One day,
like Jack and Jill,
went up the hill,
to fetch a pail of water,
two guys,
X and Y,
walked downhill,
to a beer parlour in the city,
to have a bottle of beer,
Golden-eagle to X,
KingFisher to Y,
without a penny in anyone’s pocket,
found themselves,
seated face to face,
in a hazy, air-conditioned,
moon-lit beer parlour,
came both in seconds,
liquid gold,
found itself inside,
one designed glass,
the not so gold liquid,
found itself inside another glass,
both attractive and glittering,
a feast to both’s eyes,
drank with eyes first,
got the liquids transferred,
into both’s bellies,
X dreamt developing golden wings,
metamorphosing into a Golden eagle,
Y dreamt developing wings,
evolving into a KingFisher,
dream came true,
for both then and there,
the Golden eagle waved its wings,
in air, flew around in the sky,
preying victims,
KingFisher waving wings,
flew to a lake-side tree branch,
perched with vigilant, piercing eyes,
the cashier at the counter,
still awaits the two guys,
with the unpaid bill,
under the sun mica
covering the table.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
NICHOLAS SARKOZY’S XENOPHOBIA
About two years ago where Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire media-baron remaining at the helm of affairs an entire town inhabited by Roma Gypsies was evacuated forcibly by the whites which was a big news story reported by the media. The minority community had nowhere to go and if my memory is true they were reported to have fled to some other land. A dark example of xenophobia prevailing across the world even in this advanced age.
Similarly the Indian diaspora including students who keeping their hopes alive, to scale new heights the field of higher studies especially in the fields of engineering, medicine, business administration and various other categories who have taken up jobs in different sectors running business establishments, cab driving and even manual labour and those who are permanently settled there came under attack by xenophobic elements and even got killed for no fault of them inviting worldwide condemnation. During that period Kevin Rudd was Australian Prime Minister and the incumbent Prime Minister Julia Gillard and thanks to the fractured mandate in the elections conducted a month before her position hangs in balance now, was his sub-ordinate. In a political coup in the Australian Labour Party she ousted Kevin Rudd and assumed the role of Prime Minister of Australia two months ago and immediately called for elections. Her timing of the elections was at an inopportune moment and now it has turned to be a neck to neck race with Tony Abbot of the Conservative and its coalition parties with the independents playing king-makers.
Violent attacks continued unabated for months even after Indian authorities lodging protests to the Australian authorities. At present the situation is clam and let’s hope another bout of violence do not recur there.
I recalled those incidents when I happened to come across a news report a few weeks back reported by the news media about the ruthless evacuation of hapless Romas charging them with indulging in crime and prostitution by the govt of French President Nicholas Sarkozy. If the Roma Gypsies indulge in crime and prostitution the gentleman should have displayed the generosity of treating it as a social problem and should have initiated steps to alleviate their sufferings and brought them into the mainstream.
Sarkozy’s arrogance knows no limits. Even while he was the Interior Minister while Jacques Chirac was French President and it is worth recalling here that Jacque’s disillusionment with Sarkozy was very much evident that time. Jacque’s favourite was Dominique De Villepine, Prime Minister of that time who was a hot contestant to the post of President. Sarkozy was notorious for his xenophobic approach in his tenure as Interior Minister his ire was directed toward the black African people and in his attempt to evacuate them two boys of African origin got electrocuted consequently a rebellion broke out there leading to violent clashes.
His policy had many takers among the French citizens and that was the sole reason behind his victory at the hustings and elevation to the post of President.
Now he has turned his ire against the Roma gypsies thousands of them already deported forcibly, leaving them high and dry. More than a million Roma gypsies are still in France and the gentleman - xenophobic is on a massive drive to forcibly deport them. First against black Africans, then against Muslim women wearing ‘hijab’ and now against the Roma gypsies the man is indeed a hard and industrious worker.
In the land of Voltaire, Roussae and Montesquie there was a Louis XVI and Marie Antoinnette, hence no surprise.
A rare moment he got mellowed in his Presidency so far was when he managed to broker an agreement between Russia and Georgia while Russia was bent upon teaching Georgia a lesson for its forces forcibly entering Abkazia and Ossetia wreaking havoc there. Russian troops stormed Georgia and Michael Sakashvilli, the ruler of Georgia had to admit defeat at the hands of the Russians led by the strong man Vladimir Putin. Apprehending an America-Russia war, Sarkozy played diplomacy and managed to avert a conflict between Russia and America. The rare commendable event in his Presidency so far.
Now that on the issue of Romas the cabinet itself is divided with Prime Minister Fillon Francoise and Defence Minister Herve Morvin, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner bitterly opposing and condemning Sarkozy’s drive against the hapless Roma gypsies.
Xenophobia like terrorism and nuclear race is a social menace and the menace prevalent everywhere across the world. It is incumbent upon each nation to root out the evil from its soil.
Similarly the Indian diaspora including students who keeping their hopes alive, to scale new heights the field of higher studies especially in the fields of engineering, medicine, business administration and various other categories who have taken up jobs in different sectors running business establishments, cab driving and even manual labour and those who are permanently settled there came under attack by xenophobic elements and even got killed for no fault of them inviting worldwide condemnation. During that period Kevin Rudd was Australian Prime Minister and the incumbent Prime Minister Julia Gillard and thanks to the fractured mandate in the elections conducted a month before her position hangs in balance now, was his sub-ordinate. In a political coup in the Australian Labour Party she ousted Kevin Rudd and assumed the role of Prime Minister of Australia two months ago and immediately called for elections. Her timing of the elections was at an inopportune moment and now it has turned to be a neck to neck race with Tony Abbot of the Conservative and its coalition parties with the independents playing king-makers.
Violent attacks continued unabated for months even after Indian authorities lodging protests to the Australian authorities. At present the situation is clam and let’s hope another bout of violence do not recur there.
I recalled those incidents when I happened to come across a news report a few weeks back reported by the news media about the ruthless evacuation of hapless Romas charging them with indulging in crime and prostitution by the govt of French President Nicholas Sarkozy. If the Roma Gypsies indulge in crime and prostitution the gentleman should have displayed the generosity of treating it as a social problem and should have initiated steps to alleviate their sufferings and brought them into the mainstream.
Sarkozy’s arrogance knows no limits. Even while he was the Interior Minister while Jacques Chirac was French President and it is worth recalling here that Jacque’s disillusionment with Sarkozy was very much evident that time. Jacque’s favourite was Dominique De Villepine, Prime Minister of that time who was a hot contestant to the post of President. Sarkozy was notorious for his xenophobic approach in his tenure as Interior Minister his ire was directed toward the black African people and in his attempt to evacuate them two boys of African origin got electrocuted consequently a rebellion broke out there leading to violent clashes.
His policy had many takers among the French citizens and that was the sole reason behind his victory at the hustings and elevation to the post of President.
Now he has turned his ire against the Roma gypsies thousands of them already deported forcibly, leaving them high and dry. More than a million Roma gypsies are still in France and the gentleman - xenophobic is on a massive drive to forcibly deport them. First against black Africans, then against Muslim women wearing ‘hijab’ and now against the Roma gypsies the man is indeed a hard and industrious worker.
In the land of Voltaire, Roussae and Montesquie there was a Louis XVI and Marie Antoinnette, hence no surprise.
A rare moment he got mellowed in his Presidency so far was when he managed to broker an agreement between Russia and Georgia while Russia was bent upon teaching Georgia a lesson for its forces forcibly entering Abkazia and Ossetia wreaking havoc there. Russian troops stormed Georgia and Michael Sakashvilli, the ruler of Georgia had to admit defeat at the hands of the Russians led by the strong man Vladimir Putin. Apprehending an America-Russia war, Sarkozy played diplomacy and managed to avert a conflict between Russia and America. The rare commendable event in his Presidency so far.
Now that on the issue of Romas the cabinet itself is divided with Prime Minister Fillon Francoise and Defence Minister Herve Morvin, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner bitterly opposing and condemning Sarkozy’s drive against the hapless Roma gypsies.
Xenophobia like terrorism and nuclear race is a social menace and the menace prevalent everywhere across the world. It is incumbent upon each nation to root out the evil from its soil.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
MY WATER LINES
My river of life,
gentle, blue, transparent-
flow, sometimes calm and quiet,
pebbles, swift movements,
of fish coming up to the surface,
then going down,
other organisms moving,
to and fro,
visible to the naked eyes,
stars and moon,
reflecting underneath on starry nights.
My life,
gushing forth at,
other times,
reminding one of an avalanche,
even pebbles underneath,
being rolled to the front,
force of flow,
that intense.
My life,
muddied and opaque,
with nothing visible,
to the naked eyes,
restive and violent,
like a boiling sea.
My life,
sitting on the banks of my life,
drawing water lines,
on water,
like a child building,
sand castles on the seashore,
being frequently washed away,
by waves,
leaving the child disappointed.
Unlike the child on,
the sea-shore,
building sand castles,
repeatedly,
washed away frequently,
by waves,
leaving him frusted,
with smiles stamped on,
my lips,
continue I,
drawing water lines,
transparent or muddied,
no matter,
know like my inner palms,
my water lines are not there to stay,
ephemeral, quite ephemeral,
like a foolish act,
continue I non-stop,
my life,
the human life as a whole,
ephemeral, quite ephemeral.
gentle, blue, transparent-
flow, sometimes calm and quiet,
pebbles, swift movements,
of fish coming up to the surface,
then going down,
other organisms moving,
to and fro,
visible to the naked eyes,
stars and moon,
reflecting underneath on starry nights.
My life,
gushing forth at,
other times,
reminding one of an avalanche,
even pebbles underneath,
being rolled to the front,
force of flow,
that intense.
My life,
muddied and opaque,
with nothing visible,
to the naked eyes,
restive and violent,
like a boiling sea.
My life,
sitting on the banks of my life,
drawing water lines,
on water,
like a child building,
sand castles on the seashore,
being frequently washed away,
by waves,
leaving the child disappointed.
Unlike the child on,
the sea-shore,
building sand castles,
repeatedly,
washed away frequently,
by waves,
leaving him frusted,
with smiles stamped on,
my lips,
continue I,
drawing water lines,
transparent or muddied,
no matter,
know like my inner palms,
my water lines are not there to stay,
ephemeral, quite ephemeral,
like a foolish act,
continue I non-stop,
my life,
the human life as a whole,
ephemeral, quite ephemeral.
Monday, August 30, 2010
RULERS’ RANGE OF THE MOMENT SOLUTIONS
We Indians are a peculiar lot. There is a saying among us. ‘Only when one feels like relieving himself/herself, he/she frantically searches for a suitable place to do it. Till then no one cares a damn. In the past in our land especially in the rural areas sanitary facilities were nil and hence during morning times our elders had cultivated the habit of rushing to the banks of rivers, streams, canal or rivulets and hiding behind thick pandanus, mangroves or trees, relieve themselves and perform the purification ceremony in the rivers, streams, canals or rivulets. Occasionally even after the morning hours since ‘nature’s calls’ are quite unexpected. Sorry sir, what had already mentioned is still prevalent across our incredible nation which is on a ‘high growth trajectory’. Undertake a visit to various parts our nation - cities, towns and even remote corners of the country sides. Even in cosmopolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, we very well come across people shamelessly defecating in the open, blaming them is a great sin because when no sanitary facilities are available they are left with no choice, but to satisfy their ‘biological necessities’ keeping no shame if the circumstances prevailing across our great cities on these lines. Just imagine the plight and predilections of those in the remote areas. Even in the first half of 21st century, two to three years back an estimated figure of 567 million Indian citizens are devoid of sanitary facilities. Still harping on the ‘quantum jump’ in various fields is something reprehensible as also laughable.
I was compelled to pen the adage prevailing amongst us since even on sensitive matters affecting the nation which need urgent attention and follow-up our leaders dither quite often. Our rulers, opposition leaders, media personalities, political commentators all belong to the same group. Range of the moment decisions and patch-ups for the time-being, then forget the whole matter when a new development occurs somewhere there also range of the moment solutions then the slumber or waiting for something new to come to the fore seem to be a daily phenomenon. As one among the citizens of India in one way or other I do share a part of the blame.
Kashmir went on the boil two-three months back, yes, even before it Kashmir was somewhat in turmoil but for the last two-three months Kashmir turned out to be the pain of the entire nation. Violence erupted on a daily basis by the restive citizens of that State, men, women, youth and even children getting embroiled, paramilitary forces and police on the rampage even firing at a mob or somebody seen under suspicious circumstances even school children falling to bullets. Such incidents inflamed the already simmering tensions followed by more and more violent clashes and deaths demanding independence to Kashmir even integration with Pakistan slogans rent the air with clerics and other separatist leaders like Hurriyat Conference both moderate and hardliners like Mirwaiz Omar Farooq and Sayed Ali Sha Geelani, JKLF under Yasin Malik apart from the mainstream parties like PDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) under Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti. Many parties have already come out with many suggestions like an economic package, more employment to the youth, autonomy within the framework of Indian constitution.
A lull is visible, and that in no way is a sign that the simmering problem has been solved for ever, even our rulers and for that matter no one believes.
No follow-up after that whatsoever a sensitive issue remaining elusive.
In came another one in the ‘guise’ of Common Wealth Games and corruption on a large-scale by its organizers as reported by the media. Even a national news channel like CNN-IBN termed it ‘Corrupt Wealth Games’ and the attention of the news media as a whole turned to the new-found victim with the easiness to tear it apart to the whims and fancies of each. Corruption at all levels should have to be attacked ‘tooth and nail’, no doubt, and as far as Common Wealth Games is concerned our media emerged the best performers. But for their vigil and exposing of the irregularities the important event would not have caught the attention of the rulers at the helm. Even Sheila Dixit, who was reportedly on the defensive on a particular moment lost her cool towards the media upon facing allegations has now come out with tall claims and predictions that CWG is going to be the greatest sports event ever. Listen Shri Mani Shankar Aiyer.
The same media - not all – but a major section chose to be silent over IPL scam follow-up and as P.Sainath, Rural Affairs Editor ‘The Hindu’ pointed out the other day media owners who benefit a lot from IPL by way of advertisement revenue have discovered ‘silence’ to be the best option. An ugly instance of ‘paid-news syndrome’ prevailing across the media-world. Sainath came down heavily on Press Council of India (PCI) for not disclosing the findings after the enquiry entrusted upon it keeping in mind the vested interest of newspaper barons.
A shameful example of the double standards of our media.
Now that yesterday’s newspapers have reported another Maoist attack in Chattisgarh reportedly killing 6 jawans. Forgetting the rest which need follow-ups, the rulers, other party leaders, political commentators last but not the least media will have something to comment on the latest Maoist offensive. Permanent solutions are not anybody’s business, range of the moment decisions and patch-ups most easy and here we proceed……..
I was compelled to pen the adage prevailing amongst us since even on sensitive matters affecting the nation which need urgent attention and follow-up our leaders dither quite often. Our rulers, opposition leaders, media personalities, political commentators all belong to the same group. Range of the moment decisions and patch-ups for the time-being, then forget the whole matter when a new development occurs somewhere there also range of the moment solutions then the slumber or waiting for something new to come to the fore seem to be a daily phenomenon. As one among the citizens of India in one way or other I do share a part of the blame.
Kashmir went on the boil two-three months back, yes, even before it Kashmir was somewhat in turmoil but for the last two-three months Kashmir turned out to be the pain of the entire nation. Violence erupted on a daily basis by the restive citizens of that State, men, women, youth and even children getting embroiled, paramilitary forces and police on the rampage even firing at a mob or somebody seen under suspicious circumstances even school children falling to bullets. Such incidents inflamed the already simmering tensions followed by more and more violent clashes and deaths demanding independence to Kashmir even integration with Pakistan slogans rent the air with clerics and other separatist leaders like Hurriyat Conference both moderate and hardliners like Mirwaiz Omar Farooq and Sayed Ali Sha Geelani, JKLF under Yasin Malik apart from the mainstream parties like PDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) under Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti. Many parties have already come out with many suggestions like an economic package, more employment to the youth, autonomy within the framework of Indian constitution.
A lull is visible, and that in no way is a sign that the simmering problem has been solved for ever, even our rulers and for that matter no one believes.
No follow-up after that whatsoever a sensitive issue remaining elusive.
In came another one in the ‘guise’ of Common Wealth Games and corruption on a large-scale by its organizers as reported by the media. Even a national news channel like CNN-IBN termed it ‘Corrupt Wealth Games’ and the attention of the news media as a whole turned to the new-found victim with the easiness to tear it apart to the whims and fancies of each. Corruption at all levels should have to be attacked ‘tooth and nail’, no doubt, and as far as Common Wealth Games is concerned our media emerged the best performers. But for their vigil and exposing of the irregularities the important event would not have caught the attention of the rulers at the helm. Even Sheila Dixit, who was reportedly on the defensive on a particular moment lost her cool towards the media upon facing allegations has now come out with tall claims and predictions that CWG is going to be the greatest sports event ever. Listen Shri Mani Shankar Aiyer.
The same media - not all – but a major section chose to be silent over IPL scam follow-up and as P.Sainath, Rural Affairs Editor ‘The Hindu’ pointed out the other day media owners who benefit a lot from IPL by way of advertisement revenue have discovered ‘silence’ to be the best option. An ugly instance of ‘paid-news syndrome’ prevailing across the media-world. Sainath came down heavily on Press Council of India (PCI) for not disclosing the findings after the enquiry entrusted upon it keeping in mind the vested interest of newspaper barons.
A shameful example of the double standards of our media.
Now that yesterday’s newspapers have reported another Maoist attack in Chattisgarh reportedly killing 6 jawans. Forgetting the rest which need follow-ups, the rulers, other party leaders, political commentators last but not the least media will have something to comment on the latest Maoist offensive. Permanent solutions are not anybody’s business, range of the moment decisions and patch-ups most easy and here we proceed……..
Sunday, August 29, 2010
REALITIES & HOPES
Blowing conch-shells from temples’ premises,
at inauspicious moments,
‘holy-men’ inflaming the religious passions,
of the worshippers,
to take up cudgels against the ‘enemies’,
ringing church bells,
the priests preaching to the flock,
to launch crusades against the ‘enemies’,
clerics exhorting from inside the mosques,
calling upon followers,
to launch ‘jihads’ against the ‘infidels’,
---------mothers being pushed out,
of the houses into the streets,
by their progenies,
and making love with their spouses,
women being set ablaze,
demanding more dowries,
children being sexually abused by paedophiles,
thunder-strokes,
quite unexpected,
on calm serene, tranquil days,
like bomb explosions,
a world where,
everything or
anything
is possible.
So what?.
I hope
a day would come
when conch-shells being blown from temples’ premises,
church bells being rung,
exhortations from inside the mosques,
for a peaceful, serene and a tranquil dawn.
at inauspicious moments,
‘holy-men’ inflaming the religious passions,
of the worshippers,
to take up cudgels against the ‘enemies’,
ringing church bells,
the priests preaching to the flock,
to launch crusades against the ‘enemies’,
clerics exhorting from inside the mosques,
calling upon followers,
to launch ‘jihads’ against the ‘infidels’,
---------mothers being pushed out,
of the houses into the streets,
by their progenies,
and making love with their spouses,
women being set ablaze,
demanding more dowries,
children being sexually abused by paedophiles,
thunder-strokes,
quite unexpected,
on calm serene, tranquil days,
like bomb explosions,
a world where,
everything or
anything
is possible.
So what?.
I hope
a day would come
when conch-shells being blown from temples’ premises,
church bells being rung,
exhortations from inside the mosques,
for a peaceful, serene and a tranquil dawn.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
RESERVOIR OF DREAMS
Hoping against hopes,
she lied down, her ear glued to
the pillow
for the music of crickets
from afar,
instead,
needles of loud roars
greeted her piercing her tympanum
she lied down convulsing
in excruciating pain.
She lied down on her back,
keeping eyes wide open,
hoping against hopes
for a beautiful verdant
landscape,
thick green forests,
vast paddy fields
sparkling
quietly, shyly flowing stream
each side lined-up with pandanus,
like a silver line,
dividing the sprawling fields.
Instead
she saw,
sky-rocketing concrete forests
all around,
a hazy metropolis,
smoke billowing out
into the atmosphere.
Aloud she cried,
aloud she burst out laughing
to reach her loved ones afar.
Her cries,
laughters,
all returned, ‘undelivered’.
Woke up from the bed
took two valium tablets,
gulped them down,
and slumped in the cot.
Seconds ticked past
drowned in the ocean of slumper
she lay
followed by a chain of dreams
the cherished dreams of
crickets chirping
beautiful verdant landscape,
thick green forests,
quietly, shyly flowing,
sparkling stream,
resembling a village lass,
like a silver line,
dividing a vast paddy fields,
children in ‘birthday suits’
diving into it
swimming along
disturbing the tranquility of the stream.
Everything she enjoyed
her heart full to the brim with joy and delight.
Life though not worth living
life certainly worth dreaming.
she lied down, her ear glued to
the pillow
for the music of crickets
from afar,
instead,
needles of loud roars
greeted her piercing her tympanum
she lied down convulsing
in excruciating pain.
She lied down on her back,
keeping eyes wide open,
hoping against hopes
for a beautiful verdant
landscape,
thick green forests,
vast paddy fields
sparkling
quietly, shyly flowing stream
each side lined-up with pandanus,
like a silver line,
dividing the sprawling fields.
Instead
she saw,
sky-rocketing concrete forests
all around,
a hazy metropolis,
smoke billowing out
into the atmosphere.
Aloud she cried,
aloud she burst out laughing
to reach her loved ones afar.
Her cries,
laughters,
all returned, ‘undelivered’.
Woke up from the bed
took two valium tablets,
gulped them down,
and slumped in the cot.
Seconds ticked past
drowned in the ocean of slumper
she lay
followed by a chain of dreams
the cherished dreams of
crickets chirping
beautiful verdant landscape,
thick green forests,
quietly, shyly flowing,
sparkling stream,
resembling a village lass,
like a silver line,
dividing a vast paddy fields,
children in ‘birthday suits’
diving into it
swimming along
disturbing the tranquility of the stream.
Everything she enjoyed
her heart full to the brim with joy and delight.
Life though not worth living
life certainly worth dreaming.
Friday, August 27, 2010
OUR GREEDY PARLIAMENTARIANS
Elsewhere I had written not once, twice or thrice about the Great Indian Circus called Indian political scene. An event be it a song, dance, film, sports or a speech however popular and attractive, if telecasted repeatedly begets boredom, irritation and disappointment to the viewers. Similar is the case here. Here I am compelled to touch upon an event enacted in our Parliament, characters almost the same heroes, heroines and comedians, and thanks to television sets in our guest rooms across the nation which telecasted live the entire ‘circus’. During the session each day the parliamentarians perform - often creating pandemoniums and rushing to the well of the house, shouting against each other, often trading unparliamentary words, followed by wild gestures and even manhandling, staging walk-outs forcing adjournments for a day or for an indefinite period thanks to the relief of the viewers.
This time it was an uproar by a major section of the parliamentarians over the ‘core’ issue of ‘pay hike’ demanding five times the present pay by two Yadavs and their followers. Trebling the pay hike ie. three times the present one which was satisfying for the majority - nice personalities they are - along with hike in various allowances, free air travel to the MPs and their entire families such little little comforts squeezing millions of tax-payers - here the viewers slumped in the ring-side seats. Parliament members’ wage-hike never demands discussions, bargaining - collective or otherwise or negotiations, they decide it, implement it and amicably settle all problems unlike employees working in banks, insurance companies, railways, airlines, software companies etc. They present demands first on the expiry of the settlements, get rejected by the negotiating authorities, then work to rule, pen-down strikes, token strikes and when all steps fail are forced to give notice for indefinite strike and only on that occasion a man in the garb of Labour Commissioner – a government employee appears on the scene, bilateral talks follow in his presence and though the matters don’t get settled, strike threat being deferred for the time-being. Such threats, strikes and negotiations continue for two to three years or more and finally a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) is arrived the employees being forced to accept a nominal increase – peanuts to be precise - in salaries. Implementation takes further time and finally gritting teeth and with charming smiles both sides shake hands and disperse for the moment. A respite of sorts for the time being.
Members of Parliament, irrespective of the colours, principles and policies are unanimous except the Left MPs on one issue, the ‘core issue’ of wage hike. No dharnas, no fast unto deaths, strikes, all being done smoothly and settled amicably to the delight of the members.
Pity my country, majority of our MPs are millionaires a few are even billionaires still their greed and selfishness know no limits. They don’t care the stark and naked truth that income of 78 percent of our citizens is twenty rupees a day and the dream of a poor citizen is at least one square meal a day. It is estimated that approximately 800 million citizens are living below poverty line. Those who are entrusted with the task of making demands in parliament for the cause of the poor ones across the nation with whose votes such MPs are catapulted to seats of comfort and power care their ulterior motives and selfish, greedy goals.
Furthermore on the matter of corruption, amassing crores of rupees disproportionate to their income majority of our MPs have criminal cases pending against them.
Nothing matters to such elements as long as their pockets are heavy and they nurture a notion that as long as they are endowed with heavy pockets stashed with money in their pockets they can escape the hands of the law reaching out to them and they roam freely across the country by first-class air conditioned coaches in trains, air-travels, all for free.
Many of them must not have even heard about the respected revolutionary whose life was fully dedicated for the cause of downtrodden and while fighting for them braved lathis, assaults and bullets often ending up in prison AKG alias A.K.Gopalan as he is fondly called. While a decision was taken in Parliament to hike the wage of an MP from Rs 350 to Rs 400, AKG reportedly decided not to accept the hiked amount saying ‘not for this we are elected to Parliament’. Similarly our first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad who took a decision to allot half his salary for the cause of the people across the nation.
Flip through the pages of history and let them learn about selfless great men and their simple lives.
In the first half of the 21st century we have found ourselves in an abyss with People’s Representatives running after material comforts, pomp and pageantry occupying the seats of power flanked by ‘Z’ plus security coverage keeping no qualms whatsoever.
Indian tax-payer, the average citizen is ultimately the loser. That is our destiny.
This time it was an uproar by a major section of the parliamentarians over the ‘core’ issue of ‘pay hike’ demanding five times the present pay by two Yadavs and their followers. Trebling the pay hike ie. three times the present one which was satisfying for the majority - nice personalities they are - along with hike in various allowances, free air travel to the MPs and their entire families such little little comforts squeezing millions of tax-payers - here the viewers slumped in the ring-side seats. Parliament members’ wage-hike never demands discussions, bargaining - collective or otherwise or negotiations, they decide it, implement it and amicably settle all problems unlike employees working in banks, insurance companies, railways, airlines, software companies etc. They present demands first on the expiry of the settlements, get rejected by the negotiating authorities, then work to rule, pen-down strikes, token strikes and when all steps fail are forced to give notice for indefinite strike and only on that occasion a man in the garb of Labour Commissioner – a government employee appears on the scene, bilateral talks follow in his presence and though the matters don’t get settled, strike threat being deferred for the time-being. Such threats, strikes and negotiations continue for two to three years or more and finally a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) is arrived the employees being forced to accept a nominal increase – peanuts to be precise - in salaries. Implementation takes further time and finally gritting teeth and with charming smiles both sides shake hands and disperse for the moment. A respite of sorts for the time being.
Members of Parliament, irrespective of the colours, principles and policies are unanimous except the Left MPs on one issue, the ‘core issue’ of wage hike. No dharnas, no fast unto deaths, strikes, all being done smoothly and settled amicably to the delight of the members.
Pity my country, majority of our MPs are millionaires a few are even billionaires still their greed and selfishness know no limits. They don’t care the stark and naked truth that income of 78 percent of our citizens is twenty rupees a day and the dream of a poor citizen is at least one square meal a day. It is estimated that approximately 800 million citizens are living below poverty line. Those who are entrusted with the task of making demands in parliament for the cause of the poor ones across the nation with whose votes such MPs are catapulted to seats of comfort and power care their ulterior motives and selfish, greedy goals.
Furthermore on the matter of corruption, amassing crores of rupees disproportionate to their income majority of our MPs have criminal cases pending against them.
Nothing matters to such elements as long as their pockets are heavy and they nurture a notion that as long as they are endowed with heavy pockets stashed with money in their pockets they can escape the hands of the law reaching out to them and they roam freely across the country by first-class air conditioned coaches in trains, air-travels, all for free.
Many of them must not have even heard about the respected revolutionary whose life was fully dedicated for the cause of downtrodden and while fighting for them braved lathis, assaults and bullets often ending up in prison AKG alias A.K.Gopalan as he is fondly called. While a decision was taken in Parliament to hike the wage of an MP from Rs 350 to Rs 400, AKG reportedly decided not to accept the hiked amount saying ‘not for this we are elected to Parliament’. Similarly our first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad who took a decision to allot half his salary for the cause of the people across the nation.
Flip through the pages of history and let them learn about selfless great men and their simple lives.
In the first half of the 21st century we have found ourselves in an abyss with People’s Representatives running after material comforts, pomp and pageantry occupying the seats of power flanked by ‘Z’ plus security coverage keeping no qualms whatsoever.
Indian tax-payer, the average citizen is ultimately the loser. That is our destiny.
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