Demolition State: Urban India in Transition for Welfare?

 Between 2019 and 2025, India has witnessed a significant increase in the demolition of houses and slums, often under the guise of urban development, encroachment removal, or city beautification. These actions have disproportionately affected marginalized communities, including Muslims, Dalits, Adivasis, and migrant workers. These demolition drives have raised significant legal and human rights concerns, particularly regarding the lack of proper rehabilitation and compensation for displaced individuals. Many affected communities have reported inadequate notice periods and insufficient support systems post-eviction

 

Notable Demolition Drives (2019–2025)

• Delhi (2023): Ahead of the G20 summit, over 1,600 homes were demolished, and 3,000 eviction notices were served. Many residents were displaced without rehabilitation or compensation. thehindu.com+1hindustantimes.com+1
• Mumbai (2024): Residents of the Saibaba Rehvasi Seva Sangh slum in Kandivali faced repeated demolitions, with many families left in limbo due to unclear rehabilitation policies. hindustantimes.com+1indianexpress.com+1
• Mumbai (2024): In Panchasheel Nagar, Govandi, approximately 250 tenements were demolished without proper documentation, leaving residents struggling to prove their eligibility for compensation. hindustantimes.com
• Kolkata (2025): The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority initiated a plan to demolish unauthorized shanties under several canal bridges to prevent safety hazards, with an estimated budget of Rs 50 lakh. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
• Mumbai (2025): Proposals have emerged to reclassify land occupied by slums in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park area as non-forest to prevent the relocation of around 80,000 households. timesofindia.indiatimes.com

The sudden rise reminds many for great demolition prior to National emergency - 1972-74 in metropolitan cities. The idea of SMART cities and AMRUT, has done away with inclusive development strategies adopted during the last 12th five year plan by Planning Commission (changed to NITI Aayog in 2015). The million plus households have suffered because of lack of alternative offered, accessible or eligible for new schemes proposed by the Central and State governments. 

In the era of welfare state why do people have to be at mercy of the state? The right to shelter, seeking fundamental protection from the state is difficult to achieve.  Many from the minority community (particularly Muslims) had been the first target but subsequently the poorest of the poor are removed from the streets and localities. The 'Slum being cancer to society' phenomenon of 1980s is back to haunt the poor being thrown out of city society and space. 

 

CONTRIBUTION INVITED FROM SOCIAL SCIENTISTS/PLANNERS AND OTHERS

 

Green Eminent - Research Centre, invites contributions in form of project briefs, papers and data for its upcoming publications on the Public Social Development Reports of states of India (2025 AD). Likely to be published in January 2026. Authors are request to submit the papers (to be taken as chapter in edited book) and reports concerning their areas of study in typed format with resumes. Selected contributors for the reports would be paid a token remuneration for their contribution. Please note the following dates;

25th Novembers 2024- Abstracts (150-200 words)

10th December 2024 - Intimation to Authors

15th February 2025- Full Paper

30th March-2025-Peer Review (Register your self as reviewers by sending resume)

15th November 2025-Draft Publication (online)

31st January 2026 - Final Publication (Free Public Access)

Note: All Papers and communication can be done through this mail to gercbrd@gmail.com

Area of Interest: Rural Development, Regional Development, Urban Planning, Geoinformatics, Industrial Growth, Decentralised Planning, Sustainable development, Climate Change, Environmental Status, Peoples Participation etc..

Mind our business -Technology Glitch and Modern Cities

 

    The artificial intelligence are believed to have threatened the human life process, as warned by the people who created it during last lock down period between 2019 to 2022 to open new world of search and answer the questions concerning the data already available on the web space. Google knows all and CHAT tools delivers it at your door steps (alas desktop word/excel or ppt). The life of the students struggling to find the answers to the questions so rudimental to getting decent passing marks are hooked to new boy in the town. The teachers and tutors frown at them citing plagiarism, but how teaching had been original, we all have referred books and guides to get our answers to score some marks. 

"You have the control of power switch, use your wisdom!"

    The cities, life moves on to the delivery glitches due to poor addresses and google sans the responsibility across the globe. The AI steps in to correct the algorithm to guide our delivery agents to right place. Some may look at the intrusion of the privacy and know all threatening technology. However, we all must look into the positives of technology and try to find the best way use to ease our space and settlement management. Cities and regions are marred with ills of toxic chemicals, plastics, domestic wastes etc polluting our rivers, ponds and other water bodies. Cleaning them or monitoring had been a long headache to administrators, while expecting the technologies to monitor, response and alert the authorities on time. 

There is obvious opposition to technologies in view of lowering down of human errors or inefficiencies. There is absolute concern by the designers and service providers who on the basis of their secret knowledge ( which is no more true) where with technology its about know more. The threat of AI is multifaceted with humans like earlier tech evolution credited with taking more human jobs. But the earlier concerns were thrown out when IT and tech industry created a highly effective job profile for the youth learning to become computer buff within a time span of decade. The evolution of automation, robotics, machine learning and artificial intelligence would take over operations no doubt, but it would also help humans to relive and connect with nature. 

    Unfortunately, inefficient systems of production and consumption, business of information walls and block knowledge for the disadvantageous groups have created corrupt and violent societies. We all hope some where the new tech would be concern with the ill effects and must not look down upon as somebody taking their biological role as humans. The aggression, love and compassion of humans would be transferred into the automation more smarter way down the line however, there would be enough opportunist to take it down.

    The governments would be regulating the automation to a large extent for the security purposes, but there would always be counter intelligence to beat one another. The functional system would be threatened by the new tech and operations of currencies (digital or virtual), transections and payment systems. The low tech nations with deliberate disconnect or forced offline societies would be saved from the tech glitch and someone may find it attractive to stay away from the connected societies. Most of the rich and famous would like to remain anonymous in the web world and enjoy the freedoms. The citizens in the urban areas might want the web world to stop exploring the gaze beyond the working hours and early mornings. The laws to manage or control the tech devices would be setup and operated by the AI tools only with smart way would be to save your privacy. 

    Cities of tomorrow may be technology friendly but you would still know the traffic jams, walking around in rains without your tech tools and swim around with flow of wind and water. The blossom of the flowers, morning sunshine and evening mood would still set the affairs of the world into an orderly disorder. 

Get back if you want to comment on this to me. Thanks 

Thinking, Doing and Sharing - Key to 4IR and Geospatial Industry

Enabling geospatial policy for a sustainable ecosystem needs the government and industry to working together in a rapidly changing and evolving technology landscape. The digital world is trying to capture everything that happens somewhere, using the data collection systems, processing, representing and disseminating the information.  These are desirable systems now fed with data which have now used sporadically with little less trust worthiness. The speed of data collection, dynamic platforms and varied user interfaces leaves little chance to verify its accuracy. The multitude of the data sources may be government or private or individuals is lagging behind in ensuring its authenticity and more used for its trust. 

The spatial content through cloud and open sources in data have led to large volumes of unprocessed or under processed information. The concept of truthing or validation needs more data repository for the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) to be able to utilize the artificial intelligence or machine learning. The logical reasoning when fed with incorrect data can lead to disastrous or faulty decision making in the automated world. The human nature to make irrational decisions and system over ride limitations of systems would lead to chaotic outcomes. 

Whether commonly enabled, free or open technology would exist due to its cost effectiveness, or lead to opening scope for startups? The future societies might need to relieve intellectual properties (IP) for the development of technologies needed for societies growth. The establishment of society-industry linkages in spatial applications is needed with user interfaces (UI) open to public access. The innovators or thinkers for future tech world would carry responsibility of leveraging on open source, open data and open access to connect all. The organizations would attempt to integrate the sustainable development goals (SDG) more with data capturing and analytical systems. 

The digital ecosystem for performing the geospatial functions in analysis particularly in content and services would lead to diverse ecosystem. The tech giants dealing with innovation functions would need support of policy, market and technology support to fulfill the 4IR goals of nations. Whether the current education system supports the shifting technology through multi-disciplinary approach? Capacity building for the young tech , science and geospatial graduates is needed to understand the integration of data science with process engineering. The problem solving approach of the social sciences needed to update the community about the issues of people, resources and economy which needs technological interventions.

The physical asset tabulations, changing natural order and long lasting impacts on the climate and environments needs significant transformation studied across the continents. The pressure of population (both increasing  or diminishing), resource exploitation and automation may enhance the vulnerability of nature and human. Startup innovation support systems or cooperation framework would be needed not only at the transnational level but also at the regional and local levels. The data should now also include not only the data but specifically spatial data for its accuracy and temporal demands. The static and dynamic data content might to lead to stagnation or intelligent systems. The stakeholders, i.e., government, industry and academia needs more collaborations than ever to overcome the speed of project implementation. 

India Election Effects: Time to change fundamentals

The parliamentary democracy reached a turn around in India in 2019 when those who fought for independence from the British rule, brought change in the socio-economic status of the nation are not in power. Rather hope for their revival seems very weak. India must move from the basics of food, cloth and shelter to technology, innovation and urbanisation. The people of India desire to have now prestige, power and money to bring revolutionary participation in the world economy and social order. The people now want to be removed from the shadow of government to a world full of opportunity. The vision for them is for a strong nation where cultural divisions and social identity must be removed with little concern about equality. The competitive social order is now caught in class divide more when economic growth outshines the social status. The new economy (led by market) has also arranged the citizens' expectations beyond the basic concerns about poverty. The governments over the periods have targetted the poor through hordes of programs resulting in massive removal of poverty leading to starvation. There is inequality which has increased and distribution of wealth is not as would have been desired by socialists. But in a liberal and secular nation, there now exists the acceptance of majority stake and respect for minority rights. 

Innovation in the technology sector should lead to enhanced participation of young citizens to claim their space in a highly competitive market. There is rising services sector and demand for the employment over the periods diminished however, there is a disparity in the potential for creating jobs various parts of the nation. The man-days may be available to some states in India whereas the opportunity for regular employment diminishes. The new governments should be empowered enough to focus on the opportunities for the youth in sectors outside the governments. There is a positive sign when youth has accepted the fact that governments are no more responsible for employment. It is now there own responsibilities to skill themselves to be worthy of economic earnings. The people themselves must pull others out of joblessness or poverty. The community networks would be strengthened to provide enough opportunities. 

The higher education seems to have reached its pinnacle and with job markets not showing opportunities, the young talents must spend more time on making their skills show some good results. The entrepreneurship must come out from the established families to those who can make a difference. The service sectors need support from higher education, though the highest number of educated youth need to contribute towards making their voice heard through participating in meaningful outcomes. There is a need to take India forward to be competitive.

The cultural recognition of the largest Hindu population is at stake in the multi-cultural world. It seems now there is identity requirement for the community and assertation of culture would bring a fundamental change in our democratic systems. The leadership needs to subsume the cultural dominance by removing the privileges of minorities such as in J&K state to be a more inclusive part of the nation. Nevertheless, there is a need to have a balanced approach in dealing with minorities, while claiming back the cultural symbols through constitutional mandate in the national parliament. There is doubt in fulfilling these desires due to institutions like our courts or justice system giving enough opportunities for such a move by the majority governments. There is dominance now of the majority community in India, not to take away the rights of minorities but giving justice to there own actions. 

The social divisions in India must also go with fewer chances of the reservation to survive these decades. The complexities of identities and historical justice may not prevail in the current century. More disturbance of the social order may not be due to the community where people would be born but how they would be treated by society. The demand for the community for social equality must be met with the justice system. The people might not tolerate such unjustified social behaviour when technology and social relations have moved beyond their identities. The fundamentals of constitutions must identify the rights of citizens more than equal and move towards gender justice and social equality leading to new social order. 

The traditional communities living in hard geographical areas need protection from cultural and economic onslaught. The tribals in India need change when mainstreaming of these communities are almost complete when very few could protect there tradition and culture. The cultural missions in these areas must stop and tribals must be allowed to take there own decisions through government and institutional support. The constitution protection must move towards ecological protection along with communities not only accepting their rights but abstain from removing them from there traditional homes. 

(Photo Courtesy: Author, 2017_18)

Cusp of Democracy, accepting development and the New Government

Elections is nearing to end in the heat of 2019 in India for the national government. Some say this is to save the democracy and others for the security of Nation under threat from terror. The response of the people is neither hysterical nor its indifference. There is a spate of reasoning given to politically finish the erstwhile ruling party but more the suppression it resulted in the expansion of thoughts. The personal aura of the current ruling party faces a crisis for putting its mask over the face of its candidate. The overselling of ideas, high pitch debates and declaration of nationalism has been a political drama guided both by the leader and his media supporters. A successful pitch stays straight and stressed on its main plank of development but a deviation to suit the political outcome is showing discomfort and lack of confidence of the ruling party.

There is a rise of leaders in hordes in response to the singular leader of a ruling party. The face of person so loved or hated is the point of an axis in India politics over the last five years. No matter the ideas of development continued from the government kudos to the people who engaged themselves in providing their ideas. The schemes of success or rather a failure did not enchant the voters for long. India slips back to traditional social dynamism linking with political outcomes. The ignorance of voters now depends on the pitch of media which could never be abstained for being polarised. The expense of the election is high for the government and rather many folds to the parties who were fighting for it. The cost of India democracy has increased but the focus of the development still remain fixed with farmers, youth, poverty and employment. The more the deviation more the dissatisfaction of the electorate. The threat to democracy is from the people who diverted the debates and ready to get away with it by raising and playing the emotional issues.

To an extent, the development of rural India cannot be negated with glittering lights in the cities. The hinterland of India now demands attention and basics of infrastructure might be the deciding factor in this election. The relations with Pakistan may not improve as the majority has won election and minorities in the country has been ignored to showcase political upmanship. There is a possibility of fractured mandate this time to adopt a corrective path without disturbing the essence of Indian constitution. The disturbance at the institutional structure is surprising when central agencies, defence forces, judiciary, planning, banking and commerce feel fate depends on government in power. They are going to lose anyway by following and ignoring someone destined to be powerful.

The point of uncertainty when elections results are yet to declare, makes people feel too long for wanting to go ahead. The country holds breadth after a long pause, last time it happened during 1997-99. The change in the situation would also mean omission or negation of lead whereas efforts lost but continuity would also mean finishing the institution to establish a new wave of governance. There is a possibility of both, yet new government in India would be exciting for all to forecast the arrival of a competitor who needs to face bullying by the US and China.

There are hope and despair in accepting the new government in the nation, not making a life for social media writers easier. A series of humour would continue with new government prank making somebody's nights sleepless. The hunch by industrialists and investors would drive the mood of the nation, however, the spirited entrepreneurship would find its way in to journey to the future. We are into the cusp of democracy when the maturity of the nation is to be achieved by the year 2022. India@75 would be again interesting for the world for the learning it is going to offer a nation. Who so ever may come in power must make nation shine with the hopes for generations to come. Be a part of global society and enhance the partnership to sustain our needs and vision for the future.

Prepare National Development Plan 2040 - Inclusive of Settlement Planning and Design Guidelines for India

Time has come to prepare National Development Plan - 2040, along with guidelines for National Guidelines for Settlement Planning and Design (GSPD) taking national vision, infrastructure requirements and demographic needs on settlements. Its time to shed differential planning for Urban and Rural Areas, instead it can be national, state and regional planning inclusive of all settlements, its resources and development needs. Lets begin people's planning ...now..It must provide guidance on appropriate practices and technologies and it does not replace the need for professional experience and judgement.

Climate change may exacerbate the problems caused by poor urban management. For example, poor storm water drainage systems and urban-induced soil erosion result in flash flooding. Increased storm intensity due to climate change would exacerbate such problems.
 Cities are particularly vulnerable to climate change because they are slow to adapt to changes in the environment and they have entrenched dependencies on specific delivery mechanisms for critical services.
 The effective management of the interface between urban residents and their surrounding environment producing sustainable social-ecological systems needs to the addressed. Similarly the concept of climate resilience in the context of urban social-ecological systems needs to be further developed.
 Water demand in urban centres is growing rapidly, placing undue stress on water supply systems. Investment in waste water treatment works has not remained in line with the growth in demand and use.
 Informal settlements are vulnerable to floods and fires, exacerbated by their location in flood- or pondingprone areas and on sand dunes; inferior building materials; and inadequate road access for emergency vehicles.
 Cities and dense urban settlements consume large amounts of energy.

Right to Question must be made fundamental to make Government Responsible

The three year session is closed for 'Modi Sarkar' and the leader is making five country trip take the feedback for his governance. The restlessness is visible among the leader but the others in the team is quietly following leader with blind system of believe. The media, politicians and capitalist have taken the right of the people to question, they have made questions pre-conceived to benefit the ruling parties.

The problems and issues of the people across the nations are overshadowed with debates where agenda of the parties across is overcasting the concerns of the masses. The money of the people were extracted to fulfill the coffers of the banks not as customers but as tax payers. The shadow of government over the banks have targeted the lower and middle class to get away with debts which were planned, executed and sustained by banks. The people were made to believe that they were doing service to nation when their rights as the customers were curtailed through executive orders of the governments.

Now when the impacts on the markets are negative the same banks would again start giving the additional funds to these very enterprises who never bothered to return the finance they could not return. The failure to understand the black money over black economy was huge when they were after black money the economy flourished. The corruption in the system did not go down instead the digital was deliberately used to channelize the funds to have organized crimes. Its hard for the person on the street to understand the micro economies when interest rates of the loans to SME's or households were not brought down but subsidies was passed from govt to banks through people using PMAY scheme.
The doomed real estate sector is recharged with govt. support to en cash the market using the funds when little surplus is available to govt. budget. Even if 10 percent of the households buy new house in India it would require more than Rs. 62500 crores per annum to finance loan subsidy from GoI. This is non workable beyond few years and budgeted.  
The inter-caste conflicts in the nation have disturbed not only the largest state but has potential to move the communities across the nation. Though the government wanted to derecognise the caste and community divide through slogans like Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas but little they realise the diversity of the community in India requires prudent policies and actions. The dominance of the communities over another in the name of religion is first step people in India the second step would be to target the supressed. The fears of the communities have not been addressed by the political class but divisions were sustained.

The division within the political parties ruled state have been more stark in current centre state relationships where even the BJP ruled states have stopped questioning the government. The media do not ask independent questions, the social media is filled with trollers or paid agents who would hound the celebrities for any negative remarks against the government.
The one way communication of the government through single spokesperson i.e. PM himself has done more damage to India. The government functionaries like officials, ministers etc are not responsible for peoples question but the ruling party spokesperson is responsible for answering. The media instead of confronting the government is playing the troll with party in power across the nation. They behave differently in local, state and national level, the regional parties are feared locally but muted nationally by them.
The questions posed by farmers, professionals, educationists, entrepreneurs are never replied by the government but information is provided about what is befit of the government. The election mode in which government has remain since last few years have not resulting in questions, where instead of the answer the mandate becomes the response. The ruling parties and their policies more than bridging the people's demand have imposed the thoughts of their parent think tanks. This shows the emergence of the parties were not from the people but from ideology based institutions who were supposed to be given free hand during their governance.
The right to information is more potent, but just a thinking can it be converted into right to question and seeking answers from the public organizations. Since the information has low potent where if the questions for which information is sought remained unanswered.

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. 

Election ON...Development Gone: Bihar under Politician Watch

Come this Diwali more than crackers the Indian streets would see Political Bombs. Caste war and development debates continues with PMO helping the ruling party to garner more seats. The Government of India can be now termed Government of BJP, when elections round the corner official machinery is used to show case the power of ruling parties.

The rise of caste politics has once again shown us the importance of caste census conducted in India in 2011, though the data is not yet released its been showing the changes in the ground. The power politics derails India's growth story when ruling party in center (national) is dragged in state election. The ministers and their officials busy in election in state (support system) already puts pressure on the development projects.

The ongoing election also raises the development issues dragged into the works done by the state (and its ruling party) and national govt (last one year). The election is further going to impact the center state relation since the working relationships between the parties in concern is going to deteriorate the conditions which may not be suitable for development.    

Remove Corruption, Erase Rural -Urban Divide, Face Energy Crisis and many more visionary is no more...Prof. Kalam ends his lecture to youth of India

Prof. Kalam is no more and today when the country would be remembering one last time on the day of his last rites before 24 x 7 media shifts attention to another story being build up. Its fate the same day two persons from India being laid to rest from same community. One being, teacher and another a terror supporter and actor. One hanged till death another smiled at death and left in peace.

Last 15 years since India came to know about Dr. Kalam he served as President, he spreads his wings to the youth to forward his vision for India. Though year 2020 is just five year away we are still hoping for some miracle. Actions of the youth to fight corruption, reduce rural -urban divide and facing energy crisis has become the 'Sarkari' mission. The youth is de-linked and asked to train themselves to contribute to growth which are going to damage the very concern expressed by Prof. Kalam.

Though teachers in the nation are respected and have given maximum knowledge there are industrial giants have ridiculed the talent of the youth. The ignited mind as expressed by our late president, Shri Kalam have been concerned about the fate of nation, but did not find the driving force with in the political systems. The 'Anna' movement did show the power of youth where the political leadership successfully divided and ridiculed the movement later raised the same issues to get the power in national government. The power of intellectuals to convinced the political class and bureaucracy have reduced to jibes occasionally at them.

Today not much can be written on the issues that have concerned the generations, the nation needs to rise and reduce the debate towards the 'development politics' as great teacher Dr. Kalam wanted and was close to his heart. The scientific community concerned about the growth of sciences, and concerned about the earth must come together to cherish and nurture the wishes of the departed soul. Though never met the gentleman from Rameshvaram, its obvious that Dr. Kalam did inspire a whole generation of youth in 1990 till 2015 for the selfless service to nation. His earlier avatar as missile man or ISRO scientist must have been very hard-way of learning, a scientist who served the nation not only through his works but also inspired must get a peace while letting us get aspired to work hard and serve the nation. Goodbye ....Sir..

Cabinet Approves SMART and AMRUT Mission in India

Union Cabinet approves Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation and Smart Cities Mission to drive economic growth and foster inclusive urban development

In a determined bid to recast the urban landscape of the country to make urban areas more livable and inclusive besides driving the economic growth, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved Central Government spending of about one lakh crore on urban development under two new urban missions over the next five years. The Cabinet has approved the Smart Cities Mission and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation of 500 cities (AMRUT) with outlays of Rs.48,000 crore and Rs.50,000 crore respectively. Under the Smart Cities Mission, each selected city would get central assistance of Rs.100 crore per year for five years. Smart City aspirants will be selected through a ‘City Challenge Competition’ intended to link financing with the ability of the cities to perform to achieve the mission objectives. Each state will shortlist a certain number of smart city aspirants as per the norms to be indicated and they will prepare smart city proposals for further evaluation for extending Central support. This Mission of building 100 smart cities intends to promote adoption of smart solutions for efficient use of available assets, resources and infrastructure with the objective of enhancing the quality of urban life and providing a clean and sustainable environment. Special emphasis will be given to participation of citizens in prioritizing and planning urban interventions. It will be implemented through ‘area based’ approach consisting of retrofitting, redevelopment, pan-city initiatives and development of new cities. Under retrofitting, deficiencies in an identified area will be addressed through necessary interventions as in the case of Local Area Plan for downtown Ahmedabad. Redevelopment enables reconstruction of already built-up area that is not amenable for any interventions, to make it smart, as in the case of Bhendi Bazar of Mumbai and West Kidwai Nagar in New Delhi. Pan-city components could be interventions like Intelligent Transport Solutions that benefits all residents by reducing commuting time. Under smart cities initiative, focus will be on core infrastructure services like: Adequate and clean Water supply, Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, Efficient Urban Mobility and Public Transportation, Affordable housing for the poor, power supply, robust IT connectivity, Governance, especially e-governance and citizen participation, safety and security of citizens, health and education and sustainable urban environment. Smart City Action Plans will be implemented by Special Purpose Vehicles(SPV) to be created for each city and state governments will ensure steady stream of resources for SPVs. The two missions are interlinked. AMRUT adopts a project approach to ensure basic infrastructure services relating to water supply, sewerage, septage management, storm water drains, transport and development of green spaces and parks with special provision for meeting the needs of children. Implementation of this Mission will be linked to promotion of urban reforms such as e-governance, constitution of professional municipal cadre, devolving funds and functions to urban local bodies, review of Building bye-laws, improvement in assessment and collection of municipal taxes, credit rating of urban local bodies, energy and water audit and citizen-centric urban planning. 10 percent of budget allocation will be given to States/UTs as incentive based on achievement of reforms during the previous year. A reform matrix with timelines would be circulated to States in the Guidelines. This Mission will be implemented in 500 cities and towns each with a population of one lakh and above, some cities situated on stems of main rivers, a few capital cities and important cities located in hilly areas, islands and tourist areas. Under this Mission, States get the flexibility of designing schemes based on the needs of identified cities and in their execution and monitoring. States will only submit State Annual Action Plans to the Centre for broad concurrence based on which funds will be released. In a significant departure from JNNURM, Central Government will not appraise individual projects. Central assistance will be to the extent of 50 percent of project cost for cities and towns with a population of up to 10 lakh and one-third of the project cost for those with a population of above 10 lakh. Central assistance will be released in three instalments in the ratio of 20:40:40 based on achievement of milestones indicated in State Annual Action Plans. AMRUT seeks to lay a foundation to enable cities and towns to eventually grow into smart cities. The Cabinet also today approved Central funding under AMRUT to the projects sanctioned under JNNURM and not completed. JNNURM projects relating to urban development sanctioned during 2005 -2012 and achieved physical progress of 50 percent availing 50 percent of central assistance released and those sanctioned during 2012-2014 will be supported till March, 2017. Accordingly, 102 and 296 projects respectively will get Central support for balance funding to complete these projects. Central spending approved for the next five years under the two new Missions assumes significance in the backdrop of the approved Plan outlay of Rs.42,900 crore for JNNURM that was implemented over nine years between 2005 and 2014. Out of this, actual Central assistance released was Rs.36,398 crore. Further to today’s Cabinet approval, a minimum investment of over Rs. 2 lakh crore would flow into urban areas over the next five years (2015-16 – 2019-20) since States and urban local bodies would mobilise matching resources ranging from 50 percent to 66 percent. In addition, substantial private investments would be mobilized by states and urban local bodies through PPP model as required to meet project costs. The architecture of the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT is guided by the twin objectives of meeting the challenges of growing urbanization in the country in a sustainable manner as well as ensuring the benefits of urban development to the poor through increased access to urban spaces and enhanced employment opportunities. Source: Press Information Bureau, INDIA, April 2015

National Debates on Farmer Suicides: Live Broadcast of Farmer Suicides, Rallies and briefing by political leaders to nations

"A farmer hanged himself in front of 24 x 7 media in a political rally, while a state CM, national media TV and Print, police officials etc. had a decent watch of the process. Evening shows packaged with who should be responsible for the farmer live lost in front of everybody. An enquiry is being conducted and wittness gathered to prove that he committed suicide."

In the post independence India, this kind of incidents are not only shameful but criminal neglect by everybody. The ignorance and indifference of the leaders and political class is very hightned in this incident. The statements by hon. Home Minister and later by PM to condone the incidents may not be enough. The ownership of the people are taken over by them, have become masters to distribute the doles to the poor farmers. The systems have failed to respond in the natural disasters, whats the role of political class in realeasing the funds for the affected farmers. There was huge funds, and legal systems enacted to respond to the disasters, yet none of the state government reacted properly, the hypothetical assumption of the power by them raised concerns about the decisions to be taken by the political class.

The farmers who lost the crops must not be at the mercy of the political leaders, but the systems made to provided immediate relief have failed measirably, we are yet to get quick assessment despite the modern satellite technology to assess the damage. The numerable man power available at the disposal of the district governments could have been used to assess the losses and damages. Yet even after 45 days people have no idea how much compensation they can claim or get. The linkages of bank accounts, aadhar cards and other systems have also not helped in quick transfer of money /financial assistance. The issues are being rallied between the state and central government, who should act fast, why it takes months to assess.

While the nation watched the recent suicide of the farmer live 24 hours the pain of the citizen is very much in forefront. The politics of the national disasters must avoid the system to be enacted for the disaster management. We are so week that the political leaders take their own time and political situation to encash the dole transfer. We must not take these lightly, the world would look at us in peity.

I hope we must strengthen our systems to upgrade the disaster management in the manner as designed in the governance system. Empower the local bodies to take action, and provide necessary relief on time. 

Scam India to Skill India: Shaming India Abroad

The recent visit of PM abroad highlighted the change in India during last ten months from its transition from being 'scam India' to 'skill India'. No matter nothing has been done to make India skilled in last 10 months yet may turnout to be rallying point of ruling party. The assumption of the political class in owning the government from being Government of India to be claimed as 'Modi Sarkar' we personalized the government officially. Though the term used by media as an adjective turned out to be big election campaign slogan. The ownership did not remain only with the present ruling parties but the GoI ownership for past 60 years were granted to Congress. The easy claim to governments by the political class does not take into account the constitutional provisions and idea of government into four constituent pillars namely, executive, judiciary, legislative and media or people. 

The ownership of political class to government transferred all the ills of them to governments and in turn to the people of India. The notion of 'SCAM' India resides not only on the political parties those who have ruled but also people of India, who laboured hard to achieve the development goals. The professionals, government officials, academicians and citizens who all were part of various systems together brings out to what India is today. The alleged notion of India by present PM is faulty on the grounds of wild image created by the media. India is not scam prone its endevour to fight poverty and backwardness by increasing the agriculture production, industrial activities and technical knowledge is known world over. The efforts of people and tolerance of the all the government from central to state is legendary. Irrespective of shortage of resources, lack of infrastructure and basic amenities the people did not complained fully understanding the reasons of backwardness. This was not just scams which resulted in present state of affairs, its resource crunch, population growth and systems failure all due to various reasons.

There are times when the hard works of the individuals, state and national institutions have resulted in the change and enhanced India's competitiveness abroad. We have raised the glory of country in many economic sectors. We may be still middle income categories but the growth rate have risen in last two decades due to reforms. The scam allegations may be true since also marks the nature of awareness the media, state and people are into for their rights. 

The current government are at fault in raising the issue while showcasing the abilities of India and its people abroad. The party in power must respect the voice of nation, their dreams and refrain from damaging the image of India based on the data provided by the agencies who are out in open to protect the interest of developed world and their business. The trade imbalances are also result of poor image creation and campaign by the western nation to delink India's growth story from labour of its people. They are happy to project the poor image and disintegrated political class resulting in the damaging the ruling by the fellow political class and primarily the congress party. The parties in power must rule, but nation does not belong to a political party, its the people who have elected them to restore the image of India and enhance its potential. The blame game must stop and short term arrogance of the political parties must go away to give space to development works based on the reasonable policies not drawn by political class but by all the constituents of the Government of India and its states.