Oh, My God!

I am not an atheist. By the experience of events surrounding me, I am messed up if I am agnostic. 

A few years ago, probably during 2005/2006, after I had dharshan at the Balaji temple, Tirumala Hills, I was moving along with my family in the free prasadh queue. (Prasadh is generally referred to edible food first offered to the deity and then distributed to the devotees and others.) Puliyodharai (Tamarind rice) happened to be the free prasadh that day.  The man before me in the line, after receiving the free prasadh, asked for more. The bare-chested volunteer, after a quick negotiation, accepted a 100-rupee note with alacrity, swiftly left the counter, removed the towel that was draped around his dhothi, flung it on the camera which was fixed to monitor such unfair practices, returned quickly, stuffed the “divine rice” hurriedly packed in a palm leaf and pushed it into the hands of the “buyer” and completed the “transaction”. He retrieved the towel from the camera and continued his work as usual.

If this could happen in the biggest and the richest temple, elsewhere, the less said the better.

Some time ago, I accompanied a “person” to a hill-temple (this time, it is in Mysore).  It was a Sunday, a tourist spot, and the accompanying queue was obviously long.  The “person” flipped out a 500-rupee note and stuffed into the palms of the security staff at the temple.  The access and the treatment was instant and different.  After the dharshan, the staff ensured that the “person” was garlanded by the priest (who was taken care separately), given the fruits,  flowers, and sacred ash, vermillion …. My embarrassment to have accompanied this “person” is a different matter.

How does God react to something of these sorts happening in His/Her own premises?

Again, when VIPs visit for two or three hours, the general queues are in for a prolonged pause, much to the annoyance of the commoner, who at times even waits for a day or two.  We have 1.2 billion people. Everyone wants to get ahead in the queue and not waste any time.  People with more money ‘win’!  

When these types of 'special' dharshans are entertained, does God approve of George Orwell’s equality (All are equal, some are more equal)?  Who gets more of God’s grace?  Is it the “person” who jumped the order through nefarious means, or the one who followed “dharma dharshan” (general queue)?  There are many such experiences you and I would have undergone.

Let us , for once,  reflect on what we are doing.  We all know God is omnipotent and hence present everywhere. So, there is no need to bribe others in order to worship Him.  But we do!  We engage ourselves in blind competition forgetting the basic concept of God.  If God would have been something which could be achieved through money, people like  ……. (you may fill in the blank with your choicest name of the VIP/celebrity) would have relocated the deity and decorated Him in their living room instead of visiting the temple.

With an ardent devotion towards God, you go to Tirumala and end up having darshan for hardly a couple of seconds.  But what precedes this and follows after that  certainly leaves a disturbing impression.  You could experience corruption in every form.  Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) has become a corrupt institution.  Devotees get a very raw deal.  The fence itself eating the crop is there for all to see.

Religion, once upon a time, did not differentiate between rich and poor and somehow our priests and volunteers have managed to corrupt that as well.  When the most sacred places are not spared, how do you expect fairness in other public spaces?

This also raises another point.  When, in the first place, people accept the need for middlemen to reach God and worshipping is an investment in the expectation of something in return, then why the hypocrisy of shouting against corruption?  Logically, we are bribing God through various means to get the desired result and when somebody is taking that opportunity to make themselves rich, we are feeling betrayed!

Is blind faith breeding ground for corruption?  We all know that God is not only in temples but is within. Temples are supposed to be nothing but  holy places, with peaceful environment so that devotees can sit and pray peacefully.

Whoever pays more gets more nearer to God.  What is this logic?  Is it happening only in India, where in the name of God one can make money?

One school of thought, however, argues that it is an ultimate test of faith, and visits yield fruits only if there is an element of pain involved.  Does it mean that the temple officials should be corrupt?

Until and unless awareness at the grass root level do not come, corruption and mismanagement cannot be averted.  Everybody in authority from temple administration to civil administration to politicians to vendors to brokers are cahoots in design.

Priests/ volunteers give prasadham as if they are giving from their pockets, literally that guy throws that into our hands with a serious and frowning face.  Even the laddus prasadh is sold in black market.  After that, does the prasadh retain its sanctity?

The touts flock in and around the temple and shrine, who are flourishing by unethical means, should be kicked out.

How can it escape from corruption when it is functioning like a large business house giving biased and preferential treatment to rich and resourceful people?

Is it wrong that we better stay confined to our homes or visit the temple down the lane and be true to ourselves?  Don’t you agree with me that God will praise my “bhakthi” (devotion) and shower His blessings rather than taking the questionable route? 

If the people working there take money through corrupt means, it means they are not scared of earning God’s wrath.  Right?  Or they don’t believe in God? Atheists? How, then, such people are appointed? Those who recruit them are also of doubtful characters?  Don’t they believe that corruption in the name of God  is irrevocable sin?

The same Lord Balaji resides in our neighborhood too.  Why hesitate?  Why discriminate?  Why not visit and also patronise our local shrines?  

Stay at home and pray God.  If you cannot find God at home and heart, where is the guarantee that you will find elsewhere?

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was wrong in saying “Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it.”  It should have been “Corruption is my birth right and I will do it.”

I don’t know if I am right or wrong to ask: Why should we go to any temple where darshan has to be bought or bribed?  The minute someone says that he/she controls access to God, and that too for money, you can understand you are being cheated.  Why not donate, instead, to poor friends or relatives, rather than bribing the middlemen?  Isn’t it true that service to humanity is service to God?  (Please don’t read me wrong!)

Who should find a solution? God or Human?  

Even at the risk of being redundant, I affirm I am not an atheist. 

One thing is clear. I am confused.

If you don't play, you can't win

Voting? It takes time to register and learn about the parties and the candidates. Often, if the candidate is good, the party is not, and vice-versa.  On the election day, stand in long queues or slog through scorching weather, knowing that the chances your individual vote will make a difference among the hundreds and thousands are pretty much negligible.

Is it irrational, then, to exercise your franchise?

Most people are disenchanted by politics.  Like many, I too regard most  politicians as confidence-tricksters and the political system is no more than a means for furthering the vested interests.  Voting has become an activity to some that is not worth the effort.  Certainly many voters take a nonchalant attitude. There are some optimists who think because they are voting, people similar to them who support the same candidate/party probably vote, too.

But, very importantly, bad politicians are sent to "New Delhi" by good people who don’t vote.  Isn't it?

Mandatory voting in other countries

Do you know that nearly 30 countries have compulsory voting?  In Greece and Brazil, for instance, voting is mandatory.  If you miss the election day, you will have to justify it, else you cannot open bank account, have a passport, driving license etc.  In Bolivia, they can be prevented from drawing their salaries from the bank account.

Belgium has the oldest existing compulsory system (since 1892).  There is fine for non-voting.  If you don’t vote for 10 elections, you can lose the right to vote. You also face difficulties of getting a job in public sector. Australia has a system of compulsory attendance.  Non-attendees face fines and possible imprisonment.  In many systems, “if you don’t vote, you can’t complain.”

India is a great country.  The greatness is at risk when significant number of people, nay citizens, don’t participate.  I don’t want other people making my choices for me.  I wish to have a voice in things that affect me.  Don’t become a victim of voter complacency.  Elections have consequences.  Basically people just think that their votes make a difference, even though statistically it may not be the case.  Voting does not guarantee that one's preferences will prevail, but choosing not to vote denies a person of having a say in a democracy. Voting, also, may be plain habit for some people.

Be heard

Regardless of your political ideologies or preferences, voting is a right that you are entitled to as an Indian citizen. Take your time to get educated on the politicians, the political parties and the options available.  The pessimistic view that your vote won’t count, is naive, to say the least.

The time has come to cast your vote and exercise your right-duty pack. We owe it, not to the politicians, but to ourselves. If you don't vote, you are in a state of ignorance. If you don’t vote, you are  giving scope to someone to fake your privilege. Unmindful of the gender, income, caste, religion….., they, on the poll day, come as one entity, the voters.

Every vote counts.  Make sure yours does, too.   Just do it! 

  

Can we be AAPtimistic?

"To endeavour to understand the India of today would be the task of a brave man.  To describe tomorrow's India would verge on madness" - so said Jawaharlal Nehru, in the Maulana Azad Memorial Lecture, 1959. What foresight! The first Prime Minister was able to predict his own party's realistic future.

Narendra Modi says, “Congress has destroyed the country.”  Manmohan Singh says, “If Modi were to become the next Prime Minister, it will be disastrous for the country.”  Arvind Kejriwal says, “Both Congress and BJP have robbed the nation.”

A moment about the AAP

The most visible Indian movement in 2013 was the anti-corruption movement.  The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) showed that “winnability” in politics can be redefined.  By their resignation in Delhi, AAP unequivocally displayed that they will not compromise in their fight against corruption.  AAP can more be identified as a cohesive anti-corruption movement, capable of commanding greater support from the aam aadmi, slowly but steadily.  The depth of corruption has made the common man to raise his head and look up at the emerging party, the AAP, beyond the usual considerations of religion, caste, money, and muscle power.  Corruption has become an overwhelming attitude and way of life and India definitely lacks grooming and character-building methods.

Clean politics and good governance appear impractical words for the two so-called national parties.  When a scam is exposed, Congress says, "It's rubbish…there is no loss to the government."  BJP says, "We won't let parliament function...Congress is corrupt...vote us in for a Congress-free India."  BJP keeps mum till the corruption is exposed; then it starts the blame game.  AAP says, "We have filed FIRs...investigation will follow…passing a strong Lok Pal bill... giving more power to the people...AAP is only for a corruption-free India."  All scams of the Congress are not possible if BJP does not extend its tacit support. We have consistently tolerated the Congress party for nearly six decades.

Arvind Kejriwal, an IIT-pass out, a pioneer of the Right To Information (RTI) Act, has the ability to identify himself as the common man next door, that someone every Indian seemed to have met in a bus or on a train – basically a reflection of you and me.


AAP, a fledgling party

AAP has a lot more jobs to do.  They have to face not only corrupt politicians, but they also have to handle criminal politicians; in which case, they must be prepared to face worse opposition. Gone are the days of perfume spray, they are now replaced with “pepper” spray.  One should be grateful to the “pepper” MP for not carrying a hand-gun.  To blow up parliament, we don’t need terrorists from across the border. We are ‘self-sufficient.’  The sanctity of the House has been routinely violated.

Poor show by the major parties on Black money

Over 70 lakh crore rupees (about US $ 1,500 billion) of unaccounted Indian money are lying in numbered accounts in Swiss banks.  This is the highest amount lying outside any country, from amongst the 180 countries of the world, as if India is the champion of Black Money.  Swiss government is willing to share the information if the Indian counterpart officially seeks the details.  Neither the ruling Congress nor the BJP (Opposition?) shown any serious interest as if the problems pertained to some other country, obviously because most of the amount is owned by the politicians of both Congress and BJP.  The interest on the stashed booty alone can take care of our annual budget, year after year.  India has more in Swiss banks than all the other countries put together.

What is transparent is that AAP is not desperate for power unlike other major political parties.  They are willing to be an effective AAPosition. They are in the process of changing the politics in the country purely based on the promise to remove corruption.

They are fighting the electoral battle without Black money and muscle power. Some small aberrations, part of the political process, will pale into insignificance when compared with the Himalayan blunders of the traditional parties, more so reported in recent years.

AAP has categorically demonstrated that it can cut into the votes of Congress & BJP.  AAP frankly admits that they cannot make a dramatic change at the national level overnight, but they certainly can decimate the Congress. Though new, untried, and untested, Kejriwal’s unconventional brand of politics has become a thorn in the flesh of both the Congress and the BJP.

Soon after its spectacular showing in Delhi elections, the evolving-AAP had made it clear that it had national ambitions and would contest the Lok Sabha elections.

Elections in India are won based on speeches, allegations, and counter allegations.  Government is run on experience, and it takes years to learn the niceties of governance.  Kejriwal may be honest, but in politics, dishonest people are usually more successful.

This is a new freedom struggle for India! 
Expectations are high.  And we have an interesting party to look out for!
AAP doesn’t have a magic wand, but definitely a broom which seems to scare the other mainstream political parties!

==========

Also Read:
http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/04/my-mission-is-to-make-politics-good_1.html
http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/03/nandan-nilekani-square-peg-in-round-hole.html

Great fun, Great freedom

Right to write

Dear Friend/Reader

I feel a proud creature! I can’t believe I have done 50 blog posts, this is the fiftieth, to be precise. It has been such a fun and gratifying experience thus far.  Who would have thought that a little blog could fulfill me so much?

“How hard it could be?” “Is it meant only for a few intellectuals or elite class?”  “Or should one be really tech-savvy?” These were initial uncertain thoughts. I wish to register my thanks to Ms. Kruthi Jani, my teacher, also founder of Arthaat Writers who baptised me into the basics of “blogging”. 

You would be surprised by the amount of time and work it takes to keep  with a blog post.  The whole process gives the satisfaction that you had yearned for.

The blog serves as a perfect outlet for me to express myself and write about the things I am ardent about.  It lends the freedom to articulate on anything you care to share.  

At Write Stuff, I exercise my freedom to dish out the choice of my subject and employ the pen at will.  I am my own editor.  But the discipline is auto-imbibed.  It is a glimpse and true reflection of me. I believe everybody has room for improvement in whatever pursuits they undertake.  By no means am I an expert or claim to be one.  I am learning and enjoy growing myself.

When I started dabbling at Write Stuff, I only expected a handful of people around me to read it.  I am happy, however, that my blogsite has crossed  18,000 “page views.” Perhaps, a few “views” here and there every week, despite lull and dull times.   I never imagined it would be viewed worldwide.  I feel “awesome” at the fact that people other than some of my own family and friends, are actually reading and hopefully enjoying my blog.

I am overjoyed by all the support and positive response shown by you.  This motivates me to continue writing and perfect this passion of mine.  I shall be happy to have your feedback, particularly where and how I can do better.

Thank you all and looking forward to the pleasure of receiving your continued support.

Regards

Bloggingly yours, 


Krishnamurthy
krs1957@hotmail.com
http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/
(Write Stuff)

"My mission is to make politics a good word": "AAP" ka Prithvi Reddy

 I instantly liked the way he introduced himself.  

"I am a politician.  The reason I specifically mention this is it takes some time for me also to come to terms with politics, because we are brought up in a culture where and when students do something wrong or if a child gets into trouble, parents would say, 'You are good for nothing; join politics!’  Here is where it starts."

Don't read it wrong. A qualified mechanical engineer and social entrepreneur, Mr. Prithvi Reddy, a National Executive Member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also heads its panel on economic policy.   Mr. Reddy is the co-founder of "Smart Vote," a citizen’s initiative in Bangalore to make elections more meaningful and increase voter turnout by bringing in good candidates. He is one of the founders of "Corruption Saaku!" ("Enough of corruption!"), a citizen’s movement against corruption in Karnataka in November 2009, which later evolved to become the India Against Corruption (IAC), Karnataka Chapter.  As a member of the national core committee of IAC, Mr. Reddy worked closely with Anna Hazare, Justice Santosh Hegde, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, and others in steering the nationwide campaign against corruption.

"97 per cent of our nationalised banks' asset exposures are with 10 industrial houses.  We have Rs.690,000 crore in Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). Rs. One lakh crore has been recently written off.  Not a single rupee written off belonged to the aam aadmi. Loans written off didn't have any housing loan or education loan or vehicle loan.

"A few months before the Delhi elections, there was a sudden spurt in the price of onions, which went up from Rs.30 to close to Rs.100.  There was absolutely no shortage of onions at that time.  The onion trade in this country has been controlled by eight individuals in Maharashtra.  If you calculate what happened a few weeks before the Delhi polls, you will understand what I am trying to get at.  If we were to assume a difference of Rs.50 (the difference between Rs.30 and Rs.80) per kg for roughly about 12 lakh families, even if they had consumed one kg per week" about Rs.5,000 crores were collected, nay corrupted.

"If you would have noticed, just before elections, roads are relaid in Karnataka.  About Rs.450 crore has been spent in 8--12 weeks, all done without proper tender process, for not even one inch layering of the roads.  Why are we not questioning?" asked Mr. Prithvi Reddy while recently addressing a gathering of working journalists.

It dawned on me that an interaction with Mr. Reddy on common man politics would throw some valuable insights.

Why did he join AAP?  Mr. Reddy, who is also entrusted with building the party's base in Karnataka, was moved by the statement of a young Swedish parliamentarian, "I have a dream about society - how it needs to be; my country - how it should be; my world - how it should be". 

Excerpts (quote)

AAP has been getting the support of the common man due to the anti-Congress or anti-corruption factor. Do you believe that this alone is enough to run a government?

Anti - Corruption and good Governance

Most problems relating to day-to-day sufferings of the common man are in some way or the other connected to corruption and bad governance. If in 5 years’ time we can eradicate corruption, this will give huge relief and progress to the common man.

Swaraj 

Implementation of the 73rd and 74th amendment of our constitution in "true spirit" will help bring participative democracy wherein people have a say in matters relating to their everyday life. Vote for AAP such that we can give power back to the people.

Reforms:- Electoral , Judicial , Police , education and health are the salient features of our policy.

It is perceived that there is a difference between IAC (India Against Corruption) as a movement and AAP as a party.  How do you think AAP as a political outfit can be sustained?

We will always remain a people's movement, by and for the people. We have entered the political system only to bring about the changes we have been fighting for from the outside. Remember, we were mocked and told that laws are not made on the street or in maidaans, that we should enter politics and fight elections! We decided to take up the challenge!

What will be your party’s strategy in the event of a fractured mandate?

We will remain to be the common man's voice in parliament and set the agenda for change in the political system in our country. 

Apart from fighting scams and scandals, what is your national agenda?

We believe and will strive to attain all the promises made in the preamble of our constitution.

AAP is an unconventional party wanting to do something good for the country but with the bulk of our people having a herd mentality, how do you plan to achieve your goals?

Winnability in elections until the recent Delhi verdict was defined by religion, caste, money, and muscle power, but the reality was that people never had a real alternative.  They had to choose between the "devil and the deep sea" or "the lesser of two evils," but the people of Delhi when offered an alternative--not just a substitute, chose wisely and gave us 28 seats.

Imagine you travel by a BMTC bus, for instance, and a conductor takes Rs.3/- without issuing the official 5-rupee ticket.  How would you address corruption at the lower rungs?

There is no fear of consequences today; a strong anti-corruption law like the Jan Lokpal coupled with swift and certain justice will bring about change. For a start, just the intent to fight corruption will bring about a change like that seen in Delhi.

Your party has come into prominence due to the anti-corruption movement.  The common man is so much used to corruption and in many cases a willing party to get his “work done.” How do you propose to handle the common man’s graft?

Most bribes in our country are paid by people who need to pay to get what is rightfully theirs; this is almost like extortion. If people know they can get their rights in a timely manner without having to pay for it, they won't resort to bribery.

How does your party propose to handle women’s security in the backdrop of recent atrocities?

Police reforms, self-help groups, and bringing a fear of consequences, empowering women, and implementing initiatives like training in self-defence classes for women.

The complexity of the socio-economic problems is so vast.  Is your “broom” big enough to remove the garbage?

Problems are many and complex; however, if you don't start, you will never be able to solve the problems.

Every parent wants his/her child to become a doctor, an engineer, or a software executive. How is AAP going to change this perspective that the feeling that a child can also become a politician arises?

We live in a culture where parents tell a child who does badly in studies or gets into trouble or fights, that "You are good for nothing, join politics!"  If more and more good people join politics, we will be able to make "politics a good word."

Do you subscribe to the view that a minimum educational qualification is a prerequisite to become a politician?

Education helps build leadership and managerial skills but does not guarantee common sense and understanding. Just because you get a degree in agriculture does not guarantee your understanding of farmer issues.

The common man does not know the candidates you have fielded in various constituencies. Is it rewarding or retarding?

Shortage of time and limitation of resources are a challenge we are facing. We are, however, committed to giving every citizen in the country a choice of choosing clean candidates over corrupt candidates.

Where do you see the progress of the AAP in the next 5 or 10 years in power or in the opposition?

This election is only the beginning. We hope to fight next year’s corporation elections on people’s issues. Our good work should help us form the government in Karnataka in 2018 and after that at the centre.

Any other message you wish to share with the common man?

We deserve better. In 1947, we chose democracy; let’s reclaim democracy. Power to the people.

Excerpts (unquote)

Given the Indian political ambience, the voter is forced to vote for the less corrupt, as we don't have an honest alternative.  The Congress party is a major stakeholder when it comes to corruption, immediately followed by the BJP.  Show me the list of candidates who are taint-free. Often, the candidate and the party he/she represents are in conflict when it comes to integrity.  If the electorate is adamant to comply with strict parameters to choose the right candidate, the polling booths will display a pathetic empty spectacle.  All over India, the mood seems to be for change. The aam aadmi is tired of rhetoric and corruption. By the way, I came across a new meaning coined for bribe: anti-Hazare tax.

AAP is like a new coffee shop.  Initially, we expect the quality to be not bad.  Till such time the party become the rubbish bin (which certainly I don't wish for), let us not discard them in a hurry.  Options available are too little and, for the moment, I believe we should give them the benefit of the doubt. "Even if we get 40 to 50 seats at the national level, we will change the agenda to Indian politics," a humble Reddy said. The election may not propel AAP to power nor will Indian politics will be redefined overnight, but given the common man’s mood, the polls can teach something new to the aam aadmi. While there are very many things to be changed in our country, AAP's primary fight is to fight against corruption

Wishing you, Sir, and your dream of a corruption-free society all success!

==

Read:

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/04/if-you-dont-play-you-cant-win.html

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/04/can-we-be-aaptimistic.html

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/03/nandan-nilekani-square-peg-in-round-hole.html