President has returned the office-of-profit bill to parliament for reconsideration. While returning the billPresident has made positive suggestions:
a) Parliament must draft comprehensive criteria that are fair and reasonable and can be universally applied.
b)There should be no adhoc approach in judging an office of profit. THe bill should be based on a proper and settled interpretation of office of profit as stated in Article 112 and other constitutional provisions.
President is also worried about propriety of applying law with retrospective effect.
President's action suggests that he has seen into the evil designs of politicians to make a law to benefit themselves. The government move was unethical.
Much more unethical is the stand of the government to sent back the bill to president in its original form. Any progressive government will re-consider the suggestions made and concerns expressed by the president. But being progressove is only a printed letter 'P' in UPA.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Magic of positive thinking
Congratulate Rashmi Taneja
For those who do not know, Rashmi Taneja is a girl blind since birth. She has secured 88.2% marks in the commerce stream of class XII of CBSE. It is a remarkable story of human spirit overcoming formidable odds. It proves that if a person has a positive thinking then he or she can achieve anything. See how positive her attitude is which has been displayed by her while preparing and appearing in the exam. This is the magic of positive thinking.
She did not use a writer (she was entitled for), as she did not want to “depend on somebody else entirely You never know what the person is writing”. She used a normal typewriter. She was also entitled to an hour’s extra time. But she did not use it for any paper other than accounts. When asked why not, she said because “It should be a level playing field”.
I do not know her personally but I am proud of her. Are not you?
For those who do not know, Rashmi Taneja is a girl blind since birth. She has secured 88.2% marks in the commerce stream of class XII of CBSE. It is a remarkable story of human spirit overcoming formidable odds. It proves that if a person has a positive thinking then he or she can achieve anything. See how positive her attitude is which has been displayed by her while preparing and appearing in the exam. This is the magic of positive thinking.
She did not use a writer (she was entitled for), as she did not want to “depend on somebody else entirely You never know what the person is writing”. She used a normal typewriter. She was also entitled to an hour’s extra time. But she did not use it for any paper other than accounts. When asked why not, she said because “It should be a level playing field”.
I do not know her personally but I am proud of her. Are not you?
Monday, May 22, 2006
Tourism sector warns Govt against quota
Indian Association of Tour Operators has warned the government that medical tourism, that is now growing at the rate of 30% and slated to emerge as a $2 milliom-dollor industry, will be severely affected if it encouraged quota system. Extending full support to the students protesting against quota, IATO president Subhash Goyal urged the President of India not to succumb to pressure by the UPA government in issuing an ordinance to introduce quota system through the back door.
PM should not make immature appeal
Doctors and students protesting against the proposed caste-based quota in institutions of higher learning have rejected the appeal made by PM to call off their agitation. They have instead called for nationwide blackout for 15 minutes on Monday evening. They have asked all citizens to switch off their TV sets and lights between 8 and 8.15 PM on Monday.
The appeal was totally immature and in all probability meant to be rejected. Let us see what one AIIMS doctor said “While giving an impression that they are for negotiations on one hand, the government is planning to break the back of our movement by threatening to terminate contracts”. This dual policy is one of the reasons, which has forced the protestors to harden their stand. Another reason is that PM had nothing concrete to offer. The seat increase lollipop is nothing but a dirty gimmick against the demands of the protesters. PM had not addressed any of their demands in his appeal – rollback of proposed OBC quotas, review of existing reservation policy by a non-political committee and a concrete statement by the PM on the issue of reservation.
Now before making an appeal for calling off the agitation PM should have something to show about his sincerity, transparency and governance with a human face.
The appeal was totally immature and in all probability meant to be rejected. Let us see what one AIIMS doctor said “While giving an impression that they are for negotiations on one hand, the government is planning to break the back of our movement by threatening to terminate contracts”. This dual policy is one of the reasons, which has forced the protestors to harden their stand. Another reason is that PM had nothing concrete to offer. The seat increase lollipop is nothing but a dirty gimmick against the demands of the protesters. PM had not addressed any of their demands in his appeal – rollback of proposed OBC quotas, review of existing reservation policy by a non-political committee and a concrete statement by the PM on the issue of reservation.
Now before making an appeal for calling off the agitation PM should have something to show about his sincerity, transparency and governance with a human face.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Queen reoccupies the throne
Mrs. Sonia Gandhi resigned her LS seat. Her party called it a sacrifice. I was confused as to how it can be called sacrifice as she, in reply to a question, said that she will again fight from Raibareli and win and come back to LS. Her body language was clearly showing her defiant and aggressive reaction, and giving a clear message that she had given up LS seat under pressure and compelling circumstances. Such action can never be called a sacrifice.
I also consulted Oxford dictionary. It says that sacrifice is the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something more important and worthy. Now when she said that she will again fight for LS seat then how her act of resigning becomes a sacrifice? Now she has againg fought the election and is back in LS for the same post which she resigned. At least now it become clear that her resignation from LS seat was not a sacrifice but a political decision.
She is entitled to take any decision she likes, but is is unethical to tout such political decisions as sacrifice. It is an insult to the people of this country who respect Lord Buddha for his sacrifice. If prince Sidhdhartha had returned to occupy the throne then his act would not have been called a sacrifice and people would not have respected him. In this case the queen has reoccupied the throne and does not deserve any respect for this act which is wrongly being touted as sacrifice.
I also consulted Oxford dictionary. It says that sacrifice is the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something more important and worthy. Now when she said that she will again fight for LS seat then how her act of resigning becomes a sacrifice? Now she has againg fought the election and is back in LS for the same post which she resigned. At least now it become clear that her resignation from LS seat was not a sacrifice but a political decision.
She is entitled to take any decision she likes, but is is unethical to tout such political decisions as sacrifice. It is an insult to the people of this country who respect Lord Buddha for his sacrifice. If prince Sidhdhartha had returned to occupy the throne then his act would not have been called a sacrifice and people would not have respected him. In this case the queen has reoccupied the throne and does not deserve any respect for this act which is wrongly being touted as sacrifice.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Law breakers make laws - it is unethical
It is unethical. Law breakers making laws for themselves. MPs amd MLAs make laws for their disqualifuication in the event of holding offices of profit. MPs or MLAs know the law of disqualification when they assume a office of profit, but they ignore the law and violate it. When the violation becomes public they talk of changing the law so that their law violation becomes legal. These MPs and MLAs represent the people of India. Has any one of them tried to find out what people think about their move to change the law? Then there are some who wish to be seen as role models for the society. Is this the moral they want to set examples of and want people to follow?
Delhi government and UPA government at the center are talking of changing the existing law to make legal their illegal occupation of office of profit. It is being claimed that all political parties are backing their move. Rather feeling ashamed of their misconduct they are seen on TV talking about it as they are going to do a great service to Indian society and nation. What happened to the sacrifice congress chief made by resigning her LS seat? What will happen to the disqualification of Jaya Bachchan? What will happen to the observations SC has made while rejecting her appeal against the disqualification?
If congress MPs and MLas have any respect for their leader they should all resign and seek re-election. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi should not accept any office of profit after getting re-elected to LS. If she accpets any office, which has been made office of no-profit by the proposed illegal amendment, then it will be a mockery of the sacrifice she has made.]
The only amendment needed to this law should be to include every office in the disqualification list. These politicians claim that they have joined politics to serve the people. It is time they act according to their claim. Stop self-service and start public-service.
Delhi government and UPA government at the center are talking of changing the existing law to make legal their illegal occupation of office of profit. It is being claimed that all political parties are backing their move. Rather feeling ashamed of their misconduct they are seen on TV talking about it as they are going to do a great service to Indian society and nation. What happened to the sacrifice congress chief made by resigning her LS seat? What will happen to the disqualification of Jaya Bachchan? What will happen to the observations SC has made while rejecting her appeal against the disqualification?
If congress MPs and MLas have any respect for their leader they should all resign and seek re-election. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi should not accept any office of profit after getting re-elected to LS. If she accpets any office, which has been made office of no-profit by the proposed illegal amendment, then it will be a mockery of the sacrifice she has made.]
The only amendment needed to this law should be to include every office in the disqualification list. These politicians claim that they have joined politics to serve the people. It is time they act according to their claim. Stop self-service and start public-service.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Loosing sight of the issue....
The issue is development of disadvantaged, those Indians who have been denied resources and exposure for and to their development. It is not a new issue. For last more than a decade India is facing this issue. Successive governments and political parties have succeeded in loosing sight of the issue. No body seem to be interested in solving the issue. Every body seem to be interested in taking benefit from the issue by taking only short term measures. These short term measures have divided the society in to various classes and groups. A very small percentage of targeted beneficiaries have been benefited. These benficiaries have formed their own group and worked for and succeeded in keeping all benefits of these measures to themselves. They have worked to retain the benefits to their future generations and have prevented new people joining the beneficiary club.
A very ineffective tool in the form of reservation has been used as short-term measure to solve age-old problems. No body is ready to learn lessons from implementation of reservation measures in last fifty plus years. Both pro-reservationists and anti-reservationists still looking at the problem as a new problem. More and more classes and groups are emerging making claims on reservation benefits. A problem which should have been solved much earlier has been converted in to a permanent problem.
It is unfortunate that Prime minister Manmohan Singh is also searching for short term measures. His search for a balancing act has proved that he sees this problem as a major conflict between pro and anti-reservationists. For political convenience he wants to take some short-term measures and postpone the problem to future. Every time it has happened. Manmohan Singh is also on the same path.
Increasing seats and/or by introducing quota for upper castes is no permanent solution to the problem. We must first identify it as a common problem of all humans and not restricted to various compartments, such as, SC, ST, OBCs, muslims, woman and...... This is essential or else this time also an opportunity would be lost and the issue will be pushed in future after taking some short-term measures.
A very ineffective tool in the form of reservation has been used as short-term measure to solve age-old problems. No body is ready to learn lessons from implementation of reservation measures in last fifty plus years. Both pro-reservationists and anti-reservationists still looking at the problem as a new problem. More and more classes and groups are emerging making claims on reservation benefits. A problem which should have been solved much earlier has been converted in to a permanent problem.
It is unfortunate that Prime minister Manmohan Singh is also searching for short term measures. His search for a balancing act has proved that he sees this problem as a major conflict between pro and anti-reservationists. For political convenience he wants to take some short-term measures and postpone the problem to future. Every time it has happened. Manmohan Singh is also on the same path.
Increasing seats and/or by introducing quota for upper castes is no permanent solution to the problem. We must first identify it as a common problem of all humans and not restricted to various compartments, such as, SC, ST, OBCs, muslims, woman and...... This is essential or else this time also an opportunity would be lost and the issue will be pushed in future after taking some short-term measures.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Let us see what President does..........
Students have met President A P J Abdul Kalam on the issue of reservation. Giving a patient hearing to the 21 point agenda presented to him by the students, the President assured them that he would "look in to the matter" and would take up the issue with the appropriate authorities. Student brought to his notive among other points, how the fundamental right to education should be same for all, that investment in primary education has been a failure, pros and cons of second Mandal report.
I will be all eyes and ears to what President says and does in this matter.
I will be all eyes and ears to what President says and does in this matter.
Confusion, Confusion & Confusion.....
I am confused. I don't know what to make out of it. SC is hearing issues related to enchoachment on public land. In Delhi SC is pulling up every government agency including Delhi and Central government on not taking desired action to remove enchraochments on public land for residential and commercial purposes, even a minor unauthorised addition in an authorised house. But in Baroda SC puts a halt on removal of unauthorised religious structures on public land. What does it mean? People can enchroach on public land, build a religious structure, start living in it, and start earning money out of prayers and offerings and local adminstration will not be allowed to remove it. But people can not enchroach to build a house or a shop.
Why this discrimination in a secular country? Why Central government's appeal is allowed? Is it that both government and SC respect the measure of nuisance value of the protesters. More nuisance value more soaps. Or this stand is only for Gujrat under Modi?
Why this discrimination in a secular country? Why Central government's appeal is allowed? Is it that both government and SC respect the measure of nuisance value of the protesters. More nuisance value more soaps. Or this stand is only for Gujrat under Modi?
Monday, May 01, 2006
Provide ethical governance - Petition to PM
To: The Prime Minister of India
Subject: - Provide ethical governance
Ethics in governance needs no justification. An ethical person is a good human being. In personal life, it is ethical thoughts, behaviour and governance of self. In organizations, it is extended to ethical governance of others’ matters also. It is not automatic. It needs constant attention and nurturing.
We want every department of India to be an ethical organization. We want all the people to be committed to doing the right thing because it is what we, as human beings, should do. Each one of us should have a personal commitment for ethical governance. We should be willing to be held accountable to our commitments.
Each organization is a pyramid. Ethical governance should start from the top. Leadership should be supportive and positive, and should establish examples of self-discipline and self-enforcement. Such ethical governance will flow down to the grass-root level and cover the entire organization.
As PM of India, we expect leadership action from you to create healthy and safe ethical climates in the all the departments in the country’s governance. There should be no ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. There should be no excuses of any kind, no compromise on integrity, and no conflict of interest. Governance should be mindful of the context, the expectations of the people, and the available options when faced with issues.
We expect from all:
a) to be ethically awake to what is happening in the country and its larger social environment
b) to have a capacity to reflect on such issues in terms of ethics and values
c) to have a capacity to act on these issues in terms of ethics and values
d) to be able to live values in everything said and done.
The core of Indian ethical governance should be ethical decision making - should consists of: actions, which reflect good intentions, good means and expected good results, and actions, which reflect a healthy balance of obeying laws, consequences, care of others and good values.
Your leadership should responsibly exercise moral voice and seek cooperative solutions.
Your government should acknowledge obligations for social responsibility, which should be demonstrated by balancing economic or operational viability, protecting the environment, strengthening ethics and sustainable development.
Your government should believe in accountability for its decisions and actions. Its governance should be active in strengthening the ethical climate in the country, organizational accountability which fosters transparency, reporting and a willingness to be held accountable to public and natuinal expectations.
This petition is not against any person. The issue here is "ethical governance" not person(s).
I would request all the people who have the same say towards this issue to sign this petition and take up radical steps towards the betterment of this nation through ethical governance.
(visit to sign the petition - http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Suresh/)
Subject: - Provide ethical governance
Ethics in governance needs no justification. An ethical person is a good human being. In personal life, it is ethical thoughts, behaviour and governance of self. In organizations, it is extended to ethical governance of others’ matters also. It is not automatic. It needs constant attention and nurturing.
We want every department of India to be an ethical organization. We want all the people to be committed to doing the right thing because it is what we, as human beings, should do. Each one of us should have a personal commitment for ethical governance. We should be willing to be held accountable to our commitments.
Each organization is a pyramid. Ethical governance should start from the top. Leadership should be supportive and positive, and should establish examples of self-discipline and self-enforcement. Such ethical governance will flow down to the grass-root level and cover the entire organization.
As PM of India, we expect leadership action from you to create healthy and safe ethical climates in the all the departments in the country’s governance. There should be no ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. There should be no excuses of any kind, no compromise on integrity, and no conflict of interest. Governance should be mindful of the context, the expectations of the people, and the available options when faced with issues.
We expect from all:
a) to be ethically awake to what is happening in the country and its larger social environment
b) to have a capacity to reflect on such issues in terms of ethics and values
c) to have a capacity to act on these issues in terms of ethics and values
d) to be able to live values in everything said and done.
The core of Indian ethical governance should be ethical decision making - should consists of: actions, which reflect good intentions, good means and expected good results, and actions, which reflect a healthy balance of obeying laws, consequences, care of others and good values.
Your leadership should responsibly exercise moral voice and seek cooperative solutions.
Your government should acknowledge obligations for social responsibility, which should be demonstrated by balancing economic or operational viability, protecting the environment, strengthening ethics and sustainable development.
Your government should believe in accountability for its decisions and actions. Its governance should be active in strengthening the ethical climate in the country, organizational accountability which fosters transparency, reporting and a willingness to be held accountable to public and natuinal expectations.
This petition is not against any person. The issue here is "ethical governance" not person(s).
I would request all the people who have the same say towards this issue to sign this petition and take up radical steps towards the betterment of this nation through ethical governance.
(visit to sign the petition - http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Suresh/)
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