Restlessness of Kashmir and Dragging Development

The last four months had been tough for people of Kashmir amidst the collusion between the government and separatist. The course adopted by the govt to restrain the civil population from raising voice against the establishment. The place, its people including women and children are restrained within their localities. The work force sitting idle for long, many common citizens would not have earned their livelihood. Though its very difficult to judge their lives sitting here at our place, it becomes obvious when nation is celebrating festivals there are fellow citizens, suffering due to political dead lock. The acts of political class have once again laid the lives of people difficult. The leaderships on either sides are not willing to open sincere dialogue. The leaders talk from Srinagar to Delhi, but rest of India is too helpless.

The silence of the citizens of India on the issues related to kashmir regarding the people is disturbing else they do not mind claiming the state to be part of India. If thats believe why do'nt we show concern about the problems of common citizens. The elected government is trying hard but they have failed to restore normalcy. In other situations such govt. would have been suspended on inaction, but this is okay with Kashmir.

The people has to suffer due to misadventure by terrorists and utter failure of establishment to curtail them since last couple of months. The responsibilities and credits taken for the acts of defense forces are accepted but the failure too must be adorned by same political class. We are loosing fast on the development of state, till the normalcy is restored in the valley. The issues so serious when the librals fear that any sentiments shown for the people of Kashmir would be treated as anti national by many onlookers. There is no doubt on the manner of social extinction incorporated in the government systems when the govt. of Delhi does different talking than Kashmir govt. Why there is media, blackout on the happenings in Kashmir, the suffering of the people should end. The power of the government is often misused and over used on the people and misunderstanding continues, The anti-social elements do not throw stones on the police personnals but at India while their anguish and anger towards the govt. is high the time would be apt to reason and curtail them with sensible dialogue.

The rest of India, cannot be just spectator of such political deadlock in valley, we must ensure the development dialogue to happen. The needs of people specially those who feed their families by doing daily work must be understood and essentials must reach to their households. The cities and villages if gets blocked for its civil rights to function normally the impact would be high on the socio-economic stability of state.  Kashmir is held high among the Indian state, there must be end to this restlessness than dragging development 

The Irony of Corrupt Nation - A Two Year Revolution?

Remember the campaign by Indian Against Corruption, the stage set for the revolution under the leadership of Shri Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejrival, and others. The protests and high pitch action at Delhi transformed the force against the congress regime which was later picked up by the leading opposition party for an political opportunity. The seats of power was later unseated by the steady political campaign and later seeds of anti-corruption force gained power in the centre and state. The present government has benefited from the anger of the middle class on the political governance of the nation.

The theme of anti-corruption rules the political dialogue among the power circles when the ruling party charges again and again for its desire to remove corruption from the nation. From political cause to general corruption indicator, the developing nation like India continues to be branded corrupt and unethical. The free market economy and globalization era also led to opening of the economy to transnational corporations. The political class on the other land found lucrative to attempt intrusion of the MNC towards its economy. But all these also required earning the goodwill of the government by bribing the ministers and bureaucrats. Where else you can find the corruption promoted to facilitate the private players to have play in the market and capture the consumer early. In most of the cases the government is biggest consumer with most of the private players wanted the share of government sector which was thrown open to privatised.

The telecom, railways, road, banks, power and consumer goods were segments were disinvestment were made and red carpet was allocated to private players. The capital investment of any sorts were required to be translated on ground through benefiting the political parties in power. The parties with increasing cost of election, keeping electorate happy and purchasing the votes tend to indulge in easy money and thereby increased the corrupt nation image in world.

The current government even though tries to erase the image of the corrupt nation the basic ingredients remains same the political parties are vary from getting donation through legitimate means. The electoral reforms and resultant political expenditure has not led to reduction in corrupt practices. The evidence of the selecting and electing the 'money bags' means people who are rich and can spend amount required to be candidate is preferred over others. What must be changed is the manner in which the political parties  collecting funds from various sources. The corruption is among the government function not on the common citizens. The large brokers are more serious crime than pitty brokers with Rs.100 charge on their services. The image of country is tarnished with close nexus between the government servents, politicians and businessman. This has not reduced infact they act as gate keepers in order to control the flow of people towards decision makers. They make access to decision makers difficult. You cannot run enterprise with straight face, you must be humble to people in power.

They are the one who decides your fate, the two year massaih of people who keeps on reminding 60 plus year of corrupt nation must understand the greed of market based economy, The ever corrupt system is due to urge of the economic players to maximise the profit with minimum investment. The corrupt nation tag is not due to people and common person who simply wants to have poor interface with government. The connection with the government due to its subsidised nature of governance must be reduced. The transfer of the power to people has not happened and its difficult to make the government offices respond to people needs efficiently. The political parties cannot be only torch bearers, but unfortunatly they have taken the role of being sole authority and with little understanding of the national character they are likely to come back to same old tactics.

The people who started the anti-corruption drive is on side lines and one of serious opposition to the current government shows the fragmentation and ideological divide on who is fighting against the graft. The fall back on the current leadership also indicates the heads needs to be counted on the faces of new corrupt systems. The two year also resulted in the corrupt practices with more government departments getting private players and tenders being rigged to protect and provide for particular suppliers.

The lobby system works in market economy, the planned system gone its only money which is available to flow.

The Failed Nation Theory of Development

The Failed Nation Theory of Development - There is numerous definition of development based on the philosophy of the social scientists, but the most prominent were described by the professions who were deciding the fate of the nation. The political class with its objective to propagate their thought till they are in power as every thing is for the national development. Till they attain the position of opposition its failure of the development remarked mostly in the discourse for getting power in next election.

But the parties which came to power after 60 years of the nation history, and being part of the active opposition for three decades, now finds very difficult to take it forward. There idea is to reject the past with its complete trace of development history. The political discourse now a days has moved towards projecting India as nation failed to achieve any thing during past 60 years (a mere political context). The agenda of the earlier parties in power was never acceptable even though its scripted ditto by the current ruling alliance. The leaders were quick to select the points of disagreement but later found nothing can be found justified whether its, rural India, urban, agriculture, defense, foreign policy, finance etc. they found the 60 years of history must be shed to give rise to new India.

As if we have entered into the royalty the end of one dynasty saw the rise of new and changed the direction of the development flow. The groups which were rejected by the political commentators have nothing to do with freedom of India, is now seeded to power with more stronger nation concept. The believers and non-believers concept of political ideologies are promoted with the tizzy cocktail of captialist frame of development. The ruling party now wants to select and change the system one by one for the national development with very profoundly believe in the failed system of development.

Albiet the theory for the development and means or methods remains same it would be only time which would converge two political thought which might talk to integrate India with rest of world. The pain and gain of the citizens now depends upon their voting pattern, the 2016 election like 2014 may not be land mark when the change happened after 60 years of political dominance. The current ruling party in now challenged within two year. What is there in India's DNA politically is non-alligned to an ideology where there is maximum diversity which political parties urge to unite. The plural character of nation is being brought down to desire for singular frame to worship 'Bharat'. The ideal and ideologies have changed but whether the citizens who voted them to power also changed? Do not know. When the 10,000 British men can rule India for long a handful of political leaders ranging from 500-2000 committed leaders can dominate Indian political landscape.

What is expected for the leaders who try to rule (rather to serve) in democracy? A fan following who belive in the character of development, When majority were made to believe in 'failed' nation theory the lack of continuity is expected, But this would also associate the political unrest and change of sub-systems and non-cooperation from the state who do not believe in ideologies of the party who is running the national development agenda. How difficult it would be agree in future?

If there is no plan what you review? Promises are not real for Indian Government

The rejection of Planned Development of the country by the new government since 2014, has resulted in allocation of budget to departments and state based on the sourced knowledge. The NITI Ayog the renamed and totally new version of policy making has made poor progress in understanding the needs of country. It has selectively picked the points based on the party Manefesto rather than working paper by experts. The masters voice is loud and clear to the babus and experts in Ayog (ex-employee's of Planning Commission) to follow the new change  to suit the political bosses.

The series of programs floated has no serious basis, or re-worked old programs or simply renamed, an political excercise on the behest of party in power. The plan periods would be lapsed in 2017, before be see the end of Nehruvian era. May be the birth of market economy with India slated to poise to lead the Asia with more investments, flow of money, able -skilled people, ease of doing business etc. But whether the country can look inwards into the problem of Agriculture, Market, Urbanization, Water, Environment, Climate Change etc which are global concern. The fundamental shift in Macro economics and political think is still to be directed and questioned by those who are running it. The higher education institutes, experts and market leaders are supporting the current agenda as they had supported earlier agenda. No particular school of thoughts holds point since we are slated to follow the leader.

The development track or the world community is watching the change in India silently, knowingly well its shortfall in dealing with social, infrastructure and economic issues. They want to control the Indian economy and time is right now to enter and convince the political bosses. What PMO during UPA-II cannot do due to call for 'inclusive growth' where the rights based approach was adopted by the policy makers. Now the current government is preparing the grounds for big bang reform with expected investments, flow of funds  and hopes into Indian economy. Whether these would also enhance the risks, stop social funding or remove the subsidies from majority etc. can be debated in next phase of govt.

Two years have passed with drastic change in plan system, and entry of market is awaited, it would be too late it does not kick up by this year end. Lets hope that we sense the market well, and desires of people who feels government has failed them by not understanding their needs of hunger, unemployment, poverty and agriculture. 

Divergence of Governance in India

 India, has picked up habit of the capital based economy when daring to beat the market by opening the economy for the international shock and competition. The democratically elected government now having made its people believe that till next general election the government in power is going to embrace the market and make us all competitive. But given the promises and effort made to attract the investments and major promises could not be met except some significant improvement in the image of country and its current leader. The skill of the leader and government is to maintain the image which can be positive and progressive. Elsewhere the  India is raged with the debate on the proving the nationalism, loyalty to govts in power in centre or state, fixing the investors and ignoring the masses. The needs and wishes of the people who wanted to see the 'better' days ahead expects the government to act fast for fulfilling the desires.

The excessive debates the polarization of political thoughts where no two party has agreed to respect each other views have made the fight between national parties as to finish them politically. Emotive charges over one another and further leading to declare them anti-national. The emergence of debates which engrossed the intellectualism and readerships across the nation to forget the electoral promises, tall claims and reasoning put by the current leader. The mere acknowledgement and believe that this time would also pass, reduces India's ranking and rating to an feeble exercise which cannot sustain the trade pressure. Though the people who are dependent on government are mainly poor living in rural and urban areas, there is little respite and attention received apart from populism. 

The scale and magnitude of the problem is politically thrown out of the basket where the nation is debating what is politically hot. The commerce, trade and development of the communities takes backseat. Election to election mode of governance has resulted in short interest in the issues and agenda and greatly diverted to seek the fast track solutions.   

Snap Development and Talk Nationalism

Last few weeks have been ruble rouser in everybody's mind when government at the helm of affairs started talking nationalism via the HRD Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani. The hell broke loose in JNU after some unknown activists from J&K mingled in crowd of students in the name of annual event on the eve of death anniversary of Afzal Guru, the terrorist who was punished by the Supreme Court for his acts against the nation. There are prevailing few among the people who do not agree with decision. So let it be.

But any action within the the University added with the issue of student suicide in Hyderabad University, triggered the fight of ideologies defining the 'nationalism' between those who agree with governments perspective and those who do not. Both the view points might have some merits by largely no body is traitor as long as he has not staged war against the nation.

In between these hustles, the govt. presented its budget, with out much fanfare nothing significant was achieved. As soon as budget discussion subsided the govt. running with ministers to raise the issue of fight and difference of opinion between the CBI and IB both central agencies in the case involving Israt Jahan, the girl killed in the fake encounter (as remarked by the courts so far). The talk of influence of Home Minister on Home Secretary to give false affidavit and is filed than needed to be looked again.

The reason is simple, this case point finger at the Hon. PM and BJP president. The BJP president was not given clean chit by the courts in the case related to further alleged encounter of Ishrat Jahan, Sohrabbudin Sheikh and Tulsi Prajapati  in Gujarat where conspiracy angle have been pointed at him. Though the investigating agencies could not proof the charge against any of the leaders of BJP. Both were CM and HM during the incidents.

The investigation might there own time and now there is need to change the story line from CBI than to CBI now must give clean chit to both based on evidence than and now. It might happen as per the governments desires, as the cases in India is investigated in the favour of governments in power. The owners of the caged parrot have changed. The fight between IB and CBI is now taken and directed by the current government. Lets see what happens.

During these discourses we have forgotten the commitments made by the current government in India about development of the cities and villages. The budget could not offer substantially for the urban areas, where it waited for the boost for urban infrastructure in coming years. But the year and later might be turned out or marketed for the rural India. The bailout packages for the banks was like an incentive for non performance shortly targeted to be taken over by the MNC through different route. There is economic danger due to non performance, poor disinvestment climate and employment opportunities. But the country the debates are dissected more for what happened during the earlier regime rather than performance of the current regime.

The key ministers like Finance, Urban and Education ministry concentrate to defend govt not for the departments but for the Ishrat Jahan, JNU, Rohit Vemula and Freedom of Speech. How many times do we have to remember that Indian citizens are bound by Indian laws and people are free to migrate to another country if they do not like. Those who are residents of India cannot be anti national, but alas the government is targeting the left parties, congress and AAM aadmi representatives for their charge against them being anti national.

The new brand of opposition who have not contributed much on governments are equally to be blamed for lack of debate on development. Most of the time the governments have been targeted for the pity reasons which could have been avoided even by government themselves. I am hoping for the NITI Ayog to provide the nation path for growth, progress and human development. Instead they begun to play with market, finance and banking. These are tools for the economists to engage with national production but actual development requires wider consultations. As a professional we feel stressed when the schemes are designed to suit the political outcome not the need of people. The data of economic survey published might only serve the credit agencies and political commentators but for the common men the language is hard to understand. Hope next time we get proper documents where community can also participate.

Believe it or Not Smart City, Digital India and Make in India is not just slogan

During past 18 months and more we are made to believe the strength of the government is in its resolve to pursue the popular programs so listed by new dawn of digital era who wish to take the world economy upfront. It was said, India is now getting prepared to take the economy by its horn, the projections even after months have been bullish by the agencies. Even though the market did not respond so well to the call for investment it tanked to lowest level post diwali, The investors in the infrastructure is hard to come by, given the budgetary provisions which might foresee the light within next week should give boost to investment climate. The basics are right for India, but the digital divide which shortened due to penetration of mobile telephony made to believe the real strength of Indian people and enterprise is yet to come.

The strong linkages established in the government programmes like Smart City, Digital India and Make in India makes us believe the government is serious, but not so good feeling when we look at the penetration of the program. The participation of the state government is low, and corporate are shying away from making the commitments. The revival of the Smart city program with more cities are likely to join is hard when cities do not commit easily to the pending reforms. The infrastructure and investment plans where all in place in so called 'Smart cities' when during the earlier phases of JNNURM the City Development Plans were prepared. There is ample scope for reforms but the state's not ruled by the party in power at the center finds it hard to accept, mostly due to political polarization in development agenda.

The people are now made to believe in virtual environments, the sales pitch of the e-comm. sites coupled with delivery prangs shows the purchasing power of the Indian consumers. But with lack of growth in real estate sector, and slowing of demands in key sectors, there is hard learning for the manufacturers to stay back in competition. The India's share of global trade might have marginally improved with little scope for economic revival very soon when trade from India can become competitive. The global rich and poor divide during the current economic slow down and poor revival does not through enough to give boost to India's Make in India programe. The skills required to stay competitive demands for the global change in the manner we produce the things, the labour intensive industries shows slow progress, with machine based productions gains competitive edge. The industrial and manufacturing base needs an improvement in the country side and rural India to raise the demands of the consumable goods. 

The entrepreneur developments and poor funding disbursal's from the key banks does not make the change as desired by the 'Modi Sarkar'.  The recent drubbing in state elections, and not being able to perform the legislative functions at the centre frustrates the ministries. The BJP ruled states even do not perform to expectation and shows the poor political upmanship to steer the economy forward. The hope for change when millions of Indians wants to join reflects in the lack of infrastructure investments in rural India, the investors looking for the space in the ever growing cities, mostly metropolitan cities.