The Opposition and government may be slugging it out over the losses caused to the national exchequer due to the 2G spectrum allocation but their stand-off has resulted in wastage of over Rs 95 crore on account of Parliament not functioning for the last 15 days.
The Winter Session began on November 9 and since a day after it, the Opposition has been hellbent on their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into 2G spectrum allocation, which is believed to have resulted in losses to the tune of Rs 1.74 lakh crore.
The government has, however, refused to yield to the demand, leading to a deadlock because of which Parliament has been unable to function for more than 10 minutes per day on an average.
According to official figures, the total budget for Lok Sabha for the current fiscal year is Rs 347.65 crore while it is Rs 172.33 crore for Rajya Sabha.
The Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs, responsible for the functioning of Parliament, also has a separate budget of Rs 7.47 crore, taking the combined allocation to Rs 527.45 crore.
This includes salaries and other allowances of MPs, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of both the Houses, the expenditure incurred for the member''s foreign visits and meeting the expenses for foreign delegations visiting India.
In a year, Parliament meets thrice - for the Budget, Monsoon and Winter session. As per the business schedule of both the Houses, there should be a total of 83 sittings this financial year - 35 sittings during the Budget session and 24 each in the other two sessions.
This means, on average the government is spending Rs 6.35 crore per day to run the institution.
Today is the 15th consecutive day of the Winter session that ended without doing any business, which means that Rs 95.25 crore were spent without Parliament transacting any substantive business.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
PMO returning money orders on 2-G spectrum licenses
The Prime Minister’s Office has been returning the one rupee money orders sent by Lok Satta Party and other activists with the message that the Government of India cancel all 2-G spectrum licenses, recoup the loss to the exchequer and institute an anti corruption commission.
Disclosing this here today in a media statement, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma said students and youth would continue to bombard the PMO with money orders, faxes, emails and post cards reiterating the demands until December 9, World Anti Corruption Day.
He extended greetings to the Ministers who took office today and wanted them to focus on people’s burning problems and fight corruption. The Ministry should strive to ensure remunerative prices to agricultural produce, and resolve demands raised by beedi workers, auto rickshaw drivers, contract lecturers and others.
Disclosing this here today in a media statement, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma said students and youth would continue to bombard the PMO with money orders, faxes, emails and post cards reiterating the demands until December 9, World Anti Corruption Day.
He extended greetings to the Ministers who took office today and wanted them to focus on people’s burning problems and fight corruption. The Ministry should strive to ensure remunerative prices to agricultural produce, and resolve demands raised by beedi workers, auto rickshaw drivers, contract lecturers and others.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Farmer in distress makes children give up education and work as coolies
The desperate farmer of Medak district who burnt away the paddy crop in his three-acre farm because of his inability to get the crop harvested has made his children drop out from educational institutions and work as daily wage earners.
The heart-rending story of the marginal farmer Kankara Mallesam of Nawabpet village in Hutnur mandal of Medak district came to light following a visit to the village by State Lok Satta Party leaders Bandaru Rammohana Rao and G. Raja Reddy today.
Mallesam had spent Rs.60000 on raising paddy in his three-acre farm. When it was ripe for harvest, he could not access agricultural workers to reap it. Farmers in the village import agricultural workers from the neighboring Nalgonda district and Karnataka State. AS of today, there are 300 agricultural workers drawn from outside the village with a population of 2000. Implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has witnessed the number of workers opting for agricultural work dwindling all over rural Andhra Pradesh.
The migrant laborers were not prepared to work on his farm located about three km from the village, although he offered to share 50 percent of the produce with them. Even if he wanted to, he could not hire a harvester, as it cannot negotiate the slushy track to the farm.
Neither the sarpanch of the village nor the local legislator visited the farmer in distress. The sarpanch, a Dalit, had migrated to another village to work as a mason. The local legislator and former Minister was engrossed in Ministry-making politics in Hyderabad. Agriculture Department officials, who had failed to get the crop insured, now tell the farmer they can do little since he has burnt away his crop.
The Lok Satta Party leaders accompanied by Tummanapalli Srinivas and Sudheer Reddy, who visited the farm after trekking two km and called on the farmer tried to console him.Mallesam, aged about 55, is a widower. Having married off a son and a daughter, he is taking care of the other two children – a 17-year-old boy doing Intermediate and a 13-year-old girl in her eighth class. Now he has made them give up education and work as daily coolies to help him make both ends meet.
The heart-rending story of the marginal farmer Kankara Mallesam of Nawabpet village in Hutnur mandal of Medak district came to light following a visit to the village by State Lok Satta Party leaders Bandaru Rammohana Rao and G. Raja Reddy today.
Mallesam had spent Rs.60000 on raising paddy in his three-acre farm. When it was ripe for harvest, he could not access agricultural workers to reap it. Farmers in the village import agricultural workers from the neighboring Nalgonda district and Karnataka State. AS of today, there are 300 agricultural workers drawn from outside the village with a population of 2000. Implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has witnessed the number of workers opting for agricultural work dwindling all over rural Andhra Pradesh.
The migrant laborers were not prepared to work on his farm located about three km from the village, although he offered to share 50 percent of the produce with them. Even if he wanted to, he could not hire a harvester, as it cannot negotiate the slushy track to the farm.
Neither the sarpanch of the village nor the local legislator visited the farmer in distress. The sarpanch, a Dalit, had migrated to another village to work as a mason. The local legislator and former Minister was engrossed in Ministry-making politics in Hyderabad. Agriculture Department officials, who had failed to get the crop insured, now tell the farmer they can do little since he has burnt away his crop.
The Lok Satta Party leaders accompanied by Tummanapalli Srinivas and Sudheer Reddy, who visited the farm after trekking two km and called on the farmer tried to console him.Mallesam, aged about 55, is a widower. Having married off a son and a daughter, he is taking care of the other two children – a 17-year-old boy doing Intermediate and a 13-year-old girl in her eighth class. Now he has made them give up education and work as daily coolies to help him make both ends meet.
Monday, November 22, 2010
State on verge of anarchy, Charges Dr. JP
Andhra Pradesh is fast hurtling into anarchy because of the acts of commission and omission by a pusillanimous Government and interested pressure groups, charged Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.
Addressing a media meet on the agitations and counter-agitations on the sub-inspector recruitment written examination, Dr. JP said the Government could have pre-empted law and order problems had it persuaded the Union Government to delete the controversial Clause 14 F from the Presidential Order. The agitated people should have explored ways and means of getting their grievances redressed through legitimate and legal channels instead of enforcing shutdowns and threatening self-immolation.
Dr. JP recalled that the Lok Satta Party was the first to suggest deletion of the clause 14 F of the Presidential Order relating to recruitment of police in Hyderabad city. The State legislature unanimously adopted a resolution seeking deletion as early as in March 2010.
Without following up the Assembly resolution, the Government decided to recruit police personnel. As trouble erupted over treating Hyderabad as a ‘free zone’, the Government initially decided to put on hold the examination in Hyderabad but go ahead with it in other parts of the State. As the Telangana agitators would not relent, the Government has now deferred the examination all over the State and triggered a counter agitation in the rest of Andhra Pradesh.
Dr. JP said that the alien, undemocratic British rulers were much more balanced, mature, reliable, and consistent than the present Andhra Pradesh rulers. State Government actions have become irrational and unpredictable.
Dr. JP said that sections of people and political parties were equally to blame for the present chaotic conditions. They seem to forget that rights and responsibilities are two sides of the same coin. One could legitimately agitate for a cause but one should not inconvenience others in the process. Rasta rokos, hartals, and bandhs would hurt millions of people who lead a hand-to-mouth existence and deprive critical patients of prompt medical assistance.
He told sub-inspector aspirants in the Andhra region they need not fear any disqualification because of deferment of the examination by a few months. They will all be eligible for selection irrespective of some delay, as long as they were eligible at the time of application. Lok Satta party urges Government of India and Andhra Pradesh government to shed the passive, somnolent approach, and take energic steps to repeal Section 14 F of the Presidential Order, and conduct examinations for the police recruitment within two months. Meanwhile, Lok Satta Party appeals to unemployed youth of all regions not to resort to rasta rokos and bandhs, and not to hurt themselves. ‘They have to act with restraint and dignity, and they must not become victims of hatred and parochialism”, appealed Dr JP.
Addressing a media meet on the agitations and counter-agitations on the sub-inspector recruitment written examination, Dr. JP said the Government could have pre-empted law and order problems had it persuaded the Union Government to delete the controversial Clause 14 F from the Presidential Order. The agitated people should have explored ways and means of getting their grievances redressed through legitimate and legal channels instead of enforcing shutdowns and threatening self-immolation.
Dr. JP recalled that the Lok Satta Party was the first to suggest deletion of the clause 14 F of the Presidential Order relating to recruitment of police in Hyderabad city. The State legislature unanimously adopted a resolution seeking deletion as early as in March 2010.
Without following up the Assembly resolution, the Government decided to recruit police personnel. As trouble erupted over treating Hyderabad as a ‘free zone’, the Government initially decided to put on hold the examination in Hyderabad but go ahead with it in other parts of the State. As the Telangana agitators would not relent, the Government has now deferred the examination all over the State and triggered a counter agitation in the rest of Andhra Pradesh.
Dr. JP said that the alien, undemocratic British rulers were much more balanced, mature, reliable, and consistent than the present Andhra Pradesh rulers. State Government actions have become irrational and unpredictable.
Dr. JP said that sections of people and political parties were equally to blame for the present chaotic conditions. They seem to forget that rights and responsibilities are two sides of the same coin. One could legitimately agitate for a cause but one should not inconvenience others in the process. Rasta rokos, hartals, and bandhs would hurt millions of people who lead a hand-to-mouth existence and deprive critical patients of prompt medical assistance.
He told sub-inspector aspirants in the Andhra region they need not fear any disqualification because of deferment of the examination by a few months. They will all be eligible for selection irrespective of some delay, as long as they were eligible at the time of application. Lok Satta party urges Government of India and Andhra Pradesh government to shed the passive, somnolent approach, and take energic steps to repeal Section 14 F of the Presidential Order, and conduct examinations for the police recruitment within two months. Meanwhile, Lok Satta Party appeals to unemployed youth of all regions not to resort to rasta rokos and bandhs, and not to hurt themselves. ‘They have to act with restraint and dignity, and they must not become victims of hatred and parochialism”, appealed Dr JP.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Dr. JP urges PM to emulate Hong Kong in fighting corruption
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today urged Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to enact a comprehensive anti-corruption law and create an independent anti-corruption commission (IACC) as in Hong Kong. The IACC, formed in in Hong Kong in 1974, reduced corruption within a few years.
In a letter to the Prime Minister which he shared with members of Parliament, Dr. JP pointed that since there is palpable support among the public and political parties for rooting out corruption, he should create mechanisms to enforce public integrity and end corruption.
“Honesty is not merely a moral imperative; it is an economic necessity to accelerate and sustain high growth rates and eliminate poverty.”
On the colossal corruption in the allocation of 2G spectrum, Dr. JP said that apart from punishing culprits, the Government should undo the damage caused to the public exchequer and prevent future acts of such corruption.
He wanted the Prime Minister to revoke the tainted 2G spectrum allocations under Section 23 and 24 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 so that corporates which colluded with bribe takers and caused a colossal loss to the exchequer do not benefit from corruption. He drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the Government of India canceling purchase of 197 helicopters worth $600 million from Eurocopter following a Central Vigilance Commission report in 1997.
Dr. JP suggested imposition of a Windfall Profit Tax on all licensees who sold the spectrum or equity to ensure that the public exchequer retains abnormal profits made out of a vital public resource. He proposed enactment of a law to make all contracts involving corruption, or loss to the exchequer void and unenforceable and another to impose a civil penalty of five times the loss sustained by the exchequer in any public procurement or transfer of natural resource.
In a letter to the Prime Minister which he shared with members of Parliament, Dr. JP pointed that since there is palpable support among the public and political parties for rooting out corruption, he should create mechanisms to enforce public integrity and end corruption.
“Honesty is not merely a moral imperative; it is an economic necessity to accelerate and sustain high growth rates and eliminate poverty.”
On the colossal corruption in the allocation of 2G spectrum, Dr. JP said that apart from punishing culprits, the Government should undo the damage caused to the public exchequer and prevent future acts of such corruption.
He wanted the Prime Minister to revoke the tainted 2G spectrum allocations under Section 23 and 24 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 so that corporates which colluded with bribe takers and caused a colossal loss to the exchequer do not benefit from corruption. He drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the Government of India canceling purchase of 197 helicopters worth $600 million from Eurocopter following a Central Vigilance Commission report in 1997.
Dr. JP suggested imposition of a Windfall Profit Tax on all licensees who sold the spectrum or equity to ensure that the public exchequer retains abnormal profits made out of a vital public resource. He proposed enactment of a law to make all contracts involving corruption, or loss to the exchequer void and unenforceable and another to impose a civil penalty of five times the loss sustained by the exchequer in any public procurement or transfer of natural resource.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Lok Satta approaching Supreme Court to seek cancellation of 2-G licenses
As part of its multi-pronged fight against ubiquitous and monumental corruption, the Lok Satta Party will be approaching the Supreme Court to get the corruption-tainted 2-G spectrum licenses cancelled and licenses issued afresh on competitive bidding.
The Lok Satta will implead itself as a party in the case filed by the Center for Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court or a file fresh petition if necessary on the 2-G spectrum scam, said party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan in a media statement here today.
He said that the revelation of Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata that the Tatas kept away from aviation business as it was not prepared to oblige a Minister with a Rs.15-crore bribe once again underlined the need for institutional mechanisms to prevent corruption.
Dr. JP said that most of the debates in the media and political circles missed the forest by focusing on trees like the future of Mr. A. Raja, the guilty Minister, the alliance between the Congress and the DMK and the nature of the inquiry that should be instituted.
The terrible scandal offers a priceless opportunity to cleanse the political system of corruption, said Dr. JP and outlined the ways and means of going about it.
There can be no two opinions on the fact of massive corruption in the 2-G spectrum allocation as the Telecom Minister and some bureaucrats have been caught with the smoking gun. Allocation of precious and finite spectrum on a first-come, first-served basis without calling for competitive bids, arbitrary advancement of the cut-off date for considering applications, fixing an abnormally low price for the spectrum disregarding the remarkable increase in telephone density in the country, failure to lay down eligibility criteria for applicants and sale of cornered spectrum by fly-by-night operators for many times the fee they paid the Government had caused enormous loss running into tens of thousands of crores of rupees to the public exchequer.
Dr. JP demanded that the 2-G licenses granted by Mr. Raja be straightway annulled under Section 23 of the Indian Contracts Act. A contract as per the Act becomes void if it is tainted with corruption. The Government could return the license fee to the spectrum licenses after deducting fee for the period they used it. The Government should then call for international competitive bidding after laying down transparent eligibility criteria in consultation with TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India).
To prevent recurrence of such scams in future, the Government should enact a law under which any license for or lease of natural resources by the Government to corporates shall become void if there is evidence of corruption/fraud/collusion/loss to the Government. The fear of losing licenses/leases obtained with illegal money will deter corporates from indulging in corruption.
Dr. JP said that a second law be enacted immediately providing for stiff taxation of windfall profits earned by corporates because of the monopoly enjoyed by them in the exploitation of natural resources the Government allocated them either because of monopoly or a change in the global economic environment. The British Government enacted such a law in 1997, when some British companies earned abnormal profits by striking oil in the North Sea and the oil price skyrocketed. The companies that cornered the 2-G spectrum licenses through questionable means and sold them within weeks for astronomical sums should be subjected to the proposed windfall profits tax.
Dr. JP suggested enactment of another law on the lines of the False Claims Act in the U. S. If the exchequer incurs any loss because of fraud or misrepresentation or violation of the due process as determined by an independent, competent authority, the guilty had to pay a civil penalty equivalent to three to five times the loss sustained. The U. S. Government had collected USD10 billion under the Act.
Dr. JP appealed to all political parties to utilize the opportunity provided by Mr. Raja to devise institutional mechanisms for mitigating, if not eliminating corruption. India’s GDP (gross domestic product) would go up by about two percent straightway, if only corruption could be curbed, he added.
The Lok Satta will implead itself as a party in the case filed by the Center for Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court or a file fresh petition if necessary on the 2-G spectrum scam, said party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan in a media statement here today.
He said that the revelation of Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata that the Tatas kept away from aviation business as it was not prepared to oblige a Minister with a Rs.15-crore bribe once again underlined the need for institutional mechanisms to prevent corruption.
Dr. JP said that most of the debates in the media and political circles missed the forest by focusing on trees like the future of Mr. A. Raja, the guilty Minister, the alliance between the Congress and the DMK and the nature of the inquiry that should be instituted.
The terrible scandal offers a priceless opportunity to cleanse the political system of corruption, said Dr. JP and outlined the ways and means of going about it.
There can be no two opinions on the fact of massive corruption in the 2-G spectrum allocation as the Telecom Minister and some bureaucrats have been caught with the smoking gun. Allocation of precious and finite spectrum on a first-come, first-served basis without calling for competitive bids, arbitrary advancement of the cut-off date for considering applications, fixing an abnormally low price for the spectrum disregarding the remarkable increase in telephone density in the country, failure to lay down eligibility criteria for applicants and sale of cornered spectrum by fly-by-night operators for many times the fee they paid the Government had caused enormous loss running into tens of thousands of crores of rupees to the public exchequer.
Dr. JP demanded that the 2-G licenses granted by Mr. Raja be straightway annulled under Section 23 of the Indian Contracts Act. A contract as per the Act becomes void if it is tainted with corruption. The Government could return the license fee to the spectrum licenses after deducting fee for the period they used it. The Government should then call for international competitive bidding after laying down transparent eligibility criteria in consultation with TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India).
To prevent recurrence of such scams in future, the Government should enact a law under which any license for or lease of natural resources by the Government to corporates shall become void if there is evidence of corruption/fraud/collusion/loss to the Government. The fear of losing licenses/leases obtained with illegal money will deter corporates from indulging in corruption.
Dr. JP said that a second law be enacted immediately providing for stiff taxation of windfall profits earned by corporates because of the monopoly enjoyed by them in the exploitation of natural resources the Government allocated them either because of monopoly or a change in the global economic environment. The British Government enacted such a law in 1997, when some British companies earned abnormal profits by striking oil in the North Sea and the oil price skyrocketed. The companies that cornered the 2-G spectrum licenses through questionable means and sold them within weeks for astronomical sums should be subjected to the proposed windfall profits tax.
Dr. JP suggested enactment of another law on the lines of the False Claims Act in the U. S. If the exchequer incurs any loss because of fraud or misrepresentation or violation of the due process as determined by an independent, competent authority, the guilty had to pay a civil penalty equivalent to three to five times the loss sustained. The U. S. Government had collected USD10 billion under the Act.
Dr. JP appealed to all political parties to utilize the opportunity provided by Mr. Raja to devise institutional mechanisms for mitigating, if not eliminating corruption. India’s GDP (gross domestic product) would go up by about two percent straightway, if only corruption could be curbed, he added.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Lok Satta asks farmers to get ready to fight
The Lok Satta Party has called upon farmers to get ready for a serious fight against the State and Central Governments which have been depriving them of remunerative prices for agricultural produce.
The party’s State Working Committee, which met here yesterday, said in a resolution that 40 party teams would launch a publicity campaign in 150 mandals as part of its mission to unite farmers, supplementing party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan’s visits to districts. It suggested formation of farmers’ forums at the village level to keep the movement apolitical.
Addressing the media, party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma, General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao and Secretary P. Bhaskara Rao pointed out that the neighboring Karnataka Government collected a mere 1.5 percent market cess on paddy, allowed free movement of rice outside the State and announced a bonus of Rs.100 per quintal. In contrast, the Andhra Pradesh Government which earned Rs.1500 crore by way of tax and cess (totaling 10 percent), would not announce a bonus of Rs.200 a quintal of paddy.
By preventing free movement of rice outside the State and banning exports outside the country, the State and Central Governments are doing grave injustice to farmers. With a bumper crop round the corner and Government and private warehouses brimming with stocks, paddy prices are ruling below the minimum support prices, the party leaders said.
The leaders demanded that the State Government announce a bonus of Rs.200 a quintal above the minimum support price, facilitate pledge loans against paddy stocks in farmers’ homes, purchase discolored paddy and permit movement of rice outside the State. They wanted the Government of India to permit rice exports. The Karnataka Chief Minister would be leading an all-party delegation to Delhi to convince the Government of India on the imperative of exports in the present situation, the party leaders said.
The party’s State Working Committee, which met here yesterday, said in a resolution that 40 party teams would launch a publicity campaign in 150 mandals as part of its mission to unite farmers, supplementing party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan’s visits to districts. It suggested formation of farmers’ forums at the village level to keep the movement apolitical.
Addressing the media, party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma, General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao and Secretary P. Bhaskara Rao pointed out that the neighboring Karnataka Government collected a mere 1.5 percent market cess on paddy, allowed free movement of rice outside the State and announced a bonus of Rs.100 per quintal. In contrast, the Andhra Pradesh Government which earned Rs.1500 crore by way of tax and cess (totaling 10 percent), would not announce a bonus of Rs.200 a quintal of paddy.
By preventing free movement of rice outside the State and banning exports outside the country, the State and Central Governments are doing grave injustice to farmers. With a bumper crop round the corner and Government and private warehouses brimming with stocks, paddy prices are ruling below the minimum support prices, the party leaders said.
The leaders demanded that the State Government announce a bonus of Rs.200 a quintal above the minimum support price, facilitate pledge loans against paddy stocks in farmers’ homes, purchase discolored paddy and permit movement of rice outside the State. They wanted the Government of India to permit rice exports. The Karnataka Chief Minister would be leading an all-party delegation to Delhi to convince the Government of India on the imperative of exports in the present situation, the party leaders said.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Great Work by LSP
LOK SATTA PARTY achieved another success in drawing Karnataka Goverment's
attention by organising a gathering and rally of farmers at sindhanoor
in Karnataka on Wednesday November 3, 2010.
Its a huge crowd..look at the pictures and news on below link.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/04/stories/2010110454800300.htm
Result
: With in 24 hours of the meeting, Karnataka Govt offered a bonus of
Rs.100 a Quintal to the farmers over minimum support price.
Kudos to everyone who involved in these meetings
Centre urged to revoke ban on export of rice to help farmers
Correspondent
‘Farmers are in distress as it has killed demand in the market'
Government asked to enhance storage
capacity in godowns
‘There is a dead stock of over 100 million
tonnes of rice in the country'
Voice of dissent:A gathering of famers at the rally in Sindhanur on Wednesday
Sindhanur (Raichur district): Jayaprakash Narayan, MLA from Andhra Pradesh and president of the Lok Satta party, has said that the Union Government should enhance storage capacity in available godowns and ask the State Trading Corporation of India (STC) to export rice to safeguard interests of farmers.
Speaking after inaugurating a rally of farmers, jointly organised by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and the Hasiru Sene here on Wednesday, he said that wrong policies adopted by the Union Government had hit farmers. All farmers, especially paddy growers, were in distress owing to the ban imposed on the export of rice.
He said that the Centre had banned export of all varieties of rice, except Basmati. This decision had put a stop to the marketing of rice. Godowns were full with a huge stock of paddy and rice and farmers could not sell paddy due to lack of demand. Both traders and farmers had suffered heavy losses. Mr. Narayana explained that with a huge dead stock of over 100 million tonnes of rice in the country, the price of the commodity had fallen drastically. “There are no takers in the market even though farmers are ready to sell paddy at Rs. 1,000 per quintal. At this rate, the farmers will not be able to recover the cost of cultivation. The number of suicide cases among farmers could increase if the situation continues,” he said.
Urging the Centre to find alternative solutions to liquidate the huge stock of rice, he suggested exporting the surplus stock through the STC.
Chamarasa Malipatil, vice-president of the State unit of the KRRS, and a group of progressive farmers spoke.
attention by organising a gathering and rally of farmers at sindhanoor
in Karnataka on Wednesday November 3, 2010.
Its a huge crowd..look at the pictures and news on below link.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/04/stories/2010110454800300.htm
Result
: With in 24 hours of the meeting, Karnataka Govt offered a bonus of
Rs.100 a Quintal to the farmers over minimum support price.
Kudos to everyone who involved in these meetings
Centre urged to revoke ban on export of rice to help farmers
Correspondent
‘Farmers are in distress as it has killed demand in the market'
Government asked to enhance storage
capacity in godowns
‘There is a dead stock of over 100 million
tonnes of rice in the country'
Voice of dissent:A gathering of famers at the rally in Sindhanur on Wednesday
Sindhanur (Raichur district): Jayaprakash Narayan, MLA from Andhra Pradesh and president of the Lok Satta party, has said that the Union Government should enhance storage capacity in available godowns and ask the State Trading Corporation of India (STC) to export rice to safeguard interests of farmers.
Speaking after inaugurating a rally of farmers, jointly organised by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and the Hasiru Sene here on Wednesday, he said that wrong policies adopted by the Union Government had hit farmers. All farmers, especially paddy growers, were in distress owing to the ban imposed on the export of rice.
He said that the Centre had banned export of all varieties of rice, except Basmati. This decision had put a stop to the marketing of rice. Godowns were full with a huge stock of paddy and rice and farmers could not sell paddy due to lack of demand. Both traders and farmers had suffered heavy losses. Mr. Narayana explained that with a huge dead stock of over 100 million tonnes of rice in the country, the price of the commodity had fallen drastically. “There are no takers in the market even though farmers are ready to sell paddy at Rs. 1,000 per quintal. At this rate, the farmers will not be able to recover the cost of cultivation. The number of suicide cases among farmers could increase if the situation continues,” he said.
Urging the Centre to find alternative solutions to liquidate the huge stock of rice, he suggested exporting the surplus stock through the STC.
Chamarasa Malipatil, vice-president of the State unit of the KRRS, and a group of progressive farmers spoke.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Announce bonus for paddy, Dr. JP requests CM
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today urged Chief Minister K. Rosaiah to announce a bonus of Rs.200 a quintal for paddy over and above the minimum support price.
In a media statement, Dr. JP said that the Karnataka Government had offered a bonus of Rs.100 a quintal within 24 hours of Karnataka paddy growers drawing the Government’s attention to their plight by organizing a largely attended conference at Sindanur in Raichur district of Karnataka on November 3.
Dr. JP pointed out the Andhra Pradesh Government burdens farmers with a five percent rural development cess, four percent VAT (sales tax), and one percent market cess.
In contrast, the Karnataka Government collects a mere 1.5 percent as market cess, and does not collect either rural development cess or VAT. It does not restrict free movement of rice outside the State.
Dr. JP wanted the Andhra Pradesh Government to remove VAT and permit free movement of rice outside the State. It should persuade the Government of India to permit export of non-Basmati rice considering that the country is about to reap a bumper harvest even as Government and private warehouses are overflowing with food grains. Since rice prices in international markets are reigning high, exports will earn the country foreign exchange and facilitate payment of remunerative prices to paddy growers. He said that in areas where the paddy has just come into the market, the ruling prices are less than the minimum support price and added that further dithering on rice exports will depress prices further and harm producers.
For the last two weeks, Dr. JP has been on a mission to mobilize farmers on their demands. He has already visited some Coastal Andhra districts and Nalgonda in Telangana. Beginning today with Khammam, he will be visiting Medak, Nizamabad, Kurnool, Kadapa and Nellore districts to interact with farmers in the next few days.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Today's Meeting has been cancelled due to bad and rough weather.. pls update ur mail id's ASAP to get the agenda of meeting.. Team VOISE
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Bride burning deserves death penalty: SC
Accusing the "sick" Indian society for deaths of young women at the hands of their husbands and in-laws in the name of dowry, the Supreme Court has held that bride burning belongs to the "rarest of rare" category and deserves the death penalty.
Bride burning is a crime which deserves the death sentence because of the extreme depravity of mind involved in killing a young woman for the "lust of money", a Bench of Justices Markandeya Katju and Gyan Sudha Misra said in their judgment.
"The hallmark of a healthy society is the respect it shows to its women. Indian society has become a sick society," the court observed, adding that the evidence of this fact lay in the large number of cases coming up in the Supreme Court (and also in almost all courts in the country) in which young women are being killed by their husbands or by their in-laws by pouring kerosene on them and setting them on fire or by hanging/strangulating them.
Bride burning, the court said, is nothing short of murder. It explains that the term "rarest of rare" does not just mean that the act is uncommon, "it means that the act is brutal and barbaric". "And bride killing is certainly barbaric," Justice Katju said in its October 28 judgment.
The court was hearing an appeal filed by Satya Narayan Tiwari, who with his mother, killed his wife of three years in 2000 because her father could not afford to gift him a Maruti car. Forensic report showed that she was hung to death and then her body was burnt in an effort to deceive the police that she had committed suicide in their house.
The trial court acquitted the duo for lack of evidence, but the high court sentenced them to life under Section 304B (dowry death) of the IPC and six months under the Dowry Prohibition Act.
The jail term was to run concurrently.
But for the Supreme Court, the prosecution had not done enough by booking the mother-son duo for dowry death alone. Justice Katju said the state should have charged them with murder and fought for death penalty.
"In fact, it was really a case under Section 302 (murder) IPC and death sentence should have been imposed in such a case, but since no charge under Section 302 IPC was levelled, we cannot do so," he wrote.
Bride burning is a crime which deserves the death sentence because of the extreme depravity of mind involved in killing a young woman for the "lust of money", a Bench of Justices Markandeya Katju and Gyan Sudha Misra said in their judgment.
"The hallmark of a healthy society is the respect it shows to its women. Indian society has become a sick society," the court observed, adding that the evidence of this fact lay in the large number of cases coming up in the Supreme Court (and also in almost all courts in the country) in which young women are being killed by their husbands or by their in-laws by pouring kerosene on them and setting them on fire or by hanging/strangulating them.
Bride burning, the court said, is nothing short of murder. It explains that the term "rarest of rare" does not just mean that the act is uncommon, "it means that the act is brutal and barbaric". "And bride killing is certainly barbaric," Justice Katju said in its October 28 judgment.
The court was hearing an appeal filed by Satya Narayan Tiwari, who with his mother, killed his wife of three years in 2000 because her father could not afford to gift him a Maruti car. Forensic report showed that she was hung to death and then her body was burnt in an effort to deceive the police that she had committed suicide in their house.
The trial court acquitted the duo for lack of evidence, but the high court sentenced them to life under Section 304B (dowry death) of the IPC and six months under the Dowry Prohibition Act.
The jail term was to run concurrently.
But for the Supreme Court, the prosecution had not done enough by booking the mother-son duo for dowry death alone. Justice Katju said the state should have charged them with murder and fought for death penalty.
"In fact, it was really a case under Section 302 (murder) IPC and death sentence should have been imposed in such a case, but since no charge under Section 302 IPC was levelled, we cannot do so," he wrote.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Let us ensure triumph of good over evil, appeals Dr. JP
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today conveyed his greetings and good wishes to people on the eve of Deepavali.
Pointing out that Deepavali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil as per mythology and tradition, Dr. JP regretted that the contrary has become true in contemporary India. Millions of people continue to be mired in poverty and drudgery, although we have the resources and technologies to wipe every tear from every eye. Not a day passes without skeletons of corruption tumbling out of the cupboard from all over the country in most spheres of life including the highest judiciary. The chasm between rural and urban India, agriculture and industry, the poor and the rich has been ever widening.
Dr. JP said, “Let us resolve on the occasion of Deepavali to address some of these burning issues if we want to ensure that the festival of lights will in future at least mark the triumph of good over evil.”
Pointing out that Deepavali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil as per mythology and tradition, Dr. JP regretted that the contrary has become true in contemporary India. Millions of people continue to be mired in poverty and drudgery, although we have the resources and technologies to wipe every tear from every eye. Not a day passes without skeletons of corruption tumbling out of the cupboard from all over the country in most spheres of life including the highest judiciary. The chasm between rural and urban India, agriculture and industry, the poor and the rich has been ever widening.
Dr. JP said, “Let us resolve on the occasion of Deepavali to address some of these burning issues if we want to ensure that the festival of lights will in future at least mark the triumph of good over evil.”
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Linguistic States have made India stronger: Dr. JP
November 1, which witnessed the formation of linguistic States, is as important at August 15 when the country attained Independence and January 26 when it became a republic, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.
Addressing a meeting after unfurling the national flag at the party headquarters to mark the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, Dr. JP pointed out that nation builders opted for constitution of linguistic States as part of their mission to build a strong federal republic. In the early days of Independence, national leaders built India as a quasi-federal setup by concentrating power in the Government of India to preserve the country’s unity. Constitution of linguistic States subsequently promoted unity and facilitated India’s emergence as a strong federation. That neglect of any language would lead to catastrophic consequences is evident from the happenings in Yugoslavia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Dr. JP said language continues to be a binding force, whatever are the differences among people under umpteen counts.
Mr. D. V. V. S. Varma, party’s Working President, and a large number of party activists took part in the festivities.
Addressing a meeting after unfurling the national flag at the party headquarters to mark the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, Dr. JP pointed out that nation builders opted for constitution of linguistic States as part of their mission to build a strong federal republic. In the early days of Independence, national leaders built India as a quasi-federal setup by concentrating power in the Government of India to preserve the country’s unity. Constitution of linguistic States subsequently promoted unity and facilitated India’s emergence as a strong federation. That neglect of any language would lead to catastrophic consequences is evident from the happenings in Yugoslavia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Dr. JP said language continues to be a binding force, whatever are the differences among people under umpteen counts.
Mr. D. V. V. S. Varma, party’s Working President, and a large number of party activists took part in the festivities.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Lok Satta seeks package for rain-hit farmers
Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma today appealed to the Government to go the rescue of the rain ravaged farmers in Coastal Andhra.
Quoting reports that crops in 6-7 lakh acres have been damaged in rains in the last few days, Mr. Varma suggested that the Government announce a package of assistance to the affected, a majority of them tenant farmers. The Government should make arrangements for purchase of discolored paddy and conversion of rain-soaked paddy into boiled rice. Banks should be asked to reschedule crop loans.
Mr. Y. D. Rama Rao, party’s Vice President, appealed to his party workers to instill confidence in affected farmers and draw the Government’s assistance to their plight.
Quoting reports that crops in 6-7 lakh acres have been damaged in rains in the last few days, Mr. Varma suggested that the Government announce a package of assistance to the affected, a majority of them tenant farmers. The Government should make arrangements for purchase of discolored paddy and conversion of rain-soaked paddy into boiled rice. Banks should be asked to reschedule crop loans.
Mr. Y. D. Rama Rao, party’s Vice President, appealed to his party workers to instill confidence in affected farmers and draw the Government’s assistance to their plight.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Free trade a win-win proposal for Government, country, and farmers: Dr. JP
‘Agricultural liberalization need of the hour’ -- Dr.JP
The Government of India could make a net profit of not less than Rs.50,000 crore this year by exporting just one variety of rice grown in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.
Addressing a media conference, Dr. JP hoped that the economist-turned Prime Minister would seize the historic opportunity not merely to earn precious foreign exchange for the country but also to mitigate widespread distress among farmers. It was time Dr. Manmohan Singh, who liberated industry from the license-permit raj, focused on rescuing agriculture from imminent collapse.
Dr. JP, who returned today after a six-day visit to the granary of Andhra Pradesh, painted a very grim picture of the gathering agricultural crisis. Paddy prices are about to crash and ruin farmers, as all warehouses are overflowing with food grains even as a bumper crop is round the corner.
The Government has as of today 46 million tons of food grains, against the required buffer stock of 16 million tons for October. Farmers and traders have probably another 20 million tons of food grains with them. Thanks to bountiful rains and increased acreage, the country is about to witness record yields. The MSP offered by the Government does not cover even the cost of cultivation. The minimum support rice has become the maximum selling price.
According to Government estimates, Andhra Pradesh will produce an all-time high of 20.9 million tons of food grains, including 14.8 million tons of rice, during the current crop year. The State requires not more than 7.2 million tons of rice a year for internal consumption. In other words, two-thirds of the State's food grain production will be a surplus, not taking into account the huge stocks of the previous crop lying with farmers and traders.
The Governments - Union and State - have put farmers in fetters with their antediluvian farm sector policies. A corrupt, thoughtless license-permit-quota raj has been crippling the farm sector. In agriculture, production itself is dependent on weather gods, pests and diseases, availability of quality inputs and timely workforce. One out of three crops is lost and the farmer suffers heavy losses. But thanks to Government policies, even when a farmer raises a good crop overcoming all obstacles, the price is depressed. The farmer loses all when the crops fail; and he loses heavily when there is a good harvest.
Against such a backdrop, Dr. JP said, there is no wonder that paddy prices have started crashing. The Union Government continues the ban on non-basmati rice exports imposed last year in the wake of drought and floods. The State Government would not allow free movement of rice outside the State or between districts within the State. It condescends to allow movement of only limited stocks and that too against permits for apparent reasons.
The average yield of paddy in Andhra Pradesh is 22 bags of 75 kg each or 16.5 quintals. The cost of cultivation comes to Rs.16,000 per acre to a farmer and about Rs.25,000 to a tenant. Even if the Government ensures the minimum support price of Rs.1000/Rs.1030 per quintal, the farmer merely reaps back his investment, while the tenant incurs a net loss. In areas where the crop has already landed in market yards, the ruling prices are less than the MSP.
Dr. JP said that a sagacious Government would promote free trade and exports to overcome problems of overflowing warehouses within the country and take advantage of the galloping prices in international markets. Instead of granting permits and licenses to private parties for rice exports, and attracting charges of favoritism, nepotism, and sleaze, the Government could canalize exports through State undertakings.
Dr. JP said the Government need to export just one super fine variety of rice -- BPT 5204, known as Sona Masuri, which has a good demand in all rice-eating nations. The Sona Masuri surplus in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka after the current kharif harvest will be at least 10 million tons, he said.
He explained that Sona Masuri is quoting at $24-27 a bag of nine kg in international markets. It works out to Rs.120-135 a kg or Rs.12,000-13,500 a quintal in rupee terms. The price is likely to go up further because rains and floods have ravaged the paddy crop in Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries. Even if the Government realizes a price of only Rs. 80 per kg after meeting all incidental expenses on storage, transportation etc, the profit on export of 10 million tons of BPT rice will be more than Rs.50,000 crore.
Dr. JP said that the Government could retain 50 percent of the profit and share the remainder with farmers. It could pay a bonus of Rs.500 a quintal to all paddy growers in AP and Karnataka - not merely Sona Masuri growers - for the coming four years.
Dr. JP accused both the Union and State Governments of ruining agriculture, the mainstay of 60 percent of people in the country. The per capita income of farmers and tenants who are solely dependent on agriculture in India is Rs.15,000 a year, in contrast to Rs.1,04,000 of those engaged in non-agricultural occupations. How can industry flourish if 60 percent of people lead a subsistence existence and cannot afford goods produced by industry?
No farmer in the countryside would like to give his daughter in marriage to a farmer or want his son to take to farming because it does not ensure two square meals a day, leave alone a life of comfort or luxury. It is not a surprise that villages are getting depopulated.
Dr. JP recalled that Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. Pranab Mukerjee had defended India joining the WTO in the interest of the Indian farmer who enjoyed a competitive advantage in cost of production. "We today have a competitive advantage in rice production, but the Government would not permit exports and allow the farmer to benefit from high prices in the international market. On the contrary, it facilitates duty-free import of rice and wheat. We have a competitive disadvantage in oilseeds production. The Rajiv Gandhi government created an Oil-seeds Mission to encourage farmers, but now thanks to the Government's irrational policies, Indian cooking oil will soon be a thing of the past. Instead of encouraging farmers to step up yields, the Government permits duty-free import of edible oil and supplies it on subsidy to consumers. Imports meet nearly 80 percent of the country's edible oil requirements. In other words, the Government is straining its every nerve to ensure that a farmer on an alien soil benefits at the cost of the Indian farmer, whatever be the agricultural produce."
With the free import of Pangasius variety of fish from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Burma and other ASEAN countries, the price of that fish in India plummeted from Rs.50 to Rs. 30 a kg. Whenever cotton prices rise to the advantage of farmers, exports are banned, and imports are allowed even when international prices are higher. Sugarcane farmers are kept on a tight leash; this resulted in farmers givingup cane production. Factories shut down; and we had to import 50 lakh tonnes of sugar this year. The Government's single point program ensures that the Indian farmer never realizes good prices, and agriculture continues to be a subsistence occupation.
No major country actively works against its own farmers as the Indian Government does. If there is a conspiracy to destroy our agriculture, impoverish our farmers and tenants, and ruin village economy, the Government could not have done differently. Irrational and anti-national policies in agriculture are denying us market access, profits, foreign exchange and farm income. This shameless exploitation of farmers and tenants is leading to economic ruin of villages which constitute 70% of the population. This is also affecting the rest of the economy, as the demand for industrial goods and services is limited largely to 30% of the population. "The policies of the government are clearly resulting in India's economic growth being held back; eventually the economy will stagnate, and the nation will pay a heavy price," Dr. JP said.
Dr. JP recalled that the Government of India liberalized the economy in the 1990s not out of conviction but because of compulsion. It had to mortgage gold and self-respect in London to pay for fertilizer and fuel imports and ward off a default in debt servicing. The Government, which had unshackled industry and unleashed animal spirits, would not like to forgo its stranglehold on agriculture. "Should a catastrophe visit agriculture too before the Government mends its mindset?", asked Dr. JP
Dr. JP announced that farmers in Karnataka and Maharashtra will be meeting soon in large numbers to discuss the crisis they are facing and finalize the future course of action.
The Lok Satta Party, as a matter of principle, is opposed to inconveniencing people by calling for rasta rokos and bandhs on any particular issue. It may have to make an exception in the case of the present agrarian crisis if the Government does not respond and render justice to the farmer. It is considering a proposal to paralyze the general economy by blocking cargo traffic for a few days on national highways and rail roads so that the rest of the country will appreciate the problems 60 percent of people solely dependent on agriculture are facing.
The Government of India could make a net profit of not less than Rs.50,000 crore this year by exporting just one variety of rice grown in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.
Addressing a media conference, Dr. JP hoped that the economist-turned Prime Minister would seize the historic opportunity not merely to earn precious foreign exchange for the country but also to mitigate widespread distress among farmers. It was time Dr. Manmohan Singh, who liberated industry from the license-permit raj, focused on rescuing agriculture from imminent collapse.
Dr. JP, who returned today after a six-day visit to the granary of Andhra Pradesh, painted a very grim picture of the gathering agricultural crisis. Paddy prices are about to crash and ruin farmers, as all warehouses are overflowing with food grains even as a bumper crop is round the corner.
The Government has as of today 46 million tons of food grains, against the required buffer stock of 16 million tons for October. Farmers and traders have probably another 20 million tons of food grains with them. Thanks to bountiful rains and increased acreage, the country is about to witness record yields. The MSP offered by the Government does not cover even the cost of cultivation. The minimum support rice has become the maximum selling price.
According to Government estimates, Andhra Pradesh will produce an all-time high of 20.9 million tons of food grains, including 14.8 million tons of rice, during the current crop year. The State requires not more than 7.2 million tons of rice a year for internal consumption. In other words, two-thirds of the State's food grain production will be a surplus, not taking into account the huge stocks of the previous crop lying with farmers and traders.
The Governments - Union and State - have put farmers in fetters with their antediluvian farm sector policies. A corrupt, thoughtless license-permit-quota raj has been crippling the farm sector. In agriculture, production itself is dependent on weather gods, pests and diseases, availability of quality inputs and timely workforce. One out of three crops is lost and the farmer suffers heavy losses. But thanks to Government policies, even when a farmer raises a good crop overcoming all obstacles, the price is depressed. The farmer loses all when the crops fail; and he loses heavily when there is a good harvest.
Against such a backdrop, Dr. JP said, there is no wonder that paddy prices have started crashing. The Union Government continues the ban on non-basmati rice exports imposed last year in the wake of drought and floods. The State Government would not allow free movement of rice outside the State or between districts within the State. It condescends to allow movement of only limited stocks and that too against permits for apparent reasons.
The average yield of paddy in Andhra Pradesh is 22 bags of 75 kg each or 16.5 quintals. The cost of cultivation comes to Rs.16,000 per acre to a farmer and about Rs.25,000 to a tenant. Even if the Government ensures the minimum support price of Rs.1000/Rs.1030 per quintal, the farmer merely reaps back his investment, while the tenant incurs a net loss. In areas where the crop has already landed in market yards, the ruling prices are less than the MSP.
Dr. JP said that a sagacious Government would promote free trade and exports to overcome problems of overflowing warehouses within the country and take advantage of the galloping prices in international markets. Instead of granting permits and licenses to private parties for rice exports, and attracting charges of favoritism, nepotism, and sleaze, the Government could canalize exports through State undertakings.
Dr. JP said the Government need to export just one super fine variety of rice -- BPT 5204, known as Sona Masuri, which has a good demand in all rice-eating nations. The Sona Masuri surplus in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka after the current kharif harvest will be at least 10 million tons, he said.
He explained that Sona Masuri is quoting at $24-27 a bag of nine kg in international markets. It works out to Rs.120-135 a kg or Rs.12,000-13,500 a quintal in rupee terms. The price is likely to go up further because rains and floods have ravaged the paddy crop in Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries. Even if the Government realizes a price of only Rs. 80 per kg after meeting all incidental expenses on storage, transportation etc, the profit on export of 10 million tons of BPT rice will be more than Rs.50,000 crore.
Dr. JP said that the Government could retain 50 percent of the profit and share the remainder with farmers. It could pay a bonus of Rs.500 a quintal to all paddy growers in AP and Karnataka - not merely Sona Masuri growers - for the coming four years.
Dr. JP accused both the Union and State Governments of ruining agriculture, the mainstay of 60 percent of people in the country. The per capita income of farmers and tenants who are solely dependent on agriculture in India is Rs.15,000 a year, in contrast to Rs.1,04,000 of those engaged in non-agricultural occupations. How can industry flourish if 60 percent of people lead a subsistence existence and cannot afford goods produced by industry?
No farmer in the countryside would like to give his daughter in marriage to a farmer or want his son to take to farming because it does not ensure two square meals a day, leave alone a life of comfort or luxury. It is not a surprise that villages are getting depopulated.
Dr. JP recalled that Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. Pranab Mukerjee had defended India joining the WTO in the interest of the Indian farmer who enjoyed a competitive advantage in cost of production. "We today have a competitive advantage in rice production, but the Government would not permit exports and allow the farmer to benefit from high prices in the international market. On the contrary, it facilitates duty-free import of rice and wheat. We have a competitive disadvantage in oilseeds production. The Rajiv Gandhi government created an Oil-seeds Mission to encourage farmers, but now thanks to the Government's irrational policies, Indian cooking oil will soon be a thing of the past. Instead of encouraging farmers to step up yields, the Government permits duty-free import of edible oil and supplies it on subsidy to consumers. Imports meet nearly 80 percent of the country's edible oil requirements. In other words, the Government is straining its every nerve to ensure that a farmer on an alien soil benefits at the cost of the Indian farmer, whatever be the agricultural produce."
With the free import of Pangasius variety of fish from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Burma and other ASEAN countries, the price of that fish in India plummeted from Rs.50 to Rs. 30 a kg. Whenever cotton prices rise to the advantage of farmers, exports are banned, and imports are allowed even when international prices are higher. Sugarcane farmers are kept on a tight leash; this resulted in farmers givingup cane production. Factories shut down; and we had to import 50 lakh tonnes of sugar this year. The Government's single point program ensures that the Indian farmer never realizes good prices, and agriculture continues to be a subsistence occupation.
No major country actively works against its own farmers as the Indian Government does. If there is a conspiracy to destroy our agriculture, impoverish our farmers and tenants, and ruin village economy, the Government could not have done differently. Irrational and anti-national policies in agriculture are denying us market access, profits, foreign exchange and farm income. This shameless exploitation of farmers and tenants is leading to economic ruin of villages which constitute 70% of the population. This is also affecting the rest of the economy, as the demand for industrial goods and services is limited largely to 30% of the population. "The policies of the government are clearly resulting in India's economic growth being held back; eventually the economy will stagnate, and the nation will pay a heavy price," Dr. JP said.
Dr. JP recalled that the Government of India liberalized the economy in the 1990s not out of conviction but because of compulsion. It had to mortgage gold and self-respect in London to pay for fertilizer and fuel imports and ward off a default in debt servicing. The Government, which had unshackled industry and unleashed animal spirits, would not like to forgo its stranglehold on agriculture. "Should a catastrophe visit agriculture too before the Government mends its mindset?", asked Dr. JP
Dr. JP announced that farmers in Karnataka and Maharashtra will be meeting soon in large numbers to discuss the crisis they are facing and finalize the future course of action.
The Lok Satta Party, as a matter of principle, is opposed to inconveniencing people by calling for rasta rokos and bandhs on any particular issue. It may have to make an exception in the case of the present agrarian crisis if the Government does not respond and render justice to the farmer. It is considering a proposal to paralyze the general economy by blocking cargo traffic for a few days on national highways and rail roads so that the rest of the country will appreciate the problems 60 percent of people solely dependent on agriculture are facing.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Value Of A Smile :)
The value of a smile is priceless, yet it is the cheapest, easiest, most rewarding and most sincere gift to anyone that crosses your path. A smile makes a person's day, anybody's day even a stranger's day. A smile is infectious. Start infecting people with your smile today.
A smile is nature's best antidote for discouragement. It brings rest to the weary, sunshine to those who are sad, and hope to those who are hopeless and defeated.
A smile is so valuable that it can't be bought, begged, borrowed, or taken away against your will. You have to be willing to give a smile away before it can do anyone else any good.
So if someone is too tired or grumpy to flash you a smile, let him have one of yours anyway. Nobody needs a smile as much as the person who has none to give.
A smile is nature's best antidote for discouragement. It brings rest to the weary, sunshine to those who are sad, and hope to those who are hopeless and defeated.
A smile is so valuable that it can't be bought, begged, borrowed, or taken away against your will. You have to be willing to give a smile away before it can do anyone else any good.
So if someone is too tired or grumpy to flash you a smile, let him have one of yours anyway. Nobody needs a smile as much as the person who has none to give.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Prayer Of A Dying Child
I woke up one morning and I was 17,
I knew the day had come
The day I prove to everyone how cool I was
The day I accepted death as my destiny
Little did I know I would regret that day
And my family who kept me alive for 17 years
Would be cursed by me for years of never ending pain
Without thinking I lit the cigarette
I knew it had to be done before the day was over
I coughed a little but I was fine
Now as I lay in bed coughing and choking
My family is beside me
My parents and my sister
I whisper in my sister's ear
"Please don't do what I did"
She just nodded her head in silence
Now as my angel holds me in his arms
I know it's time for me to go
I close my eyes and kiss him one last time
It's funny how we resent those who try to help us when we're alive
And how we beg them to save us when we're about to die
All this because of one silly cigarette
All this because someone was dumb enought to say that
Smoking is cool.
I knew the day had come
The day I prove to everyone how cool I was
The day I accepted death as my destiny
Little did I know I would regret that day
And my family who kept me alive for 17 years
Would be cursed by me for years of never ending pain
Without thinking I lit the cigarette
I knew it had to be done before the day was over
I coughed a little but I was fine
Now as I lay in bed coughing and choking
My family is beside me
My parents and my sister
I whisper in my sister's ear
"Please don't do what I did"
She just nodded her head in silence
Now as my angel holds me in his arms
I know it's time for me to go
I close my eyes and kiss him one last time
It's funny how we resent those who try to help us when we're alive
And how we beg them to save us when we're about to die
All this because of one silly cigarette
All this because someone was dumb enought to say that
Smoking is cool.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Hi friends this is VOISE Coordinator..
Sorry for last past 3 days there were no posts...
Actually we are planing a JOURNAL...
Soon it will be finalized and the first journal will hit the markets soon...
Please give ur suggestions and ideas for us so that it would be more helpful for us...
Thanks and Regards
Team VOISE
Sorry for last past 3 days there were no posts...
Actually we are planing a JOURNAL...
Soon it will be finalized and the first journal will hit the markets soon...
Please give ur suggestions and ideas for us so that it would be more helpful for us...
Thanks and Regards
Team VOISE
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Women demand separate wing to tackle domestic violence
A round-table conference of women’s representatives has demanded that the Government constitute a separate wing to implement the Domestic Violence Act, divesting the Woman and Child Welfare Department of the responsibility.
The Mahila Satta and the Legal Cell of the Lok Satta organized the conference to review implementation of the four-year-old Act at the Lok Satta Party Headquarters here today.
Participants cutting across party lines pointed out that implementation of the Act left much to be desired and traced the high incidence of violence against women to the growing liquor consumption and consumerism and illiteracy among women. Significantly, the participants conceded there were instances of violence against men too which need to be addressed.
The participants in the four-hour conference included Mrs. Tripurana Venkataratnam and K. Pushpaleela (Congress), Mrs. Madhavi Deepak and Mrs. Shaheeda Begum (Praja Rajyam), AP Women’s Federation State Secretary Aruna, Telangana Democratic Front President N. Vijayalakshmi, Mrs. Aruna of Vikasa Dhatri, Mrs. Challa Uma of AIFW, Mrs. Kalpavalli and Mrs. Lakshmi, social workers, Mrs. Mahalakshmi, Vice President, State Mahila Satta, Mrs. Gajanani, GHMC Mahila Satta Secretary, Mrs. Padmavati of the Legal Cell, and Lok Satta leaders Mrs. Y. Ramadevi, Subhashini, Mangala, Rama Subhadra, Sujata, Vimaladevi, Sarada, Vijayakumari, Vijaya Venkateswarai, Nirmalarani, V. Ramachandraiah, A. B. Prathap Reddy and Srikant.
Mrs. K. Gita Murthy, Mahila Satta General Secretary, coordinated the program.
Initiating the discussion, Lok Satta Legal Cell Convener C. V. L. Narasimha Rao wanted the media to publicize the Domestiv Violence Act and educate people. Mrs. Tripurana Venkataratnam suggested that the Government open family counseling centers up to the mandal level and utilize retired employees’ services. Mrs. Pushpa Lela welcomed the trend of women coming together transcending their political differences. Mrs. Madhavi Deepak said that domestic violence could be prevented through eradication of the drink evil. Mrs. Aruna of the AP Women’s Federation said that committed and knowledgeable persons be appointed to the State’s Women’s Commission. Mrs. Mahalakshmi wanted swift punishment to the guilty under the Act. Mrs. Aruna of the Vikasa Dhatri suggested that the Government, media and civil society organizations fight jointly against domestic violence.
The conference endorsed Mr. C. V. L. Narasimha Rao’s suggestion that an action committee be formed after some more workshops to take the cause forward.
The Mahila Satta and the Legal Cell of the Lok Satta organized the conference to review implementation of the four-year-old Act at the Lok Satta Party Headquarters here today.
Participants cutting across party lines pointed out that implementation of the Act left much to be desired and traced the high incidence of violence against women to the growing liquor consumption and consumerism and illiteracy among women. Significantly, the participants conceded there were instances of violence against men too which need to be addressed.
The participants in the four-hour conference included Mrs. Tripurana Venkataratnam and K. Pushpaleela (Congress), Mrs. Madhavi Deepak and Mrs. Shaheeda Begum (Praja Rajyam), AP Women’s Federation State Secretary Aruna, Telangana Democratic Front President N. Vijayalakshmi, Mrs. Aruna of Vikasa Dhatri, Mrs. Challa Uma of AIFW, Mrs. Kalpavalli and Mrs. Lakshmi, social workers, Mrs. Mahalakshmi, Vice President, State Mahila Satta, Mrs. Gajanani, GHMC Mahila Satta Secretary, Mrs. Padmavati of the Legal Cell, and Lok Satta leaders Mrs. Y. Ramadevi, Subhashini, Mangala, Rama Subhadra, Sujata, Vimaladevi, Sarada, Vijayakumari, Vijaya Venkateswarai, Nirmalarani, V. Ramachandraiah, A. B. Prathap Reddy and Srikant.
Mrs. K. Gita Murthy, Mahila Satta General Secretary, coordinated the program.
Initiating the discussion, Lok Satta Legal Cell Convener C. V. L. Narasimha Rao wanted the media to publicize the Domestiv Violence Act and educate people. Mrs. Tripurana Venkataratnam suggested that the Government open family counseling centers up to the mandal level and utilize retired employees’ services. Mrs. Pushpa Lela welcomed the trend of women coming together transcending their political differences. Mrs. Madhavi Deepak said that domestic violence could be prevented through eradication of the drink evil. Mrs. Aruna of the AP Women’s Federation said that committed and knowledgeable persons be appointed to the State’s Women’s Commission. Mrs. Mahalakshmi wanted swift punishment to the guilty under the Act. Mrs. Aruna of the Vikasa Dhatri suggested that the Government, media and civil society organizations fight jointly against domestic violence.
The conference endorsed Mr. C. V. L. Narasimha Rao’s suggestion that an action committee be formed after some more workshops to take the cause forward.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Nip secessionist talk in bud: Dr. JP
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today appealed to human rights activists not to endanger the unity and integrity of India by lending legitimacy to forces seeking self-determination in the name of religion.
Paraphrasing George Santayana, Dr. JP said that if we fail to learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. He recalled that the Partition of India in the name of religion in 1947 saw 15 million people being uprooted from their homes, a million butchered, 600000 maimed and 300000 women molested. In the recent past, balkanization of the erstwhile Yugoslavia resulted in genocide and anarchy. Pakistan and Sri Lanka had gone through similar strife following secessionist demands. In contrast, India despite many hiccups has remarkably succeeded in preserving its unity and integrity.
Dr. JP was reacting to the speeches made at a seminar titled ‘ Azadi: The Only Way’ in New Delhi on October 21 by Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and others.
Dr. JP pointed out that India has a marvelous Constitution, which can accommodate the hopes and aspirations of people belonging to all regions, speaking diverse languages and professing different religions.
Dr. JP wanted both the Union and State Governments to act firmly against forces that are out to dismember India by. “ Indians can have peace, prosperity, and human rights only when the country remains one and united. Political parties should not fish in troubled waters in their quest for power and votes. Let not the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and efforts put in by visionary leaders post-Independence in building India of today go in vain.”
Paraphrasing George Santayana, Dr. JP said that if we fail to learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. He recalled that the Partition of India in the name of religion in 1947 saw 15 million people being uprooted from their homes, a million butchered, 600000 maimed and 300000 women molested. In the recent past, balkanization of the erstwhile Yugoslavia resulted in genocide and anarchy. Pakistan and Sri Lanka had gone through similar strife following secessionist demands. In contrast, India despite many hiccups has remarkably succeeded in preserving its unity and integrity.
Dr. JP was reacting to the speeches made at a seminar titled ‘ Azadi: The Only Way’ in New Delhi on October 21 by Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and others.
Dr. JP pointed out that India has a marvelous Constitution, which can accommodate the hopes and aspirations of people belonging to all regions, speaking diverse languages and professing different religions.
Dr. JP wanted both the Union and State Governments to act firmly against forces that are out to dismember India by. “ Indians can have peace, prosperity, and human rights only when the country remains one and united. Political parties should not fish in troubled waters in their quest for power and votes. Let not the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and efforts put in by visionary leaders post-Independence in building India of today go in vain.”
Monday, October 25, 2010
Lok Satta demands deletion of controversial section
The Lok Satta Party today asked the State Government to ensure that Section 14 (f) of the Presidential Order, 1975 is deleted as unanimously sought by the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on March 18, 2010. Deletion of the section will bring appointment of police personnel up to a certain cadre under the zonalization scheme introduced through the 32nd Constitution Amendment Act of 1975.
In a media statement, Lok Satta Party leaders V. Vijayender Reddy and P. Bhaskara Rao recalled that party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan had suggested deletion of the section in the all-party meet convened by the Chief Minister on October 19, 2009. He had even written to the Speaker of the Assembly on February 17, 2010 seeking permission to introduce a resolution to that effect. The Government dropped its plans to file a review petition in the Supreme Court and finally introduced the resolution in the Assembly. It has, however, failed to get it implemented by New Delhi.
The Lok Satta leaders pointed out that deletion of the controversial section will clear misgivings among people and ward off agitations on recruitment to Government services. They appealed to people not to be misled by propaganda that the deletion of the section will harm the interests of job aspirants of other regions.
In a media statement, Lok Satta Party leaders V. Vijayender Reddy and P. Bhaskara Rao recalled that party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan had suggested deletion of the section in the all-party meet convened by the Chief Minister on October 19, 2009. He had even written to the Speaker of the Assembly on February 17, 2010 seeking permission to introduce a resolution to that effect. The Government dropped its plans to file a review petition in the Supreme Court and finally introduced the resolution in the Assembly. It has, however, failed to get it implemented by New Delhi.
The Lok Satta leaders pointed out that deletion of the controversial section will clear misgivings among people and ward off agitations on recruitment to Government services. They appealed to people not to be misled by propaganda that the deletion of the section will harm the interests of job aspirants of other regions.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Seven Great Scourges Hurting India
The central challenges of our polity are the failure of the best and brightest to enter public life and make the necessary sacrifice to accept the burdens of leadership; and the highly centralized governance system which distanced people from the elected leaders and civil servants. The rest are all consequences of these twin failures.
As a result, seven great scourges are hurting the country: 1). Perpetuation of abject poverty despite resources and technology; 2). All-pervasive corruption; 3). Over-centralization; 4). Failure of rule law and the rise of anarchy and criminalization; 5). Politics of division, hatred and primordial loyalties; 6). Increasing urban-rural divide, and excessive migration to big cities, and 7) Rise of licentious behaviour, and abuse of alcohol and drugs.
Happily, India has also done a few things right in the past sixty years. Strengthening of federalism, a sound institutional infrastructure, preserving freedoms, and rapid economic growth in recent years after decades of stagnation of the license raj are our greatest successes.
We need to focus on a few key changes to preserve our strengths and overcome weaknesses.
Judicial reforms: The recent events showed us how vital it is to preserve the credibility, independence and integrity of the judiciary. We need to create a mechanism for appointments for higher judiciary; and for removal of errant judges. We also need to encourage entry of our best and brightest young men and women into judiciary at lower levels.
Corruption: A strong, effective, independent anti-corruption commission with powers to confiscate property, and ensure swift punishment is the need of the hour. The stink of Commonwealth Games, the many recent scams and allegations, and the obvious rise in corruption everywhere make this an opportune time to fight corruption – in politics, bureaucracy and judiciary.
Decentralization: The recent draft amendment of the Constitution proposed by the Union government is a good starting point. There is broad acceptance in principle, and we must work for its enactment so that the people are empowered, vote is seen by citizens as a valuable tool; there is visible link between taxes and services; and authority fuses with accountability.
Liberalization of agriculture and rural rejuvenation: Agriculture is still suffering under the yoke of the mighty bureaucracy, and license-permit-raj continues in this sector. Consequently, price signals are not allowed to influence production; free trade is not permitted, and farmers are made abjectly dependent on government largesse. A free trade regime in agriculture with adequate safeguards to ensure food security, and protection of farmers from imports will liberate rural economy and transform the lives of 55% Indians.
Political reform: We need to eliminate the role of marginal vote which is at the root of criminalization, vote buying, and electoral fraud. Proportional system of representation with suitable safeguards to suit our conditions; and direct election of the executive at local and state levels will largely eliminate the distortions by creating a new set of incentives, and destroying the existing ones.
Rule of law: Independent crime investigation, independent prosecution, strengthening forensic capabilities, faster legal procedures, greater number of courts, and speedy justice will transform the way society looks at the law and state. Once rule of law makes it easy for people to do good, and makes it difficult to do evil, a lot of things change dramatically.
I believe these changes are round the corner if we all focus our energies and understand the levers of change. Yes, things are bad – at times unbearably bad. But as they say, when we are going through hell, we should keep going. There is light at the end of the tunnel.The demographic changes in India, rapid economic growth and rising incomes, the exposure to satellite television, and access to modern technology make the next decade the decade of transformation.
Let us keep our morale high, and collectively and systematically address the challenges step by step. We will surely achieve most of these six goals by 2020.
As a result, seven great scourges are hurting the country: 1). Perpetuation of abject poverty despite resources and technology; 2). All-pervasive corruption; 3). Over-centralization; 4). Failure of rule law and the rise of anarchy and criminalization; 5). Politics of division, hatred and primordial loyalties; 6). Increasing urban-rural divide, and excessive migration to big cities, and 7) Rise of licentious behaviour, and abuse of alcohol and drugs.
Happily, India has also done a few things right in the past sixty years. Strengthening of federalism, a sound institutional infrastructure, preserving freedoms, and rapid economic growth in recent years after decades of stagnation of the license raj are our greatest successes.
We need to focus on a few key changes to preserve our strengths and overcome weaknesses.
Judicial reforms: The recent events showed us how vital it is to preserve the credibility, independence and integrity of the judiciary. We need to create a mechanism for appointments for higher judiciary; and for removal of errant judges. We also need to encourage entry of our best and brightest young men and women into judiciary at lower levels.
Corruption: A strong, effective, independent anti-corruption commission with powers to confiscate property, and ensure swift punishment is the need of the hour. The stink of Commonwealth Games, the many recent scams and allegations, and the obvious rise in corruption everywhere make this an opportune time to fight corruption – in politics, bureaucracy and judiciary.
Decentralization: The recent draft amendment of the Constitution proposed by the Union government is a good starting point. There is broad acceptance in principle, and we must work for its enactment so that the people are empowered, vote is seen by citizens as a valuable tool; there is visible link between taxes and services; and authority fuses with accountability.
Liberalization of agriculture and rural rejuvenation: Agriculture is still suffering under the yoke of the mighty bureaucracy, and license-permit-raj continues in this sector. Consequently, price signals are not allowed to influence production; free trade is not permitted, and farmers are made abjectly dependent on government largesse. A free trade regime in agriculture with adequate safeguards to ensure food security, and protection of farmers from imports will liberate rural economy and transform the lives of 55% Indians.
Political reform: We need to eliminate the role of marginal vote which is at the root of criminalization, vote buying, and electoral fraud. Proportional system of representation with suitable safeguards to suit our conditions; and direct election of the executive at local and state levels will largely eliminate the distortions by creating a new set of incentives, and destroying the existing ones.
Rule of law: Independent crime investigation, independent prosecution, strengthening forensic capabilities, faster legal procedures, greater number of courts, and speedy justice will transform the way society looks at the law and state. Once rule of law makes it easy for people to do good, and makes it difficult to do evil, a lot of things change dramatically.
I believe these changes are round the corner if we all focus our energies and understand the levers of change. Yes, things are bad – at times unbearably bad. But as they say, when we are going through hell, we should keep going. There is light at the end of the tunnel.The demographic changes in India, rapid economic growth and rising incomes, the exposure to satellite television, and access to modern technology make the next decade the decade of transformation.
Let us keep our morale high, and collectively and systematically address the challenges step by step. We will surely achieve most of these six goals by 2020.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Lok Satta suggests talks on teachers’ recruitment
The Lok Satta Party today wanted the Government to resolve the issue over teachers’ recruitment by inviting their representatives for talks.
Mr. V. Laxman Balaji, General Secretary of the Lok Satta Party, recalled in a media statement that the Government itself was responsible for the present imbroglio, resulting in tensions between candidates with Secondary grade and B. Ed. Qualifications.
He said that the Government should find a settlement as soon as possible keeping in mind the interests of students. All the eligible should be recruited, as promised by the Education Minister.
Mr. V. Laxman Balaji, General Secretary of the Lok Satta Party, recalled in a media statement that the Government itself was responsible for the present imbroglio, resulting in tensions between candidates with Secondary grade and B. Ed. Qualifications.
He said that the Government should find a settlement as soon as possible keeping in mind the interests of students. All the eligible should be recruited, as promised by the Education Minister.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Combating Corruption
Corruption has become a defining feature of both the administrative and the political apparatus in the state. Distribution of liquor and vote buying have resulted in the spiraling of election expenditure. To recoup the money spent during elections, elected representatives have institutionalized corruption in contracts, tenders, transfers, postings and land grabbing.
Lok Satta government will usher-in a corruption-free governance process.
Police for Public Service
Lok Satta Government will constitute a special court in each district to try charges of corruption against elected people's representatives and officials.
Through special laws, illegal assets and properties of corrupt politicians will be seized and redistributed for public purposes by the government.
An independent anti-corruption mechanism will be instituted. Wide-ranging powers will be given to the Lok Ayukta.
An independent Ombudsman will be created in all districts to investigate allegations of corruption, abuse of authority, and official misconduct in local governments. The Ombudsman will punish, and if necessary remove from service, officials who are found to be guilty.
Transparency and Accountability
Implementation Right to Information Act fully and stringently.
Citizen charters for all government offices and services with a mandatory compensation ranging from Rs. 10 to Rs.100 to be paid to citizens on a daily basis for delay in services.
Public Hearings and social audit for all government projects and government programmes will be conducted to ensure transparency. Beneficiary selection will be done in Gram Sabhas.
Digitizing government records/documents and proactive disclosure of all information.
A round-the-clock call center will be established in all districts and cities to receive and act on various civic complaints. Immediate computerization of civic complaints, alerting relevant officials. Action on the civic complaints will be taken in a time-bound manner
Lok Satta government will usher-in a corruption-free governance process.
Police for Public Service
Lok Satta Government will constitute a special court in each district to try charges of corruption against elected people's representatives and officials.
Through special laws, illegal assets and properties of corrupt politicians will be seized and redistributed for public purposes by the government.
An independent anti-corruption mechanism will be instituted. Wide-ranging powers will be given to the Lok Ayukta.
An independent Ombudsman will be created in all districts to investigate allegations of corruption, abuse of authority, and official misconduct in local governments. The Ombudsman will punish, and if necessary remove from service, officials who are found to be guilty.
Transparency and Accountability
Implementation Right to Information Act fully and stringently.
Citizen charters for all government offices and services with a mandatory compensation ranging from Rs. 10 to Rs.100 to be paid to citizens on a daily basis for delay in services.
Public Hearings and social audit for all government projects and government programmes will be conducted to ensure transparency. Beneficiary selection will be done in Gram Sabhas.
Digitizing government records/documents and proactive disclosure of all information.
A round-the-clock call center will be established in all districts and cities to receive and act on various civic complaints. Immediate computerization of civic complaints, alerting relevant officials. Action on the civic complaints will be taken in a time-bound manner
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Quality Education for All Government and Private Education to be on Same Level
Lok Satta government will guarantee that government and private schools will be on the same level in terms of medium of instruction, quality of education, examination pattern and basic facilities.
Free, good quality education for all up to 12th grade.
A pre-school within the locality for all pre-school children (3 years and above) with nutrition, play, and healthcare.
English as a language from 1st grade, and mother-tongue as medium of instruction for the first five years.
Good quality education with English as medium of instruction from 6th grade to 12th grade.
Integrating intermediate education with high school education
Free, quality coaching for state and national entrance examinations for all.
Modern Facilities for All Schools
Lok Satta government will ensure that every school will have necessary classrooms, teachers, teaching equipment, computers, broadband internet and assured power supply.
All schools will be connected through broadband internet.
All schools will have basic amenities like playground, toilets and clean drinking water.
Where necessary, hostel and transport facilities will be provided to students.
Health care facilities will be available at the school.
Teachers to Become Stakeholders
Lok Satta government guarantees that teachers will be partners in the educational system and school administration.
Teachers will not be treated as mere public servants. Instead, teachers will be given the respect they deserve, as they are the custodians of our children's future. Vidya Volunteers, contract teachers/lecturers, will be given due respect and compensation.
Teachers will play a key role in Mandal and District Educational Boards.
Teachers will be freed from all non-academic work.
There will be a strong and effective inspection mechanism to monitor and improve quality of education.
Teachers will have opportunities for promotion.
Constant training to teachers on latest teaching methods.
Residential facilities to teachers and their families close to school in rural areas.
Higher Education for Everyone
Lok Satta government guarantees that every young person who is deserving and desirous shall have access to quality higher education such as engineering, medicine, computers, all professional courses and university education. Lack of financial resources shall not become a cause for discontinuing the pursuit of higher education.
Higher educational institutions will be completely revamped to ensure that graduating students have necessary knowledge base and skill sets to navigate the ever changing employment market.
Every district will have "Higher Education Zone (HEZ)." Investors will be given special incentives to open higher educational institutions of excellence in these zones.
Ten Percent Bonus Marks for Students from Rural Areas and Poorer Sections Poor to Compete on Level Playing Field with Rich Students
Irrespective of caste and religion, all children and youth from poor families will be given 10% bonus marks at the time of entrance examinations, higher education and employment.
Special efforts to ensure that benefits of reservations are reaped by the poor of all castes.
This means that students belonging to poorer sections and rural areas 60 marks will be added as bonus marks for 600 marks. This policy will allow poor students to compete on equal terms with students from wealthy families.
Free, good quality education for all up to 12th grade.
A pre-school within the locality for all pre-school children (3 years and above) with nutrition, play, and healthcare.
English as a language from 1st grade, and mother-tongue as medium of instruction for the first five years.
Good quality education with English as medium of instruction from 6th grade to 12th grade.
Integrating intermediate education with high school education
Free, quality coaching for state and national entrance examinations for all.
Modern Facilities for All Schools
Lok Satta government will ensure that every school will have necessary classrooms, teachers, teaching equipment, computers, broadband internet and assured power supply.
All schools will be connected through broadband internet.
All schools will have basic amenities like playground, toilets and clean drinking water.
Where necessary, hostel and transport facilities will be provided to students.
Health care facilities will be available at the school.
Teachers to Become Stakeholders
Lok Satta government guarantees that teachers will be partners in the educational system and school administration.
Teachers will not be treated as mere public servants. Instead, teachers will be given the respect they deserve, as they are the custodians of our children's future. Vidya Volunteers, contract teachers/lecturers, will be given due respect and compensation.
Teachers will play a key role in Mandal and District Educational Boards.
Teachers will be freed from all non-academic work.
There will be a strong and effective inspection mechanism to monitor and improve quality of education.
Teachers will have opportunities for promotion.
Constant training to teachers on latest teaching methods.
Residential facilities to teachers and their families close to school in rural areas.
Higher Education for Everyone
Lok Satta government guarantees that every young person who is deserving and desirous shall have access to quality higher education such as engineering, medicine, computers, all professional courses and university education. Lack of financial resources shall not become a cause for discontinuing the pursuit of higher education.
Higher educational institutions will be completely revamped to ensure that graduating students have necessary knowledge base and skill sets to navigate the ever changing employment market.
Every district will have "Higher Education Zone (HEZ)." Investors will be given special incentives to open higher educational institutions of excellence in these zones.
Ten Percent Bonus Marks for Students from Rural Areas and Poorer Sections Poor to Compete on Level Playing Field with Rich Students
Irrespective of caste and religion, all children and youth from poor families will be given 10% bonus marks at the time of entrance examinations, higher education and employment.
Special efforts to ensure that benefits of reservations are reaped by the poor of all castes.
This means that students belonging to poorer sections and rural areas 60 marks will be added as bonus marks for 600 marks. This policy will allow poor students to compete on equal terms with students from wealthy families.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
He Needed Me
A nurse escorted a tired, anxious young man to the bed side of an elderly man. "Your son is here," she whispered to the patient. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. He was heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack and he dimly saw the young man standing outside the oxygen tent.
He reached out his hand and the young man tightly wrapped his fingers around it, squeezing a message of encouragement. The nurse brought a chair next to the bedside. All through the night the young man sat holding the old mans hand, and offering gentle words of hope. The dying man said nothing as he held tightly to his son.
As dawn approached, the patient died. The young man placed on the bed the lifeless hand he had been holding, and then he went to notify the nurse.
While the nurse did what was necessary, the young man waited. When she had finished her task, the nurse began to say words of sympathy to the young man.
But he interrupted her. "Who was that man?" He asked.
The startled nurse replied, "I thought he was your father."
"No, he was not my father," he answered. "I never saw him before in my life."
"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?" asked the nurse.
He replied, "I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, I knew how much he needed me..."
He reached out his hand and the young man tightly wrapped his fingers around it, squeezing a message of encouragement. The nurse brought a chair next to the bedside. All through the night the young man sat holding the old mans hand, and offering gentle words of hope. The dying man said nothing as he held tightly to his son.
As dawn approached, the patient died. The young man placed on the bed the lifeless hand he had been holding, and then he went to notify the nurse.
While the nurse did what was necessary, the young man waited. When she had finished her task, the nurse began to say words of sympathy to the young man.
But he interrupted her. "Who was that man?" He asked.
The startled nurse replied, "I thought he was your father."
"No, he was not my father," he answered. "I never saw him before in my life."
"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?" asked the nurse.
He replied, "I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, I knew how much he needed me..."
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Lok Satta convening all-party meeting on farmers' problems today
The Lok Satta Party is conducting a meeting of all parties and farmers’ associations on ensuring remunerative prices for agricultural produce, at 3-00 pm tomorrow (Oct. 16, 2010) at FAPCCI Hall in Red Hills.
Giving this information in a media statement, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and V. Laxman Balaji said that in the wake of an imminent bumper harvest and shortage of storage facilities, paddy prices are likely to crash and inflict immense suffering on farmers.
The Lok Satta Party, under the leadership of its President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, would like all parties and farmers’ associations to join hands transcending their political affiliation to demand that the Government of India permit rice exports. The Union Government should also impose a steep import duty on palm oil and ensure that a remunerative price is paid for local produce.
Giving this information in a media statement, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and V. Laxman Balaji said that in the wake of an imminent bumper harvest and shortage of storage facilities, paddy prices are likely to crash and inflict immense suffering on farmers.
The Lok Satta Party, under the leadership of its President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, would like all parties and farmers’ associations to join hands transcending their political affiliation to demand that the Government of India permit rice exports. The Union Government should also impose a steep import duty on palm oil and ensure that a remunerative price is paid for local produce.
Monday, October 18, 2010
I May Never See Tomorrow
I may never see tomorrow; there's no written guarantee
And things that happened yesterday belong to history.
I cannot predict the future, I cannot change the past,
I have just the present moments, I must treat it as my last.
I must use this moment wisely for it soon will pass away,
and be lost forever, as part of yesterday.
I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to their feet,
Be a friend unto the friendless, make an empty life complete.
The unkind things I do today may never be undone,
And friendships that I fail to win may nevermore be won.
I may not have another chance on bended knees to pray,
and I thank God with a humble heart for giving me this Day
And things that happened yesterday belong to history.
I cannot predict the future, I cannot change the past,
I have just the present moments, I must treat it as my last.
I must use this moment wisely for it soon will pass away,
and be lost forever, as part of yesterday.
I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to their feet,
Be a friend unto the friendless, make an empty life complete.
The unkind things I do today may never be undone,
And friendships that I fail to win may nevermore be won.
I may not have another chance on bended knees to pray,
and I thank God with a humble heart for giving me this Day
Sunday, October 17, 2010
One Prayer, One Life, One Death, One Heart
He could not believe that this was how it was going to end. After everything that he had been thorough in his life it had come down to this. As big and as strong as he once was. Flat on his back in a hospital bed with a heart that was giving up.
He thought about everything he put himself thorough. The broken bones knocked out teeth six years in the military. All the booze, cigarettes and drugs some legal most them not. Here he was paying for the life that he led. All the hours spent on that big two wheeler. Just having to see what was over the next horizon. The wander lust in his heart. Who could have put up with that?
He thought about the girl who spent so many miles riding behind him. How he loved that woman now. Twenty-five years of good times and bad. She never left sometimes he didn’t understand why she stayed. He was grateful that she did. She was his world. Some days his temper was not to be believed. He could be moody for weeks at a time. By the end of the winter he was wearing a groove in the carpet waiting on the weather so he could get back outside. How that woman could stand that just amazed him. Then there was their daughter.
What a spitfire she is. Whoever she marries is going to have their hands full. He thought about all the overtime he put in and how much of her life he missed. She is almost finished with college. How wild is that his daughter in law school. Is the world ready for that? He wonders if she knows how proud of her he is. Does she know how much he loves her? Not being there for her is what hurts the most about this.
He was not going to think like that. He’ll get a transplant stop smoking and drinking and life will go on as it has in the past. A cigarette sounds good about now he thought. The rare blood type that he has that kept in beer money half of his life. Is now going to be the reason that he ends dying on his back in a hospital bed. What a way to go out. Where is the blaze of glory he always figured would accompany his departure from this world. No bells or whistle just a slow fading away. That sucks.
He woke up to hearing voices in his room. He looked around and saw that they had brought in another patient and put in his room. No dying alone now even if he wanted too. He saw woman pass by the end of the other bed. She was huge. She must have been at eight months pregnant. He thought how sad is that to have a pregnant wife and be in the IC unit of the hospital. He could them talking. The man voice was weak and he was trying to be encouraging to the woman. She told the man that he needed to get some rest and that she would there when he woke up. He could hear the steady breathing of his roommate as realized that he must have fallen on the woman’s command. He could hear the woman mumbling. He thought prayers at this point lady are not going to help. Then voice got a little louder and he could hear her.
She was praying. Just like he thought. But what she was praying for sent chills down his spine. “Oh God just a couple of more months. Please let him live long enough to hold our child in his arms at least once before you call him home. Please just a few more days. I know he is dying but let him see his child first.”
As he laid he thought how hard her life was going to be. He thought about the unborn child growing up without their father. Who would his daughter be if he had died that early in her life. What would happen to his wife. With his quirks she loved him with all of her being. How would have she survived.
He must have drifted off again.
With the lighting in this place you can never figure out what time it is. His roommates were talking again about how he would never get the transplant that he needed in time the list was so long and he was so sick.
The nurse came in and told him we have to get you ready they had found him a heart. It was on its way and they needed to get him prep for the surgery. He looked at her ask her to get his wife and his daughter for him. She said there was no time. He looked at her and told her to make the time.
He watched his wife walk in. She was so beautiful. Their daughter behind her, her mother’s looks and intelligence and her father pit bull mentality and he smiled. One on either side of his bed holding his hands. Was he strong enough for this he didn’t know? He done a lot bad things in his life he cut corners and cheated when he could get a way with. But this was different this was where the rubber meets the road. He knew what had to be done. He looked at his wife and said, “ I love more now than I ever did thank you for the life we have had. I will miss you.”
To his daughter he said, “ Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I could have a child like you. No father anywhere at anytime could be a more proud parent than I am. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will love until the last star is a memory.”
The doctor came rushing into the room and started talking about how they had to get him ready. He looked at wife and his daughter then he turned to the doctor and told him “ Doc we ain’t doing this. You give that heart to the person on the list. I have had a good life. Let someone else get a chance at theirs.”
He looked at the other woman in the room as said. “ How could God not answer your prayer”
He looked at wife and said “ Get me out of here while I still have the strength to leave and before I get scared. “
The doctor left the nurse brought in a wheel chair at he left that hospital knowing he had done the right thing. He didn’t particularly believe God but some else needed that heart. He died that at his home with wife and daughter with him. A cigarette in his mouth and a beer in his hand. With no regrets.
Back at the hospital days kept turning. His roommate was recovering from getting his heart transplant. And it looked like he would get to see his unborn child grow up.
The nurse took a different position at the hospital she could not work with dying people anymore. So she went to OB/GYN department help bring lives into the world. As things would happen the woman whose husband had needed the transplant months before was there to have her baby. The nurse was not involved in the delivery but stayed to see the child. As she was looking at baby thorough the window the husband showed up to see the baby. He noticed the tears that were running down the nurse’s face and asked her way was she crying.
The nurse responded pointing at his child she said “ That baby has daddy because of the unselfishness of one man. And the baby’s mother’s prayer.”
The man asked to explain why she would say this about this child. She told him of a night when she worked in the Intensive care unit of hospital. And that a man gave up his heart transplant to the next person on the list. The next person on the list at the hospital with the same blood type was the baby’s father.
He thought about everything he put himself thorough. The broken bones knocked out teeth six years in the military. All the booze, cigarettes and drugs some legal most them not. Here he was paying for the life that he led. All the hours spent on that big two wheeler. Just having to see what was over the next horizon. The wander lust in his heart. Who could have put up with that?
He thought about the girl who spent so many miles riding behind him. How he loved that woman now. Twenty-five years of good times and bad. She never left sometimes he didn’t understand why she stayed. He was grateful that she did. She was his world. Some days his temper was not to be believed. He could be moody for weeks at a time. By the end of the winter he was wearing a groove in the carpet waiting on the weather so he could get back outside. How that woman could stand that just amazed him. Then there was their daughter.
What a spitfire she is. Whoever she marries is going to have their hands full. He thought about all the overtime he put in and how much of her life he missed. She is almost finished with college. How wild is that his daughter in law school. Is the world ready for that? He wonders if she knows how proud of her he is. Does she know how much he loves her? Not being there for her is what hurts the most about this.
He was not going to think like that. He’ll get a transplant stop smoking and drinking and life will go on as it has in the past. A cigarette sounds good about now he thought. The rare blood type that he has that kept in beer money half of his life. Is now going to be the reason that he ends dying on his back in a hospital bed. What a way to go out. Where is the blaze of glory he always figured would accompany his departure from this world. No bells or whistle just a slow fading away. That sucks.
He woke up to hearing voices in his room. He looked around and saw that they had brought in another patient and put in his room. No dying alone now even if he wanted too. He saw woman pass by the end of the other bed. She was huge. She must have been at eight months pregnant. He thought how sad is that to have a pregnant wife and be in the IC unit of the hospital. He could them talking. The man voice was weak and he was trying to be encouraging to the woman. She told the man that he needed to get some rest and that she would there when he woke up. He could hear the steady breathing of his roommate as realized that he must have fallen on the woman’s command. He could hear the woman mumbling. He thought prayers at this point lady are not going to help. Then voice got a little louder and he could hear her.
She was praying. Just like he thought. But what she was praying for sent chills down his spine. “Oh God just a couple of more months. Please let him live long enough to hold our child in his arms at least once before you call him home. Please just a few more days. I know he is dying but let him see his child first.”
As he laid he thought how hard her life was going to be. He thought about the unborn child growing up without their father. Who would his daughter be if he had died that early in her life. What would happen to his wife. With his quirks she loved him with all of her being. How would have she survived.
He must have drifted off again.
With the lighting in this place you can never figure out what time it is. His roommates were talking again about how he would never get the transplant that he needed in time the list was so long and he was so sick.
The nurse came in and told him we have to get you ready they had found him a heart. It was on its way and they needed to get him prep for the surgery. He looked at her ask her to get his wife and his daughter for him. She said there was no time. He looked at her and told her to make the time.
He watched his wife walk in. She was so beautiful. Their daughter behind her, her mother’s looks and intelligence and her father pit bull mentality and he smiled. One on either side of his bed holding his hands. Was he strong enough for this he didn’t know? He done a lot bad things in his life he cut corners and cheated when he could get a way with. But this was different this was where the rubber meets the road. He knew what had to be done. He looked at his wife and said, “ I love more now than I ever did thank you for the life we have had. I will miss you.”
To his daughter he said, “ Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I could have a child like you. No father anywhere at anytime could be a more proud parent than I am. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will love until the last star is a memory.”
The doctor came rushing into the room and started talking about how they had to get him ready. He looked at wife and his daughter then he turned to the doctor and told him “ Doc we ain’t doing this. You give that heart to the person on the list. I have had a good life. Let someone else get a chance at theirs.”
He looked at the other woman in the room as said. “ How could God not answer your prayer”
He looked at wife and said “ Get me out of here while I still have the strength to leave and before I get scared. “
The doctor left the nurse brought in a wheel chair at he left that hospital knowing he had done the right thing. He didn’t particularly believe God but some else needed that heart. He died that at his home with wife and daughter with him. A cigarette in his mouth and a beer in his hand. With no regrets.
Back at the hospital days kept turning. His roommate was recovering from getting his heart transplant. And it looked like he would get to see his unborn child grow up.
The nurse took a different position at the hospital she could not work with dying people anymore. So she went to OB/GYN department help bring lives into the world. As things would happen the woman whose husband had needed the transplant months before was there to have her baby. The nurse was not involved in the delivery but stayed to see the child. As she was looking at baby thorough the window the husband showed up to see the baby. He noticed the tears that were running down the nurse’s face and asked her way was she crying.
The nurse responded pointing at his child she said “ That baby has daddy because of the unselfishness of one man. And the baby’s mother’s prayer.”
The man asked to explain why she would say this about this child. She told him of a night when she worked in the Intensive care unit of hospital. And that a man gave up his heart transplant to the next person on the list. The next person on the list at the hospital with the same blood type was the baby’s father.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Lok Satta moots united fight to save farmers
The Lok Satta Party has called for an all-party conference on October 16 to organize a united fight against anti-farmer policies of State and Union Governments.
Announcing this at a media conference here today, Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan pointed out that the Union Government was harming farmers’ interests by not permitting export of rice and allowing duty-free import of palm oil, while the State Government looked on helplessly.
Dr. JP reeled off facts and figures to depict the grim situation the farmers are facing on the eve of the kharif paddy harvest. India as of today has a buffer stock of 46 million tons of rice and paddy. Since FCI’s storage capacity including the leased ones is only 27.3 million tons, it is forced to keep the remainder under open storage with the attendant risk of damage by rains and rodents. The stipulated buffer storage for the country in July is 27 million tons and in October 16 million tons. The country is about to reap a bumper rice harvest because of the steep increase in acreage following abundant rains. In Andhra Pradesh, for instance, the FCI commands a storage capacity of 3.8 million tons, against the rice procurement target of 6.7 million tons.
With warehouses overflowing even before the harvest, paddy prices are heading for a crash, Dr. JP warned and asked the Union Government to permit rice exports immediately to save the farmer. With the rice price ruling between Rs.70 and Rs.90 a kg in international markets, Indian farmers stand to gain if the Government permits rice exports.
Dr. JP said the Government need not be apprehensive of food grain exports triggering inflation because of the imminent record harvest. In addition, the Government has more than adequate stocks for release into the public distribution system to check any price rice.
Dr. JP said that the Union Government proposed review in January would not help the farmer as he will have already sold away his kharif production. If at all it permits rice exports then, it is only traders who benefit. If the kharif rice output turns out to be 80 million tons as estimated, a Rs.10 per kg higher price to the farmer because of exports translates into tens of thousands of crores of higher returns to farmers.
Dr. JP recalled that the Government of India justified India joining the World Trade Organization in the 1990s contending it would benefit Indian farming. India, because of its low cost of production, could export its agricultural produce and reap profits. Far from honoring the commitments it made to farmers then, the Government is now punishing farmers by denying rice exports.
He also explained how the Government of India permitted duty-free import of palm oil from countries like Malaysia and Indonesia where its cost of production is low and is hurting the interests of local palm growers. Both the Union and State Governments have failed to ensure even payment of the promised procurement price to palm growers.
Dr. JP demanded that the Union Government levy import duty on palm oil and use the proceeds to ensure a remunerative price to farmers and supply palm oil through the public distribution system on subsidy.
Dr. JP said Andhra Pradesh has been denied justice in plans to augment food grain storage capacity in the country. Of the additional 12.8 million tons of storage capacity, now proposed to be created, Andhra Pradesh will get only one lakh tons of storage capacity. Considering that Andhra Pradesh is a heavy contributor of rice to the Central pool, it should get an additional storage capacity of at least 2.5 million tons.
A.P Farmers' Federation President Mr. Yerneni Nagendranath, Secretary Mr. Nagi Reddy, Lok Satta Party State Working President DVVS Varma, Katari Srinivasa Rao and P.Bhaskara Rao also took part in the media conference.
Announcing this at a media conference here today, Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan pointed out that the Union Government was harming farmers’ interests by not permitting export of rice and allowing duty-free import of palm oil, while the State Government looked on helplessly.
Dr. JP reeled off facts and figures to depict the grim situation the farmers are facing on the eve of the kharif paddy harvest. India as of today has a buffer stock of 46 million tons of rice and paddy. Since FCI’s storage capacity including the leased ones is only 27.3 million tons, it is forced to keep the remainder under open storage with the attendant risk of damage by rains and rodents. The stipulated buffer storage for the country in July is 27 million tons and in October 16 million tons. The country is about to reap a bumper rice harvest because of the steep increase in acreage following abundant rains. In Andhra Pradesh, for instance, the FCI commands a storage capacity of 3.8 million tons, against the rice procurement target of 6.7 million tons.
With warehouses overflowing even before the harvest, paddy prices are heading for a crash, Dr. JP warned and asked the Union Government to permit rice exports immediately to save the farmer. With the rice price ruling between Rs.70 and Rs.90 a kg in international markets, Indian farmers stand to gain if the Government permits rice exports.
Dr. JP said the Government need not be apprehensive of food grain exports triggering inflation because of the imminent record harvest. In addition, the Government has more than adequate stocks for release into the public distribution system to check any price rice.
Dr. JP said that the Union Government proposed review in January would not help the farmer as he will have already sold away his kharif production. If at all it permits rice exports then, it is only traders who benefit. If the kharif rice output turns out to be 80 million tons as estimated, a Rs.10 per kg higher price to the farmer because of exports translates into tens of thousands of crores of higher returns to farmers.
Dr. JP recalled that the Government of India justified India joining the World Trade Organization in the 1990s contending it would benefit Indian farming. India, because of its low cost of production, could export its agricultural produce and reap profits. Far from honoring the commitments it made to farmers then, the Government is now punishing farmers by denying rice exports.
He also explained how the Government of India permitted duty-free import of palm oil from countries like Malaysia and Indonesia where its cost of production is low and is hurting the interests of local palm growers. Both the Union and State Governments have failed to ensure even payment of the promised procurement price to palm growers.
Dr. JP demanded that the Union Government levy import duty on palm oil and use the proceeds to ensure a remunerative price to farmers and supply palm oil through the public distribution system on subsidy.
Dr. JP said Andhra Pradesh has been denied justice in plans to augment food grain storage capacity in the country. Of the additional 12.8 million tons of storage capacity, now proposed to be created, Andhra Pradesh will get only one lakh tons of storage capacity. Considering that Andhra Pradesh is a heavy contributor of rice to the Central pool, it should get an additional storage capacity of at least 2.5 million tons.
A.P Farmers' Federation President Mr. Yerneni Nagendranath, Secretary Mr. Nagi Reddy, Lok Satta Party State Working President DVVS Varma, Katari Srinivasa Rao and P.Bhaskara Rao also took part in the media conference.
Friday, October 15, 2010
World Healing
Ever wanted to heal the world? Then try this ….
One lazy Sunday afternoon a businessman was hard at work entertaining a business client at home. The businessman had a young son of about six years old called David who kept disturbing the proceedings.
David was bored. It was raining. Mum was out. His best friend had flu. He hoped that Daddy and his friend might like to play a game of something either now, soon, or some time later (like in two or three minutes).
Each time David came into the room his father gave him something from the table to go away and play with: first a pen, then a calculator, then a paperweight and then a Financial Times. Finally, David was reprimanded.
A little while later David was back again, and this time, his father was prepared. On the table was a large full-colour picture of the world carefully torn into a hundred small pieces. He gave David a roll of sticky tape and asked him to play with the world until he had stuck it all back together again. That, surely, was the end of David!
Much to his father’s astonishment, David returned after about five minutes with the picture of the world complete again. "How did you manage that so quickly, and so well?" asked his father. David replied, "Oh, on the back of the picture of the world I had already drawn a big picture of myself, and when I put myself together the world came together also."
One lazy Sunday afternoon a businessman was hard at work entertaining a business client at home. The businessman had a young son of about six years old called David who kept disturbing the proceedings.
David was bored. It was raining. Mum was out. His best friend had flu. He hoped that Daddy and his friend might like to play a game of something either now, soon, or some time later (like in two or three minutes).
Each time David came into the room his father gave him something from the table to go away and play with: first a pen, then a calculator, then a paperweight and then a Financial Times. Finally, David was reprimanded.
A little while later David was back again, and this time, his father was prepared. On the table was a large full-colour picture of the world carefully torn into a hundred small pieces. He gave David a roll of sticky tape and asked him to play with the world until he had stuck it all back together again. That, surely, was the end of David!
Much to his father’s astonishment, David returned after about five minutes with the picture of the world complete again. "How did you manage that so quickly, and so well?" asked his father. David replied, "Oh, on the back of the picture of the world I had already drawn a big picture of myself, and when I put myself together the world came together also."
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Bend But Don't Break
One of my fondest memories as a child is going by the river and sitting idly on the bank. There I would enjoy the peace and quiet, watch the water rush downstream, and listen to the chirps of birds and the rustling of leaves in the trees. I would also watch the bamboo trees bend under pressure from the wind and watch them return gracefully to their upright or original position after the wind had died down.
When I think about the bamboo tree's ability to bounce back or return to it's original position, the word resilience comes to mind. When used in reference to a person this word means the ability to readily recover from shock, depression or any other situation that stretches the limits of a person's emotions.
Have you ever felt like you are about to snap? Have you ever felt like you are at your breaking point? Thankfully, you have survived the experience to live to talk about it.
During the experience you probably felt a mix of emotions that threatened your health. You felt emotionally drained, mentally exhausted and you most likely endured unpleasant physical symptoms.
Life is a mixture of good times and bad times, happy moments and unhappy moments. The next time you are experiencing one of those bad times or unhappy moments that take you close to your breaking point, bend but don't break. Try your best not to let the situation get the best of you.
A measure of hope will take you through the unpleasant ordeal. With hope for a better tomorrow or a better situation, things may not be as bad as they seem to be. The unpleasant ordeal may be easier to deal with if the end result is worth having.
If the going gets tough and you are at your breaking point, show resilience. Like the bamboo tree, bend, but don't break!
When I think about the bamboo tree's ability to bounce back or return to it's original position, the word resilience comes to mind. When used in reference to a person this word means the ability to readily recover from shock, depression or any other situation that stretches the limits of a person's emotions.
Have you ever felt like you are about to snap? Have you ever felt like you are at your breaking point? Thankfully, you have survived the experience to live to talk about it.
During the experience you probably felt a mix of emotions that threatened your health. You felt emotionally drained, mentally exhausted and you most likely endured unpleasant physical symptoms.
Life is a mixture of good times and bad times, happy moments and unhappy moments. The next time you are experiencing one of those bad times or unhappy moments that take you close to your breaking point, bend but don't break. Try your best not to let the situation get the best of you.
A measure of hope will take you through the unpleasant ordeal. With hope for a better tomorrow or a better situation, things may not be as bad as they seem to be. The unpleasant ordeal may be easier to deal with if the end result is worth having.
If the going gets tough and you are at your breaking point, show resilience. Like the bamboo tree, bend, but don't break!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Lok Satta draws up action program
Lok Satta Party activists will be going from door to door in select municipalities to ascertain people’s problems and strive to get them resolved from October 20 to 30. The party will observe an anti-corruption fortnight from November 25 to December 9, World Anti Corruption Day, and form local committees by November 20 to protest against unbridled liquor consumption.
Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma today discussed with senior party leaders implementation of decisions taken at the party’s leadership summit in Hyderabad on October 11.
Party units in Krishna and Guntur districts will draw up an action plan to agitate for strengthening the Krishna river bunds. Units in Greater Hyderabad, Karimnagar, and Hyderabad will work out an action plan to demand that Krishna waters be brought to Hyderabad for drinking purposes and that Yellampalli scheme waters be utilized for irrigation in that area.
The party units will also take issues concerning farmers and Girijans. The party directed that ward committees be constituted after completion of membership enrollment.
Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma today discussed with senior party leaders implementation of decisions taken at the party’s leadership summit in Hyderabad on October 11.
Party units in Krishna and Guntur districts will draw up an action plan to agitate for strengthening the Krishna river bunds. Units in Greater Hyderabad, Karimnagar, and Hyderabad will work out an action plan to demand that Krishna waters be brought to Hyderabad for drinking purposes and that Yellampalli scheme waters be utilized for irrigation in that area.
The party units will also take issues concerning farmers and Girijans. The party directed that ward committees be constituted after completion of membership enrollment.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Lok Satta a credible alternative to collapsing parties: Dr. JP
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said today that the Lok Satta has to emerge as an alternative to traditional parties. which have collapsed in fulfilling people’s dreams and aspirations. “Most politicians are concerned about their future and their children’s future and not of the country and the people. Bereft of a lofty purpose and sense of direction, they are indulging in politics of negativism and promoting hatred and division in society. The people and the economy have ceased to be their concern except on the eve of elections. In contrast, the Lok Satta is committed to providing a platform for all those interested in building the future of the country.”
Addressing a ‘Leadership summit’ organized on the party’s fourth anniversary, Dr. JP exposed how different political parties have been derailing growth and prosperity with their hypocritical policies. All parties claim to be pro-agriculture and pro-farmer but their actions belie them. Warehouses in the country are overflowing with 50 million tons of food grains, some of it rotting, while a buffer stock of 16 million tons will do. Thanks to abundant rains, the country is about to reap a bumper harvest. Yet the Government of India dithers on permitting exports and ensuring a remunerative price to the farmer. It permits duty-free import of palm oil much to the detriment of palm growers in States like Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, the Government ignores projects which yield immediate results but takes up unviable projects for reasons apparent to every one. It pays Rs.1000 crore to a contractor in the name of drawing up a detailed project report for an unviable, gigantic lift irrigation project, even though not a sod of earth has been turned up or an acre of land irrigated. Instead of bringing the nearby Krishna waters to meet the drinking water needs of Hyderabad, the Government chooses to bring the Godavari waters, unmindful of the availability and reliability of water and the astronomical cost. People devastated by the 2009 floods in River Krishna continue to live in make-shift camps even as the bunds of the Krishna and its tributaries remain vulnerable.
With agriculture becoming a losing proportion, there is an exodus of the rural youth into urban areas. Yet the Government would not build small towns to serve as hubs of economic activity and promote livelihood opportunities.
Dr. JP said that both ruling and opposition parties have been pursuing policies that serve their own ends and not of the people. The Andhra Pradesh Government plans to promote 50,000 mw of thermal power generation while a fraction of it will suffice to meet the State’s needs. “Apparently, it is interested in generating illegal money and not power.”
Dr. JP said that power generation, industrialization and mining are all necessary if the country has to progress and provide employment opportunities to millions of youth. “We can accomplish all these through rational and transparent policies that preempt corruption, safeguard interests of farmers parting with land, and do not harm the environment. Yet, most political parties are indulging in negativism to serve their immediate ends and not the country’s interests.” Dr. JP said that political parties have become stumbling blocks to peace, growth and prosperity by fanning agitations based on region and religion, language and caste, and by indulging in corruption.
The Lok Satta Party faces a tough task as even the collapsing traditional parties do not make way for it easily Yet, it will strive to serve as a platform to all who want to usher in new politics for the new generation.
Dr. JP reiterated his demand for the constitution of an Anti Corruption Commission to ensure sure and swift punishment to the guilty including forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth, and a National Judicial Commission to induct the best and the brightest into the judiciary and weed out the corrupt and the incompetent from it. He demanded an end to corruption- prone centralization of power and people’s empowerment with devolution of powers, personnel and resources on local governments.
In a political resolution, the Lok Satta Party appealed to all like-minded forces to join it in building an alternative to traditional parties to translate people’s desire for change into a reality. Commitment to rational and ethical politics, nationalism, secularism and democracy would be the criterion for working together.
In another resolution, the party called upon all sections of people transcending political affiliations to mount an all-out war on corruption. They should also launch local movements seeking restriction of liquor consumption. The party pledged itself to fight on people’s issues in select urban and rural areas.
Party A.P Working President D.V.V.S Varma introduced the resolutions and Pary leaders Y.D Rama Rao, Katari Srinivasa Rao, V.Lakshman Balaji, V.Vijayender Reddy, P.Ravimaruth lead the three groups those discussed on the resolutions. Lok Satta representatives from other states Rama Lakshmi, Sankar Prasad, Madhavan and Peope for Lok Satta representatives from abroad Putta Madhu, Dwaraka, Bharat and Raju conveyed their greetings on the dias.
Addressing a ‘Leadership summit’ organized on the party’s fourth anniversary, Dr. JP exposed how different political parties have been derailing growth and prosperity with their hypocritical policies. All parties claim to be pro-agriculture and pro-farmer but their actions belie them. Warehouses in the country are overflowing with 50 million tons of food grains, some of it rotting, while a buffer stock of 16 million tons will do. Thanks to abundant rains, the country is about to reap a bumper harvest. Yet the Government of India dithers on permitting exports and ensuring a remunerative price to the farmer. It permits duty-free import of palm oil much to the detriment of palm growers in States like Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, the Government ignores projects which yield immediate results but takes up unviable projects for reasons apparent to every one. It pays Rs.1000 crore to a contractor in the name of drawing up a detailed project report for an unviable, gigantic lift irrigation project, even though not a sod of earth has been turned up or an acre of land irrigated. Instead of bringing the nearby Krishna waters to meet the drinking water needs of Hyderabad, the Government chooses to bring the Godavari waters, unmindful of the availability and reliability of water and the astronomical cost. People devastated by the 2009 floods in River Krishna continue to live in make-shift camps even as the bunds of the Krishna and its tributaries remain vulnerable.
With agriculture becoming a losing proportion, there is an exodus of the rural youth into urban areas. Yet the Government would not build small towns to serve as hubs of economic activity and promote livelihood opportunities.
Dr. JP said that both ruling and opposition parties have been pursuing policies that serve their own ends and not of the people. The Andhra Pradesh Government plans to promote 50,000 mw of thermal power generation while a fraction of it will suffice to meet the State’s needs. “Apparently, it is interested in generating illegal money and not power.”
Dr. JP said that power generation, industrialization and mining are all necessary if the country has to progress and provide employment opportunities to millions of youth. “We can accomplish all these through rational and transparent policies that preempt corruption, safeguard interests of farmers parting with land, and do not harm the environment. Yet, most political parties are indulging in negativism to serve their immediate ends and not the country’s interests.” Dr. JP said that political parties have become stumbling blocks to peace, growth and prosperity by fanning agitations based on region and religion, language and caste, and by indulging in corruption.
The Lok Satta Party faces a tough task as even the collapsing traditional parties do not make way for it easily Yet, it will strive to serve as a platform to all who want to usher in new politics for the new generation.
Dr. JP reiterated his demand for the constitution of an Anti Corruption Commission to ensure sure and swift punishment to the guilty including forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth, and a National Judicial Commission to induct the best and the brightest into the judiciary and weed out the corrupt and the incompetent from it. He demanded an end to corruption- prone centralization of power and people’s empowerment with devolution of powers, personnel and resources on local governments.
In a political resolution, the Lok Satta Party appealed to all like-minded forces to join it in building an alternative to traditional parties to translate people’s desire for change into a reality. Commitment to rational and ethical politics, nationalism, secularism and democracy would be the criterion for working together.
In another resolution, the party called upon all sections of people transcending political affiliations to mount an all-out war on corruption. They should also launch local movements seeking restriction of liquor consumption. The party pledged itself to fight on people’s issues in select urban and rural areas.
Party A.P Working President D.V.V.S Varma introduced the resolutions and Pary leaders Y.D Rama Rao, Katari Srinivasa Rao, V.Lakshman Balaji, V.Vijayender Reddy, P.Ravimaruth lead the three groups those discussed on the resolutions. Lok Satta representatives from other states Rama Lakshmi, Sankar Prasad, Madhavan and Peope for Lok Satta representatives from abroad Putta Madhu, Dwaraka, Bharat and Raju conveyed their greetings on the dias.
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Blind Boy
Disillusioned by life
with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent
on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough
to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath
approached me,
all tired from play.
He stood right before me
with his head tilted down and
said with great excitement,
"Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower
what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn
- not enough rain,
or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead
flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and
then shifted away.
But instead of retreating
he sat next to my side and
placed the flower to his nose
and declared with surprise,
"It sure smells pretty
and it's beautiful too.
That's why I picked it.
Here, it's for you."
The weed before me was
dying...or dead.
Not vibrant of colors,
orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it,
or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower and
replied, "Just what I need."
But instead of him placing
the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air
without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed
for the very first time, that
weed-toting boy could not see:
he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver,
tears shone like the sun
As I thanked him for
picking the very best one.
"You're welcome," he smiled,
and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact
he'd had on my day.
I sat there and wondered
how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman
beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of
my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart he'd
been blessed with true sight.
Through the eyes of a blind
child, at last I could see the
problem was not with the world
the problem was me.
And for all of those times
I myself had been blind, I vowed
to see the beauty in life, and
appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower
up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance
of a beautiful Rose
And smiled as I watched
that young boy,
another weed in his hand
About to change the life
of an unsuspecting old man
with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent
on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough
to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath
approached me,
all tired from play.
He stood right before me
with his head tilted down and
said with great excitement,
"Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower
what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn
- not enough rain,
or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead
flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and
then shifted away.
But instead of retreating
he sat next to my side and
placed the flower to his nose
and declared with surprise,
"It sure smells pretty
and it's beautiful too.
That's why I picked it.
Here, it's for you."
The weed before me was
dying...or dead.
Not vibrant of colors,
orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it,
or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower and
replied, "Just what I need."
But instead of him placing
the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air
without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed
for the very first time, that
weed-toting boy could not see:
he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver,
tears shone like the sun
As I thanked him for
picking the very best one.
"You're welcome," he smiled,
and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact
he'd had on my day.
I sat there and wondered
how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman
beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of
my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart he'd
been blessed with true sight.
Through the eyes of a blind
child, at last I could see the
problem was not with the world
the problem was me.
And for all of those times
I myself had been blind, I vowed
to see the beauty in life, and
appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower
up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance
of a beautiful Rose
And smiled as I watched
that young boy,
another weed in his hand
About to change the life
of an unsuspecting old man
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Lok Satta’s Leadership Summit
The Lok Satta party’s ‘Leadership Summit’ to mark its fourth anniversary will take place at Millennium Gardens in Secunderabad on October 11, the birth anniversary of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan. The summit, being attended by party leaders from all over the State, will focus on shaping up the party as an alternative to traditional parties and strengthening the organization from the grassroots level.
Briefing the media, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma, and Party leaders Y.D Rama Rao and Bandaru Rammohana Rao said that after flag hoisting, party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will deliver the inaugural address. Party delegates from other States and NRIs working in People for Lok Satta will give their messages. The party leadership will introduce resolutions on the current political situation, organizational issues and future course of action. Participants in the summit will split into three groups to discuss the resolutions and offer their comments and suggestions.
The party’s political resolution will touch upon the long-term crisis in traditional parties and explain how the Lok Satta is an alternative to them. The resolution on party organization will focus on membership enrolment, constitution of committees at various levels, training of leadership and promotion of affiliated organizations. The resolution on future course of action will underline the need for a massive movement against corruption, and include an action plan to restrict liquor consumption and getting local issues resolved.
Dr. JP will be summing up the discussions at 5-00 p.m.
Briefing the media, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma, and Party leaders Y.D Rama Rao and Bandaru Rammohana Rao said that after flag hoisting, party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will deliver the inaugural address. Party delegates from other States and NRIs working in People for Lok Satta will give their messages. The party leadership will introduce resolutions on the current political situation, organizational issues and future course of action. Participants in the summit will split into three groups to discuss the resolutions and offer their comments and suggestions.
The party’s political resolution will touch upon the long-term crisis in traditional parties and explain how the Lok Satta is an alternative to them. The resolution on party organization will focus on membership enrolment, constitution of committees at various levels, training of leadership and promotion of affiliated organizations. The resolution on future course of action will underline the need for a massive movement against corruption, and include an action plan to restrict liquor consumption and getting local issues resolved.
Dr. JP will be summing up the discussions at 5-00 p.m.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
How I Found True Love
Well I am 18 and had been seeing my boyfriend (John) for about 2 months, i thought that it was love and the relationship moved very fast and he decided that we should take the extra step and get engaged even though we had only been together for 2 months! I felt very uneasy about his proposal as we also lived very far away from each other. When i said no to his proposal, because i didn't see the rush, he hit me and told me i was stupid! The abuse went on for a little while until i really couldn't take anymore, i knew that he was cheating on me too and so i decided to leave him. I managed to leave with only a few bruises and went home to my mum. My mum asked what had happened but i didn't tell her.
In the following weeks after splitting up with John i was very withdrawn and upset, i felt used, cheap, hurt and angry and i also felt that i would never be able to trust another man again, i stopped going out and my parents were getting really worried about me.
That month i didn't have a period and when i started to think that maybe there was something wrong i did a pregnancy test. As you can imagine i was very shocked when the test came out positive! I spoke to my mum about it for a long time, we discussed all the options but i decided that there was no way i could have a termination. I decided to have the baby but not tell John. Just as i was getting back on my feet and feeling a bit more positive and getting used to the idea of being pregnant disaster struck and i was taken to hospital with severe stomach cramps...I had lost my darling baby.
Once i was back home my family kept a very close eye on me as they were all very worried about me! I decided to throw myself back into my education and go back and start again at university.
Three weeks after i lost the baby i was chatting to a friend of mine on the internet in a chat room and a bloke started talking to me, i went along with it and we started chatting on a regular basis, then i gave him my phone number and then we sent pictures of each other and before i knew where i was we were arranging to meet! I was so nervous as i was not truly over John and was very scared that Michael would be the same as him! My friends backed me up and my best mate came with me to meet him.
Meeting Michael was the best thing i have ever done! He is an absolute angel to me, he treats me like a princess buying me presents, taking me out, sending me little cards and stuff to tell me how much he loves me! I cannot describe in words how much i love Michael, he is my world and he has shown me the true meaning of love and respect! I wouldn't be without him now! We have been together nearly 4 months now and it feels as though we have known each other a lifetime! We have already spoken about marriage and children, i just hope to god that we get there because he really does mean everything to me!
Even if you have been badly hurt there is always someone out there for you, finding Michael was worth all of my previous experience with John, it has made me realize how lucky i am to have a man that loves and cherishes me as much as he does!
Good luck to all!
In the following weeks after splitting up with John i was very withdrawn and upset, i felt used, cheap, hurt and angry and i also felt that i would never be able to trust another man again, i stopped going out and my parents were getting really worried about me.
That month i didn't have a period and when i started to think that maybe there was something wrong i did a pregnancy test. As you can imagine i was very shocked when the test came out positive! I spoke to my mum about it for a long time, we discussed all the options but i decided that there was no way i could have a termination. I decided to have the baby but not tell John. Just as i was getting back on my feet and feeling a bit more positive and getting used to the idea of being pregnant disaster struck and i was taken to hospital with severe stomach cramps...I had lost my darling baby.
Once i was back home my family kept a very close eye on me as they were all very worried about me! I decided to throw myself back into my education and go back and start again at university.
Three weeks after i lost the baby i was chatting to a friend of mine on the internet in a chat room and a bloke started talking to me, i went along with it and we started chatting on a regular basis, then i gave him my phone number and then we sent pictures of each other and before i knew where i was we were arranging to meet! I was so nervous as i was not truly over John and was very scared that Michael would be the same as him! My friends backed me up and my best mate came with me to meet him.
Meeting Michael was the best thing i have ever done! He is an absolute angel to me, he treats me like a princess buying me presents, taking me out, sending me little cards and stuff to tell me how much he loves me! I cannot describe in words how much i love Michael, he is my world and he has shown me the true meaning of love and respect! I wouldn't be without him now! We have been together nearly 4 months now and it feels as though we have known each other a lifetime! We have already spoken about marriage and children, i just hope to god that we get there because he really does mean everything to me!
Even if you have been badly hurt there is always someone out there for you, finding Michael was worth all of my previous experience with John, it has made me realize how lucky i am to have a man that loves and cherishes me as much as he does!
Good luck to all!
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Burning Hut
The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stung with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember next time your little hut is burning to the ground- - it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember next time your little hut is burning to the ground- - it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
An Old Man and His Dog
An old man and his dog were walking along a country road, enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to the man that he had died. He remembered dying, and realized, too, that the dog had been dead for many years. He wondered where the road would lead them, and continued onward.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall, white arch that gleamed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He was pleased that he had finally arrived at heaven, and the man and his dog walked toward the gate. As he got closer, he saw someone sitting at a beautifully carved desk off to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, but is this heaven?"
"Yes, it is, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The gatekeeper gestured to his rear, and the huge gate began to open.
"I assume my friend can come in..." the man said, gesturing toward his dog.
But the reply was, "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought about it, then thanked the gatekeeper, turned back toward the road, and continued in the direction he had been going. After another long walk, he reached the top of another long hill, and he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate. There was no fence, and it looked as if the gate had never been closed, as grass had grown up around it. As he approached the gate, he saw a man just inside, sitting in the shade of a tree in a rickety old chair, reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there," the man said, pointing to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in and make yourself at home."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"He's welcome too, and there's a bowl by the pump," he said. They walked through the gate and, sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a dipper hanging on it and a bowl next to it on the ground. The man filled the bowl for his dog, and then took a long drink himself.
When both were satisfied, he and the dog walked back toward the man, who was sitting under the tree waiting for them, and asked, "What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is heaven," was the answer.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "It certainly doesn't look like heaven, and there's another man down the road who said that place was heaven."
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?
"Yes, it was beautiful."
"Nope. That's hell."
"Doesn't it offend you for them to use the name of heaven like that?"
"No. I can see how you might think so, but it actually saves us a lot of time. They screen out the people who are willing to leave their best friends behind."
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall, white arch that gleamed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He was pleased that he had finally arrived at heaven, and the man and his dog walked toward the gate. As he got closer, he saw someone sitting at a beautifully carved desk off to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, but is this heaven?"
"Yes, it is, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The gatekeeper gestured to his rear, and the huge gate began to open.
"I assume my friend can come in..." the man said, gesturing toward his dog.
But the reply was, "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought about it, then thanked the gatekeeper, turned back toward the road, and continued in the direction he had been going. After another long walk, he reached the top of another long hill, and he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate. There was no fence, and it looked as if the gate had never been closed, as grass had grown up around it. As he approached the gate, he saw a man just inside, sitting in the shade of a tree in a rickety old chair, reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there," the man said, pointing to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in and make yourself at home."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"He's welcome too, and there's a bowl by the pump," he said. They walked through the gate and, sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a dipper hanging on it and a bowl next to it on the ground. The man filled the bowl for his dog, and then took a long drink himself.
When both were satisfied, he and the dog walked back toward the man, who was sitting under the tree waiting for them, and asked, "What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is heaven," was the answer.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "It certainly doesn't look like heaven, and there's another man down the road who said that place was heaven."
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?
"Yes, it was beautiful."
"Nope. That's hell."
"Doesn't it offend you for them to use the name of heaven like that?"
"No. I can see how you might think so, but it actually saves us a lot of time. They screen out the people who are willing to leave their best friends behind."
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Lok Satta wants RBI to rein in micro finance institutions
The Lok Satta Party today demanded that the Reserve Bank of India step in immediately to ensure that micro finance institutions do not charge usurious rates of interest and resort to coercive practices for loan recovery.
In a media statement, Lok Satta Party leaders Bandaru Rammohan Rao, P. Ravi Maruth and Mrs. K. Gita Murthy pointed out that the informal credit system and micro finance institutions have been flourishing as the Government has failed to build a robust credit system.
The Union Government squandered more than Rs.70000 crore on waiving farm loans instead of utilizing it as seed money to strengthen the credit system. The loan waiver has encouraged defaults and driven money out of rural areas even as cooperative credit societies fail to rise to the occasion because of their politicization and excessive Government control.
The Lok Satta leaders said that the Government should straightway launch a drive to promote savings in considering that huge funds are flowing into rural areas because of schemes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. It should also curb unbridled liquor consumption which is largely responsible for rural poverty and indebedness. The Union Government should allocate Rs. 100000 crore to build a robust credit system on a permanent basis.
The Lok Satta leaders conceded that micro finance institutions are fulfilling the credit requirements of the rural poor. In their absence, people will be forced to borrow at exorbitant rates of interest of 10 percent a day.
They said that micro finance institutions should not view credit as a means to generate massive profits. Going by media reports, they have been deploying musclemen to recover loans. It is tragic that micro finance institutions charge the poor a rate of interest of up to 36 percent even as banks lend funds to business and industry around 12 percent rate of interest. It is, therefore, time the RBI intervened.
In a media statement, Lok Satta Party leaders Bandaru Rammohan Rao, P. Ravi Maruth and Mrs. K. Gita Murthy pointed out that the informal credit system and micro finance institutions have been flourishing as the Government has failed to build a robust credit system.
The Union Government squandered more than Rs.70000 crore on waiving farm loans instead of utilizing it as seed money to strengthen the credit system. The loan waiver has encouraged defaults and driven money out of rural areas even as cooperative credit societies fail to rise to the occasion because of their politicization and excessive Government control.
The Lok Satta leaders said that the Government should straightway launch a drive to promote savings in considering that huge funds are flowing into rural areas because of schemes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. It should also curb unbridled liquor consumption which is largely responsible for rural poverty and indebedness. The Union Government should allocate Rs. 100000 crore to build a robust credit system on a permanent basis.
The Lok Satta leaders conceded that micro finance institutions are fulfilling the credit requirements of the rural poor. In their absence, people will be forced to borrow at exorbitant rates of interest of 10 percent a day.
They said that micro finance institutions should not view credit as a means to generate massive profits. Going by media reports, they have been deploying musclemen to recover loans. It is tragic that micro finance institutions charge the poor a rate of interest of up to 36 percent even as banks lend funds to business and industry around 12 percent rate of interest. It is, therefore, time the RBI intervened.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Who AM I , Makes a Difference
A teacher decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference they each made. She called each student to the front of the class, one at a time. First she told each of them how they had made a difference to her and the class.
Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters, which read, "Who I Am, Makes a Difference."
Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community. She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week.
One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt. Then he gave him two extra ribbons and said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go out find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going. Then please report back to me and tell me what happened."
Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius.The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said, "Well, sure." The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart. As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else? The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people."
That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine. He thinks I'm a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says: "Who I Am, Makes a Difference" on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor. As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you".
"My days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"
The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying. His whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "Dad, earlier tonight I sat in my room and wrote a letter to you and Mom explaining why I had killed myself and asking you to forgive me. I was going to commit suicide tonight after you were asleep. I just didn't think that you cared at all. The letter is upstairs. I don't think I need it after all." His father walked upstairs and found a heartfelt letter full of anguish and pain. The envelope was addressed, "Mom and Dad."
The boss went back to work a changed man. He was no longer a grouch but made sure to let all his employees know that they made a difference. The junior executive helped several other young people with career planning and never forgot to let them know that they made a difference in his life...one being the boss' son.
And the young boy and his classmates learned a valuable lesson. Who you are DOES make difference.
Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters, which read, "Who I Am, Makes a Difference."
Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community. She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week.
One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt. Then he gave him two extra ribbons and said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go out find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going. Then please report back to me and tell me what happened."
Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius.The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said, "Well, sure." The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart. As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else? The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people."
That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine. He thinks I'm a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says: "Who I Am, Makes a Difference" on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor. As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you".
"My days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"
The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying. His whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "Dad, earlier tonight I sat in my room and wrote a letter to you and Mom explaining why I had killed myself and asking you to forgive me. I was going to commit suicide tonight after you were asleep. I just didn't think that you cared at all. The letter is upstairs. I don't think I need it after all." His father walked upstairs and found a heartfelt letter full of anguish and pain. The envelope was addressed, "Mom and Dad."
The boss went back to work a changed man. He was no longer a grouch but made sure to let all his employees know that they made a difference. The junior executive helped several other young people with career planning and never forgot to let them know that they made a difference in his life...one being the boss' son.
And the young boy and his classmates learned a valuable lesson. Who you are DOES make difference.
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