SHARMILA, NIRGAMANAND, RAMDEV, ANNA … AND … YOU !

Erom Sharmila of Manipur is on fasting since almost ten years. The authorities are keeping her alive by nasal-feeding. She is protesting against the actions of Indian army in the state.

Swami Nirgamanand was fasting, demanding the cleansing of the holy river Ganga. He died in mid June-2011.

Baba Ramdev went on fast in June-11 with certain demands about the black money.

Anna Hazare went on fasting from 16.08.2011, demanding modifications in the Lokpal bill prepared by the government.

Most people were unaware about the fasting of Sharmila, who has not been taking any food from mouth for years. It was only recently came into light when a small news-item published in some of the news papers, after the fasting of Anna was ended.

But still Sharmila was lucky that her fasting has been noticed when she is alive. Swami Nirgamanand’s fast was not even noticed, leave alone bothered, by anyone, including media, until he died of the hunger.

Baba Ramdev and supporters were evicted forcefully from the Ramleela ground, at the fourth night of the fast.

Whereas in the case of Anna’s fast, within a week’s from the fasting started, all concerned have started breaking heads about how to end the fast. On 12^th day the government accepted (not necessary it will keep the promise !) the demands of Anna. In the history of the independent India, first time the parliament requested an ordinary citizen to end his fast. The fast was ended.

Why Sharmila and Nirgamanand were totally neglected, Ramdev was manhandled but Anna was taken seriously from very second day of the fast? The reason is YOU.  You, the common man (and of course, woman).

Yes, it was the visible support from the people that made the authority to think seriously about the consequences of Anna’s fast. There were supporters present in the Ramleela ground in case of Baba Ramdev, but the government was damn sure that the Baba has no active support from common people. Whereas in case of Anna, authority had found that the number of supporters present in the Ramleela ground were just tip of the iceberg. Many more numbers were ready to crowd the streets, if required. And that was the strength of the common people. 

It is immaterial how the support was commanded by team Anna and why people in general had supported Anna. It could be the corruption at all level or the rising prices or some other reason. The important thing is that it was the all around active support extended to Anna by the public in general, has made the authority nervous. Had such support was not there, the team-Anna would have met with the same fate as was met by Baba Ramdev.

So, it is the people who decide the fate of any leader or any movement. Remember this at the time of next election, may it be election of local councilor or MLA or MP. If you decide, you can make them responsive to your feelings and demands.

Come out and show the leaders, political or otherwise,  that they are dependent on you for their future.

TEAM ANNA, A NEW MANAGEMENT SCHOOL

On 16^th August, 2011 Anna Hazare was detained by police when he was proceeding for indefinite fast demanding Jan Lokpal Bill. He was detained on the premise that his act of going on indefinite fast may create law-n-order problems. Good. Earlier baba Ramdev’s agitation against black-money was forcefully stopped by the government on the same notion. It was a success on part of the government. And that made the government authorities to use the same weapon for shutting down the shutters of the Anna’s agitation for the Jan Lokpal bill.

But by the evening, the government understood the difference between the Anna and the Baba. But it was too late. Sufficient ground, which was badly needed by the Team Anna for a strong and sustained protest, was provided by the government itself. Earlier also I have mentioned that ‘maturity’ was lacking at all level in the present government. Same was proved again. The managers deployed by the government to counter the Anna protest were found themselves badly trapped by the Team Anna by the next morning when Anna has refused to leave the Tihar Jail unless unconditional permission to carry out fast was given by the authorities. After two days’ of high-tension drama Anna was allowed to carry out his agitation for 15 days at Ramlila ground.

Well, what the government had done was needless to be detailed or discussed now. The important matter here is the managerial capacity of the Team Anna. They caught the government sleeping. Anna was arrested with the idea that once he and his close aides in jail, everything will be under controlled. All his supporters will be dispersed, like happened in case of Baba, and by evening all will be well enough to release the Anna and dispatch him to Ralegan-Siddhi, his work-place at Maharashtra. However, as happened frequently in the cases of terrorist attacks, here also the government intelligence failed to found that the team appears with Anna is just the tip of iceberg. There are many others, not appeared in public even once, behind the curtain handling the entire operation.

Instead of disappearing, the supporters started appearing at various parts of the country, after Anna’s arrest. At Tihar Jail, especially, unpredictable number of supporters gathered and peacefully waited for Anna’s release. Same thing happened at other places also where the protestors were detained by the police. Everything was happening peacefully and in a such manner that the as if the same was planned and rehearsed perfectly. There was no visible leader in any of the gathering of the protesters. But everything was going on so smoothly as if some powerful lead was being provided to the crowd.

And that was the difference between Team Anna and Team Govt.

Team Anna has predicted all possible situations and planned accordingly. There were plan A, plan B and plan – N. Each plan was being deployed according to the changing situation. Anna arrested, no problem. Instead of going home, protesters were guided to be gathered at Tihar jail and other places showing the strength of the agitation and forcing the government to release Anna. Anna released. OK. A plan was ready for further increasing pressure on the authorities for permission for the fast.

Even the most popular political leaders found it difficult to gather a good number people nowadays. Agents are required to be deployed to bring people in political meetings and rallies. But here, people gathered at number of parts in the country in support of the Anna. Rallies were organized (who organized, no body knows). And everything was going surprisingly peacefully. Nobody was found leading any rally or guiding any of the gatherings. Everyone was leader of oneself. Agreed that common man was tired of the corruption and inflation. But our history is that we have never moved out of home for any of these causes. Here, everyone was participating the in the protest. Most were not even aware about the difference of the two bills, viz. the one prepared by government and the Jan Lokpal bill of Anna. But still people coming out in the street supporting Anna. This can not be achieved without an exceptional people-management. And it was done by the invisible managers of Team Anna efficiently. Even today, i.e. after eight days of the protest, the political pandits breaking heads on the invisible-management of Team Anna.

Media management was also extraordinary. Documentaries about the team members were prepared and aired on popular news channels. Interviews of the core team members were arranged on news channels. No political entity was given even a small chance to appear on the stage/television as a part of the protest. An air was created that everything was happening automatically. People coming out in the street spontaneously. The fact is such a large number of people can not do anything, except riots, spontaneously. Some one was always there in each gathering or rally providing the necessary lead/guidance. But who was there, is still a mystery. And that was the real managerial success on part of Team Anna. Authorities were clueless about whom to stop to put an end to a procession or a meeting or a rally.

It can be really interesting for any good business school to study the mechanism deployed by the Team Anna in managing the agitation till this day.

Anna and company have won the first part of the battle. No one knows what can be happened tomorrow, because the Team Anna is not predictable and Team Government is clueless.

Anything can happen. Let us see.

VDIS, IMPACT FEE BILL .....AND BLOOD-MONEY

In some of the Islamic countries, even if you kill someone you can avoid any punishment by paying ‘blood-money’. If you have enough money and the next kin of the deceased agree to accept the amount you offer, the law will free you from the crime you have committed. The amount paid to the kin of the deceased by the criminal is called ‘blood-money’.

In Gujarat, may be in some other states also, you commit the crime of unauthorized construction, wait for some time and the government will come up with some law which will allow you to pay some money for the ‘crime’ you have committed (breaching of any law, may it be civil in nature, is definitely a crime) and you will be free of the crime without any punishment. The government gets ‘blood-money’ for freeing you from the crime.

In 1997 the government of India has introduced a scheme named Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme, popularly known as VDIS. The scheme was for those tax defaulters who have not paid income tax in past. They were allowed to disclose their black money, pay tax at a flat rate of 30% and enjoy the remaining 70% without any question. Remember that not paying tax is a crime. Here also the government has garnered Rs 7800 crores as ‘blood-money’ and nearly 3.5 lacs tax-criminals, including firms and companies, were freed from their past crime.

Of course the first scheme is still not operating in our country, the two other schemes have given a clear message to all concerned. Commit any civil crime, wait for some time, government is there to save you in lieu of some so called ‘penalty’. Everybody knows the laws of our land, so far as civil crimes are concerned, are so poor that there is hardly any chance of getting justice. Even governments know this, because they are the law makers. And they want such laws to prevail.

Breach of civil laws is equally dangerous to the society as of criminal laws. The unauthorized construction is hazardous to anybody. Constructions made in parking space ultimately create traffic congestion on the roads which results in fetal accidents. The unauthorized constructions are against the engineering rules and incidents were reported of collapsing of such constructions killing innocent people. So just regularizing such constructions by collecting money in the name of penalty is nothing but asking for ‘blood-money’ for releasing the culprit from the crime he had committed to the society.

Similarly, schemes like VDIS give a clear message to all. Don’t pay your dues to the government. Wait for some time. The government will come up with some scheme like VDIS. You pay the so called penalty and clean yourselves. Remember, the tax rates were as high as 50% during the seventies, on income above a certain limit. Those who have paid such exorbitant  tax at that time were fools. Because, in 1997, those who have not paid the taxes in past, have just paid tax at 30% and get clean chit from the tax-man. Not only they paid the taxes at lower rate, they paid it after 20 or 30 years. That way they have used the exchequers’ money for those many years and that too without any in interest payment. Here also government has got the ‘blood-money’ for releasing the tax-criminals.

These and such other politically motivated schemes, like debt-waiver schemes for farmers, forgoing electricity-bill outstanding by Hariyana government in late nineties etc., gives  a message to the public that avoid paying your dues to the government or go and commit any civil crime like unauthorized construction and just wait. Keep some ‘blood-money’ ready and some scheme or law will be framed by the rulers to declare your crime a legitimate act.

I am waiting for a law from Maharastra government legalizing the Aadarsh Building in lieu of some ‘blood-money’.

BRIBING THE GOD !!!

   If I will pass in the exam, I will donate Rs …. to your temple.

   If this deal will through, I will visit abc religious place.

   If suitable bride/groom will be found for my son/daughter, I will perform this and that religious ritual in the name of the God.

Above are just some of the examples how we are offering bribe to the almighty God.

Very often I have mentioned that culturally we are a corrupt lot. We always believe that bribe is the best thing we have and we can offer to get our work done from anyone, including God.

Just think how courageous we are that we are offering such silly things to the power that has created this universe. It is just like offering a rupees 20 bribe/gift to a prime-minister or president of a country. But we are very ‘innocent’ in such things. We can do this, without any fear or shame. We are so selfish that we just even don’t think that what we are offering and to whom.

Out religions (here religion includes all religions) have always taught us that we will get what is there in our fate and at the time determined by the almighty. Then what made us fool enough to offer such silly bribe to the God for some favor. Do we believe that even God will change his decision on getting such promise form us? If so, we are degrading the God to a level equal to the human beings who are ready to sale their soul for a bribe.

This mental status of us shows our lack of trust on the God. We believe that God will not favor us if we will not offer something to him. What a rubbish belief. We are offering an earthly thing like money to God. Why God need our money?

And the question is to whom we are giving the money? God do not need this earthly thing for running this universe  and he even does not accept it. It is the ‘owners’ of the God whom we are paying the money. (Yes, the pujaaries, pandas, maulvies, bishops and like who think that God is their property and whatever we give to them reaches to the God !) And we satisfy ourselves that we have ‘paid’ the God our dues. Silly!

I am not against the money we are paying to religious entities. But just think where your money is being used which actually given in the name of the God. Just forget the small, local religious entities. Look at the large religious entities like the Tirupati, the Swaminarayans, the Ajmer-sharif, the Nathdwara, the Iscon and many others like these. Such multi-billionaire religion entities are using a very-vary small portion of their income for social services like schools, hospitals etc. A large portion of donations to such entities is either remains unused or used for the benefits of the owners/trustees of the entity, in the name of the God.

Think how we are wasting our money when we are giving it to such rich religion entities. First, it never reaches to God as God never accepts such earthly things. God only demands our faith in him. Second, large part or sometime entire of our donation remains idle or used by those who have already enough resources. If we take into account the money/gold lying idle with top 10 religion entities of our country, the total will perhaps cross the total tax collections of a year of our country. And on the other hand there are millions who do not get even enough food to sustain the life. Third, giving money or such other things, whatever may be its value, is like showing a candle to the sun. We are making fool of ourselves when we take pride/satisfaction that we have ‘paid’ the God for some favor he had made or will be made by him. Mother nature will always give us what we deserve. And it is beyond our capacity to even thank the God for what we have got.

Yes, as a noble human being we can always pass a part of the fortune we got from the God to the other needy brethrens. But just depositing money in any religion entity is like running away from our duties. Instead of wasting the money  by just keeping it idle in bank accounts/lockers of some rich religion entity, why can’t we directly give it to some needy human being, in the name of God? We can. A small help to a poor student who want to study, a poor artisan who has no money to purchase his tools, food to the hungry and like this will definitely far better than giving donations to the rich religion entities whose trustee will just sit on your money or use most of it for their comfort.

Think twice next time when you want to discharge your duties to the God. Ensure that the money you are paying in the name of God is actually being used for the noble purpose and not just for construction of five star temples and ‘ashrams’. Because God is everywhere. And since he is ‘nirakar’ (having no shape), he does not require any temple to live in.

Remember that we are too poor to offer anything to the almighty God. But God had made us rich enough to be able to help others.

And don’t even think to bribe the God. Have faith in the God. Remember that our earthly things like money/metals etc.  are not valuable enough to ‘purchase’ the God.

JUST ANOTHER DRAMA …

At midnight on 04.06.2011, Delhi police forcefully evicted the Ramleela ground. Hundreds injured. Baba Ramdev was held and sent to Haridwar by a special flight. The drama ended by the dawn. TV channels got chance to telecast items related to the issue for the whole day and people sitting at home, since next day was Sunday, watched the drama again and again on TV.

But, the entire episode has revealed immaturity at both ends.

Was Ramdev Baba right on his demand?

Earlier while demanding Lokpal bill, Anna Hazare has made some ridiculous demands. He had demanded to consolidate powers of police, investing-agencies  and judiciary in one person, i.e. Lokpal. It so done, it would be really dangerous if the person sitting on the Lokpal-seat is by chance a politician. And chances are that mostly it will be a politician only who will décor the Lokpal chair, as being done in case of the state Governors. Baba has also demanded for capital punishment or life imprisonment for the person convicted for having the black money. The definition of black money is very vast and the unscrupulous politician can use this law, if enacted, for finishing the career of their rivals. Or the same can be used by the government officials for their benefits.

Similarly, demanding for an immediate notification on black money is not possible in the type of democracy we have. All party affirmation is required before President sign on any such notification. This can not be done overnight.

Any way, otherwise there was nothing wrong in baba’s demand. Asking for declaring the black money as national property or civil service delivery bill is not against the natural justice.

Then what went wrong?

Unfortunately, this government lack wisdom of power. Yes, wisdom power. When you are in power, your acts should match your authority. First it gave too much importance to the baba. Instead of having an open dialogue with the baba, ministers tried to reach to some settlement with the baba by conducting meetings in 5star hotels. Kapil Sibal, a notable lawyer was shrewd enough to befool the baba and company and got a written confirmation about when the fasting will be ended. When the ministers found the drama is not ending as per their script, Sibal just show the letter to the media.

AT 8.00PM on 04.06.2011, after Kapil Sibal disclosed the facts of the letter written by an aide of the baba, Ramdevbaba had lost the battle. After disclosure of the letter, baba has almost lost the support of large chunk of the society for his back-door dealing with the government and not declaring the same to the followers. He could have ceremoniously declared that the government had accepted the demands and the agitation will be over next morning after the Yog (not Yoga) classis. It was perfect time for baba to wind up his fasting and start second phase of the agitation, i.e. follow-up, as being done by Anna.  But, for some unforeseen reasons, baba decided to continue his fasting. Had government allowed the fasting to continue, perhaps from the next day or so the number of participants would have started reducing. But, lack of farsightedness was everywhere.

At midnight the police cracked on the peaceful demonstrators and gave baba an opportunity to come back in the battle which he had already lost. Again baba made mistake. He had the best chance to become a hero again. Had he accepted the arrest ceremoniously and asked his followers to evict the place peacefully, he would have regained his honor in the eyes of his followers. Perhaps application of force by the police could have also been avoided. But baba was a ‘baba’ really. First he appealed from the stage not to evict the Pandal and then he himself jumped down from the stage and get cover amongst the women-followers. He even went to the extent to clad himself in ladies dress to hide from the police. It was really a foolish step by any leader. He should have shown some sense and stood against the police force till the last moment. What police could have done. They have no alternate but just to arrest the baba and deport him to his place, i.e. Patanjalee Yog Peeth at Haridwar, what otherwise also done by the authority. Even if he was sent to jail, he would have acquired even a better position in the eyes of his followers. But baba lost the chance again and lost the battle again.

Well, after the drama all lot of politicians came into picture to get the benefit of the situation.

Some of the politicians were of the opinion that Ramdev baba was a Yog-guru and he should limit his activities to his job only and should not interfere in politics. Nice. If so, Lalu Yadav should graze the cows/buffalos, Kapil Sibal should practice law, Dr Manmon Singh should go back to Delhi University teaching economics and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi?  Yes, Soniajee should continue with her profession before she married to Rajiv Gandhi. (She was a waitress in a Greek restaurant : source-Wikipedia). This is really foolish. In a prudent democracy, any citizen has right to raise questions and demand justice. It is not politics. But some of the politicians believe that politics is their ancestral property and no ordinary citizen should enter into.

Another mistake some of the leaders made was making statements that the baba was a  ‘thug’ and investigation will be made about his wealth. Now, this is really ‘bakawas’ at this stage. Baba has been building his empire since last 10 year or more. Where were you till date? Since baba was not creating any problem for you, he was allowed to do every wrong thing (as it is said now!) and since now he had raised his voice against you, government investigating agencies will come in actions against him? This means that there is no problem if you are a black marketer, a corrupt,  a thug or whatsoever till you do not ask questions to the authority. If tomorrow the Tata, Birla or Ambani will raise their voice against the government they will become ‘thugs’ overnight and will be harassed by the government agencies.  Maturity is lacking definitely at all levels in the present government.

Well, the first part of the drama is over. Let us wait for the part two.

PETROL, DIESEL & LPG PRICES AND SUBSIDY

Recently the oil companies have increased petrol prices. Increase in prices of diesel and LPG is on the corner. As usual the reason given is increase in crude oil prices in international markets. However, is it really necessary to increase the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG, i.e. the items used by almost all?

1.      During Iraq war, the crude prices were touched $140 per barrel. At that time the prices were increased. Thereafter the prices of crude oil have started reducing and touched to $70 per barrel. But not a single rupee was reduced in the prices of petrol or diesel. Not only that, but there after the oil companies have kept increasing the prices of petrol at every increase in crude oil prices. Even now the prices of crude oil are not as high as were at the time of Iraq war, but the petrol price is much higher than what it was at that time.

2.      Oil companies argue that they are loosing substantial amount on petrol, diesel and LPG. As all knows, oil companies are making hefty profits every year. The salaries of the employees of these companies are considered the best amongst public sector undertakings. Then what is the problem? It all rests with the cost computation system of these companies. When crude oil processed in the refinery, more than 100 different products are manufactured. The company calculates, as per their standards, manufacturing cost of each item. On the basis of this calculation, they decide that on some of the products they are loosing money. But what about hefty profits they are making on other products?

3.      In multi-product manufacturing process form a single raw-material, this is common phenomena. Banks loosing lot of money on ATM transaction facility provided to the deposit customers. But for that reason, banks can not stop this facility. Banks do pay interest on deposits and earn interest on loans. But this does not mean that they should not accept deposits. If banks stop taking deposits they can not land money and earn interest. Similarly, the oil companies can not stop producing petrol, diesel and LPG because they are loosing on these products. If they do so, the total wastage of crude oil will be more than the amount they are loosing on these products. Moreover, production of petrol, diesel and LPG is integral part of overall process of the refining the crude oil. So if they want to manufacture the profit making products, they have to manufacture these products also.

4.      It is argued that government provides huge subsidy on these products to the oil companies. There is nothing wrong if government provides subsidy for products of mass consumption. Government gives subsidy from the taxes paid by the public. Taxes are paid as direct taxes by those who have taxable income or in form of indirect taxes like excise duty, VAT, service tax etc. The tax payers get back some of the taxes paid by them in form of subsidy on petrol, diesel and LHG. In addition, those who have not paid tax because their income is not that much, are also getting some portion of the tax collection in form of subsidy on these petro-products. If it is so, what is wrong? Those who are earning more than the others, are supposed to support the poor country-fellows. This is indirect support to the lower-income group of the society. In fact government should continue providing subsidy on such products even by collecting more taxes from the higher-income group of the society.

But unfortunately our rulers are thinking on other way. They do not want to increase prices of ATF (fuel used in aircraft). Even though the class traveling in aircrafts is in a position to pay more for the journey, the government is not interested in collecting more money from them. Similarly more income can be generated by levying more taxes on luxury spending and the same can be used for providing relief to the poor by way of subsidy on certain items of mass consumption. This does not mean that we should go for 100% socialist economy. But, in a country like us where the rich are becoming richer by using the resources available in the country and poor remains poor, some cross-subsidization of certain mass consumption items is must.

AMERICA, BIN LADEN AND INDIA

Bin Laden killed by American Navy-SEAL. They entered into the Pakistani borders without even informing Pakistan, performed their task and went back. It was clear violation of international laws. Even Interpol has no authority to arrest any red-cornered criminal without informing the local authorities. But it is another issue.

Days within this episode, our army chief has announced publicly that Indian army was capable enough for doing such operation. Great. Many of us are also of the opinion that Indian intelligence agencies/army should carry out similar operation for some most wanted criminals ‘residing’ in Pakistan. Yes, we have all the rights to make such demands. But is it possible?

A big “NO”.

Why?

1.      Any such action will result in retaliation from Pakistan. We are not anyway near the military or economical strength of America. So is Pakistan. But Pakistan has nothing to loose. And in last decade when our rulers, and also military higher-ups, have not strengthened our forces with advanced arms, Pakistan has done it successfully. Whatever done in missile technology is far behind the technology acquired by Pakistan from Chine and N.Korea.  They have acquired latest war air-craft from America.  Well, despite all these, we can take it as granted that our military is capable enough to defeat the Pakistan military in any war, unless Pakistan get direct support from China or America.

2.      But are we as general public, ready for any war? Whatever we say, we are not ready for any such discomfort. War always results in some sacrifice. American public has also paid for the war they have fought in Afaghanistan and Iraq. Remember that those wars were fought on the land of enemy countries. Despite that the richest economy of the world had slipped into the worst ever economic crisis of the recent times. Here we have to be ready for a war on our land and to pay a greater price. Because of various reasons, our patriotism has vanished. We do not want to give up anything for our country.

3.      We are self centered. Instead of thinking for betterment of all, we mostly want a good and comfortable life for ourselves, even at the cost of rightful necessity of the others. No one, even opposition, has said a single word in public against the government when the twin towers of WTC blew-off by the terrorists.  Look at the situation here around. Any small thing happens, the first target is ruling party. Recall the scenes made by relatives of the hostages of the high-jacked Indian Airlines plane. Their only and only demand was to get their relatives back safely at any cost. Of course, perhaps anyone, including myself, would have wanted the same. Again, they were not at fault, because they knew even if they sacrifice, there is no guarantee that the rotten government would give the criminals appropriate punishment. Afazal Guru and Kasab are the examples. But making public scenes have given one more reason to our spineless government to act softly and release the terrorists.

4.      We have no political will for taking such stern action. Remember that government is nothing but some of “us” only. We have elected these selfish, unscrupulous persons and empowered them to take decisions on behalf of us. Do not expect any strong decision from them. Even before got elected, many of them were criminals and most were corrupt. And we gave them power to perpetuate their ‘virtue’ on a big way. Now expecting anything good from them is our fault. 

5.      Basically we are selfish and coward lot. History of Hindustan has witnessed that we have been invaded frequently. The enemies have always found easily their ‘friends’ within the country to help them for patty rewards. Britishers have never brought in their soldiers from England. They have ruled us with the help of our own people. Even today we place our personal need before the need of the country. There is no air of patriotism. We just hoist flags on 15^th August and 26^th January and then forget what the “nation” is.  We can not force our rulers to take any bold steps like America and assure them that the country will support them whatever the result will be.

So, enjoy the IPL and Saas-Bahu serials.

But it is possible that we may not be an independent country in future. And this is reality and not any stupid reality-show on the idiot-box.