Rejoinder to Yahoo news article 'AAP MLAs who aren't that aam'

The article by Mail Today begins by saying that 'not everyone in the AAP is 'aam'...' The news daily has relied on the reports and findings of the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) in bringing out this article. I am amazed seeing the way this daily has picked and chosen data from a fifty seven page report generated by the ADR without furnishing adequate details, failing to which it, deliberately or otherwise, tends to mislead its readers.

The very phrase 'crorepati MLA' attracts every reader's attention. As soon as we see this phrase our mind decides that this particular MLA is very rich and that there is a great possibility that he has either used a lot of money to contest the elections or, if he is a re-elected MLA, he has made a lot of money during his tenure as a MLA. Both the contentions are valid. But, there is need to think deeper and to read between the lines.

In the past, even I was a victim to this knee-jerk response. To make things clearer, the word crorepati needs to be explained, especially when it pertains to being used as a factor in giving details about an elected representative, where his efficiency, integrity and bonafide is being put under a watch. There are certain nuance issues which need to be kept in mind, which we all know but is worthy of being reminded while such an issue is being discussed. While filing the nomination papers before contesting an election, every candidate is required to furnish, inter alia, the financial details like the annual income, the value of all of the movable and the immovable assets, not just of his/her, but also of his/her spouse's and dependents'. Simply put, if a candidate has a bigger family and has working children (or dependents), his finances will show a higher value. Another factor that adds up to the financial value is the property that a candidate inherits from his father/mother. This is to be noted clearly as a candidate spends nothing at all to procure this asset, as it is only his being born in that family that becomes a reason for his being in possession of such a property. In families where the number of children are less, the value of such assets necessarily are higher. Also, it is to be remembered that the value of the assets appreciate over the years. If land is a component in the asset it is sure of showing a highly inflated value, given the real estate boom in our country. Hence a clear picture can be arrived at only if we are given the data of when and at what price was an asset procured by a candidate.

Having said this, let me re-furnish some of the major findings of the ADR report viz-a-viz the financial assets of the Aam Aadmi Party candidates. The report says that the average asset per MLA in Delhi is Rs. 10.83cr. When party wise average asset is seen, the BJP has the highest with its average MLA having assets worth Rs. 12.49cr, followed by the Congress MLAs with Rs. 10.25cr and the AAP MLAs with only 1.82cr. (The details of only the BJP, AAP & the Congress is being compared by me as they are the three major parties in Delhi this time) Clearly, if only the average asset per MLA in Delhi was given, and the party wise average wasn't, the picture would have been ambiguous.

Another set of figures that the report highlights, is the number of 'crorepati MLAs' in each party and their percentage. 30 out of the 31 MLAs of the BJP (97%), 12 out of the 28 of AAP (43%) and 7 out of the 8 of the Congress (88%) are 'crorepati MLAs'.

ADR has researched and incorporated in its report another set of interesting statistic. This is the chances of winning of 'candidates with low assets', i.e., with less than Rs. 1cr assets, and the chances of winning of the crorepati candidates. Here, the victory of the crorepati candidates from the BJP is 52% and that of 'candidates with low assets' is only 10%. The Congress party fares same with both crorepati candidates and 'candidates with low assets'. The striking feature is that AAP is the only party where the victory of 'candidates with low assets' has been more than that of the victory of crorepati candidates. Only 36% of the crorepati candidates of the AAP were victorious whilst 43% of the 'candidates with low assets' won, clearly indicating that the value of assets of the AAP candidates has not been a factor in their winning viz-a-viz the BJP and the Congress.

An interesting finding of the report upon which my eyes were attracted, but the Mail Today article has failed to mention, is that none of the AAP MLAs find a place in the top ten 'crorepati MLAs'. A more interesting fact is that the ten MLAs with the lowest value of assets is from the AAP, the lowest having asset only worth Rs. 20,800 and the highest of the lowest ten having assets worth Rs. 13lakh. This finding, hwever, has been mentioned by the news daily.

Going back to the sentence with which the Mail Today started their article, that 'not everyone in the AAP is 'aam'...', I would like to pose a question to you, the diligent reader. Who in your eyes is an aam aadmi? Is it that only the poorest of poor is an aam aadmi? Or is it that only the people who are labelled BPL constitute aam aadmi? Essentially, all people are aam aadmis except those who loot the country whether in power or not. An aam aadmi wishes to see India prosper. His/her activities are not anti-people. Having money does not make a person 'khaas' aadmi.

Setting aside this definiton of aam aadmi, for a moment let us consider the daily's contention that all of AAP's MLAs aren't aam. As it is to understand that this daily considers only the financial part of a person to define whether or not he/she is an aad aadmi, I will hence explain in detail the assets of the MLAs, who are not 'aam'.

Veena Anand is AAP's richest MLA with an asset worth of Rs. 15cr. Let me also state that the richest MLA in Delhi is Manjinder Singh Sirsa with an asset worth of Rs. 231cr. Coming to the assets of Veena Anand, she runs a business and has an annual income of Rs. 5.8lakh and her spouse too has an annual income of the same amount. Together they hold cash of Rs. 10lakh, bank deposits and NSS & postal savings whose value now is Rs. 32lakh and 38lakh respectively. They together have bonds and shares worth of Rs. 1.3cr. She has two residential buildings. One of 1800 sq.ft. purchased in 2007 for Rs. 53lakh and is now worth Rs. 2cr. Another house is of 7200 sq.ft. and was purchased in 2011 for Rs. 5cr and is now worth Rs. 8cr. She and her husband also owns a commercial building with an area of 1425 sq. ft. which was purchased for Rs. 7lakh and whose current value is Rs. 45lakh.

The second richest AAP MLA is Bandana Kumari who is self employed and has a total asset value of Rs. 8.9cr and a liability of Rs. 9.7cr. She has an annual income of Rs. 2.6lakh and that of her spouse's is Rs. 6lakh. They together hold cash of Rs. 1.5lakh, bank deposits currently worth Rs. 1.25lakh, close to 20 pavan jewellery worth 4.8lakh and a car worth Rs. 3lakh. She inherited 25 acres of land from her parents and is now worth Rs. 8cr. She owns a 900 sq.ft. house which was purchased in 1998 for Rs. 1.5lakh and is now worth Rs. 45lakh.

The third richest AAP MLA, Satyendra Kumar Jain has been an architect for the past 20 years. He has a combined asset worth of Rs. 8cr. He has an annual income of Rs. 8.5 lakh and his wife, who too is an architect, has an annual income of Rs. 5lakh. They, along with two of their dependents have bank deposits worth Rs. 32lakh and bonds worth Rs. 1cr, NSS and LIC worth Rs. 43lakh and 98 pawan of jewellery worth Rs. 22lakh. He has advanced loans worth Rs. 12lakh. He owns two houses of combined worth of Rs. 2.5cr, but was purchased at Rs. 80lakhs. His wife owns a 900 sq.ft. house worth Rs. 1.5cr.

Now, it would also be pertinent to give details of Arvind Kejriwal's financial assets that amount to Rs. 2cr. He has an annual income of Rs. 2lakh and that of his wife is Rs. 9.8lakh. They both hold cash of Rs. 15,000. He has bank deposits worth Rs. 1lakh and his wife has Rs. 7lakh. They have jewellery worth Rs. 9lakh. He has a 2400 sq.ft building which was purchased in 1998 at Rs. 3.5lakh whose current worth is Rs. 55lakh. He also inherited a 6750 sq.ft. building whose worth is now Rs. 37lakh. And his wife owns a 2244 sq.ft. flat purchased in 2010 for Rs. 61lakh whose current worth is Rs. 1cr.

It is for you, the diligent reader, to decide whether these are aam aadmis or as the daily contends 'not that aam'.

An appeal to all partriots

We Indians are perhaps the most cynical people in the world. We have opinions about every single thing that happen around us and air those opinions with great deal of articulation. Thanks to the proliferation of the Internet and the social media, the voicing of our opinion has become a very easy task. But, if you would pause for a moment and give a thought to this, you will notice that most of us including me, stop at just expressing strong views - either showing solidarity or disseminating disgust - at the events that happen. We all probably know that acting rather than commenting is what is really needed. By saying this, I am not to the least belittling the act of our voicing views without acting. We all have our own limitations. To act on every issue we comment is difficult. 

Happiness or frustration usually builds up at a very slow pace. First we simply see/hear and keep quiet. Next we start to think. Then we comment. It is only after this stage that we tend to act. Action is thus the last step which we take recourse to. Some act soon, others slowly, which of course depends on the nature of an individual and also his dearness to the cause. 

There's a wide degree of difference with which different causes attract different individuals. Some get attracted to environment whilst others to economy, some to movies whilst others to Mars missions, some to literature whilst others to literacy. But, there's one thing about which we all Indians should think, comment, and if possible, act. That is politics. I know the sight of this word itself would have caused irritation to some of you. It is not you who is to be faulted for this, but the present political class we have in our country. But let me tell you that we cannot love and cherish our democracy and scorn and hate politics because it is politics that ensures the functioning of a democracy, where in we the people are supreme. 

The state of our democracy has been steadily moving towards the lowest ebb and some of us have started writing off hope on our country. The way political parties function has created a cloud of pessimism over us which has shadowed our hopes and aspirations. But, the peculiarity of this cloud is that, though this too has a silver lining around it, it becomes visible very rarely. Now is probably only the second time that this lining is being seen. The first was in the 1974, when Shriman Jayaprakash Narayan gave the call for Total Revolution against the then autocratic central government headed by Shrimati Indira Gandhi. The aftermath of this was the declaration of Emergency and in the ensuing elections the Congress had a devastating defeat and then came the first non-Congress government in India under the Janata Party. Until then the people could never even imagine of a non-Congress government coming to power in India because the Congress earlier used to be represented by stalwarts like Gandhiji, Patelji and Jawahrlalji. But then, it was the common man who rose and won.

Similar is the situation now in India. The second time the silver lining of the cloud is being seen. A sight which has brought light and removed the darkness of pessimism. The emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party as an alternative to the conventional political parties has already captured the imagination of many with the Delhi assembly election results. The AAP lays its foundation not on religion, caste, language, etc. like the conventional political parties, but on truth, integrity, honesty and Swaraj (self-rule). When the AAP was born from the anti-corruption movement as a political force, it earned only ridicule. Now, after the Delhi election results, political parties and pundits see AAP as a major contender. 

This 180 degree change in assessment of the party has come into play only because the people reposed faith in the party and it could win 28 seats in Delhi elections. But for the support and blessings of a large number of people, this would never have happened. The AAP considers itself not as a political party but as a political revolution. And a revolution cannot be restricted to Delhi alone, it needs to spread to all parts of the country so as to spread the message of Swaraj.

Friends, the opportunity has come right in front of your door step. To shut the door will make you regret. I would from the deepest point of my heart request you to be a part of this political revolution. To all who hate politics, I will remind you again, this is not the usual politics you have seen or heard of. Have you heard of a political party that makes public, that too on its website, every Rupee it receives? Have you heard of a political party that stopped accepting donations once it achieved the target money it had set for contesting an election? Have you heard of a party that assured to contest elections only using white money and proved it to the people? Have you heard of any party that has a clause in its constitution that it will not allow more than one member from a family to have official posts under the party? This point effectively destroys dynasty politics, which has been a bane to Indian politics. Have you heard of a political party that promises that once elected to power, their members would not take red beacon cars and government given bungalows? Have you heard of a party which believes in decentralization so much that it prepared election manifestos for every single constituency because it knew that the needs of different constituencies are totally different? Have you heard of a party which does not have a high command culture and thus the members decide who should contest the election and who should not and also where one should contest elections from? Have you heard of a political party which gives the public, even if they are not its members, to have a say in the candidate selection process by means of public hearing? Have you heard of a political party that encourages public to bring to its notice charges of criminal or other cases against the candidates it is going to nominate for elections? Have you heard of a political party that removed its candidate less than a week before the elections upon getting information that there was a case pending against him in the court? This actually happened in the Delhi assembly election. A candidate of AAP who was to contest from the Rajouri Garden constituency in Delhi was withdrawn by the party after they found it to be true that there was a dowry case pending against him in the court. Hence the AAP only contested in 69 of the 70 assembly seats in Delhi. It keeps its assurance given to the public that it will not send wrong persons as representatives of the people to the assembly or Parliament. 

I am sure you will not be able to find a party founded and functioning in such principled fashion. This the reason why it is said that the AAP is not just a party but a political revolution. This is the same reason why I want you all to become a part of it and help cleanse India. 

I would request you to register yourself as a member of this party.You can find all the details of membership here -http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/join-us 

Being a member, however, in no way mean that you should compulsorily work for the party. You can volunteer in many ways possible by updating information about AAP on your FB or Twitter profiles, by going to the AAP office in your locality and helping them in some work if you wish to, you may join our rallies and show support, you may even donate to the party. There's a lot of things that one can do. I myself had seen the way people come out to help. Some come with their cars on a holiday and volunteer to drop other volunteers to their location of work or carry party propaganda material for distribution, some come to cook food in the office, some musicians come with musical instruments and offer to sing to the public spreading the agenda of the party. Some lawyers and auditors come to help. What I mean to say is that any person with an intention to cleanse India of corruption and want to see India as a great nation can be of help in this political revolution. 

You can visit the party website or contact me should you need further information. 

Time for airing opinions and commenting without acting has come to an end. Looking forward for your message saying that you have become a member of this political revolution. 

Jai Hind!

Alternative to a hung assembly in Delhi

In more ways than one the Delhi assembly election results that came out on the eight of December was re-affirming. The ire among the people against the Congress party per se was writ large with the party facing a terrible defeat, especially in Delhi where it was reduced merely to eight seats in a house of seventy. Shiela Dixit's proximity to the central government made her defeat all the more devastating. The BJP was successful in galvanizing the anti-Congress mood prevailing in the country to their advantage. In Delhi, both the BJP and the AAP shared the anti-incumbency votes. 

To many, the most spectacular phenomenon in the Delhi assembly election results has however been the success of a year old party - the Aam Aadmi Party, which considers itself a political 'revolution' more than just a political 'party'. AAP was dubbed by many senior politicians as 'vote cutter', 'chillar party', 'a bunch of power hungry people', and even abused by one senior politician by labeling its members as 'AAPtards'. Media, too, were not all that confidant about the AAP. They considered the AAP as a serious contender very lately. All said, the results made all the abusers take back their words. Some politicians were gracious enough to accept their mistake in under estimating the following the AAP had. Some congratulated the AAP on its victory. The media is now in full praise of the AAP and has re-christened the AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal as the 'Giant Killer'. 

Despite this all, I would not hesitate to say that the AAP, by winning only 28 seats, and hence being unable to form a government on its own, has caused a slight deal of disappointment in the minds of its supporters and all those who were hoping to see the true victory of the Indian democracy and its people. The election results came out to be such that even the Bharatiya Janata Party, founded way back in 1980, winning 31 seats, could not get a majority to form a government. 

The talks of AAP forming a coalition with the BJP or the Congress party has been doing the rounds in all political spheres. To put things in perspective, it is necessary to reiterate that the AAP was born out of the anger and contempt against the conventional political parties, mainly the Congress and the BJP. To ask the AAP to now join hands with either of them is morally and ethically incorrect. Moreover the voters pressed on the 'Jhado' - the election symbol of the AAP, on the voting machines because they saw AAP as an alternative to the Congress and the BJP. AAP to now align with either of these would tantamount to betrayal of the voters of Delhi, which of course a party built on the principles of truth and honesty, would not consider. 

Technically, the onus to form the government lies primarily on the BJP because it is this party that has the maximum number of seats. That they are not willing to form the government tells the following.

1. Their ego, being a major national political party, is not letting them to form a government by obtaining any sort of support from others.
2. They are under the impression that if President's rule comes into play and the re-elections happen after six months, the Modi wave, which they seem to rely on hugely, would spread more and will create great fortunes for them in Delhi. 
3. The benchmark set by the debutant AAP that it will not align with parties with whom their ideologies doesn't match has forced the BJP to follow the same so as to create a 'we are good too' image in the eyes of the public.

The stalemate is to continue if not for a quick and decisive action. Re-election is a provision in the Constitution and it can be adhered to. But the apprehensions cast on it by a huge section of people cannot be given a Nelson's eye. To my mind, the following can be a viable alternative, if not the only or the best one.

The Chief Ministerial candidate of the BJP, Dr. Harshavardhan has made it clear that he and his party is going to perform with honesty and integrity. If this is so, it is obvious that their acts would be free from corruption and that all their moves would be pro-people. I am sure that the AAP would never obstruct any move which is free from malign and is pro-people. As said earlier, BJP being the party with the maximum number of seats, should hence form a minority government in the Delhi assembly, and work with courage. There is no provision in the Constitution which prevents a party from forming a government. The fact that matters is the number of votes, or the majority that they get in the house. If any matter comes up for voting, and if the AAP is satisfied that it is in the best interests of the people, the AAP's votes would definitely be with the BJP. 

But if the BJP breaks or forgets its promise of working with honesty and integrity, the AAP would not support it in the floor of the house and the government would fall short of majority vote and hence topple. 

This is a challenge as well as an opportunity for the BJP to prove its worth. If it achieves success, it will not only raise their prospects in the coming General Elections of 2014 but also prove to the world that coalition politics can work well if the intention of the legislators are good, pure and pro-people. But the story will all together be a different one if the promises by Dr. Harshavardhan of the BJP aren't kept. 

Wisdom lies in taking calculated risks. The result shall be destiny's choice. Din't Arvind Kejriwal take the risk of contesting against the strongest candidate of the Delhi Congress, Shiela Dixit and yet win by a margin of 26,000 votes?  

Jai Hind!

My letter to Shriman Arvind Kejriwal

My dear Arvindji,

Like you, all of us who had considered the Anna movement as our own movement, are saddened by Anna's letter and the leak of the video tape.  

These developments that has happened in the past two days will in no way influence our supporters and the general public. 

The fact that Anna was not interested in electoral politics and hence was not going to join our party was known to all, right from the day we formed our party. This was given much hype by the media and thanks to their act which had helped in making people aware of Anna's stand very clearly.

All of Anna's reservations with regard to electoral battle that he had posed while our foray into the political scene have been cleared by the way we functioned all these months. The message that elections can be fought clean has been clearly understood by the public. The pessimism and aversion that was associated with politics all this while has been removed. This change in the way people see politics has been possible by our way of functioning alone and this itself is our victory, and we can be extremely proud about it. The day we win the elections will further vindicate our stand. Anna, our Guruji, too, would be happy then. 

That day is not far, the victory is within our hand's reach.

The forces that are behind discrediting us shall continue to do so for it is their duty. Such forces, in no way cause worry to us because our intentions are pure and the methods that we have adopted and stuck to, are good. 

Arvindji, worry not, AAP is the people's party, and collectively all of us will work for its success regardless of what people in our opposition would say about you and our leaders. Let God give you the strength to overcome such forces.

JAI HIND!

Your loyal soldier,

Siddharth Mohan Nair.

Hartal declared over construction of a temple

A hartal has been declared today in Palakkad district of Kerala as a result of clashes between the Hindus and the Muslims over the construction of a temple in an area where Muslims are in a majority. I do not wish to discuss the merits of this case here. But what I would discuss is two simple things - why do we still fight over a temple or a mosque and is declaring a hartal a solution for this.

It seems that we have not learnt anything at all in the wake of the Babri Mazjid case. May be some people are still in a frenzy, but it is to be accepted that the their frenzy is kept well alive by none other than a clique of politicians. I myself have heard a politician from a major political party in India proudly saying that he had participated in the Babri Mazjid demolition and he said with much more pride that he did manage to break a part of its wall. The worst part was that this politician was explaining about this incident not to me in private, but to a group of young people aspiring to become politicians. What a message to share with a young group like this! To almost every problem in a democratic country, the solution and the final decision comes from the representatives of the people - the politicians. They should, hence, in their personal and public life set exemplary standards. Politicians like the one mentioned above are doing no good to the people who elected them to office. Rather than professing 'my religion is better than yours', one should proudly say and preach 'humanity is my religion' and work towards the betterment of all human beings, irrespective of their religious faiths. After all religious faith is only one such aspect among many others, on which an individual rests his living. Moreover, in this modern age, all religions are evolving. There is not a single religion that has not changed over the years. Agitating and fighting over something that is already evolving and that too for the good by any reckoning is nothing but futile.

Declaring a hartal for such an issue is totally ridiculous. It has been a habit of we Indians, especially that of Keralites, to declare a hartal for anything and everything. Thank God, the term 'satyagraha' is not being used, for it would have degraded the very basis of our country's freedom movement. The habit of observing a hartal has been imbibed from our long crusade for freedom. The man who popularized it and used it the most is none other than the Father of our Nation - Gandhiji. It would hence be most appropriate to follow what he did and this is what he had to say about observing a hartal or a satyagraha. 

Disobedience to be civil must be sincere, respectful, restrained, never defiant, must be based upon some well-understood principle, must not be capricious and above all, must have no ill-will or hatred behind it.

Clearly, declaring a hartal over an issue that occurred between 2 religions and in which there was 'defiance' of one by the other, goes against the spirit as it is based on 'ill-will' and 'hatred'. Discussions, talks and reaching a consensus would be the most apt alternative. Construction of a religious institution is not that urgent a matter that it needs to be done expeditiously and that the time spared for talks and deliberations would hamper it in any way. But declaring a hartal for a day as a show of strength certainly hampers the life of the common man.

Let inter-caste marriages solve the caste problem

I was deeply disturbed reading a news item in The Hindu titled 'Stripped and beaten by in-laws, a tribal woman fights back', which appeared on the 17th of this month.

The issue was of harassment of both the son and the daughter in-law by none other than the boy's parents because their son had married a girl from a 'lower caste'. The brutality of the act was such that the boy lost his consciousness. The girl was then striped off her clothes, and both of them were tied on to a tree just in front of their house, for public viewing. May be the parents wanted the youth of the village to understand that no different would be their fate if they dared to commit such an act, and also probably they were trying to teach the parents in the village how their children are to be handled upon committing such acts.

The fact that, some days later, the newly wed couple approached a social organization and the latter brought out this case in the public, assuring the security of the former, is definitely commendable. The job of such organizations can never be down played. Let's also look at means to 'prevent', besides the 'cures'.

It is inter-caste marriages that can aid end the caste problem substantially because it is only in a marriage that two families unite. A union of two families will have a wider effect than a union of two individuals. Having food together, playing together, working together, etcetera are all union of two (or more) individuals and are fine but they are only momentary. There is union only for a limited period of time. One that lasts longer and forever is the institution of marriage, and it, besides uniting two individuals, unite their families, too. Our focus should be on keeping at bay the issue for the maximum possible time and later to eradicate it completely, and to this effect marriage as an institution can play a cardinal role. Though there may be some initial friction, its effect can soon be negated. More and more people opting for this will surely help remove the taboo that now hovers over such marriages and soon make it an act of normalcy, and later probably, a norm.

I find no mistake in inter-caste marriages. Save mistake, I don't even find an issue worth enough that it should be raised in our age. Castes, in the past, were created for a purpose. The purpose was to prevent any particular profession from being extinct. The people belonging to a particular caste did a particular job. Sadly, over the years, the dimensions of caste took dangerous turns and evolved in an unjust manner. Isn't it then the duty of we, the intelligent people to undo the errors? Or are we that naive or so submissive that we act strictly according to what our past had demanded of us? Of course, we neither are naive nor are we submissive. It is not that many of us do not understand all this. It is simply that we make ourselves oblivious to these. We prefer status quo and none wants to be branded a gadfly by doing anything that is against popular, albeit not logical, societal practices. Let's have have the courage to stand up for what is just and legitimate.

Along with organizations that fight for the cases of affected couples, there should be a similar set of organizations steadfastly professing inter-caste marriages in a society like ours which abhors any linkage between two castes placed in different levels in the caste ladder. Social organizations like these exist but their works need to be supported and brought to the fore. More importantly, the educated and affluent youth should prefer marrying out-of-their-caste in order to give an impetus to this drive. They should be the torch bearers in this. Once the urban India does it, the rural will definitely follow suit. Let like in the instances of fashion, technology and trend; the urban youth begin. Let this be the harbinger of a total social evolution.

We want equality and excellence!

C. Rajagopalachariar was once pleaded by B.K. Nehru, a civil servant, to open high quality schools for talented children. Rajaji, with his profound intellect and eloquence in communication replied to this effect. "You want, young man, a new Brahminism. This country will not take it. It wants equality, not excellence."

Rather than accepting certain inborn, inherent qualities in a particular group or class of people; we have been going hammer and tongs at them, chiding them and branding them, and in the process, without learning from them, we have been suppressing them and the very qualities they possess. The suppression of a group or class has not been restricted to the so called 'high' or 'low', but to all irrespective of their standing in the social ladder.

Certainly this does no good to any. None have been proscribed to learn and acquire these qualities. It is open to all, at least in our times, if not during the times of our grandparents and the generations before their's. In principle, none are thus being deprived. But it is not implied that all have had the privilege to learn with an equal measure. Our society had been, and still continues to be, ridden with divisions. Those in the receiving end of the consequences of these divisions have to be taken care of and certain relaxations done to negate their deprivation cannot be countered.

At the same time, there has to be a limit and an extent to which such relaxation should be provided. A line thus needs to be drawn, indeed a very clear one, which will help us determine the efficacy of the methodology adopted to reach the goal and evaluate the progress we have achieved as a society in eliminating the damage that had already been done in the past. If not for this line, we will continue to proceed with these divisions, not knowing how well have we been able to tackle it and how much more is needed to be done.

If not for this line, we shall never rise above mediocrity, and excellence will remain a distant dream.

2nd of October - Two great leaders to be remembered

There are two great leaders to be remembered on the 2nd of October every year.

One, the messenger of peace and non violence, and one of the most revered man ever to have taken birth on earth, the father of our nation - the Mahatma - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

The other, though not as celebrated as the former, but a man whose background, rise and way of life are not only worth studying but more importantly, and essentially, worth emulating - the son of the soil - Kumarasami Kamaraj.

Incidentally, the 2nd of October is the birth day of Gandhiji and the day in which Kamarajar breathed his last. Let's see what made these men great and as a fitting tribute to them, absorb their ways of life and carry forward their dreams.

Bapu, as Gandhiji was called with reverence and affection, even by tall leaders like Nehruji and Patelji, was born to Karamchand Gandhi, the Diwan (Prime Minister) of Porbandar and Putlibai, a deeply religious and spiritual lady, whose spirituality Bapu did inherit to a great extent. If one begins to read his autobiography - My Experiments with Truth, for the many initial pages, one would wonder if this is the man whom we all consider the father of our nation, for he committed (rather was on the verge of committing) many a sins, all of which he repented immediately and vowed not to repeat it ever again in his lifetime. But as one reads further, it would be clear as to why he deserves to be respected.

Sticking on to his vows, even under the muddiest of circumstances, had been a practice of Bapu. It would not be out of place to quote what Bapu had to say about this.

"A principle is a principle and in no case can it be watered down because of our incapacity to live it in practice. We have to strive to achieve it, and the striving should be conscious deliberate and hard."

But at the same time Bapu was not immune to changes. He did accept changes when he was convinced that he was wrong earlier or that a change in the earlier lines of thinking would do better to serve the purpose. To this effect he said

"I am not at all concerned with appearing to be consistent. In my search after Truth I have discarded many ideas and learnt many new things."

Such were Bapu's philosophies that one would often wonder as to how can a man have opinions, that too so strong and resolute ones, more so none of which he preached without experimenting it in his own life and having being satisfied of it's goodness; on such wide spectrum of issues.

On Truth, which he considered to be the only reality in this world and hence considered as God, he was so resolute that he was even fine with defying the orders of parents' and elders' in virtue of maintaining the paramount loyalty to it. He cited the example of Prahlad, who defied his father - Hiranyakashipu, to substantiate his view. Never did Bapu deviate from Truth and that was the reason why he was so strong internally.

On the principle of Non Violence he not only advocated to simply eschew violence but asked people to exude love and serve all.

It was on Poverty or Non Possession that Bapu laid much stress after Truth and Non Violence. He urged people to live a frugal life, especially to those who wished to serve the poor. The larger point he wanted to make was well articulated when he said that "nature had enough for man's need but not greed." Today it is well known that this point is the basic fundamental foundation stone of talks on sustainable development.

To the people who were in possession of power, Bapu said, "(One) should reduce his wants to a minimum bearing in mind the poverty of India. His earnings should be free of dishonesty. His habitation should be in keeping with his new way of life. There should be self-restraint exercised in every sphere of life." Had this advice been adhered to strictly, wouldn't we all have been in a better position today?

On education, Bapu insisted that it be rooted to the culture and life of the people and that it be self-financed by way of spinning the Charka, which he had suggested then. Isn't it self-financing that is being practiced now under the label - 'earn while you learn'? He even proposed that education be craft-centred, which is now being labelled as 'vocational education' and is being given much impetus by the government to promote better employment opportunities. These only show that those principles he practiced and professed, remain relevant even to this date.

He was all for Sarvodaya - upliftment of all, equality of all. He also gave strong views on nature cure, business ethics, need to maintain celibacy, character building, etcetera.

Suffice to say that it would never be futile to learn more about Gandhiji and his life and it would also be worth a trial to attempt to live a life like his, not for one's own self but for the benefit of all.

The influence of Gandhiji was writ large on the then Indian fabric. People from many walks of life and many quarters of the globe idolized him.

From the southern part of India, among many, Kamaraj was one. Kamarajar, as he is called respectfully, was truly the son of the soil. Born in 1903, 34 years after Bapu, in Virudhnagar to Kumaraswami Nadar, a coconut trader, and Sivakami Ammayar, in a very modest family, he rose to become the kingmaker of Indian politics.

At a very young age he lost his father and his family tasted poverty. He was studying in the 6th standard when he had to leave studies to save money. The family was taken care of by his mother with great difficulty. Kamarajar soon came under the influence of politics. In 1919, at the age of 16, he joined the Indian National Congress. His involvement in politics alarmed his mother and she forcibly sent him to Tiruvananthapuram to work in his maternal uncle's textile shop. There he took part in the Vaikom satyagraha and often bunked work and attended political rallies. Nothing could stop his fervent for politics.

By 1935 he was elected the General Secretary of the Provincial Congress, soon to become it's President, the post which he held till 1954. In 1954, the man with no political or financial backing from his family, and from a 'low' caste, became the Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu, succeeding C. Rajagopalchari. For the next nine years he remained the Chief Minister and this period was often referred to as the 'Golden Age of Tamil Nadu Politics'.

A man who had only studied upto 5th standard, as the Chief Minister brought innumerable changes in the state. Ironically enough, the most noted changes were brought about in the field of school education. He established primary schools in every village and high schools in every panchayat. It was Kamarajar who, for the first time ever in the history of the world, initiated a meal scheme in schools. It was done to bring a sense of equality among all students who came from varied backgrounds and castes. All sitting together and eating the same food brought a sense of brotherhood among the students. To further this goal he also made uniforms mandatory in all schools and it was provided free of cost by the government. These measures went a long way and was appreciated by many leaders of that day.

His ministerial cabinet is worth mentioning. With only 8 members in the cabinet, he held the record of having the smallest cabinet. The choice of ministers to the cabinet, the criteria was not personal allegiance or nepotism, but was based on the member's will to best serve the public. It is of much relevance today because the choice of selection and size of the cabinet is often guided by the members' loyalty to the Chief Minister.

His legacy is also in maintaining the ethics inside the Assembly, as was done by Rajaji. This is clear when Kamarajar cut short the speech of his party's MLA and rebuked her for she was about to say something about the wife of C. N. Annadurai, the then leader of opposition, in response to latter's comment on Kamarajar being a bachelor and hence not knowing about the pressure price rise brought on families.

His resignation as the Chief Minister in 1963 is again worth noting. He made up his mind to resign because he felt that his party was loosing public support. Despite the advice of the revered E. V. Ramasamy Periyar against his decision and warning him that it may prove fatal to his political life, Kamrajar stood by his decision, for it was the party that was more important to him rather than the Chief Minster's chair. Today we can probably only dream of a sitting Chief Minister resigning for strengthening and building up his party's base. But what we can definitely see today is the race for the chair.

Kamarajar was soon rewarded by being elected as the President of the All India Congress Party. Nehruji, the then Prime Minister, was already at loggerheads with the party presidents as there emerged issues with regards to the powers and superiority of the party president and the Prime Minister. Nehruji, whose health was deteriorating, sought advice from Kamarajar, which shows the respect, regard and faith Nehruji deposed in Kamarajar.

After the death of Nehruji, there was a serious leadership crisis. Kamarajar amicably resolved the issue by means of consensus and democratically gave the power to Lal Bahadur Shastriji, despite strong claims from Morarji Desai for the Prime Ministership. Two years hence, Kamarajar's leadership was put to test yet again when Shastriji passed away suddenly. Claims of the Morarji Desai faction still came up but Kamarajar took the electoral route, which turned the way of Smt. Indira Gandhi.

Kamarajar could have taken the Prime Ministership for himself, but he resorted to consensus and thus proved his selflessness. For crowning the 2 Prime Minsters, Kamarajar was known as the kingmaker. This, too, can hardly be seen in today's political arena. We live in an era where obsession for power and posts has become so large that an aspirant wouldn't even mind planning a coup to remove the incumbent.

All through Kamarajar led a simple life, true to Gandhiji, whom he was a follower of. While succumbing to his illness he had only some pairs of khadi dresses and some hundreds of Rupees in his possession. Leaders like Kamarajar are a rare commodity today. It is only when the love is for the nation and it's people and not for oneself and one's family alone that such leaders are born.

We can only pray that great men like these are born in plenitude. Also, let us all work in our respective fields with devotion and a clear agenda for the betterment of all so that a day comes in our lifetime when we can proudly, without an iota of doubt, say that 'my life is my message', just like how Gandhiji could do. Let this be the aim of our life.

JAI HIND!

Lessons to be learnt from the latest Rahul Gandhi appearance

Mr. Rahul Gandhi is the unofficially announced Prime Ministerial candidate of the Indian National Congress. Does the 43 year old have the desired qualities to lead our nation?

We are living in an age where the eyes and ears of the entire world are on the two most fastest developing economies - China and India. Being the de facto fountain head of power, the PM of India will wield an enormous responsibility of representing our nation in the political arena worldwide. His acts and gestures would have a global audience. 

In the era of coalition politics, decision making on matters of national importance will solely be based on consensus. Consensus building becomes a herculean task for the government (read PM) as it has to not only include the views of the major ruling party, but also the voices of the coalition partners, mostly regional parties, which are, in  most of the cases, not pan Indian in approach. Compromise will hence play the cardinal role. Given this, only a decisive PM with impeccable credentials and wide acceptability can successfully run a government, adhering to the constitutional mandate, for it's full term.

When it comes to international issues, a completely new set of qualities is required. Reticence will hold the key here. Each word uttered will make a sea change as it would be heard by not just 1.2 billion Indian people but by 5 times this number. The PM should also have a personality and an inherent charm that is welcome by the global leaders.

With these in the background, let's now turn our eyes to the crash landing of RG into the press briefing that was being done by Mr. Ajay Maken, on the 27th of September in the Press Club of India. 

The way RG entered, rolled the already folded sleeves of his kurta in his quintessential bashing manner and started off, without even a basic courtesy welcome address to the media personnel present there, explicitly displayed his style, quite unbecoming of a Prime Ministerial candidate. It is hoped that RG does not take influence from Bollywood movies based on politics.

His restlessness and impatience displayed in the worst possible fashion, his choice of words completely juvenile. His ending of the impromptu speech with a 'Thank You' said with anything but politeness. His walking off after his speech, without even bothering to hear, let alone answer, the points raised by the media personnel showed his lack of concern, courage and conviction.

One can only wonder what Mr. Rahul Gandhi would do as the PM of India. Probably he himself is aware of his incompetence and that is the reason behind his not accepting any 'serious role' in the government. And if at all he isn't aware of this and does aspire to lead the nation, it is we, the diligent voters, who should show him the mirror.

The nosediving Re

'The Re hits a historic low!' has failed to grab the readers' eyeballs any longer. The parameters of a sound economy that need to show an increase or decrease over time has rendered exactly the opposite of what it really should, this despite the government and a strong central bank. 

To expect any serious steps from the government's side, to cut subsidies drastically or to reduce wasteful imports, for instance, at this point of time, given that the general elections are just months away, would be anything but ludicrous. The 'MMS-PC-Montek' troika, a much hyped dream team, has failed the nation and the aspirations of the people long ago. They posses no magic wand to reverse the economic crisis.

Having said this, it would be equally, if not less appropriate to state that in the post-reform period, the utility of the macro economic tools available in the hands of any government has reduced substantially. The then government turned a Nelson's eye to the perils of the consequences of the massive reforms undertaken in the 1990s. But this gives no excuse to any later government for not plugging the nation's economic downfall.

Some may take solace in the fact that the current nosediving depreciation of the currency is not associated with the Rupee alone, but also with the currencies of Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil and South Africa. But this makes no reason for us to adopt a casual, laid back attitude. As a nation that is a front runner to become the next super power, we cannot resort to such facts for relief.

If not for the government, we, as responsible and ambitious citizens, should take strides in re-working our economy. Those would definitely be bitter, but we do not have much choices. Here are 2 steps that one may adopt.

1. Eschew foreign products. The sense of Swadeshi should be revived with much vigour. A Nike footwear may undoubtedly give us better comfort, but we must compromise our personal comfort and gains for the benefit of the nation. There would be a long list from foreign apparels to carbonated drinks to imported delicacies and what not that we may have to say a 'No' to, but let's generate the strength to do so.  
2. Gold-less Diwali. With Diwali just around the corner, it is a mood of festivity in our country. Let's vow to put a blanket ban on buying the yellow metal this year. The craving for the metal has been doing enough harm to our economy by widening the trade deficit. An attempt in this direction would definitely be worthwhile.

Apart from these a decrease in usage of oil and reduction in import of electronic items would also help. In the mean time let's also hope that the present government with a desire to win the upcoming elections and get yet another term in power, takes no steps in haste that turn out to be retrograde.

Jai Hind!

Kallor Balan shows the way

At a time when global talks find no constructive solution, nor do we as responsible citizens do much to protect our environment, people like Kallor Balan have shown the way.

Having planted over four lakh trees in thirteen years, Balan has proved that protecting the environment not only and undoubtedly requires a limitless love for mother earth, but also a strong will to work and lead a life in that direction.

A man of short stature with a full beard and a green ribbon tied on his forehead, Balan takes extreme pride in the fact that his deeds are going to be a blessing for the generations to come.

Apart from planting trees during monsoon, he provides butter milk and drinking water to the thirsty in a busy market in Palakkad, totally free of cost during the hot and humid summers, thus making him a round-the-year social servant.

As a way to spend my birthday, I decided to go with Balettan (as people affectionately call him) to plant tree saplings along the road sides and other patches of unoccupied land. At the end of two days, we were able to plant over 100 tree saplings.

While at work I could sense the love that people gave out, more so when the tree sapling was planted near their work place. There remain not even an iota of doubt that we love trees and would like to enjoy all of their innumerable benefits. Perhaps the only issue that remains is how much can each one of us do to sustain and proliferate the existence of trees on earth.

Let the 'Balettan' in each one of us be evoked!

Are we getting to the top of the pyramid every time something goes wrong?

Rather than focusing on practical and most needed grass-root solutions, we are going higher and higher, each time we are posed with a problem. Certainly this is not the correct approach.

Whilst it is true that the one at the top should be responsible for what his/her subordinates do, it does not mean that the former should be made to bear the brunt for the mistakes committed by the latter.

We as a society are vexed by a faulty system within which we have to work and live. We witness social, economic and political problems everywhere around us. Over the years, we have crossed the state of equilibrium and have been saturated with these ills, so much so that we often tend to give knee-jerk reactions. These overflow with grief, anger and vendetta, which often come as a sudden explosion and at the same time subside in the same rate.

A slow release of these mixed feelings (read pressure), for a prolonged period, may turn out to be meaningful and fruitful. The longer we prolong, the better are we able to device strategies to release the pressure in ways which are sure of making the desired changes. What ensues is a win-win situation. For the ones who react - a slower release allows their stressed mind to come to a state of well being in a phased manner. For the ones who were the causal factor for these ills - it is a better experience, to learn and reform.

Anything which is done at a faster pace than what it is intended to, faces a premature death. More so, it is forgotten by all at the same faster rate with which it unfolded.

Besides the rate of the reaction, equally important are our demands. A sudden inertia does not give us enough time to think and make legitimate demands.

Putting things in perspective, I would like to draw the reader's attention to the recent wide spread demonstrations and a myriad reactions that broke out in the aftermath of the December 16, 2012 Delhi gang rape case and the rape of a 5 year old girl, that happened last week.

As soon as the news of the gang rape case broke, the capital city witnessed some days of intense reaction and people from all sections of the society screamed blue murder. The government reacted to the pressure, initially with force, which was highly regrettable, but later, by appointing a committee to suggest reforms in the prevailing laws related to sexual assault. The committee showed utmost commitment and submitted a comprehensive report to the government, and there ended the saga. The demonstrations, the pointing of fingers, the media debates, the anger amongst the public, all subsided, almost instantaneously. To expect rapes to completely come to an end with this sort of a soap opera was by all means preposterous.

Soon the national capital woke up with the news of the rape of a 5 year old girl. The same outrage, the same reactions, the same blame game, all occupied centre stage. The fact that the victim's parents was bribed to hush up the case and that a lady protester was slapped by a police officer exacerbated the intensity of reactions.

Rather than focusing their energies, and limiting their demands to result oriented ones, people put forth a long list, akin to an election manifesto of a political party, which had more decorated words than content that could be put to practice. Demands by some were that the accused be left in the hands of people (as if no laws existed), others reiterated capital punishment. Some even went to extent of putting forth a demand for the resignation of the Delhi police commissioner.

It is this what happens when our reactions are knee-jerk. Little thought to this will make us understand how we tend to demand the extremes.

Rather than small, but effective demands like community policing, better police training for a people sensitive police force, more interaction between the political class and the people (read voters), need for more people to people interaction and debates, we put forth massive demands.

Instead of trying to clear up the problems at the bottom of the pyramid we go directly to it's summit. For most problems, especially the ones involving the society as a whole, a bottom-up approach is what will work. This is the rule of the game and any attempts to change this will lead to nothing but anarchy.

My mail to the Chief of National Commission for Women

To The Chairperson,

National Commission for Women,

New Delhi.

Cc - To The Minister,

Ministry of Women and Child Development,

New Delhi.

Dear Mamtaji,

This mail is in reference to your justification given to the media, and through them, to the rape victim, her family and the country that you could not meet the victim in the hospital on the 19th of April, 2013 as it was a 'holiday'. 

I wish a statutory body set up for protecting the rights of women in the country had chairpersons who were, to the least, concern about women. 

I may take this opportunity to remind you that in your message, upon taking charge as the chairperson of the National Commission for Women on the 2nd of August, 2011, you had mentioned that the 'focus should not only be on women empowerment but also on growth and development'. In fact you went a step further. You added that you believed 'that empowerment will also bring down atrocities against women as they will have the strength and knowledge to stand up for their rights'. You even mentioned the need for 'attitudinal changes' to bring down crime against women.

I wish you had not forgotten all these statements you had made and had worked towards achieving these. I wonder how your conscience permits you to say such preposterous things! 

You have set the nation thinking as to how the women of this country can be empowered by the State when people like you chair the very Commission whose mandate is to, inter alia, review the constitutional and legal safeguards of women, facilitate redressal of grievances and advice the government on all policy matters affecting women.

I am deeply distressed by the fact that people like you have made a mockery of such Commissions. By doing so you are not just disrespecting the Constitution of India and the Parliament, but also to the people of the nation.

*****

Following is the link of NCW Chief's address to CNN IBN 

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cant-meet-family-today-its-a-holiday-ncw-chief-mamata-sharma/386423-37-64.html

Why vegetarianism?

Anatomical evidence available tells us that man is made to be vegetarian. We have a smaller mouth opening, short and blunted canines, lesser acidic strength in our stomach enzymes, a liver with no detoxifying agents, longer intestines, so on and so forth.

Meat brings with them the defects of the animal from which they are derived. The unhygienic conditions that prevail in the animal farms and at the butcher’s place are well imaginable. And if you think processed meat is the solution, read further.

Food processing has become a gigantic industry and processed foods in the market are increasing exponentially. The hormones injected into the animals to grow at a faster rate than natural, the diethylstilbestrol (DES) for instance, enhances the growth of cancer and tumor cells. All the more it affects females, right from attaining puberty at younger ages to pregnancy related problems to increased probability of breast cancer.

Behavioral Toxicology scientists’ research tells that high meat protein intake reduces tryptophan (one of the 8 amino acids) levels in the brain, which leads to sleeplessness, anger and aggression. Study of the electrical activity in the brain shows that a vegetarian diet induces alpha waves, indicating muscular relaxation thus promoting wellbeing.

Nature lovers too have a reason to turn vegetarian. Meat contributes to global warming and climate change hence. The livestock sector accounts for 18% of the gas emissions which warms the earth. The animals are fed with huge quantities of corn and soya for faster growth. Studies show that this is responsible for the consumption of up to seven times as much grain as human population.

Lastly, there is a moral basis too. Man has no right to kill and prey on the lower animals. Man is a man because he thinks. Let’s eat for our body as a whole and not just for our tongue.

Bharat V/s India - Filling the gap is the need of the hour

Crime rate is burgeoning and we demand effective laws and their proper implementation. But, will that alone put an end to crime? Well, the answer would be a yes if we want more and more people to be behind bars and be served with the harshest punishments. If we think that the very quantum and severity of the punishments can act as a deterrent to people who indulge in crime, we will end up getting nowhere and will have to face a shameful defeat. Rather, our intention and focus should be to clean up the social fabric and in order to achieve this we will need to go a step further, a big leap forward, I would say. We will have to bridge the gap between 'Bharat' and 'India', yes, the poor and the rich.

If one takes a look at the background of the people who indulge in criminal activities; be it against women, against children, for money, for pleasure, he may find that the poor and the less fortunate ones top the list. 

The deprived ones, seeing light at the end of the pitch dark tunnel, move to the urban areas with dreams for a better livelihood. At a time when the needs of the urban masses themselves are not catered to, what will the urbanized lands have to offer the deprived ones? Unable to comprehend the situation and being felt trapped after realization by experience, they take up living every single day as a challenge. We better put in serious efforts  to make 'Bharat' and 'India' one and the same lest come what may, these unfortunate masses will try to make a living out of everything, fun out of everything.

Let me not create an impression in the reader's mind that I am against urbanization per se. I only see a thin line of difference between the unfortunate masses and us. The difference between need and greed. I prefer to call this line 'thin', though it is not, because we are the people who tend to, purposely or out of sheer ignorance, forget the difference between the need and greed.

Whilst a young married couple among us, in 'India', remain confused to choose a star restaurant to celebrate their child's first birthday, a similar couple in 'Bharat' is busy searching for a small carton to put the baby to sleep. Whilst a teen in 'India' asks his daddy for some thousands to have a blast in the new year eve, a teen in 'Bharat' probably never knows what a new year eve is because for him getting up after every night is itself a gift. Whilst we in 'India' spend a couple of thousands for a footwear, in 'Bharat' they might never have had an opportunity to hold a thousand Rupee note in hand. Whilst in 'India' we maintain separate wardrobes for summer and winter clothes, in 'Bharat' they don't even own a shed for themselves. Whilst in 'India' we munch on a McD burger or KFC bucket to satisfy our hunger, in 'Bharat' they are happy with a couple of dry rotis and some green chillies.

Until and unless we think of them as our own and help them out, we are never going to get out of most of the problems we face today, we will continue to have their curse.

This is a pregnant lady I saw in the Delhi metro. The people around are way too busy in their own activities to see or care for her. Perhaps she is also used to the ignorance and lack of care or concern.  

Have a look at this video. The child is perhaps hungry and wants something to eat and is continuously trying to get his mother's attention. But the mother may be knows that she has nothing in hand to offer and hence ignores the child completely. Left with no other option, the child takes the dust and dirt from the floor of the metro and licks it to satisfy his hunger.

One may very easily shed the responsibility by saying that 'all this is fate, no one can do anything to solve such issues'. There are certainly some simple things that we all can do. Let us first make a clear understanding and differentiation between need and greed. Let us resolve to reduce our wants keeping in mind the poverty in our nation, to apply self-restraint in every sphere of life and to live a simple life. Let, we the young generation of 'India' be sensitive towards our siblings born in 'Bharat'. Let us grow together, let us all live in harmony. Let us strive to make a nation where the poor feel that their voice is heard.

Let us all pray in unison "Om Sahana Vavatu, Sahanau Bhunaktu, Saha Veeryam Karavavahai, Tejasviana Vadheetamastu, Maa Vidvishavahi". (Rig Veda) Let us all live in harmony, let us share the harvest, let our thoughts and deeds create synergy to illuminate the globe. 

Jai Hind! Mera Bharat Mahaan!

My mail to Arvind Kejriwal

Dear Arvindji,

It is great work that you, your team and all we people are doing. I am sure that since our intentions are pure and are for the nation's good, we will succeed.

I just wanted to give you this quote of Mahatma Gandhiji, which I read in one of his books.

"I am not at all concerned with appearing to be consistent. In my search after Truth I have discarded many ideas and learnt many new things."

You may use this, if you wish to, when the media continuously questions your change of strategy and stand points.

Aam aadmi ki jeet ho! 

Available anytime for you and for the nation.

With lots of love and respect,

Siddharth Mohan Nair.

New Year Resolution - A Gandhian Way

A letter to my beloved brother.

Dear brother,

Firstly, please accept my belated new year wishes. I pray to God that this year keeps you happy mentally, at work and also brings you success in all your endeavours.

Now, let me share with you one of my new year resolutions. I share this with you because it equally involves both of us.

The resolution is simple - I want you to give up drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes once and for all.

The physical and psychological problems that it creates, I am sure, need no reiteration. The agony caused to all at home ensuing your continued persuasion to these poisonous substances, is by itself, a deterrent. Your lack of want or your inability to restrain from these substances, I am not sure which of the two, is extremely distressing.

On her asking, if you could recall, you had promised your mother on her birthday, the past year, that you will stop drinking alcohol. But, sadly, you have not been able to keep your promise.

There are chances that as you read through you may be vexed thinking of the fact that I, a younger brother, am trying to be prescriptive. I would urge you not to think in the like. It is my love for you and the repugnance towards these substances that makes me write to you.

I want you to stop taking these poisons any more. You may think over this and live life the way like I and many of your well wishers want you to, for some days. But, I am afraid, that would be very short-lived. These words, quite naturally, cannot have an impact long enough that it will make you habituated to live a life without these.

Hence, I put before you, my contribution to this joint resolution of our's.

I would humbly like to tell you that from the very next time you resort to these substances; and it comes to my knowledge, which I am sure it will, I will go on a fast unto death.

You may find this stupid or exaggerated, but I have decided this and I see no scope of repealing this decision of mine.

I lay my life in your hands. I leave you with two choices, one, of your younger brother's life and the other,  your desire for these poisonous pleasures.

The next time your mind pushes you towards these substances, let it also remind you the fact that you will have to witness your brother's starved death, much before the slow and pained death which you will face by the intake of these very substances.

I am sure you will take these words of mine, both  in letter and spirit.

Lastly, I would like to quote to you the great Mahatma Gandhiji. "Man is a man because he is capable of, and only in so far as he exercises, self-restraint." Self-restraint is what we all human beings need to follow in all spheres of life. I am sure, we will be able to achieve success in this joint exercise of our's.

Your loving brother,
Siddu.
Jai Hind!