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Mar 23, 2005
Well, India played well in last two tests.
Its paks turn to win.
Inzy playing 100th test in bangalore deserves this win .
Posted at 05:13 pm by muniya
Narendra modi is denied VISA to USA!! so what??
Why this commotion in India and particularly in Gujarat.
If an Indian does not contest this denial of Visa he may be considered not patriotic.
Your views please
Posted at 05:11 pm by muniya
Jun 4, 2004
LOVE MARRIAGES VS ARRANGED MARRIAGES
Due to paucity of time instead of my origanal views on the subject , I read few of the articles and have produced the extracts for the group to react and comment
ARRANGED MARRIAGE VS LOVE MARRIAGES
Love marriages focus more on the physical aspect of relationships, and are thus obsessed with physical attriutes ..The boy and girl fall in love and decide to marry.
Arranged marriage are marriages arranged by Elders in the family who know what is good for the youngsters.. The arranged marriages place more emphasis on family tradition, integrity, diligence,moral values humility, generosity, etc. People get married based on above and work on building affection later. Strong characteristics like the ones described above are very conducive to building love and affection in arranged marriages.
As a result, Arranged marriages are much longer-lasting than many Love marriages . The divorce rate in case of love marriage is higher than arranged marriages.
Tradnally in arranged marriages, the decision is made by the parents of the couple and they have to abide by that decision. It was quite likely that they would see each other for the first time after their wedding. These marriages are still prevalent though in lesser numbers than the past. I know quite a few people who are actually proud that they did not meet with their spouse before marriage and married a total stranger. Another thing that I have heard happen is that the parents are usually so confident of their child agreeing to whoever they arrange their marriage with that they don’t bother asking for their opinion before finalizing the proposal. The guy or girl is then left with little choice but to agree.
Then there is the emotional pressure or even emotional blackmail. Parents beseech their children to agree to a proposal before they die or make use of other emotional pressures. A very mild example is shown in this Washington Post article:
But the Patels didn’t drop the idea [of going to India from the US to look for a groom for their daughter], and Indian daughters hesitate to defy their parents. Many times her mother had prepared vegetarian meals for Vibha while she was away at college, and her father had driven nearly five hours to Blacksburg to deliver them, then turned around and headed home – how could she now dismiss their wishes? Her father’s eldest brother, dying in a nearby hospice with the whole family gathered around, yearned to see her engaged – shouldn’t she give him this final pleasure?
The more liberal arranged marriages nowadays are called “semi-arranged marriage,” or “arranged introduction” by some people. Here, the process starts with the parents but the guy and girl have input as well and the final decision is the couple’s. That’s why some proponents of arranged marriage say that it is no different than your mom setting you up on a date. However, there is a huge difference.
They [the parents] run ads, canvass Web sites, put the word out on the community grapevine: Dad’s aunt knows a nice Bengali family in Atlanta whose nephew is an electrical engineer. Mom’s medical school classmate in Detroit has a cousin with a single daughter working with computers in Bangalore.
After their parents perform due diligence – Hindu marriages are considered a union of two families, not merely two individuals, so bloodlines and reputations matter – the children meet and spend time together and decide whether their relationship has a future. A voluntary process, no different from having your friends fix you up, the fixed-up like to say.
People think that the do-it-yourself marriages (“love marriages”) in the West rely on superficial characteristics like physical beauty. Here’s the ad placed by Vinay’s parents:
Punjabi parents desire beautiful, professional, never married, US raised girl for handsome son, 34, 5’10”/150, fair, slim, athletic, engineer/MBA, consultant in DC area. Enjoys travel, sports, music. Please reply …
When parents go looking for a spouse for their child, they consider beauty, ethnicity, religion, education, social/financial status and even horoscopes. Which of these criteria are superficial? There are times when a guy’s mom would reject girls because of the smallest “defects” in physical appearance. Or because of the girl being a bit older than the guy (even by a few months).
In the end, the discussion of arranged and love marriages comes down to which is better. Obviously, the one that leads to more successful marriages. Proponents of arranged marriage claim that it is more successful, but their definition of success focusses on divorce rates.
It [arranged marriage] works better than Americans’ impulsive love marriages, which so often split apart. “We have less divorce,” Vibha’s mother points out. “That’s what results tell us.”
But are divorce rates really a measure of successful marriage? Do all the couples that don’t get divorced stay happy with each other? The prevalence of divorce in a society dependd on a lot of factors including the stigma of divorce.
In fact, the advantages and drawbacks of arranged marriages can’t be so easily appraised. The incidence of divorce among Indian-born Americans is dramatically lower than among Americans generally, but that partly reflects the continuing stigma of divorce. Even as the divorce rate among Indian Americans appears to be increasing, the topic is rarely discussed. […]Divorce reflects poorly on an Indian family, and some proportion of arranged marriages endure not because they are successful or rewarding, but because leaving them would bring such shame.
Suitable boy is first spotted by Bharati Narvani's uncle at a wedding in New Delhi, India.
Bharati then lived in Trinidad where her parents migrated some 25 years ago from the Gujarat region of India. The 21-year-old university graduate was brought up with the customs and values of India. The boy, Manoj Solanki, 29, a civil engineer, is also of Gujarati parentage. Born in Liberia and educated in England, he went to India with his parents to find a bride.
Soon after that New Delhi wedding, Bharati accompanies her parents to India on one of their regular visits. She knows that her parents are making this trip with the hope of finding a groom for her. She is amenable to the idea. Bharati was never allowed to date, or mingle freely with boys her age. She didn't rebel, unlike some of her peers in Trinidad's Indian community.
Her friend, Sujata, the daughter of a well-known surgeon, reluctantly agreed to marry the son of a family friend in India. Before the wedding, she committed suicide by drinking gramoxone, a poisonous pesticide. Sujata was in love with a young man in Trinidad, and was too afraid to tell her parents. There is speculation that she might have been pregnant, and saw no other way out.
That will not be Bharati's fate. She will follow the ancient script of courtship and marriage that still prevails widely throughout India.
Once the Narvanis arrive in New Delhi, the uncle -- the closest, senior male relative in India -- arranges a meeting of the two families. Manoj is accompanied by his mother and aunt, Bharati by her mother and uncle. A discreet discussion takes place among the elders: Is Manoj able to support a wife? Can Bharati adapt to a foreign country? The Solankis make clear they do not expect a dowry. This is not uncommon in many modern arranged marriages. However, if the families are more traditional, the question of the dowry would be settled at this time.
Finally the couple are given a chance to talk alone in another room. Manoj, being more confident, breaks the awkward silence with a joke. In between light bantering, the two manage to ask and answer serious questions about one another. Asking whether Bharati likes Indian movies, for instance, tells him how strong her cultural ties are. She wants to know whether Manoj expects her to be a housewife or will he be happy with her working? Will she live with his in-laws? His answers reassure her that they will live alone, that she is free to work, and that she can visit her parents whenever possible.
The attraction between the couple is immediate. Part of it has to do with the fact that this union will take place with the full consensus of their families -- a very important consideration for Indian men and women raised traditionally. Within 20 minutes, Manoj decides that Bharati is right for him. Bharati modestly tells her parents that she will accept their decision.
A month later, there is an elaborate engagement ceremony. Soon after, the wedding takes place in couple's ancestral home of Baroda, Gujarat. The bride is weighed down by a heavily-worked, shocking pink lehenga, choli and dupatta (full skirt, short bodice and shawl) embroidered finely with real gold and silver. She is adorned with flowers and gold jewelry. The groom is wearing a shervani (long tunic and trousers).
After the wedding ceremony, the wedding party of 400 -- women in silk and brocade saris, men in traditional wear and Western suits -- spill onto the streets and make their way to a five-star hotel for the reception. The couple honeymoon in Indonesia and settle down in Banjul, Gambia where Manoj works as an engineer in a construction company.
Earlier this year, the newlyweds visited Trinidad with their infant son for a huge reception given by the Narvani family. Bharati is radiant in her traditional bridal outfit. Manu, as she affectionately calls her husband, looks smugly satisfied. Those of us who knew Bharati before she was married have to admit she has gained confidence, matured and looks very happy.
Bharati's mother, Manju, misses her daughter tremendously, but is satisfied that the arranged marriage was the best she could have done for her.
"They may have lived worlds apart but they have everything in common: food, religion, language, culture and a similar outlook on life," said Manju.
It can also go horribly wrong. Meena, a 20-year-old high school graduate from Hyderbad in India, ended up through an arranged marriage with a computer analyst ten years her senior. Sharing their home in Los Angeles, California, was her husband's American girlfriend.
Indian society is quick to reject divorced, separated or abandoned women. If Meena went home, her parents' status in society would be shattered. Their pride and honour -- on which the highest premium is placed -- would make them societal rejects. She had no choice, but to accept her husband's mistress and live as a semi-servant in his house.
The custom of arranged marriages in India has survived migration and modernization remaining central to the fabric of society. Although no exact figures are available, some 95 percent of all marriages in India are arranged, even among those in the educated middle class.
Many Indians contend that arranged marriages are more successful than marriages in the West, particularly given the latter's staggering divorce rates. Romantic love does not necessarily lead to a good marriage, and often fails once the passion dissipates, they argue. Real love flows from a properly arranged union between two individuals.
With most unions between individuals from the same background, the arranged marriage reflects and reinforces the social, economic, geographic and historical diversity of India itself. More like a continent than a country, India is made up of 14 states, with as many languages, thousands of dialects, three major religions, hundreds of sub-religions, an outlawed but still practiced caste system amongst Hindus, and an informal class and economic differentiation amongst Christians and Muslims.
The Indian girl-child and boy-child remain just that, the property and extensions of their families, until they are married. For the female, ownership changes hands from father to husband to son.
A girl is marriageable from age 18, and parents get worried if she remains unmarried past 24 or 25. It is acceptable for a boy to remain unmarried till his late 20s, but after that questions are asked about his desirability as a husband. This does not necessarily apply to a growing urban middle class population, in New Delhi, or Bombay.
The Hindu religion, strongly enmeshed in the concept of "duty," decrees that parents are responsible for providing their children's education and marriage. Once married, their sons take over the running of the household and provide for their parents for the rest of their lives.
An unmarried daughter -- pronounced a spinster even in her late twenties -- brings shame upon her parents, and is a burden. But once married, she is considered the property of her in-laws. In this context un-wed mothers, separated, single or unfaithful women are considered outcasts. Living out of wedlock with a partner is still virtually unheard of.
It is incumbent on the girl's family to make the first move towards a matrimonial union. Many young women have to have huge dowries attached to them to ensure marriage. A price is placed on the boy's head based on his education, economic and social status. Many fathers go heavily into debt, even bankrupt, trying to pay for the dowry. In villages, dowries are given in the form of cattle, land and jewelry. In the towns and cities, dowries are given in the form of hundreds of thousands of rupees (Indian currency), furniture, jewelry, and expensive household items and even homes and expensive foreign holidays.
The deal is completed either discreetly and subtly in the upper-class educated families, or more crudely in lower-income homes. The phrase "bride burning" was coined in India after several young brides had their saris lit on fire in front of a gas stove either by their husbands or in-laws because of their father's failure to meet demands for a bigger dowry.
These days a family friend or distant relative approaches a family for a match. This ensures that no direct insult or humiliation is conferred upon the family which makes the first move, should the proposed match not be amenable to the other family.
Advertising in daily newspapers remains a well-established tradition for parents of prospective brides and grooms to state their requirements.
In cities such as New Delhi, the seat of Indian middle class families, the advertisements echo the same requirement for girls: University graduates who are tall and fair of complexion. Parents with dark-skinned daughters have a harder task getting their daughters married.
As one Indian father who arranged his daughter's marriage through the matrimonial pages put it: "There are no hard feelings. You can see as many people you want. When you want to buy a car you want the best and shop around till you get it. You don't just pick it up on a whim. You can't pick up a wife or husband in the name of love while ignoring the qualities of intellectual, cultural, and social compatibility."
The arranged marriage has adjusted to modernization. Prospective grooms were once not even allowed to see the photograph of their prospective brides so as to preserve an unmarried woman's purity, her most valuable asset. By the 1930s, such as in my grandmother's marriage, the couple exchanged photographs, in order to decide if they liked each other.
Today couples, depending on how liberal their parents are, have a coffee or meal on their own either at home, or in a restaurant, before deciding to commit. Middle-class women are allowed to reject suitors favored by their parents. Engagements can now last six months.
Western concepts of love triumphing over tradition can be seen in popular Indian films. However, many Indian women in the diaspora are in flux. Freedom comes with a price. Some women, after having ended several long term relationships, find themselves in their late 30s alone, with one foot in either world and judged by both.
It goes without saying that no marriage, not even an arranged one, is inured from basic incompatibility or abuse. But the arranged marriage does have its advantages. Living with the extended family -- daughters traditionally live with their in-laws including brothers-in-law and their wives and children -- means a free staff of child minders. Apart from the economic savings of a family home, shocks such as a death or the loss of a job can be absorbed. The system cares for elderly parents and grandparents who are generally isolated in Western societies.
Also, because the arranged marriage tends to be a union of two families of strong moral and cultural values it provides checks and balances against areas that may splinter it, such as infidelity. Above all, it is a buffer against one of the biggest modern day ills -- the despair of feeling isolated in a cold world.
Children of Indian background living in the diaspora can cull out what is most oppressive in the traditional system -- such as tyrannical in-laws, a dowry and a society which rejects divorcees -- by living abroad.
But for millions of women from India an arranged marriage is not a matter of choice. It is about the union of two families, in a community, in a caste, in a religion, in a province, in a country. It is what defines India's status quo which is ultimately male-dominated.
The last thing to familiarize the reader with is that "Mami _Girl" is looking for a "smart" boy, for a girl whom she knows. "Mami _Boy", obviously has information about the boy. Without further ado, here's an excerpt from their talk:
Mami _Girl: "Where is the boy?"
Mami _Boy: " In Chicago."
Mami _Girl: "Oh! that's a very windy city! Ask him to be careful otherwise the wind will blow him away into Lake Michigan!" What's he studying there?"
Mami _Boy: "He's doing M.S"
M _G: "Thesis or non-thesis?"
M _B: "Thesis."
M _G: "That's good. I heard that a lot of the boys nowadays escape with non-thesis option. Hmm! To think that they dont want to write a thesis! How very lazy of them, I say! My Suresh did MS thesis in 4 years. Very bright boy, but advisor held him up or something. By the way, what is your boy working in M.S?"
M _B: "He's "doing" computers."
M _G: "Hardware or software?"
M _B: "He "does" both."
M _G: "Does he know Windows '95?"
M _B: "He must be knowing it. He's very smart. He even has a world wide web address. I have it somewhere in my purse. I know it starts with some http://......... But, listen mami, you are distracting me from the main topic. As I was saying, he's working on his thesis. He will finish everything in 6 months. The last I heard, he was writing up chapter 3. Only two more chapters and conclusion to go. And he will be finished."
M _G: "What about job prospects?"
M _B: "After his thesis he'll get a job in computer company."
M _G: "Will it be in San Jose or Silicon valley?"
M _B: "I am surprised you do not know that Silicon valley is in San Jose."
She then pauses, and wonders, for a brief moment... "Or is it that San Jose is in Silicon valley?" Suddenly Mami _Boy is not very sure of herself, but continues nevertheless,
"Anyway, my point is he will get a good job. The economy is booming. Even though the government has been shutdown or suspended, I can't remember, just because Clinton can't balance his check book. I saw that in CNN the other day. But our boys don't have to worry. Job situation is good for our boys. They are especially needed in programming jobs. "
M _G: "How is the boy's character?"
M _B: " Good boy. He's reserved, shy, but very adjusting and homely. He even knows to cook."
M _G: "Mami, hold on! Is he a girl, or what?"
M _B: "Of course not! He's just a modern man. A nineties man! He is very helpful at the kitchen. I am surprised you have such stereotypical views that boys can't cook...Hmph!! "
M _G: "Does he drink or smoke?"
M _B: "My boy is pure and gentle. He's like a cow."
M _G: "He eats grass, then?"
M _B: "Mami, stop kidding! He doesn't smoke or drink. In fact, my boy cant even tell the difference between wine and vodka."
M _G: "Yeah! Yeah! That's what they all say. If he gets that drunk who can tell the difference!"
M _B: "Cut it out, mami! If you are this sarcastic, I'd rather not continue this talk at all."
M _G: "Sorry! How old is he?"
M _B: "He turned 25."
M _G: "You mean he is running 26?"
M _B: "Mami, all this running/walking business is all only in India. In the states they round it off to the nearest integer less than the number."
M _G: "Does that mean a person "abruptly" grows one year older on the day of his birthday? Doesn't that mean there's a discontinuity in the birthday "function"? "
M _B: "I don't know about all this discontinuity business. But that's the way you tell age in the states. Don't ask me all this funny technical questions."
M _G: "O.k. O.k.. Does he have a good sense of humour?"
M _B: "Well, people laugh when he tells jokes. But they laugh at him; Not at his jokes. His punch line delivery is poor. Does that count as having humour?"
M _G: "Mami, the girls nowadays need their boys to be very funny. The boys have to make them laugh till the girls split their sides. Even if he is not very handsome it's ok. But humour is absolutely essential. Without that boys don't stand a chance in the marriage market. Zero. Nada. El zippo."
M _B: "So..so..Please tell me what I should do to help him improve his sense of humour?"
M _G: "For starters ask him to watch reruns of Cosby shows. And also Cheers. These days watching Seinfeld may also help, but then he'll learn about nothing. He can also watch some British shows, but that's more stiff upper-lip type humour. British humour is itself an irony and is hard to understand unless it runs in your blood. From what you say, your boy doesn't have that. So it's best that he stay away from the British comedy."
M _B: "Should I buy him some funny books like The Witty Birbal or Tales of Tenali Raman or Champak? Will reading these books help him develop the needed sense?"
M _G: "That's not a bad idea. But he has to soon "graduate" into reading Archie, Asterix, and TinTin ok?"
M _B: "Ok. Thanks, a lot. I really mean it. I will invest in his humour before it's too late."
M _G: "That's ok. Dont waste all your thanks on me. What's his height?"
M _B: " He's at least "6".. "
M _G: " But, mami, somebody said he is not even as tall his father. And his father isn't even 5'7"!!"
M _B: "Oh! When I said 6, I meant 5'6"....I always say only the inches part of the height, because all the people in my family are 5 feet and "some" inches...Silly me! Should have been more specific."
M _G: "Yeah, 5'6" is more like it. The girl is about 5'7". Even though, she's taller it's ok. We can tell everyone that she's only 5-5 and a half. I will cover it all up. I can ask the girl to stand with a slight dip in her shoulder on the wedding day. That way she'll look a little shorter than the boy. Worse come worst we can make the boy wear high-heel slippers or shoes. But let's not make height such a tall issue...Let's get to more important issues at hand.....What car does he have?"
M _B: "Right now he has a Huffy, I think!"
M _G: "But, Mami, that's not a car. It's a bicycle!"
M _B: "Oh right, I forgot. He doesn't have one. But when he gets a job he will buy a car."
M _G: "Which car?"
M _B: "Honda."
M _G: "Mami, you have to be specific. In Honda there are many types. Accord. Civic. Then there's even Acura integra with a 4-cylinder engine and passenger's side air bag. That is like a sports car. I personally prefer the integra. It's kind of cool. But for our Indian boys the best car is Accord. In fact, I heard from someone that Honda makes Accord suited to Indian 'taste'. Why, I even heard the Honda makers sprinkle some masala powder and other spices in the car when Indians come to buy one. That way our Indians will feel at home with the odor of the car and all that. "
M _B: "Ok, I will then ask him to buy an Accord."
M _G: "That's a good choice. And ask him to take the 3-year payment plan. In 5-year plan he will pay interest through his nose.
M _B: "Yeah! I heard you have to be careful with some of those car dealers."
M _G: By the way mami, I am hungry. It's time for lunch. I will get in touch with you soon about the alliance for your cousin's grandson and my sister's husband's niece.... And look who's there....Our Radha! I heard she has a granddaughter who is about to finish MS. Let me go talk to her to see is I can find a match for my brother's niece's 3rd son..... "
REFERANCES
By Zack at June 14, 2003 12:52 AM in Islam and Other Religions , Pakistan
FIRST COMES MARRIAGE, THEN COMES LOVE
By Ira Mathur, India
Ira Mathur is an Indian-born journalist living in Trinidad. She produces television documentaries on developmental issues and writes a regular column for The Trinidad Guardian.
Arranged Marriages in India by Srinath Krishnan (krishnan@tcad.ee.ufl.edu)
Posted at 03:52 am by muniya
Jun 1, 2004
I have been reading various write- ups in newspapers and Blog sites. Most of well meaning Indian authors while writing on subjects like poverty in India, Indian politics and politicians, Indian bureaucracy, The Hindu economic growth, The Indian parents etc. tend to belittle Indians. Now I would like to present my case.
Regarding poverty in India, it is known that 50% of the people are economically poor. Visit slums and rural areas. What do we find? Children playing with a make-believe car, playing cricket with a wooden plank and ball made up of cork or paper with rubber bands wound on them and 3 wooden sticks from a nearby tree: the whole kit would not have cost a rupee-less than 50 cents-I mean. See the sense of achievement and smile on their face. The parents watching them grow like this are thrilled and have a great sense of satisfaction.
In India though the people are economically poor they are spiritually ok and carry on their life well. Because they believe in the theory of Karma and Fate. Jab–Jab jo hota hai tab-tab so hota hai.
On Indian politics, Election 2004 has proved to the world what a vibrant Economy India is! Sonia, following true Hindu Dharma has Renounced most sought after post in India-The post of Prime minister of the largest democracy. The Winner in Election 2004 is the Indian voter who disproved the expert psephologists, political analysts and all politicians of all parties. Does this not show the political maturity of the voter? Why belittle his educational qualification? Compare this with US population who went along with Bush on Iraq war and now are regretting. Where was their thinking ability? The Indian bureaucracy switches its loyalty very fast to different political masters and carry on with the governance. Should not we appreciate their adaptability? Because of these changes the growth will be slow and hence the 4% growth –the Hindu rate of growth. Our country is large like an elephant and hence economy also moves slowly. The Indian Parent-Ever sacrificing type will continue to parent the children even if they are post graduates or doctorates-whether children like it or not-weather they need it or not. That’s an Indian parent for you. Don’t take him/her seriously. Listen to him/her and you do what you want. Thus India, Indian conditions and above all Indians are not as bad as Indians make it to be!!
Comments please.
Posted at 09:33 am by muniya
May 31, 2004
They say that “The Indian Voter” has given a fractured verdict. Some others say that he has rejected the communal forces BJP in clear term. The congress says it is a clear verdict for Sonia to rule the country. Few others say the Indian voter wants Left and other secular parties to actively associate with Congress and fulfill the needs of people of India. Most of the people say the Indian Voter is mature. And Indian democracy is a vibrant democracy.
Looking at the ground situation I am afraid I cannot agree to any of these.
The congress has got 145 seats. BJP has got 138 seats, Left around 70. Dravidian parties 40. Laloo's RJD 30. Mulyam's SP 40. Mayavathi's BSP 20 plus..Etc. The percentage votes polled will not be in the same ratio. The Voter turnout is around 50%. How paradoxical is the situation- amongst the eligible Voters of the country (Say 60% of population –if you count out the people less than 18 years and others who are not entitled to vote) only 50% exercised their franchise.
Both BJP and Congress got around 30% of votes polled and remaining 40% was gobbled by all other parties. This means- of the total Indian Population, only 30% of 50% polled from 60% of population which voted for Congress. That is 9% of Indian population. Mind you they voted for Congress and not necessarily for Sonia as PM because that was not the issue. Even conceding they wanted Sonia as PM, the Congress MPs claim the whole nation wants Sonia as PM is not tenable. The Claim that a party with 145 votes has a mandate to rule when minimum number required is 272. Even with pre poll allies at 218 congress was way behind 272. Then how is it they have a mandate.
BJP with 138 and with its allies had 188 seats. If Left and SP supported BJP, they could have staked a claim, though all of us know this combination cannot be thought of, though left and BJP were togther in ruling party after Emergancy. So to say BJP was rejected totally may not be correct. Left with only 70 votes claim peoples mandate is it should support congress led GOVT.
The Left got its seats from West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura where it fought bitterly against Congress and people overwhelmingly voted Left against Congress. If only Mamatha had tied up with Congress, Left would not have these many seats. So how can Left be on same side as Congress foxes me!!!
When CHO Ramaswamy was asked about Left's future, he said “IF LEFT HAS ANY FUTURE IN INDIA THEN INDIA HAS NO FUTURE LEFT”. SP with 40 and BSP with 20 plus have no role in GOVT, while RJD, DMK, PMK, LOKSHAKHI, NCP with less number of seats were allotted cabinet posts. Now the ruling coalition claims its vote for secular parties to rule. Are SP nod BSP not secular?
The reasons are personal not ideal. So to talk about peoples mandate to suit their games has become a pastime of our politicians. And the people have not voted taking into consideration national issues. Only Congress plus its pre poll alliances and NDA (BJP+) have contested more than 272 votes so that there was a possibility that one of the combination gets 272 plus to stake a claim to form Govt. The other parties who contested less tan 272 seats just cannot form Govt. Their intentions were to play politics after election by assuming the role of King/Queen maker. With so many parties in the fray, it is very difficult to get a clear verdict and also its very difficult to interpret the results. How our expert psychologists failed to predict the Poll outcome in spite of large sample taken and we all saw how the analysts were saying how local issues also affected the voting pattern. Under the circumstances, is it desirable to have a Parliamentary Democracy with present voting system costing huge amount of money in conducting elections and also parties for propaganda and for advertisements spend huge money.
With the people not aware of national issues and are voting based on Local issues,caste and religion (MUSLIM VOTES- WE WILL DISCUSS LATER) are we getting a clear verdict?
We consider our constitution and peoples verdict SANCROSANCT and do not want to tamper. But we should change with times. There have been many Amendments to constitution. Why not have a presidential form of government as being practiced in USA.
Posted at 12:54 pm by muniya
May 29, 2004
Market Fluctuations, as the result of Election 2004 were being announced- it was noticed that BJP will loose the mandate and Congress plus allies with support of left will form the government. M/s. Sitharam Kesari, Raja, Baradhan of Left parties started making statements that Disinvestment ministry will be thrown into the dustbin and no Disinvestment in public sectors. These statements had a very big impact on the market. What a fall it was!
After all the results were announced, it was certain that the government led by Congress will be installed at Centre with the support of the left. On 17th May 2004, a black bloody Monday the sensex fell by 20%, a record in the history of the Stock market. Subsequently Mr. Manmohan Singh made a statement that the New government will carry out the disinvestment programme with a humanFace. Then the market recouped by 7% on Tuesday and recovered another 3% by Wednesday.
The market was skeptical and waiting for the government formation & the Declaration of common minimum programme. With the announcement of Mr. P.Chithambaram as Finance Minister, the market was hopeful that things will Improve. Here is a Finance Minister, who gave a dream Budget during United Front rule. But on 29th May 2004 the sensex fell by 200 plus points which is 4% fall in a single day when the common minimum programme was announced and the Finance Minster gave outlines of the Policies. The finance minister is expected to meet the market players and explain to them the reforms.
It is to be seen whether the reforms will be carried out at the desired pace. However it will not be as brisk as was during BJP’s rule - Arun Shori's zeal for privatization at a great speed. While on this subject, I strongly believe that the public sectors should be privatized, though the lefts are saying the profit making companies need not be privatized. One should analyze as how much profit is being made by these public sectors taking into consideration the investments made. Can any private sector make more profit from the same Industries?
The growth by privatizing will increase.The system in public sectors especially the audit and vigilance wings Paralyze the decision-making even by effective managers. The security of theJob for the workers and administrative staff is so high that a greatdegree of inefficiency has crept in,. Corruption in public sectors is high next only topublic work department,Electricity board and ministry By eliminating the license Raj corruption activities could be reduced. Similarly, by privatization, public sector units and electricity boards, corruption can be brought down to a great degree. In addition to poverty, lack of education and unemployment, corruption is one of the biggest bane of our country.
Indira Gandhi's “Garibi Hattao” slogan has not eliminated poverty in our country. Lots of efforts are to be made in the directions of poverty alleviation, primary education and generation of employment. It is my thought that by privatizing, the unemployment will increase. In actual practise, though private sector employs less people for the same job due to high growth, additional jobs will be generated.The privatization will lead to more growth and more growth will lead to more employment. Maybe it will be self-employment or not aguaranteed employment like in public sectors. Efficient workers andstaff can always find a job. If the vision of India is to become a developed country by 2020, the government control should be reduced and inefficient public sectors and government departments are to be privatized.More about functioning of private sectors later.
Posted at 02:11 am by muniya
May 27, 2004
NDA Government, lead by Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee of BJP was given a mandate by the people of India in the year 1999 to run the government of five years till December 2004.
Running the coalition government of nearly 2000 parties was a Herculean
task for the soft-spoken poet. The tantrums being thrown by Mamatha,
Sathmatha & Jayalalitha on various occasions, were deeply and effectively
handled by the statesman, Atal Bihari Vajbayee.
After initial pickups, he grew very strong and was consolidating
the king's image by good governance. Foreign resources increased market
growth, a feel-good factor in all parts of the country especially in the
urban sector. Because of all these feel-good factors, BJP could
increase their tallies in Assembly Election in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
and Chattisghar and they could form the government in these states.
However, could not make much in the Delhi State.
Seeing the enthusiasm on the success in the Assembly Election, the laptop-
computer savvy political manager Mahajan and his crew advised the party to
advance the election for the center though the government had a mandate to rule the country upto December 2004. By dissolving the parliament and requesting the election commission to hold early election, BJP made a political blunder thereby making the exchequer spend for the election 2004, effectively 8 months in advance.
Now Mahajan is regretting and so are BJP & NDA.
Posted at 09:28 am by muniya
May 25, 2004
Inner Voice or Antarathma?
Sonia informed that she is not in a position to accept the post of prime minister as per dictates of her INNER VOICE.
When and where have we heard this word INNER VOICE or ANTARATHMA in the Seven years plus half a century of Indian political history?
The questions that crop up are as to when the INNER voice of SONIA started expressing itself? When could she hear the INNER VOICE? Did she share this with her INNER COTERIE? Or with her children RAHUL and PRIYANKA? Is she only privy for this VOICE or is she going to share with the people of India in a transparent manner and allow the people of India to decide the following.
- Is it a sacrifice? She did not want to divide the country on her foreign origin issue..
- Was she scared on the security issue? Basu of CPM said her children were afraid that they may loose their mother and they don't want to as they have already lost their father. He said he can't do anything, he cannot guarantee since India is a violent country!
- Was she disgusted? Did the tantrums of Sushma,Uma ,Govindaacharyas of BJP and Fernandes of NDA cause her INNER VOICE to say what it said?
- Did the President hint anything? It is denied by the Presidents office.
- Did Subramanya swamy's interpretation of citizenship bother her INNER VOICE?
- Was there any threat to her life from Market, Political class, or across the border (Foreign hand-Always heard in Indian political context)
- INNER VOICE rightly advising her competance. Was she scared to take up the responsibility like CPM?
- Was it a political masterstroke? This is a semi final. In next election she intend to win with a greater margin.
- Any other issue.
The people of India are entitled to know the real reason since SONIA has become Public Figure by contesting in elections. The people have been taken for a ride and I think they deserve to know.
Different people are interpreting the Mandate of the people to suit their needs.
My question to the MPS of Congress, who one after the other went on praising Sonia, said the mandate of people is for Sonia to become the PM. They requested, pleaded her to change her mind. But she didn't change. Can we say the mandate of people was not honored by Sonia? I wont say that because basically I do not agree that there is any specific Mandate in the results.
The people of India are not politically matured. The local issues, the local parties influence. Caste factors, religious divide have also been factors - not only the governance and development. It's confusing & a debate is the need of the hour.
DOES PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY SUIT INDIA?
LET US DISCUSS IN A COOL MANNER AND DECIDE WHAT IS GOOD FOR COUNTRY.
THE HONEST MIDDLE CLASS AND OTHERS SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD AND ENSURE A SYSTEM WHICH WILL BENEFIT ALL SECTION OF PEOPLE AND INDIA SHOULD BECOME ALL INCLUSIVE SECULAR COUNTRY WITH A VIBRANT ECONOMY.
WITH PRIORITY FOR POVERTY REMOVAL, PRIMARY EDUCATION AND, HEALTH TO ALL , MINIMIZING THE CORRUPTION IN SYSTEMS- INDIA SHOULD BECOME A DEVELOPED COUNTRY BY 2020.
Posted at 02:20 pm by muniya
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