt practices. This is an irony that he was forced to leave even he was having majority support in house. On the other hand most troubled state of Bihar is hailed for its good governance. This tells that good governance is now the agenda for political actors to worship to please the ‘God’ to get power.
When movement was at peak, to dilute it, congress and some its allies said laws are made in parliament not on streets. This type of blame game was played to dilute the issue and movement. It is true that laws are enacted in parliament as per our constitution. In streets people are not making any law, but they have every right to make parliament know their needs and wishes. And this is the strength of our cherished democracy. If our representative will not keep and act as per the wishes and need of public in parliament and will do what party high command will say, then what option is left to public to tell their wishes to law makers. Should they not go on streets?
India is a representative democracy. Needs and wishes of masses are put before the parliament and legislative assemblies by their elected MPs and MLAs. But reality is what we know all. For a MP and MLA, the wishes of Party high command are prevailing over the wishes of people. Arvind Kejriwal- a prominent team Anna member- in his article dated 1st January 2012 in Times of India “India needs real democracy” very rightly and artistically said about high command culture prevailing in our multi-party political system. Whole system is dwarf before two or three of top leader who think himself as owner of the party. Its members do what so called high commands wish to see irrespective of public demand.
Our constitution says by the people, of the people and for the people. But in light of ongoing practice, Kejriwal quoted it like “of the party high command, by the party high command and for the party high command.
To prove his point he gave example of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul said Lokpal should have a constitutional status. After his debate in parliament, cong is behind it on war footing, leaving all previous exercises. He comes in category of party high command of Congress. Hence his wishes are prevailing over the wishes of the country. If not then why not this proposal before his debate in parliament. This raises a question. Does our democracy is practicing as it is in blue book. Its answer is a big “NO”.
This big NO has compelled to all of us to think seriously what to do to bring a match between practice and statute provisions. There is a tolerance limit of everything. If we see very minutely, we can say our representatives keep themselves above law by manipulation or by hooks or crooks. This alarming situation brought down faith of public in political actors and their associated bodies which in turn is very dangerous for the country.
Based on above discussion and cited reasons, I endorse the heading of Arvind. Party workers can’t change it even if they desire. Because party political system in India is very loose and can be manipulated easily. The related highest body is Election Commission of India. Its proposals for political reforms and opinions of public are eating dust in cupboards. Political reforms are utmost required, but it is yet not in picture. This type of functioning of our democracy is not desirable. If it will get the attention of party high command anyhow, it will be passed within no time. Thus, I see the dust created over corruption and black money by Anna and Baba as a very positive sign in the betterment of the country.
I would share the opinion of the others who see it wasted of time, money and many more things. Tavleen Singh wrote a heading “A wasted Year” in the Sunday express on the 1st January 2012. She says it is a myth that by creating a powerful lokpal, we will be able to dismantle the vast and complex infrastructure of corruption which have a life of many decades.
I think team Anna is not saying this. They are not saying that Lokpal is a magic stick with which ghost of corruption will set on fire. What I have heard and read from Anna and his team that Lokpal is a starting and it will be a strong weapon in the hands of people like RTI. This is the reason, they have announced to take up issue of political reform after getting it settled and operative like RTI. I fail to understand the logic given by madam Singh. It is like ‘acts are not made on streets.’ She has criticized NAC for food bill and Anna for Lokpal together. She has tried to prove her case meticulously, but I’m not convinced.
So far we were confined to 2011. Turn towards 2012, A news item in ToI (1st January 2012) says “2012 will not be easy for the country.” To some extent, I see it true, but not entirely. Spill over of USA and Europe’s bad economy will affect us negatively. Added to this, our corrupt practice will provide some acceleration to it.
Being an optimistic person and positive thinking man, I see some good fruits of social crop showed by Baba and Anna along with Indian public. Now ruling and opposition parties at Delhi and in state capitals have received many shocks of corruption earthquakes erupted intermittently in the 2011.
To prove the point government of Uttar Pradesh dropped nineteen ministers on the charges of mal practices till date. Further to add, Raja and his secretary are still without bail. BJP changed his chief minister in Uttrakhand before election. Why? Its reason is an open secret. It is all due to an environment against corruption built by two saints. Political class has its own compulsions, which we need to understand.
2011 is a historical year. In this year, we launched second movement to liberate the country from corruption with Gandhin style. As per me, 2012 will bring mix results. We will reap good fruits of crop showed in 2011 and we need to take pain to plant more trees like political reform bill to see India as a developed nation by 2020 as envisaged by APJ. To historical year 2011bye bye and welcome to 2012 with full optimism.
(Views are personal)
Heera Lal
www.makingyouhappy.org

ref:
1. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/India-needs-real-democracy/articleshow/11322587.cms
2. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/a-wasted-year/894281/
3. http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/publications/data/2006-11-01_nravi.pdf

Program: Enriching Program (Livelihood promotion)

2011-12-31T08:03:00.000-08:00

Concept Paper
Program: Enriching Program (Livelihood promotion)
(By enriching rural folk economically, socially and politically)
Objective: To achieve Economic, Social and Political development of rural folk in UP.
Steps: Economic development through dairy and cluster as first step, social through solar light as second step and political through active participation in political activities after getting social training and becoming established social leaders by social work.
Benefits:
1. Conversion of mind set from poor to be rich
2. Inculcation of passions in personalities to achieve goals.
3. Making healthy by consuming complete food-milk available at home.
4. Motivating to learn accounting and management through application to agribusiness.
5. Enriching rural folk economically, socially and politically.
6. Strengthening of community feeling.
7. Cultivation of habits of self-less services.
8. Inspiring to see big dreams.
9. Developing a high ambition.
10. Fruitful usage of ICT like cell phone and net.
11. Learning how to connect rural to urban through marketing.
12. Making self sustainable and independent.
13. Developing social leaders at village level.
14. Development of many Anna in each village to see his village like Ralegaon Sidhi.
Organization set-up:
State Level:
Patron: Prof Kirpa Shanker ( IIT Kanpur- Honorary)
Over all head: Heera Lal (honorary)
Ramesh Yadav : CEO
Prof. Tarun Singh Gangwar-(honorary) community advisor rural marketing.
Prof. Jabir Ali IIM Lucknow( honorary) Strategic advisor
Dr I C Nagar ( honorary) community development advisor
Dr. M. Singh ( honorary) community communication advisor
Ashish Raj ( honorary) SHG development advisor
Head of office- S. Shrama and Himanshu Pandey
District Level: NGOs as change agent
Village level: Head of Nodal dairy (Here village means jurisdiction of a gram pradhan)
How to achieve: Brief description of activities: The state level team will provide all know how required to establish a modern and mechanized dairy to district NGOs. District NGOs will be trained to develop a desired dairy. This will be the first step to develop them economically. Our dream is to establish at least one the most modern dairy in each village of UP which will have a population not less than ten animals. These can be more than one in a village. NGO will co-ordiante, facilitate and do A to Z to see a sustainable set-up. For this, we will educate NGOs persons by literature and site visit. State team will equip the NGOs with writing material what to do daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annually. They will get input for required management and accounting. After successful development of dairy, they, in turn, will help the villagers in modernizing, updating and enlarging their rustic dairy. Nodal dairy will purchase the produce at nominal profit (profit will not be more than Rs one per liter)
This way nodal dairy at village level has two roles. One is as produce and second as marketer of his village dairy. Same procedure will apply to other products like solar and political products.
Financial mechanism: Nodal dairy will transfer 25 paisa per liter to NGO. NGO will transfer 5 paisa per liter to state office. They will maintain their affairs with this. This can change subject to mutual agreement. To this effect an agreement in the form of a contract will be signed and registered.
Monitoring: State office head will monitor the progress every day with each NGOs electronically in a prescribed format. This format will be developed by state team in consultation with NGOs. The report will be reviewed by CEO. He will share the report with Head. The state head will discuss with core team to reach proper and suitable steps. A weekly meeting will be organized at district and state level. The state head will take a monthly meeting of NGOs. These weekly and monthly meeting will be at dairy locations in villages in rotation. This will increase cohesion among them.
Research: The state team will research the latest knowledge and technology. They will consult NGOs to find local suitability and feasibility. To keep ahead in market, embracing updating knowledge is must.
In every district there will be a research team of top 5 Dairy men. They will research on local issues and bring update inputs from outside. This team will organize site visit to successful case to learn and see the success. This team will act as coordinator and assistant to Nodal NGO and will work under its super vision.
Reward: Each NGO will select the best three Nodal dairy on monthly basis. The best three will be given award annually. The criteria for selection will be prescribed. This will develop a competitive atmosphere in them. And this lead to healthy competition and a race in right direction. The team will work on next product of green energy in parallel to develop them socially.

Convince if not then Confuse

2011-10-27T01:44:00.001-07:00

Political marketing: Convince if not then Confuse

Congress is trying to confuse public. Baba Ram Deo and Anna Hazare set two issues keep hitting public mind- Black money and Corruption respectively. They are successful because these are social issues affecting the general masses. These issues were agenda points of BJP in 2009, but couldn’t get luster. BJP tried these political products to sell in the market of 2009 Loksabha election. It was not successful, reason being, BJP as political party didn’t have the required credit to hit public mind.
Duo made issues visible. Visibility crated problem for congress. Being in power for most of the time, it is not able to reject blames outright. One thing has set in publics’ mind that these are the bad side effects of misgovernance of congress. This situation is highly disturbing congress and its government.
Initially Congress and government tried to convince both. They labored hard to make them understand that their demand would be met. But all endeavor failed. Subsequently, they are busy to confuse public like past. Here they are doing a great mistake. Now public is well connected through different modes of ICT. Hence having information, and tool to verify the veracity of the facts and timing as well.
After independence congress was single effective national party. But with becoming Atal as PM in 1998 from BJP, things changed drastically. Now it is a parallel national party and giving stiff competition. Congress is losing its national character gradually at the cost of BJP and regional parties. If we evaluate some regional heads, they are doing better than congress. CM Nitish kumar is a good example to cite.
Congress has not taken any lessons from all these changes and developments. If taken, not emulated to change itself to accommodate all such changes. This is one prominent reason of loosing political ground among many others. They are trying to do politics in Nehru and Indira style in a boundary less and well informed society which was almost absent in past. There are sea changes from then and now. Obama getting elected US president sent a worldwide signal about the change sweeping across the borders.
Congress needs to reform itself to meet public expectations. Political parties in power serve the society and public through policies. If assess the performance on this, we will get negative marks. Bills are introduced under public pressure but not passed. Lokpal bill is an example to it. Productivity of our legislative bodies and parliament are going down. It means politicians are doing what not to do and not doing what to do. Hence they are losing public faith.
Nitish kumar, Dr. Raman and Shiv Raj Chauhan, Tarun Gagoi as CM has set a new agenda for Indian political actors-perform or go. The agendas are good governance and governance deficit. It is unfortunate to say, water is flowing against the gravity. Right of service was first launched by Madhya Pradesh and now GoI and others are trying to copy. It implies states are ahead in enacting public needed and demanded laws. GoI is lacking in its basic duties, so losing command over public.
In the tough political competition, all parties bound to respect public demands and mood. Days have gone of imposing will and ignoring public wishes. Congress is still in old mode of imposing and posing. This is the reason two simple gentle man jolted the oldest party and its government. Further sad part, they are treating these two and their team to reduce the strength to agitation related to all. This is going against. This is generating a feeling that they are getting this treatment because they raised public issues. This also proves old mode functions.
First attack was on Baba and his close associate Balkrishana. Second attack is on Anna and his team. Santosh Desai has critically analyzed on this issue in his article. If they were not 24 carat gold- the ideal condition- can’t they raise the public issue. On this one can conclude like this. To raise such social issue first one should prove his 100 percent purity. By throwing mud on the social activists, congress is thinking that it will confuse public. It is a wrong notion and mistaken approach. Even if a bad character will raise these, s/he will get issue based support- at least on social sites- a strong tool in public hands. This was absent during Nehru and Indira regime.
Public has clarity in its mind. They know it is hard to get blameless person, in this case public is not seeing the miner blames of person raising their issues. They are concentrating on the issue affecting the country and its progress. And it is fueled by opposition, civil society, media and intellectuals. Even in deep rural these are talks of town and with blame going on to congress.
Old adage foreign hand, RSS supported is fired cocks. Information revolution made it blunt. Hard to understand why congress is using these blunt weapon. Now public questions why RSS and alike can’t raise such issues. What is wrong if it is raised by them? Further, they ask questions why black money generated and why corruption spread and whose duty was to retard its growth. Its answer is congress.
To prevent further loss, congress should accept its mistake like Clinton accepted as president in case of his sex scandal. Accepting mistake makes one great not mean. If Congress will accept the reality like Bill clinton and promise to act cleanly, they can set the whole process in reverse gear as long term political marketing strategy.
If not, 2014 election will be on these issues and as of now it will prove a nightmare for Rahul. Though he is trying to administer soft medicine to reform and adjust changes, but it is not working as disease is chronic one. Hence, it needs hard one to cure. One line theme for congress shed old style of imposing. Assess public mood and act accordingly if wish to have their mandate. Try to work with good governance as central agenda.
(Views are personal and based on different sources)

Heera Lal
www.makingyouhapy.org

Sources:
1. http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Citycitybangbang/entry/the-divine-middlemen
2. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_bjp-accusses-congress-for-creating-emergency-situation-on-corruption-black-money_1554498
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Prime_Ministers_of_India
4. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-23/uk/30312708_1_steve-jobs-apple-founder-pancreatic-cancer

Political marketing through international diplomacy by OBAMA

2011-10-14T00:24:00.000-07:00

Changing Diplomatic Landscape in South Asia

In coming days, South Asia (SA) will be the epicenter of world power. SA has potent and fast growing rising countries- India and China. China is second largest economy after US and India is fourth after Japan- India and china together unmatched. With increasing clout of both, SA is in the process to change its diplomatic landscape. US president Barack Obama with an eye on re-election in 2012 is architecting new ways in this region. Four compelling issues made him to act speedily. One, ailing US economy; two, Osama catch in Pakistan; three, lost of strategic importance of Pakistan; four, containment of growing China.
One, ailing US economy: in December 2008 Obama unveiled stimulus packages that exceed $1 trillion. But, US economy did not recover as stipulated and expected. There is valid reason behind it. The Great Recession showed, dramatically, that the US could no longer afford the combination of low taxes, low savings, high welfare benefits and foreign wars. Absent the trillions spent in foreign wars, the US economy may have recovered quickly. But the war on terror doomed it financially. US government debt to outsiders has soared from 40% of GDP to 67 %, and further to 98%, including gilts held by US agencies like the social security system.
Economist Michael Boskin says in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that federal spending (25% of GDP), the budget deficit (10 % of GDP) and federal debt (67% of GDP) are all at their highest levels since World War II. The proportion of employed citizens (58.1%) is the lowest since 1983. The proportion of long-term unemployed (59%) is the highest since the 1930s. The proportion paying income tax (49%) is the lowest in modern times. The proportion getting government handouts (47%) is the highest in history.
As per US 2010 census data, In US, Indians are 0.9 percent followed by Chinese 1.1 percent. But in per capita income, Intelligence and labor grading, Indian-Americans are better than Chinese-Americans. Indians community has two governors and politically influential. They voted and supported financially to Obama in 2008. But ban on outsourcing hit hard Indian community in US. They are annoyed. Obama couldn’t afford this annoyance if he wishes to repeat in 2012.
On one hand he inherited the ailing economy and on other hand he is the great hope for the US public. If he corrects and takes any measure, its side effect comes in way as in the case of outsourcing. To reduce the ire, he took many Indian in his administrative team. He visited India in November 2010 and tried his best to put ointment on wounds by announcing his support for Indian permanent seat in United Nations Security council. He tried to assuage emotionally. Along with it, many important bilateral agreements were singed.
Economically and culturally both countries are much closer than any other SA countries. This is also a favorable point in site. This process of coming together was set in motion by then US President Bill Clinton. He visited India and went deep inside the country to see Indian strong traditions closely. During his eight years, he brought this process to such a point from where reversion in not possible. After his tenure, Bush was not that favorable like him. But he couldn’t set the things in back gear as politically it was not advisable and possible too.
To cure ailing economic situation, Indian big market is a point in consideration. Bilateral trades will help a lot in improving the sagged financial conditions. Indian Prime Minister ManMohan Singh is also having good inclinations towards US. His Core team which includes Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Kabil Sibal are also enjoying pro-American image in public. Times to time such allegations are coined against them by opposition. Therefore, for US India is the best friend in SA from economic angle.
Two, Osama catch in Pakistan: after 9/11 incident, Osama became number one enemy of US and the most wanted terrorist worldwide. This incident jolted US from inside for the first time in recent past. This broke a myth that none can attack US. It used to boast and influence that if any one would enter into their territory to attack, their radars, satellites and missiles would not allow it and would foil the attempt in way. But 9/11 attacks proved all such thoughts hyperbole.
Destroying both trade towers resulted in worsening the economic back bone of the country. This is supplemented by unwise and political decisions of fighting wars outside and lowering taxes simultaneously. Through this tactic Bush was able to reelect and fulfill his personal ambitions. But he brought the country’s economy on the verge to collapse. Economic indicators prove this.
Bush could not find Osama. But, Obama located him in Abbottabad of Pakistan. US attacked unilaterally and killed him on 2nd May 2011. This is the turning point for Pak-US relations. Before this date, Pakistan denied forcefully that Osama was not in Pakistan. Finding Osama in Abbottabad made each and every American Pakistan’s enemy in the light of 9/11. Americans’ anger was at peak against Pakistan hearing his killing in Pakistan. They celebrated his killing as they won a great war. It was viewed that Pakistan was abetting and supporting terrorists attacking them on one hand and vehemently denying this on other hand. When citizens’ mood is dead against the Pakistan, politically it is not possible for US political bosses to keep it as ally in SA.
A key American lawmaker from Texas has introduced a resolution in the House of Representative to freeze all US aid to Pakistan. The House Resolution (No HR 3013) if passed will freeze all US aid to Pakistan with the exception of funds that are designated to help secure nuclear weapons.
"Since the discovery of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan has proven to be disloyal, deceptive and a danger to the United States," Congressman Ted Poe said in a statement after tabling the resolution in the House on Friday.
"This so-called ally continues to take billions in US aid, while at the same time supports the militants who attack us. Pakistan has made it "painfully obvious" that they will continue their policy of "duplicity and deceit" by pretending to be US ally in the war on terror while simultaneously promoting violent extremism, the Congressman said.
Obama is the best political marketer worldwide as on date. Sensing citizen’s mood, he started acting against Pakistan. Now terror is a big problem for US. Terrorists give call for attacking US time to time. To reduce this danger, they need a safe and reliable partner in this region. In view of all circumstances, India fits in the block the best.
Three, loss of strategic importance of Pakistan: Pakistan was built up as a spoiler state both by US (early 50s, 60s, and 70s) and by China immediately after 1962 border debacle in NEFA and Ladhakh with India. Pakistan’s strategic importance was very much enhanced in early 50s when US looking for a base to fly the U-2 over USSR found the perfect base in Pehawar to sneak into the USSR from south and fly over vitally important USSR’s space station and strategic missile bases which were far away from the USSR’s European borders. This relationship ended with the shooting down of the U-2 spy plane by USSR. Peshawar, Sarghodha, Rawalpindi ceased to be important military bases to US as these were before the U-2 shooting down.
US focused to exploit Pakistan’s peculiar geography to keep control over the Muslim world of Pakistan itself, Afghanistan, Iran, Gulf region (with huge Pakistani émigré workers), Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan etc. Pakistanis are delighted with the newly found role at the behest of US. They have thrown their lot behind US. Firstly economic and military aid is flowing back again.
US used to control Taliban and Al-Qaeda and other terrorists’ outfits from the Pak Land. Now with fixing time line for withdrawal of US forces from July 2011, new equations are bound to arise. Afghanistan doesn’t treat Pak as friend. For them, India is more reliable than Pak. India too has its own problem to side with Afghanistan. If Pak will gain ground in Afghanistan, it may use this position to fight invisible war against India. To remove this possibility, India is ahead to have a good relation with Afghanistan. US have a morale duty to see peace after their handing over of power to Afghanistan government. On this count, US can’t believe Pakistan over India. Hence it is promoting India to take its place which is in India favor too and play a bigger role there.
Getting Osama in Pak and withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan started in July 2011 are two major immediate reasons for strategic importance loss for Pakistan. It is all part of political marketing of Obama for repetition in 2012. US Citizens are against Pak emotionally with finding and killing of Osama. To harness this public feelings politically, political actors are hard pressed to show that they are against Pakistan. Breaking alliance is a part of this game.
Families are waiting for long to bring their near and dear back at home working in Afghanistan. America's most senior commander, Admiral Mike Mullen, described the troop withdrawals from Afghanistan, announced by Barack Obama, as risky. Inspite of this opposition, Obama announced withdrawal from July 2011. Why so because this will help in winning elections in 2012. Families whose members are away for long will please them and they will support him. This action will cut expenditure on incurring on war. Thus, it will improve economy. This decision is also based on political marketing.
Breaking long ties with Pakistan is not as easy as it looks for US. Exposed military and ISI domination and their nexus with terrorist outfits are the troubling point for Pakistan government. Pak has well organized lobbyist inside and outside the US government. To put all these paid actors in reverse mode will take some time. They will try their best to keep it in order to continue their job in order to save their livelihood.
US President Barack Obama, in an unusual criticism of Pakistan's continued flirtation with jihadi groups, told Islamabad to cut its links with "unsavoury characters". Given that Obama had not yet weighed in on Pakistan, after Admiral Mike Mullen publicly described the Haqqanis as an arm of the ISI, his remarks can be a source of comfort to India. It may also mark a tipping point in the US approach to Pakistan. The presidential opinion coincided with the visit of US special envoy Marc Grossman to Pakistan. Afghanistan contextually should emerge in the strategic calculus of the United States as the ‘center of gravity’ in American policies displacing Pakistan Army which has miserably let down the United States.
But political compulsions of Obama are above all. This is the reason Obama clarified and indicated his views and plan for south Asia. 2012 US election is critical for both Obama and Pakistan. It is this which causing to break ties with immediate effect.
Four, containment of growing China: One of the big worries Americans have about China's rising economic power concerns its immense holdings of U.S. government debt. The fear is that Chinese actions regarding these holdings could end up destabilizing the U.S. economy, or that they could be used as a political tool to influence American policy. If China, let's say, got angry at Washington over its support for Taiwan or the Dalai Lama, Beijing could retaliate by dumping U.S. Treasury bills. Or perhaps China would sell Treasuries as part of a no-confidence vote on the future of the U.S. economy. By selling American debt, China would weaken the value of the dollar, damage investor sentiment towards the U.S. economy and make it harder for Washington to finance its giant budget deficits.
There is no question that China’s recent explosive economic advances are of new concern to Americans with our ever-mounting bilateral trade deficit (which has exceeded $200 billion every year since 2005) coupled with China’s continued dominance as the number one holder of U.S. Treasury securities and its $2.4 trillion in foreign currency and gold reserves. This erosion of our economic position in the world, and the concomitant loss of manufacturing jobs, blamed by many on China, has only added to the rising tensions between our two nations. China’s recent actions in the South China Sea and Beijing’s refusal to join the rest of the world in trying to contain North Korea’s nuclear program and Pyongyang’s aggression towards South Korea are further stress points.

The new China now presents itself as an alternative center of power, and financial largesse, to the United States—and has the resources to back it up. Having flexed its muscles to reinforce this new position, Beijing sought to allay growing fears that China’s
success might pose either an economic or military threat with the establishment in 2005 of the ‘‘Peaceful Rise of China’’ Public Diplomacy campaign. China’s successful implementation of this campaign in playing down the possible negative consequences of China’s ever-increasing dominance was illustrated in President Obama’s response to a question during the recent 2010 state visit by President Hu, ‘‘I absolutely believe that China’s peaceful rise is good for the world, and it’s good for America.
After collapse of USSR,in unipolar era, USA contained India with and through having an alliance with Pakistan. Now fast growing China is a bigger threat to US than India. Hence, USA is trying to use India’s soulder and space like Pakistan to check the growth of China. This concern of USA has expedited the process of changing allies in SA. Diplomatic boundaries among different countries in SA are galloping to reach to some new stable ground.
Now China is a great danger for its super power status. With growing economy of China, it is able to enhance its clout worldwide. The biggest problem, the US facing, is how to save its worldwide supreme position. To contain growing power of China, US as per its habit will use someone’s shoulder and space. In SA, the most suitable ally- not partner- will be India.
Finally, it is most probable that in new diplomatic settlement in SA, USA, Afghanistan and India will be in same boat. While Pakistan and China will swim together in an other boat of SA diplomatic ocean. Here department of diplomatic affairs of United Nations needs to assist countries in SA in bringing new diplomatic stabilities amicably.
US president Obama is trying his best to regain power in 2012. He is trying to get voters to his side by International diplomacy in South Asia through his best social and political marketing skill of proven record as he is also known as internet president.
(Views are personal and based on different sources)

Heera Lal
www.makingyouhapy.org

Sources:
1. http://swaminomics.org/?p=2049
2. http://www.mindtree.com/subrotobagchi/the-foreign-hand/
3. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table
4. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Rich-man-poor-man/articleshow/10144072.cms
5. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-27/us/30208149_1_freeze-congressman-ted-poe-resolution
6. http://www.caluniv.ac.in/ifps/Subhadeep%20Bhattacharya1.pdf
7. http://www.ivarta.com/columns/OL_030823.htm
8. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/terror/R41809.pdf
9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sGDnPxrMoQ
10. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1540051.ece
11. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-16/india/28698360_1_wikileaks-cables-fresh-trouble-cpm-members
12. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rti-montek-singh-alhuwalia-spent-rs-2.34-cr-on-his-official-foreign-trips/1/138060.html
13. http://www.indianembassy.org/UserFiles/India-Review/2010/July-2010.pdf
14. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/23/afghanistan-us-troop-withdrawals-risky
15. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33529.pdf
16. http://articles.cnn.com/2010-05-12/politics/us.afghanistan.karzai_1_president-karzai-afghan-governments-afghanistan?_s=PM:POLITICS
17. http://political-science.uchicago.edu/faculty/rudolphs/us-asia.pdf
18. http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/opinion/general/6_3_8337348.html
19. http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/undpa/
20http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Bill-introduced-in-US-House-to-freeze-all-aid-to-Pakistan/articleshow/10137012.cms
21. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/The-trouble-with-stalwart-allies/articleshow/10130185.cms
22. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13256676
23. http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ChanakyaCode/entry/significance-of-president-s-obama-s-visit
24. http://in.reuters.com/article/2010/11/08/idINIndia-52749720101108
25. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33529.pdf
26. http://www.globaltimes.cn/opinion/foreign-view/2010-11/592773.html
27. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Terror-shadow-US-set-to-cut-Pak-ties/articleshow/10274498.cms

29. http://curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com/2010/02/26/will-china-dump-u-s-debt/
30. http://www.hindustantimes.com/US-threat-of-military-action-unites-Pakistan/Article1-751428.aspx
31. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-08/india/30257846_1_indian-strategists-tom-donilon-haqqani
32. http://cryptome.org/info/occupy-wall-st11/occupy-wall-st11.htm
33. http://lugar.senate.gov/issues/foreign/diplomacy/ChinaInternet.pdf
34. http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers47%5Cpaper4603.html
35 http://heeralalpcs.blogspot.com/2010/04/reform-in-department-of-political.html
36 . http://therapup.net/2008/10/obama-will-be-our-first-internet-president
37. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/opinions/10344197.cms

Public, the 5th Pillar of India democracy

2011-09-18T00:37:00.001-07:00

Public, the 5th Pillar of India democracy
Broadly we can say Anna agitation has two consequences:
1. Proved public is master and leaders are servant.
2. Mass leaders are more effective than elected representative i.e. mass opinion of public leaders is stronger than mandate of political representative.
3. What are the main differences between a public leader and a public representative?
In our constitution, we talk about three main pillars-Legislature, judiciary and executive. In addition, we treat free press/media as fourth pillar. Public who is the market for all four was in back as base. Public as base gives power to all to discharge some mandate. The distortion in assign mandate is more than tolerance capacity. Hence, public came out from base and took the shape of fifth pillar of democracy to show its strength.
Legislature is supreme among all five pillars being law makers. Constitution entrust it to frame welfare laws to run country smoothly in forward direction. But actions of our representatives are not satisfying the public. After election, they disregard public demand and opinion. And they are engaged more in self benefiting actions or no action. This affects citizens badly. In absence of needed law due to non performance of legislature, they suffer from different angles. Productivity of parliament has gone down. Recent corruptions highlighted their negative acts to intolerable limit of public.
Executive didn’t discharge their duties up to public expectations and as mandated by laws. Inactions and their corruptions corroded Indian steel frame and made this pillar very weak. Assessing this weak situation, our polity collaborated with this wing. Executive couldn’t refuse the association being weak and fear to be exposed by political class. Now in corruption, polity and executive are two sides of a coin. These two pillars did all big scams in partnership. One gets entry through selection to work up till the age of 60 while other through election for fixed five years tenure. An independent agency of Hang Kang conducted a survey of 13 Asian countries recently. It found India’s bureaucracy the worst and topper from bottom.
Fixed tenure of polity and executive and reduced accountability/transparency changed their mind set from servant mode to master mode. This change of mind set proved very dangerous to general pubic. Partnership reduced actions against corrupt activities to almost zero. No action boosted the corrupt practices among both. Slowly and slowly polity dominated and now has the lion share in corrupt produce. Weak executive couldn’t prevent the polity from taking the dominant position in corruption and its enhancing. Frequent transfer, workless and unimportant posting are other tools in hands of political bosses to bring executive to compromising point.
Fed up with polity and executive, pubic approached judiciary to get relief. Though general impression of judiciary is not better than these two at lower level, but top judiciary enjoys better public confidence. A few Supreme Court (SC) judges took a lead and started giving quality judgments. A step ahead, they monitored the implementation of their orders. By this procedure, SC compelled government to take proper actions. Actions helped in saving the hope of public. Recent judgments improved image of judiciary.
Free media as fourth pillar of our democracy has a very important role to play. More or less they are enjoying better reputation than others. Though, it is not criticism free. But by and large, it doing good job currently. Media is also suffering from the corrupt practice of the partnership firm of polity and executive. They alone are not in a position to challenge the partners. To challenge them, they need some good partners. Among all, they found the public and civil society their best friends. They associated with them and become partner in crusade against corruption.
Elected representative doesn’t give proper heed to public opinion once elected. Alone none is capable enough to fight and break the nexus of executive and politicians. Public Private Partnership (PPP) model helped them. This model is even promoted by United Nations. PPP model gives role to the societies to play in all walks of life. Government is reducing its role and shifting it to civil societies. It is associating with civil societies in almost all departments. Public and civil societies together started taking relief with the help of media and judiciary. Media highlighted the corrupt practice and judiciary gave the relief. Gradually civil societies snatched the politician’s ground of providing relief to public.
Public, civil society in association with media took some public issue to settle it. Centre for Public Interest litigation is a good example in proof. This center through judicial recourses compelled government to act to benefit the masses. Baba Ram through his Swabhiman trust took up black money issue and popularized it. Government took many steps in public pressure, after and during his agitation. Baba Ram Deo’s mass support and its pressure jolted the mandated political class. Civil societies are taking their ground and their mass supports are snatching their mandated power. Baba made a start. Annoyed government tried to suppress him with their mighty power. To some extent it is successful due to mishandling and lack of experience of Baba.
Anna an experienced social actor and leader along with its team took up the corruption issue. During his protest in April 2011, government made his team partner in drafting under public pressure. But, after a few meetings they divorced. Government representative did mistake in calculating his mass support. They administered same medicine tried with Baba. This didn’t work. Anna declared his agitation as second national movement to liberate the country from corruption. This helps in associating public emotionally with his movement. Media supported him beyond limit. This action of media annoyed political sector. These public and civil societies acted as fifth pillar of our democracy to decide the roles for representative.
Effective judicial actions, media publicity and civil societies mass catching issues, together, have created a history- Anna agitation. Government realized its mistake. It brought a resolution same day in after noon which was not proposed in the morning. This is done to meet mass demand. Elected representative passed it unanimously under the pressure of mass leader Anna unwillingly and send it to standing committee related to it. Here public shows they are with mass leader and not with their representative to whom they elected. Public set a norm by making mass leader stronger than elected representative. This has not been done earlier since 1947.
This jolted political actors in India. It compelled them to think about their wrongdoings. Hence it will result in to self corrective actions. This is a good precedent for the other democratic countries worldwide. Elected representative and selected executive are forced to think about their real role of services-servant role. It is all probable, they will think to discard their disguised role of master. Anna, a symbol of public, took master role and directed the public servants to pass a resolution which is in the favor of the country. And they did it first time. In past they didn’t, treating themselves master. Treating themselves master, they never give due regard to real master-public opinion. Thus this agitation is unique as it proved that public is the real master on ground. None can usurp this role with them.
Our elected political actors are representative first from public angle that elect them. For them, they are representative first and leaders latter. Social actors are leaders only for the public. They provide lead to their causes in different forums. The hair difference between leaders and representative is very important. Representative must give due regard to their need and opinion. They must act accordingly. They must serve the public by giving voice to their will in law making places. Leaders have slightly different role. They provide lead to their causes. For leaders unlimited area while for representative their services are limited to their constituency only.
Might and arrogance of government can’t subside easily. They would try to show their might like Baba Ram Deo- may be in disguise. They may try to revenge judiciary, media and civil societies. Some media reports indicate towards this. But any such move will be counter productive. India being a democratic country, the mass opinion of public is supreme. Any move against this, in the age communication revolution, will be a suicidal step politically.
(Views are personal and based on many sources)
Heera Lal
www.makingyouhappy.org
09412493734

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/men-and-ideas/entry/a-primer-for-the-corruption-fighter?sortBy=AGREE&th=1

Political marketing of Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat

2011-09-17T07:56:00.000-07:00

Political marketing of Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Indida:

In general we follow 4Ps in commercial marketing.

1. Political Product: Narendra Modi as CM of good governance. There are two products which he is marketing as political product: his personality and good governance.
2. Price: If he will be voted to power as PM- just for the sake of saying, he will progress the country like Gujarat. He is offering his service to the nation in exchange of vote. He has proved his services in Gujarat as CM. Hence product reliability and quality are there.
And it will sustain in the market. His good governance is established and recognized by the society.
3. Place: His place of transaction is Gujarat now. He is now trying to promote his political product for other places of the country. Now he is aiming whole country as place of exchange and to position his product.
4. Promotion: His fast of three days started form 17 September 2011 is his promotional activity for selling his political product at national level.
When I compare his style of functioning and managing the political affair, I found many similarities with the US President Barack Obama. Just a few are:
1. Both are well read and having in depth knowledge of political sector.
2. Both are ICT savvy and using its beauty for the benefit of the society in good governance as modern tool.
3. Both are having bigger personality than their party.
4. Obama was having a big obstacle in the form Hillary. Likewise he is having here Advani.
5. Both are having authoritative and decisive personality.
6. Both are good orators and famous for their effective speeches.
7. Public see both as change agents.
8. Both are self-made.
Now seeing the situation and time period for next election, he will be able to carry forward his candidature for the post of PM. He is having problem with his universal acceptability. Riots in Gujarat are blots with him. Now he is focusing to remove that with full vigor. The way he is trying to get rid of this, there is all probability to get success- seeing his management capability and being a self-made man.
Above all he is now the best symbolic, mass and popular leader of his party. His competitors in party-L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitely, Nitin Gadkari- are not having all three required quality together. Here he is having edge over other colleagues in the party. He is a performer along with Lalu Prasad quality that is he is able to promote himself. He knows the tricks how to sell the political products and its timing.
There are two alliances in the country. One is led by congress and the other by BJP. If he will be able to get the party ticket from the party then he will have to appear in the test of alliance-in case of shortage of majority. This is very difficult.

The biggest outsider competitor is Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. No doubt the acceptability and performance of Kumar is better than Modi on many counts. But party strength wise not comparable. Modi has to work hard on two fronts together. He needs to enhance his acceptability in public and NDA allies.
His 3 day fast is a well chalk out plan to start on these two front. Wooing Muslims through their grater participation is the first strategy. The Muslim participation is up to the expected level. And greater participation of allies is second steps planned. TN Chief Minister sends her representative and CM Punjab participated. He is successful in his mission.
All circumstances in view and his growing personality, I am for sure, he is next Atal Bajpai of BJP. It is a matter of time only. He is trying to position his candidature for PM by applying all concepts of commercial marketing with help of ICT tools.

(Views are personal and based on many sources)

Heera Lal
www.makingyouhappy.org
09412493734

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Congress-ridicules-Modis-5-star-fast-BJP-lavishes-praise/articleshow/10020447.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/On-Race-Course-road/articleshow/10025018.cms
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bjp-2014/848092/
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Fast-friends-Muslims-swell-Sadbhavna-show/articleshow/10023420.cms

Land Bill of 1894 in house after 117 years.

2011-09-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

It is true that if RG would have not taken it, it would have not moved an inch like past. It is a bill enacted in 1894 and since then remains same for last 117 years. But question is why it is now and not before. Country freed in 1947. What compelled congress to wait since 1947 till now for this amendment. Except a full term of Atal, congress ruled the country after independence. So, in blame game sharing, 90% share of blame goes to congress.
We must thanked RG and Jairam too for his good intended actions. If good actions will not be applauded, it will die- a dangerous situation will come very soon. We must praise all good steps and actions of anyone without political marketing.
If it will be passed, this will be the first big achievement of RG as leader. This will be a political product which he can market in future.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jairam-tables-land-bill-says-Rahul-Gandhi-force-behind-it/articleshow/9904244.cms#write

Reforms to the rescue

2011-09-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

Very nice article but you are talking only one side of the story. It’s fine to resort economic reform in 1991. It brought fruits to the country and helped in reducing corruption. Is there any fiscal reform without its negative effect? Its simple answer is “No”. In every economic reform, we evaluate both the sides and tried to minimize the negative one.
Why, then FM and now PM, didn’t perceived the ill effects of growing corruption along with growing economy after 1991.
Why he didn’t take appropriate steps to reduce this by product- corruption- by legislating acts to retard the growth of this future graft in parallel with GDP. LokPal may be an act to say which is pending long before 1991.
Why he ignored demerit (expected corruption growth as by product of reform) and talking only about merits (high GDP). This proves flaws in reform and skewed one. Being a world renowned economist,he can’t blame anyone for this. He has to take this blame in right spirit and take corrective measure to rectify this mistake which done in 1991.
Agreed to your proposal that he should continue reforms. And the wish of public in symbolic Anna should get due respect. Political reform must be on the top of agenda to avoid any further long agitation. This is the next agenda point of Anna team as they announced.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Reforms-to-the-rescue/articleshow/9900689.cms

No other govt has shown more will to fight corruption

2011-09-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

It is very hard to agree with your pleas. What is the meaning of no other government? Which party ruled India 90% of the time, after 1947? Except a full term of Atal, congress ruled the country after independence all along.
After 1947, some intermittent interval came to refresh congress rule. If we divide the credit to develop corruption among governments as you said, 90% share is yours. And rest 10% is of Atal, Deovogowda, Inder Gujral, Charn Singh etc- Other governments in your language. Hence accusing others didn’t convince like your general oratory.
RTI act was passed after a long battle of more than 10 years started by Aruna Roy in Rajsthan. Congress passed it when no option was left. It tried to delay it to the extant possible. If Corruption is harming all, then why Lokpal is kept pending for last 43 years. For sure, now you will clear this pendency as no other way out to delay it- in view of Anna shadow and do or die.
Corruption, in our supreme pillar of democracy, is rampant. For the first time, you mentioned about political reform in this write-up- seeing the announcement of Anna team as their next issue after Lokpal. Why congress didn’t give heed to this very urgent issue. Albeit, ADR and ECI in tandem spearheading for this reform and lobbying hard for long.
Now, a good chance is there for this reform to see the light of day. Why? Its answer is very easy to find. You are not going to take it willingly. Anna team has announced it as next agenda after Lokpal. In view of perceive heat of Anna, a beginning has been made by you.
All above- a few from a long list- prove otherwise what you said.
Congress’ established formula Talk-and-Walk days has gone long back. Please follow the new Walk-then-Talk, like Bihar to regain public faith as you desire in this article.
Thanks to accept reality.

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/digvijay-singhs-blog/entry/corruption

Anty-Anna and Their Plea

2011-08-27T22:39:00.000-07:00

Anty-Anna and Their Plea

Anty- Anna folks from all sectors pleaded:

1. Parliament is supreme. It can’t and should not be subverted.
2. None can dictate our sacrosanct parliament.
3. No time tagging is possible with it in making laws.
4. Anna’s act will weaken our well cherished democracy.

No doubt pleas are emotional in nature. No true Indian will allow above. Atleast, I will not allow at any cost.
Above all is possible only when, Our Parliament enjoys public’s strong faith? Maintaining and increasing faith in parliament is the basic duty of its members. Now question is whether the acts (baring some) of our leaders inside and outside it are helping in increasing the public faith in it. Some acts to highlight the dwindling public faith in parliament are:

1. MPs fund increased from 2 Cr to 5 without any opposition unanimously within hours. Performance of this fund is in public domain. Literature on this recommends reverse action.
2. LokPal bill running pillar to post from 1968 which is meat to clean corruption from public life.
3. Political reform bill is utmost needed to clean money power and criminals from politics and to bring real democracy in our political sector who rules the country. ADR and ECI are spear heading like Anna team to make it a reality. A big Demand is already in the market for it. Yet no step is in site to full fill this public desire. Women reservation bill, administrative reform bill are some glaring example to mention from a long list.
4. Vote-for-cash incident and cancellation of membership of 11MPs by then speaker Somnath Chaterjee are some real aspects of the acts.
5. Down going productivity of parliament in making required public welfare laws.
6. To save democracy situation compelled praiseworthy acts of Judiciary and CAG.
7. Recent incidents of CAG, 2G are some from a long list.
8. Ministers, MPs and top babus are in jail.
Do above acts have helped in increasing public faith in parliament? No, these and a lot more acts of our political actors have created a big distrust. Public have lost hope and faith in their political bosses. Hence, reduction in their faith in parliament due to unexpected acts done by its members.
Public wanted to recoup this lost faith. They found that in Anna team. To restore faith in democracy and trust in political class, our political sector need to adopt change in their acts and ways- leaving inertia and master mentality aside. Only preaching as good orator is not going to help them. Their acts must match their preaching. Now they can’t run their self business in the name of parliament as anty-Anna folk did.
Public is fed-up and not ready to allow leaders to act like what they are doing now in the name of saving democracy and parliament supremacy. ICT has made public socially awakened and now they are well read in Open University of the society with help of modern technology. They are now able to read between the lines to save themselves from the tarps of our so called social leaders as political bosses. Anty-Anna people instead of reforming Anna team, they should preach our double-speak political class to mend their acts as per the public expectation and desire of the parliament.
Anna gave a start to this through his 13 days protest on JanLokpal bill. Santosh Hegde correctly said so far foundation laying is done. Government and political actors are not willing to budge even an inch to meet this popular demand. But public support and their huge pressure brought them on knee. Government U-turn decisions in a day. They passed unwillingly a unanimous resolution on all three issued proposed by Anna team.
In between Rahul Gandhi tried to give a bigger picture of Janlokpal- an improved version of it. He proposed that lokpal should have a statuary status like ECI, CAG during his statement in parliament. In addition, he also emphasized that many more acts would require to eradicate it or to minimize to a greater extent. Though his intention was nice and his proposal was better than JanLokPal. But in charged atmosphere against government and congress, his idea evaporated. None give heed to it.
His idea was perceived as delay tactics and to divert attention form this issue- seeing the adamant position to adopt Janlokpal. Kiran Bedi reacted on this, before climbing Everest, one should first climb hills. Both Anna team and Rahul are correct at their places. Anna completed his job by climbing hills. Now it is turn for the Congress to achieve Rahul’s picture by bringing an amendment bill to give it a status akin to ECI. For this a special secession may be conveyed. I think Rahul should make effort to realize his proposal to recover the losses done due to Anna episode.

Similar link:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/all-that-matters/How-to-reverse-the-trust-deficit/articleshow/9762299.cms
http://epaper.indianexpress.com/10748/Indian-Express/28-August-2011#p=page:n=8:z=2

Anna’s social marketing company and his Inclusive movement

2011-08-21T00:59:00.000-07:00

Mohan Das Karma Chand Gandhi experimented a price less weapon of non-violence to free the country from foreign rule. In this no financial cost is required to purchase this. British ruler did utmost atrocities, discriminations with Indians. Hence, they suffered a lot and did not live free and happy life.
Indians were seething under anger. The main causes of this were misrule and divide & rule policy of its administrator. To get rid of all such grave sufferings, Indians started searching its solution. Freeing the country form foreign rule was the most widely accepted solution- Independence. This would end British rule and thus its atrocities.
Citizens would be able to enact their own rules and regulations as per their need. They would form their won government. Hence, their solution lies in a single word “Independence” which would serve the nations purpose. Gandhiji sensing these woes of citizens at all level started connecting them to the social product Independence. And public connected willingly as it was their need to end continuous suffering on them.
He joined public with Independence and carried movement in his own supervision. Finally, he succeeded through his pious goal (social product) Independence and means non-violence protest. He led and ran an inclusive movement. Public from all levels and places participated in it without any hindrance. They associated emotionally, mentally, physically and financially to achieve their goals through Gandhiji and his team. To have a successful movement, all such elements are needed.
After independence in 1947, economic growth was very low- known as Hindu growth rate. This slow pace of Indian economy landed it in worst economic crisis in 1991. It is felt that our closed economy is not facing any competition. Hence, it weakens and without strength. To bring out of this, Government of India decided to open it keeping in view the case of China. China being a communist company opened its door in 1980s, ten years ahead of India to foreign investors.
After this drastic U-Turn in economic policy, Indians growth rate starts picking up. Between 1947 and 1991, the economic offences were not that grave- being low GDP rate. Hence exiting law were- we can say- effective to curb and control the economic related crimes. But after adoption of economic policy reform, economy grew and brought benefits to the country.
Along with that it brought its side effects too. These sides’ effects in the form of economic offences grew in absence of tough laws to check it. Existing weak and irrelevant laws and lack of political will made the things worst with the passes of time. It spreads its effect in all walks of life. Now corruption at top level is rampant. This took public in grip and hurting them everyday in some forms. This affects the youths the most.
In paucity of effective and relevant laws, economic related offences as side effect of opening of it and corruption become insurmountable. It started hitting and harassing public in different ways frequently. Hence public woes become unbearable and intolerable. Now rampant corruption at all levels has wide coverage and reached each and every corner of the country having its link aboard also.
Like Gandhi, sensing the pain of the public, Anna Hazare – a staunch Gandhian supporter and non violence practicenor- took up this issues first at state level. He experimented it in his state of Maharastra and got success. After mastery over it, he formed a social company at national level with following details:
Name of the social company: India Against Corruption
(It has branch all over the country and aboard)
Objective: Freeing India from corruption.
Product: Corruption
Office organization:
Anna Hazare: Chairman cum Managing Director
Head finanace: Arvind Kejriwal- former revenue officer
Head Leagal: Prasant Bhusan- Practicing leading lawyer of SC
Head Admin: Kiran Bedi- Retired but not tired renowned police officer.
Head CSR- Swami Agnivesh- spearheading social casuses.
Executive Committee members: Santosh Hegde, Shashi Bhushan.

They have energetic, well read, educated and dedicated young in their offices. They are laden with modern tool and technology. Above all, they are passionate. And they are supplementing the experiences of oldies in team to bring the desired fruits. A few to name are: Manish Sisodiya, Kumar Visvas, Akhil Gagoi, Arvind Gaur, Suresh Pathare, Dada Bhau laxman Pather, Nitin Davar, Raj Gopal, Mr. Awasthi Murlidharan, Rajendra Singh, Gaurv Baxi, Neeraj kumar etc.

This social corporate lead by Anna-as narayana murthy led infosys- is highly rich in experience. Moreover they have required level of maturity.
Learing from Mahatam Gandhi, They took up social issue of “CorruptioN” affecting and hitting every Indians everyday in some forms- utmost in demand. Now they set to sell their social product CorruptioN- supply side. Their product name is “CorruptioN” like Gandhiji “Independence”. Their market is Indians and its area is India.
The mistakes committed by government of India and Congress one after the other in tackling the issue brought this social company into profit overnight. For this, major credit go to- as per the prevailing public mood and reactions- PM and his team Sri Kapil Sibal, P. Chidambarm, Diggi Raja and Mainsh Tiwariji. The more they acted against Anna team the more promotion of the product CorruptioN got ground and became more visible.
Miscalculating Anna made problem the worst. He sat on protest on 4th April at Jantar Mantar. He received overwhelming unconditional public support. This brought government on knee and they accepted their demand by including them in draft committee. This make CorruptioN product more visible and proved its utmost demand in Indian market.
After this Baba Ram Deo took up issue who was making its ground for many years. He changed the name of the product- Black Money. He enjoyed public faith and confidence on this issue. He sat on a peaceful protest on 6th June 2011 at Ram Lilla ground in Delhi. Government cracked on him in mid night to teach him a lesson, ignoring the support to his issue.
Actions started against him and his associates through CBI and Ed, sent a signal of revenge acts. This further annoyed public. Public receives a message that government is not acting against the corruption but against those who will oppose it. This act of government helped in enhancing the anger of the general masses. But immature actions and lack of experience didn’t bring the desired and stipulated results to Baba, but it played the role of backbone in whole episode. Sad part is that Baba has to come on back foot. And his coming back is a loss in nation making. Government saw their victory and some relief in retarding Baba’s speed on these issues. But they fail to visualize the loss which incurred by annoying public through him.
GoI encouraged by Baba’s retardation case, they administered same medicine to Anna. They deceived them by denouncing their draft. Further, by not allowing him to fast from 16th of Augest, they hit hard public mood again against themselves. Arresting Anna in the morning of 16th August is a act like setting jungle on fire. Public anger reached at peak.
Cong spokesperson Manish Tiwari’s direct comment to Anna in abusive language keeping all etiquettes of public life aside acted like pouring petrol in fire. It boomed public outrage and opposition got an issue to let down the congress for political economy.
On a US advisory, Cong tried to divert attention by showing it a US supported agitation to fizzle it out. This strategy fired back and congress came on back foot over this issue. This political move didn’t work, instead harmed. This was a prevailing policy of the ruling party in the past to hide their sins to divert them in the name of foreign hand. This political weapon of past is blunt now.
On 20th August another mistake, they brought NAC associates and Madam Sonia’s confident Esteemed Aruna Roy before public. Whatever she said to dilute the Anna issue, public didn’t take even notice. She could not
help as designed but she suffered an image loss like our PM. Aruna Roy flew in the strom(Andhi) of Anna. This planting also didn’t work. Albeit, it harmed.
All above actions of government time to time tarnished its image
and simultaneously helped Anna’s social company in its product promotion. There is a big question which needs serious attentions. Why such stupid actions/ steps on government part. Is there any internal politics or diplomacy of ruling party? There are some rumors in public to support this- Young vs Oldies- to block ways to young.
Government and civil society started separately. Then they came together to draft. Again separate, due to deceiving of government. Now every Indian is supporting Anna with an aim to positive results. To achieve this, we need to bring them along. PM team is so far at fiasco to bring the desired results. Even if they suppress the movement with their might, it will go against their political economy.
News came that Rahul Gandhi intervened and secured release of Anna from Tihar jail. It, no doubt, was a damage control move and it helped Rahul himself more than party. He needs to intervene again. This issue can’t be set in reverse gear. So its solution lies in forward actions.
He should come in picture and convince his oldies to send Janloakpal bill to committee after cabinet approval. He can club Roys’ draft. Pursue committee to expedite the process treating it as emergency case seeing the public mood and demand. Bringing PM and keeping Judiciary out may be an option to reckon with. This may be coined as defeat by oppositions. But your win is embedded in this defeat. So, this is the right time to embrace this so called defeat without further loss. Otherwise, if time will go out of hand, you will be only looser and repenter.
Anna’s newly formed social company with its intellectual team- using modern concept, tools and technology of marketing- is trying to promote its brand action against“ CrruptioN”. They are applying 4P of marketing to achieve social ends. Unanimous support from all walks of life and endorsement of celebrities have proved that commercial marketing is working fully on social marketing. God bless Anna and his team for serving the nation in liberating it from corruption.
(Views are personal and based on different sources. Writer is a Ph.D. Aspirant with social and political marketing topic. )

Heera Lal
www.makingyouhappy.org
9412493734

Robert Vadra-Real Man behind corruption

2011-08-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Dwindling Faith in Democracy

2011-08-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Dwindling faith in democracy is a worldwide problem. This is weakening our democratic institutions which are strong pillar of public faith. Now countries need to learn lessons and set this trend in reverse gear to maintain worlds’ law and order. Election of Obama- a black African American- is a good example to quote in its support. Decreasing faith in political actors- and in political institutions- made him President.
Americans wanted to teach the political bosses a lesson. Recent grave economic crisis of US to avoid default on payment on 6th August 2011 is a serious point to be noted. The latest riots in UK (started on 9th Aug 2011) are second in row. The ongoing uproar in India on corruption and black money is a supporting fact of reducing faith in democracy. India needs to take lessons out of these and act accordingly to materialize its dream of to be a developed country by 2020 by former president APJ.
Latest deep economic crisis of US looks like this. But it is not. In fact, it is a political crisis. This is a result of false supremacy, manipulated political decisions and ego. They are consuming undue and living lavishly life on debt bond. On this problem, USSR Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Americans are parasite on global economy. To super imposed egoistic supremacy on the nations, US fought unwanted wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Such politically motivated actions landed the world super power in deep irreversible economic mire.
The permanent solutions of this can be possible by behavioral change. Changing social thoughts and actions are not easy. This is what Obama is saying, trying and focusing to set his house in order. Rather than playing the role of Chaudhary worldwide. To achieve this he is making efforts by applying all modern tools and technology of social marketing. Social change is a time taking process. Hence, he will not be able to see its fruits of his initiative, even after at the end of his second term- if he gets me sure of it.
Americans now need to lead an austere life like Obama. He is taking the blame of debt crisis which is a bad political product of Mr. Bush. It is his austerity that he is taking responsibility and defame for which he in nowhere accountable. His consensus style of functioning is a big weapon in his hand. And second time, he will re-elect on this quality in 2012.
Obama is trying to mend Americans to leave false supremacy and embrace reality of life. So that US should avoid USSR like dismantling of the country. He will succeed in his this mission being capable to drive the country on such a U- turn path. But not will reap its result as president in 2016- assuming his reelection.
The dwindling faith in democratic institutions and political actors gave chance to Obama. And first time in US history a black African American became the most powerful man of the world. He defeated none other than Hilliary who used to be the first lady for eight years. This proves great erosion of public faith in social organizations. This U-turn in US politics is strong signal for other democratic countries- UK, India.
Recent riot, loot, arson and ablaze on August 9, 2011 in UK reduced “Great Britain” to just Britain. How sudden such well planned man made disaster catches wide area is a dangerous fact to ponder. The ugliest part is that the most civilized and powerful Great Britain was not able to contain the spread in time. Instead it broke out into many other cities. Result was so strong that overnight great title evaporated. This is another red signal for nations having firm belief in democracy. Reducing faith in democracy will give such glaring and grave result time and again.
Unwise political decisions, bad governance and false supremacy have lowered the image of the US and UK. These problems are caution signals and wake-up calls to India. The ongoing movement against corruption and black money is coined as second movement to liberate India form corruption after 1947. Anna Hazare is living in a 10x10 meter room in Ralegan Siddhi of Maharastra province. He is getting overwhelming public support. This is due to lessening belief in political institutions. It will finally land us in big and irreversible mire if not taken steps to correct it the earliest.
The most damaging aspect is that government and political actors are not supporting the good causes. Instead in retaliation, they are making an all out efforts to thwart their endeavor. Further more, they are criticizing judiciary by saying over judicial activisms and over reach. Judiciary has enhanced their effort to implement their orders to send justice to its end. This judicial action can’t term as over reach or over activism. It is the basic duty which judiciary must ensure. Following basic duty is not favorable to government and politicians. Hence judiciary is attracting the wrath of affected political actors.
The comptroller and auditor general (CAG) is also under attach like judiciary on over reach account by same class who grossly lacks in discharging their duties. The constitution of India entrust CAG two duties to discharge- One as auditor and the other as controller. Unfortunately our past CAG acted more as auditor but less as controller. They didn’t discharge their duties as per the desire of our constitution. Present CAG Mr. Vinod Rai is discharging complete duty. He is doing both auditing and controlling functions effectively. Doing complete duty is happy news for Indians, but he is getting wrath in lieu of praise from same class. However public is seeing CAG as ray of hope to save the country from going to be ruined. And CAG esteem has risen very high in past few months.
India is famous for its unity among diversity. The binding bond is made-up of thread of faith in democratic organs. The recent public uproar on corruption and black money made it visible. These two issues are now talks of the town. Thanks to Anna and Baba for their patriotism act- by raising these issue without caring the consequences. They act as vent to release public resentment. Both are criticized and their efforts are thwarted by political class.
Many moves are made to implicate them to demoralize. Intensive investigations are on against both. Baba is under scanner and a FIR is lodged against Bal Krishna. This is all done after their agitation at Delhi. Why not all such actions before that, this proves it as revenge acts. Not giving permission to Anna for Gandhian style protest is show callous attitude of the ruler. It shows they are protector of corrupt practice. Such thoughts and actions will further decrease the public belief in democratic institutions. And finally, we Indian will also land in mire like US and UK.
To avoid such situation, we must take lessons from these two big democracies of the world and support the public causes of social activists Anna and likes. There is a famous saying “hate the sin but not sinner”. Likewise we must support their good causes if not them. If this will not be done, our dream to be a developed nation by 2020- by APJ former president- will be a nightmare. And it will affect Indians first and global public at large.
Congress is doing a historical mistake. This mistaken loss is irrecoverable. Congress is trying to find out political solution of issues raised by Anna and Baba. The mistakes lie here. Issues raised by duo are not political one. Both are not having any political ambitions. No doubt they are having sympathy of oppositions like public, but there is no symptom of intimate political game plan against the government. If it would have been they would have contested some elections. Dealing these issues politically will decrease public rating of congress. Congress already downgraded from AAA (UPA-1) to AA(UPA-2).
Still time is there for congress to take corrective actions. The current uproars are a public movement- not a political issue. Though it seems like that. This movement has strength of misgivings and bad governance of last 64 years. Congress needs to structural surgery to fizzle out this movement as they are doing in land acquisition. Congress must take lead to liberate the country from corruption to show its intentions to convince public.

(Views are personal)

Ref: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43982710/ns/world_news-europe/t/us-parasite-global-economy-russian-pm-vladimir-putin-says/
2. http://www.ruthfullyyours.com/2011/08/09/london-a-wave-of-rioting-looting-arson-and-violence-spreads/

This is not a matter of size

2011-08-01T20:54:00.001-07:00

Author Medha Nanlvadekar has proved her case mathematically. She suggests an alternative solution for women�s reservation bill which is pending for 15 years. Her formula to make each constituency dual-representative- one man and one woman- is not feasible. On this issue our polity is just showing that they believe in gender equality. So that they can lecture on occasions and take their votes. As per reservation bill 181 men MP has to be replaced by women. Is it looks feasible in our country by our politicians? I think not. We need to search answer of why. Do we think that our political actors do anything which harms them directly or indirectly in anyway? To prove this point, political reform bill is a good example. ( blogs in www.makingyouhappy.org) It is not even in agenda expect discussion. The efforts of ADR and CEC of India are of no gain. Women bill needs highlighting movement. It needs some social worker like Baba Ram Deo and Anna to take up this issue. Baba made Corruption and Anna made Lokpal big social products. They are auctioning it to political parties in India. Lokpal was pending for last 42 years. But it is going to be placed before parliament. The names of black money owner will be announced by the end of this year- says GoI. Theatrically, this is a good solution but feasibly it is not. So, it is a ruled out now. We do have many women social actor who have done exemplary work. Aruna Roy and recently magsaysay awardee Neeliam Mishra of Pune are a few examples among many. We need to develop a team like Anna to raise and take this issue to logical end. Once it will become the public issue from political issue, then authors suggestion can be discussed on table as an option. From the article, amply evident author�s in-depth concern for this issue. She needs to translate this concern into reality by setting the ball rolling. She must facilitate formation of an org to spearhead this by including all sector top women managers- CEO, social workers etc. There should not be any bar to men if wish to work by heart. I lend my support in any form for this good cause to make society more strong by giving gender equality to women and to strengthen our political democracy. Link: 1. http://heeralalpcs.blogspot.com/2011/07/our-political-actors-are-not-kalidas.html 2 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Size-does-matter/articleshow/9447333.cms

Twenty years on, a forgotten anniversary: Economic Reform

2011-07-31T07:47:00.000-07:00

Twenty years on, a forgotten anniversary is a good pointer. The author has raised a right issue at a right point of time. Economic reform initiated by Congress in 1991 has brought good fruits to the country. This way economic reform is a good political product for the cong. Why Cong is not promoting and marketing it by celebrating its 20th centaury to take its political benefit. It looks foolish on the part of the Cong, but there are some valid reasons, not doing so.
One, along with good it has brought some bad things. There are chances of digging out those bad things by opposition. There is always two side of any policy.
Two, country is infected with the issue of corruption. This is a by-product of economic reform. Reform didn’t accompanied by any measure to check economic corruption. This lack in reform has no explanation.
Three, from first August Parliament session is started. Cong doesn’t want to take any risk for giving any issue to opposition.
Four, Celebration is an offensive action; Congress is defensive on all fronts. Thus, it is not possible to take an offensive position from a defensive situation.
Five, Manmohan Singh was the architect of this reform as finance minister in 1991. Now as prime minister, he is facing rough weather and not enjoying same position in public as it was then. So, if house is not in order how one can enjoy.
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/right-and-wrong/entry/twenty-years-on-a-forgotten-anniversary

Merit Vs Blood

2011-07-31T06:14:00.000-07:00

This is really a great article. Highlights Merit over blood. To be a developed nation soon, it must take shape of a rule in India. Tata and Infosys has set yardstick for others to follow. What I see, this is to accommodate the changes in order to sustain and grow. In day to come changes will be fast, so rest will have to follow for the survival.
Indian politics are also in transition to acquire the corporate management style to meet the fast changing scenario. If they are adopting the management then they are bound to follow the associates too. Without merit, gaining power will not be easy. If the political sector adopts the principles of merit over blood, corruption issue will subside greatly- Leading to good governance. Thanks to Tata and Infosys for setting this trend in Indian industry sector and introducing this best practice from the west and European countries. But who will lead to set this trend in politics. I think this is a dream now but for sure it would happen when competition in politics will increase and ICT intervention coverage will be more than 60%. It is as of now 6.9%.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/all-that-matters/Keep-dynasties-out-of-India-Inc/articleshow/9426528.cms

We are running out of time, says Obama

2011-07-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

Economic crisis is still a big challenge for Obama. Though it is gifted him by Bush, but he can’t be exonerated completely. He got chance to remove this problem. But if it is persisting, does it mean he is under performing on this front? To answer this is not easy. But one excuse he has. He got less time in view of its gravity. This is second worst economic crisis in American history.
Country is going to default. If it will happen, country’s credit rating will go down. Going credit down will bring so many problems and develop many complications. Deadlock of not raising the debt ceiling has very valid political reasons. Increasing tax or imposing new tax on wealthy is not suiting the opposition. It will displease republican vote bank. While not raising limit and cutting fund will annoyed democrats’ voters.
The political economy is the main issue for both the parties. To find a solution of this problem, we need to fix the responsibility for this. Republican Bush depleted the exchequer and brought the country in deep debt. His mismanagement and wrong political decisions ruined the country’s fiscal structure. This developed a bad political product in the form of economic crisis. This was one main reason among others Republican Party’s defeat in 2008 election.
Obama inherited shattered fiscal status. He is trying to solve this, but still not eradicated. He can’t throw complete blame to Bush now. He has to share it his part. He can say he need more time, but this is blot on his governance capability on economic front. Opposition can charge him as non efficient on this issue.
This deadlock has brought down the image of the country worldwide. Any further delay in resolving the issue will cause irreparable image loss. Both republicans and democrats will not like this situation for political gains or losses. Politics is not above the nation in a condition when both are responsible for this. Thus, they should understand their contribution to this menace and act hurriedly in nation interest.
Obama is one of the most intelligent modern political actor. So far he is not in any controversy and no corruption issue has been raised against him. Killing Bin Laden, number one enemy of the country, recovered his sagged image. Now this issue is a litmus test for him. Seeing his record, we hope, he will sort it out without much loss. To see his acumen see my blog;
Link: http://heeralalpcs.blogspot.com/2011/07/americas-new-found-love-for-india.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-debt-crisis-Senate-House-still-at-odds-as-default-clock-ticks/articleshow/9423494.cms

America’s New found love for India

2011-07-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

USA is supporting India for UNSC permanent seat. It wants India loom larger at world stage- particularly in south Asian region. Through all such love it wishes to achieve something very valuable. President Obama is a mature politician. It is all best steps of his well architected future politics. The foremost hidden agenda behind all these is his re-election for which he has declared his candidature. He is trying to kill many birds with a single stone.
Recent visit of secretary of state Hillary Clinton has expedited this process. Her statement “we want more India in the world” is an indicator of big change in international policy of US in south Asia. It wishes to use Indian shoulder to further its interest in this region. Presently Obama is the best political marketer worldwide- using full potential of ICT. He has a shrewd plan to sell his defective Afghani political product to India. Further he is trying to set-up a new equation to balance China using the shoulder of India with Japan in this reason.
India embraced socialistic pattern to develop itself after independence. In cold-war era, India was with USSR. This was just opposite to marketer approach of USA. Hence, a wide gap created between two countries. In 1991, Indian economy opened its tightened door for market players. This shift from socialistic to market friendly was a big event in economic history of India. Then finance minister ManMohan Singh played a key role in this hard decision. From here gap started reducing between two big democracies of the world.
Usually IITans dream visiting, working, living in US. As a result the best technical Indian brains drained to America. With time they got deep rooted. Gradually along with them, other stream’s top brains also migrated. Indians hard working quality (24x7) gave them an edge over Americans as they follow the five- day week and tight-time schedule work culture. The combined effect of hard work and best brain paid Indians. They got good positions and economically became sound. The advent of ICT catalyzed this process and galvanized Indians’ profile. Outsourcing accelerated the gap reducing rate and snatched bulk Americans jobs.
Obama promised to reduce glaring unemployment in 2008 election. As per his promise, he imposed many restrictions on outsourcing, just after assuming office. This saved US jobs but hit hard Indians and annoyed them. Indian communities who voted and gave election donations were distracted from Obama. Knowing this trouble some fact, he tried to reduce this resentment by giving many good positions to Indians in his administration. Now he has declared his candidature for reelection in 2012. He, being an intelligent politician, knows the damages due to Indians’ annoyance on outsourcing issue.
To reduce resentment and to bring them in 2008 position , Obama moved strategically in November 2010. Keeping eye on re-election, as part of strategy, he coined his country’s support to India for permanent seat in United Nations Security Council during his visit to India. This gave a soothing effect to Indian-Americans. He knows well the powerful Indian community. Indians have proved that they are hard working, knowledgeable, intelligent and amenable to different situations. In support, I would like to cite: Dipak C. Jain had been Dean Kellogg business school of more than eight years. He made it the best marketing school worldwide. Now Nitin Noharia is Dean Harvard business school. Duos are best education industry leaders. Likewise in other fields also, Indians are at top.
To bring the country out of economic crisis, US need a big market and good partner. Obama has a feel of growing power of India. Big and open Indian market is attractive for Americans. By enhancing friendship with India, US can harness the benefit of Indian market. And this will help it a lot in reducing economic crisis at home. Indian community will act as bridge between Obama administration and India .
President Obama announced to withdraw troops from Afghanistan rejecting military commander’s advises for a more modest reduction plan. Obama planned to withdraw all 33000 American soldiers from Afgan by the summer of 2012. This is also a political move. Now Afgan action is a proved bad political product. To fill withdrawal vacuum, who is the best option. From strategic point, India too has interest in Afgan. It is capable to handle such situations. India has experience of tackling terrorist activities in Punjab and J &K. Delay in withdrawal is not possible due to political reasons. Families of cops deployed in Afgan are eager to see their dears back at home. This withdrawal will woo American families to fetch their vote and support in 2012. This is the reason Obama expedited withdrawal plan ignoring the advises of military commanders. Now it is trying to sell this bad product to India.
After Bin Laden incident, American’s perceptions towards Pak have changed. They consider Pak more foe than friend. Laden was number one enemy of US. Pak sheltered him for long and lied US about his hiding. US invested huge money and time to set score of trade tower incident. Laden hiding disturbed the US-Pak equation. In addition, Obama administration would show respect to its citizen’s changed perception about Pak by changing equations with it. This will help in getting citizen’s confidence and politically economical in view of 2012 election. Disturbed equations with Pak, compels US to search a new partner in the south Asia region.
Growing power of China is an open secret. China is giving US a tough competition in all fields. This has damaged so called supremacy of US. Cheap China products are reducing others market including US. So China is hitting USA commercially. China’ growing role at world stage will further affect the commercial and political interest of America. USA, being a market oriented country, will not tolerate shrinkage of its market and business. Arresting growing power of China is a need of hour for Americans. As usual, to do this US needs someone’s shoulder. In South-Asian region, under present circumstances, India’s shoulder is the best option.
Secretary of state Hillary Clinton in her visit to India in July 2011 said she wished to see more India at world stage. This, new found growing love for India, is a strategic part of Obama’ re-election action plan. He knows without the support of strong India- Americans, repetition will not be easy. In view of his election and economic crisis, he is trying hard to woo Indians in his country. Obama is a proved good political marketer. His edge over others is his open mind to accommodate the changes. Along with his diligences, he is using all potential tools of modern technology to leave others behind. He used potential of social media to win in 2008. So, his upward love for India is not to benefit to India and Indians. It is rather for his focus on 2012 target and commercial benefit of the USA and its citizens.
If we evaluate this love from India’s angle, India has to move very cautiously. USA, a hard core commercial country doesn’t fit even with India’s basic thought process- a socialistic nation. In case of any commercial interest conflict, India will get same treatment like Pak. So, Pranab Mukharjee told Hillary that India doesn’t want to interfere in Afgans security affairs. India should take utmost precaution so that US should not be able to use its land for its own gain and to show its so called supremacy to the world. In transition position India must bargain to have favorable clauses in partnership deed. Now, weak USA will concede and come to terms. This is must to avoid so called American aura to ensure commercial benefit of the country.
Hence, prima facie, new found love seems not good. It is a well planed political marketing move of Obama. We know love is blind. Hence Chances of slippage is great. To save from slippage on USA love path, India must tread very cautiously to watch the interest of Indian citizens.
(Views are personal)

Our political actors are not Kalidas.

2011-07-24T00:30:00.001-07:00

Who should pay for the elections? Not the state
JAGDEEP S CHHOKAR

I do agree cent-percent with the logics and reasoning given by renowned and esteemed author. He has great experiences as he is working in this field with ADR (since august 1999) in close coordination with election commission and other associated organizations. He has contradicted the idea of starting of funding of elections to start with-SC/ST and women. By giving the support of Law commission findings and views of CECs, very rightly, he says, first we need political reforms- pre requsits for such funding. Without setting political houses in order on different issues like internal democracy, annual audit, transparency etc, state funding will deteriorate the situation- means money power will speak more loudly. It will be like giving a knife to monkey which will harm everyone including himself- not knowingly.
Without completing national level consultation, circulation of cabinet note by law ministry for soliciting comments indicates some foul play like lokpal bill. Author has indicated correctly that present and past CEC is opposing including law commission findings, then what type of consensus we talked about. Is law commission findings and CECs views having low weight than so called opinion censuses- even national level is yet to conduct? I think, seeing the public demand and mood against them, they are trying to show the same path to electoral reform bill like Lolpal. So that it also can’t gets the consent of parliament for many years- as lokpal is pending for 42 years. It may be a diversion tactic to avoid political reform. As government knows the next agenda of Anna is political reform. Hence it can be seen as a move to block their way before they start.
If we see the things from the initiator’s angle, we found them right in their actions to make electoral reform another jokpal. None would like to make a law which will interfere in their own workings – as did by Kalidas. Now, they are free to mold as they wish. But after electoral reforms, it will be difficult for them to fulfill their wishes. It is not a wise step on their part to make strong and good laws. They have two options then. One, don’t make laws as till date. Two, if compelled to act, then make very weak and ambiguous to manipulate easily. Out of two which one is adaptable? Under present circumstance when country is reeling under the heat of corruption at top level- thanks to judiciary- sitting idle like past is not possible for the government. Hence option one is ruled out. Then option two is workable. Tactic is, give it a controversial start so that it should have a controversial life at least 42 years.
Inspite of knowing fast moving political scenario, our political actors are not able to come out of their inertia. They are still trying to do politics like past. This is not possible now at any cost. To support this, Obama’s election is a good point to be cited. A study finds that w e live in a age where 60 percent of Americans routinely assume that every politicians is lying to them ( Trippi, 234). So, fed up with whites’ double standards and lies, they elected a black head of the nation. They slapped the leaders and gave a red signal to old politics. Likewise in India, things are similar to USA. Powerless Anna and Baba set some ideas before nation and public is driving this idea with a super fast speed- not imagined by our law makers. In this judiciary is playing its role and not sitting ideal. The judicial actions are accelerating the speed and doing praise worthy work.
A section of political actors are denouncing it as judicial over reach and activism. While doing so they forget about their inactions and act of sins. They don’t want to be honest, but they wish to see others dead honest. India is a big democracy and vote is an indicator. If we conduct a referendum for good actions among Legislature, bureaucracy and judiciary, I am sure Judiciary will get the highest numbers in their favor. In changing the situation ICT role can’t be ignored. ICT has affected all walks of life like politics. Obama is a product of ICT that’s why he is also known as internet president. It is difficult to change the oldies. So hope lies with the youngsters. That’s why all political parties are pushing their youth wings to act in full swing. They are trying their best to attract youths as they are amenable and ready to accept the change. They are also aware of to potentials of modern tools and technology like social media. The new political trends can’t be set in reverse gear.
Concluding this, is author expecting our political actors to be modern Kalidas? They should cut same branch on which they are sitting to fall down – as we know about our historical Kalidas. No, I too oppose this as they are not like Kalidas. But thanks to author for highlighting this issue which in not in national interest from any angle.
(Views are personal and based on different findings and references)
Link; http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/all-that-matters/Who-should-pay-for-the-elections-Not-the-state/articleshow/9341475.cms

Baba- outstanding; Obama- good and GoI-bad

2011-07-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

I read “The way to Satyagragh” by Madhu Purnima Kiswar in ToI dated 18 July. I don’t agree with the author’s biased view and anti tone. She has written treating Baba Ram Deo an incarnation of God. After all, as we know, he is from a simple family of Haryana. No doubt, he doesn’t keep a good social team like Anna. Anna has a team of gems- Kiran Bedi, Arvind kejriwal, Prasant etc. to advise him and to take collective thoughtful decisions. So, he mostly relies on his own wisdom on social front. Not giving arrest at stage and bearing women’s attire to disguise are two of the many possible actions. There might be many other better options like offering arrest at stage itself.
Author’s sarcastic comment on yoga and on manner of arrest is objectionable in its flavor and tone. To support this point:
One: I would like to mention the way Government of India ( GoI ) cracked on sleeping persons in midnight on 4th June in Ramlila ground. GoI has plenty experienced leaders, IAS (steel frame) and others at their disposal. But this step of GoI attracted too much criticism. It was termed as trouble inviting decision. If one measure this step from law and order handling scale. It would prove a blunder. This is the reason Supreme Court took actions suo-motto.
Two: In July 2009, police arrested black Harvard professor Henery Louis Gates Jr, President Obama reacted aggressively on this. Obama said police who arrested professor ‘ acted stupidly’. On this statement criticism started. To control the damage, Obama settled the issue by inviting all the parties to a beer party at white house without any delay. Obama having world-class advisors and he himself very learned committed mistake. The reaction was not up mark and he took corrective measure to control further image deterioration.
If we compare the decision with GoI and Obama, one can easily conclude that he didn’t pick the best option but not did blunder like GoI.
Furthermore, for the first time Baba played social game. He has no prior experience of such movements. This is a big lacuna with him. This is one reason among many for his sufferings.
If I need to rate (relative marking) Baba, Obama, and GoI on issues as discussed above, my comparative rating will be: Baba- outstanding; Obama- good and GoI-bad. In government, annul performance is measured in the descending order of work quality- outstanding, very good, good, satisfactory, bad.
On above rating, any criticism against Baba is not convincing. Criticizing is the easiest work. But taking quality decisions in a charged atmosphere (in mobs) and emergency situation is a Herculean task. As professor, author may be excused on her views and tone. But the achievements of Baba can be realized only by a guy dealing in law and order as SDM, ADM, DM, DC. None other can get the real touch like this author. Inspite of all turmoil no casualty and everything passed off peacefully. What is the net result? Indian black money issue is an international issue and talk of the town.
Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/The-Way-Of-Satyagraha/articleshow/9259124.cms#write

Unreasonable Plea of GoI on SIT

2011-07-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

On black money issue Supreme Court (SC) formed a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to monitor the progress of investigation. The SIT formed by Government of India (GoI) was made of officials. The role of officials who act as puppet to ruling party and GoI can do anything fruitful on this daunting task? Sagging image of Babus and not implementing court orders in letter and spirit compelled judge to think some ways to give results. This is necessary to save the public faith in the system.
Actually court orders are passed by judges and it is complied by babus in the directions of political bosses. If order is affecting the interest of babus and leaders, its implementation will be only a show-off just to avoid court of contempt. Therefore, actual justice as desired by the judgment is denied. As a result, on one hand this weakens the very purpose of judiciary and on the other hand aggrieved is forced to eat half-baked chicken. Additionally Government machinery looses public faith by overlooking actual implementation.
To protect the interest of all stakeholders- judiciary, aggrieved, babus and political actors- Judges are monitoring the progress of implementation. This gave good result and babus got free hand to work as per rule. This reduces the undue pressure on bureaucracy. And in turn public hailed the judicial actions. Seeing the time consuming process for Black money issue, they modified the SIT and inserted two tough and honest judges along with others. This annoyed and irritated GoI. There are solid reasons for doing this. Without retired judge SIT has no faith of public under present circumstances. Overburdened judges don’t have time to spare for this issue over a period of time. This complex issue needs combined effect of all wings. So, without judges in SIT, whole exercise would be not that useful. As rightly said justice should not be only done but it should also be felt.
With a plea that judiciary is taking over executive functions, GoI has moved a review petition in SC. This step of GoI is not in its favor. Government has to think why this situation arose. Is government not responsible for this? Answer is yes. If answer is yes then the role of Judiciary automatically comes in picture to see where government lacks to check growing black money by not following the rules and regulations enacted for this. Compliance of judicial order is the first and foremost duty of the court. If government is not implementing the judicial order and making it a point of joke, then it is the pious duty of the court to evolve some mechanism like SIT. Otherwise judicial faith will loose its ground form public mind.
Well known that Hasan ali would have not arrested if SC was not monitoring the case. Baba Ram Deo popularizes the issue and what treatment he got. This is good enough to prove the Government thoughts and intention on black money. Here public sees intention of SC and Govt. There is no suspicion about SC but it is not good for GoI. This is a self suicidal step for the Government. If Government is doing well, what is to worry, anyone can monitor. This action has strengthened the public opinion that GoI is trying not to do anything on black money issue. GoI is trying to foil the efforts of all other wings. If judiciary will stick to its present SIT and will not allow any amendment. Its image will improve further. Through this GoI is trying to make SIT controversial to win over the situation. But under present situation this tactics in not going to succeed.
Personally, I am of the opinion that if judiciary is passing any judgment and its compliance is done as per the intent of the judgment, Then what option is left with judiciary. Moreover, it is the duty of the court to get its order complied as intended. SIT is just a mechanism developed- seeing the intention of GoI-to implement the order passed about the Black money. Where the judiciary is doing the role of executive? Getting implemented the order through a mechanism with the help of retired judges is not intrusion in the executive domain. Instead Judiciary is helping the government by giving him a good tool in the form of SIT. A combined effort in needed for this complicated issue. Inspite thanking the Judges, They are being blamed by GoI on jurisdiction. Hurt to see this ugly situation on the part of GoI. Hope good sense will prevail and GoI will not insist it further.

Related to news link:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Judiciary-taking-over-executives-functions-Govt-to-SC/articleshow/9241091.cms

Fight of Juridiction

2011-07-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

The Most Demanded Social & Political Product: Lokpal

2011-06-26T01:47:00.000-07:00

The Most Demanded Social & Political Product: Lokpal

Why Lokpal: The country is today ridden by corruption. Whether it be routine transactions that involve the government or services and amenities and benefits provided through the public exchequer, the ordinary citizen pays a price daily in terms of harassment, delays, poor quality, absent infrastructure and in-equal access. What we need is an effective and independent institutional mechanism for tackling the malaise of corruption in this country which we haven’t. Lokpal has played an effective role in checking corruption and wrong-doing in Scandinavian and other nations. The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) set up in 1966 recommended the constitution of two-tier machinery - Lokpal at the Centre, and Lokayukta(s) in the states. What if head of party and head of the government or organization do corruption in a organized manner? To support this many visible examples are in public domain for example many CMs, CJI, top most IAS, babus are under cloud.

History: The Lokpal Bill introduced in 4th Lok Sabha in 1969 but could not get through in the Rajya Sabha, subsequently, Lokpal bills were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008, yet not passed and pending since 42 years. A big hue and cry about it is going on nowadays.

Lokpal as social and political product: it was an invisible issue before April 2011 like other bills for example Womens reservation. Baba Ramdeo founded Bharat Swabhiman trust on January 5, 2009. He was canvassing and making public aware against corruption and black money in his Yoga camps. He toured rigorously and brought in limelight as per his site :1) Our country must get back around 400 lakh crore rupess which is a national asset, 2) By making hard laws of able lokpal completely eradicate corruption, 3) Foreign system (British rule) running in independent India must stop so that all get economic and social justice.

To achieve desired results he applied tools, technology, tricks and concepts of ICT and marketing for these social issues like any commercial product. By using modern social media and applying marketing fundamentals, he made these issues visible and important in pubic eye in a very short span of 2 years.

In the mean time assessing the visibility of the issues, Anna team brought the solution in the form of Lokpal to curb corruption. His Gandhian style and austere life is his great strength. He has a good team of experienced and learned people of different fields. Hence his coterie is now a civil cabinet at national level to market social products. He sat on Jantar Mantar on 4th April to have a strong and capable lokpal to provide medicine to a country-wide problem of corruption. Demand was already created over the years by all level of growing corruptions and Baba added salt to it by his Bharat Swabhiman trust. Anna tried to match this huge social demand by supplying its solution in the form of Lokpal. Disappointed citizens purchased this social product and in exchange giving unexpected support. Naturally this annoyed Baba and he showed it in his style on Bhusons inclusion issue.

The opposition by the powerhouse (GoI) making the things easy for Anna team. The opposition on the role of civil society in policy making is a big issue now. In almost all fields, civil societies are assisting and working in various ways but its first-time entry in policy enactment area has raised eye-brows of political actors. They are feeling this incident as an intrusion. During my study in USA, in a political economy course, I did a project related to Oxfam International (OI). OI is a NGO which is doing such jobs since 1990. To be not influenced by governments and to influence them, it doesn’t take government grants. So role of NGOs in policy making area can’t be held for longer in India too like outside. Our political actors must learn from outside and mold themselves accordingly.

Theoretically speaking, in any policy making the first step is constituency building that is demand generation for the issue or making it visible and popular. Lokpal is now talk of the town all over the country and abroad. So its first step is 100% successful. The second step is drafting the bill document. Now a parallel draft of civil society is in public domain. If government will bring any weak and ineffective bill, it will be compared and will expose the intension for fighting the corruption. So, enacting a weak and showy lokpal bill prove counterproductive to the party in government.

How it is the best social and political product: Citizens are facing corruption everyday in one form or other. Anna is now a symbolic hope for all sections of society including politicians and political parties. On political lines one can’t say anything but in personal capacity mostly are with team Anna. Anna is trying to brand his social product Lokpal to get the emotional attachment of citizens. For this, he is saying it is a movement to liberate the country from corruption like Gandhiji’s movement of freeing country form British rule. We can say one more similarity in this liberation movement. Anna represents Naram Dal and Baba Garam Dal. Swabhiman site home page mentions in priceless thoughts about revolutionaries.

I hope this social marketing strategy through branding will bring the desired result in day to come as it a great social potent product.

Political product: States and Parliament elections are contested on some issues having wide constituency. Bad governance and rampant corruption in states have made corruption and development election issues. Gujarat, New Delhi, Bihar are good examples in support of this point. Recent elections of Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal endorse it. Current trend shows that in 2012 UP election. Good governance will also be an issue and it’s by product will be issue of law and order. Likewise, in parliament elections, Mandal, Mandir were issues-related to non-governance. But in 2009, good governance and corruption free image of Manmohan was prime factor of UPA repetition. The clean image of PM was the political product to sell in 2009 parliament election. BJP tried to make black money an election issue in last parliament election. Now seed of corruption is showed by Baba and Anna in political field of India. 2014 will see this as an issue to be contested upon. Reason being, this issue is beneficial to all stakeholders-public, civil society, politicians. This is the reason GoI is trying to bury this issue by making this 42 years old pending bill into an act in coming parliament session. Situations have made “Lokpal” the best current political product of India.

Dispute between Anna team and Government: If we read between the lines, there is no difference as basics are agreed upon that is it must be passed in coming session of parliament. Political economy is the main hurdle for the government. Doing political business Congress led government will try all its best to get its credit. To acquire the benefit, they are trying to dilute the position of civil society and oppositions through different diplomacy and tactics. There are so many compromised formulas which will suit both the sides. But Government is fighting for its business to maximise its political economy. Merchant Minhaz suggests one most amicable compromised solution in his article in ToI on June 15,2011.

first, should the prime minister come within the purview of the Lokpal? Yes: the prime minister as head of the government must welcome institutional scrutiny - as, for instance, US presidents routinely do - not evade it.
Secondly, should the higher judiciary (high court and Supreme Court judges) fall within the purview of the Lokpal? No, the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, currently under legislative review, should instead be strengthened to include a judicial commission which would hear public complaints against senior judges. The judicial commission could have five members: the chairperson of the Lokpal body, the central vigilance commissioner, the leader of the opposition, a senior government minister and a former chief justice of India.

Corruption is not a normal issue as it looks- affecting whole country. So, it needs a movement like led by Gandhiji and will take its own time. A start has been by Anna and Baba. It will see many more ups and downs. So far, we have seen one up and one down of Anna and Baba. Citizens need to push their effort to achieve this patiently and continuously. Indian governance is very complex as diversity is its basic nature. For government, making a balance among all factors is not an easy task. Congress will move in steps and gradually like in 2G and CWG. In these two aslo, first they oppose like lokpal , but public pressure molded them for actions and still actions are in progress. It seems Lokpal will see the light of the day in steps and gradually and not in one go. Since this is the best current social and political product. So, it can’t be set in reverse gear as it has win-win situations for all stakeholders.

Heera lal

www.makingyouhappy.org

Synopsis of my Ph.D. : Study of ICT enabled services to Social and Political Marketing

2011-06-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Study of ICT enabled services to Social and Political Marketing

Heera Lal

Joint Registrar(Executive), State Public Administrative Tribunal

Govt of Uttar Pradesh

India has come a long way to maturity as an independent nation and had its share of ups and downs, the country has changed drastically in terms of economic prosperity as well as lived the concept of a welfare state.

In the age of expanding satellite service, fast growing awareness and melting boundaries make it difficult for public managers, social workers and political actors to connect, engage and communicate with the public, masses and voters to the level of their satisfaction.

To satisfy masses and voters, social and political sectors broadened its boundaries by using concepts and tools of Information Technology (IT or ICT) and marketing. IT has affected and impacted all walks of life in the society. It has brought India on world map by exporting its services worldwide- particularly USA. Likewise innovative and investigative marketing concepts have galvanized vast consumer sector of India too. Keeping in view the vast landscape, number and fast desired speed, social and political sector must work in tandem with IT and marketing for achieving the desired results,. These two factors have contributed to the exclusive growth of the country immensely and have brought the results, but Indians lag behind in the fusion of the above two in order to be a developed welfare state with both factors complimenting each other.

In exclusive growth, social, public and political actors have a major role to play. Fast changing mind set of pubic where none is will to wait has compelled these sectors to replace their traditional ways and means with modern concepts, tools and technology. Indian Yoga Guru Baba Ram Dev is one of the best current practicing social marketer while President Barrack Obama has set precedent in political marketing as well as good governance worldwide.

Recent result trends of elections and mass movement against corruption, black money and bad governance are clear indications from the masses that they wish to get rid of these things sooner than later. To fulfill these desires of the masses, our political, social and public players need to emulate the modern concept of social and political marketing in establishing India as a welfare and developed country the earliest possible. Without the use to these, we can get the name of India in the list of developed countries soon as desired as well as the desired result of inclusive growth.

The idea proposed is to research the impact and effect of IT and marketing that can be employed as a tool and technique to foster social marketing efforts in India. It also aims at developing a strong medium which can be practiced to evolve political marketing initiative as well.

Objective of the proposed research are:

To investigate how IT enabled services can compliment the social and political marketing.
To develop a formal framework to achieve the good governance.

References:

1. Heera Lal, “How to use social media in indian election”, The south asian time, pp 24-25,May 1,2010, NY, USA

2. Henneberg, “ Political marketing theory : Hendiadyoin or Oxymoron”, Working Paper, School of Management, University of Bath, UK.

Legislature-Executive Vs Judiciary- Civil Society

2011-06-18T04:55:00.000-07:00

Legislature-Executive Vs Judiciary- Civil Society

Recently latter has gained ground over former in India

After independence, constitution empowers legislature to make welfare laws to develop the nation. British rule ruined our nation. Permanent bureaucracy, also known as steel frame, is tasked to implement the laws. It was expected that both would work in tandem to convert the constitutional dream into a reality. But after more than 62 years, dream is still dream for the majority. People, particularly middle and lower class, don’t see desired change in there condition and some see no change. The World Bank repot of September 2010 says 28 % in rural and 26 % in urban are living below national poverty line. They didn’t acquire required capacity to manage their day-t0-day life needs. They are now convinced that hard and grave situation is their fate of life. It doesn’t mean, they didn’t make effort to imbibe the fruits of development. Tried but didn’t get response. And finally compromised and waiting some ray of hope to come to save them. There is an overall despair in the society as their voice in unheard. They are subjected to injustice frequently and are paying prices for others fault. For these lots, democracy doesn’t bring the dreamed fruits of life.

Question now why this situation and how this happened. Change is the basic reality of life. This can be accommodated by enacting new laws and amending the existing one. Our constitution permits us to enact laws as and when needed and amend it as required to accommodate the progressive changes. This must be to keep laws relevant and suitable in all situations. Very old land acquisition law of 1894 is a good example to understand this point. Likewise, many others old laws are not amended to make them relevant. Therefore, they are not benefiting, instead harming. On this front, our legislature didn’t stand as expected. One can easily assessed what and how much harm old land acquisition act has inflicted to our farmers. For saying, we boast, we have law on this issue. But it is playing a negative role and weakening our backbone. In our agricultural country, farmers are the backbone of the nation- known in Hindustan as Annadata- food provider.

India is developing with good GDP rate. So, new laws are required to accommodate the progress. Lokpal is a good example of this to understand whole story. Just after freedom, it was not needed much. But as country progressed, corruption also increased. With the advent of Member of Parliament local area development scheme in December 1993, the corruption rate rises in politics and a systemized corruption griped our political actor. Contrary, Parallel IT revolution helped in enhancing the transparency. Thus it catalyzed digging corrupt actions.

To contain this ugly situation within the limits, the demand of a body likes Lokpal- protector of people-increased. Law making is the first and foremost duty of our honorable. Our legislature neither enacted Lokpal nor amended concern exiting laws. Lokpal is pending since 1969. Therefore, corruption keeps increasing. Still, they don’t feel its importance and therefore its need. Our legislature failed in discharging their very basic duty of law making too. Concluding, our legislature didn’t work as expected on basic front of two duties- law making and amending.

The existing friction between leaders and babus regarding the enjoyment of actual power is also a cause among others. This accelerated the deterioration. Leaders instead of focusing to their basic duties of laws started interfering in babus work. And to prevail over them, they took help of transfer and setting up inquires. Fast falling values, degrading social commitment and growing greed made bureaucracy puppet of leaders. And finally they compromised and become partner in law breaking and money making industry.

Without babus’ help, leaders can’t do any wrong as this power rest with them. Partnership is the most suitable proposition for both. To avoid this situation nothing has been done. Interference in daily working increased and worse situation we have reached now. This clearly implies, implementation deteriorated and corruption grip increased gradually. The police are now playing the role of thief in disguise. This is the most correct evaluation of current situation. Like leaders, steel frame rusted and implementation is not as per design of the program and project. As a result duo (Leaders-babus) has lost the public faith. To regain ground nothing concrete is done. Second administrative reform bill is eating dust drafted by Veerapa Moily and his team.

As such judiciary has limited and rare role to play in day-to-day life. So, public expectations are also less as compared to other pillars of democracy. Judiciary comes in picture when laws in not implemented as per its design or a law is misinterpreted. Bureaucracy does this either for self gain or under pressure of bosses or leaders. With the deteriorating implementation and misreading laws by them, Judiciary gains the ground.

Since legislature-babus-two sides of a coin- didn’t discharge the desired duties. So, the role of judiciary is getting prominence. Though, judiciary’s role is also not up to the expectation and alone it can’t do much. That’s why the judicial standards and accountability bill is in offing. It needs some partner to bring the desired result. Thus, a good combination of judiciary and civil society has formed to fill the gap created by Legislature and babus. Its true that if all three main pillars-legislature, executive, judiciary- of a democracy don’t work well. Then the role of society comes in picture automatically.

Judiciary- Civil society is acting as ray of hope for the disappointed society nowadays. This is one reason among lots that they are getting overwhelming public support. In our country NGO are playing roles in all walks of life expect policy making. Outside the country NGO are involved in policy making too. Oxfam America did such work in 1996 and it is a good example of such NGOs.

The supreme court of India has played its good role recently. It is an open secret that Hasan Ali went in jail when our justice enjoyed power. If judiciary would not have been in picture, our dream to see Ali in jail would have been a day-dream. Good judicial actions revive the hope of public. To supplement the judicial action, civil society acted as catalyst. Civil Society took the public issue of corruption which is harming them the most and often. True Gandhian style of Anna made him unelected mass leader and public hero over night. Latter on Baba Ramdeo took black money issue and jolted Government of India.

What national parties couldn’t do? Anna and Baba did overnight. BJP wanted to contest 2009 election with corruption as an issue. But it was unable to do so. What powerless Anna did is well known. Similarly, black money issue was not visible. Now what is situation after Baba’s agitation? Thanks to civil society, who used its public power to put pressure to curb these two societal cancers? Can any government ignore the civil society’s power? If yes, then why Government of India is active on both issues after sitting idle for long. Civil society always plays constructive role in all walks of life provided its capacity utilized properly. In preset scenario, any adverse comment against civil society would harm our democracy. Thus their issues should be taken seriously to provide proper solution for them.

Judiciary-Civil society activisms have revived the hope of public to a greater extent. Notion of thinking that corruption is incurable has weakened. On this minor progress, Public are giving all support to civil society. They are not giving heed to some irrelevant utterances of leaders regarding Anna and Baba as their work is in national interest and to benefit every citizen. Uttering leaders don’t enjoy public faith on these two issues. Judiciary- civil society has gained prominence and ground lost by the legislature-babus due to their inactions. This comparison of duo has given us an insight about the strength of NGOs and civil society.

The best hope for advancing freedom and democracy among oppressed nations of the world comes not from armed struggle and not from the intervention of foreign powers, but from democratic civil society organizations engaged in strategic nonviolent action.

Now Anna and Baba is unanimous leader to carry the movement of liberating the country from the clutched of corruption. Hence taking the heart power to civil society lightly and decrying them is not good approach by any identity. All such identities and forces would pay heavy price in duo course of time.

(Views are in personal capacity based on different sources)

Heera Lal

www.makingyouhappy.org

References:

1. http://www.worldbank.org.in/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/INDIAEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20195738~pagePK:141137~piPK:141127~theSitePK:295584,00.html

2 http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jul/31adv.htm

3. http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/peoreport/peoevalu/peo_mplad.pdf

4. http://sabareeshpillai.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-defence-of-mplad-scheme-wwwmylawnet.html

5. http://www.nios.ac.in/srsec317newE/317EL35.pdf

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_Reforms_Commission

7 http://www.asienhaus.de/public/archiv/Chap3.pdf

8 http://www.idec.gr/iier/new/3rd%20Panhellenic%20Conference/NAE-GRIGORE-%20NGOS%20ENGAGMENT%20IN%20INTERNATIONAL%20PUBLIC%20POLICY.pdf

9. http://www.rosalux.sn/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Introduction-to-Non-Violent-Strugggle.pdf

Congress, Corruption and Counseling

2011-06-12T22:34:00.000-07:00

There may be some relief for time being for congress and Manmohan Singh as Baba Ramdeo ended his fast on 12 June which he started on 4^th from Ram Lila ground Delhi. It is a general perception that corruption and black money are byproducts of congress’s bad governance. After independence, congress ruled the country all along, except a full term of BJP ruled by Atalji. One question which every Indian citizen would like to know “How corruption and black money flourished after 1947 and who is responsible for it.” Diagnosing the case, we find, congress ruled most of the time with some intermittent intervals of no significance. Morraji Desai, Inder kuamr Gujral, Chaudhary charan Singh, Devagoda, Chandra shekhar, Lal bahadur shashrit, V P Singh and Atalji were lucky to serve the country form the most powerful seat. But at the same time, they were unlucky also, as none got full term except Atalji- he got one after a short term. If one determines responsibility for corruption and black money, these intermittent PMs would take excuse that they got very short period, so couldn’t do anything effective. But what answer congress will put before the nation. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajeev Gandhi and now Manmohan Singh got sufficient time to cure and check this cancerous disease.

For the sake of saying, we are multi-party system in India, but prior to Atal our polity-system was effectively single-party-system. At national level congress was only effective party. The advent of AtalJi as PM made our polity two-party-system in true scenes. Situation is still same as at national level only congress and BJP is having wide followings and many CMs. On this front also congress is cornered. Simply we can say congress would have cured easily as there was no strong opposition.

Slowly and gradually, corruption becomes part of life. Citizens oppose it but there was no way out, except to accept it and keep it as anger. With the passage of the time, the overload corruption is now unbearable and intolerable. Citizens are simmering under heavyweight of anger of corruption and trying to find some means to take it out. In this regard, all constitutional organs contributed but lions share is of Legislative and followed by babus. Public have lost hope with these two wings and they think them real culprit. They were looking for a ray of hope for long to challenge these menace. BJP tried to make black money an issue in 2009 election but didn’t get public attention. Public knows, they also did nothing to curb corruption in preceding five years- with Atal as PM. People are disappointed with these two actual national parties and trying to get alternative means.

Baba Ramdeo popularized yoga to remove health problems. He reached to a large section of society through his ICT enabled social marketing routes. Almost 4% populations have access to internet to facilitate the molding of public opinion to have a strong soft power. Mobile has an added advantage over internet as its reach is more wide-spread as compared to internet. Its catalytic action made Baba the foremost figure on this social issue, in a very short span and he did it successfully using modern tools, technology and tactics of ICT and marketing. He is a great social marketer. He started awakening public on this social issue by forming a trust- Bharat Swabhiman. In the mean time, Anna Hazare took up the issue of lokpal bill and sat on Jantar Mantar. Public got the vent to blow out their accumulated anger with the help of Annaji. He acted as venting rod and in exchange he got support what they could not have imagined. Congress assessed the gravity and accepted the demand. This incident made corruption start floating as an issue in the society, but as natural, Baba was not happy as Anna reaped the crop sowed by Baba. To regain the lost ground, Baba announced his program of protest with three issues and bringing Black money stashed outside was prominent among them.

Manmohan government handled Anna episode tactfully without any great loss, but did’t learn any lesson as evident by baba’s case. So, by mishandling the Baba’s case, congress will pay a heavy cost for it in long-term. After forceful eviction in midnight from Delhi, Baba kept his fast and got wide publicity over a longer period. Phase-1 of Anna and Baba is over now. Both are cent-percent successful in their aim to make the issue popular. Like Bofors and Mandal, the trees of corruption and black money are panted by duo. It will give sever pain in due course and finally congress will have to pay its cost in 2014 election. After some break, both team will raise their issues and play in full swing as annoyed to make it a permanent imprint in citizen’s mind. Acharya Balkrishna announced that phase-2 of Baba’s stir in 3 months. They have enough time to do their job as 2014 election is almost 3 yrs away from now. Present public mood indicates that next loksabha election may be fought on these social issues. Annoyed Anna and irritated Baba is not going to sit ideally till they achieve something concrete to show the followers. Anna has a good team and maturity and Baba will mature on social front as this incident has jolted him from inside to learn a lot. It is hoped his Phase-2 will be in better shape and will show maturity and seriousness in style like Anna do.

Team Anna wanted to be a part of Lokpal drafting team. Seeing the mounting public pressure, good sense prevailed. Hence, Manmohan accepted the demand immediately and shortened the life of this incident to minimize the damage. Both teams of Anna and Government managed the situation showing expected maturity. After accepting demand, Government with the congress help tried to malign image of the team Anna. This annoyed public against congress as public is fed-up with it and don’t want to hear anything on this. All such implicit or explicit actions are counter productive. In Baba’s case, both team-Baba and Government showed immature actions and reactions. The forceful eviction decision in midnight from Ramlila Ground was an administrative blunder in congress history as endorsed by veteran congress leader Basant Sathe in a statement. On the whole, so far, overall gainer is Baba and overall looser is congress and Manmohan government. His continued fast and deteriorating health for more than 8 days, kept him continuously in news with wide coverage in all media. This made his issue more popular than expected. Baba became champion of black money due to miscalculated move by government and illogical and loose talks by some congress leaders. Congress’ image has sagged greatly with public perception that it is trying to crush the movement or divert the issue against corruption and black money by duo. Congress applied same tactics to malign the image of Baba also like Anna by laughable, light and loose-statements. During whole episode Digvijay Singh become famous as man of loose-talk and non-serious leader. His personal image has suffered a lot. This is the reason public pelted stone at his house situated in MP and tried to lodge FIR too as evident form news.

Problems started by a CAG report in 2G spectrum and followed by CWG, Adarsh housing society scams. BJP blew these issues out of proportion one after the other and did ICT enabled political marketing to get political mileage but at fiasco. Why? Public knows the inside story that BJP did nothing while in power. All along the

episode, public showed one more very peculiar sentiment that they didn’t want to drag these nation importance issues into politics. Government controlled the emergency situation and minimized the damage by sending A. Raja and Kalmani to jail and by changing CM in Maharashtra. In public’s eyes congress took wise step to manage then immediate political crisis and compulsions. Actions in different cases improved the sagging reputation and public was convinced that congress is doing Ok if not good.

But in case of Baba, things are beyond thinking. Administrative scanning and analysis show that mismanagement has created an impression that congress is making an all out effort to foil the movement against corruption. Congress fears if it will surface many its person may be in trouble. Public also thought that corruption and black money are two bad intangible social products of proudy governance of congress. If it will be an issue in coming elections-having potential to be, it would not be easy for congress to avoid its ownership. As opposition, BJP will try its best to prove congress as parent of these two bad produces. And finally it may lead to great loss- to the extent may be of loosing government like Bofors and Mandal in past. History repeats itself fit here.

In short-term, it looks good for political managers and actors in containing the situation, but in long-term congress has to pay a heavy price with high interest rate if corrective measures are not undertaken immediately. To support, see statement of Prnab Mukharjee. He called incident as unfortunate and this was supplemented by defense minister concisely. He who is one confident of top leadership and enjoying good reputation as Mr. clean said very rightly “Transition to Transparency can’t be stopped midway.” This is a timely advisory from within to purge the sin to fit in the party and government in the public mould. Congress has sufficient time to put the things in reverse gear in the clean leadership of Anthony on these issues – unlike Sibal and Digvijay, provided good sense prevails. To achieve this, congress needs to prove its honest efforts to the masses through different visible actions and initiatives. Further congress must try an all out effort to fulfill the public’s demand on these two issues to make BJP, Anna and Baba offensive from their defensive point of firing.

Transparency is getting grip worldwide. This is in fact a time of wonder for politics with its 'transparency revolution, India is joining in. It's time for our politicians to see that big picture. And drop their small talk. Congress should take the lead being oldest party instead looking backward.

(Views are in personal capacity based on different sources)

Heera Lal

www.makingyouhappy.org

Servant leadership

2011-05-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

Servant leadership: I saw the definition and concept coined by great organizational guru Robert K. Greenleaf. A person with intense desire to serve will finally land to lead and will take the command of leadership, How?

Strong desire forces a person to serve the people by heart and soul. This will develop a lot many followings

(among to whom services are provided) gradually. And finally, he will be the leader of the community being served.

Leadership is the consequences of intense desire to serve, so to serve is the first and foremost quality of a servant leadership.

From above (which is my understanding about the servant leadership?) concept when I evaluate myself, found myself a perfect servant leadership.

I am a permanent career bureaucrat in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. As per my job profile, state government transfers me to different locations and in different capacity as overall administrator (ruler) and commander of the jurisdiction assigned. My strong internal desire to serve the public promotes me to serve the people in a better way. My better services gave me goodwill and confidence of public to whom I served and finally I became their leader. In the servant leadership criteria, I found my style of functioning a complete fitting.

As Mayer of Municipality provided quality and expected timely services to public and finally was more popular than an elected leader of the area. Similarly, in natural disaster, managed relief activities as per the expectation of public in district Farrukhabad, went and walked in deep water to manage efficiently. As a result overnight I became hero in public and media. The desire to serve forces me to walk deep into water for more than 5 kilometers to take stock of situation first hand. Wherever I was posted, I became leader by serving public qualitatively and timely.

Though still in job, but the strong desire compelled me to serve. So I launched my own site to make people happy by resolving conflicts and counseling to provide right path, direction. This activity is in parallel to my permanent job which is free of cost. If one will read my site www.makingyouhappy.org thoroughly, one can easily read my mindset and thought process without any fail.

Since my mindset, style of working and thinking is matching with the Guru Robert K. Greenleaf, so I would like to associate with your Greenleaf center to further the mission of servant leadership concept.

Please guide me future course of action. Hoping a prompt reply.

Link: www.greenleaf.org

Perform or Go

2011-05-14T05:37:00.001-07:00

The slogan ‘The change we can believe in’ made Obama President because he proved himself as agent of change during his election. Likewise Mamta also projected and proved herself as a agent of change against mighty CPM and got thumping majority. Both are good public figure- being not corrupt and fighter for public causes. Obama made history by becoming first black president while Mamta made history by devastating 34 years strong citadel of CPM.

The assemblies election is very much affected by Baba Ram Dev and Anna, but not visible. Baba planted tree to fight against corruption through his Swabhiman awareness campaign and Anna irrigated it by sitting on Jantar Mantar. This way duo paves the way to charge the battery against corruption, non-performer and bad governance. The recently charged atmosphere helps in bring down the non performer-WB and corrupt-TN and promoted Tarun Gagoi as he acted otherwise to perform- astonishing third time come back.

Keeping the result of Shiv Raj Chauhan(MP), Shila Dixit(Delhi), Narendra Modi(Gujrat),Nitish Kumar(Bihar) and Tarun Gagoi(Assam) in view, we can say to regain power in India politics, CMs have to perform now. This is a good trend and happy news for Indians. The main hurdle in performance is corruption. This also implies, now public will not tolerate corruption on the part of public and political actors. This is well proved if we see in the light of self- giving support of public to AnnaJi.

Thanks and Regards,

Heera Lal

www.makingyouhappy.org

Cell: 9412493734