लोकपाल लोकसभा और राज्यसभा

कहा जाता है कि जब भी कोई एक विचार प्रस्तुत किया जाता है  तो  उसके  विरोध  या  सर्मथन  के  स्वर  एक  नए  विचार  को  जन्म  देते  हैं ,  यह  विचार  उत्पन  होने  की  किर्या  और  प्रितिक्रिया  निरंतर चलती रहती है | समाज के सामूहिक जीवन के नियमो और उपनियमों कि उत्पति इसी निरंतर विचार प्रवाह की कोख से ही होती है | चूँकि ये विचार प्रवाह है अर्थात ये एक स्थिर पद नहीं है इसलिए हम ऐसा भी कह सकते हैं कि जो नियम और कानून आज हमें उचित, तर्कसंगत और न्यायसंगत प्रतीति होते हैं कालवश उन्ही नियमों में हमें संशोधनों कि आवश्यकता अनुभव होती है और हम उन की सार्थकता पर भी संदेह करने को विवश हो जाते हैं | इसका ज्वलंत उदहारण भारतीय संविधान है जिसमें पिछले ५० वर्षों में १०० से भी अधिक बार संशोधन किया गया है | ये अलग बात है कि भारितीय संविधान को लोकतान्त्रिक संविधानों में परिपूरण और  अग्रन्यीय गिना जाता है |

देश में पिछले अप्रैल से रिश्वतखोरी और भ्रिष्ट आचरण के निवारण के लिए लोकपाल के लिए जन आन्दोलन चल रहा है और इसी आन्दोलन को ध्यान में रखते हुए शासक दल ने लोकपाल का एक प्रारूप बनाकर लोकसभा के द्वारा पारित कराकर राज्य सभा में भेजा है | कहने को हर राजनैतिक दल एक कठोर लोकपाल का पक्षधर नज़र आता है परन्तु फिर भी शासक दल में चिंता का वातावरण हैं कियुंकि राज्यसभा में शासक दल अल्पमत में हैं और यह संभव है कि राज्यसभा लोकपाल को उसी रूप में पारित न करे जिस रूप में लोकसभा पारित कर चुकी है | देखा जाये तो शासक दल की इस चिंता में लोकतंत्र के लिए घातक प्रिविती छुप्पी हुई है, कियुंकि यह चिंता दर्शाती है कि वर्तमान में हमारे देश में कानूनी प्रारूप भी अपनी उपयोगिता और गुणवत्ता के आधार पर नहीं पर संख्या बल के आधार पर पारित किये जाते हैं |

जन्हाँ तक मेरा समझना हैं कि हमारे संविधान निर्माताओं ने राज्यसभा और राज्यों में विधान परिषदों की स्थापना का प्रावधान इसीलिए किया था ताकि ये संस्थाएं निर्वाचित राजनेताओं पर अंकुश के रूप में कार्य कर सके | यदि हम आज का विचार करें तो हम पाते है कि ये संस्थाएं ऐसे राजनैतिक नेताओं का अड्डा बन गयी हैं जो या तो चुनाव जीतने में असमर्थ है या फिर ये नेताओं का अपनी अपनी पार्टी के लिए विशेष महत्त्व है | निश्चय है ये श्री अन्ना हजारे जी के नेत्रत्व में चले जन आन्दोलन की सफलता है कि आज देश का केवल बुद्धिजीवी वर्ग ही नहीं पर साथ ही साथ सामान्य नागरिक भी भारतीय संविधान को समझने के लिए प्रयत्नशील नज़र आ रहा है, विशेषकर युवा वर्ग तो संविधान संशोधन के बारे में भी विचार करने लगा है | जिस प्रकार से शासक दल लोकपाल के राज्यसभा में परिणाम के प्रति चिंतित है उसे देखते हुए यह कहा जा सकता है कि यही उचित समय है जब हम राज्यसभा और राज्यों की राज्य परिषदों को अपने विचार मंथन में स्थान दें जिससे लोकतंत्र के स्वस्थ रक्षा के उपाय समय रहते किये जा संके | इस सम्बन्ध में मेरे कुछ प्रस्ताव इस प्रकार है :

१] सभी राजनैतिक व्यक्तियों को राज्य सभा और राज्य परिषदों की सदस्यता के लिए अयोग्य घोषित कर देना चाहिए [अपवाद प्रस्ताव १३].

२] राज्यसभा और राज्य परिषदों को अपने अपने  जनैतिक दलों, जो उन्हें मनोनीत करते हैं, के आदेशनुसार मतदान करने की विवशता से मुक्त कर देना चाहिए .

३] राज्यसभा और राज्य परिषदों के लिए व्यक्तिगत सदस्य समय सीमा को १० वर्षों तक सीमित कर देना चाहिए अर्थात किसी भी व्यक्ति को इन सदनों का सदस्य बनने के लिए दो से अधिक अवसर नहीं मिलना चाहिए |

४] राज्यसभा और राज्य परिषदों के सदस्यों को मंत्रिमंडल में सम्मिलित नहीं करना चाहिए |

५] किसीभी राज्य सभा अथवा राज्य परिषद् के सदस्य के लिए ये बंधन रहेगा कि सदस्यता समाप्ति के बाद आनेवाले १० वर्षों तक किसी भी राजनैतिक पार्टी से किसीभी रूप में जुड़ने पर प्रतिबन्ध होगा |

६] इसी प्रकार ये भी अनिवार्य कर देना चाहिए कि इन सदनों के सदस्यता  के लिए किसीभी  ऐसे व्यक्ति को मनोनीत नहीं किया जा सकता है जो उस दिनक विशेष से १० वर्ष पूर्व तक के  काल में किसीभी प्रकार से किसीभी राजनीतक दल से जुड़ा हुआ है |

७] राज्यसभा और राज्य परिषदों में  कुल  सदस्य  संख्या  में  न्यनतम  १०%  सदस्य  संविधान  विशेषज्ञ और १०% आर्थिक विशेषज्ञ होना अनिवार्य कर देना चाहिए |

८] युवा वर्ग और व्यापारी वर्ग को प्राय इन सदनों में  सदस्यता  नहीं  मिलती  है  इसलिए  ये  सुनिशित करना चाहिए कि किसी भी सदन में व्यापारी वर्ग से ५% सदस्य तथा ५% सदस्य  ४०  वर्ष  से  कम  आयु के हों | 

९] राज्य सभा और राज्य परिषदों में राजनैतिक दलों को उनके लोकसभा और विधानसभा के लिए निर्वाचित सदस्य संख्या के आधार पर अपनी पसंद के सदस्य मनोनीत करने का अधिकार दे देना चाहिए अर्थात इन सदनों के लिए चुनाव नहीं होना चाहिए |

१०] राज्य सभा अथवा किसीभी राज्य परिषद् के लिए मनोनीत सदस्यों की संख्या लोकसभा अथवा उस राज्य की विधानसभा के लिए निर्वाचित सदस्य संख्या के पांचवें हिस्से से अधिक नहीं होना चाहिए |

११] राज्य सभा और राज्य परिषदों का कार्यकाल समबन्धित लोकसभा अथवा विधानसभा के कार्यकाल जितना होगा अर्थात यदि किसी कारण से लोकसभा अथवा विधानसभा का  कार्यकाल  समाप्त  किया जाता है  तो राज्य सभा अथवा राज्य परिषद् का कार्यकाल भी समाप्त माना जायेगा |

१२] राष्ट्रपति अथवा राज्यपाल को यह अधिकार होगा कि वे राज्य सभा अथवा राज्य परिषद् के संचालन के लिए ११ सदस्यीय संचालक मंडल नियुक्त करें |

१३] शासक दल और मुख्य विपक्षी दल को यह अधिकार होगा कि वे एकबार में अपने निर्वाचित सदस्य संख्या के २% जितने राजनीतिकों को भी राज्य सभा अथवा राज्य परिषद् के लिए मनोनीत कर सकती है  |

लोकपाल और हम

२२ दिसम्बर २०११ अब केवल मात्र एक तारीख न रहकर भारतीय इतिहास का एक  भाग  बन  गया  है,  यह  दिन  अब कई मैयानो में महत्वपुर्ण बन गया है :

१] इस दिन को अप्रेल २०११ से श्री अन्ना हजारे जी के नेत्रत्व में देश में चल रहे भिर्ष्ठाचार विरोधी जन आन्दोलन की सफलता का प्रथम सोपान भी कहा जा सकता है कियुंकि चाहे जैसा भी हो लोकपाल को कानून बनाने का प्रस्ताव इसी दिन संसंद में पेश किया गया है |

२] २२ दिसम्बर २०११ इसलिए भी महत्वपूर्ण बन गया है कियूं कि इसी दिन सारे देश ने देखा कि कुछ राजनैतिक दल और यहाँ तक की देश के शासक  दल के भी कुछ सांसद लोकपाल जैसी संवैधानिक संस्था  में भी आरक्षण की मांग मनवाने के लिए इस हद तक भी जा सकते हैं कि केवल इसी कारण संसद की कारवाही भी स्थगित करनी पड़ जाये |
३] २२ दिसम्बर २०११ का महत्व इस बात से भी बढ जाता है कि संसद के नेता श्री प्रवण मुखर्जी ने कहा कि सरकार ने लोकसभा में लोकपाल का प्रारूप पेश कर अपना कर्त्तव्य निभा दिया है अब यह सांसदों पर निर्भर करता है वे इस प्रस्ताव कि किन किन बातों को कानून का रूप देना चाहते है, उनके ये शब्द देश में लोकतंत्र की उपस्थिति के प्रतिक है | वहीँ पर लोकपाल में आरक्षण के संबध में विपक्ष के नेता श्रीमती सुषमा स्वराज का ये कहना कि ऐसे कानून को पारित करने से किया फायदा जो संविधान के विपरीत हो और जिसे न्यायालय द्वारा निरस्त किये जाने की पूरी पूरी संभावना है, देश के कायदे कानूनों की व्यविहरिकता और उपयोगिता को रेखांकित करता है |

           जन्हाँ तक श्री अन्ना हजारे और उनके सहयोगियों का प्रश्न है तो २२ दिसम्बर उनके लिए कोई ख़ुशी लाया हो ऐसा नहीं कहा जा सकता है कियुंकि उनके प्रस्तावित लोकपाल के कई मुदों को या तो लोकसभा में पेश किये प्रारूप में स्थान ही नहीं दिया गया है या फिर उनके लिए अलग से कानून बनाने का प्रस्ताव रखा गया है , जिन कुछ मुद्दों को इस प्रारूप में सम्मलित भी किया गया है, उनके साथ भी कई सारे किन्तु परंतुओं को जोड़ दिया गया है, इस कारण श्री अन्ना हजारे का इस प्रारूप को धोखा कहना और अपना आन्दोलन जारी रखने को तर्कसंगत कहा जा सकता है |
           हाँ देश की सामान्य जनता इस बात से खुश हो सकती है कि चाहे ये अन्ना हजारे के आन्दोलन को मिल रहे जनसमर्थन का असर हो या जैसा शासक दल दावा कर रहा है कि ये देश में बढ रहे भ्रष्ट आचरण के प्रीति उनकी चिंता और इसे दूर करने के प्रयासों का फल है, किसी भी हालत में सरकार शुरुआत तो करने को तैयार हुई है | "वो सुबह कभी तो आएगी " जैसे विश्वास पर पूरा पूरा जीवन गुजर देने वाले देश के सामान्य नागरिकों के लिए ये एक बड़ी सफलता है केवल मात्र ८-९ महीने में सरकार जन आन्दोलन का प्रभाव समझ पाई है |

            भारत के नागरिक इस बात को अभी भूले नहीं है कि किस प्रकार चुनाव आयुक्त के पद पर रहते हुए किस प्रकार कमजोर कायदे कानूनों और अति सिमित स्वतंत्रता के बाद भी श्री टी एन शेषन ने देश के सभी राजनेताओं कि नींद हरम कर दी थी |

           देश का सामान्य नागरिक तो संभत्व इस आशा पर संतोष कर भी लेगा कि मुमकिन है कि लोकपाल के पद पर भी श्री शेषन जैसा कोई व्यक्ति विराजमान हो जाये जो इस सरकारी प्रारूप से बनाने वाले सिमित अधिकारों वाले कानून के सहारे भी भिर्ष्ट आचरण पर प्रभावी तंत्र के रूप में काम करके सामान्य नागरिकों को रिश्वत रुपी दानव के पंजो से बचा सके , परन्तु यहाँ पर प्रश्न है  अन्ना हजारे जी, जो अपना आन्दोलन जारी रखने जा रहे हैं और उन्हें मिलने वाले जनसमर्थन विशेषकर युवा वर्ग का समर्थन का ?

           बहुत कुछ इस बात पर निर्भर करता है कि २७ से २९ दिसम्बर तक संसद में किया होता है कियुंकि अपने संख्या बल के आधार पर कांग्रेस सरकार अपने इस प्रारूप को लोकसभा में तो पारित करा सकती है परन्तु  असली  परीक्षा तो राज्य सभा में होगी |  एक और अवरोध भी सरकार को पार करना ही पड़ेगा और वो है तीन चोइथायी बहुमत का कियुंकि इस प्रारूप के साथ संविधान संशोधन भी जुड़ा हुआ है |

Right to Recall

Nobody is sure, what treatment Lokpal is going to get (as & when presented) in the Parliament but one thing is sure that in during last 8-9 months Anna’s agitation has created a kind of awareness among the common citizens especially among the young India, generally going under the influencing currents of bubbling enthusiasm just because feeling self as the instrumental tool for the social and political change.

Anna Hazare also succeeded in bringing the issues of political reforms and black money on the central stage along with the corruption. Most of politicians of the country are of the opinion that as soon as the Lokpal is going settled Anna is going to fresh movement and Anadolan for the politicial reforms with a huge concentration on the Right to recall.

Political wisdom of the country is wondering on the tremendous support Anna Hazare is getting from all sections of society and all parts of the country especially from the youth, whom they have tried to get involved in online social networking and other recent technological developments available in the country.

          This political wisdom of the country is also aware of the fact Lokpal is not going to bring a huge change in their life style and functioning but surely political reforms will force them to have yet another effective strategy  for the survival and probably because of this, there is purposefully delay in decision of implementation of Lokpal as this political wisdom wants to make sure that Lokpal should have shape and appearance resembling with what Anna is demanding but still don’t have most of rights as the Anna is wishing.

          Concept of Right of Recall is nothing but in the simple words is nothing but allowing voters to alter their choice of political leadership without waiting for the next election.  Very frankly since last decade or so I feel that seeds of change in the political scenario of country were waiting in mind for suitable conditions for germination and this concept of Right to Recall worked as the Catalyst for that.

          If we look at the present political system of the country we are bound to find that this is not possible for intellectuals and common business class people to fight elections just because of very huge involvement of money and human power involved in the process. Right of Recall is going to open flood gate for entrance of these classes in the active politics as this will forced the established political leadership either to work for social development or make a way for the entrance of these classes of the society.

          I am not sure what Anna Hazare will demand for the Right the Recall or what presumptions he holds about the implementation of Right to Recall but I am sure of that as and when Anna is going to focus on this, the first answer he and country is going to get from the political wisdom will be that we all are agree that country must have it but we need to look how it will work and we need to make sure that this Right of Recall should not be misused as there is involvement of huge funds in the process of elections.

          Not only for the political wisdom of the country but also for all the intellectuals and experts of laws, here is base for discussion on the implementation of Right to Recall.

          We all know that every M.P. / M.L.A. is getting a fixed annual constituency development funds, I am making this fund to work as the base for the implementation of Right to Recall. My suggestions are:

1] Within the 15 days of announcement of election results, every winning candidate must come out with year wise plan of using this fund with specifying area wise development works and funds required for each and every such work. [Previously I was of the opinion that every candidate should present this plan with nomination papers] Foe example

Work: Youth Activity Center

Year:

Area:

Village:

District:

Description: Construction of R.C.C. building and supply of exercise equipments.

Funds: a] Construction of building on carpet area of 40X100 feet with multi purpose hall Rs. 12 Lakh.

B] Exercise Equipments: Rs. 8 Lakh including [i] [ii] [iii] ….. Name of equipment and price of each.

Total funds involved in project: Rs. 20 Lakh.

2] Every M.P. / M.L.A will be allowed to keep 10% of total allotted funds for the non planned work, to be used either on the year wise basis or during the last year of term as the M.P. / M.L.A.

          3] As all this will be available in the public domain hence this will also work as the tool for bringing transparency in use of M.P. / M.L.A. fund.

          4] This will be duty of every M.P. / M.L.A. to publish [and make available online for future reference] this year wise plan within 30 days from the date of declaration of election result.

          5] Failing to this will allow the election commission to make second choice candidate liable for being declared as the M.P. / M.L.A. of that constituency. This process of development plan will also be applicable for such liable candidate.

          6] At the end of every year, each and every M.P. / M.L.A. will submit a report about proposed and completed development works, within 30 days of year end.

7] Before the end of third year election commission will examine and will take action against those who fail to complete 80% of proposed development works on the year wise basis. In that condition also second choice of people will be allowed to work as M.P. / M.L.A for the remaining two years.  

Sindhi State in India

In the democracy political powers are considered as one of the most effective tool for the enrichment and progress of the community and nobody in the world will dare to deny that in India Sindhi community is most neglected community on the political fronts and doest have appropriate share in the political stream of the country.

There are several reasons like the very thin and scattered Sindhi population at all cities from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, less political active attitude of Sindhis, who are considered as most progressive business community, etc.

In the pre independence era Sindh, though smallest but still it was the separate state for the Sindhi community. In the 1947 country went under the partition and like other Hindus, Sindhis were also forced to migrate to India, this has resulted in decrease in Sindhi population of Sindh, which become part of Pakistan and lost its status of being the Sindhi State.

During the post independence era slowly but gradually Sindh doesn’t remained a sindhi state in Pakistan and In India as the migrated sindhis were resettled through out the country hence sindhi community become state less and with almost nil political powers. In the world probably Sindhi community is the only human community without any political powers or state at any part of the world.

As the migrated sindhis were focusing on the regaining the economic safeguard hence nobody bothered for the political powers, we can say that for the sindhi community from 1947 to till the end of 1990, was the period of struggle for the survival on the economic fronts, thanks God, sindhi community not only came out as the winner from this struggle but also become one among the topmost economic communities of the India. Here we have to keep this fact in mind that Sindhi population in India is hardly 2 to 3% of the total population of the country.

Since the last two decades Sindhi community has started to realize that in the country they are being ignored just because democracy is the number game and at majority of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha constituencies Sindhi population has very less effect on the final result of the elections.

Sindhi community also realized that in the country they are among the top five communities as for as contribution towards the country’s G.D.P. is concerned, as there is no separate state for the Sindhi community, hence even being recognized, Sindhi language has not flourished like other language just because insufficient economic support from the government. This has created a kind of unrest among the community and voices of separate Sindhi state started to become louder and louder.

Is the demand of separate Sindhi state is logical and Practical?

For a successful and effective democracy this is most essential that all the communities must have equal and appropriate representation unfortunately in India, Sindhi community due to scattered population is not getting proper representation in the political arena and thus the demand of separate Sindhi state become stronger and stronger.

Now the question of million dollars, which geographical region of India will constitute this new Sindhi state? Off course a few states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi are with higher concentration of Sindhi population and it is quite possible that Sindhi state can come in existence at central India, but the question is that whether this is practical and will work in true sense in providing a separate state to Sindhi community?

I have very serious doubts about this, as Sindhi community is known for the business skills and since the 1947 have successful business establishments in all corners of the country hence this is quite possible that most of them opt to stay and continue their business activities at present city, which means in the newly formed separate Sindhi state sindhi community will be in minority as for as population is concerned and Sindhi community will remain without political powers like the present status.

Hence I don’t think that demand of separate Sindhi state stands correct on the logical and practical grounds as even after getting separate Sindhi state, Sindhi community will remain powerless on the political grounds.

Sindhi Community and appropriate political powers

This is the fact that in India, Sindhi community is the only community which leads on the economic fronts but on the political power fronts is miles and miles behind even those are considered as the economic backward class. The question is how and when Sindhi community in India will get appropriate representation in democratic set up of country? When the Sindhi community is going to get due share in the political arena of the country?

In my views there are few suggestions which if considered seriously by the politicians of country and demanded very strongly by the Sindhi leaders, it is quite possible that in very near future Sindhi community in India might get its due share in political arena of the country.

In the metros like Mumbai and Delhi one Lok Sabha seat should be reserved for the Sindhi community, there are a few cities like Ulhasnagar, Indore, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Surat etc where Sindhi population is more concentrated Lok Sabha seats from these 10-15 cities should also be reserved for Sindhi community, this will mean that in every Lok Sabha Sindhi community will have 10 to 15 representative which will be in accordance of Sindhi population (2 to 3%) in the country.

Similarly for the state assembly’s cities with higher Sindhi population can be kept reserved for the Vidhan Sabha elections, for instant out of five Vidhan Sabha Seats around the Ulhasnagar in Maharashtra 3 can be kept reserved for Sindhi Community. There should be provision of reserving seats at local bodies at city and village level also.

It should be made compulsory for all the political parties that they should have a minimum of 1% of their total Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad representative belonging to Sindhi community.

अन्ना की आंधी

ये संभवतः किसी भी लोकत्रांतिक देश के इतिहास का पहला अवसर होगा जब लोकत्रांतिक राज्य व्यवस्था के आधी शताब्धी पुरे करने के बाद ठीक स्वतंत्रता की वर्षगांठ के दुसरे दिन से आज़ादी की दूसरी लड़ाई के नारे के साथ आरंभ हो रहे किसी जन आन्दोलन का सामना करना पड़ रहा हो | प्रश्न ये नहीं है कि ये आन्दोलन कियूं हो रहा है लोकतंत्र में इस तरह के विरोध स्वरों के लिए तो सदैव स्थान रहता है और लोकतंत्र के स्वस्थ के लिए ये विरोध स्वर आवश्यक भी हैं प्रश्न केवल इतना सा है कि अन्ना के आन्दोलन को इनता व्यापक जन समर्थन कियूं और कैसे मिल रहा है ? इस छोटे से प्रश्न ने सरकार की नींद तो उड़ा दी ही है साथ ही अन्य राजनेतिक दलों के माथे पर चिंता की लकीरें भी खिंच दी है | किया वास्तव में अन्ना की मांगे इस विशाल जन समर्थन को सार्थक बनाती है ? किया ये संभव है कि केवल और केवल एक कानून बना देने से देश को रिश्वतखोरी जैसी बड़ी समस्या से बचाया जा सकता है ? यदि देखा जाये तो वर्तमान में हमारे देश कि अवस्था है उसमे केवल कानून बना देना किसी भी समस्या का हल नहीं है , हमारी कोई भी समस्या के हल के लिए वयवस्था परिवर्तन अति आवश्यक समय के साथ चलने कि दिशा में उठाया गया कदम होगा | मैं अपने मूल प्रश्न अन्ना को मिल रहे व्यापक जन समर्थन कि तरफ लोटता हूँ
१. इस देश में मेरे जैसे न जाने कितने ही हज़ार लोग अन्ना के जन लोकपाल के प्रस्ताव " लोकपाल को शिकायतकर्ता , जांचकर्ता और न्यायकर्ता बनाने के " का समर्थन नहीं करते हैं , परन्तु फिर भी ये बड़ा बुद्धिवादी वर्ग अन्ना के साथ है कियूं कि हम जानते हैं कि अन्ना जिस परिवर्तन की बात कर रहें हैं वो न केवल देश हित में परन्तु साथ साथ देश के vikas के लिए आवश्यक भी है |
२. आम आदमी राजनेताओं की महंगाई और अन्य समस्याओं के प्रति उदासीनता से तंग आ चुका है और देश में एक प्रकार से राजनेतिक विश्व्सिनियता का संकट गहराता जा रहा है ऐसे समय में अन्ना के प्रस्ताव न केवल आम आदमी के मन में आशा का प्रकाश फैलाते हैं पर साथ ही एक प्रकार का विश्वास भी पैदा करते हैं |
३. युवा वर्ग बेरोज़गारी और शिक्षा के अवसरों के कारण अपने भविष्य के लिए चिंतित है इस विराट वर्ग में भी अन्ना का व्यवस्था परिवर्तन के लिए किये गए आन्दोलनों का इतहास प्ररेणा स्रोत का कम कर रहा है |
४. देश का हर नागरिक जानता है कि अन्ना के प्रस्तावों के कारण रिश्वतखोरी दूर नहीं होगी परन्तु कम से कम छोटी छोटी रिश्वतों से नागरिकों का पीछा छुट जायेगा |
५. अन्ना के प्रस्ताव सरकारी कर्मचारियों के साथ साथ उच्च अधिकारीयों और मंत्रियों के मन में एक प्रकार का भय पैदा करेगा और यह भय देश से रिश्वतखोरी ख़त्म करने में सहायक होगा |

आप भी अपने कारण कमेन्ट के रूप में लिख सकते है |

सतगुरु स्वामी शांतिप्रकाश जी महाराज

सिंध की संतों की जननी धरा हो या भारतवर्ष की पावन पवित्र धरती , सिन्धी समाज पर परमात्मा की सदैव असीम कृपा रही है कियुन्की सिन्धी समाज में , आम आदमी के जीवन को भक्ति और श्रद्धा के रस से सरोबर करनेवाले संतों मह्त्माओं के रूप में पावन आत्माएं जन्म लेती रही है | आधुनिक युग के सिन्धी संतों में सतगुरु स्वामी शांतिप्रकाश जी को अग्रणीय और विशेष स्थान प्राप्त है | स्वामी जी का जन्म ई .स . १९०७ में सिंध प्रान्त के खंडू नामक स्थान पर रक्षा बंधन के दिन हुआ था | किसे पता था कि खैराज्मल नाम वाला यह बालक भविष्य में न केवल सिन्धी समाज की पापों से रक्षा करनेवाले परन्तु सम्पूर्ण मानवता के लिए शांति के प्रकाश रुपी संत के रूप में प्रसिद्ध होगा ||
छोटी अवस्था में ही चेचक के प्रभाव के कारण स्वामी जी की आँखों की रोशनी जाती रही और निराश होकर पिता श्री आसुदोमल बालक को लेकर शाहपुर थलो के मशहूर संत हरचुराम जी के पास पहुँच गए तथा बालक को संतजी के सेवा के लिए आश्रम में छोड़ आये | तीन वर्षों के बाद जब पिता ने बालक की आँखों की ज्योति के बारे में पूछा तो संतजी ने उत्तर दिया " इस बालक के नेत्र ज्योतिविहीन होने के कारण आपको चिंता करने की ज़रूरत नहीं है , ये बालक आगे चलकर न सिर्फ लाखों लोगों का मार्गदर्शक बनेगा पर सिंधियों के सर्वाधिक प्रसिद्ध संतों में शामिल होगा |"
एक दिन जब बालक की मुलाकात सतगुरु स्वामी तेऊराम जी से हुई तो उसने गुरु मंत्र देने के लिए प्राथर्ना की | स्वामी जी बालक को अपने साथ टंडो आदम अमरापुर स्थान ले गए , जहाँ पर बालक की साधू संतों की सेवा करने और सीखने की प्रवर्ति से खुश होकर स्वामी जी ने बालक को नया नाम शांतिप्रकाश दिया और उसकी धार्मिक शिक्षा पर विशेष ध्यान देने लगे | तीन वर्षों तक हरिद्वार में रहकर हिन्दू धरम ग्रंथों , शाश्त्रों और उप्निषिदों को अध्यन करने के बाद शांतिप्रकाश जी को धन सिरी गुरु ग्रन्थ साहिब जी का ज्ञान प्राप्त करने के लिए अमृतसर भेजा गया | ज्ञानी हमीरसिंह ये देख कर आश्चर्य चकित रह गए कि इस चक्क्शुविहीन युवक को सिरी गुरु ग्रन्थ साहिब जी का जो ही शब्द एकबार सुनाया जाता है वह याद रहता है |
शिक्षा पूरी करने के बाद स्वामीजी टंडो आदम के आश्रम में लोट आये और गुरु जी महराज के साथ सिंध प्रान्त के अलग अलग शहरों में धार्मिक प्रवचन के लिए भ्रमण करने लगे | देश के विभाजन के बाद स्वामी सर्वानन्द जी ने जयपुर में अमरापुर स्थान की स्थापना की परन्तु स्वामी शांतिप्रकाश जी ने अपने कार्यक्षेत्र के रूप में उल्हासनगर का चुनाव किया |
स्वामी जी की नज़रों में बिना मानवता की सेवा के आध्यात्मिक विकास अर्थहीन था इसीलिए स्वामी जी ने उल्हासनगर में प्रेमप्रकाश आश्रम की स्थापना की और उनके अथक परिश्रम के कारण जल्द ही ये आश्रम केवल धार्मिक स्थान न रहकर सिन्धी समाज के सामाजिक विकास और समाज सेवा का केंद्र बन गया | स्वामी जी ने उल्हासनगर में जनता जनार्धन परिषद् , सुंदर सेवक सभा , स्वामी सर्वानन्द हॉस्पिटल , नारी शाला, श्री राधेश्याम गौ शाला जैसी अनेक सामाजिक उपयोगी संस्थाओं का निर्माण किया |
स्वामी जी का ये स्वभाव था कि वे ये नहीं देखते थे कि उनसे याचना करनेवाला प्रेम्प्रकाशी है या नहीं वे तो बस याचक के दुःख देखते थे और उन दुखों का निवारण करने का प्रयत्न करते थे | वार्षिक नेत्र चिकित्सा शिविर उनके सामाजिक कार्यक्रमोंमें विशेष स्थान रखता था|
एक बार एक साधू ने आश्रम के द्वार पर आकर खाना माँगा परन्तु आश्रम के सेवक ने कह दिया कि थोड़ी देर के बाद आना कियूं कि खाना तो तयार है परन्तु दिया भगवन को भोग लगाने के बाद , साधू निराश होकर चला गया जब स्वामी जी को इस बात का ज्ञान हुआ तो उन्होंने उस सेवक का कहा "मुर्ख जिस भगवन को तुम भोग लगाने कि तयारी कर रहे हो उसे तो तुमने भूखा ही लोटा दिया जाओ और जाकर उस साधू को ढूंढ़ कर माफ़ी मांगकर उसे खाना खिलाओ यही वास्तविक रूप में भगवन को भोग लगाना है |" उसी दिन से उल्हासनगर आश्रम में साधू संतों के भोजन की विशेष विवस्था आरंभ हो गयी |
१९ अगस्त १९९२ में विमान से सिंगापूर जाते समय प्रातःकाल ४ बजे अमृत वेला में स्वामी जी इस नश्वर संसार को त्यागकर परमपिता परमात्मा में विलीन हो गए परन्तु उनके सामाजिक कार्यों और लाखों करोड़ों लोगो के आधियातमिक विकास के प्रयत्नों के कारण वे सदा सभी के दिलों में जीवत है और रहेंगे |

Anna’s options challenge for Indian youth

This is now as clear as sunlight, at least judging from the reaction of various political leaders it appears that the draft which will be presented in the Lok Sabha will be totally different from one which Anna wants. This now only rests with time, which will announce pre birth death of Lok Pal. In these situations Anna will be left with option of starting all again with yet another agitation from the 16th August 2011 as Anna has already announced. The question is ‘is Anna left with this solo option?’ Certainly not because last time politicians specially those are in power were saying that as Anna is not elected by people hence he can’t dictate terms for constituting Lok Pal, this time they will come forward with argument that draft of Lok Pal is under consideration of members of Lok Sabha and it various committees, hence Anna should not blackmail us and nation.
Looking at the situation of country we are at the status of urgent need of time bound free and fare investigating authority for the corruption. This is also fact that proposed draft of Anna’s Lok Pal bill will create a kind of fear among the minds of corrupt people, though I don’t agree with punishment powers given to Lok Pal, but still I support this because the major difference between the present constitutional provisions, investigating agencies and Lok Pal is the time bound actions. This is sure that provisions like the Lok Pal will bring the corruption under control to a large extant but this will remain only matter of time before we will need another provisions stronger than Lok Pal, because Lok Pal and other constitutional provisions are just punishing present corrupt people with doors open for the entrance of new players of corruption..
Anna is left with another option of expanding area of reforms and go for the election reforms as this will be a step in direction of closing the door for the entrance of corrupt people at higher post.
During the Anna’s Satyagrah for drafting Lok Pal bill, a debate was on the powers of leaders elected by the people during the elections and even Anna was suggested to fight 2014 elections to come in power and constitute bill of own will. If we look at political horizon of country during last 30-40 years this is very clear that after the elections not elected political leadership emerge and start leading as there is constitutional provision for this, any person can lead the government even by being member of Vidhal Parishad (states) or Rajya Sabha. If we look at purpose of these houses we will learn that these were constituted for the involvement of professionals and socially renowned citizens in the day to day work of government and work as the controlling authority. Unfortunately in the recent times these houses are used for political adjustments and backdoor entry to power. Surely we had reached to time when we need to think very seriously over the existence of these houses.
I am putting a draft for the election reforms with keeping eye at closing the doors for entrance of corrupt people to power. My election reforms are
1] There will be no Rajya Sabha or Vidhan Parishad, instead of that number of members of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies will be raised to double of present number. From every constituency two representatives, one male & one female will be elected.
2] Elections will be held at interval of 6 years instead of present 5 years. The difference will be that instead of entire country/ state, one third of country will elect representatives at the interval of two years; these elected representatives will have a term of 6 years. For illustration in the years 2014 Lok Sabha elections will be held for two third of country and for the remaining one third elections will be held in the years 2016. Half of the elected in 2014 will have term of 4 years as next elections in these areas will be held in 2018 and for remaining one third elections will be held in the year 2020.
3] State elections will be held as par pre define schedules but the change will be that there will be no Vidhan Parishad, One third members will have term of 2 years, one third of 4 years and remaining one third will have full 6 years term.
4] Like the President, Prime Minister will also be elected by members of Parliament and state assemblies and will have term of minimum 2 years (If not dismissed by President). A person will not be allowed to hold post of Prime Minister / State Chief Minister for more than 10 years.
5] Prime Minister or State Chief Minister will have option of including non elected professionals, socially renowned citizens to council of ministers with limitation of number of such inclusions remains under the 2% of total number of seats. Such included members will be part of government but will not have power of voting either in favor or against the government.
6] Graduation is the minimum educational qualification for being a candidate for the elections of State Assembly or Lok Sabha.
7] Any citizen is allowed to fight maximum 10 elections (total) of State Assembly and Lok Sabha during entire life,
8] Candidate must be citizen / voter of that particular constituency since last 10 years from which willing to fight elections.
9] No person should be allowed to represent same constituency for more than 4 times.
10] If an elected representative resigns before completing the term he/she will have to pay the entire government expenses will be occurring for holding fresh elections, which will be held within 30 days from the date of resignation. Similarly in the case of death of representative fresh elections will be held within 30 days.
11] During the term as the public representative no one will be allowed to be active part of any of commercial activity or even held any post in the political party.
12] Before taking oath as M.P. / M.L.A person should resign from the party post held.
13] Specialised ministries should be allotted to specify persons for instant Finance Minister must be post graduate of economics, sports minister must be a sports person with representation at state, national or inter national levels, Science & Technology Minister should be a science post graduate and. Minister associated with youth affairs must be under age of 40 years.
14] Like the minimum age limit there will be upper age limit of 70 years for qualification for being candidate for elections.
15] Along with nomination forms every candidate must declare source for the expenses to be made, this must be at least equivalent to two third of admissible expenses.
16] Every candidate must submit year wise plan of expensing M.P. / M.L.A. fund with details for the constituency along with nomination form.
17] Any citizen under judicial trial will not be entitled for being candidate at elections.
18] Every M.P. / M.L.A must publish year wise property held through news papers and own official website, this declaration must include property of last 10 years.
19] Speaker of house will not be entitled for voting.
20] Instead of single admissible election expense, this will be calculated on the basis of number of voters in the constituency with subjected to equivalent to maximum Rs. 20 per voter.
21] Non refundable security deposit for the candidate will be equivalent to 5% of government expenses occurring for holding the elections in that constituency. This security deposit will be part of admissible expenses.
22] Political Parties will be allowed to collect funds from their members and supporter but this must be minimum of Rs. 5000/- and names of donors with PAN numbers must be published in news papers and on the official website quarterly. There must be year wise list of donors with amount for last ten years.
23] Every candidate must declare the amount given to election fund of party; this amount will be treated as part of admissible expenses.
24] If two or more political parties are making pre poll seat adjustment, they should fight the election on same and single symbol.
25] If a M.P. / M.L.A. fail to implement 80% of development plans under the M.P. / M.L.A. funds for two years, he /she will be called back and fresh elections will be held in that constituency within 30 days, such M.P. / M.L.A. will have to pay for the government expenses occurring due to fresh elections.
26] If a government employee wishes to fight election, he /she should not be in government service on the day of filling nomination papers.
27] M.P. / M.L.A will be entitled for free housing / telephone etc either at capital or at home town.
28] There should not be any post poll alliances. In a hung assembly / parliament political party / pre poll alliance with highest seats will be allowed to form government with provision of restructuring voting powers. This means every member of party in power will have voting power equivalent to more than one where as for others this will be below 1 vote.
29] M.P. / M.L.A will not be allowed to be part of any N.G.O., sports authority or any other organization, He / She must resign from such post before filling the nomination papers.
30] This is most common in the recent times that assembly / parliament remains suspended for considerable duration due to this or that reason, if during any session assembly / parliament is suspended by speakers for more than 10% of total functional time of that session, all the M.P. / M.L.A will not be entitled for the allowance for that session.
31] Neither the family members nor the relatives of any M.P. / M.L.A will be entitled to part of any N.G.O. or any other social organization established during the turn over as the M.P. / M.L.A.
32] Any commercial establishment associated with M.P. / M.L.A. (including family members and relatives) will be entitled for loans only either from Bank or from government and not from any other source.

Budget 2010

Budget 2010
Yesterday evening I was at the Gandhinagar market, interacting with local traders in connection of renovation of our site www.gandhinagarworld.com and publishing of business directory of wholesale and retail shops in the Gandhinagar (one of the biggest wholesale market in south Maharashtra) Kolhapur. As it was only a day before, Mamta Didi has presented rail budget so a few people asked me about my participation in the budget related program “Public Ka Vitmantri” telecasted on Zee business and Zee News two years back in February 2008.
This has prompted me to write something more on the budgetary proposals in the light of changed economic conditions of developing country like India, though I know that this is quite late, as few hours from know Indian Finance minister will raise to present Finance bill and read out his budget proposal in the parliament so this is almost impossible for him even thought about my suggestion but surely these suggestions might prove handy for the future budgets of country and this temptation is forcing me to write all this.
Suggestion [1] Roads & Highways
If you are on tour of Maharashtra certainly you will enjoy the status of roads and highways, the only head ache is that if you are driving your own vehicle after every 100 odd Km’s you have to stop for paying toll tax which not only proves hurdle for enjoying the driving but also proves instrumental for misbalancing your travel budget. This toll tax is applicable on the most of national and state highways through out India. If I have been finance minister surely I have proposed to abolish this toll tax by imposing additional road tax duty on new vehicle registration as follows Two wheelers Rs. 500Three Wheelers Rs. 250Four Wheelers (Personal Use) Rs. 2000Four Wheelers (Public Use) Rs. 1000Mini Bus & Mini Trucks Rs. 2500Bus & Truck Rs. 5000This amount will not only meet with the revenue collected from the toll tax but also prove sufficient to spare a decent amount for the maintenance of present roads and funds for the development of future roads.
Suggestion [2] Tobacco, Alcohol & Health
Since past few years government is appearing very much cautious about the public health and proving harsh for the consumption of tobacco & alcohol. Considerable decent amount is being allotted for educating people about the disadvantages and health hazards of consuming tobacco and alcohol. In my personal view this is not just crime but eventually a sin, especially when we take in consideration that many Indian villages don’t have primary health facilities. I suggest that no expenses should be allowed for educating people about health hazards generating from the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Instead of that these products must be taxed with such high rates that they should go beyond the buying powers of common citizen, for instant presently one cigarette is casting about Rs. 2, an additional duty of Rs. 18 should be posed to make it available for Rs. 20. This additional amount should be utilized in providing better free medical facilities to villagers.
Suggestion [3] Taxes
This is the most important and much awaited part of budget speech of finance minister because this has powers of affecting day to day life of common people.
My first suggestion is related with indirect taxes; under the waves of globalization this is common fact that in the most of world markets there is competition between the local commodities and imported goods. Unfortunately we Indians have an attitude of buying imported goods just because over the centauries we have been educated that these are better quality products but time has proved that goods manufactured in India are meeting with world standards of quality. I suggest that import duty on the commodities manufactured outside of India must be 10% higher that what excise duty is applicable on the similar product manufactured in India. However if the manufacturing company starts a plant in India, imports raw material and manufacture goods in India, this additional import duty must be adjusted with the excise duty. For example if the Lenovo or Dell is establishing a unit for assembling laptops in India, company must be allowed to pay import duty equivalent to Indian laptop assembling company, but in case of ready to use laptops Lenovo or Dell must pay 10% higher import duty.
Considering the agricultural based economy of India, I am suggesting imposing 1% income tax on the sale value of cash crops like Cotton and Sugar cane; this must be deducted at the factories. Similarly many fruits are exported to other countries either in raw form or as the processed product, I suggest imposing 10% income tax on sale value of these if exported in raw form and 1% on processed products.
Now I am turning to my suggestions related to direct tax. My suggestions are:

Salaried Person

1] Income including investment benefits up to Rs. 3 Lakhs No Tax

2] From Rs. 3 to 5 Lakh 8% [Max Rs. 16000]

3] From Rs. 5 to 7 Lakh 9% [Rs. Rs.16000 plus 9%]

4] From Rs. 7 to 10 Lakh 10% [Rs. 34000 plus 10%]

5] Rs 10 Lakh & Above 15% [Rs. 64000 plus 15%]
Business Income

In our country business houses, companies and traders are allowed to pay income tax after deducting expenses from the Gross profit. In most of cases this system is reducing net profit to just 2 - 4 % of sale turnover and in some cases even less than 1%. This creates space for corruption whiles the assessment of tax. I am suggesting tax structure based on the Gross Profits. I will also raise the limit of getting account books audited from present 40 Lakh to 60 Lakh. Retail shop owners with annual sale of Rs.12 Lakh or lesser will be allowed not to keep account books, provided they pay Rs. 3000 as income tax.
Traders

1] Gross Profit Less than Rs. 3 Lakh No Tax

2] From 3 Lakh to 10 Lakh 5% [From Rs. 15000 to Rs. 50000]

3] Above Rs. 10 Lakh 8% [Rs. 50000 plus 8%]
Manufacturers & Companies

1] Gross Profit Less than Rs. 10 Lakh 2%

2] From 10 to 24.99 Lakh 4%

3] From 25 Lakh to 49.99 Lakh 6%

4] From 50 Lakh to 99.99 Lakh 8%

5] 100 Lakh & above 10%

Why We are Sindhi

A few days back entire country was celebrating annual festival Republic Day, as this was the 61st time for citizens to involve in national celebration and feel the proud of being Indian and to mark the completing of 60 years of accepting constitution for the republic way of ruling, a musical tribute was prepared in the form of new revised edition of one of popular patriotic song “Mile Sure Mera Tumhara” which is the true reflection of rich linguistic and regional diversity of the country. This is certainly highly upsetting happening that this new version of “Mile Sur” is without few nodes of Sindhi, which was integral part of old version.
This is a fact that population of Sindhis in India is hardly 2 – 3 % of total population of country, but who will dare to deny that Sindhis are contributing at least twice of there population towards the economic growth of the country. In these conditions if the Sindhi community is shocked, feeling dejected, neglected, insulted and there are waves of anger among the Sindhi youth, nothing is wrong in it. All this is quite normal. I have received a few mails like one from the 21 years young Brahmkhatri Niraj of Vadodara Gujrat and various SMS from the different parts of country asking for my reaction over this.
Certainly this is shocking and insulting happening for the Sindhi community but more importantly for the nation because by excluding Sindhi from the new version of “Mile Sur” should be taken as the killing of rich linguistic and regional heritage held by the country. In another way this can also be taken as the insult of Indian constitution which recognized Sindhi as one of the languages of country. Surely this ignorance of very high quality and every Indian should protest for this, but being a Sindhis I had tried to look at my inner conscious over this issue and find “Why we are Sindhi?” awaiting for a reply.
This is historic fact that over the centauries Hindu people living on the banks of Holy River Sindhu and worshiping God Jhulelal [Water God] as their deity were identified as the Sindhi community. At the time of partition of country in 1947, alike other Hindus, Sindhis were also forced to migrate to India. Eventually this partition has resulted in creation of two religions for the people of Sindhi community, population migrated to India remained to their original religion Hindu, where as most of Sindhis, who opted to live in Pakistan, have created new section Musilim Sindhi by being converted into followers of Islam. Being born and brought up in India and working as the teacher in the Sindhi medium school, I have seen the hard work, troubles and pains sustained by our elders for re-establishing themselves after the migration. Keeping a space open for being disagreed, I am trying to answer the question why we are Sindhi?
At the time of partition of country there was no population rich area in the free India for the Sindhis as the others like Punjabi, Bengali and Rajasthani, [on the basis of which states of country are formed] hence migrated Sindhis were accommodated in the different parts of country. As the result of this minority community Sindhi reached to stage of being with very isolated population and without a state in India. This is also fact that though Sindhis in India were left without a linguistic state but hard working Sindhis have tried to keep their linguistic identity intact by establishing Sindhi medium schools, unfortunately here one of greatest quality “Adoptability” of Sindhi community [Probably Sindhi community is most adoptable among the human communities of world and that’s why in every part of globe people belonging to Sindhi community are present] functioned as the hard to sustain obstacle for existence of these Sindhi schools, as during these 60 years, either most of Sindhi schools are closed or converted into schools with other than Sindhi language as the medium of instruction.
We are Sindhi just because we have Sindhi language for communication, which gives our community a separate and individual state and work as our identity. Being a community of business attitude, Sindhis started to learn the local regional language and English and it was natural that slowly and gradually Sindhi language, which was and is the identity of Sindhis, was sidelined. Unfortunately in the free India, Sindhis were also left with status of being without any strong political leadership and dispute over the adaptation of Arabic or Devnagiri script for Sindhi language. Language is the root, which supplies water and growth essential minerals to tree of customs, traditions and rich social heritage. As the use of Sindhi language in the day to day life is reduced [This is unfortunate, though hard to digest truth that at most places Sindhi language is not used even for communication between the family members] so the community tree started to become weak and weaker due to insufficient supply of life elements and for this none else but we Sindhis are responsible because we stopped using Sindhi language.
I wish to conclude with a very clear message for Sindhi youth, If you are in the mind set, that whole nation should oppose and raise a wise to protest revised version of “Mile Sur” you should start speaking Sindhi language. Do remember Parasi community has much lesser population than Sindhis in India. Parasi New year is the holiday in the country but how many other community members from your own city knows about the “Cheti Chandu” Sindhi New Year day? We are Sindhi and will remain Sindhi only if Sindhi language remains alive.

Elections IPL and Indians

Elections IPL and Indians
Cricket is not just another sport as for as South Asia, especially when India is taken in consideration. Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar are more than living God for the cricket passionate Indians, Though this is fact that cricket is not beyond the reach of market dominating powers as huge money is involved with the conduction of the game but still cricket is the red life supporting liquid flowing in the blood vessels of Indians.
Unfortunately in our country, though we have a democratic setup of ruling but still most of us didn’t dare to cross the verbal reaction lines and enter into field of action. BCCI has decided to move the IPL to foreign land in reaction of central government’s refusal to provide adequate security as the dates of tournament and Loksabha elections are clashing with each other. A lot of voices will raised in the country an favor and against of this but one thing is sure that all the accountable persons will be allowed a safe rescue passage for not being responsible for this.
It was very much clear even before the IPL started last year that during the 2009 country will have to go for Lok sabha elections during the April May, surely there were chances for pre elections but all that was case of ifs and buts. It was much clear on the first day of year 2009 that elections will held during this time and after the terrorist attack on the Mumbai, security of the players will be the measure concern for the government and IPL organizers. I can’t understand in these conditions why the BCCI agreed to play an additional Test Match in the New Zealand? Why the wisdom of holding the tournament early has not be opted by the IPL and BCCI? Yet another question is to be answered by the BCCI and IPL organizers, in the democratic set up what should be kept at preference Lko sabha elections or a regular sporting event? One thing is sure that Indian capacities are sufficient enough to tackle the security concerns of elections and this mega sporting event. As Shri Narendera Modi, has already offered his willingness for conducting all the IPL matches at scheduled dates in the Gujarat. Some other states are also there ready to provide security in these conditions surely the decision of moving the IPL away from the country, taken by the BCCI, is beyond the boundaries of understanding?
We are living in the world of market dominated era and cricket is the most profitable commodity, every one, even those claims working for the providing and creating opportunities for the talent are eventually working for gaining the monetary benefits and no one is questioning their this attitude even when in the country, cricket is life style. The question is raised only when the market dominating forces and national pride appear to clashing each other. Surely moving IPL to another country will carry a message of failure of Indians as the nation though this will indicate professional excellence. The only question is there, are we Indian are ready to be renowned as the professional people at the cast of national pride?
As the media reports says most probably IPL will held in Landon because of availability of two cricketing grounds in the city. Is the Landon is more suitable venue than Gujarat? Will the BCCI, who had shown the concern over the losses of market dominating force in case of IPL is not held, dare to think the losses of Indians living in the Gujarat, as Shri Narendra Modi, chief minister of Gujarat is ready to conduct whole IPL tournament?
As I had stated in the opening lines we Indians have an attitude of satisfying our accountability with verbal reactions and don’t hold courage to enter into action fields so nothing will happen and this prestigious Indian sporting event will held on the foreign land. BCCI and political parties will blame the central government and central government will push the ball in the court of states.
The ideal action situation for the Indians will be, if the BCCI persists for his decision of moving IPL away from the country even when Gujarat is ready to assure safe conduction of tournament, not just only boycott the television rely of the matches but also stop using the products of companies sponsoring IPL in the foreign country? How beautiful these words are appearing because we all know these are the words and not deeds and we Indians are masters of words like the cricket.

Democratic Elections

Democratic Elections
Lok Sabha elections are round the corner and in the country like India this opportunity is generated at the regular interval of usual five years and citizen get a chance show and express their attitude and accountability towards the building of geographical land as the nation India.
This is time, the usual democratic elections are meaning a lot more as recently we had seen the anger expression of Indians generated from the terrorist attack on Mumbai and still this threat is withholding the government to grant permission for the IPL in tandem of elections.
Will this time, we the citizens of India, be able to deliver something notable towards our contribution for the development of nation? Will our choice fulfill the standards of selecting a proper representative? After the election will we have the satisfaction of fulfilling our responsibility, laid down on us by our constitution? These are the some of the questions which are bound to get an answer by these elections.
It is often said that elections are the acid test for the politicians, but if we look with wider vision and true sense, eventually democratic elections are the biggest obligation and acid test of wisdom of common citizens, because this one minute individual action is bound to play all important role for the future and contributes very significantly towards the building of nation. The most important question waiting for a reply from this election, is the Indian citizens, during these over fifty years of democracy, does the Indian voters had gained enough maturity and learned art of unbiased voting?
Before we get answer for this on 16 May 2009, this will be beneficial to learn how we had voted in the past, because it is past which gives birth to future on the surface of present. Till today we Indian have voted on the lines of
1] Political Party: At the dawn of democracy in the country, Indians were under the influence of political parties and since recent past not much considerable change is visible as for as this influence is concerned. We are voting on party lines without bothering or even thinking about the ability, social background, educational level, life ideology and many more things related with the individual candidate.
2] Cast: In this line of voting also we ignore all the demerits and shortcomings of individual candidate and vote on solitary line of cast to which we and candidate belongs to.
3] Personal Relation: More than 20% of the people, who comes out for voting are slave of this criteria of voting. We often vote for a candidate only because we have good social relations with candidate or with the friends and relatives of the candidate.
4]Influenced voting: This is yet another significant pattern of voting and very distinctly visible in the rural and areas with low educational levels, where under the influence of threat, greed or short term economic gains, people comes out to vote for a particular candidate.
5] Aggressive Publicity Voting: We had reached to status of living in the market so how can the elections be remaining unaffected from this. Today elections are the reason of economic boost and occasion of huge flow of money. Unfortunately more than 50% people of urban areas, coming out to exercise voting rights are falling pray to this aggressive publicity. The amazing things that most of this educated lot know that, what the candidate is promising and publicizing is not more than seasonal rain of elections and bound to get evaporate as soon as the sun of reality starts to shine in the sky of normal life.
Next in series
Democratic Elections Selecting Candidate

International Women’s Day and Gruhinimahotsav Kolhapur

International Women’s Day and Gruhinimahotsav Kolhapur
8th March is the day, celebrated through out the world as salute to women power. In the country like India, since the centuries social life is considered to be male dominated, though this is fact in the universe India is only country where women is worshiped as Goddess and even in day to day life is treated as Grah Laxmi [Goddess of wealth] but the fact remained unchanged and beyond doubts that during the rule of Moguls on the country work area of Indian women was restricted within the boundary walls of homes. This status of some centuries resulted in creation of secondary status for the women as for as social life is concerned.
Towards the end of British rule movement for strengthening women power in India was started which got momentum after the Independence and in very short time Indian women started moving and sharing social responsibilities. Today after the 60 years of independence Indian women is emerging as one strongest pillar for social and family life. From politics to industrial management in each and every field foot prints of Indian women are very much distinct and clearly visible. Today an Indian woman is leading the country as Rashtrapati first citizen of the country. Kalpna Chawla becomes the first Indian to go into space and Bachindari Paul first Indian lady to climb Himalaya.
Not only in the big cities but small and rural population rich area like Kolhapur, this day is celebrated to felicitate and mark the progress of Indian women. Since last six years, sou Pratima Satej Patil is coordinating Gruhinimahotsav [ http://www.gruhinimahotsav.com/ ] an annual event orgainsed by Dr. D. Y. Patil Arts, Sports, Educational & Cultural Trust Kolhapur under the able guidance of young and visionary leader Bunty Patil [ http://www.buntypatil.com/ ] During this event Women Bachat Gats of Kolhapur District gets free stalls to exhibit handicraft items prepared by them, show their cooking skills and participate in the discussions related with social welfare and awareness. Some of few topics of discussion are Save Girl Child, Pre Marriage HIV Test [ http://www.riskfreepartner.com/ ] and Save Environment etc. During the event Rangoli competition and Greeting card competitions are also held on the same topic.

60 glorious years

60 glorious years

India, world’s largest populated republic democracy is entering into sixties and I am also heading for this as seven years from now I will be able to use the famous Indian Saying “Satha So Patha”. I am daring to write this because at least for two third progress of country [last 40 years] I am live witness. I can recall some political memories like going for listening speeches by Late Balraj Madhok and other political leaders in the series of Lectures by eminent Indian personalities arranged by Community Ganeshoutsav Mandals of Burhanpur or going for taking autograph of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpay direct from hospital where I was recovering after a serious operation and special permission of doctors was taken for this only. This might sound a bit hard to believe for younger generation but frankly speaking in those day life was not the utensil of complicity as the present one is.
History might be cursing Late Smt. Indira Gandhi for imposing emergency and over shading the rights of freedom of millions and million Indians, but I can recall we were discussing it among the friends as necessary action for bringing discipline in day to day life because in those days trains started running on time. This might be the sky limit for thought flight of our teen aged minds. Today when I am listening and observing consists demand from masses for the responsibility filled work attitude either by politician or by the government officials I can say seeds of this are eventually sown during the days of emergency.
This journey of 60 years was not always of the smooth roads; Himalayan obstacles were presented by wars with Pakistan and China, though India always emerged as victor but never found comfort of safe international boundaries. Communal forces and lack of strong political will had also proved speed breakers for economic and infra structural growth of country.
Since the 60 years Kashmir is burning and unsolved social problem, the souring wounds are salted with agitation and voices of separation from the north east but more importantly countries political leadership looked more interested in deepening this valley of misunderstand instead of working as strong biding force for keeping the communal harmony intact. God might have created Indian land on ideal of own because like the different colors of natural powers, India is human ocean of different faiths, customs and traditions, as nobody is sure about the liking a certain color of nature so no body can say which faith, custom or tradition has worked more importantly for making India, one among the super powers of the world.
Entire world is looking at 26/11 terrorist attack on Mumbai as one of the worst happening in the country during these 60 years but frankly speaking surely there will be people for whom this incident was blessing of God because despite of scarifying lives of some truly dedicated defense personals and some hundreds of innocent citizens Indian youth awaked with realization of self, Muslim community which always blamed for creating a separate stream, appears to be part of main Indian stream. Political leadership has realized that days are over for their decade old policy of divide and rule, common Indian citizen is not going to be satisfied with the verbal actions like the past. Official are feeling the pressures of responsibilities linked with their post and more importantly youth is stepping forward for constructing New India, defining responsibilities and persisting for getting the answer for the questions related with the progress and safety of the country. This is all important post 26/11 effect that country is now not getting satisfaction with words but looking for the actions taken for the improvement.

Political Reforms

Political Reforms
Since past few days mercury level of political arena is on the way of touching a new height with the on going political war of leaders of North India especially of the Bihar with the young Maharshtrian leader Raj Thakre. If we look at the root cause for all these unpleasant happening we are bound to end with political desire of proving the regional supremacy of self over the others.
In fact this regionalism is seeded with our constitution though I am not a constitution expert but surely an Indian with a little bit of wisdom to take the measures of the situations. At the time of independence country was divided into state on the bases of language and unfortunately during these over 60 years of post independence we fail to develop attitude of being Indian still we are Punjabi, Gujarati, Bihari, Rajathani, Maharashtrian or North Indians and south Indians. As we are living in the democratic setup and it is most suited for the political parties to have small but very strong supportive vote banks hence political leadership of the country has preferred to work for keeping the regional identity intact instead of developing attitude and affection for the national identity among the generations of post independence era.
This is always said that there is a silver lining in the dark clouds. In fact this ongoing political dispute is that silver line which must be utilised for initiating the script writing for the much needed political reforms. On my experiences as the common citizen I am putting up some reforms.
Constitutional
There will be no states in the country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari whole land will be a nation. This is sure that an opposing argument will be based on difficulties at administrative levels but this can be solved with making provision of increasing the powers of local bodies at the city / village levels and increasing the number of members of Lok Sabha there must be a representative of every five Lakh voters in the dense population areas and for three Lakh voters in the areas of dispersed population.
As there is provision of development funds for every Member of Parliament so this can be made compulsory for all the political parties to face the elections with their proposed development plan for every constituency by utilizing this fund. Winning party which fails to complete less than 80% of proposed development will not be entitled for fighting election from that constituency in the next election.
People often complains and there is truth in it to considerable extant, that MP or MLA of the area has not worked for the all round and equal development in the constituency and has utilized most of the funds for providing facilities to specific area of the constituency. To avoid this I am suggesting change in method of declaring winner of election, instead of present total number of popularity votes, candidate who stood first on the list of popularity votes at 70% of total pooling booths will be declared winner. This might rarely happens that a candidate might get higher votes but as that candidate fails to gets first position at 70% of total pooling booths so this candidate will not be the winner.
There is another way also in which every pooling booth will be converted into single vote and candidate standing first and second will get it. For illustration suppose in a constituency there are 500 pooling booths so a candidate will be entitled for getting maximum 1000 votes and any candidate getting 700 votes should be declared winner. For getting pooling both vote this will essential for the candidate to get at least 20% of total votes. [If 1000 people have voted at least 200 must have voted for that candidate]
Any member of Parliament changing party six months prior to election will not be entitled for fighting the forth coming election on the ticket of newly joined party and will have to wait till next election for being a candidate from the same constituency.
Political parties failing to win 10% of total seats will loose their registration with election commission and their candidates who had won that election will have to join any other party within 30 days of such action.
Political leaders will not be entitled for accepting any gift / donation either from common citizen or from any commercial establishment for self or for party.
Political parties will get election fund equivalent to 5% of aggregate of development fund received by their Members of Parliament.
Candidate are allowed to make maximum election expanses at the rate of Rs. 5/- [Five] per voter and has to submit details of proposed expanses while filling the election forms. Election commission will give Rs. 1 Lakh to every candidate who keeps total election expenses within Rs. 10 Lakh and gets Rs. 1 Lakh from the party election fund.
For registering a party with election commission, which can be done one year prior of next scheduled elections, this will be mandatory to have endorsement from at least 15 present or past members of Parliament who are entitled for fighting election and give written commitment of fighting next election as party candidate of this new political party. Election commission will charge Rs. 30,000/- for registering a political party.
In the case of death / disqualification of a member, instead of holding fresh elections, candidate stood second in the previous election will become member for rest of the term. This rule is applicable only if the time for the next scheduled election is higher than six months, other wise party president will look after the developmental works of the constituency without having voting rights or right of participation in the parliament functioning.
No politician will be entitled for fighting more than five elections irrespective of wining or loosing the election and this will be inclusive of the elections at the city / Village level.
Independent candidates will not be allowed to fight elections for the Lok Sabha, however their participation will be allowed in the city / Village level elections. Here also provision should be made for providing development fund and pre election announcement of development plan by the candidates at the city / village levels.
Rajya Shabha will not exist. President of India will have right of appointing 20 members for Lok sabha but these appointment member will not be entitled for becoming a minister in the government and eventually function as independent candidate.
There will be no reservation in any field on any bases and there will be only one set of laws for all the Indians, irrespective of their caste, religion or region of living. Using a word indicating caste or religion of any citizen will be a punishable crime.
This is common observation that these days working of Parliament House gets hurdles or withheld for this or that reasons hence to avoid this, provision should be made that members must get allowance on the bases of working hours of the house instead of present one which is based on the number of days.
This is also observed that certain politicians are enjoying same portfolio in the ministry for several terms which often leads creation of non satisfaction and irregular [region wise] development works by that ministry. Provision should be made that no politicians should be allowed same ministry for more than three years in the entire political career. However post of Prime Minister & Finance Minister will be free from this restriction.
In the case of ruling party don’t have any member matching with eligibility criteria for the Finance Minister, can appoint any suitable candidate. In that case one member of the party will have to resign from the membership of Parliament and person appointed as finance minister will be treated as representative for the constituency of resigning member.
Baring the Prime Minister, all the ministers and Members of Parliaments will be entitled for 3BHK flat in multistoried building for their residential purpose in Delhi on rental basis. The rent will not be in excess of 20% of salary and allowances and will be deducted at source. All the members have to vacant this flat one month prior of the elections and have to submit such certificate to election officials if fighting elections.
As in the present era politics is no more act of social service and being member of Parliament involves more than adequate economic gains hence if any member needs a security will have to pay for this.
Eligibility Criteria
This is most strange and truly fascinating fact about our country that for being selected to post of forth grade employee say peon one needs to have a minimum educational qualification equivalent of 10 years of school education but for being a politician, representative of millions and nation’s police maker you are free from such obligations. We are often complaining about lowering of moral behavior by the politicians but never put stress for combining the educational qualification with the essentials of political leadership. As at the time of independence educational levels in our country were lower in the true sense but during these 60 years we had marched miles and miles ahead on the road of increasing educational levels hence this is most appropriate time to make certain essential educational levels for fighting elections. My proposed educational eligibility criteria is
For Village Level Elections: Minimum 8 years of school educationFor City Level Elections: Minimum 12 years of school education For Being Member of Parliament: A degree or professional diploma For Being Minister: Post GraduationFor Finance Minister: Economics Post Graduate or CEO of a corporate house with five years experience. For Defense Minister: Retired armed force personal of rank of Major and above or IPS personal of equivalent post. For Prime Minister: Minimum one year’s experience of being a minister is desirable but not essential.
The most and all important eligibility criteria for being entitled as a candidate in any election, person must not have any past criminal record and at any time of election process should not be in prison even due to political reasons.
To Young Indians
I know my most of proposals will be out rightly rejected by majority of the present political leadership of the country, but frankly speaking I had not written a single word for them, all this is about a hard to achieve challenge for younger Indian generation and written for the purpose of awakening them. Once I had read a meaningful and inspiring thought “Be the change you want to see”. I wish to further ahead of this that this is always the younger generations which are willing for change and have the energy sources essential for bringing the change. I wish to say identify your energy potential and instead of using this for destructive works by playing at the hands of politicians, be politicians, utilize these huge energy channels you have for making self and every citizen of country, an Indian in true sense. Do remember old aged persons can only suggest directions for the action but can’t initiate an action this is the reasonability of youth to act and bring a desirable change.