It was not ‘business as usual’ in a B-school campus! Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, one who basks in glory of being ‘best finance institute’ invited a Comrade to deliver speech in Institute Lecture series! Mr. Sitaram Yechuri, CPIM Rajya Sabha MP was the guest for today’s occasion!
The discussion was all about Crony Capitalism with special reference to ‘all India Radia!’ How Crony Capitalism is destroying the Democracy at large came back over and again in his speech.
What is this Crony Capitalism? It is a form of capitalist economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials. In other words, it’s a ‘sweetheart deal’ and nepotism performs at its best while government (or any government officials) grants contracts, legal permits, special tax breaks etc.
Yechuri pointed out, collateral damage is taking place due to vicious presence of Crony Capitalism. Not only multi crore rupees 2G Spectrum Allocation or Commonwealth Game Scandal, but the ‘invisible hand’ (not in the context of Adam Smith) was seen in illegal mining, Adarsh housing scams too! In this nexus, natural resources too have been destroyed (illegal mining etc.) and amount of collateral damage was huge! If corruption becomes the key in almost every deal, so how could be democracy prevail unhurt? So, carcinogenic Crony Capitalism is gradually chomping the strongest pillar of Indian Constitution i.e. Democracy!
Honest politicians are soon becoming an endangered species; even Yechuri has jokingly admitted the same while telling that ‘(for a politician) most creative ingenuity can be found in corruption and money-making, though others are not in other orbit!’ The way thousands of crores of rupees being wasted in several scams, that is actually hindering the social progress. ‘Right to Education’ can actually becomes a full-fledged reality had thousands of crores of rupees not being wasted in 2G scams! According to a survey by NEPA, now it would take more time to be implemented as more and more fund is needed. Food Security is still a dream for India. Left parties asked the government, no need to discriminate AP-BPL, give all Indian household 35-kg rice/month. For that Rs. 82,000 crore additional fund is needed and now just think of what happened during CWG!! The reality is, 77% of Indian population living on less than 20 rupees a day, whereas we are getting to see almost in every second day a multi-million scam is unfolding! So, in a way Crony Capitalism is destroying the future is what Yechuri believes. Can India actually afford this much of waste? He asked the questions to the managers-to-be!
But how could a politician stay away from political comments? References of ‘Historical Blunder’ did come while replying a question, so did the issue of tussle between Achuthnandan-Vijayan in a subtle manner, Mamata Banerjee’s Poltical Hungama! Though Comrade didn’t take a single name other than A Raja!
With great pride he told, that not a single name of any left leaders in 2G scams, and in Hawalacase was there! But morality, principle, value is no more a basis while politicians ask for vote! ‘People’s mandate has been bought’ so many a times bright and deserving persons are losing and Money-Muscle is having the last laugh!
He has drawn our attention to the fact, two Indias are being made. At one hand, we are striking deals after deals with G5 countries and focusing on bilateral trade, technology transfer etc. and on the other more than 40% people don’t get a square meal a day! Population has become liability for the government whereas this must be seen as an asset as 54% of them are under the age of 25. So if all of them can be provided with food-health-education, India can change and for better.
But why should anyone vote for the Left? While replying this question, Yechuri told that India wasn’t fall down during the last economic recession because of Left’s timely intervention with government’s economic policies. He cited the examples of, not allowing full convertibility of rupee, foreign banks taking over Indian banks, FDI in Insuarance, Pension fund privatization etc. Had all of them taken place, could India survive the recession? Then a square drive, ‘aren’t these enough reasons to vote for the leftists coupling with morality and honesty, what say?’
Yechuri believes that, economic reforms have in-built mechanism to Crony Capitalism. By any means Crony Capitalism needs to be eliminated. He requested PM Manmohan Singh to take the initiatives in doing so.
And he ended with changing nature of management studies. He called Management studies a ‘trans- disciplinary’ segment, no more a multi-disciplinary! And onus is on the management graduates to drive away the evil called Crony Capitalism while making policies for their respective employers! And future of India lies in management exercise!
Though I wanted to ask him a question… Crony Capitalism is destructive, so is capitalism (though from a different perspective). Between these, where does Communism stand? Is it really dead or actually can play a role in throwing away Crony Capitalism? The question was unheard and naturally, the reply too!!
Still, Welcome comrade!! Different stroke in the hotbed of Capitalism!!
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Friday, 17 December 2010
Monday, 8 November 2010
Mr. President: Yes, We CAN!!
‘Dream a huge, big and a gigantic dream!’ The first lady of USA has asked the generation Y of India. She knows the power of dream. Her dream, sorry, their dream has given them a new residence at White House: The dream ‘Yes, we can!’
So the dream merchants are now in India: Mr. Barack Hussain Obama and Ms. Michelle Obama. They are selling different kinds of dream in a packaged form. Though, these dreams cannot have any Freudian connotation but diplomatic and political inclination with a touch of Real Politik!
America’s dream of retaining its ‘economic superpower’ status had been shattered due to the recession which was as bad as 1930’s Great Depression but the effect was more on than the ‘30s! The rate of unemployment in USA in October, 2010 is alarmingly high! In every second day many employees are getting pink slips.
This year only, 141 American banks have been shut down, surpassing the worst period of recession! According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, this failure would cost $254 million! To stabilize the national economy, just before President Obama’s visit to India, US Federal Reserve announced that it would purchase the government securities worth $600 billion. In last quarter US Economy’s growth rate was 2%!
So, quite expectedly America has to strengthen its business ties with India as ‘natural ally’. And Mr. President has come here exactly for that reason. Just think about his contingent, 300 CEOs! It seems like the Chief Executive Officer of the United States of America has arrived!! He has already announced $10 billion trade deals which would create 54000 jobs in America. Economists estimate, to combat the unemployment rate, US needs to create atleast 3 lakhs jobs per month. Thus, it’s a tiny step only!!
For the first time ever, an US president has admitted that “"There (in USA) still exists a caricature of India as a land of call centers and back offices that cost American jobs. That's a real perception." He emphasized on dismissing this ‘old stereotypes’ in order to create jobs, growth and higher living standards for both the countries! The President wants India must lift barriers on certain sectors in relation to foreign investments! (namely retail and others). USA wants the Indian market to sell, he stated that while answering a question by a Mumbai college student.
America is no more the largest economy; it is struggling to fight unemployment and financial bankrupt situation. So, it needs newer market, by whatever means. Just think, an US president is openly admitting standing in a third world country that, “Now because of the rise of India, China and Brazil and some other nations, there is a real competition out there and potentially healthy. This is keeping the US on its toes, because I feel we still can compete." USA, once the monopoly of the economic activities, is now talking about creating a ‘win-win’ situation to sell products to Asian markets and openly admitting the threat from so-called poor nations (barring China ofcourse!).The president is again dreaming of prosperous USA.
And what one section of Indian media is doing? They are simply analyzing that why Obama is not coming out on Pakistan’s terror issue! Why would he do that? First of all, as long as Pakistani terror outfits are there that would help USA to sell sophisticated weapons, war jets to them, especially when their war-market is shrinking! Pakistan would give them similar amount of business, could be more than India in coming days. Pakistan is still limping to have a stable political and economic order, if USA lends them a helping hand (it is doing that), they would grab every single opportunity, much of USA’s interest! So why spoiling a stable relationship?
Moreover, he stated that Islam is a peaceful religion, Jehadis are giving a bad name to it. Rightly so! Thus, Pakistan is not a terror state but it’s not that quick on terror issue. It’s a subtle message to Pakistan as well that, ‘big brother is watching!’ How could a section of Indian media even thought of that Obama would call ‘Pakistan a terrorist state’ like the Indians do? Even I believe, Pakistan is not a terrorist state, peace-loving people live there too, though they are minority!
So, the way Politically, diplomatically and Economically Obama needs to deliver, he has delivered exactly on the expected lines!
Obama, otherwise a damn smart and young President is here to save his country, financially. His charm, easygoing attitude, spending time with underprivileged kids, interaction with the students are just fine! Michelle has become a star by her candour! But how could we forget the post he holds presently? May be he is a far better orator and administrator(?) than the erstwhile president George W Bush, but his policies are on the lines of US imperialism. He himself has admitted that. In his words, “I actually think that the US has an enormous partner in India probably because we have so many Indian Americans, because of the shared values that we have. India is going to be a critical partner with US in the 21st century. That was true when George Bush was President and that was true when Clinton was President. I don't think our firm belief is going to alter in a significant way.”
If you carefully read between the lines, the underneath message will come out that USA’s foreign policy is not changing. And USA knows India’s rightist governments’ love for them!
Yes, Mr. President we are also dreaming big with you, though a slightly different one! USA is bidding goodbye to its imperialism and a new world order is gradually taking place. The harbinger of the CHANGE, we believe, yes, we the Indians, CAN!
Enjoy, incredible India!!
So the dream merchants are now in India: Mr. Barack Hussain Obama and Ms. Michelle Obama. They are selling different kinds of dream in a packaged form. Though, these dreams cannot have any Freudian connotation but diplomatic and political inclination with a touch of Real Politik!
America’s dream of retaining its ‘economic superpower’ status had been shattered due to the recession which was as bad as 1930’s Great Depression but the effect was more on than the ‘30s! The rate of unemployment in USA in October, 2010 is alarmingly high! In every second day many employees are getting pink slips.
This year only, 141 American banks have been shut down, surpassing the worst period of recession! According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, this failure would cost $254 million! To stabilize the national economy, just before President Obama’s visit to India, US Federal Reserve announced that it would purchase the government securities worth $600 billion. In last quarter US Economy’s growth rate was 2%!
So, quite expectedly America has to strengthen its business ties with India as ‘natural ally’. And Mr. President has come here exactly for that reason. Just think about his contingent, 300 CEOs! It seems like the Chief Executive Officer of the United States of America has arrived!! He has already announced $10 billion trade deals which would create 54000 jobs in America. Economists estimate, to combat the unemployment rate, US needs to create atleast 3 lakhs jobs per month. Thus, it’s a tiny step only!!
For the first time ever, an US president has admitted that “"There (in USA) still exists a caricature of India as a land of call centers and back offices that cost American jobs. That's a real perception." He emphasized on dismissing this ‘old stereotypes’ in order to create jobs, growth and higher living standards for both the countries! The President wants India must lift barriers on certain sectors in relation to foreign investments! (namely retail and others). USA wants the Indian market to sell, he stated that while answering a question by a Mumbai college student.
America is no more the largest economy; it is struggling to fight unemployment and financial bankrupt situation. So, it needs newer market, by whatever means. Just think, an US president is openly admitting standing in a third world country that, “Now because of the rise of India, China and Brazil and some other nations, there is a real competition out there and potentially healthy. This is keeping the US on its toes, because I feel we still can compete." USA, once the monopoly of the economic activities, is now talking about creating a ‘win-win’ situation to sell products to Asian markets and openly admitting the threat from so-called poor nations (barring China ofcourse!).The president is again dreaming of prosperous USA.
And what one section of Indian media is doing? They are simply analyzing that why Obama is not coming out on Pakistan’s terror issue! Why would he do that? First of all, as long as Pakistani terror outfits are there that would help USA to sell sophisticated weapons, war jets to them, especially when their war-market is shrinking! Pakistan would give them similar amount of business, could be more than India in coming days. Pakistan is still limping to have a stable political and economic order, if USA lends them a helping hand (it is doing that), they would grab every single opportunity, much of USA’s interest! So why spoiling a stable relationship?
Moreover, he stated that Islam is a peaceful religion, Jehadis are giving a bad name to it. Rightly so! Thus, Pakistan is not a terror state but it’s not that quick on terror issue. It’s a subtle message to Pakistan as well that, ‘big brother is watching!’ How could a section of Indian media even thought of that Obama would call ‘Pakistan a terrorist state’ like the Indians do? Even I believe, Pakistan is not a terrorist state, peace-loving people live there too, though they are minority!
So, the way Politically, diplomatically and Economically Obama needs to deliver, he has delivered exactly on the expected lines!
Obama, otherwise a damn smart and young President is here to save his country, financially. His charm, easygoing attitude, spending time with underprivileged kids, interaction with the students are just fine! Michelle has become a star by her candour! But how could we forget the post he holds presently? May be he is a far better orator and administrator(?) than the erstwhile president George W Bush, but his policies are on the lines of US imperialism. He himself has admitted that. In his words, “I actually think that the US has an enormous partner in India probably because we have so many Indian Americans, because of the shared values that we have. India is going to be a critical partner with US in the 21st century. That was true when George Bush was President and that was true when Clinton was President. I don't think our firm belief is going to alter in a significant way.”
If you carefully read between the lines, the underneath message will come out that USA’s foreign policy is not changing. And USA knows India’s rightist governments’ love for them!
Yes, Mr. President we are also dreaming big with you, though a slightly different one! USA is bidding goodbye to its imperialism and a new world order is gradually taking place. The harbinger of the CHANGE, we believe, yes, we the Indians, CAN!
Enjoy, incredible India!!
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Third Exile? Not again
“raam banwaas se jab lautke ghar meiN aaye
yaad jungle bahut aayaa jo nagar meiN aaye
rakh-se diivaangii aaNgan meiN jo dekhaa hogaa
6 disumbar ko shrii raam ne sochaa hogaa
itne divaane kahaaN se mere ghar ko aaye
jagmagaate the jahaaN raam ke kadmoN ke nishaaN
pyaar kii kahkashaaN letii thii angRaaii jahaaN
moR nafrat ke usii rahguzar se aaye
dharm kyaa unkaa hai kyaa zaat hai yeh jaantaa kaun
ghar naa jaltaa tou unhe raat meiN pahchaantaa kaun
ghar jalaane ko meraa log jo ghar meiN aaye
shaakaahaarii hai mere dost tumhaaraa khanjar
tumne baabar ki taraf pheNke the saare pathar
hai mere sar kii khataa zakhm jo sar meiN aaye
paaNv saryu meiN abhii raam ne dhoye bhii naa the
ki nazar aaye vahaaN khuun ke gahre dhabe
paaNv dhoye binaa saryu ke kinaare se uThe
raajdhaani kii fizaa aayii nahii raas mujhe
6 disambar ko milaa duusraa banvaas mujhe”
This unforgettable creation of Kaifi Azmi saab has summarized that how the base of the secular India shaken and it got into communal polarization.
18 years have passed, but the blood stains are still fresh. As 24th is approaching, India is fearing the repercussion of the Judgment Day.
Tension?
Terrified?
Trademark of Indian Politics?
All the answers are in affirmative.
People are waiting for the verdict. Will it be a Red Letter Day of Secular India or will it be just another verdict which (expectedly) can let off all the big guns for ‘lack of evidence’? Attempt to defer the Judgment Day has not been entertained. So after the Kumbh Mela, Allahabad is getting such an attention.
Some believe, had 24-hour embedded journalism was there, the wonderful Mughal architecture wouldn’t have been destroyed so easily by the bigots in name of Lord Ram. I don’t fully agree with this argument, but one thing is for sure… had the Rao-led Congress government at the centre paid a little more attention to the intelligence report (it was told that people were gathering around the ‘controversial land’) and was prompt in action & attitude- this wouldn’t have happened. One of the most violent community clashes was not able to rape the cultural and social belief of Secular India.
Now, no use analyzing the facts which made 6th December, 1992 a black day since Cause-Effects-Aftermath-all are known.
The question in everyone’s mind is, will the 24th September verdict give justice to the victims and will the perpetrators of this heinous crime face exemplary punishment irrespective of their caste-creed-religion and more of POLITICAL COLOUR? The big challenge before Allahabad High Court is to prove the supremacy of the Judiciary and re-strengthen the age-old belief of Bharat: Secular nation state.
24th could see two things:-
· Verdict is given
· Adjournment
If the second option is exercised, this will be another defeat for Secular India as politicians already fear another bloodbath following the verdict. (Ironically they are the organizers of this kind of a crime which gives impetus to the fanatics. They just fan out the war-cry and people follow that blindly!) People may question the supremacy of the Judiciary.
But it is not based on assumption only. Very recently Central government has made an ‘APPEAL’ to maintain calm, harmony and integrity in the post verdict scenario. Religious leaders too are appealing for showing restrain.
I believe this appeal could be a Frankenstein. Why is the government thinking that there will be repercussion? Again there will be bloodbath on the streets in name of religion? Isn’t it titillation for a fanatic to act fast?
So, the Testing Time is here again. India has failed in few occasions but has shown RESILIENCE in countless events. If we want to see the glass half empty we would sight the example of 1947, 1969, 1992, 1993 and 2002. But we can boast of the fact that so many terror attacks took place in the communally sensitive areas like Akshardham temple, Malegao, Varanasi but it didn’t spark off any repercussion.
India is matured enough. Now it’s the duty of every responsible citizen to proof the politicians wrong (who will try to use the Verdict on his favour or playing with community emotions), despise the vote- bank politics and maintain the eternal tradition of Secular India-Not in letter but in Spirit too!
And India WILL …
INDIA CAN!
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