The dance of democracy (read elections) is on in India. For anyone, who expected an elegant, flawless and polished performance, it has been quite unlike. The dance seems more like a ‘chameeya nach’, than coming from the largest democracy in the world.
Our so-called leaders have been going all out and leaving no stones unturned to expose the most frivolous parts of other candidate’s lives. Only thing we hear is about how much of black money each one has in their numbered accounts, how many cases are pending against each of them or how many of them have utilized public finances for their own selfish motives. These accusations are being thrown by leaders of the country against each other. Each of them have a dark background, but they forget about their own backyard and start hurling at others. Whatever happened to the good old saying of “people who have glass houses do not throw stones at others”.
As in my previous blogs, as a citizen of India, I again emphasise that I want to exercise my franchise. What are the options I have? UPA, NDA or Left Parties. I have no trust in the UPA (read congress) which has been ruling the country for 95% of the time, since independence. I do not have faith in the ‘Hindutva’ policy of BJP, as it defeats the whole idea of secularism. Religion has nothing to with politics, so let us leave it alone. The Left parties are best left alone. But as the Hindi proverb “andhon mein kana raja hota hai”, I decide to vote for a well qualified, experienced and dynamic BSP candidate, who is standing from my constituency (just an example). He promises to do a lot for the constituency and the nation. So I stand under the blazing sun, to exercise my vote. I walk out of the polling booth, showing my first finger with a blue mark to everyone (read news channels), as a sign that I voted (from far such actions could be misleading. Am sure you all understood).
The results are out and my BSP candidate has won the election. Now moving up the party hierarchy, Maya didi (calling her anything else is offensive, proof – Sanjay Dutt) decides that BSP, along with SP, RJD, TDP etc etc. should form the third front and stake a claim to form the government. All of sudden and overnight, a brainwave strikes through the political circles and I read in the next morning’s papers that Maya didi and BSP, for some god forsaken reason, have decided to support the Congress to form a government at the centre. Manmohan Singh is the Prime Minister. I do not even know, if the candidate I voted for was privy to all this. Now what is the value of my vote? What change did I bring by casting my vote? What difference have I made? In the end, I did not get the government of my choice. I did not get the leader or even the party of my choice. I will again land up in the same situation, where I will see my leaders either after 5 years (these days there is more risk and could be sooner) or only on the idiot box. This is what’s been happening for 62 years to the common man in India, the actual vote bank. Ever wondered why these so called leaders call us the vote bank? This is the only bank which will not be affected by the recession. In our country, the number of voters will always increase. If not, they have the money to buy rice or TV’s to increase the vote bank. Truly money speaks honey !!!!!
Now a certain section of our leaders want to make voting compulsory. By all means, go ahead and do so, but on certain caveats as below:
1. Please make sure my name appears on the voters list? There have been instances when people have voter’s ID cards but their names are missing from the voters list.
2. Many people do not live in the constituencies, where they are eligible to vote. Please make arrangements for them to travel to their respective constituency to vote. (Will my boss count it as leave?)
3. A suggestion would be to issue voter’s ID cards to all eligible voters and enable them vote from where they are. After all we are all in India and have the right to choose a Prime Minister, irrespective of where we stay in India.
4. Enable proxy voting for eligible voters residing outside the country, who you think about only for remittances.
5 MOST IMPORTANT – Give us leaders who deserve our vote. Give us leaders who are willing to work for the well being of the country. Give us leaders who are clean in thoughts and actions. Give us leaders who do not play the caste card. Give us leaders who understand what secularism truly means. Give us leaders who use public money for public welfare. Give us leaders who will not tell me what to wear and whether I should be going to a pub. Above all give us leaders who have the time to listen to the people who make them leaders.
Some of the above points might be an aspiration and far from reality. Let us take a middle path. We, as the voting public in India will sacrifice (like always) points 2, 3 and 4 as mentioned above and you agree only to point number five. Point number 1 is something you introduced. So please decide how you want to deal with it. We did not have voter ID cards since 1947, from the time common man in India has been voting.
And now make voting compulsory. There are more chances of the sun rising out of the west, someday, than what has been stated above?
I always believe that a candidate, who stands for election should understand the problems faced by people living in that constituency. This is a far cry from what happens. Else how can we explain the reason for a ex-Telegu and bollywood actress standing from a constituency in UP or a person who has lived all his life in South Mumbai standing from a completely opposite location? Just as example, the candidate who has stayed all his life in South Mumbai might think he will give a generator to each home in North Mumbai to secure votes (TV is outdated now). The first thing he will get back is a statement “bhau, generator chalaane ke liye petrol ka paisa tho do”. Complete expectations mismatch, whereas a candidate from the same constituency would know that people cannot afford to spend money on petrol and they would prefer a robust electricity system. To all our great leader – this is not rocket science.
Traditional schools of thought might argue that the feeling of people welfare should come from the heart and location does not matter (typical bollywood style). Also shrewd politicians will say that we need to cover as much ground as possible to get as many seats. Only then we can come to power and work for welfare (but whose?).
Unfortunately for them, these things do matter. To represent the people of a constituency, one needs to know the people, understand their day to day problems and what issues they face. Majority of the needs of the vote bank can be classified into just three words “ roti, kapda aur makaan”. All they ask for is basic utilities like power, clean water, food, basic infrastructure services and decent transport services. And all this is from their money which they pay as taxes. Plus, it is not, as if you work for free or out of social welfare or caring (yes, the truth sucks!). You get paid for it by the people, to work for them. You live comfortable lives in posh localities where you have all the luxuries of life, whereas the people, who made you what you are, live rough, on the streets, without any of the basic means for survival.
Hats off to you leaders of India!!! Its not Jago India…. Its Jago India ke Neta or soon there will be a time when all you will get is a pile of shoes at a polling booth. Did anyone say votes ????? Sorry, whats that ?
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Tuesday 5 May 2009
Letters from a tax payer
To our esteemed government and judiciary,
The happenings in the 26/11 case have made a big mockery of the Indian judicial system. It is a tight slap on the face of a country, which is suppose to be the biggest democracy in the world.
We Indians should thank our stars that we caught one of the extremists alive, who carried out the atrocious attack on Mumbai last year. Like yourselves, let me also call the extremist as accused and not a criminal as we still have to prove it in our court of law that he is the same guy who the police caught and he is the same guy who opened fire at CST station. It is like someone standing in front of the mirror and trying to prove to everyone that the reflection in the mirror is him? Oh wow!! What a divine thought? Someone who does that will be the next Nobel laureate.
Well, as a consolation (if that helps), at least now we are in a position to get to the root cause of who planned the attack, who all were privy to the plan and how exactly it was executed. But with all the deep and heartfelt respect, do we have all the answers, more than half a year down the line? Are we in a position to nip the evil in the bud? Have we been able to extract all the information from this one guy? Have we been able to adopt a stern attitude towards our neighbours? Have we been able to show the world, that we are serious in countering such attacks on our motherland and our so-called patience is not our weakness? Unfortunately, the answer to all these questions is a big NO. Someone once said that if you become patient, when you should not be patient, then you will become a patient. It is a shame on our judicial system that we still have yet to begin this case. Everyone is seeing the anger engulfing in the common man, on this issue. Everyone is frustrated with the way this case has progressed so far. And whether we like it or not, I have (and most of us) resigned to the fact that this case will still be on when I retire. (please correct me if I am being over optimistic)
As a citizen of India and a tax payer, I would like to point out a few things here. The enquiry, investigations, filing of chargesheet and appointment of a judge took more time than what would have taken the extremist groups to plan this attack. The next time we shot our foot in our mouth was delaying in appointing the lawyer for the accused. Isn’t a lawyer someone who argues for someone in court to get them out of trouble or get them justice? Well, in this case, appointment of the lawyer was clearly for the former. The explanation being that we should be giving a fair trial. For what joy does the government want to spend the tax payers money to give a fair trial to someone who least deserves it? It is as if we do not believe our own forces and we do not believe the evidences that we have nor do we believe any eye witnesses. Are you so afraid of the so called human rights bandwagon knocking on your doors, if you do not give a fair trial? But why are you so worried and afraid of them? They hardly have any control over the vote bank. You will still have majority of the people standing in the blazing sun to exercise their vote in return for a colour TV.
The accused very well knows that we Indians, ourselves do not have any faith or trust whatsoever in our judicial system. There is no reason for him to be scared at all. He has clearly understood that he can now enjoy the hospitality in our country, at the taxpayer’s expense. He can get fresh air, good, clean food, security and other necessities to lead a comfortable life. Hang on!! Hang on!! Doesn’t this sound like the demands of the common man from our government?
It is indeed very sad that religious beliefs play such an important role in our judicial system. Else how does one explain the case of a lawyer being appointed from the same religious community as the accused, after two unsuccessful attempts at appointing lawyers? And to his credit, he has been tremendous in pointing out that when the crime was committed, the accused was juvenile and should be tried in a juvenile court. If that happens then the maximum he gets is three years. Our judicial system took it a step ahead and allowed for tests to be conducted proving his age. To top it up, the lawyer questions the reliability of such tests, which is currently under review as I pen my thoughts down. Isn’t all this funded by the taxes we pay? Isn’t this money meant to build our country? Isn’t this money meant to improve our security? Let’s use this money for what it is meant for? We pay taxes through our nose, so we get something in return and not for such non-value adding activities.
With best regards
The Indian tax payer
And this is meant for the only person caught:
Respected Sir,
You have the tenacity and audacity (and all adjectives in the Oxford dictionary) to ask for a lawyer from your country (our esteemed neighbours). Thank god for once better sense prevailed with our judiciary and it has not been allowed. I believe you are always in high sprits and enter the court with a smile.(The smile is a statement to our judicial system “you cannot do anything.”). I also understand that your security levels are the same as for our prime minister and president. That’s so amazing. We, poor citizens of the country, who have paying taxes for nothing in return, have been asking endlessly for some basic security and have always got a thumbs down, but you have managed to get it and that too for free. Whoever said there are no free lunches. Now sir, I guess you want some perfume to smell good and toothpaste to clean your teeth. But you have not specified the brands. In toothpaste would you want Colgate, Close-up or Pepsodent? We also have our own home made brands like Vicco Vajradanti. For a perfume, would you prefer Estee Lauder, Tommy Hilfiger or Calvin Klein? Or do you prefer the Axe effect? Oh and by the way, it would be nice to for you to shave once in a while to look presentable in court, as our media will be there trying to get as many pictures of yours as possible. So we will send you some Gillette shaving foam and a new Mach 5 sensor excel which is not yet available in India. And how can we forget some after shave. Please let us know the brand of your choice? We are being told that you would like to go for a stroll outside your cell. Of course ! Walking and fresh air are suppose to be good for health and our esteemed government is always a supporter of such best practices. Would you like some weights to keep your body toned? Also, we believe you have requested that the cash which was confiscated from you and was suppose to be through non-legal channels, you want us to deposit this into your jail account? Sure no problem with that and you will be issued a debit card and pin number. And would you like to have a credit card? We will not charge you the annual fee or any late payment fee or any interest. Also we have cards, which offer maximum cash back and is accepted in jails, across India . This is a golden opportunity, as with the recession, credit is hard to get. I hope you are satisfied with the level of services and food in your cell. If not, please do not hesitate to ask and we will get your food catered from the Leela or even Taj (as you have a liking for it).
Always at your service,
With best regards
The Indian tax payer
PS: A lot of people who might read this, will say that there are processes and protocols in our judicial system which should be followed. Well, if such are the systems, high time we change them. If laws of our land prevent us from punishing culprits who harm our land, then such laws are as good as non-existent. Why is it that we are repeatedly attacked? Because the attackers have become an expert in Indian law and know they can easily get out of it. Its time for us to overhaul our judicial system, so no one plays with it. Its time for our neighbours and the world to take us seriously. Its time our government took us seriously. Its time for the dawn of a new era for our country.
The Indian government is the most neutral in the world, as it does not even interfere in its own affairs. Cheers !!!!!!!!!!
The happenings in the 26/11 case have made a big mockery of the Indian judicial system. It is a tight slap on the face of a country, which is suppose to be the biggest democracy in the world.
We Indians should thank our stars that we caught one of the extremists alive, who carried out the atrocious attack on Mumbai last year. Like yourselves, let me also call the extremist as accused and not a criminal as we still have to prove it in our court of law that he is the same guy who the police caught and he is the same guy who opened fire at CST station. It is like someone standing in front of the mirror and trying to prove to everyone that the reflection in the mirror is him? Oh wow!! What a divine thought? Someone who does that will be the next Nobel laureate.
Well, as a consolation (if that helps), at least now we are in a position to get to the root cause of who planned the attack, who all were privy to the plan and how exactly it was executed. But with all the deep and heartfelt respect, do we have all the answers, more than half a year down the line? Are we in a position to nip the evil in the bud? Have we been able to extract all the information from this one guy? Have we been able to adopt a stern attitude towards our neighbours? Have we been able to show the world, that we are serious in countering such attacks on our motherland and our so-called patience is not our weakness? Unfortunately, the answer to all these questions is a big NO. Someone once said that if you become patient, when you should not be patient, then you will become a patient. It is a shame on our judicial system that we still have yet to begin this case. Everyone is seeing the anger engulfing in the common man, on this issue. Everyone is frustrated with the way this case has progressed so far. And whether we like it or not, I have (and most of us) resigned to the fact that this case will still be on when I retire. (please correct me if I am being over optimistic)
As a citizen of India and a tax payer, I would like to point out a few things here. The enquiry, investigations, filing of chargesheet and appointment of a judge took more time than what would have taken the extremist groups to plan this attack. The next time we shot our foot in our mouth was delaying in appointing the lawyer for the accused. Isn’t a lawyer someone who argues for someone in court to get them out of trouble or get them justice? Well, in this case, appointment of the lawyer was clearly for the former. The explanation being that we should be giving a fair trial. For what joy does the government want to spend the tax payers money to give a fair trial to someone who least deserves it? It is as if we do not believe our own forces and we do not believe the evidences that we have nor do we believe any eye witnesses. Are you so afraid of the so called human rights bandwagon knocking on your doors, if you do not give a fair trial? But why are you so worried and afraid of them? They hardly have any control over the vote bank. You will still have majority of the people standing in the blazing sun to exercise their vote in return for a colour TV.
The accused very well knows that we Indians, ourselves do not have any faith or trust whatsoever in our judicial system. There is no reason for him to be scared at all. He has clearly understood that he can now enjoy the hospitality in our country, at the taxpayer’s expense. He can get fresh air, good, clean food, security and other necessities to lead a comfortable life. Hang on!! Hang on!! Doesn’t this sound like the demands of the common man from our government?
It is indeed very sad that religious beliefs play such an important role in our judicial system. Else how does one explain the case of a lawyer being appointed from the same religious community as the accused, after two unsuccessful attempts at appointing lawyers? And to his credit, he has been tremendous in pointing out that when the crime was committed, the accused was juvenile and should be tried in a juvenile court. If that happens then the maximum he gets is three years. Our judicial system took it a step ahead and allowed for tests to be conducted proving his age. To top it up, the lawyer questions the reliability of such tests, which is currently under review as I pen my thoughts down. Isn’t all this funded by the taxes we pay? Isn’t this money meant to build our country? Isn’t this money meant to improve our security? Let’s use this money for what it is meant for? We pay taxes through our nose, so we get something in return and not for such non-value adding activities.
With best regards
The Indian tax payer
And this is meant for the only person caught:
Respected Sir,
You have the tenacity and audacity (and all adjectives in the Oxford dictionary) to ask for a lawyer from your country (our esteemed neighbours). Thank god for once better sense prevailed with our judiciary and it has not been allowed. I believe you are always in high sprits and enter the court with a smile.(The smile is a statement to our judicial system “you cannot do anything.”). I also understand that your security levels are the same as for our prime minister and president. That’s so amazing. We, poor citizens of the country, who have paying taxes for nothing in return, have been asking endlessly for some basic security and have always got a thumbs down, but you have managed to get it and that too for free. Whoever said there are no free lunches. Now sir, I guess you want some perfume to smell good and toothpaste to clean your teeth. But you have not specified the brands. In toothpaste would you want Colgate, Close-up or Pepsodent? We also have our own home made brands like Vicco Vajradanti. For a perfume, would you prefer Estee Lauder, Tommy Hilfiger or Calvin Klein? Or do you prefer the Axe effect? Oh and by the way, it would be nice to for you to shave once in a while to look presentable in court, as our media will be there trying to get as many pictures of yours as possible. So we will send you some Gillette shaving foam and a new Mach 5 sensor excel which is not yet available in India. And how can we forget some after shave. Please let us know the brand of your choice? We are being told that you would like to go for a stroll outside your cell. Of course ! Walking and fresh air are suppose to be good for health and our esteemed government is always a supporter of such best practices. Would you like some weights to keep your body toned? Also, we believe you have requested that the cash which was confiscated from you and was suppose to be through non-legal channels, you want us to deposit this into your jail account? Sure no problem with that and you will be issued a debit card and pin number. And would you like to have a credit card? We will not charge you the annual fee or any late payment fee or any interest. Also we have cards, which offer maximum cash back and is accepted in jails, across India . This is a golden opportunity, as with the recession, credit is hard to get. I hope you are satisfied with the level of services and food in your cell. If not, please do not hesitate to ask and we will get your food catered from the Leela or even Taj (as you have a liking for it).
Always at your service,
With best regards
The Indian tax payer
PS: A lot of people who might read this, will say that there are processes and protocols in our judicial system which should be followed. Well, if such are the systems, high time we change them. If laws of our land prevent us from punishing culprits who harm our land, then such laws are as good as non-existent. Why is it that we are repeatedly attacked? Because the attackers have become an expert in Indian law and know they can easily get out of it. Its time for us to overhaul our judicial system, so no one plays with it. Its time for our neighbours and the world to take us seriously. Its time our government took us seriously. Its time for the dawn of a new era for our country.
The Indian government is the most neutral in the world, as it does not even interfere in its own affairs. Cheers !!!!!!!!!!
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