Bharat Ratna and Tendulkar

Letter to the Editor

Bharat Ratna and Tendulkar

Kudos to Sachin Tendulkar on being conferred the highest civilian award of the country-Bharat Ratna. Tendulkar has created a plethora of records and he has added two more records in his kitty i.e.; the first sportsperson to win the Bharat Ratna and the youngest person to win the Bharat Ratna. Tendulkar richly deserves the award in view of his incredible exploits in the cricket field. While the records are there to be broken, many of the records made by the little genius appears to be insurmountable or unsurpassable as even the nearest contestant is far away from his records. Despite all these enviable achievements, he remained simple, humble and kept himself aloof from all the controversies. He was a role model for budding cricketers and a friend, philosopher and guide to his teammates.

However, the timing of the announcement of the award was unscheduled and unprecedented. Whether the award was conferred in recognition of his cricket credentials or to encash the wide spread public sentiments generated throughout the length and breadth of the country ignited by Tendulkar’s emotional retirement speech for electoral gains will remain a debatable point. In order to forestall any bickering, murmuring or criticism for the untimely announcement of the award, Government conferred the award to an eminent scientist also.

Having won the highest award at the younger age, though at the end of his career, it is hoped that he will devote his entire life for the service of the nation. Since there is no dearth of people to sponsor and promote cricket, it is suggested that Tendulkar may channel his resources for the development of other sports, mainly Olympic events. Legendary athlete PT Usha also expressed similar opinion. The second largest populated country of the world returns from Olympics with peanuts making a mockery of sports. This is not due to dearth of sports talent in the country, but due to apathy and callous attitude of our sports authorities in unearthing, nurturing, promoting and developing talent. Being a sports icon, Tendulkar can play a pivotal role in creating world class sports persons and make India a force to reckon with in international sports, emulating our great neighbor China. This will reinforce national integration thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of a nation otherwise divided by cast, creed, region, religion, language etc. I am eagerly dreaming for a day when somebody break Tendulkar’s record of  being the youngest Indian to win the Bharat Ratna by  conquering the citadels of glory in an Olympics within a period of say 10 years reviving the sweet memories of P T Usha’s great exploits  at 1986 Asian games.

E M Adithyan  

24^th  November 2013

Elangalloor Mana

Edapal 679576

Kerala

0494-2685968

All Party Government

Letter to Editor

All Party Government

2014 General Elections is likely to throw a situation where no political party or Group gets a clear majority. Unlike in the states, President rule cannot be imposed at centre. This will lead to unholy and unprincipled alliances between political parties which are at loggerheads and having heterogeneous and divergent views with the sole aim of sharing power. Alliances made with foundation of distrust will fall like castles in the air leading to political turmoil again. Switching of allegiance between parties and alliances and horse trading (horses many kindly excuse) will become the order of the day. (Night also). Political parties will transport the ‘honourable’ elected representatives like herds and hide them at unknown places to avoid jumping the bandwagon. Politics will regain the dubious distinction of a synonym of all dirty tricks and a profession unfit for men of principles. The largest democracy of the world may become a mockery in the eyes of the world. This is a dangerous situation which will have far reaching consequences. A state of non government will lead to anarchy followed by many cascading effects like sky rocketing of prices, shortage of essential commodities, demotivation and demoralization of public servants including security and Defence forces, spurt in criminal and anti social activities etc, who will ultimately take the centre stage. Under such a political scenario riddled with chaos and confusion, military mutiny or an external aggression also cannot be ruled out. I am not a pessimist predicting bad omen. But forecasting the future possibilities and taking appropriate action or at least making an action plan will help to salvage the situation to some extent.

In the circumstances, it will be worthwhile to consider the formation of an All Party Government. Under this System, the elected members of Parliament can elect the Prime Minister and other Ministers based on proportional representation. This will facilitate the formation a team of talented ministers. Since the powers, duties and responsibilities of the Prime Minister and other Ministers are clearly defined, there should not be any reason for any confrontation or confusion. In order to maintain the continuity of the Ministry, no-confidence motion may be restricted against a Minister, Ministers or even the Prime Minister. In other words, if a no-confidence motion is passed against the Prime Minister, the Ministry will remain but the Prime Minister will have to be changed. Since the pay and perks of the ministers are paid from the exchequer, they should not participate in any party forum so long as they are ministers and should quit the party post. Since even the lowest paid Government employee cannot participate in party politics, this suggestion does not seems to be very harsh.    

Notwithstanding the fact that the system under reference is prevalent in all other organisations where also various groups and sub groups exist, the suggestion to adopt this system in the formation of Government deserves consideration. All the political parties may ponder over the issue and arrive at a consensus in the larger national interest. Otherwise New Delhi will become a stage for enacting petty political dramas as was witnessed several times earlier.

.

E M Adithyan

25^th December 2013

Elangalloor Mana

Elangalloor Mana

Edapal-679576 Kerala

 

Guidelines for Civilian Awards

.LETTER TO EDITOR

Guidelines for Civilian Awards

            Government has opened a Pandora's Box by conferring Bharat Ratna to Sachin Tendulkar and Prof;CNR Rao at an unscheduled time. Many people used this opportunity by jumping into the bandwagon and recommending various names like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narasimha Rao etc. It is ironical that there have been no clear cut criteria or guidelines for selecting the awardees. Consequently on many occasions he ruling party used to give this award for their henchmen and favourites.

I suggest the following guidelines for the civilian awards

1. Politicians and people who are directly involved in politics should be excluded from the purview of this award.

2. Sycophants, flatterers, leg pullers, back biters, liars and people with crab mentality, ego etc should be automatically disqualified from consideration of award

3. Achieving personal glory should not be a consideration for the award unless it is matched with improving the country's image in the outside world

4. Canvassing or lobbying for the award by the candidate or his near/dear ones should be treated as a disqualification

5. Award should be given to living legends and should not be given posthumously

6. The jury of the Award should consist eminent personalities drawn from various fields like Art, Literature, Culture, Sports, Public Service, Science & Technology etc headed by an eminent serving or  retired  Supreme Court judge

7. People who have given outstanding contribution in any field can be considered for the award

8. In addition to outstanding achievements the candidates being considered for the award should have impeccable  human virtues like honesty, integrity, patriotism, morality, sacrifice, selfless service etc

9. The candidate being considered for higher awards should be a true nationalist and should feel free from the clutches of caste, region, religion etc

10. The award winner should be a role model for others to emulate

11. Candidates being considered for the award should have pride as an Indian National and should be proud of Indian Culture, Civilization and traditions

12. People who have raised the image of the country by their outstanding deeds should be considered

13. Unsung heroes and those who got very less returns in material terms should get preference

14. Persons who have been honoured by International Institutions and Foreign countries should get due weightage

15. The awards  should help to inspire others to follow the great deeds of the awardees

16. Award should be accompanied by a citation so that the common man  understand and appreciate the reason and justification for giving award to the person

                  While minor deviations/dilutions can be done in some factors considering the weightage of other factors, no compromise in the criteria should be made for the highest award. It is better not to give award rather than giving award to an undeserving candidate. 

                  Let us make these awards an instrument of national pride and not a cake for the petty politicians to fight. Let us also herald the beginning of a new era of the revival of the great Indian civilization and make this rich country of rich and abundant resources a true "Mahabharata"          in letter and spirit.  

                  The suggestions given are only indicative and not exhaustive. Government can consider formulating comprehensive policy so that in future awards are given to deserving candidates. This is essential to preserve the credibility and sanctity of the award and not to make a mockery of the awards.

E M Adithyan

21^st November 2013

Elangalloor Mana

P.O. Edapal-679 576

Kerala

Duranto Express

Duranto Express

According to agency reports, Railways is planning to abandon the Duranto Express trains as it is not economically viable to run long distance nonstop trains. In India many decisions are taken at Government or Minister level on political or populist considerations without a feasibility study and analyzing the impact of such decisions.  Former railway Minister committed a blunder by introducing Duranto Express for gaining popularity for innovative decision. While nonstop trains may be successful in busy and short distance sectors like Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata, Chennai-Bangalore, Delhi- Jaipur etc it is not an economical proposition for routes like New Delhi- Ernakulum involving 2 days journey covering a distance of more than 3000 kilometers. While on the onward journey to Ernakulum, it is reasonably occupied as passengers can get down at technical stops at Mangalore, Calicut etc. On the return journey it starts from Ernakulum Junction at 23.30 hrs and runs half empty as it is difficult to go to Ernakulum to board the train and is not possible to board the train on technical stops as halt and berths are not guaranteed. Another feature which makes it less attractive is that despite being nonstop train, its running time is more than that of Rajdhani which stops at several places. For example, while Rajdhani takes only 39 hrs. to Ernakulum from Delhi Duranto takes 42 hours for the same journey i.e.; 3 hours more. This is irrational to say the least.Instead of abandoning the trains, Railways should allow additional stops in these trains so that the trains which started with much fanfare will be beneficial to the passengers and economical to Railways. 

Pseudo Secularism

Letter to Editor

The Editor
The  new Indian Express
Bangalore

Pseudo Secularism

Balbir Punj in his article "Double speak on Secularism" (New Indian Express 30th November) has unmasked the self styled and self proclaimed secularists. Secularism does not mean appeasement to a section of the society. These so called minorities are majority in  many places.   These pseudo secularists are worse than fundamentalists. It is ironical that in  India these so called minorities get better facilities and treatment than in those countries dominated by them. They not only snatch more facilities and powers  from the Government but also interfere in the personal freedom of others. Recently a 'secular' party issued a circular to its members of the majority community forbidding them from conducting some religious rituals. If they are true secularists, why they did not issue similar instructions to members of other communities?. Moreover, doing or observing something based on their faith is the fundamental right and sole prerogative of any individual and the party or any organisation in which he/she is a member has no business to interfere in the personal affairs of a person, so long as it does not create a public nuisance. However, it is ridiculous that these very parties which puts several restrictions on its common members has virtually no code of conduct for their leaders who decide the destiny of the nation or a large populace. it is high time members of  all these political parties come out of their shackles and demand equal treatment irrespective of cast, creed, region, religion and language. The discontentment brewing among the members of the majority party due to the step motherly treatment meted out to them  may boomerang any time and Government and all concerned should ensure that equality before law enshrined in the constitution  should become a reality in both letter and spirit. Unfortunately, the tribe of people who can call a spade a spade have  become an endangered species. The minority communities which gets extra benefits at the cost of the majority should forgo them in  the wider national interest.. If they do so, it will be recorded in golden letters as an excellent example of  supreme sacrifice in the annals of history.

                                                                                       1st December 2013
Elangalloor Mana
Edapal Kerala
             

7th Cross

I am a regular visitor to Bangalore for the last 30 years. Earlier I was coming on official tour when normally I visit Jalahalli and Race Course road only, the factory and corporate office of BEL. For the last 6 years I was visiting both officially and privately and only private visit after my retirement in 2010. In the beginning I found the road names very confusing like 5th cross, 7th main, 4th stage, 60 feet road, 80 feet road, 100 feet road etc. Once I lost the way as while on the onward journey I noted the number in the turning point 7. While returning, after walking long distance I did not reach my daughter's place. I phoned my daughter and then realized that I was far away from the destination as I took the turning at 7th main instead of 7th cross. According to my understanding, main road means where the bus plays whereas in Bangalore, service roads and roads inside the colony are also called main road. Sometimes I felt like carrying a measuring tape to ensure that whether i am walking on 60 feet road or 80 feet road.
Ps: Bangaloreans please excuse

Local Food

Local Food
I travel frequently.  To the query as to why I am travelling so frequently, my reply is by a  question "For whom the Train runs".Many people complain that whenever they go outstation, they have to face lot of problem regarding food. I rarely faced any problem  as wherever I goes,  I take local food instead of searching (and researching) for Dosa, Idli, vada, sambar etc. The food available in a particular area  will be conducive to the climate of that area. I think there is no point in searching for Masala Dosa in Mohali and Chhole Bhature in Coimbatore. If they don't get the food of their choice, they settle for fast and super  fast food.  These people who take super fast food can  walk at great speed of 2 kilometers per hour and sometimes they may not be able to complete the walk. This is one of the reason for the excellent health of many people. Whenever I go to my town in Kerala, I used to take super slow food at least occasionally, using stone grinder, drawing water from the well with bucket and rope, boiling hard pulses for 5-6 hours instead of using soda etc.

Aarushi Case

Letter to the Editor
The Editor
The Hindu

Aarushi  case
R K Raghavan's detailed and impassioned analysis of the judgement in the Aarushi murder case (The evidence od circumstances Hindu November 29).  will help to dispel the misgivings of  a large number of people that Talwars have been wrongly sentenced in the  case. People still believe the age old concept that eye witness is a correct and conclusive evidence in murder cases. There is a tendency among the general public that if the accused are 'high profile' people, they oppose the punishment and if they are hapless citizens belonging to the lower strata of society, there will  be a vociferous demand to give them death penalty.  This mindset needs to be changed and people should learn to react based on the facts and evidence of the case and not based on the persons involved in the case. Reports that the Talwar couples will effectively utilise their time in the Jail for treatment and education of the inmates is a welcome trend and a revelation of their remorse for their tragic action. Judge Shyamlal deserves Kudos for his forthright and fearless judgement despite the face that he is retiring shortly.  Under such circumstances, normally a person takes an escapist route, especially when the public sentiments are not against the accused.

E M Adithyan
Elangallolor Mana
Edapal Kerala
29th November 2013  

Fish Friend

An Unusual Friend.
My friend circle is very diverse. But many of them cannot be in  Facebook as they are not human beings. During my school days, I used to do Pooja at our home temple. After the Pooja I go to the nearby pond   to wash my hands. One fish comes daily to eat the food particles. ( In Kerala more than 99% people are non vegetarians and fishes disappears on the very sight of human beings.) Subsequently  I started feeding them with rice, Kheer etc. On the mere sight of my shadow, the fish comes up and if I keep the food items at a small height, it jumps and catches it. I use to pat him, pamper him and cajole him . There is a cow in  my house  and whenever i go there I used to feed her with bananas whereas normally people give banana skin only. The shop keeper from whom I purchase bananas do not charge anything extra even if the weight is 100 to 200 grams more, knowing that it is for an innocent animal. It virtually weeps when I return from Kerala.I feel that we use the word 'inhuman' in very wrong  context.. Animals, birds and other creatures are far more gentle, sincere, honest,  loving, compassionate,civilized etc. and they are unaware of many bad qualities of human beings like jealousy, greed, ego,selfishness etc. The day is not far off when they will file defamation  case against human beings for dragging their names for all our misdeeds.

Better Late Than Never

It is a  welcome relief that at last wiser counsel prevailed and India took retaliatory measures. Every time when a citizen of the country is harassed or humiliated, Government do a ritual by sending a 'strongly worded' letter and there ends the matter. When similar incident recurs, we  will continue the ritual with another strongly worded letter. Repetition of such incidents at regular intervals suggest that other countries give scant regard to our letters and treat our utterances as   that of a barking dog only which seldom bites. It will be interesting to imagine as to what would have been the reaction of US Administration, if a similar incident had happened in  India. Similar is the case with our neighboring countries also which execute their nefarious plans at their sweet will with almost total impunity.  It is pathetic to see small countries barking to India as if a mouse is frightening a cat. Government's counter attack though belated in this case may have many cascading effects  but we cannot compromise on the dignity of the nation and its citizens at any cost. We should also generate international opinion about such reprehensible acts by a country which claims to  be the most liberal in the world. If there is a world wide protest in solidarity to India, US administration will have no alternative but to mend its ways.

AAP being Hounded

Many people including his ex colleagues and mentors appears to be jealous about the metamorphic rise of Kejriwal. Whatever name and fame  he has earned is through sheer hard work and supreme sacrifice. Some people are born great, some people achieve greatness and for some people  greatness is thrust upon them. Kejriwal comes in the middle category. Concerned with the spectacular rise of Kejriwal and AAP, Political parties which are at logger heads and having heterogeneous and divergent views,  joined hands together  to fight  an undeclared war against Kejriwal and AAP  attacking  them from  all corners with all weapons in their armory including  tooth and nail. (Dentists  will have good times ahead as several politicians will be consulting them to sharpen their teeth. Medical council may even think of staring a specialized course on Nail technology). Can these parties quote a  single condition which is detrimental to the interest of the country? Media is also ably  supporting their designs based on the implied principle of supporting the high and mighty rather than the suppressed and oppressed based on logic  and rationale. The outright rejection of the conditions put forward by Kejriwal  by major political parties is a case in point. It is pertinent to note that these political parties have not come out with the merits and demerits of the conditions raised by Kejriwal and instead start attacking with cheap, vague remarks and unsubstantiated allegations. If fair play is a rule of the game, they could have come out with alterations, additions and modifications based on sound logic.  Even in war some principles have to be observed. In this war of words, instead  of criticizing or attacking the issues, they are attacking the person, which is  highly deplorable. They are well aware that if a debate is conducted about these conditions these parties which  oppose them will stand exposed. Further it may be noted that in the event of AAP making a ministry with the 'unconditional'  support of  these parties, they will be the biggest sufferers of these conditions as they will not get the perks, privileges and paraphernalia of their predecessors. Parties who offered unconditional support will also 'unconditionally' withdraw the support at appropriate time.  Can these parties opposing these conditions cite a single self example magnanimity, sagacity and sacrifice where they have foregone the 'entitled' benefits?. Let us hope that Kejriwal and AAP will emerge  stronger in the replay of Kurukshetra war. Let us also hope that power and popularity will make Kejriwal & co more humble and simple contrary to the general trend. It is high time the common men of the country (In addition to the members  of aam aadmi party) should rally behind Kejriwal & Co to defeat  the evil designs of these  elements. Let us not mutely watch the petty political drama being staged at  Indraprastha as a mere comedy show only. AAP has rekindled the  hopes and  aspirations of vast  majority of the people who do not have affiliation to any political parties. Such opportunities will not  come again  and again and if we lose this opportunity, we will be left to the mercy of those power hungry politicians and future generations will not forgive us for this historical blunder. Heaven and hell are not  outside this world.They are here only. Choice is yours.     

AAP's Stand

Letter to Editor

The Editor
The Hindu

This has reference to Dipankar Gupta's article "Keep the movement burning" (Hindu November 17). The author's attempt to belittle the unprecedented and spectacular victory of AAP in the hustings, is indirectly though inadvertently  an insult to the enlightened electorate of Delhi. The  fact that a party formed less than one year ago with no political bigwigs in its ranks (not old wine in new bottle) could trounce many veterans in its debut  is no  mean achievement. Delhi electorate should be complimented for using their wisdom and discretion and not blindly believing the false promises given by the political parties  in their election manifestos. The author's query that whether the citizens of Delhi have read the manifestos is naive, as it tantamount to casting vote to the biggest liar. If the author's contention is to be accepted, parties making the tallest promises will become the automatic winner. Manifestos give unreasonable promises, many of which remain on paper only. Has any political party made a comparison between promises and performances and as to how the funds required for meeting gigantic promises will be generated. The greatest 'sin' committed by Kejriwal is his refusal to make  unholy and unprincipled  alliances to grab power. Regarding the conditions put by Kejriwal, the author conveniently forget that in the event of formation of an AAP ministry, they are themselves the biggest sufferers of these conditions. Has any political party ever foregone its powers and privileges for upholding its principles?. It is unfortunate that instead of complimenting it for its sagacity and magnanimity, the author is trying to find fault with them.  It is also pertinent to point out that the major political parties has not come out with any specific objection and instead indulge in petty, cheap and vague remarks about these conditions. Nobody can say that the conditions put forward by kejriwal are detrimental to the interest of the country. That is precisely the reason, the major political parties have rejected the conditions without assigning any  concrete or valid reason.
                                                                                                                                                   E M Adithyan
                       17th December 2013

Elangalloor Mana
Edapal 679576
Kerala      

Parks at Delhi and Bangalore-A comparison

1. In Bangalore,people walk at one direction only ie; clockwise whereas in Delhi people walk on both directions, majority  anti clockwise.
2.In Bangalore parks open in the morning and evening whereas in Delhi parks are always open.
3. In Bangalore people only walk in the park whereas in Delhi people run  also.
4.In Bangalore parks are used for limited purpose, where as in Delhi parks are used for multipurpose.
5.In Bangalore nobody eats in the park, whereas in Delhi it is free for all
6.In  Bangalore, walking area is normally below the ground level whereas in  Delhi it is above the ground level
7.In Bangalore, children parks are used by small children only  whereas in Delhi even 60 year young children use children park
8.In Bangalore, lights are switched off after the sunshine whereas in Delhi lights are switched off at fixed time both in winter and summer
9. In Bangalore people walk only in the park whereas in Delhi people ride bicycle also on walking track
10. In Bangalore no vehicle is allowed inside the park but in Delhi all types of vehicles except train is allowed
11.In Bangalore people close the gate after entry and exit but in Delhi no gate, no closing
12. In Bangalore you will find Gardner watering the plants whereas in Delhi  they (unseen) pump water and flood few areas
13. In Delhi, one day you may see park full of cars.This is made possible by simply adding 3 letters with the park.'ing'
14. In Delhi parks can be converted into schools or any other thing depending on the money power and political clout of the person.
15.In Delhi even though parks have several gates, new gates will be opened  for entry of superhuman beings.

Delhi is the city and citadel of power. So every one draws some power from various power centers. That may be one of the reason for even common man (aaam aadmi) enjoying enormous power.

Some of the words I have written in various contexts are aptly applicable to Delhi.
"......rule breakers are treated as heroes and brave and rule abiders are branded as fools and idiots"
"......even highly placed people proudly talk of their connections implying that they cannot stand on their own legs".
".....Delhi can be compared to Draupati having multiple husbands"

Why Plethora of Cases Pending in Courts?

Why plethora of cases pending in courts?
Sometime back, I had the rare opportunity to attend a full day seminar organised by the Legal Reforms Commission at India International Centre New Delhi. The commission was headed by Justice M N  Venkatachalaiah (Former Chief justice of India) and the members include Dr Kiran Bedi, Mr. N N Vohra (Former home Secretary and Ex Governor J&K) , Shri Ved Marwah (Former Delhi Police Commissioner  and Ex Governor Nagaland etc). Speakers include several legal luminaries, top bureaucrats and social scientists. Speaker after speaker made elaborate presentation giving statistics about the large number of cases pending in various courts of India running into several lacs. Almost everybody was adducing the reason  that shortage of judicial officers is the primary reason for such large number of pending cases. Statistic were also produced about the sanctioned strength   vis a vis actual strength highlighting the wide gap between  both. After the presentation by various panelists, there was question answer session. I stood up and said that with due regards to the galaxy of luminaries, I differ with their views. Though shortage of judicial officers is one of the reason for the plethora of pending cases, the primary reason is our most complicated, cumbersome and voluminous laws. Ambiguity is the hall mark of Indian legal system. Where the law is expected to be elaborate, it is silent and where the issue is immaterial, explanation is elaborate. Our laws are replete with words like notwithstanding, hitherto, however,nevertheless etc.It is a pity that even after 6 decades of independence, we are blindly following the method adopted by  Britishers. During the colonial rule, they deliberately made the rule in such a way to facilitate interpretation this way or that way , depending upon the person involved-whether a Britisher or an Indian. There is a popular joke that when somebody was asked 'what is the rule?', he said "tell me the person, i will tell you the rule". I don't think that our so called founding fathers has done a great job. They  copied from various constitutions and made one.  Sir, I am a
layman not a legal expert, not even a law graduate.  Let me quote an example in a  layman's language that a house constructed which  did not require any alteration, addition, modification  etc for a  a period of say 25 years, it can be  considered as a very good house. Our constitution has been amended 95 times and still there are several lacuna and loopholes. For example it does not  define the powers of a care taker
Government.  This provision should have been predicted at least 30 years ago. Consequently, many care taker Prime Ministers  who did not have popular mandate like I K Gujral, Chandra Sekhar, Charan Singh, Deva Gowda etc overstepped their powers"
Members and panelists looked each other as to who will give reply/clarification. At last Chairman Justice Venkatachalaiah stood up and gave clarification concluding that the laws are framed by the legislature and Judges have no role in formulating it. I was thrilled that a retired Chief

Justice of India gave clarification  to the queries of  an unknown and unheard layman.

Kejriwal's Conditions

Major political parties of the country stand exposed by their true colours with the outright rejection of Kejriwal’s conditions for support to form a Government in Delhi. Their contention that these are excuses to run away from the responsibility itself is a lame excuse. Unlike the popular trend of the political parties to grab power by hook or crook, Kejriwal has taken a principled stand in not making any unprincipled alliance to grab power. Instead of completely rejecting the conditions proposed by the AAP and attacking Kejriwal with illogical, irrational and unsubstantiated allegations, these political parties should come out specifically what are their objections to each of these conditions. AAP’s first condition of no red light beacons, no big houses or no special security to VIPs are with the pious intention of  curtailing the unnecessary Government expenditure and controlling the super specialty status of the ‘servants’ of the people. Is this condition in anyway giving undue benefit to AAP and step motherly treatment to other parties? A careful study of the conditions will reveal that all the conditions put forward by the AAP are in the wider national interest and in no way giving undue benefit to AAP at the cost of other parties.

These political parties opposing the conditions should openly come out as to which are the conditions they do not agree and reasons for their disagreement. If they have any valid points, let them suggest amendments or modifications to the conditions rather than making cheap, petty and vague remarks about them. Or, are they under the illusion that the duty of opposition (Here party opposed to it) is to oppose everything proposed by the other party? Moreover, in politics or for that matter in any field, criticism should be against the issues and not against any person. People of Delhi in particular and the country in general has a right to know the specific objections and reservations against the conditions put forward by the AAP as to whether any conditions are detrimental to the interests of the country. Delhites are educated and the voters of the country have become matured to understand the tantrums of the parties and they are competent to judge as to who is making a mockery of democracy. Political parties which constantly discard the peoples’ and country’s interest with disdain and scant respect will face their waterloo in the not too distant future. Winning elections with money power and muscle power has become a bygone era.  

Victory of Democracy

Victory of Democracy.

Kudos to Kejriwal & Co for the spectacular victory in the recently concluded Delhi assembly elections. It has only two parallels in the history of Indian elections where a party has achieved  an impressive victory in its debut., viz; Telugu Desam Party and Assam Gana Parishad earlier. However, AAP has surpassed their performance as unlike the other parties AAP has won the election  without any political background and without any big names from Politics or Film field in  its ranks compared to its compatriots. AAP has also dispelled the popular myth that  money power and muscle power are must for  winning the election. AAP's victory has generated  hope and aspirations among a vast majority of common men across the length and breadth of the country, not having any  leaning to any political party. AAP also helped to revive the old glory of politics which was considered a saga of social service during the pre independence period and few years immediately after independence. Politics has of late become a synonym olf all dirty tricks and a lucrative business for earning quick returns and AAP has given a timely and stern warning to those politicians. The courage of conviction of Mr. Kejriwal is to be commented as at a time when the overwhelming tendency of all  political leaders belonging to all political  parties is to search for safe seats, Kejriwal decided to fight the lion in its den . In spite of the unilateral and unconditional support given by the Congress, Kejriwl rejected it because there is no point in  taking support from corrupt people  and people's mandate for them was to sit in the opposition. At a time when politicians indulge in horse trading (Horses please excuse) and all types of  illegal, immoral and unethical practices to gain power, Kejriwal's outright rejection of Congress support shows the highest principles in politics unheard of in the recent times, which will  be recorded in  golden letters in the annals of Indian history by future historians. AAP has also disproved the popular perception of many politicians that they can 'serve' the people only when they are in  power. It is hoped that AAP's spectacular victory will  be the harbinger of a new era in Indian Politics, where good people will join  politics which was hitherto considered a cesspool for them. This will herald the beginning of the Waterloo for the corrupt, dishonest, unprincipled,selfish and crook politicians and rise of honest and principled politicians. If the trend is maintained, there is not an iota of doubt that India will witness phenomenal progress both materially and morally and will become one of the top  nation s of the world say within a decade. The largest democracy of the country will also become the greatest democracy of the world. AAP should also disprove the popular proverb that power corrupts and absolute power corrupt ab absolutely. 

E M Adithyan
  11th December 2013

Elangallolor Mana
Edapal  679576 Kerala

Ottan Thullal Mooshika Charitam

VIP Security

Joke of the Day-Maharajpur English

Joke a day keeps Doctor away

There is a popular proverb. “An apple a day keeps the Doctor away”. However, with the increase in price of apple (Not cost), many people find it difficult to practice it. At the prevailing price rate, it require Rupees 100/= per day for an overage family to keep the doctor away. Considering the price fluctuation, leave, absence etc average monthly expenditure on apple will be Rupees 2000/= per month. Based on the theory of averages (statisticians please excuse remembering the popular maxim “Lies, damned lies and statistics”) monthly expenditure on food items will be Rupees fifty thousand.
In order to overcome this problem, a new formula has been evolved ie; a joke a day keeps the doctor away. This is absolutely free. No registration charges and no monthly subscription. Occasionally or regularly a word or few words of appreciation or depreciation is welcome.
Joke of the day –Maharajpur (Ghaziabad) English
Some typical Maharajpur English is given below:
Both of you three are going alone?
You came just now or after some time?
How you are cutting time?
He simply passed away without wishing me
Bekar Aadmi =Carless Person(Jiske pas car nahi hai)
Unbearable Summer = Summer without beer






I

Joke of the Day-Maharajpur English

Joke a day keeps Doctor away

There is a popular proverb. “An apple a day keeps the Doctor away”. However, with the increase in price of apple (Not cost), many people find it difficult to practice it. At the prevailing price rate, it require Rupees 100/= per day for an overage family to keep the doctor away. Considering the price fluctuation, leave, absence etc average monthly expenditure on apple will be Rupees 2000/= per month. Based on the theory of averages (statisticians please excuse remembering the popular maxim “Lies, damned lies and statistics”) monthly expenditure on food items will be Rupees fifty thousand.
In order to overcome this problem, a new formula has been evolved ie; a joke a day keeps the doctor away. This is absolutely free. No registration charges and no monthly subscription. Occasionally or regularly a word or few words of appreciation or depreciation is welcome.
Joke of the day –Maharajpur (Ghaziabad) English
Some typical Maharajpur English is given below:
Both of you three are going alone?
You came just now or after some time?
How you are cutting time?
He simply passed away without wishing me
Bekar Aadmi =Carless Person(Jiske pas car nahi hai)
Unbearable Summer = Summer without beer






I

Joke of the Day-Wear Helmet

Joke a day keeps Doctor away

There is a popular proverb. “An apple a day keeps the Doctor away”. However, with the increase in price of apple (Not cost), many people find it difficult to practice it. At the prevailing price rate, it require Rupees 100/= per day for an overage family to keep the doctor away. Considering the price fluctuation, leave, absence etc average monthly expenditure on apple will be Rupees 2000/= per month. Based on the theory of averages (statisticians please excuse remembering the popular maxim “Lies, damned lies and statistics”) monthly expenditure on food items will be Rupees fifty thousand.
In order to overcome this problem, a new formula has been evolved ie; a joke a day keeps the doctor away. This is absolutely free. No registration charges and no monthly subscription. Occasionally or regularly a word or few words of appreciation or depreciation is welcome.
Joke of the day -1 Wear Helmet
On 27th February 2010 I was travelling from Bangalore International Airport to Jeevan Bima Nagar (My daughter’s residence) by route No BIAS 4. Passengers included one Sardarji also. From his outlook (Nothing to do with India Today, The Week, Frontline etc), he appears to be a stranger to the city. Somebody was calling him frequently, probably to know where he has reached. Sardarji could not give the answer. In the third attempt, Sardarji looked all sides viz; East, west, South, North, Front, back, top and bottom. Suddenly he said “wear Helmet”. His caller. (Who was born on Bangalore Soil but still not a Son of the Soil) could not make out the name of the place and asked Sardarji to confirm. Sardarji confidently confirmed that he read the name in a board at a crossing and adjacent to it there was another board showing the distance to Coimbatore, Cochin and Kanyakumari



i

Joke of the Day-Namboothiri Phalitangal

Joke a day keeps Doctor away

There is a popular proverb. “An apple a day keeps the Doctor away”. However, with the increase in price of apple (Not cost), many people find it difficult to practice it. At the prevailing price rate, it require Rupees 100/= per day for an overage family to keep the doctor away. Considering the price fluctuation, leave, absence etc average monthly expenditure on apple will be Rupees 2000/= per month. Based on the theory of averages (statisticians please excuse remembering the popular maxim “Lies, damned lies and statistics”) monthly expenditure on food items will be Rupees fifty thousand.
In order to overcome this problem, a new formula has been evolved ie; a joke a day keeps the doctor away. This is absolutely free. No registration charges and no monthly subscription. Occasionally or regularly a word or few words of appreciation or depreciation is welcome.
Joke of the day -1 Namboodiri Phalithangal
Oru namboodiri mattoru namboodiriyodu: “Innathe Kalathu adhikam aalkkarkkum Cholestrol undathre”.
Matte Namboodiri : ”Engana illyandirikkya. Ikkalathu aarenkilum kolathil kulikkarundo. Pinne Kolestrol undayillengile albhuthamullu. Nammade karnonmarkkarkkenkilum kolestrol undarnnathayi kettittundo”

Want to Become a TV Star ?

Want to become a TV Star?

Super hit Television requires the following staff for their various language channels at their studios located at different parts of the country

Anchors
Laughers/Clappers
Weepers

Job Profile:

Anchors

A They should have proficiency in any of the following languages

Hinglish
Manglish (Malayalam)
Tanglish (Tamil)
Kanglish (Kannada)
Banglish (Bengali)
Punglish (Punjabi)

B They should have bad pronunciation
C They need not have expertise of the subject of programme they are anchoring
D They should eat half of the word so that audience will guess what they are speaking

Laughers/Clappers

A Their duty is to laugh/clap during the shooting of the shows
B Even if the programme is boring (without using boring machine) they should laugh/clap
C They should be prepared to take laughter pills as prescribed by the channel
Compounder.

Weepers

A They should weep profusely during elimination round of reality shows(Even if the contestant don’t weep)
B Since their work is irregular; in order to maintain regular work they will be required to do the work of (S) weepers also
Note: This will enhance their capacity for their primary job.
C They should be prepared to use glycerine/ take weeping pills as prescribed by the channel Compounder.

Age Limit 18-80 years

Qualification For all the posts. MBA (with specialisation in the respective disciplines) from any unrecognised Indian University or recognised Underworld University
Experience Not essential but desirable. Thick skinned people who have worked with politicians or political parties will be given preference

Qualification and experience are relaxable in case of candidates otherwise suitable

Note: Candidates having exceptional copying skills will be considered for multi channels.

Remuneration Package:

1 Free boarding and Lodging at the campus
2 Out of pocket allowance Rs 101/= per day*
3 Free Uniform. (In order to improve transparency in our activities, transparent
Clothes will be given for uniform)
* This is in lieu of Basic pay, DA, DP, HRA and other allowances

Non Taxable Perks

1 Free transport from studio to place of stay after 10.0 PM
2 Unlimited phone calls within the campus
3 Full reimbursement of food charges during outstation duties subject to a maximum of Rs 100/=
4 Uniform maintenance: Surf 1kg, Soap 800 Grams, Shoe Polish 100 gm
5 200 channel TV at residence
6 Regularisation of attendance upto 30 minutes twice a month for late coming and early going
7 Picnic: Once in a month during non working hours (10 PM to 8 AM) Employees along with family will be taken for picnic/sight seeing within the
City. Eg; India Gate, Red Fort, Lodhi Garden etc
8 If the employee dies while in service, it will be shown in that day’s news

This is a diamond opportunity for people who want instant publicity. An opportunity to change from UIP (Unimportant personality) or TCP (Third class personality) to WCP (World class personality)

Here is a golden opportunity of being watched by Politicians, bureaucrats, film stars, dacoits, drunkards, black marketers etc across the globe

Temptation: TV Stars are more popular than Scientists, Engineers, Doctors, Chartered Accountants, Writers, Readers, Professors, advocates, judges, journalists, civil servants, cartoonists, artists, dancers, politicians, all walas like chaiwala, Aaloowala, narielwala, telwala etc

Time Management Techniques

Time Charitable Trust

One of the problems faced by almost everybody is lack of time. Barring exceptions, nobody is having time viz: time to eat, drink, talk and not even time to breathe. They are surviving simply b because they have not completed the minimum period of Visa, issued by the God. (People who have acute shortage of time include those who watch multiple cricket matches, 10-15 mega serials per day and several reality shows from morning time to midnight) However, there is one category of people ie: Politicians who have sufficient time at their disposal. They attend all inaugurations, foundation stone laying ceremonies, exhibitions, seminars, symposiums, funerals etc. (Jealous people says that politicians steal time from public exchequer)

While everybody realise that this is a world class problem, nobody has come out with any solution. With the avowed objective of providing time to those who have no time, a non profit, non performing charitable society has been formed under the name and style “Time charitable Trust” hereinafter called as society

There are another category of people who find it difficult to cut time (“Time katna”) The society will do the simple job of collecting time from those who have extra time and distribute to those who have no time. The society is also planning to approach young people like Khushwant Singh (95), K Karunakaran (94) and other philanthropists to sign a will to donate the unexpired portion of their visa (in case they die) to the society. If you think that they are old, then everybody is old whether 90 year old, 60 year old, 10 year old or one month old.

All those who have spare time are having spare time are requested to donate to the society to make this humanitarian (animals, birds etc never complained about lack of time) cause a grand success.

The society is likely to breakeven in the 3rd year and start showing surplus in the subsequent years


Headlight (Not Tail piece): Two years ago Dr Amartya Sen wrote a book and Dr Man Mohan Singh read that book and sent his comments within one week. Poor Prime Minister. He has all the time in the world for such things including replying to a common man’s letter.

Well Done Boys

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Well done Boys!
Kudos to Indian Junior Hockey Team which won the World Cup at Hobart, Australia recently. On the way to final they dethroned formidable Holland and hot favourites Germany. It is after a long gap of more than a quarter century that India is winning a world title in hockey after their senior team won the world cup way back in 1975. Though India won the Olympic Hockey Gold Medal at 1980 Moscow Olympics, it is worth only 12 carat gold, because several Hockey stalwarts like Germany, Pakistan, Australia, Holland etc did not participate in that Olympics. The victory is sweeter as in the last edition of the junior world cup Hockey at Milton Keynes, India lost the final by a whisker losing to Australia by a slender 3-2 margin. This is a victory of the continental style of Hockey.
It is heartening to note that India won by a decisive margin of 6-1. Rarely had a team won the final of a world championship with such a convincing margin. This is also a welcome departure from our common weakness of crumbling at crucial moments. The victory has proved beyond doubt that Hockey is still in our blood and there is abundance of talent in the country. Though Hockey is our national game, it is a neglected sport in India. If the authorities and media give little more consideration, facility and rewards to the Hockey players, there is not an iota of doubt that the India’s golden days in Hockey will emerge again. Our primary task now should be to regain the Hockey Gold in the 2004 Olympics.
However, the country’s national television-Doordarshan played a spoilsport by completely ignoring this prestigious championship, thereby depriving millions of Hockey fans to have a glimpse of the glorious moments. Inspite of the fact that the country’s national team is playing in the final, Doordarshan did not felt it expedient to show the match live. These things will not happen in any other country other than India. Earlier in 1997 also Doordarshan did not show live telecast of the final. This is also an indication of our lack of national pride. Indian Hockey Federation cannot also wash their hands from this fiasco as they should have made advance arrangements with Doordarshan. The fact that many lesser known tournaments and other tournaments where India has no stake at all, are telecast live adds insults to injury. Doordarshan’s policy (If at all there is a policy) of telecasting sports programmes is not understood.



(E..M.ADITHYAN)
October 26, 2001
Elangalloor Mana
Edapal-679 576
Kerala

Guidelines for Civilian Awards

LETTER TO EDITOR
Guidelines for Civilian Awards
Politicians have opened a Pandora's Box by recommending the names of their leaders for the highest civilian award of the country ie; Bharat Ratna. This has created a controversy by many people jumping into the bandwagon and recommending various names for the awards. The authorities have conveniently taken a shortcut by dispensing with the Bharat Ratna award this year. This is an escapist policy and not a panacea for the problem. We Indians have the uncanny knack of treating the symptom and not the disease. It is ironical that there have been no clear cut criteria or guidelines for selecting the awardees. Consequently the ruling party used to give this award for their henchmen and favourites. We Indians especially politicians and bureaucrats are consistently following a bad precedent of showing loyalty to the boss. It is high time we should make a change in this attitude and try to achieve organisational/Company/National objectives rather than appeasing their bosses
I suggest the following guidelines for Bharat Ratna and other Padma awards
Politicians and people who are directly involved in politics should be excluded from the purview of this award.
Sycophants, flatterers, leg pullers, back baiters, liars and people with crab mentality, ego etc should be automatically disqualified from consideration of award
Achieving personal glory should not be a consideration for the award unless it is matched with improving the country's image in the outside world
Canvassing or lobbying for the award by the candidate or his near/dear ones should be treated as a disqualification
Award should be given to living legends and should not be given posthumously
The jury of the Award should consist eminent personalities drawn from various fields like Art, Literature, Culture, Sports, Public Service, Science & Technology etc headed by an eminent serving or retired Supreme Court judge
People who have given outstanding contribution in any field can be considered for the award
In addition to outstanding achievements the candidates being considered for the award should have impeccable human virtues like honesty, integrity, patriotism, morality, sacrifice, selfless service etc
The candidate being considered for higher awards should be a true nationalist and should feel free from the clutches of caste, region, religion etc
The award winner should be a role model for others to emulate
Candidates being considered for the award should have pride as an Indian National and should be proud of Indian Culture, Civilization and traditions
People who have raised the image of the country by their outstanding deeds should be considered
Unsung heroes and those who got very less returns in material terms should get preference
Persons who have been honoured by International Institutions and Foreign countries should get due weightage
The awards should help to inspire others to follow the great deeds of the awardees
Award should be accompanied by a citation so that the common man understand and appreciate the reason and justification for giving award to the person
While minor deviations/dilutions can be done in some factors considering the weightage of other factors, no compromise in the criteria should be made for the highest award. It is better not to give award rather than giving award to an undeserving candidate.
Let us make these awards an instrument of national pride and not a cake for the petty politicians to fight. Let us also herald the beginning of a new era of the revival of the great Indian civilization and make this rich country of rich and abundant resources a true "Mahabharata" in letter and spirit.
The suggestions given are only indicative and not exhaustive. Government can consider formulating comprehensive policy so that in future awards are given to deserving candidates and not to the henchmen or yes-men of the party in power. This is essential to preserve the credibility and sanctity of the award and not to make a mockery of the awards.

E M Adithyan
31st January 2008
Elangalloor Mana
P.O. Edapal-679 576
Kerala

Greener pastures

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sub: Greener pastures
According to a report by the US based Institute of International Education, India has become the second largest exporter of students to US, second only to China. This year 54664 students headed to the US from India, just 5275 behind China. Enrolment from India was up by 29 percent, from China by 10 percent while that from Japan has slipped. It is a pity that even so long after independence, number of pupils who want higher education abroad is on the rise. This signals that India is unable to provide quality education of international standards.
It is almost certain that most of the students who go abroad for higher education will not return home after their studies. This is in addition to large-scale migration of highly qualified scientists and engineers. The statistics as to what percentage of our IIT Engineers will be going abroad will be alarming.
Thus, while US and other developed countries reap the fruits of our technical and scientific skill, India remains way behind the advanced countries inspite of having abundant talent in the country. We have miserably failed to tap these huge reservoirs of resources and talent and channelise them for the nation building. Consequently India continues to crawl trying to catch up with the big and end up with mediocrity. But who cares?

E.M.ADITHYAN
December 3, 2001
Elangalloor Mana
Edapal-679 576
Kerala

Free and (Un) fair Election
Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill has advocated that Chief Minister of four states should resign before the states have Assembly elections in November 1998 to enable a neutral administration to conduct free and fair election. The suggestion merits serious consideration.
It is a widespread belief that one of the biggest impediment for conducting free and fair election is that elections are held under the aegis of the political party in power which is also a party to the election. It will be naive to believe that Government lead by any political party will conduct impartial election where it’s future is also at stake. Even the efforts of the Election Commission in the past to maintain semblance of discipline in sensitive areas by deputing more central and para military forces were foiled by some State governments by not deploying the additional forces as deployment of forces is the prerogative of the State government. It is an open secret that many poll related violence are not sporadic or spontaneous but stage managed and self sponsored. Under these circumstances CEC’s suggestion that elected government should voluntarily resign once the election schedule is announced is the only pragmatic solution for a free and fair election, at least better than under a party rule.
Unfortunately, the suggestion did not get any favorable reasons from major political parties. The problem with our political parties is that while they welcome suggestions when they are in opposition, such suggestion does not find favour when they are in power. Our politician’s inborn instinct to serve the people will not be satiated if they sacrifice power even for a day. Moreover, they firmly believe that they can serve the people only when they are in power or position. While most of our politicians quote the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi day in and day out his principles and ideals are only for preaching and not for practicing.
Of late, our political parties appear to have adopted a new slogan ‘Winning to serve and serving to win". Indians are fortunate that at least during election period there are more people to serve them than the number of people to be served. With the present fluid political situation in the country, common man is assured of VIP treatment not once in five years but more frequently.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sub: Fence eating the crop
Every time when the mighty politicians and self styled VVIPs break the law with almost total impunity, the apex court of the country has to step in to stem the rot in the system. In this connection, Supreme Court’s observation on the illegal occupation of Government Bungalows by several politicians belonging to all major parties and other VIPs is heartening. No wonder, not a single member raised such blatant violation of rules in the Parliament. Indian politicians are having an enviable record of joining hands forgetting their ideological differences on matters of mutual interest and issues of national importance. It is a tragedy that in the largest democracy of the world, the lawmakers are the biggest law breakers.
Government should initiate action for charging market rent for the period of overstay and evict them immediately. Election Commission can think of suggesting suitable amendment in the rules so that any politicians having dues to the Government should be debarred from contesting election/holding a position of profit. Public interest litigation and court interference now and then is not a permanent solution to the problem.


E..M.ADITHYAN
25th October 2005


Elangalloor Mana
Edapal-679 576
Kerala

Programme for the Month of February 2008
1.02.2008 Seminar on Prohibition
Keynote address by Hon’ble Kashi Rum Liquor baron and insensitive industrialist.
Chief Guest. Mr. Sadachara Moorthy who has won first prize in liquor drinking competition for five times in a row.
Place. Beerlal Auditorium
Time: 8.00 p m onwards.
Note: Cocktail party will be served after the Programme
5.01.2008 Seminar on Yellow Journalism
Speech by popular film star and recipient of several abuses Ms. Chameli
8.02.2008 25th Death Anniversary of Rowdy Velappan. Procession and Bandh in protest against his death.
12.02.2008 Open fighting between two groups of KVP (Kerala Vibhajana Party)
followed by hurling of abuses.
Place: Police Maidan
Time: 8.00 P M onwards.
Note: Spectators can also participate
15.02.2008 Seminar on Probity in Public Life
Key note address by veteran political leader against whom several corruption cases are pending. He has already taken permanent visa for Hell
about 4 years ago.
18.02.2008 Statewide meetings, processions and Bandh in protest against Brazil’s
defeat by Uruguay in the world cup qualifying match.
20.2.2008 A team of 500 people lead by Food Minister to visit several countries of Europe to make a comprehensive study about the development and production of Masala Dosa. Team will be back by the end of current financial year.
25.2.2008 Meeting of the southern state ministers to consider giving a joint proposal to the Central Government to exempt politicians from southern states from the biting cold of Delhi
Place: Veerappan’s forest area
Time: 4.00 A M onwards
28.2.2008 An all party team to Visit Delhi to give representation to Central Government to increase the number of days in February from 28 to 30. Provocative Committee Chairman requests all MPs, MLAs, Members of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Panchayat to join the delegation
Note: Entry for all the programmes will be restricted thro passes. Free passes are available at all leading liquor shops of the state.
Special Offer: Political parties or other organizations can sponsor strike, hartal. Bandh, protest rallies, relay hunger strike etc on days in which there are no other programmes.
E M Adithyan
28th January 2008
Elangalloor Mana
Edapal 679576
Kerala

Dushera Effigies

Dushera Effigies


Every year we celebrate Dushera with much pomp and show culminating in the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghanada. Here Ravana and his allies are characterised as the symbol of all evils.


History and Puranas shows that Ravana was a man of many virtues. He was an able administrator, an intellectual giant a renowned scholar, a great warrior and above all a gentleman. It is ironical that a person of Ravana’s stature is ridiculed in this manner when our own standards in public life have reached the lowest ebb. To symbolise Ravana as the synonym of all evils is travesty of facts, to say the least.


Can we not celebrate the festival by burning the effigies of real evils and taking a pledge on this auspicious occasion to eradicate the evils of corruption, dishonesty, immorality etc from public life?

Dr Kalam & India's Missile Programme

Dr.Kalam and India’s Missile Programme


Kudos to Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam for winning the highest civilian award-“Bharat Ratna”. Government also deserves congratulations for conferring the award on an eminent scientist and architect of India’s integrated guided missile programme, thus making a welcome departure from tradition. Dr. Kalam’s contribution to our missile programme and self-reliance in military hardware are unparalleled in the history of the country.

India has a vast reservoir of scientific and technical manpower. However, despite having abundance of talent in the country, our achievements in the international arena are dismal. It does not require a Commission of enquiry or research scholar to find out the reason. We Indians are not only reluctant to recognise talent but also suppress and strangulate talent. While Indian scientists and technocrats are holding exalted positions in various parts of the globe, many of us still believe in super power screwdriver technology. No wonder even after 50 years of independence our achievement in indigenisation and self reliance are paltry.

We quote Japan day in and day out but never follow their qualities. In Japan everybody whether a teenager or an old man stand on his own feet, in India even highly placed persons proudly talk of their connections implying that they can not stand on their own feet. There is a popular joke that a Japanese impressed with the rich and diverse resource of India, offered to make India like Japan within a period of one year, Indian made a counter proposal to make Japan like India within a period of six months

It is hoped that Dr. Abdul Kalam’s incredible achievements and the latest laurel he achieved will inspire other budding scientists and technocrats to reach greater heights in the years to come. This will be the harbinger of Indian resurgence in science and technology.

If we make a little change in our outlook and attitude by recognising and rewarding talent, India can make spectacular progress in all the fields and thereby remove the oft repeated slogan chanted by our students of commerce and economics that “India is a rich country inhabited by poor people” from our lexicons.

Development Sans Morality

Sub: Development sans Morality

According to a report of the Central statistical organisation (CSO) the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to grow at 9.2% in the year 2006-07. So far so good. However, social and economic inequalities are increasing which is not a healthy trend. Moreover, millions of people are still deprived of the basic minimum facilities. Further, We talk of development in the narrowest sense only i.e.; economic development. Increase in GDP, per capita income, infrastructure facilities etc is not the only yardstick of development.

Economic development without moral development or moral degradation is meaningless. We have fallen deep from our glorious Indian culture and civilization. Our value system is declining and human virtues like honesty, integrity, morality, compassion etc are confined to dictionaries. Making material progress has become the motto of life and man is measured by his wealth and not by his virtues. Economic progress without social justice is not sustainable and will have far reaching and disastrous consequences.

It is high time we should make a self-introspection of our dwindling culture, traditions, values, ethics, morals etc. Let us make a judicious blend of our past glories and present technological achievements to bring peace, tranquility and prosperity in our great land of sages, scholars and social reformers.

E M Adithyan
10th February 2007
Elangalloor Mana
Edapal - 679576
Kerala.

Death Penalty

Death Penalty

A fresh debate has been started about the desirability or otherwise of the death penalty. Death penalty is awarded in the rarest of rare cases and this cardinal principle is reviewed by eminent judges in a three tier system Viz; District Court., High Court and Supreme Court. Though death penalty seems to be barbaric, it is awarded only to those dreaded criminals who have perpetrated the most heinous and dastardly crime. Some self styled social organisations and human rights activists appears to be more concerned about the rights of criminals rather than protecting the basic right (right to live) of the innocent and hapless citizens. Nobody appears to be bothered about the sorrows, sufferings and trauma of the families of victims of these horrible crimes. A hardened criminal if comes out of the jail after completing his life term will be unacceptable to the society. In all likelihood he will create a rein of terror and will become a perpetual hazard to the society.

A national debate on death penalty may be initiated. Opinions may be obtained from the families of minimum 1000 victims from the length and breadth of the country starting from the latest incident of Delhi bomb blast. If majority of them suggest that death penalty should not be abolished, a decision contrary to this will be tantamount to adding insult to injury and rubbing salt on their wounds. The need of the hour to have a fresh thinking on the implementation of death penalty, whether by the medieval method of hanging or some other scientific method.


E..M.ADITHYAN
1st November2005



Elangalloor Mana
Edapal-679 576
Kerala

Commonwealth games

Letter to Editor

Commonwealth Games

Delhi will be staging the next Commonwealth Games in the year 2010. Media, especially Delhi based newspapers are making a misplaced publicity that Delhi will become a global city after the Games. However, the moot question is whether the motto of staging the Commonwealth Games is to improve the standard of sports in the country or improve the infrastructure facilities in Delhi. If the objective is the latter it could have been served by spending half of the amount or even less without staging the Commonwealth Games. After staging such mega sports events, whether we are going to improve our standard of sports and medal tally, nobody knows. Will we be able to win few medals at the 2012 Olympics just two years after staging the Commonwealth Games? The tragedy is that inspite of spending billions of rupees in the name of sports, common man has very little to cheer about during India’s participation in international events.

Delhi the capital city of India should get out of its dubious distinction as the city of road accidents, dacoity, murder, rape, bride burning, kidnapping, lack of civic sense, insensitivity, scams, scandals and last but not least corruption. It is said that in Mumbai, even pick pocketers are gentle to the extent that they will not do any physical harm to their victims and after taking the money they return other valuables like identity card, driving license etc to the owner by courier. Media has to play a major role in changing the mindset of Delhiites, to make it a more livable city, as Delhi has some of the excellent infrastructure facilities (Which is the envy of other Indian Cities) comparable to global standards. Let us not bid for Olympics till we become a force to reckon with at least in the Asian circuit, otherwise we have to see the massacre of the host and swallow the insult, ignominy and humiliation heaped on us by the sports powerhouses of the world

E M Adithyan
20th January 2007

Elangalloor Mana
Edapal 679576
Kerala

Code of Conduct for Politicians

Code of Conduct for Politicians

Associated chamber of Commerce and Industry of India has advocated the need for code of conduct for politicians, training for Parliamentarians in Economic Management and public policy and reorientation of the bureaucracy. All the right thinking persons would welcome these suggestions as absence of these and several other factors are responsible for the continued backwardness of the country.

It is paradoxical that whereas candidate for a class IV job also require some qualification, politicians who guide the destiny of the Nation does not require any qualification worth the name. Naturally, the common man has come to the conclusion that people who are unable to serve the nation through any other profession viz. Scientist, Doctor, Engineer, Accountant, Bureaucrat etc. could become a successful politician.

Politicians have lowered the image of the nation on several occasions through their words and deeds. In the process many phrases have gained opposite meaning. For example unparliamentary language is no longer the synonym of foul language because parliamentary language has occupied the place of east while unparliamentary language.

The tragedy in India is that people who do not have the elementary knowledge of the subject often holds exalted positions in various fields. Further there is a growing tendency to post right person at the wrong place. While the most intelligent class of people like Scientists, Doctors, Engineers etc. command the least power, less educated people like politicians, Businessman etc. control the entire system. Moreover, our moral fabric has reached to such a stage that we refuse to recognise human virtues and instead salute the chair of power. This syndrome has completely demoralised the intelligentsia and resulted in large-scale brain drain. There is a popular joke that after the creation of universe Lord Brahma told Lord Vishnu that one country called India has been provided with all the necessary resources. When Lord Vishnu asked Brahma as to whether it was not unjust to provide all the resources to one country Brahma replied. “But see the type of politicians I have sent there. They will take care of every thing”.

Politicians belonging to all parties should understand and emphasis the need for education and training to Legislators and Parliamentarians on all aspects of the country’s governance. Moral education should be an integral part of the training as the country is faced with the biggest problem of crisis of character. Let our politician’s syntheses their energies for the service of the nation instead of service to self. People expect the politicians to show the same unity of purpose, which was shown while passing the bill increasing the pay and allowances of MPs, for taking the country to the next millennium. India with vast reservoir of resources at its command has all the potential to become a world power provided our politicians and administrators show the will power.

Celebrating Failures

Celebrating Failures!

We are celebrating our golden jubilee year of independence with much pomp and show. Celebration is normally done for victory, success or achievement, but here is a classic example of celebrating failures and fumbling.

During these 50 years after independence, our development has been on a snail’s pace compared to many other countries of the world. Even those countries, which attained independence after 1947, have crossed miles ahead of us. Unfortunately, our progress has been more pronounced in the negative fields like population growth, pollution, road accidents, robbery, rape, dacoity, kidnapping, bride burning, scams, scandals and last but not the least corruption.

The evils of the Casteism, communalism, regionalism, linguistism, parochialism etc have become so rampant in the country as one can hardly find Indians in India. Quality of life, product, services, etc have all gone down. Despite the fact that we have won many awards, rewards, medals, recognition, ISI & ISO certificates, the actual quality has come down in many spheres. We have systematically strangulated our morals, values, ethics, traditions, and flora and fauna. Our standards in literature, culture, arts, sports, are fast eroding.

After the independence our planners have visualised an India of self-reliance, self-dependence and growth coupled with social justice. However, even after 50-year of independence we are more and more dependent on foreign countries for our survival. Under the pretext of liberalisation we have invited multinationals to invade India and today we depend on them even for cool drinks and potato wafers. We believe in screwdriver technology and heavily depend on foreign countries for all the requirement of critical items-whether they are used in the manufacture (nay assembly) of sophisticated equipments or consumer durables. Over dependence on any country will slowly leads to slavery.

There is a wide gap between what we preach and what we practice. This is further compounded by contradictions like a scoundrel giving sermons about morality, criminal talking about social justice and corrupt politician preaching probity in public life.

Barring some isolated achievements here and there we have nothing to rejoice, nothing to celebrate. This is at best an occasion for introspection to find ways and means to get rid of the clutches of corruption, chaos, confusion and murky political state of affairs.

CBI Unfettered

CBI Unfettered

The Supreme Court’s landmark judgement giving functional autonomy by unfettering CBI from executive and political control is laudable. However, whether it was necessary to put the CBI under the control of the Central Vigilance Commission will remain a debatable point. Often, obnoxious proposals are made by various quarters to scuttle and strangulate the investigation process, and but for the Supreme Court intervention, the practice could have gone unabated.

Last year Government came out with a proposal to bar the Central Bureau of Investigation from initiating any legal proceedings against serving or former ministers without prior permission of the Prime Minister. That came closely on the heels of the suggestion to exclude MPs and MLAs from the purview of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the finance ministry’s proposal to obtain its prior permission before initiating action against officers of public sector banks in the rank of general managers and above. All these proposals would have helped only to make a mockery of the rule of law as by the time investigation starts after getting permission from the appropriate authority, the person involved would have covered his tracks well.

The Supreme Court decision also proves a point that the concept of “equality before law” enshrined in our constitution, which was hitherto considered a myth would soon become a reality. At a time when pillars of democratic institutions start crumbling, it is heartening to note that the Supreme Court has come to our rescue by enforcing the rule of law.

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Bharat Ratna Award

Letter to Editor
Bharat Ratna Award

Shri L.K Advani Prime Ministerial candidate of BJP, Opposition Leader and veteran BJP leader has recommended Bharat Ratna award to doyen of Indian Politics and former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mayawati UP Chief Minister and leader of BSP has recommended that Bharat Ratna Award be conferred on Late Kanshi Ram, founder of BSP. Earlier the highest civilian award was the prerogative of only politicians and an illusion was created in the minds of common man, especially the literate and semi-literate, that only politicians do public service. Few years ago, a welcome departure was made in this trend and people who have excelled in other fields viz. Dr. M.S. Subbulaxmi, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Bismillah Khan, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam etc. were conferred the highest civilian award of the country. Thus we displayed in unambiguous terms that we Indians too can recognize and reward meritorious and outstanding service which has helped to enhance the image of the country in the eyes of the world. Barring few exceptions, most of our illustrious and legendary personalities were first rewarded by International institutes and foreign countries and only after that we started recognizing their outstanding service.

It is high time that we should make a change in our attitude and start recognizing and rewarding talent, excellence, outstanding achievements and dedicated and meritorious service without waiting for the outside world to reward them first. I as a common man without any power at my command humbly suggest that Bharat Ratna Award be conferred on an unsung hero- Shri E. Sreedharan, the architect of Konkan Railways and DMRC. The type of work executed under his dynamic and inspiring leadership was even beyond the dreams of many people. DMRC is an epitome of efficiency, punctuality, dedication, devotion, discipline, highest moral & ethical standards etc. This is not to belittle the Konkan Railway which is a trend setter in achieving “impossible” tasks. Even adjectives are insufficient to shower encomiums on DMRC and Bharat Ratna to Sreedharan will be virtually a reward to the dedicated workforce of DMRC.
There is not an iota of doubt whether E. Sreedharan deserves Bharat Ratna or not. We Indians want more Sreedharans to take this country to the top of the world. It will only be a small gesture in this direction to confer Bharat Ratna on E. Sreedharan. This will herald the beginning of a new culture and a loud and clear message will be sent to the whole world that in India unsung heroes are a thing of the past.

E M Adithyan
18th January 2008
a
Elangalloor Mana
P.O. Edapal-679 576
Kerala