Corruption Hatao India: 2011

Somewhere Year 2K10 in India (world too?) is declared as ''Year for Corruption, Spammers and Scams" and thereby declaration for the 2011 as Clean India, Corruption Free India campaign gets a muted response. But a little thoughts about it makes all of us jittery in going about it. How does campaign look like? We cannot make Corruption Cleaning technologies just like that the muck will remain and we need to proceed to saving the coming generations from entering unto the Corruption regime...How do we start? Lets give a small thought...!!

Thoughtful discussions on fighting corruption would also call for action in the society itself. The system which is tainted and corrupt is due to failure of ethics in society. We all are aware of how we have lost the honesty and wisdom in our life. In the fight to reach on the top of social ladder and assert to our unmet demand the society and people themselves have chosen such path. The moral fabric inculcated by the elders to the younger generation is being missed with the falling of the joint family system and insecurity instigates corrupt practices. Social support to honest practices are missing and persons willing to follow the desired uncorrupted path is rarely acknowledged.

The role of social institutions have fallen since as most of them are busy in pushing their agenda without garnering public support with the help of fund managers. The religious institutions are not the flag bearers of moral attitudes of the societies its mixed with monetary and political notions. The generations have lost the learning to be free from corrupt attitudes and we all have to accept it. The governance and policing are also to be blamed in not adhering to principle of law and justice but being acting as hurdle to the system. Faith of people in such systems have collapsed and little hope to revival is there in near future.

Sincerity still pays well and there are examples in real life to follow when some select individuals remains to have untarnished image in their carriers in public life, such people and institution needs to be identified and presented to society. We may have examples in all section of professionals and there is scope of passing the good things in the fight against corruption to youngsters.

The Burden of Inertia: Corruption not BIMARU states

We must remember the thesis proposed by Dr. Amartya Sen on reasons behind the backwardness of the country, which blamed the BIMARU (Bihar, Rajasthan, UP, MP and Odisa) being pulling the nation backwards on its desire to move ahead and compete with worlds economy. This is true as an economist proposition. Equally true is manner and method in which nation is engulfed with corrupt systems and no body is free from it. People might find it light coming from other end of tunnel when its dark on the social-economical and political affairs of the country. What a example these able minded people are setting for the new generation to take forward the idea of 'nation' we call India.

Its true we have desire to move ahead in all the aspects social, economic and global spheres in world but given the flood gates of corruption opened by sting of operations carried out in country we all become hopeless to the hilt. Come what may the nations politics is marred with controversy involving all the captains of industry, political face and fourth estate. The intellectuals (if we can call them) are brave enough to talk on both as voice of people and also for the exploiters. When the regions which cry for attentions people with armed struggle gets little support from the front. The alleged act of treason against supporters (Dr. Binayak Sen, PUCL)of peoples voice is granted by the system then who would bell the fat cat. Mind you all the scamsters and gangsters are having free launches with system under the very eye of law enforcement agencies. Its sad for Indian democracy and setback to many who would have fought for people. But this is not the end. For many corrupt enlightened souls in power in center and state it's easy to forget and do the act of living while making millions and ignoring the needs of people. The leaders are chosen in democracy by the people election after election Is it to serve this elite brigade? While middle class are made to watch cricket, visit multiplexes/malls and engrossing reality TV, and the political/capital masters make the rake in looting the economy and people. What a cost to bear when voice of people is not heard till they declare themselves a terrorist? Albeit these are violence laid down to society without using barrel of gun by these wheels in engine of economic growth.

It is fascinating to note that we all wait for the tiny mutiny in parts of rural India, the urban India takes the burden of listening/reading to rumors and scandals so omnipresent in elite circles. May be US is better sounded even after WIKILEAKS then what our own RADIAGATE. Forget about political browny point scored by the ruling and opposition, its they who have practised, preached and engaged corruption at all levels. Not take lightly the unfound cosyness at state and local level by same players. A hollow nation-state who trend to mark more then 60 years of independence tend to loose on the footprint left by the swaraj movement during struggle with Britishers. Those who have broken the trust by engaging in corrupt practices have put India on backseat and played well with the rude sentiments of the freedom fighters in making of India as an Independent Nation. Never the common men felt helplessness in judging the ruling class and waiting a long breath to undertake a revolution. At least 1977 could mark a watershed in Indian politics where series of change makers were evolved. Must be a hard time for the people to enter into squabble with governance and its better to dance with their tune.

We have given doles of socio-economic reasons of our backwardness to planning commissions, but do we think its right time to develop an Human Corruption Index (HCI) district by district and department by department. The people who make an attempt to find a discrete analysis. But it would be hard to find the indicators. May be we can look into the context of crime, raids, arrests, bank balance, ED reports, etc to find the indicators and develop such Index. The preaching days are gone and corrupt people are happy doing sanitary practices to cleanse their body and soul. We need to look who is pulling us back more among the four arms of governance so much enshrined in our constitution. As year 2010 marks to an end the HCI would certainly be up and let the world laugh at us in making India a great dancing democracy tuned by the new class of people (difficult to mark them).

Mundra: Complex of Environmental Violations

Many would envy the speed with which M/s Adani and Company kept the state growth figures flying during last few years. Its fascinating to find the corporate utilizing 13000 ha of land although acquired and purchased through help, aspire to become a local lord in Mundra. A sting of violations of environmental laws makes it hoarding violations; lets take some sample;

(A) a dredging disposal pipeline has been laid in the inter tidal area carrying the dredged material to the landward side of the port to reclaim the land area on the West and

North port side and which pipeline has been obstructing the tidal flow due to which the mangroves stretches on the western and northern port side have been seriously affected and at several places the mangroves have dried up; and

(B) the creeks systems and the natural flow of seawater is being obstructed by reclamations along the creeks, with destruction of mangroves being observed at several stretches; and

(C) M/s Mundra Port & SEZ Limited have developed an airport the sign board at the site indicating “airport”, which is located close to the shore and it is noted that the clearance letter from Civil Aviation Department dated 30th October, 2008 provided by M/s Mundra Port & SEZ Limited interalia refers to development of a Mundra aerodrome while development of a aerodrome/airport requires prior environmental clearance under the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006; and

(D) a township named as “Samundra Township”, which has been accorded clearance under the EIA Notification, 2006 by Gujarat SEIAA on 20th February, 2010, is observed to be located in the Coastal Regulation Zone area of the creek and no clearance under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991 has been obtained therefor; and

(E) a hospital named as “Sterling” has been constructed in the Coastal Regulation Zone area of the same creek thereby requiring a clearance under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991, which clearance has not been obtained;

These string of violations and more as noticed by the MoEF asks for explanation and alternate mechanism from the violating partners. What would happen in next four weeks...there would not be an inch of recovery of environmental status in concern areas. At the best the corporates with the help from the state government might pay a lip service or penalty and get away...This is when more then 1000 such industrial zones are going to be developed in country. How does EIA takes a easy route to facilitate the large development with a blink of eye to enforcement agencies?

Gujarat Limited: India Unlimited

Gujarat is leap frogging in the development statistics and doling a service to business community by Inviting them in herds. The guidance provided by the babus of state is incomparable to anyone in country. They are dot on the spot in facilitating the industrial production in the state, so much essential in India and state. Given the take what does government do about the rest of people who are in villages and small towns. They are secondary coaches to this bandwagon of development engine.

Let the workers who are otherwise occupied shift there base to new icon of power and development, even if they do there is plenty of others from the nation to join them. The state is creating plenty of employment opportunity for all Indians. But restricted to highly skilled and qualified sector, which even the state people are less capable of gaining from the catch. Gujarat has become global in true sense once it is sustaining on the pressure of land requirement efficiently by allocating vast salty, marshy and ravines to industrial giants. Good to see that state is efficient in land utilization, but what do we think about its agricultural base..needed a second generation reform in the sector. The state is purely missing the chance to revive the sector rather selling even this to large corporate farming or contract farming. A win industry-agriculture situation but limited to large and medium land holders. This does miss the large 70-80 percent of the cultivators who are not taken care in the agro-business model.

A huge investment in the canal projects and subsequent delayed distribution canals for fields where water was supposed to reach are now slowly diverted to setting up the industrial base. The state priority has changed and agriculture seems to bear the brunt. There is resource shortage every where if case of Gujarat is taken and has to market it self hard to sustain not only to outside investors but also to large investors in other state. A scenario would not go well with India's development agenda.

A resource which is well endowed in country lacks its presence in the small state, which inspite of having borrowed capital desires to be self sufficient in natural resources and human capital. At least this is in context of India is Unlimited but Gujarat is limited in its development scope.

Tapes, Babus and Middle Men/Women: INDILEAKS

With the madam Radia tapes covering mid segment of politicians, babus and corporates are out the story of middle men comes alive again. They had been every where, to set the 'chai pani' of the government officials, and also politicians (they have 5 years of initial service extended to life time) with no retirement age. So the middle men sets the agenda for the parties and gets the tip of the work done, Is'nt it awsome to hold the hand of power hungery politician to be allotted cabinet porfolio? Now this practise happens from city level politics (for appointment as Mayor, chairmen, committee head..) to the state and national level. The middle men would do its duty to inform the 'high command' about your good intentions. High command would never be caught and not interesting to media !!

Once you are placed on the desired setup and satisfied with the middle mens work, you may choose to oblige his subsequent clients to get 'their' job done, you take some 'cut' and give some biting to your middle men (now call them agent too). As the specialisation of the agents goes from the private industries of pity contract works, to laying roads & metro lines, defense deals, to real estate, these elements would help them get the contract to supply and extract the money as loot from government exchaquer.
There are agents for pity jobs for our 'aam janta' too say getting railway ticket, ration card, passport, visa, well, tube well, building plans, voter cards, government jobs, defense jobs, private jobs (oh! I mean limited companies) on platter. They operate from a small office near paan shops to big office near the national parliament and state assemblies.

If you happen to profile them, they are semi literate (with strong family ties with bada sahaabs), literates (ties with babus and politicians) and blue eyed (management gurus, nutty professors, elite retired officers, ex-babus both defense and otherwise) are helpful in scaling your desired heights and thoughts to the masters.. give token to them. You have to please them, stand in que, and know their door if struck for the want of 'chai pani' or 'daru-varu' or 'pataka' or gifts hampers'. You may win some like game of lottery or loose plenty of time and money in pursuing them. Some of our industrial giants or their appointed CEO waited for quarter of their life to get to the top or inside the system they are presently queitly sleeping. Post libralisation called for open deals with the system (with out official red tapes) which termed as 'yellow tapes' in corporate world. Attending to the personal functions (religious or non religious) is important ritual to be part of the middle men..may be for fixing lights, flowers and tasting the food for their clients. Add glamour part you are invited to grand openings, fashion shows, chatter parties and bingo! clients are happy to set the agenda in motion. Media avoid taking a cue from such gatherings more the better. Our leading politcians who are heading the nation -state are party to such gathering emerging subsequently in their support, opposition and supposition towards the ageda of corporates. Grand plans for investment, takeovers and launches of new products are made in these gathering. Very truly and sensibility implemented by the leaders in their state and ministries. Poor planning commission fails to attract attention of corporates in their scheme of things. None of things we acheived in recent past was outcome of the consultation at the commissions set for various plan periods or annual plans. Thats for common men doles...and clever allocation of funds. Middle men (some of them are in commission too) set the agenda of the nation and system follows it to facilitate the interest groups not worthy to attend the cause of nation building. Poor set of babus are allowed to follow them like our taxmens, legal honchos, police, vigilance offices, IB, RAW etc etc etc all tied their strings strongly with these middle men, agents and term them as informers. They need to soil their hands in order get into the merkier deals.

All was well when we are dealing in pot holed communication systems till 1990s. Post information super highway even the highly guarded US secrets are out in open (courtsey: Wikileaks) when do you think our middle men would not pass this information to hungry media. No one is spared from witch hunting...the middle men would wait for the right chances till they are not satisfied with the client base. The corporate transition of the middle profession (oouch!) preferably the 'fourth estate' now acts as birdge between serviced and un serviced class of modern India.

Getting tapes (pen drives, CD??) for the middle men are not so hard task else who would not like evesdrop on your wall, listen and rejoice till you utter..merky word like'deal' done..chalega...ho jayega...set hai...tell them...saab trusts on you and so on ...Please do not get caught now..least wait for INDILEAKS to happen...(5 million docuements, 10,000 diaries, 1 million photos et etc). BABUJI jara dhire chaloo...

10 Urban Planning Songs | Planetizen

10 Urban Planning Songs | Planetizen

Internally Displaced Hunger By Javed Iqbal

Internally Displaced Hunger By Javed Iqbal

This is story of high handedness of our system. Somewhere we need to draw line between the people for who we should be working. Now they treat tribals like pathetic animals for the want of few bits of food..the governments of states and country puts our head in shame. Why do some people enjoy fruits of democracy and yet millions of poor tribals pay for their life? System of governance fails to address these concerns of people and if they raised their voice or arms ..they are naxals..maoists..and what not? Pity to shameless babus...and heartless morons....

GREEN EMINENT: Basic and Advanced Short Term Course

GREEN EMINENT: Basic and Advanced Short Term Course

Send Your Application now...Pay on the spot or Demand Draft in favour of "Green Eminent" payable at Vadodara LAST DATE .. .10 January 2011

Basic and Advanced Short Term Course

Announcement for all those who were waiting for this course to happen..Please note following;

(a) Basic Geoinformatics Course (GIS/GPS/Image Processing)

Dated: 16th -22 Jaunary 2011 (Course Fee: Rs.5000/- and Rs. 2500 for Students)

(b) Advanced Geomatics Application Course (Transportation/Urban Planning/Forestry)

(Application course subject to minimum candidates in each application)

Dated: 27th - 3rd Febraury 2011 (Course Fee: Rs. 8000/- and Rs. 5000 for Students)

Venue: Green Eminent Vadodara

(Participants may bring their Laptops for personal Lab training)

To Apply mail your information to gercbrd@gmail.com on or before 25th December 2010.

Follow our blog.. greeneminent.blogspot.com for latest update on course.

Industrial Regions and Rehabilitation for Project Affected People in Gujarat

Gujarat is aggressive in industrilsation of the state with development of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridors along Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) by setting mega industrial regions or Special Investment Regions (SIR). These industrial regions notified under the Regional Development Authorities (RDA) which would acquire the land in the proposed zones to be used for development of infrastructure, industrial areas and related townships. It is estimated in one of our studies that the Gujarat state is planning to develop 13 SIR and which is expected to affect more than 360 villages in various districts.

From the land utilization data for the SIR and SEZ in th

e Gujarat state it is evident that about 4.5 lakh h

a land is expected to be utilized for industrial activities and townships. As per the available information the investment regions and SEZ proposals are going to affect about 400 villages in the state affect livelihoods of 1.0 million persons of the state. These project affected villages comprises of 78000 cultivators and 74,000 agricultural labourers who would be directly affected by massive acquisition of their lands by the RDAs. These project affected people would be required to be rehabilitated since their livelihood deprival from these projects would cause extreme hardship.

The agricultural labourers, casual labourers and marginal farmers belonging to poor, dalit and tribal communities would be hardest hit in absence of active state intervention for their rehabilitation. Gujarat State needs to take urgent look at the resettlement and rehabilitation policy for the project affected people in line with the provisions made in National R&R policy and Draft R&R Bill (2007) pending before the central government. The states like Haryana has already formulated effective compensation and rehabilitation package with a view to large scale alienation of farmers.