Can’t each of us sincerely try to lessen the problem by quick response and putting a stop to blame games?
Courtesy----CartoonStock.com
Beware of peers, colleagues and fellow tradesmen with the following characteristics.
“Basically, the quality of your life takes a nosedive...You should put yourself in an environment that helps you succeed.”
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
Madam Speaker,
I have been deeply distressed at the developments of the last few
days. Many aspects of the situation have caused me anguish.
We are all aware that corruption is pervasive. It operates at every
level. The poor may carry its greatest burden but it is an affliction
that every Indian is desperate to be rid off. Fighting corruption is
as integral to eliminating poverty as is Mahatma Gandhi NREGA or
the Land Acquisition Bill. Yet it is equally imperative to the growth
and development of our nation.
Madam Speaker, we cannot wish away corruption by the mere
desire to see it removed from our lives. This requires a
comprehensive framework of action and a concerted political
program supported by all levels of the state from the highest to the
lowest. Most importantly, it requires firm political will.
Madam Speaker, in the past few years I have travelled the length
and breadth of our country. I have met scores of countrymen, rich
and poor, old and young, privileged and disempowered who have
expressed their disillusionment to me. In the last few months,
Annaji has helped the people to articulate this same sentiment.
I thank him for that.I believe that the real question before us as
representatives of the people of India today is whether we are prepared
to take the battle against corruption head on? It is not a matter of how
the present impasse will resolve, it is a much greater battle. There are no
simple solutions. To eradicate corruption demands a far deeper
engagement and sustained commitment from each one of us.
Witnessing the events of the last few days it would appear that the
enactment of a single Bill will usher in a corruption-free society. I
have serious doubts about this belief.
An effective Lok Pal law is only one element in the legal framework
to combat corruption. The Lok Pal institution alone cannot be a
substitute for a comprehensive anti-corruption code. A set of
effective laws is required. Laws that address the following critical
issues are necessary to stand alongside the Lok Pal initiative:
(1) government funding of elections and political parties,
(2) transparency in public procurement,
(3) proper regulation of sectors that fuel corruption like land and
mining,
(4) grievance redress mechanisms in public service delivery of old
age pensions and ration cards; and
(5) continued tax reforms to end tax evasion.
We owe it to the people of this country to work together across
party lines to ensure that Parliament functions at its optimum capacity and delivers these laws in a just and time bound manner.
We speak of a statutory Lok Pal but our discussions cease at the
point of its accountability to the people and the risk that it might
itself become corrupt. Madam Speaker, why not elevate the
debate and fortify the Lok Pal by making it a Constitutional body
accountable to Parliament like the Election Commission of India? I
feel the time has come for us to seriously consider this idea.
Madam Speaker, laws and institutions are not enough. A
representative, inclusive and accessible democracy is central to
fighting corruption.
Individuals have brought our country great gains. They have
galvanized people in the cause of freedom and
development. However, individual dictates, no matter how well
intentioned, must not weaken the democratic process. This
process is often lengthy and lumbering. But it is so in order to be
inclusive and fair. It provides a representative and transparent
platform where ideas are translated into laws. A tactical incursion,
divorced from the machinery of an elected Government that seeks
to undo the checks and balances created to protect the supremacy
of Parliament sets a dangerous precedent for a democracy. Today
the proposed law is against corruption. Tomorrow the target may
be something less universally heralded. It may attack the plurality
of our society and democracy.India’s biggest achievement is our democratic system. It is the life
force of our nation. I believe we need more democracy within our
political parties. I believe in Government funding of our political
parties. I believe in empowering our youth; in opening the doors of
our closed political system; in bringing fresh blood into politics and
into this House. I believe in moving our democracy deeper and
deeper into our villages and our cities.
I know my faith in our democracy, is shared by members of this
House. I know that regardless of their political affiliation, many of
my colleagues work tirelessly to realize the ideals upon which our
nation was built. The pursuit of truth is the greatest of those ideals.
It won us our freedom. It gave us our democracy. Let us commit
ourselves to truth and probity in public life. We owe it to the people
of India.
.......
We Salute you for your feats on and off the field!
Bhaichung Bhutia’s profile:
Landed on the earth on 15 December, 1976.
Touched soccer turf more than 100 times wearing India shirt.
Played for Mohan Bagan, East Bengal, United Sikkim, United Sikkim, FC, Bury FC, Perak FA, Malaysia and JCT Mills before hanging his boots.
Bhutia braved to protest Chinese ill-treatment of Tibetans by supporting the Tibetan Independence Movement by refusing to run the 2008 Beijing Olympics Torch relay when it passed through India as a protest----even a so called youth political icon failed to brave such a feat when it came to another example.
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“The people of India, having Solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political,
LIBERTY of thought expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the Nation:
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”
Are we upholding each word true to its letter and spirit?
In Anna Hazare’s words……
“This is just a battle, war is ahead. It is a long drawn battle to fight for a change. Even after 64 years of freedom what did the people of our country got? It was just the blacks replacing the whites to rule the country, and exploit the poor through goondagiri and corruption.
“As long as Lokpal Bill is not fulfilled, I will fight till the last breath.
“The tribal right on Jaal, Jungle, Jamin is being crushed through bullets and lathis and they are taking away their land to give the industries. Is it the true independence for the country? Change in system is required.
“Farmers were mowed by guns for protesting for water…ridden with power, fame and money, the government has fallen unconscious. Has the government ever thought on exploitations on the poor. Is it the real development?
“The government is not thinking on this. So our fight will continue…from the Red Fort the prime minister says Parliament will decide on the Lokpal Bill, and everybody has to agree it.
“We have faith and confidence on Parliament. But the bill should be a proper one, and if you distort it then we will protest.
“First the government assured our original draft on Lokpal bill, then it tricked the people by backtracking from its promise.
“We have to fight for change---Lokpal Bill will have to be set up in its original form…whole country has stood up, and we will fight for it (original draft proposal).
“They repeatedly remind us about democratic norms as if we don’t know.
“Is it democratic to distribute money to get elected for assemblies and Lok Sabha. Parliament is a temple. What will happen if tainted people congregate there? It will become impious, which will be insult to our martyrs who had lost lives for our freedom. Elect good people to make the temple pious.
“We read newspapers on government’s assertions that its policies are pro-people. No, its policy is pro-industry to snatch land from the poor through the power of barrel…giving it to the industrialists. They are looting the farmers, hitting them with batons.
“Why do you think only Delhi has Parliament. Village Parliaments are supreme and shaped the Constitution and made assemblies and Parliament.
“On August 15, 1947 Gandhiji did not go to the Red Fort when the tricolour was unfurled. He was sitting in a dark room in Calcutta as innocent people were being killed then. Now the situation is the same. We have darkness even after 64 years of Independence. So I urge all countrymen to switch-off power supply at their homes from 8 pm to 9 pm today (Aug 15).
“Do you know why prices have risen? It is due to corruption...Government knows that students don’t get admission to colleges because of money.
“Some people doubt whether Lokpal Bill could end corruption. I can give you in writing; 60 per cent to 65 per cent of corruption could be curbed if the original Lokpal Bill is accepted. If not I will work as a water-carrier in the residence of (HRD Minister) Kapil Sibal.
“But they don’t have the intention or will power to bring in (an effective Lokpal), and say we want to run a parallel government.
“I don’t have the desire to pull down the government. Who will succeed it? If the present one has graduated in corruption, the next one will accomplish doctorate.
“But if the government fails to understand the language of the people, let it fall.
“Now is the time for the arrival of people with the characteristics of Chhatrapati Shivaji…I am a pauper, but people are behind me, and my ‘Adolan’ has turned into a family. It is against any one government, it will stand against all (successive) governments who indulge in corruption.
“Media is the 4th pillar of democracy, and its strength strengthens the democracy.
“I went to Rajghat to meditate and thought whether we got perfect freedom. Some people are eating to live while some others are living to eat as my eyes moistened with tears.
“Therefore, we want to do justice to the poor, who come to me for justice and I am helpless…Even people declined Rs 30 lakh to take ‘supari (contract killing) to kill me. Thoughts of committing suicide had flashed initially, but I can’t do that as what will the youth think of that act…it’s better to die fighting for the country and struggling for the poor.
“After three hours of thoughts at Rajghat, I did not get any answers, yet I am not mentally tired. I will get strength from the people who will shape the country (for the better).
“A total of 80 percent of our country’s population subsist on a paltry sum of Rs 20 per day while there is a section earning thousand rupees per day and even a crore. Is it not danger to Loksahi.
“The government, the industrialists and the goondas are trying to gag our voice, but they will fail to suppress us. Tomorrow I will go to the Park for my hunger strike where prohibitory orders are in place.
“I will sit at the very place where they will stop me. If they put me in jail I will fast there. If they let me off, I will again sit on hunger strike.
“If I am put in jail, I request people for “Jail Bharo Andolan”...Going to jail in connection with andolan is like jewel in the crown…but it should be non-violence, because the government will crush it as they have the power. Only non-violence can overpower their mite.”
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C-Picasa
C-PicasaSpecial moments come
When we least expect them,
Opening our hearts and minds
To the infinite possibilities of life.
We all have special moments
Scattered like jewels
Through our lives.
Treasure them and set them
In the golden ring of memory,
So they are yours forever.
“Friendship is not
Just holding hands, but holding
Hands till the very end….
It is not just walking some
Seasons together, it’s
togetherness of a lifetime."
C-Picasa“Children are begging.
Women are assaulted.
Physically challenged are dying slow death.
Poor people are getting infected by more diseases in the slums.
Girl child is still being killed.
Corruption is still rising high.
Circumstances are still forcing young girls to sell their bodies.
Their screaming out for help is deafening for ears and aching for the heart.
We can’t sleep peacefully with so much noise around.
We have to replace the ’scream for help’ with the ’screams of joy and happiness’.”
-------an email content.
Don’t argue
Know your medium
Think freely to be clear in your thought
Don’t mind what the ignorant says
Don’t feel shy to say, silence please!
Don’t expect any thing
Watch silently
Be an observer than a spectator
Speakers tell a bundle of lies and borrowed facts
Desist from hollow praises
Revitalise energy with actively pursuing your hobbies.
Don’t befriend with gossip-seekers and rumour-mongers
Don’t allow a negative person speak to you
Say no to gossip
Practice patience
Smile often
Savour special moments
Make new friends
Discard worries
Forgive a human being
See beauty everywhere
Spread joy
Don’t fret and fume
Forget bickering
Never lose temper
Decline everything, politely
Stop quarrelling to remain in peace
