Year ending greetings 'Corruption' Nahi Ruka

At the beigning of the year it was felt like this year 'corruption' in India would face stiff challenge from the civil society. But kudos to the eminent politicians both from ruling as well as opposition, it raked mullah to be talking about 'corruption' yet life must go on with all the goodies. I did take off Green Eminent from the regular consulting assignment in order to rethink about the strategy to present as accepting corruption as speed money or come out on street along with others. Neither of these two goals could be acheived. Many 'Anna type' thoughts did emerge eventually aided by media and actions of stakeholders I too decided to let this phase pass by inaction, which I know would lead to more corruption. Some excitement with going at the central and state level, when their crime did result in some warning or punishment to erring politicians. Some look very smart like Suresh Kalmadi, Raja, Kanimozi, CM Modi, Amit Shah etc. but most of politicians played poorly in addressing the situation.

Most predictors and story tellers have cited year 2012 to be worst causing immense danger to mankind. Already happinings at the climate change debate, crisis in Europe, America, Middle East and Asia (political) might find them right. Though one would not say it should be true prediction, as it happens it would keep media and people busy in attending their family and friends better.

Who wants to do business here anyway?

India has been ranked 134th out of 183 countries for the 'ease of doing business', tought for the analyst who think India has globalised and libralised from red tape since last two decades. The poor performance emerges from the lack of sanctity of the contract system between the players. Be it corruption or speed money this is rocking the business world in dealing with Indian system of functioning. No matter what we do, it is failing in keeping the promises. The example of Common Wealth Games (CWG) mired with controversies refuses to pay to its international suppliers, coursey, Kalmadi and Co. The 14.0 Lakh crores worth MoU signed in Gujarat, would take years to materialise, the system is pathetic. The small and medium enterprise cannot think to survive in this scenario. Govt and their department just does not hounour the contracts, it takes numerous communications to get through your money.

As someone rightly points INDIA is business logic ' I'll Not Do It Again'.

Even though Anna's anti graft movements has raised the corruption, this Diwali could not be less merrier for the Govt. officials, who lapped up gifts, with both hands. Some even heard to have supplied gold and silver bars to the state secraterate in Gujarat. Just to boost business the gratidute is given to the babus and political masters, to ensure your ability to do business in India. The state govt's is also no exception in accepting the speed money from over the table in country. The fearlessness of the system would not go just because Anna and Co wanted, because it feeds on self, the system is prone to such attitude.

India cannot expect to have 'Arab' revolution or Capturing of Wall street, we can at best 'tweet' to rest in our residences, allowing the poor traffic walas to take his share of cake. The political system right from the local councellors to the state cheif, is marred with steep rise in rates post diwali asking for more. What they say of Anna, thats for his carrier and people who join them, we raise the toast. Alex says, 'Those who wonder where are the corrupt persons, we all must say, its here..its here..its here'. Amin!!

The dance of capital in Globalised world continues..

The billionare lists prepared with much funfare world over, has made true joke of the present economic crisis in the US and Eurozone. The capitalists continue to maximise their wealth not loosing sleep over the present crisis. The recent news about Hindujas Manson in UK and million dollar, CEOs and professionals salaries in top companys would make the rest of world and country envy about their position. Its given same explaination that these neo-rich work harder to have earn their rights to encash their labour, the maximum of ownership even in this era of public companies not being corrected. The capturing of the wall street in US by commoners is representation of the growing antithesis about the march of capital. But these efforts in the US can not be equalled to what is happening in Egypt or Libya. At least they had targetted the persons who not only cornered the money but has dominated their life ever. The new capitalists also dominates but through its art and science of capturing the market, this would often create and positive sense. People in general are not averse to these, only they become jealeous for the targets capital which they themselves would not be able to acheive.

India, has also thrown the billionare club and more so is joining, some by their right while they own (??) a large public enterprise and some by their might. Among such is the liquor barronm Mr. Mallaya refuses to be mowed down by present aviation crisis, would bend the governments to facilitate his exit from the situation. It is clear that they have mismanaged their economic interests in businesses, would now force the government of India to garner more funds from the across the world, thus inviting the MNC to take over. Why such bending of rules or facilitating them is evident, ya we all know they run the government in proxy.

Capital has helped the political Class. They have printed hoardings, put politicians on charted flights to world trip, played in casinos to encash their fortunes, helped most of them to open Swiss Bank account. Why would then they keep silence on the any wrong doing by fleecing the consumers, land owners, financial institutions and governments at local level. They do not see existance of city government, only interact with the PMs and head of state. Their art of negotiation with the government is immense, as if they belong to different breed and have special citizenship status in country.

A normal citizen would have end number of difficulties in getting into the government headquarters whereas these neo-capitalists would sit in their offices, car and residences just because they belong to their place. Rest do not matter.

Nurturing Growth through innovation

Innovation has lost its face in upcoming globalization, due its efficacy in converting the idea to identifiable products. The imperfaction in the market machanism does not allow the innovator to turn their ideas into profitable business. Often the big businesses turn to innovators to germinate and take advantage of such ideas. The increase in the design competitiveness shows uneasy practices, lacking support to the budding enterpreneurs who are from the Small and Medium industries and onslought of the big leaders. Often the external markets does not reponse to such innovation unless the product itself is taken with mega investment and convert the small idea into big within very small time.

The capital intensive investment and lack of confidence of the financial institution on the innovators is due to declining risk taking abilities of such institutions and organisations. The established businesses and ideas take priority over the new and innovative ideas. Yet people like late steve Jobs could measmerise give the size of capital owned by him and Microsoft leveraging on the ideas or just buying the young companies killing and taking over the innovation at the initial stages.

Such a march of capital in the countries like India and its developed states like Gujarat should be taken as warning to the small and medium enterprises, struggling to innovate or simply following the large enterprises for thier business channel. Its always risky given the share and command of these large industries over the segments, like auto giants would risk and poorly compensate their illfated decisions to their channel supplier mostly SMEs and innovators vying for eye of mega industries. Such a situation and associated risks are never transfered to mega industries as SMEs would have desired, thus killing any desire to think new and big.

The creation of entry barrier now by state in assisting the mega industries, kills the nurturing process of SMEs instead they become scape goat in the globalised economies. The watch dog regulatory bodies would take little action to manage the affairs.

Politicians fight back by shaming civil society

What an idea sirjee?? Politicians are hated in this country exactly for the reason understood better by the organisation called India against Corruption. Initially even thought of good work was gone into the gutter once the stories about their action which tarnished their image to be stringent standards makers for corrupt people. We have forgotten the story, to let down the voice giver to society in same manner, we tend to acknowledge not the voice but the person behind it. The corrupt politicians are scoring brownee points by making 'Anna and cos' look real culprits which saving their #$*& against peoples movement. What has happened in central India was state repression against the people who where up in arms against the similar attiude of government. The government lead by the politicians (of course we have choosen them amongst us) have always shown us that they are the masters not the servants of the society. While the country pay taxes to upkeep their pockets. Who runs the government? The present masters dominated by party ideology has forgotten the constitutional mandate while they decide against or in favour of x community, Y village/city and their supporters. Those who are in power cling to them with a tight rope, we the citizens have given them this rope too. The team Anna has to fight back, though they may also think to reply politically. One thing would be clear they are not the third front in the country, some one in leading party is playing with their idea of India. God save this nation ...a million time.

Developmental Politics and state

The state being one of the fastest growing have started looking to dominate the Indian economies have come into existence as an outcome of libralisation policies. The centre though assigned considerable freedom due to economic compulsion and political outcome is becoming weak in addressing the national concern. Each of state is looking on their turf to improve, its good as long as they do not logger heads over the precious resources. The state like Gujarat, too where the CM in power likes to demonstrate his abilities rather than party in power or the ministries entrusted with task. The image building excercise has turned ugly and would call for down turn of the Indian democratic system. We as individuals would like to see governments which dominates our lives with constant pestering on 'who is who' of Indian politics talking at random about their acheivement.

Its acceptable as long as they are limited to party politics, but the intrusion of 'development' addressed with numbers of doles handed out to the poor, crores spent on the schemes etc looks like erstwhile rulers giving their subject regular handouts. Is'nt the governments are supposed to be working for the people, Why do they have to loath about the tasks they have performed? Its too shamelessness of the people in power to showcase their material acheivements without considering the fact that in democracy they are the custodian of public welfare. The failures are gone under the red carpet of the governments, which they would like to hide till development politics result in fall of their governments.

The 21st century 'development' though unsustainabe has now become media savvy and eirrational to the need of the society. The challenges before us is big and ever increasing intead of focussing on the future we are still busy in completing the tasks taken during our first plan. We talk of decentralization but if act miserably till the state takes the form of darconian and suffocating rulers led by likes of presents CMs in most of the state in country. This is not encuraging for those who wanted to enter in public life. Till some introspection happens keep the bell ringing.

Fight Corruption from Street to Parliament

Just when the heat against corruption was hot the team Anna and other civil rights groups lauched an combined effort to bow down the government. People from the middle class after long gap came on the street to support the cause. Most of the youngsters were pitting for the 75 year old Anna saheb for the leading them who was equating this as fight for the second freedom.

All this has now part of history, the bill would be back in parliament, if MPs unite, the citizens are now left to see the fate of Lokpal bill are in hands of government in power. The street which was packed by 'I am Anna' supports are now filled with ravellers of Ganapati and Ramzan. Do we all would be able to take the fight till end. We all had doubts yet hope lingers on the somewhere else, the typical urban middle class have not connected them selves with rural India and also with the civic issues arising in their own cities. The ' egg shell' like their houses refuses to come out on the streets and still believes that someone like Anna would fight, fast and die for their cause.

Parliament which were supposed to be addressing these issues is again would be busy in putting things into back burners with many legislation waiting to be passed. The Lokpal would take ample time in come to force in near future. The issue of corruption might have been prime time episode for most of us, but it has failed to raise the national consensus for social reform in supporting the cause.

Admissions Open for Masters in Urban Planning

Bhaikaka Centre for Human Settlement, APIED,

Sardar Patel University (V.V. Nagar) ANAND

Masters in Urban Planning

(Recognized by Institute of Town Planners India, ITPI, New Delhi)

Applications Invited from eligible candidates for the Masters in Urban Planning (MUP) full time course. Following are the details;

Course Duration : two years (Four Semister)

Eligibility: B.Arch/B.E.(Civil)/MA/MSC in Economics/Sociology/Geography or other equivalant degree specified in admission brouchure.

Tentative Admission Schedule: Application Acceptence: Last week July/Admission - 1st Week Aug.

For More information call

Shashikant Kumar

Course Coordinator (MUP)

09898353419

www.apied.edu.in

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State to acquire 4,188 sq km land for industries over 3 years - Express India

State to acquire 4,188 sq km land for industries over 3 years - Express India

To make situation worse state inches towards monster growth..if this news is correct. Why not ask for Social and Environmental Impact Assessment? We know 'ALL IZ NOT WELL'.

For all those who kept sleeping on the idea of economic growth, with distribution, your time has come now to react or else face the consequences of your professional compromises.

Urban Planning and 4000 Sq.Km of Countryside

Urban planning is going to big boost at the cost of numerous land loss in the countryside. The recent information about Gujarat nearing to acquire 4.8 Lakh Ha of land outside the existing urban areas for the numerous Special Investment Region (SIR) and SEZ throws light on the future character of state.

Across the state, there are three planning institution looking at the urban issues, rather arm chair one to present the glossy picture of ongoing development in the state. The busy state officials are key to presenting the land for the greedy corporates to setup never imagined empire of their estates. There us euporia in the planning community going gaga over the development, example is one of the leading planning schools (now turned University) to capture assignments, and join the party in the state.

The concerns of the 'common men' are limited to city management, rooting for the 'slum free India' these new school of thought has emerged maximizing the consultancy effort to take a peice of cake. The trend to establish their stamp now has emerged as keen party to rout for the barren lands in the hinterland for more urbanization led by the industries. There is no dirth of professionals taking advantage of current situation, and hardly any few tries to study the impact of the such as high end public policy. The apathy of the people towards these professionals has also come to be known as lobbiest at their best. The less we question the government in power the more we are likely to get works (consultancy). The privy to critical information most of them have tied up with builders and developers to participate in great official land grab.

Land Acquisition related issues have often divided the scholars but never too serious to hamper the present professional approach..who takes..forget about it approach. This has often resulted in negating the efforts of the planners engaged in listening to impact of proposed approach in the state. There is still time to oversee the proposal in the light of current conflict induced by the present development models. There is rejection of public participation in the planning efforts, no matter these are part of the Detailed Project Reports often casually undertaken without due process. The state has turned blindfolded on the concerns of general masses, giving lot of media coverage's to newly colored areas. Till the new planners realize their areas of working let the scrutiny of current planning proceed independently.

Social Ideas on Corruption Hatao!!

Even most corrupt is after the slogan of 'corruption hatao', It makes us think of messages which government department should be posing on the regular TV/Media and Public places. Here are some of thought for thinkers;

(a) Identify the departments which is likely to be more pathetic on corruption practices and put labels or sign board advising points detailing about corruption..incidences.

(b) Identify roads in city where traffic police is more prone to corruption preapre Spatial diffusion map of corruption in your city.

(c) Identify corruption free places and place symbol or signage indicating corruption free. Like No Smoking zone.. Corruption Free Zone.

(d) Prepare direct messages for anti corruption..(but I wonder there is no system to punish those caught red handed) with going through court process.

(e) Special Messages for Holi, Dewali, Anivarsary, Wedding, Birthday and other occasion which enhances corruption related favours.

(f) 'Say No to Cash' campaign for payments above certain amount should be through banks instrument only. Include large traders/ departments/municipality and transaction beyond certain amount per day.

(g) Start closing cash /payment counters at government offices, auto remittances through all government department directly to the accounts of beneficiaries.

(h) Corruption in certain offices like PDS, Dairy, Hospital, Police and like wise should be non bailable offence.

(i) Builders who deal in 40:60 or 60:40 of black and white components should be identified with the help of IB, Police and Citizens. Maintain close check on all the deals of property tracing the roots of transaction at the revenue department level.

(j) Identify Schools and institution charging capitation fee, extra charges etc to be accountable to district education officers. DEO should be more stringent in inspection of school accounts/ public or private. Make education a corporate activity for the high end schools, and let them pay taxes.

(k) Charity commissioner, should look at the corruption from his perspective since most the institutions are not doing charity clearly many of them are business empire evading taxes.

(l) Public display of massive projects accounts by conducting public vigilance week in all departments and publication of key data for transparency.

(m) Every post office should have seperate section dealing in accepting corruption related complains which gets forwarded to concern departments of central or state government. Post offices should have directory of anti-corruption offices for state and country where complains can be forwarded.

(n) More powers to CVC and state vigilance offices in monitoring and accepting complains from one and all.

Geoinformatics Technologies for Fighting Corruption

When the decision making depends on the indviduals wishes, the horror of corruption emerges. In most of the public utility cases using right technology might reduce the content of corruption. The reform initiatives for the e-governance has recently slowed down in order to acheive transperancy in functioning of the government offices. The access to the information recently made online through e-tendering, online greveinces, tracking of complains status, etc becomes outreach program to fight against corruption at the system level.

Most the government contracts and payment when assigned digital tags, the citizens would get the desired knowledge about their area of interest. The use of Geoinformatics (GIS and Remote Sensing) and tracking devices most of the monitoring tasks of the government program and services can be achieved. Two departments are example for the reduction in corruption intensity these are Indian Railway and Telecommunication for the common men. Most of the e-tendering process by the governments have become easier and little hassle. But the decision making still remains with the department heads and executives in the government, these are not assisted by Information technologies. The Geoinformatics so far have penetrated in some ministries and department which is helpful in monitoring the works and progress in the sectors.

The people in general is not conversant with the e-governance initiatives by the department which might have been helpful in reducing the corruption. The technology penetration is possible in all the governed departments which helps in monitoring and assigning the tasks for the development and status of works. But governments are slow in implementing the technologies citing ignorance and pitfalls ahead. Using internet has been limited to just having a site, some departments have opted to inform general public about their works and achievement. Most of the public services do not interface with citizen citing confidentiality. The legal tools under discussion might help in punishing the culprits, why not use the technologies to monitor and analyse the decision making of the key departments? T

he application areas of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing has raised the technological possibilities for integrating the services departments to allow users to get access to functions performed by the local and state governments. Next generation reform should allow the citizens to access the service information on their mobile, PCs and Laptop using the mentioned technologies.

Show your worth: the power of Capitial

Public accounting has never been subject for those who are interested in commerce. The onus of proving the sanctity of capital ownership now lies on the holder of capital. Thus the present declaration by Baba Ramdev and others, Shri Anna Hazare and other declarations by MLA/MP or IAS officials is an welcome exercise. But crux of the problem is this is visible transection, even the tax authorities knows it and well clear of any doubts. What is not clear is functions performed with the money by these large individual corporate giants.

Capital is not stinky for many, its our right to earn well to provide for needs as well as wishes of all those concerns us. Power comes from capital its understood, those who are on top should be worth millions, no matter it has come from hard work of their enterprise and activities. Law of land is messy in dealing with the earnings, and there is free fall post 1991 for those who wish to reach top of capital earners.

Ethics of business or politics shows us the way we handle the public money, all the individuals and corporate uses to maximize the return on investment. The individuals who does not wish to acquire capital also holds high moral grounds but would be weakened to get closer to seat of power. That is the mantra explained in political strategy circles. The urban areas around the world is place wherein the people tend to show their capital and get respect irrespective of their background of manner of generating it.

What is your worth? Individual would feel powerless in such a situation, the few people like Mahatma Gandhi and now Anna Hazare has courage to stand tall among the Penguins of today's Socio-political world.

Independence from dependence: Anna & Baba syndrome

Suddenly the voices in Delhi is getting cluttered with people shouting slogan for 'Second Independence' on the call to over throw the 'party in government' or 'government'. Its getting heady mix of 'civil' society with head on collusion with 'system'. Its getting in revolutionary mode with jeering crowd and ping pong media travelling to venues. The evening press breifs and treatment to media gives a notion of online or virtual revolution sans streets of country.

Gone are the days from JP movements people confronted physically with the government, today with the literacy level increased people have started pointing at the system virtually and impact ha s been tremendous. But its also true unless on the streets the change would be less attractive.

The objectives of two leaders converging from different ideologies at Delhi shows the strength of Indian society and leverage two together gets in bending the government at will. The society at large prefers to junk the idea to participate cohesively without any kind of leadership. The trust has been lost at most of levels in the system and also within the civil society.

The loss of words for the naming the civil society unrest, or rather populist nature of protest, it claims to be 'Second Independence' , not saying from whom. Its getting tighter to explain even by the civil society representative to explain the notion of independence. Corruption should be removed and checked over time in all the systems and members should fight together with out getting involved in larger syndrome.

Ek Anna..

Lot of hopes are pinned on the Shri Anna Hazare and his team of civil rights activists, who are ready to give final shot to the menace called corruption. We all are sitting on the arm chair waiting for the action from the camps and willing to see the fight in our life time. His certificate for corruption free state has already created storm and poor fellow has to take back his word and spew venom on the state working in Gujarat. Indeed the situation is not good, but do we need this certification then only we would like to improve. There are lot agencies in this world who would certify our state of administration at all levels. You need to be watching the scene change in Indian politics where these actors change their role on the either side of stage.

We are serious about many things but it takes steam out of idea when it goes for implementation. Every failure in planning or development does not mean we are corrupt, but sheer poor understanding and willingness to undertake the task on hand. We have created series of mission on all subjects under the sun, guided by near fad end of carrer babus and their ex mates. These all policy douldrums have no basis of inhouse research or study, all have their roots on the western or their originated framework. Its pity that Shri Anna and his team has to cajole and understake a task where the existing govt should have understaken, we are moving towards parallel democracy and pseudo governance in running goverments from the court, media and civil right activists.

Yes! this has happened after governments tried to run it on corporate fuel (idea) in streamlining, opening self to outside world only to realise that they have plenty to hide and inexperience in handling corporate governance. Thus the failure in managing tasks on time and promising too much before they can absorb the earlier ideas and policy. The commissions were formed to study and suggest various issues, may be they have carefully studied the system and recommended the action. But in nutshell, the governments fail to acknowledge the report or implement even easy actions proposed. Its now easy for all of us to say bechara Ek Anna...?

AMC on Demolition Spree: Building Cities-Destroying Homes

This time again the demolition of hutments along the Sabarmati River Front project highlights the priority of the Gujarat government and Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). The displacement of over 50000 persons overnight in the city causes serious violation of human rights and plight is politcised to gain the development of the city. The ruthless attempt by the AMC to throw away whosoever comes on the way of clean city, making it 'slum free'. The high ideals set by the judiciary in coming to support the slum dwellers in what is called as their homes, stands nullified amidst the urgency of the local body. The series is similar to what has been observed in most part of the country including Jharkand, Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka and others, wherein the homes made out of temporary materials are demolished along with the hopes of the people. The city administrative makes it hard for the poor to survive given its preference to rich dwellers where they escape demolition by paying the much legalized 'impact fees'.

The nature of conflicts invited by the local bodies calls for utmost serious thought on the governance and right to justice for the affected people. The dance of terror on the daily life of poor is inflicted by the administration and police who were supposed to protect them in time of dire needs. There is ample legal scope to save the poor from ultimate humiliation and apathy given the judgements made in past for the people and against the demolition. The high handedness of the administration emerges from the lack of awareness and system in place even after 65 years of independence. The dominance of the class over the others mixed with fair amount of greed for land and unjust planning forces the poor to accept the fate in the event like what has happened in Ahmadabad recently.

Hopes of the people in the city specially the poor and unprotected is running dry for any acceptance from the society where they can seek justice. The repeated acquisition of land for the development projects also adds more slum dwellers in the city in absence of seeking job and shelter. The insufficient compensation and high cost of living in the cities makes the task of poor households very difficult to survive. Only when the development projects further targets them to make way for another giant project which might be luxury for some group of society. The selective target of the people based on class and creed is humilating and defeating for the very purpose of Indian democracy. The lack of stringent legal backing and support system leaves people little choice in accepting the fate without protest. The reaction of the homeless group if turns violent is just to have another day to mute protest is high expectation from the administration. The immediate attention of the people and leaders is called to stop the savage practice in the name of urban development and beautification.

Leaving Agriculture for Industrial Development:Raw Deal

Most center to the argument about shifting of population from agrarian base to non agricultural base since the carrying capacity has declined to support large population. Many tend to believe that with industrialization jobs would open up but what a class, it would be mostly jobs of doorkeepers, odd-job-boys, maids, mason-helpers, etc will be available! Some one may add another job: that of a Hawker. From a peasant or agricultural laborer (though poor, no doubt) becoming a maid / servant / gatekeeper / hawker / rickshaw-puller…etc ... a ‘development’ indeed!

Some ‘lucky’ ones may become some makeshift Tea cum snacks stall owners or betel-leaves–cigarettes–chewing-tobacco stall/'galla' owners on the pavements, always in a precarious existence – any time the ‘Cleansing cum Beautification’ drive of the govt can bulldoze them out, and they’ll have to rebuild their shanty stalls again.

In the name of industrialization we may have taken lot of land but the promise of the job still eludes many, most of the land owners are forced to leave their ancestral occupation to the serve the urban middle class. The states also now train such poorly educated people for the service of neo-rich society by conducting training programs. From the independent human being, the land owners were turned to dependent community on the industrial economy, however remains uncertain.

Educated sons and daughters of the so-called ‘middle’ / ‘upper-middle class’ people are upbeat and vying for those few thousands of good-paid jobs that may come up in the Special Economic Zones or Special Investment Regions. The management level jobs in the industries and mainly in the ‘service’ sectors serving the well-to-dos. The media, businessmen, and the likes are full of glee. And they will have plenty of ways to earn more money and plenty of things to do with their lots of money. But all of them together constitute only 12-25% of the population, at maximum 30%.

The enrichment of the selected community group or class in states or country for the development is not the development of rest in the society. For the remainder, those fellows at power have that old rotten rusted “Trickling Down” theory. Yes, some thousands among tens of millions of unemployed youth will get the rest of the lower end jobs. Some will get consolation of doing own “ business ” "dhandho" thats paltry Rs 1500 – 4000 per month. But the problem of unemployment will not even fractionally be solved. The people disposed by development will become paupers in their own land.

Turning Golden Goose: Gujarat's next 50 years

With the thundering voice of state leaders, the Gujarat has just passed a landmark in its history, economically the giant in making the state looks forward. The huge investment promises if made to see light of day would turn Gujarat into formidable state with who's who of corporate leaders jumping the bandwagon to share the corners offered by state. Economic progress cannot be denied to state and people have right to prosper. But given the approach adopted the fallout seems to be plenty. Lets list out some of them;

(a) State turning into environmental hot spot in generating huge carbon foot print, damaging its ecosystem and coastal regions beyond repair.

(b) The assumption of climate change impacting the coastal and high populated regions needs fast mitigation measure, else the investment would cause serious business loss in next 50 years. The settlements along the coast needs to be careful about such eminent dangers.

(c) The land transfers to the corporates would cause general shift in state's occupation pattern and how much of the working population 1.9 crores can be absorbed in the secondary and tertiary sector. This is given the encouragement capital based industries and almost little horizontal linkages would leave most of work force in informal sector.

(d) The shortage of agricultural land and utilization of much needed irrigation water for the urban areas and industries might lead to water crisis given the vagaries of nature in Gujarat. The man made drought in such situation would be catastrophic to the states development.

(e) The demongraphic changes induced by large scale investment would be due to migration of technical and service staff from other parts of country, since the quality of manpower required is simply in shortfall. The labour crisis in long run might cause a serious business loss to the investors, unless the other states support the state's development. The partnership between the states like Gujarat, MP, Rajasthan etc is required to leverage each others advantage.

(f) The inequality of development efforts in backward taluka and districts would cause serious social and political concerns may be important road block to economic growth given poor Human Development Index.

(g) The continued discontent between centre and state may turnout to be long drawn fight for the state to claim its rightful share, ultimately loss of investments by FII or large investors without support of national government. Somewhere, politicians have to live above party line.

(h) The nature of political leadership might also be cause of concern for the civil rights group turning against the state on the issue of justice, communal concerns and egalitarian rights of people. This might cause embarrassment to leadership and ultimate repression by the state forces.

At the right time, the Gujarat might turn out to be 'golden goose' to be shot at before it stops filling the national exchequer. Concerns of the people and politics of the day would hardly allow the state to fly away to its destiny given the national demands of investments.

From Dwarpal to Lokpal

Imagine the role of law keepers when they are made to stand on the doors of politicians to save them from intruders who can overhear or eves-drop on the discussion of the public representatives. The closed door meetings of the ministries and sachivalayas do not allow common citizen to hear what has been conversed on deciding about their fate. The political masters along with the service class discuss the manner of program or development intervention, it more cases they try to maximise the economic and political returns of their investment in public. The agencies intended to protect the masses from financial fraud are informed or entertained as and when the group decide about things required, to make sure things are settled in advance.

The mere formality of approaches like PAC (parliamentary accounts committee) who is supposed to investigate major expenses has never been heard till the 2G scam happened, and this is supposed to be regular committee. High profile cases makes these committee stand in front and account, but sadly this also goes political way of addressing their party agenda.

The idea of 'lokpal' would allow the 'dwarpal' to enter into conversation with such decision makers and question their working. Thats the reason the bill had been waiting and revised nth time since 1968 under various political and government heads. Now, where is urgency? Lets be sure before 15th August (unofficial deadline set by Mr. Anna Hazare) arrives, half of the team members would go on leave and even if draft is prepared no one would agree to place it on the table of house of parliaments.

The law makers and other stakeholders (civil society) would not either their break their heads or bones to bring consensus to their agenda, never mind the main opposition parties too would be waiting to heard on their draft on 'Lokpal'. Till then let the agencies like CBI, PAC or CAG act like dwarpal and not to allow anyone to hear the conversation, so as to redefine the democratic setup of the country.

Religiosity of Development: Satya Sai

Whether Satya Sai baba is 'real god' or not? The question are debated with emotional answers from the followers saddened by demise of their great soul. The present reactions amongst the followers also shows the respect the person generated by his activities. The rationalists may be right in pointing the magician like quality and acts of baba, on the pretext of creating long lasting impression.

From last 50 years of service or public life, he has reached the poor in his own way, as it would have been difficult for government to reach people. What made him to worshiped is the services he provided to people, generally poor in health and education. Mostly free, high quality and accessible to regions he served. His act of collection funds from donors (different than what we citizen give as 'tax') and making absolute utilization of the receipts makes him 'greater' service provider and allows people to respect his goals. We citizens or people of India, need proper care including food to poor, cloths, health, education and brotherhood. The baba provided all under his ambit, while the government agencies instead of following his development mantra, made themselves a follower of person called Satya Sai baba. We should not wonder, why people see so much of closeness to such great leaders and dedicated service providers who would do all their best to provide to people, when they see governments are not able to reach.

What makes people who follow such spiritual leaders not translating their learning to the acts they perform (honesty, dedication and sense of duty) in daily life? You may worship any god men or god, if you have performed your tasks as diligently as given and trusted on you, you would attain eternal peace. Instead, we might seek help but would shy away from helping those in need. Lakhs of money to the religious trusts are donated by most of so called powerful people and corporates, but these very people shy away from giving tax to the governments, or helping even the local governments. Of course in turn looks like oasis in desert.

Most of the religious institutions survive in feeding the poor and supplying their material needs to garner support and people follow those who help them in their needs whether material or spiritual. The diversity of nation by the cultural systems is good, but as long as we lack basic amenities and have million of hungry Indians the 'religiosity of development' would take place. It is sad people have lost faith in the government, who are supposed to be providers of the basic amenities, rarely civic voulenteers or people are found helping the local bodies like panchayats or municipalities. The religious institutions though helping in the social pain never partner with governments, as it has been done by various corporates. The outcome the faith is above governance, baba is above prime minister and diksha is above shiksha. We as nation love to hate governments, instead put high faith in some one who gives what is desired but never takes by rule of law unless its donation.

Brushing the Taint in Gujarat

The ghost of the 2002 riots in Gujarat is not leaving state despite the echo of 'development' efforts claims by the state government. The leadership though tainted by the happenings in riot, do not intent to remove the stain. The people of Gujarat know how and who controlled the riot, and it was not just state machinery adding fuel to fire the whole society acted in juvenile manner while participating in the mayhem. The few who got punished comes only for the severe crime, but the majority participants are free at large and more so have forgotten to acknowledge their role.

The society remains extremely polarized on the communal lines, still does not recognize the pain they inflected on each other. The taint is difficult to brush aside even after 9 years shows the intensity of involvement. The other riots which happens were regarded as law and order issue but this one would always be social polarization and mass participation in mayhem with organised efforts. Even after the riots and total neglect of the Muslim community in the society is large and divided citizens on communal lines in most of the cities and towns. Its disheartening to note little efforts by government was made to bridge the gap between communities which may lead to explosion of emotions in another similar incidents in future as it happened after train burning incident in Godhra.

The support to the political party in power cannot be regarded as victory over the Muslims who suffered, rather its sign of acceptance of social dominance of one community over another. This subjugation of the community on behest of their different faith, is a larger taint on the idea of 'India' conceived by the constitution makers. The rejection of communities for the relief and rehabilitation even after the riots is immense, the neglect of public institutions to the area populated by the Muslims is visible in most of the cities. The focus of state machinery has not gone away from the community, since they are constantly on watch during all apprehensions about the disturbances in the city. Most of them hide citing the brutal submission taken by the police force against the community.

This situation were left because of political fall out after the riots, and continued unabated till today. The present leadership seeks refusal in accepting the 'reaction' as legal and just in not punishing culprits of serious crime in state. Riots may not have happened in state, and the objective of ruling party in teaching lessons to the minority community have been achieved, but what would be price the future generation have pay, while brushing the 'taint' in Gujarat?

50 Reasons to Protect Infants from Vaccines - Jagannath Chatterjee

This is reproduction of article received by me from author (Needs serious thought from all of us..)

Note: I have been corresponding with the Union Health Minister and his department on this subject since 2006. Neither the Minister nor the Ministry have any answer to these points. Even when Dr Abdul Kalam, then President, raised the subject based on my inputs there was no sincere attempt to clarify the position. I have since then continuously educated the doctors on the subject. I have also written to the current President, Vice President, PM, Sonia, the NHRC, NCPCR, CM's of various states, MP's of various political parties and all the medical institutions I can think of. I have also written to the WHO, GAVI, UNICEF & PATH, premier institutions that promote this highly controversial medical intervention . Doctors sympathetic to the cause opine that unless the public realise the dangers from vaccines it will be very difficult to stop this industry sponsored menace. You will agree that there should be a public debate on vaccines, otherwise the unfortunate children do not stand a chance.

1. There is no scientific study to determine whether vaccines have really prevented diseases. Rather disease graphs show vaccines have been introduced at the fag end of epidemics when the disease was already in its last stages. In case of Small Pox the vaccine actually caused a great spurt in the incidence of disease before public outcry led to its withdrawal.
2. There are no long-term studies on vaccine safety. Very short-term tests are carried out where the vaccinated subjects are checked against another group who are given another vaccine. Technically the tests should be carried out against a non-vaccinated group. No one really knows what protocols are followed at such industry-sponsored trials.
3. There has never been any official attempt to compare a vaccinated population against a non vaccinated population to know what vaccines are doing to the children and the society. Independent private studies (Dutch & German) have revealed that vaccinated children suffer much more than their un-vaccinated counterparts.
4. The child receives not one but many vaccines. There are no tests to determine the effects of multiple vaccines.
5. There is no scientific basis for vaccinating infants. As per senior doctors quoted by the Times of India, "Children suffer from less that 2% of vaccine preventable illnesses but 98% of the vaccines are targeted towards them." The vaccine pioneers who have recommended abundant caution before vaccinating the population have never advocated mass vaccinations.
6. Children are vaccinated simply because parents can be frightened to forcefully vaccinate their children. Vaccinating infants is the most profitable business both for the manufacturers as well as the doctors.
7. Infants, who are advised ONLY mothers milk till the age of six months and beyond because their fragile system will not tolerate anything else are given 30 extremely toxic vaccine shots, including booster doses, an act that defies both logic and science.
8. The Government of India has come out with a quarter page advertisement in The Hindu warning parents not to vaccinate beyond the Government approved vaccines. Parents have been advised against vaccinating in private clinics and hospitals.
9. The Orissa Chapter of the Indian Association of Pediatricians has admitted in a letter to the CM, Orissa, that private clinics and hospitals are ill equipped to store vaccines and warned parents not to vaccinate upon the advise of private practitioners and hospitals.
10. ALL THE VACCINE INGREDIENTS ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC IN NATURE.
11. Vaccines contain heavy metals, cancer causing substances, toxic chemicals, live and genetically modified viruses, contaminated serum containing animal viruses and foreign genetic material, extremely toxic de-contaminants and adjuvants, untested antibiotics, none of which can be injected without causing any harm.
12. The mercury, aluminum and live viruses in vaccines may be behind the huge epidemic of autism (1 in 10 worldwide as per doctors in the USA, 1 in 37 as per a private study by doctors in New Delhi), a fact that (vaccines cause autism) has been admitted by the US Vaccine Court.
13. The CDC of USA, the vaccine watchdog, has publicly admitted that its much-publicized 2003 study denying any link between vaccines and autism, is flawed. The Chief of CDC Dr Gerberding has confessed to the media (CNN) that vaccines can cause "autism like symptoms". The Autism epidemic is found only in those countries that have allowed mass vaccinations.
14. In the year 1999, the US Government instructed vaccine manufacturers to remove mercury from vaccines "with immediate effect". But mercury still remains a part of many vaccines. The vaccines with mercury were never recalled and were given to children up to the year 2006. "Mercury free" vaccines contain 0.05mcg of mercury, enough to permanently damage a infant. As per an American Academy of Pediatricians study: "Mercury in all of its forms is toxic to the fetus and children and efforts should be made to reduce exposure to the extent possible to pregnant women and children as well as the general population."
15. IN INDIA NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THAT MERCURY AND OTHER HEAVY METALS ARE REMOVED FROM VACCINES SIMPLY BECAUSE IT WOULD MAKE VACCINES COSTLIER.
16. In a reply to then President Sri Abdul Kalam, the Health Ministry informed, "mercury is required to make the vaccines safe". To the author's query that "what are these vaccines that it requires the second most dangerous neurotoxin, mercury, to make them safe?", there was no reply.
17. Mercury used in vaccines is second in toxicity only to the radioactive substance, Uranium. It is a neurotoxin that can damage the entire nervous system of the infant in no time.
18. Mercury accumulates in fat. The brain being made mostly of fat cells, most of the mercury accumulates there giving rise to the peculiar symptoms of the autistic children.
19. The mercury used in vaccines is ethyl mercury. According to Indian doctors this is an industrial toxin and is 1000 times more toxic than the usual methyl mercury.
20. The aluminum present in vaccines makes the mercury, in any form, 100 times more toxic.
21. As per an independent study aluminum and formaldehyde present in vaccines can increase the toxicity of mercury, in any form, by 1000 times.
22. As per a Tehelka article on Autism, if one considers the WHO limit for mercury in water, they are receiving 50,000 times the limit. The limits set, incidentally, are for adults and not infants.
23. Autism in India has emerged as the most rapidly growing epidemic amongst children. As per a private study done by doctors in New Delhi, from 1 in 500 it has steadily climbed to 1 in 37 today. As per Indian doctors, "You can go to any class of any school today and find an autistic child."
24. Autism is a permanent disability that affects the child physically, mentally and emotionally. It makes the child loose social contact. It impedes both the physical and mental growth of the child. It destroys the brain causing severe memory and attention problems.The majority of symptoms displayed by autistic children match symptoms of heavy metal poisoning.
25. According to vaccine researcher Dr Harris Coulter, vaccines cause children to become pervert and criminal. Majority of the school shootings by the children in the USA have been committed by autistic children. Vaccines can cause more harm that even the medical community privately acknowledges.
26. Autistic children also suffer from severe bowel disorders. As per Dr Andrew Wakefield, this is due to the vaccine strain live measles virus in the MMR vaccine. Nearly all children become fully autistic after the MMR shot. As per a recent study the MMR vaccine has an adverse effect on the vital mucosal immune system. The very basis of trying to prevent childhood Mumps and Measles has been questioned in this study.
27. The DPT also causes children to regress giving rise to fears that multiple live virus vaccines are an important cause behind autism. If three live viruses can cause so much harm we can well imagine what today’s five and seven viruses vaccines will do to children.
28. Before the autism epidemic, it was already well known that vaccines have caused the cancer epidemic in today’s society. Both the Small Pox and the Oral Polio Vaccine are made from monkey serum. This serum has helped many cancer causing monkey viruses, 60 found so far (SV 1 to SV60), to enter the human blood stream. As per recent revelations these viruses continue to be in the vaccines.
29. It is also known that it is the use of green monkey serum in vaccines that has led to the transfer of the Simian Immune deficiency Virus (SIV) from monkeys into humans. The SIV and the HIV that causes AIDS are very similar.
30. Not only AIDS, a blood cancer in infants (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) that is affecting children in thousands may also be primarily due to the extremely toxic nature of vaccine ingredients injected directly into the blood stream.
31. Infantile jaundice and also infantile diabetes is also scientifically connected to the toxic vaccines.
32. The live polio viruses used in the Oral Polio Vaccine has caused Vaccine Attributed Paralytic Polio in more than 1,25,000 children (up to the year 2006) as per doctors of the Indian Medical Association and the Jana Swasthya Abhiyan. The OPV has also let loose a new strain of polio in both India and Africa. The OPV is banned in the USA & European countries.
33. Vaccines contain serum from not only chimpanzees and monkeys but also from cows, pigs, chickens, eggs, horses, and even human serum and tissues extracted from aborted fetuses.
34. Deaths and permanent disability from vaccines is very common and known by the medical community. They are instructed by the Government to keep quiet and not to associate such cases with vaccines.
35. Many doctors argue that diseases during childhood are due to the body exercising its immune system. Suppressing these diseases causes the immune system to remain undeveloped causing the various autoimmune disorders like diabetes and arthritis that have become epidemics today.
36. Vaccines suppress the natural immunity and the body does not have natural antibodies anymore. The mothers milk therefore does not contain natural antibodies and can no longer protect the child against illnesses.
37. By stimulating humoral (blood related) immunity alone vaccines have caused an imbalance in the whole immune set up leading to an alarming increase in auto immune disorders. This is acknowledged by the immunologists themselves.
38. In the USA vaccine adverse effects are recorded and the Government offers compensation of millions of dollars to victims (the most recent case in its Vaccine Court may have received upto $200 million in damages). The Indian Government simply refuses to acknowledge that vaccines can cause deaths and permanent disability.
39. It has been scientifically proven that vaccines cannot prevent disease. Vaccines try to create humoral (blood related immunity) whereas it has been found that immunity is developed at various levels, humoral as well as cellular. We still do not know enough about the human immune system and therefore should not interfere with it.
40. In the USA parents are informed about vaccine after effects and their consent has to be taken before vaccinating their children. In India the Government assures the population through massive advertising campaigns that vaccines are extremely safe. Parents refusing to vaccinate are threatened by the administration.
41. THERE IS NO SYSTEM OF TREATMENT TO TREAT A VACCINE DAMAGED CHILD. The parents have to run from one hospital to another. The Government turns a blind eye and refuses to even acknowledge the vaccine connection. Attempts by private practitioners worldwide to treat vaccine damaged children by flushing out heavy metals and toxins from the body have been frowned upon and discouraged.
42. Senior medical doctors have challenged even the vaccines recommended by the Government of India. The BCG vaccine for tuberculosis has been extensively tested in India as long back as 1961 and found to be totally ineffective. The OPV is causing polio and other neurological and intestinal disorders in tens of thousands of Indian children. The Hep-B vaccine introduced recently is not meant for children at all, it is a vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease that should be targeted only at promiscuous adults. The tetanus vaccine contains both aluminum and mercury besides the tetanus toxoid. The doctors themselves avoid giving the DPT to their children and relatives as per a survey amongst US health care professionals. The measles vaccine is a vaccine that regularly causes severe adverse effects and the health workers I have interviewed want it out.
43. The pediatricians are introducing dubious vaccines in India, which are being opposed by the doctors, politicians, and public in American and European countries. The Rotavirus vaccine, Hib vaccine, HPV vaccine and the various multi virus vaccines being introduced without any kind of testing is only because the vaccine manufacturers and the doctors administering them want to ensure a good income from them. They care two hoots about medical ethics and the fate of the children who will receive these vaccines. Vaccines containing nano particles and viruses and also plant based genetically modified vaccines are being opposed by honest doctors worldwide.
44. Various independent studies, notably the Dutch and the more recent German study, comparing vaccinated with unvaccinated children have found that vaccinated children are prone to asthma, dermatitis, allergies, hyperactivity etc. According to the German study, the death rate amongst vaccinated children is much more than the unvaccinated ones.
45. Vaccines, being a mass medical program which is accepted without question, becomes the perfect launching pad for bioterrorism. The powerful countries can spread lethal epidemics by just polluting the vaccines with bio warfare agents. The USA has handed over vaccine research to a bioterrorism research unit called the BARDA which functions under the Pentagon. A warning to this effect has been sounded by the Vice President IAP in a letter to the DGHS.
46. Besides "investigating" into the small pox virus, it is reported that a "weapons grade" bird flu vaccine has already been devised by the Pentagon to be used as biowarfare agents.
47. Vaccines have also been used to ensure population control. A batch of the tetanus vaccine has been used in many Asian countries to make the female population sterile. This was done by introducing a hormone that by inducing antibodies would abort the foetus when it is formed. In India, Saheli, a NGO fighting for the rights of women filed a PIL against this when the fact surfaced.
48. Mercury, a part of vaccines, is known to interfere with the endocrine system and induce sterility in both males and females.
49. Through a new Public Health Bill that is being drafted the Government of India is planning to introduce forced vaccinations and threaten anti-vaccination activists with steep fines and jail terms. This is obviously at the instance of foreign (read US) vaccine giants who are shifting base to India reeling at the tremendous opposition to vaccines in US and European countries. The Govt of India is planning a "vaccine park" at Chennai where these vaccine MNCs will set up base. This itself is an act of bioterrorism which ironically the proposed bill seeks to oppose.
50. As per the IOM, USA, vaccine research for a probable link between vaccines and autism should not be conducted. The Institute of Medicine in its last report on vaccines and autism in 2004 said that more research on the vaccine question is counterproductive: Finding a susceptibility to this risk in some infants would call into question the universal vaccination strategy that is a bedrock of immunization programs and could lead to widespread rejection of vaccines. The IOM concluded that efforts to find a link between vaccines and autism "must be balanced against the broader benefit of the current vaccine program for all children". What does this add up to? Infants should be sacrificed in order to perpetuate an unscientific procedure?

The above points are not exhaustive. For a more detailed article please write to me at jagchat01@yahoo.com.