Mr Dear Brother Pakistan.

My Dear Brother Pakistan,

You were born because our leaders consented the theory of two nations based on religion to bring peace on our land. British who divided and rule us for 190 years, left us in divisions. You were demanding autonomy but we thought, let you remain happy with an independent country, take your decisions and grow better than us. It was accepted like a division of a family. 

Don't you know, the land which you have received is the real Hindustan-Sindhustan (the land of river Sindhu) where the verses of Vedas, Upanishads, Yoga and entire wisdom of Hinduism were received by our ancestors. You are our blood. It was Muslim rule of Turks that change the religion of the ancestors and now you worship the supreme power Almighty Allah and we continued with the worshiping of Almighty Ishwar. Names of our God changed but the blood and culture remained the same. The beats of our hearts are the same. The mad people killed many of our brothers and sisters of both sides of the borders cruelly during partition but still our love didn't end. We may express hatredness but that is the expression of the deepest love in our hearts because we haven't forgotten each other for last 68 years. Every evening the beats of both of us witness the unity of hearts at Vagha Border. A thin curtain of mistrust prohibits our ways and the middle men play over it.
   
We know you are so valuable to us. You take the first stroke of attack on you before it reaches to India. You are acting as a buffer guard for India and saving us from the attacks of Turks, Afghans, Arabs and others for centuries. 

The terrorists are like fire. They will burn those whom they attack but they will burn where they live in too. The short term tactical measure become liability of the creator. Don't you believe? Just check the number of incidents and casualties you have suffered all those years compared to the damages done by these people to India. You have suffered more than us. You have lost more than 35000 humans and paid economic cost of $68 billion in terrorists attacks in a decade. Our hearts cried when the terrorists killed innocent children of Army Public School of Peshawar. We feel sad when Pakistani blood shed on ground by the terrorists attacks.  And may be you feel the same when you saw the events of attack over Indian Parliament, mumbai attacks, pathankot air base attack, etc. 

What did you gain from the wars of 1947, 1965, 1971, 1999? You know better.

What is in Kashmir? Jammu and Ladakh are non Muslim areas. The valley of Kashmir, you have already divided. We have accepted partition of Punjab and Bengal in 1947 and people have been settled in both the sides over the years. Why can't we accept the LoC as our International border and settle the dispute of Kashmir? The division of Kashmir may be accepted like division of Punjab and Bengal, as the most practical solution of the problem.

Please look back and check the defense statistics. How many rupees and dollars both of us have spent on weapons? The white skinned nations supply weapons to us and take away our wealth and the best of the products, produced by our people with their hard work. Large population of our nations is still living under poverty line. They are living on $1.90 or less/day/head and we are spending billions of dollars on weapons. We are made from one blood and we wish to kill each other with the weapons developed by others. When shall we wake up? 

We have our people, land and our own rule. Why can't we use our natural resources and trade advantages and serve the people of both the countries? Our army may need some work. They can be better utilized in maintenance of internal securities and management of calamities. And of course a vigil force to guard the borders. Where do the countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangala Desh, Bhutan, Burma etc, need large army and artillery against India? Similarly, you may build trust with India punishing terrorists who attack on us and save your budget that can be utilized for the development of your Nation. 

In Mahabharata, Pandavas and Kauravas divided the Country into Hastinapur and Khandav Prastha. Pandavas developed the barren areas and turned Khandav Prastha into Idraprastha. But they lost it in gambling. Ultimately, the war between Pandavas and Kauravas destroyed millions of people from both the sides. Both were the losers in the war.

Both of us hold nuclear weapons. If mad moment control our minds and by mistake this weapon is used in war, the entire generation of our blood will suffer. The wounds of partition, wars and terrorists attacks are yet to heal; the new wounds may never be healed for centuries.

We have two ways open; the path of Development and the path of Destruction. It is our choice to select either of the D. India has selected the path of Development from the beginning. If you selects the same, both of us with our younger sibling Bangladesh can write new Golden Chapter in the History of the World. We have the youngest population of the world and the most fertile land on the earth. Our unity can do wonders. We don't wish to rule others but our development will create a peaceful environment that will bring peace to the world. Our wisdom will be a lighthouse that will guide to other nations.

Don't you remember, our forefathers advised us centuries ago to live together accepting the whole earth as one family, "vashudhaiva kutumbkam" and also told us to accept good thoughts from all the directions, "aano bhadra: kratvo yantu vishwata:". Let us take pride of our great heritage together and build an "Umbrella Nation" where all our brothers and sisters live with peace, harmony and prosperity. We love each other the most. When we meet in third country, we share our happiness and sorrow together like real brothers. Can't we keep religion as our inner faith and brotherhood as our external relationship?

With the surprised visit of Pakistan, our PM has extended the hand of friendship to build trust but the terrorists spoiled its fruits by attacking Pathankot. 

Waging war is not a solution of any problem. 

Be our brother. 

Punamchand
11 December 2016

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JAGO BABU JAGO

Aam adami jag chukka hey. Bahut gussa hey, ab jyada aajma nahi sakate. Anna crusade gherao MPs today, tomorrow will be Babus turn. 

New India is a literate India watching at us. Young India is vibrant and vocal. They understand the hardships of  their survival in the market. They can’t digest the phenomenal wealth growth of politicians and bureaucrats. 

250 cr+ properties of MP cadre IAS couple is not only talked in the country but also talked abroad. The AIS officers turned corporate may be icons for fellow colleagues but question marks for the people. 

People have started questioning politicians and public servants but a day has to come to question the wealth and growth of some of the industrial and business houses. 

India a property has been given by the Britishers and Principalities to the people of the country. But it has been owned by limited rich people. Economic disparity is one of the biggest problems of the country. India of homogeneous society is our dream to achieve. 

Anna movement has raised a big question against the present system of administration. 10 hours voting gives power to the politicians for 5 years and 30 hours 30 minutes examinations give powers to the AIS officers for 35 years. A one day game of election played by politicians with many fouls, managing EC’s guidelines make themselves masters of the country/states. The elected government administered the country/state through the bureaucracy. Therefore both of them come under the scanner of the people of India.

It is said that elections are fought with big money. Many MPs and MLAs are crorepati as preference of ticket goes with their spending capacity on elections. The political parties build party fund to hold power. Some politicians recover their election expenditure and make more to fight future elections. People are dreaming to see a day when the party funds accounts and hidden donations of industries/commerce will become transparent. 

India has lost the days of one party rule resulting in compromising governments of alliance parties which shares ministries as per the power sharing agreements. People of India are also at fault to elect multi parties rule. 

The ECI while defending the EVM, lost the secrecy of voters. It helps the representatives to take decisions and use discretionary funds to benefit their voters. 

Young and energetic AIS officers starts their journey of Public Administration at the training institutes with a mission to serve the nation (some starts with weekend liquor parties!) but soon it dilutes with the contacts of politicians and business interest groups. “Jaisa Sang taisa Rang”. Some learn from peers, some from seniors, some from subordinates and some may be from the new players. The first posting of revenue start changing their thinking of revenue with subject matters i.e. NA! Some start a different journey against the oath taken to follow the Constitution of India. These some have spoiled the reputation of the AIS and the giant acts and achievements of many went in veins. 

It is said that word “BABUS’ is a synonym for transfers, postings and promotions; a commodity to be purchased by offerings. Interest groups decides ‘yah chalega, yah nahi chalega’. Some use ‘silver or gold shoes’ (dialogue from movie Guru) to buy decision makers. Those who are deprived of the nectar of bribe became jealous of the system. Some fighters get their ratings down so that the system keeps them away till they are tired or retired. 

Manu Smrity says, ‘public fund in the hand of a public servant is like honey in the mouth of a bear.’ Is the power money cake of honey surrounded by the bears?

Lokpal may not answer all questions of corruptions but Anna movement has awakened the people and given a way to express their displeasure. The day is near to hear same loud displeasure against the ‘Babus’. 

Jagte Raho!

Punamchand

26/8/2011

NB: These are vespers, difficult to prove but many of us still vespers.

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Why can't they change?

Why can't they change?

Centuries passed, Iranian Aryans, the Parsis remained the same. One of the reasons of not allowing others to their fire temple is to keep their promise given to the King that they will not try any conversion of people to their religion.

What a great teaching that all children are equal and free from the stain of sin at birth, free to make choice between good and evil, and responsible for the consequences of his/her deeds!

Indian Aryan started with the division of the people. The 10th Mandal of Rigveda was a later addition but it with Manu Smiriti, otherwise great books, made the life a hell for some people for centuries. People at large were at fault. They were suppressing others in the name of religion. The victims value measured only through denial, insult and injury. We propagate that our present life including the caste is a reason for our acts and deeds of past life/lives. The children born with birth mark!

How my India would have been, if stains of sin were not marked over children by birth? Social inequality was the reason for most of our problems.

"In his suicide note, Rohith Vemula (Research Scholar, University of Hyderabad) said that he didn’t want responsibility for his death attributed to anybody, and – even more significantly – he regretted that the value of a man was reduced to his immediate identity and nearest possibility. To a vote. To a number. To a thing. Never was a man treated as a mind. Politics reduced him to his body, dismissing his soul. He saw around him was second-hand feelings, constructed love, coloured beliefs and artificial art. He wanted to become a writer like Carl Sagan, but in the growing gap of his soul and his body, he moved to the stars from shadows. He appeared and gone, from darkness to light. He wrote, "his birth was a fatal accident".

One of our colleagues told that asking an age of a candidate by the interviewer is considered a prejudice behaviour in US, but in India, nothing starts without asking the caste, what are you? And then the pulls, why are you? However, US was not good in past. We know the slavery of the blacks. Colour of the skin was making the discrimination. India is better, at least asking a question, which caste are you? We are still living in middle ages.

Punamchand
22 January 2016

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Jivrajbhai, the turning point in the life of Ram Krishna Yadav

Jivrajbhai was a turning point

Jivrajbhai wrote about Shardaben and Rameshbhai, the modern Savitri-Satyavan couple of Surat Gujarat. Jivrajbhai is a father of Raneshbhai. He used to go and stay in Haridwar in search of peace of mind. There was a Kripalu Baug Ashram of an old saint Kripalu Maharaj near to the place where he used to stay. His day was spent either with the old Saint in Kripalu Baug or in Gayatri campus of Shantikunj. Over a period of time, the Saint and Jivrajbhai developed intimacy with each other. As the Saint was getting older, he told Jivrajbhai to take care of the Ashram activities. 

There used to be three youths (Ram Krishna Yadav, Bal Krishna and Karnaveer) in there late 20s wearing white cloths and moving into the villages of Haridwar, riding bicycles. One of the three, Bal Krishna had good knowledge of Himalayan herbs. The other two were his companions. They were collecting herbs from Himalayas and distributing amongst the people in villages. They met Jivrajbhai in Shantikunj campus in 1993. Looking to their youthfulness and good social services, Jivrajbhai helped them with monetary support.

As the Saint at Kripalu Baug Ashram was getting older, and Jivrajbhai already impressed with the social services of these three youths decided to involve them in Kripalu Baug Ashram activities. He, therefore, proposed them to join ashram with a condition to become Sanyasi and to wear saffron clothes. The three youths asked for some time to think and returned. After few days, they returned with a decision to make one of them, Ramkrishna Yadav, a Sanyasi wearing saffron clothes to join the Ashram. The other two decided to continue in white clothes. Ram Krishna Yadav took a Sanyas Diksha and was renamed as Baba Ramdev. 

After death of Kripalu Maharaj in 1994, a trust Divya Yog Mandir was formed by Jivrajbhai, Shankardev, Baba Ramdev, Bal Krishna and other two persons. Patanjali is a sub branch of DYM, owned by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Bal Krishna. There was controversy of missing/ death of Shankardev in 2007.  

Initially, Baba Ramdev started Yoga campaign through TV. In the beginning, he was paying rent to Astha channel for his Yoga slots, later owned the channel. The channel become his cash cow. His featuring in TV with his yoga posture of moving intestines in abdomen area, not made him popular but also it made the Indian Yoga world famous. People of all age started his anulom vilom and kapalbhanti pranayam. Some people did object about the method and speed of the pranayam referring Patanjali Yog Sutra, but Baba was going on his campaign of Yoga with the feedback sounds of many beneficiaries of the practice. People on their own used to come forward and explained the benefits of yoga. Why not, whatever amount of carbon dioxide discharge out of the system by whatever means is always beneficial in reduction of weight and keeping the organs fit.

Simultaneously, he and his herb companion Balkrishna together started production of herbal products under the banner 'Patanjali' in Haridwar with a marketing strategy of Swadeshi. Within 10 years, the company's turnover has already crossed ₹45 billion (US$670 million) and is cruising at a monthly rate of about ₹5 billion(US$74 million). It has hit the leading companies in the market of Ayurveda and cosmetic products. 

Within a short period, a young man on a bicycle, started from scratch zero become one of the wealthiest Babas of the country, selling Yoga and Herbal products across the world. 

He was Jivrajbhai, who gave him seed money, brought him to Kripalu Baug Ashram and within a short time these two entrepreneurs Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna became rich and world famous. 

Baba Ramdev came by a chartered plane and attended the wedding of Jivrajbhai's grand daughter in 2014. Ram Krishna Yadav's journey from a bicycle to cars to aircrafts is very interesting.

Punamchand
24 July 2016

NB: The contents of the article has been taken as explained by Shri Veljibhai, the sambadhi of Jivrajbhai.

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Equality in Hinduism

Equality in Hinduism

All Hindus are equal when it comes to spirituality of Atma, the Brahman. But when it comes to profession/occupations, it is a society of unequals. 

Look at the Country at large. It is a country of backwards majority. All castes and sub castes are identified with their occupations in India. The occupation became necessity and the way of individual life. Therefore, who were in good professions didn't allow others to enter into their profession and those who were in bad or unclean occupations were compelled to continue with them under the fear social boycotts as they were dependents on others for their water, food and employment. They become slaves of all for centuries till Muslims, British, Education and Urbanisation approached them. 

Do you know, Japan had the same system like Hinduism. Their Shintoism is our Hinduism. When Japan was following Shintoism, it was divided into five castes/varnas: Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra and Chandals (they have Japanese names carry the same meaning and same inequality what we follow here). But with the entry of Buddhism, Shintoism was squeezed to the level of 20%. 80% of the Japanese are Buddhist. The new generation is moving towards no religion and mainly following development as their path for individual life and career promotion.

Hinduism as religion carry great knowledge. There is no match of this knowledge with any other race or culture in the world. Our Rishis, Our scientists, our Brahmins, what they realised, discovered, invented, no words are there to explain their greatness. On one side, 98% population was busy in their occupations but the few, only 2% of the population, the Brahmanas, were busy in search of knowledge. They discovered the secrets of nature and preserve it for centuries so that it become a guiding light for all the generations of the mankind. Shashtang Dandvat Pranam for their contribution to the mankind. 

But the question now comes, who are Brahmanas? Not those born in Brahmin family but those who are in the field of knowledge and research. We see many people, born in upper castes but follow the karma of lower castes. Upper and lower are the karmas in comparison to their labour and rewards, and only for the division of labour/work as per individual's ability and strength. The same, how we select individual for different posts/work. It has nothing to do with birth. Because the manufacturing process for all children is the same, only difference is the Sanskara, and that comes through the teaching, can be acquired by all. 

Therefore, if you are a well wisher of Hinduism, please unite the religion like the rope, in which all the threads remain intact and become the strength of the rope. We left the room for the Islam and Christianity to enter into us through backward population. We didn't accept the backwards in past and we don't accept the converts in present in social interactions. 15% Dalits didn't come forward to become Buddhist following Dr. Ambedkar, otherwise it would have been another bigger division of Hinduism. Just calculate, 11% Muslims, 15% Dalits, 7% Tribals, 2% Christians, 2% Shikhs, 2% Jains, 0.5% Buddhist, some Parsis and other non Hindu minorities. Almost half the mark.  Dalits, Tribal, Jains, Shikh, Buddhist are considered Hindu or semi Hindu, therefore, the Hinduism culture of the country has been maintained. Post independence, by fencing the bigger population of Muslims into Pakistan and Bangladesh, it has given better room for Hinduism to breathe and develop faster. We may return to our old Golden days of glory of Hindu Spirituality of ancient India, where each house become our knowledge sharing centre, living the life of Brahmanas, Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma. 

Break the walls, breaks the barriers. Unite all the threads of Indians into one rope. 

But are you willing to do that? Are you ready to accept them? No. when it comes to talk, we say yes; but when comes to practice, we say NO. 

This NO is our enemy of India. It has divided us and allowed foreigners to rule the nation for centuries. 

Let's say YES to all and follow the YES in practice.

Punamchand 

15 March 2017

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Freedom of self respect

Freedom of self respect

It is argued that in ancient India, there was free mobility between the castes and their roles in the society. Sometimes Brahmins used to be downgraded or Khatriyas or Shudras upgraded. Slaves became kings, set up dynasties but never the question of caste cane up in those days excepting the broad four Varnas! The Rajputs or Mughals or even Pandavas used marriage to politically tie up powers irrespective of caste, religion or even tribes.

If this is true, then Present India is in need of that ancient society of free mobility of varna/castes as per their roles in the society.

This reminds me the story of Maharaja Vishvath. When he and his army failed in capturing Kamadhenu from Maharshi Vashishtha, he accepted the importance of Brahamanatva over Kshtriyatva.
" धिक् बलम् क्षत्रिय बलम, ब्रम्ह-तेजो बलम्-बलम्।
He then became tapasvi, attained the status of Brahmarshi and known as Maharshi Vishvamitra. (In present day context, Kshatriya Ajit Singh Bist became Yogi Adityanath, again become Rajarshi as CM of UP)

The Hindu Shastras have clearly stated:
" जन्मनाजायते शूद्रा:, संस्कारो दिवज् उच्यते।
वेदात पठनात भवेत विप्र:, ब्रह्म जानाति इति ब्राह्मण: ।।
“By birth one is a sudra (lowest caste), by the purificatory process one becomes a dvija (higher caste), by study of the Vedas one becomes a vipra, and one who knows Brahman is a brahmana.”

When large population of India was illiterate, it had flexible society of interchangeable Varnas, where people were ascending or descending in Varnas as per their abilities and Karmas.

Shudra by birth, Rishi Valmiki studied Sanskrit and wrote the epic Ramayana. He gave shelter to pregnant Sita when Lord Rama banished her. He became Guru-teacher of Love and Kush. There were tribe kings during Ramayan time. But Shambuka, the Shudra was beheaded by Lord Rama because he was practicing penance. Polygamy, banishing pregnant wife due to doubts, killing Vali from the back when he was engaged in duel with younger brother (argument: Vali is a vanar, open for hunting by the Kshatriya!), and killing of Shambuka, the Shudra for practicing penance, etc, acts were considered Dharma of those days.

During Mahabharata time, Eklavya, Karna have been presented as examples of caste based discrimination. Pandavas were not accepted by Kauravas because they were not the sons of Pandu but were mantra putras of Kunti. However, the marriage of Bhim with tribal-Rakshasha Girl of Panchmahals(!) Hidimba, Arjun's marriage with Subhadra the Yadava girl and another marriage with Naga Girl of northeast, etc, are examples of flexible society. But Krishna had to run away from the battle field of Mathura to crown himself as the king of Dwarika.

Ancient history centres around the Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas. When Hinduism developed rigidity of rituals, Buddhism emerged with flexible middle path approach. Jainism was older as its first and founder Tirthankar Rishabhdev (Aadinath) was born before Vedas. Jain 22nd Tirthankar Neminath was cousin of Lord Krishna. 24th Tirthankar Mahavir Swami spread Jain philosophy of non violence throughout India. Gautam Buddha and all the Tirthankars of Jains were Kshatriyas.

Chandragupta Maurya was a turning point of Indian history because, he being a lower caste person, created the biggest empire of ancient India, and at the end, changed his faith from Hinduism to Jainism. His grandson Ashoka became Buddhist who spread Buddhism across the world. Not declared OBC like present days India, but history recorded them as non Brahmin, non Kshatriya Varna. From 3rd Century BC to 19th Century, many invaders and foreigners entered into India and made us the country of Complex society of multi caste and multi faith system. Who's who, none is certain. However, excluding tribal India, Crown was considered the right of the Kshtriya (who holds the kshetra/territory). Therefore, Brahmins denied to crown Shivaji as King in 1674 AD. Muslims who took over the throne with the power of swords and executed mass conversion of Hindus into Islam were never been accepted by Hindu hearts.

When Hindus were fed up with the Slavery of British rule of 200 years, decided to boycott Simon Commission and were representing their rights of drafting Constitution for free India in Round Table Conferences in London in 1930-32; Dr Ambedkar raised the issue of slavery of depressed classes the 'Panchama' for 2000 years and demanded the commitment to safeguard the rights of the depressed classes in the new system.

Modern India of 21st century, with 80% literacy, while living in a society of caste based discrimination, looks more backward than the ancient India of Chandragupta Maurya of 3rd Century! So great we were in past, had slipped so low, that some people are still searching their freedom of self respect in the society.

Punamchand
3 April 2017

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Finding placement in India

Finding placement in Modern India

One of our state cadre senior officers is a Brahmin. He was explaining how more candidates of one upper caste have been selected in the recent recruitment of the Gaun Seva Ayog and of the GPSC. Many of the recruited are yet to pick up the administrative skills. They prefer field work to office work.

He was explaining that days are coming bad for Brahmin families as they neither have wealth nor have regular source of income. We used to read stories in our school days starting with a sentence, "there was a poor Brahmin.. obtain food for asking for alms. and there was a baniya.. rich going for business leaving his family behind". Poverty was attached to Sarasvati. 

When he was child, his father was telling him how the family used to pass days. While cooking one meal, they were unsure about the next meal. Today, once again, those not studying will go in the misery of poverty. Modern world may not spend much on rituals, temples income go to the limited families and new youths can't go for Bhikshaw; unless they learn new trades, new skills, they won't be able to earn income and survive. Day by day, economically, they will become weaker than the depressed classes. Brahm jane vahi Brahmana: Without spiritual knowledge, they are no more Brahmins. And the present day of materialistic world respect Lakshmi more than Sarasvati. 

And one group of society call them Manuvadi, carry bitterness because Brahmins certified the birth based caste system of discrimination in the country for centuries. They had introduced inhuman practices of humiliation of the depressed classes. 

Brahmins, small in number didn't do much atrocity to these people except prohibiting their entries in temple in past. In fact the Kshatriyas and OBC classes oppressed them more than Brahmins in day to day life. But because religious books and practices were the Constitution of the Hindu society and those were written or proclaimed by the Brahmins, therefore, Brahmins along with other upper classes face the grievances of the depressed classes. The writers are more responsible than the actors!

However, they carry good brains. In absence of reservation in judiciary, they find more space in judiciary as lawyers and justices. Politically, they are placed well in the organisation where they work. Administratively, they find their position well in the departments, wherever they work. Their sweet tongues and brotherhood amongst themselves help them in finding right and better placements. Democracy is a kingdom of paper, in which their brains are utilised in all fields of administration. They are neither entrepreneurs nor traders, but still carry on the show with their skill of writing and performing religious rituals. God knows, it is likely that they used their pen to introduce the birth base caste system in India for their survival, so that their children hold the upper class position forever. 

After independence of India, with the new Constitution of equality, liberty and justice; things are changing fast. India will be moving towards the society of Varna by Karma. Now everyone has to find his/her place by ability and performance. Birth rights have gone. Those encasing reservation by birth should also plan their strategy well and build their capacity well, so that they can sustain without reservation. 

All humans are not equal in physical and mental capacity, therefore, classes in the human society will continue to exist as per the division of work. It will be a society of Varna by Karma. Birth is just an entry point on Mother Earth😊

Long live Equality, Liberty and Justice with Fraternity of Indians.

Punamchand 
1 April 2017

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Toilet, a love story.

It is really a great movie for changing the minds of the people. Govt is building toilets but if people don't use or use the structure for alternative use, the objective will fail.

It is not only a matter of building toilets but an issue of changing the culture. When India was living in villages, agriculture was the major economic activity and had small population, the concept of humans defecation in farms, away from home was for promoting personal hygiene and using the waste as manure. But with the increase in population, increase in anti social elements in the society and more and more urbanisation, more and more development of manufacturing, services industries in the country; it is a shame of the country to not to have a toilet at home for the family. One more issue of arranging a bathroom for the women is still pending to resolve.

Toilets were brought by Turks and Whites. And it has brought slavery for the Valmikis. The harems/zanana/wada were the practices that put one smaller section of the society in unclean occupation. With the establishment of civic establishment, the public toilets became the hell for them and the elite were sleeping in the country for many years.

I remember my 25 years stay in a chawl living with only 20 community toilets (of which 10 were non functional) without water facilities for 800 persons. Standing in a queue in the odor of feces for long and using the dirty toilets everyday was the unwanted way of life. And when monsoon comes, the experience of white worms of the toilet climbing over the feet was the painful dirty horrible experience, we were passing through. It has thrown me into IAS!

I used to feel pity about the morning activities of a Valmiki worker cleaning the toilets and sweeping the feces of women lota/chamba party defecating in night. Horrible state of life for the worker. I used to read Gandhi, and motivated from his example (be the change you want to see in the world), I formed a small group of teenage school students whom I used to teach in early night hours, and started washing the public toilets in the morning to experience the mental trauma of the Valmiki worker's mind passing through everyday. We had celebrated the event of personal toilet at our home in 1983 against the will of my mother. Thereafter, slowly but steadily, with the help of AMC, most of the houses of the chawl had their personal toilets in two-three years time. The Valmiki worker was relieved from the trauma to that extent.

Toilet at each house is a freedom of Valmiki community from the slavery of unclean occupation. Let each person wash his/her feces (shit) himself/herself. We are a society of hypocrites, talk about "Vishva Guru", but don't give dignity of life to the women and the depressed.

H'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi deserves thousands of Salutes for his Cleanliness Campaign of "Swatch Bharat Mission". He is not only promoting toilets but making the Women and Valmikis free from the misery of life, they are facing for centuries.

Urban Gujarat is 100% ODF and 31/33 Districts of Gujarat have been declared ODF after the verification by the QCI. It's the greatest achievement of the State, all should admire. Now improve the condition of public and community toilets in all the public places and make the Valmikis free from dishonour.

FD of each State must exempt the movie from the GST. They may earn more from ceramics and toiletries but allow the message of the movie to reach to all in the Country.

Punamchand
23 August 2017

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The path of the Lord is for the Courageous 

One of our senior colleagues once said, ‘hare ko harinam’. He believes that the path of spirituality is for the losers or for the olds. At young age, one should use the life and energy for the material world. 

Hindi Poet Randhari Singh Dinkar, in his poem ‘Hare ko Harinam’ prays for the bravery : राम, तुम्हारा नाम कण्ठ में रहे; हृदय, जो कुछ भेजो, वह सहे; दु:ख से त्राण नहीं मांगूं।मांगूं केवल शक्ति दु:ख सहने की; दुदिर्न को भी मान तुम्हारी दया, अकातर ध्यानमग्न रहने की। Gujarati poet Pritamdas in his famous Bhajan wrote: હરિનો મારગ છે શૂરાનો, નહિ કાયરનું કામ જોને, પરથમ પે’લું મસ્તક મૂકી, વરતી લેવું નામ જોને. (The path of the lord is for the courageous. One has to surrender the ego before praying that Almighty). 

What is this path? Rama, Krishna, King Janak, Buddha, Mahavir, Jesus, Muhammad, Shankaracharya, Guru Nanak, Kabir, Tulsidas, Mirabai, Narsinh Mehta, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ramkrishna, Gandhi, and millions have walked on this path. 

It is a path to know thyself, the easiest but the most difficult task. The Almighty exist all time everywhere, still beyond the reach of the human senses. HE exists but we can’t see, can’t hear, can’t smell, can’t touch. One may acquire knowledge of many subjects but is unable to know the Self. Sings Shivoham, but search for the Shiva, Rama, Almighty somewhere in the sky. What a puzzle?

Who will, when begin to walk on this path? In childhood like Shankaracharya? In youth like Vivekananda? Most of them have walked on the path of the lord in the pick of their youthfulness. After removing the sucrose from the sugarcane stem, what to do with the bagasse? 

Vedanta Sutra says, the path begins at the mode of mind: athato brahm jigyasa! (now is the time to inquire about the absolute truth). In the various forms of life lower than human life the intelligence does not go beyond the range of life's primary necessities--namely eating, sleeping, mating and defending. In the human form of life, however, one should be intelligent enough to ask what he is, why he has come into the world, what his duty is, who is the supreme controller/source of everything, etc, so many questions: athato brahma jijyasa.

Like every other exams, one needs some preparedness to begin with. It is called shadhan chatusthya (four means of salvation):

1. Viveka (discrimination between the real and the unreal, between the permanent and the impermanent, between the Self and the non-Self); 2. Vairagya (dispassion for the pleasures of this world and of heaven); 3. Shad Sampat: Sama is eradication of desires; Dama is rational control of the senses; Uparati is turning the mind away from desire for sensual enjoyment; Titiksha is the power of endurance; Sraddha is intense faith in God, master and scriptures; Samadhana is fixing the mind on Brahman or the Self; 4. Mumukshutva is intense desire for liberation or deliverance from the wheel of births and deaths with its concomitant evils of old age, disease, delusion and sorrow.

There are two types of Gunas: Pakya and Aapya. Pakya to leave and Aapya to gain. Raga (attraction, see positive), Dwesha (repulsion, see negative) and Moha (dullness), are the boils over our personality are Pakya, to be dropped not by pressure but by understanding their uselessness. Simplicity, thinking of pure consciousness Atma and repetition of this knowledge till the mind merges into the pure consciousness are the three gunas one has to acquire by practice. 

Once the runway is ready, one may takeoff the plane into the Ocean of the Supreme Being, the Self, the Atma, the pure consciousness, the Brahman. 

It is the path of the Lord for the Courageous. One shall walk when young, because the sugarcane stalk without sucrose turns into the bagasse. 

Punamchand

14 January 2018

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Unemployment in India, a big challenge

Unemployment in India, a big challenge

Considering our population growth rate of 2%, every month approximately 22 lakh youths enter into the job market; 8 lakh in Urban and 14 lakh in Rural. Taking the half of the numbers (one person of the couple demands job), still the number will be huge, in search of jobs. And those who are already entered into the scene, there are millions jobless, and millions are underemployed. The jobs in organise sector is only 10% of the total jobs, therefore, all of them have to depend mainly on unorganised sector. And the unemployable youths, because of their poor education or not having skills in demand by the organised sector; they are mostly absorbed in the market as workers, labourers, building construction workers, hawkers, drivers, chayvala, pakodavala, panipurovala, etc. They have no option but to crowd the streets for their survival. To cross the International poverty line for the family, one person has to earn ₹700/day/family. Before we overcome the problems of employment and underemployment of the existing workforce, new job seekers are entering into the market everyday, as population pressure doesn’t give any room for rest to the executives. Unemployment or underemployment is one of the reasons of malnutrition of the Human Resource. Instead of mass production strategy, where investments in billions create jobs in hundreds; India has to opt for production by masses, by promotion of small and medium sectors where small investments create more jobs. Big infrastructure projects can be developed by the giants but small trades and businesses can fill the bellies of millions.

Wealthy people in India are earning more from the gambling of satta bazar or daba trading than from their real net worth of manufacturing or service sectors. Infrastructure development like the developed world is essential for creating a base on which new entrepreneurs can invest and create jobs. But simultaneously the workforce is to be created through our education and training system that can be absorbed by the market. Each job increases the purchase power of the employee that moves the growth engine forward. Instead of Growth rate driven by the progress of the rich, let it moves like the “Prayer Wheel” of Tibetan Temple, where thousands of hands can spine it forward so that “Happiness Index of India” grow faster.

Look at Dubai, what was it in 2004 and what is it today? In a span of 12-15 years, it has created more than 2000 towers and we are unable to do 2-3-4 in declared ventures. They are adding number of towers everyday. The success of Dubai is written by Indians as 30% of it’s population is Indian and they are mostly in building construction, trading and service sectors. There is Muslim ruler with forward and open policy and the entrepreneurs and workers of all religions are growing happily. Their airlines, their infrastructure, their attitudes, their policies, etc, all tuned with the growth strategy of the UAE. Tourists are coming in thousands even during summer months of 50 degree temperature. What makes them successful? The “Ease of Growing”. It attracts the “talents” of the world. It’s central location make their residents comfortable with trading and traveling. It was Tax Free zone, where the entrepreneurs neither  bothered about the inspectors nor about their books of account. They can trade in any country with any currencies. Their only concentration was on their investments/business and returns. Now UAE has introduced 5% VAT following our model of income generation, it may have some small affect initially but unless they tax more in future, the growth of UAE will continue.

Why can’t we do the same in India? I asked to one of the entrepreneurs. No ease of doing business in India, he replied. Each permission not only takes time but many rules, regulations, procedures are obstructive to growth. The politicians, their folders, the police, the regulators, etc, act as authorities, not as facilitators to the business. He was narrating some of the examples of the victims of the system. With improving our rank of ease of doing business in Delhi and Mumbai and ranking States for the same, we are trying to build the environment. But when regulation like GST, etc, comes, some regulators talk authority that creates fear amongst the entrepreneurs who then try to escape and find their place in Dubai or Tehran.

Unemployment is one of the biggest challenges before the Nation. The governments are trying their level best to create jobs with better growth rate but everybody has to contribute in building the environment of “ease of growing” in the country.

Punamchand
1 February 2018

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Harmony with Fraternity

Harmony with Fraternity

Kasganj riots... काश नहीं होते। Whatever we may say, but we as Indian society have lost tolerance and living at a boiling point where a small incident of stopping a triranga rally for conducting a flag hoisting program at Shahid Abdul Hamid Tiraha can trigger fire and turns the situation into violence of hatredness between the two communities. The tree is not cut at the last chop of the axe, but after many chops, the last pulls it down on the ground. Our Tree of Unity is under the threat of chopping once again.

The division of hatredness was there in the society in form of upper and lower castes. But the lowers position was strengthened with their change of faith during Muslim rule over India. When freedom struggle started, to protect right of Muslims, Muslim League was created in 1906. To counter it, Hindu Sabha/Maha Sabha was created in 1909/1915. The fight landed us into partition of the nation. Whether to say Indians lost their right over 9 lakh sqm area of land or Muslims opted to leave their right over remaining India of 32 lakh sqm, is a matter how one evaluates the history from which corner. But those who didn’t leave, continued on native land with their faith as Indian. Now, neither they can migrate and go to Pakistan nor the Hindus can throw them away from the country. They are in India with sizeable numbers and are going to stay forever. Both the communities have to accept this reality. Such incidents can become means to unite Hindus under Communal Nationalism as fight between Gandhi’s Secular Nationalism and Muslim League’s Communal Nationalism is taking a U turn after 70 years of Independence.

As Indian Society, we have to wake up timely and increase our tolerance level so that the stress level of the society can go down and harmony prevails. We have learnt the principles of equality, liberty and justice from the British but have lost our own teaching of fraternity.

Jai Hind!

Punamchand
4 February 2018

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Economy of Spending

Economy of Spending

Interesting article written by an Indian Economist about world economy.

“Japanese save a lot. They do not spend much. Also, Japan exports far more than it imports. Has an annual trade surplus of over 100 billion. Yet Japanese economy is considered weak, even collapsing. Americans spend, save little. Also US imports more than it exports. Has an annual trade deficit of over $400 billion. Yet, the American economy is considered strong and trusted to get stronger.

Americans borrow from Japan, China and even India. Virtually others save for the Americans to spend. Global savings are mostly invested in US, in dollars. The US has taken over $5 trillion from the world. So, as the world saves for the US - It's The Americans who spend freely. Today, to keep the US consumption going, that is for the US economy to work, other countries have to remit $180 billion every quarter, which is $2
billion a day, to the US!

Why the world is after US?

The secret lies in the American spending, that they hardly save. In fact they use their credit cards to spend their future income. That the US spends is what makes it attractive to export to the US. So US imports more than what it exports year after year. The world is dependent on US consumption for its growth. By its deepening culture of consumption, the US has habituated the world to feed on US consumption. But as the US needs money to finance its consumption, the world provides the money.

Dr. Jagdish Bhagwati, the famous Indian-born economist in the US, told Manmohan Singh that Indians wastefully save. Ask them to spend, on imported cars and, seriously, even on cosmetics! This will put India on a growth curve. This is one of the reason for MNC's coming down to India, seeing the consumer spending. 'Saving is sin, and spending is virtue.'”

Is this right?

An economy based on spending is growing faster. Debt Equity ratio of 2 is considered ideal where one should borrow twice to one’s own funding. All entrepreneurs follow the same, they borrow more than what they have. If they pay their all debts, the NPA of banks will be cleared and all will become common man like us. The governments in India have also changed their strategy in last 1-2 decades, that was named as successful model, where one increases the debts and improves the infrastructure so that it generates more economic activities that earns more money for the State, that in turns improve the spending and relaying capacity of the State. The budget outlays of GOI and States are increasing every year because of this. And this is called growth, the generation of more and more economic activities to accelerate GDP. More and more people earn and spend and spin the wheel of economic activities faster. But when the goods and services generated are more that the demands, one has to look across the borders at partners like America, otherwise over supply with in native country will pull down the prices of goods and services and make the production unviable.

Without consumption of all goods and services produced, the economic activities can’t move up. Population is increasing continuously, therefore, each hand to keep working and each belly to fill up regularly. Therefore, the model of exploitation of natural resources and increasing the spending in the name of good quality of life has been propagated and became successful.

Imagine, all Indians stops spending, do their all works themselves, live in complacency, remain happy with what they have, accept the life as mercy of God and accept poverty as an outcome of their sins in previous lives, etc, India will go down in past where the entire population was living in houses made of mud and dependent on the food given by the rain God.

But, this model needs control. Otherwise, in the name of development, it will empty the natural resources and leave nothing for the future generations.. Global warming is one of the worst outcome of this race of development. When earth won’t be liveable, who will be left for spending. Economists are trying to find answer from balancing the both. If we follow the principle of ‘survival of the fittest’ directed by the Nature, the human population will come under control and the race of run chase may slow down. Otherwise, all our desires of better quality of life and fights for ego will land us up at the graveyards.

Punamchand
4 February 2018

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One wrong move turns the table

One wrong move turns the table

They had die heart forces of 25,000 army men and women with a backup support of funds and resources from their native land and community living all over the world, and were fighting for their dream land of independent State in the north and east of the country, where they were living for centuries. They were trained with warfare techniques. Their unrest was turned out into a civil war between two major communities of the nation. The local government with it’s army was unable to counter their hold over the north and eastern parts of the country and opted to call a Peace Keeping Force from the country of the origin of the agitators. It was their wisest political move placing a brother before the brother to fight or maintain peace and keep themselves away watching the situation from the distance.

The Peace Keeping Force of 3 Divisions (30000) had to live in hardships with the agitators with limited resources and facilities for nearly four years from 1987-1991. Initially, the agitators cooperated well as they felt that the PKF had come for their cause, but later fought with them like enemies. Their Top Leader’s meeting with the then PM of the major country built the faith of trust between the agitators and the PKF. But the strategists of the country under problem were thinking differently. After creating an environment of trust, they pulled the major leaders of the agitators up on the negotiation table and killed them in a group. That had shattered the entire efforts of all who wished for the peaceful solution of the unrest.

In the chain of reactions to the killings, the man who sent the PKF was assassinated. Suicide bomber technique of killing the target was invented and used. The Tigress killed the Elephant. After two years, they assassinated the President of their country with the same suicide bomb technique. The PKF were withdrawn in 1990-91 but the civil war continued and at the end, the Chief of the Terrorist Organisation was also killed in 2009. His fight for independent state initiated in 1976 concluded in 33 years without any gain in 2009 with the loss of many lives.

It was a loss loss for all, and it had changed the political history of the major country. The leadership vacuum of the major party created a room for the opposition to consolidate their position. A native party said to have given moral support to the agitators joined the opposition in forming the government. But in politics, none is permanent friend or enemy, therefore, later they had joined hands with the party whose leader was assassinated.

Are you aware of the story? Yes, you were also a part of the history as witness.

It was Indian Peace Keeping Force at Srilanka tried to bring peace but failed and India lost it’s leader Rajiv Gandhi. Today is his death anniversary.

Punamchand
21 May 2018

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Alternative Political Order in Gujarat-1

Alternative Political Order in Gujarat-1

During British Rule in India, large portion of Gujarat was under the rule of the Princely States. Sewa Dal workers under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi were bringing awareness of Gram Swaraj and reviving Khadi and Gramodhyog activities in villages. As a lead party in freedom struggle, INC held the majority vote share in the elections post independence. But in democracy, the voice of alternative political order also grow side by side.

One can locate the seeds of alternative political order in the ideological differences between Nehru (left wing) and Sardar Patel (right wing). Acharya Kripalani, the candidate supported by Nehru for Congress President in 1950 didn’t get a single vote from Gujarat Congress. The candidate Purushottam Das Tondon backed by Sardar Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad won the election. Later, against the secular will, DyPM Sardar Patel initiated the reconstruction of Somnath Temple, Food & Agriculture Minister Kanaiyalal Munshi consolidated the efforts and President Dr Rajendra Prasad inaugurated (11/5/1951) it. Following the advice of Gandhi, “late the people not the government bear the expenditure”, Shri Somnath Trust was set up in 1949 with the tripartite agreement amongst GOI, Govt of Saurastra and the Trust. HH Digvijaysinhji, Maharaja of Navanagar (Jamnagar) as it’s first Chairman. Later, it was registered under Societies Act with and Shri Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi became it’s second Chairman from 1950.

Sardar Patel died on 15/12/1950, Nehru became the soul power of INC help Chair of President from 1951-55. Dhebarbhai, the CM of Saurashtra (1948-54) became President of INC in 1956, Gujarat politicians had greater say in Bombay State, Morarji Desai was building his national career map in maintaining coordination with Nehru, but in 1956, when the State of Gujarat was not formed, the Maha Gujarat agitation (1956-1960) under the leadership of Indulal Yagnik played a big role in raising voice of Gujarat. Morarji Desai lost his popularity. He avoided to become the first CM of newly formed Gujarat, and also failed in making his man as the first CM. Later, the government of Dr Jivrajbhai Mehta was toppled. Kamraj plan sealed future of many veterans. Morarji Desai failed in succeeding Nehru as PM of India. He lost the chair against Lal Bahadur Shastri in June 1964, and after the death of LBS in Tashkent, he failed in second attempt too against Mrs Indira Gandhi in January 1966. Kanraj Nadar the President of INC prevented his ways both the times.

INC government in Bombay started land reforms. There was opposition amongst the landowners. The seeds of alternative political order was down when the landowners (Kshatriyas and Patidars) formed Swatantra Party Gujarat to counter the force of INC. Maha Gujarat movement under Indulal Yagnik had taken on the mighty Congress. The new party Swatantra Party gained significant vote share in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in 1962. In the 1962 Lok Sabha, SP-G won 25% of the vote share in Gujarat. In 1967, Lok Sabha SP-G increased its vote share to 39.9%. SP-G won 26/168 assembly seats in 1962 and won 66/168 in 1967. Congress won (93) 1967 with a thin majority.

After losing PM chair against Mrs Gandhi in 1966, Morarji Desai became the DyPM and FM in the Ministry of Mrs Gandhi. He became unpopular with the Gold Control Act. He was against the nationalisation of the banks. At party front things were boiling between syndicates and indicates. President Zakir Hussain died in May 1969. The Syndicate having command over the party plotted Neelam Sanjeev Reddy for the post. It was birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, therefore, Indira Gandhi proposed the name of Babu Jagjeevan Ram. But he lost in the executive committee voting against NS Reddy. Therefore, VV Giri was placed against Reddy. On 16 July, she took away Finance Ministry from Morarji Desai. He resigned. On 20 July, she declared nationalisation of Banks. She didn’t issue party whip for voting in Presidential election and told the party men to follow the ‘inner voice’. Inner voice was interpreted as ‘Voice of Indira’. The official candidate of Congress N Sanjeev Reddy was defeated and VV Giri backed by Indira Gandhi became the President of India in August 1969. The Congress Executive Committee meeting was called on 1/11/1969 and Indira Gandhi was expelled from the party. But a parallel meeting was called by Indira Gandhi at her residence and she was elected as the leader. Congress was divided between Congress (I) and Congress (S). All except two State were retained in power with Congress (I) but Karnataka and Gujarat went to Congress (S). Hitendra Desai Goverment was continued in power as Congress (S) government in Gujarat.

Hitendra Desai was facing Communal riots in Gujarat. The communal atmosphere of Ahmedabad was disturbed in September 1969. An incident of pushing a cart of a Muslim by a policeman in Kalupur, and dropping an aarti plate by a Muslim PSI at Ramlila Utsav disturbed the harmony. BJS Balraj Maghok visited the city and addressed meetings on 14-15 September. There was an Ursh festival of Muslims at Bukhari Dargah on 18 September. A Sadhu with cows passing through the crowd was beaten by the crowd. Sadhu Sevadas of Jagannath Temple went on fast until death on 19 September. Riots broke out in the city. Dalits were placed before the Muslims to fight communal violence. City went under curfew. Families were migrated to villages. 514 people were killed. Many shops and houses were placed under fire. Army was called and riots were controlled but lot of damaged done in breaking the trust between the two communities. After a year of the riots, 17 MLAs resigned from the ruling party in March 1971. CM Hitendra Desai resigned. Kantilal Ghia, the leader of Congress (I) failed in submitting list of support of 85 MLAs to form the government. President Rule was imposed in May 1971.

On National front Mrs Gandhi won Parliament Elections of March 1971 winning 352 of 542 Seats. Her ‘Garibi Hatao’ (eradicate poverty) slogan was a game changer. INC symbol of “pair of two bullocks carrying a yoke” was replaced with a symbol of “cow-calf”. It was a brand Indira. Sanjay Gandhi was growing up as a power centre.

Punamchand
1 July 2018

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Alternative Political Order in Gujarat -2

Alternative Political Order in Gujarat-1

During British Rule in India, large portion of Gujarat was under the rule of the Princely States. Sewa Dal workers under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi were bringing awareness of Gram Swaraj and reviving Khadi and Gramodhyog activities in villages. As a lead party in freedom struggle, INC held the majority vote share in the elections post independence. But in democracy, the voice of alternative political order also grow side by side.

One can locate the seeds of alternative political order in the ideological differences between Nehru (left wing) and Sardar Patel (right wing). Acharya Kripalani, the candidate supported by Nehru for Congress President in 1950 didn’t get a single vote from Gujarat Congress. The candidate Purushottam Das Tondon backed by Sardar Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad won the election. Later, against the secular will, DyPM Sardar Patel initiated the reconstruction of Somnath Temple, Food & Agriculture Minister Kanaiyalal Munshi consolidated the efforts and President Dr Rajendra Prasad inaugurated (11/5/1951) it. Following the advice of Gandhi, “late the people not the government bear the expenditure expenditure of government”, Shri Somnath Trust was set up in 1949 with the tripartite agreement amongst GOI, Govt of Saurastra and the Trust. HH Digvijaysinhji, Maharaja of Navanagar (Jamnagar) as it’s first Chairman. Later, it was registered under Societies Act with and Shri Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi became it’s second Chairman from 1950.

Sardar Patel died on 15/12/1950, Dhebarbhai became President of INC in 1951, Gujarat politicians had greater say in Bombay State, Morarji Desai was building his career in closeness of Nehru, but in 1956, when the State of Gujarat was not formed, the Maha Gujarat agitation (1956-1960) under the leadership of Indulal Yagnik played a big role in raising voice of Gujarat. Morarji Desai lost his popularity. He avoided to become the first CM of newly formed Gujarat, and also failed in making his man as the first CM. Later, the government of Dr Jivrajbhai Mehta was toppled. Morarji Desai failed in succeeding Nehru as PM of India. He lost the chair against Lal Bahadur Shastri in June 1964, and after the death of LBS in Tashkent, he failed in second attempt too against Mrs Indira Gandhi in January 1966.

INC government in Bombay started land reforms. There was opposition amongst the landowners. The seeds of alternative political order was down when the landowners (Kshatriyas and Patidars) formed Swatantra Party Gujarat to counter the force of INC. Maha Gujarat movement under Indulal Yagnik had taken on the mighty Congress. The new party Swatantra Party gained significant vote share in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in 1962. In the 1962 Lok Sabha, SP-G won 25% of the vote share in Gujarat. In 1967, Lok Sabha SP-G increased its vote share to 39.9%. SP-G won 26/168 assembly seats in 1962 and won 66/168 in 1967. Congress won (93) 1967 with a thin majority.

After losing PM chair against Mrs Gandhi in 1966, Morarji Desai became the DyPM and FM in the Ministry of Mrs Gandhi. He became unpopular with the Gold Control Act. He was against the nationalisation of the banks. At party front things were boiling between syndicates and indicates. President Zakir Hussain died in May 1969. The Syndicate having command over the party plotted Neelam Sanjeev Reddy for the post. It was birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, therefore, Indira Gandhi proposed the name of Babu Jagjeevan Ram. But he lost in the executive committee voting against NS Reddy. Therefore, VV Giri was placed against Reddy. On 16 July, she took away Finance Ministry from Morarji Desai. He resigned. On 20 July, she declared nationalisation of Banks. She didn’t issue party whip for voting in Presidential election and told the party men to follow the ‘inner voice’. Inner voice was interpreted as ‘Voice of Indira’. The official candidate of Congress N Sanjeev Reddy was defeated and VV Giri backed by Indira Gandhi became the President of India in August 1969. The Congress Executive Committee meeting was called on 1/11/1969 and Indira Gandhi was expelled from the party. But a parallel meeting was called by Indira Gandhi at her residence and she was elected as the leader. Congress was divided between Congress (I) and Congress (S). All except two State were retained in power with Congress (I) but Karnataka and Gujarat went to Congress (S). Hitendra Desai Goverment was continued in power as Congress (S) government in Gujarat.

Hitendra Desai was facing Communal riots in Gujarat. The communal atmosphere of Ahmedabad was disturbed in September 1969. An incident of pushing a cart of a Muslim by a policeman in Kalupur, and dropping an aarti plate by a Muslim PSI at Ramlila Utsav disturbed the harmony. BJS Balraj Maghok visited the city and addressed meetings on 14-15 September. There was an Ursh festival of Muslims at Bukhari Dargah on 18 September. A Sadhu with cows passing through the crowd was beaten by the crowd. Sadhu Sevadas of Jagannath Temple went on fast until death on 19 September. Riots broke out in the city. Dalits were placed before the Muslims to fight communal violence. City went under curfew. Families were migrated to villages. 514 people were killed. Many shops and houses were placed under fire. Army was called and riots were controlled but lot of damaged done in breaking the trust between the two communities. After a year of the riots, 17 MLAs resigned from the ruling party in March 1971. CM Hitendra Desai resigned. Kantilal Ghia, the leader of Congress (I) failed in submitting list of support of 85 MLAs to form the government. President Rule was imposed in May 1971.

On National front Mrs Gandhi won Parliament Elections of March 1971 winning 352 of 542 Seats. Her ‘Garibi Hatao’ (eradicate poverty) slogan was a game changer. INC symbol of “pair of two bullocks carrying a yoke” was replaced with a symbol of “cow-calf”. It was a brand Indira. Sanjay Gandhi was growing up as a power centre.

Punamchand
1 July 2018

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Darbars

Darbars

I have a visitor yesterday, a Muslim Darbar from Dasada, Surendranagar. Darbar, generally a term used for Rajputs in Gujarat, therefore, Darbar and Rajput are synonyms. But when I heard the word Muslim Darbar, I was surprised. There were Patel/Desai Darbars. The area of Dasada, Patadi, Bazana, Jenabad, etc, had Darbar system of native kingdoms. Before independence, there were 200 plus princely states in Gujarat and the sub-states were many. They were called Darbars. To differentiate, the Rajputs had started using the word, “Bapu”. Bapu (the giver) and Bapadu (the taker) was the culture of the States.

The word darbar/durbar has Persian origin, a term used for a Court, where people approach for demands or petitions. The meeting room where the King and his advisers sat to take important decisions or to resolve important issues was called a Darbar, and persons who had right to sit in Darbar were called Darbaris. The Chiefs were the Darbars. Later the word was used for ceremonial gatherings.

The first Darbar (सच्चे दरबार) is the God, therefore, people are flooded in all the shrines, temples, religious places to pray God with the list of their demands. But later, whosoever held the seat of power or command over the lands/area were called Darbars. British had used the term, calling Delhi Darbar during the visit of the British King to Delhi in 1903.

Darbar needs not to be a Rajput only. He may be Muslim, Patel, Desai, etc, too; whosoever had right over the land/area of the villages were Darbars. They were the owners of the Agro Estates. The farmers were their labourers, were giving 50% of the farm produces to the king/darbar. Darbars were the native kings. Villagers used to serve them as Vethia in rotation basis. When the patta (land rights) were issued to the village farmers by the king/british, the farmers were called “Patel”. The person who was IB of the village was called a Police Patel.

Dasada Muslim Darbar had 24 villages under his command. As the owner of the land of these villages, they had a right to collect 50% of the produces. Any new man-family came to stay in any of their villages, they needed their permission. People of the villages in command were going their place to resolve their disputes. The villages were further divided as property amongst the brothers.

Many of such Darbars were under the Gaekwad rule. But Dasada was not part of it, therefore, it was called ‘Dasada daftarbar’ (out of records). When the law of land reforms, giving right of land to the tillers of the soil was implemented, they tried to save lands by giving away to the Temple trusts, Masjid trusts or kept in the name of their confidants. When the princely states were merged in India, some of them were given privy purse but is was in few hundred rupees. Mrs. Gandhi abolished that too in 1971 with 26th amendment to the Constitution of India.

With the growth of democracy on the principle of equality, the days of Darbars have gone. They don’t have wealth to showcase their prides. Some of them still hold the old buildings with a Darbar hall (with old carpet) and ancestral chair to carry the memories of their great past. Post independence, some of them tried to participate in democratic election process and some of them became successful. Few succeeded in getting power chairs of bureaucracy. Few became entrepreneurs. But many in search of livelihood or jobs moved to the cities and towns and have to opt for the jobs of driver, peon, security guards, worker, etc. Some have joined Police or Army. And some poor are working as maids and servants.

They are no more Darbars. They have been replaced by the present administration of British design. Now the Collectors are the Darbars of the Districts. 😂 Lol.

Punamchand
4 July 2018

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Welcome Bicycles and Electric Vehicles

Welcome bicycles and electric vehicles 

On 3rd June, the World Bicycle Day, Union Minister Health Shri Harsh Vardhan cycle to office to take charge of Health Ministry, was the head line in India. He commented, “Cycling is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean & environmentally sustainable means of transport”.

Post independence, India was a country of cycles and cycle at home was a prestige item. Now, it is country of motorcycles, where the youth even for picking up milk bag or small articles of home consumption prefer to kick the bike. In big towns and cities the two wheelers and four wheelers are increasing by leaps and bounds. Automobile revolution has changed India and changed the life style of Indians. 

The speed of the wheels give pace to the speed of development but it brings health hazards and pollution problems too. The physical fitness and strength of the Human Resource is India is diminishing. They prefer white collar jobs to blue collar. Bicycles have gone out of roads and tummies of majority are out of their boxes. Without physical activities, lungs of many are unable to breathe enough oxygen, making them weak and tired. 

China was facing traffic and pollution problem during rush hours in larger cities due to very high number of four wheeler cars movement. They have started auctions of number plates. They declare the monthly quota of the number plates for the city and invite bids online. Those pay more, get the number plat of the city. This way they are able to restrict the number of vehicles in the city. The local plates are allowed to drive on elevated roads in rush hours (7AM to 9AM, 4.30PM to 6.30PM). Outsiders drive on narrow roads. CCTV records and those breach are fined.

The number plates for the Electric Cars are free and 7% discount given on the price of the car. Therefore, one can see more number of green colour plats (electric car) on roads of major cities of China. It has increased the sales of electric cars and restricted the sales of gasoline cars. Some people try to buy the car from their native village-town to save the cost of number plat, but they can’t drive on selected roads during rush hours and can’t drive down to downtown, and market areas. If they breach, they are fined. Electric cars have no restrictions but the gasoline cars have to follow odd-even number plate drive pattern during rush hours. As a result, more electric cars are promoted and the pollution decreased. Traffic is regulated and people are put under disciplined and income of government increased. Win win for all. 

Small, low speed and light weight electric scooters are very popular in China, as there is no license required. Teenagers, ladies and married men are using them the most. They are economical, handy and useful for the house wives for daily shopping and dropping picking up children from schools. 

One can see plenty of bicycles on Chinese roads. Govt provide bicycles free of cost with the deposit of RNB 200. Private agency gives on rent. There is GPS to detect the vehicle if someone stole it. 

The QR code payment system made the life of Chinese very easy. It has eased the tourists and youths for picking up bicycles from the stand, use them during the paid hours and drop them at the nearby stand. 

Compared to Indians, Chinese ride more bicycles and use more electric vehicles. China dominates the world market of electric cars and scooters. Days are not away, when Indian roads will have more electric vehicles. 

Punamchand
5 June 2019

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Four great men, seven sisters and seven members changed the fate of China

Four great men, Three Sisters and Seven Members changed the fate of China

China was ruled by Emperors (Huangdi) of Qin, Han, Tang, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties for 2133 years (221BC to 1912) under the Mandate of Heaven. 90% of the Chinese population belong to Han ethnicity, therefore, most emperors were from Han ethnicity except few nomads from Eurasian steppe.

For the Son of the Heaven, service to the people was an important criteria for the emperor to continue. If there was natural disasters of floods or famine the rebellion against the emperor was justified. Performing imperial sacrifice to heaven annually for rain and prosperity was the tradition. Son of Great Mongol Genghis Khan, Qgedei Khan conquered Northern China in 1234. His nephew Kublai Khan (founder of Yuan Dynasty) was an important ruler (1260-1294), had claimed Mandate of Heaven in 1272. He initiated organised administration and planned growth of Yuan China. Venetian Merchant Marco Polo visited China during his rule. The last emperor of Qing Dynasty Puyi was a child of 6 years, when he was overthrown on 12/2/1912 after the Xinhai Revolution.

Foot binding (lotus feet) was a custom of applying tight binding to the feet of young girls to modify the shape and size of their feet, possibly originated among upper class court dancers as mark of beauty, eventually spread to all classes by 19th Century. To stop the wives from deserting them, insecure males, more amongst upper classes, imposed the painful practice of creating disability and limiting the mobility of women. Reformers of 20th Century including Sun Yat-Sen launched campaign against the practice. They not only opened the feet of the women of China but opened the doors of their development by promoting education and their exposure to the world.

Four men changed the life and history of Chinese. Sun Yat-sen, the father of new China, played instrumental role in overthrowing the Qing dynasty during Xinhai Revolution and had established Repubic of China in 1912 and created his political philosophy of three principles of the people : nationalism, democracy and welfare.

Three ‘Soong Sisters’ were along with their husbands were very important political figures in China. They influence their husbands and played major role in changing the history of China. The eldest Soong Ching Ling loved ‘Money’, and married to China’s richest man and FM HH Kung. The middle Soong Ali Ling loved ‘Country’ and married to the father of modern China Sun-Yat-Sen. The youngest sister Soong May Ling loved ‘Power’ and married Commander in Chief and President of China, Chang Kai Shek. Sun-Yat-Sen had communist idea and wanted to cooperate with Russia but Chang Kai Shek and his wife preferred America. After the death of  Sun Yat Sen the National Party was divided and his wife Soong Ali Ling became the Chairperson of the split group and later became Joint Vice President of the People’s Republic of China.

After the death of Sun-Yat-Sen, Chiang Kai Shek the Commander in Chief of the Army married to the sister in law of Sun Yat Sen and became leader of the KMT (Kuomintang-Chines Nationalist Party) and became the Chairman of the National Goverment of the Republic of China. When he became weak after the Sino-Japan was of WW-II, losing his great generals and soldiers in the war, had lost the civil war of 1945-49 against the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army of Mao Zedong. Mao became the founding father of people’s republic of China in 1949 and ruled it from 1949 till his death in 1976 following Maoism. China became single party State controlled by the CPC. He had introduced land reforms, Great Leap Forward (1957-60) transforming Chinese economy from agrarian to industrial, initiated cultural revolution (1966-76) marked by violent class struggle and widespread destruction of cultural artifacts. He welcomed US president in China in 1972 and signalled opening of China to the world. He gets 70% positive score for his revolutionised works but loses 30% for his actions including closing down of educational institutions for four years (1966-70) to bring cultural reforms during the last decade of his rule.

Deng Xiaoping (1978-89), the  paramount leader and designer of Modern China after Mao, who changed China with policy ”reform and open to the world” in 1978. He opened China for foreign investments and the global market. China though under the rule of one party (Communists), opened up for the world and became the country of fastest growing economy raised standard of living of millions. China still in era of Deng Xiaoping.

Xi Jinping (2012 to continued), one of the most powerful leaders of Modern China, the General Secretary of CPC and President of the People’s Republic of China is the Core Leader, with his anti corruption campaign to root out tigers and flies, introduced legal reforms, economic policy of market forces, Internet sovereignty, assertive foreign policy, visionary national project “one belt one road” is leading China to make it powerful again like the ancient time. He coined ‘Chinese Dream’, governance of China through Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, understood the aspirations of the average person, remarked, "Our people ... expect better education, more stable jobs, better income, more reliable social security, medical care of a higher standard, more comfortable living conditions, and a more beautiful environment." With increasing population of aged, he abolished China’s one child policy and shifted to two child policy. Political observers have called Xi the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, especially since the ending of presidential two-term limits in 2018. He propagates partnership of friendship, respecting each other’s sovereignty with win win cooperation to create a big family of harmonious coexistence.

China is under one party rule and there are 8.9 million members in communists party who grew in the party cadre and manning the positions of political executives. New member of the Communist Party can be enrolled through the recommendation of important leader. There is registration and renewal fees for the member. There is bureaucracy of management and technical cadres similar to other nations, executes the policies and programmes of the national and provincial governments. However, at the top, 7 members of the Standing Committee command the country.

As soon as the leaders are leading the county towards growth, people of China are not bothered about democracy of multiple parties contests. They had been ruled by the Emperors for more than 2000 years, therefore, they are not worried for the power circle at the top. If there are elections, the present premier may get 80% votes. For them, education, health, housing, employment, safety, security, growth, quality and ease of life are more important than the politics of power. They are more focus on development. No elections, no expenditure on elections, and no standstill of administration following the code of conduct.

Though, the History of China in last one Century has been written by the three Soong Sisters, Four Great Men, and has been influenced by the Seven Members of the Standing Committee; the common man is in happiness living better quality of life. However, there is economic disparity. East China is developed area, such as Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, where people earns about RMB 10000/month, but northwest and southwest and some northeast areas are still in developing stage where the annual average income is very low, around 2000-3000 RMB/month. But even though, most Chinese people have still no problem to afford non veg meal. They choose to eat veg more than non-veg because of the dietary habit, as they believe in balanced diet is better for health. Better quality of life is their mission under the one party rule.

Punamchand
27 June 2019

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