Swami Ramdev (real name is Ramkishan Yadav) is well-known in India as a Hindu swami and a promoter of Yoga. He is the founder of the Divya Yog Mandir Trust and offers Ayurvedic treatments to millions of Indians. The popular swami has announced that he is launching a political party named Bharat Swabhiman. His party will field candidates in all the 543 Lok Sabha seats (lower house of parliament). In a strange decision he said that he will not contest elections himself nor take up a political position. Maybe he wants to be like a Sonia Gandhi (the power behind the power)?
There is no question that politics in India has gone from bad to worse in the last few decades. The Indian government has enacted a wide range of reforms in all sectors except politics and government. Fortunately the election commission itself is largely an independent body and this has helped the commission conduct free and fair elections for the most part. Outcome of elections is not a contentious issue as it once was in the seventies and eighties (many elections held during this period in “volatile” areas were routinely rigged to get favorable outcomes).
Swami Ramdev’s entry into politics should be welcomed. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is the main opposition party in India has completely fallen apart and has lost popular support from mainstream Indians because of its close association with right wing political groups and organizations. Although the main opposition party the BJP itself is a regional party because it has very little support base in South and Northeast Indian states.
The question is whether Bharat Swabhiman is all that different from the BJP? Will Bharat Swabhiman be able to get support form the Indian electorate who traditionally vote for center and left of center parties? If they cannot then all they will achieve is to take away votes from the BJP rather than provide an alternative to the Congress Party lead United Progress Alliance (UPA).
Swami Ramdev’s yoga movement has broad base support in India. It is not restricted to the religious conservatives alone. But politics is different. The Swami has said very little in the past to the secular and religious minorities in India that will give them the confidence to vote for his new party.
The Divya yoga website lists the five targets that they want to achieve as 100% voting, 100% nationalistic thinking, 100% total boycott of foreign companies and complete support to swadeshi, 100% organization of patriots and to make a healthy, prosperous and “cultured” Bharat by using yoga. This is not good news for the secular and progressive minded Indians.
The Swami’s political party has to clearly separate itself from the multimillion dollar yoga business. It also has to articulate and set goals that most people in India can identify with and believe in. Otherwise it will find itself right alongside the BJP, Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and others like them as failed entities that tried to change India’s course using Hindutva.
February 27, 2011
Swami Ramdev talks absurd
Swami Ramdeo is himself sitting over mounds of Black Money.
How it is possible for any one to amass a wealth of over 2000 crores, inside and outside of the country, just in a span of 6-8 years, without the involvement of Black Money ?
No body can do so by white Money alone.
I am NOT telling that the Baba has himself made this money.
This is all donated money, which Baba has accepted, and put to use for the Trust.
But the question is , if he hates Black Money so much, why he has accepted it from the dubious donors. Can simple citizens donate such huge money to Baba ?
Secondly, his intentions raise doubts because he is accusing a single Party , Congress alone, for all the misdoings.
He is not telling anything about the Corruption done by other Parties like BJP, Mayawati, SP, CPM etc.
All the recent scams were started during NDA rule, for which Congress is facing the music.
For Example-
1. 2G Scam was started during NDA. First come First Serve Policy was implemented by NDA, which Raja put into practice. During NDA also selected businessmen were illegally befitted, and money had exchanged hands for the favors.
2. S Band Sam- Agreement was made during 2003, in NDA rule. Now UPA has scrapped it.
3. BJP could never catch Quattrochi, during its six years rule, because there was not any case at all. But it is always shouting and misguiding the nation.
4. Massive Military Scams like Barrak Missiles and Coffin Scams etc happened during NDA, for which George Fernandes had to be removed also.
5. BJP Leaders praise JINNAH. They hand Over Terrorists to Pakistan. Their Foreign Minister himself goes with the Terrorists and hands them over to Pakistan. Where goes Baba's Swabhiman ?
6. Why Baba is mum on Yedyurappa
7. Why Baba is mum on huge expenditure of money in the marriage of Gadkari's son.
7. Wealth accumulation by Mayawati is NOT hidden to any body, but Baba is mum.
There are hundreds of burning examples set by other Parties, but Baba is mum on them. He is only after Congress.
So, Baba does not seem to be impartial on National issue of Blackmoney. If he is serious , he should have raised all the issues , Not only the Congress.
He is simply doing Politics against Congress.This is why his intentions raise doubts.
As regards Black Money, the Government has already made arrangements with some Foreign Countries and process of recovering of the money has started. 34000 crores have already been recovered. 15000 crores are coming soon. Government hs also stopped 36000 crores going outside the country.
I will heartily support Baba if he will fight against Corruption as a whole. But never if he will fight against a single Party.
Because then it will not be impartial.
How it is possible for any one to amass a wealth of over 2000 crores, inside and outside of the country, just in a span of 6-8 years, without the involvement of Black Money ?
No body can do so by white Money alone.
I am NOT telling that the Baba has himself made this money.
This is all donated money, which Baba has accepted, and put to use for the Trust.
But the question is , if he hates Black Money so much, why he has accepted it from the dubious donors. Can simple citizens donate such huge money to Baba ?
Secondly, his intentions raise doubts because he is accusing a single Party , Congress alone, for all the misdoings.
He is not telling anything about the Corruption done by other Parties like BJP, Mayawati, SP, CPM etc.
All the recent scams were started during NDA rule, for which Congress is facing the music.
For Example-
1. 2G Scam was started during NDA. First come First Serve Policy was implemented by NDA, which Raja put into practice. During NDA also selected businessmen were illegally befitted, and money had exchanged hands for the favors.
2. S Band Sam- Agreement was made during 2003, in NDA rule. Now UPA has scrapped it.
3. BJP could never catch Quattrochi, during its six years rule, because there was not any case at all. But it is always shouting and misguiding the nation.
4. Massive Military Scams like Barrak Missiles and Coffin Scams etc happened during NDA, for which George Fernandes had to be removed also.
5. BJP Leaders praise JINNAH. They hand Over Terrorists to Pakistan. Their Foreign Minister himself goes with the Terrorists and hands them over to Pakistan. Where goes Baba's Swabhiman ?
6. Why Baba is mum on Yedyurappa
7. Why Baba is mum on huge expenditure of money in the marriage of Gadkari's son.
7. Wealth accumulation by Mayawati is NOT hidden to any body, but Baba is mum.
There are hundreds of burning examples set by other Parties, but Baba is mum on them. He is only after Congress.
So, Baba does not seem to be impartial on National issue of Blackmoney. If he is serious , he should have raised all the issues , Not only the Congress.
He is simply doing Politics against Congress.This is why his intentions raise doubts.
As regards Black Money, the Government has already made arrangements with some Foreign Countries and process of recovering of the money has started. 34000 crores have already been recovered. 15000 crores are coming soon. Government hs also stopped 36000 crores going outside the country.
I will heartily support Baba if he will fight against Corruption as a whole. But never if he will fight against a single Party.
Because then it will not be impartial.
February 19, 2011
Why are corrupt Indian law breakers never punished?
The recent scams in India have opened up a new debate over the loopholes in our constitution. Over the past year the Common Wealth Games, Nira Radia case, Central Vigilance Commissioner, P.J. Thomas’s involvement in Palmolein oil import and the Adarsh Housing scam - are all cases of how corruption has seeped the innards of our society.
Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh introduced the idea of New Economic Policy in 1991 to safeguard the economy and develop the financial system in India by liberalization, privatization and globalization.
Unfortunately, this has led the present law makers to become law breakers. Now privatization has become via media for the corporate world to benefit. As a result, politicians and businessmen have become puppets of each other.
From being a mixed economy, India is now moving towards being a capitalist country. Every government has a back-up of the corporate world. It reached its peak with the outburst of the Radia tapes.
Corruption is the child of privatization. Radia case was one of its kind where people from almost every walk of life including politicians, journalists, government officers and corporate were involved. A. Raja has already been arrested and CBI investigations are going on. Government has denied the establishment of a Joint parliament committee (JPC).
Whereas, opposition parties had demanded the setting up of JPC and still UPA has not take any measures for its implementation.
Even independent authorities like the Central Vigilance Commission are not really taking corruption head on. CVC Commissioner, P. J. Thomas was asked by the Supreme Court to resign from his post after his involvement in the import of palmolien oil. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also demanded for his removal.
In a very surprising consequential event, P. J Thomas demanded the resignation of 153 members of parliament who have corruption charges against them. He was ready to resign only if the palmolein oil import case charged against him would be withdrawn.
It has always been like a ritual in this country where extreme conditions are only faced by poor people. 2,500 tribals and farmers have been arrested in the Vedanta case but it is very strange that no official of Vedanta has been caught. Injustice finds itself again with these people who are poor and cannot afford a hire a good lawyer.
Journalism is the fourth pillar in democracy but the corporate world has started influenced media coverage and media decision. These days it’s like every political party has a journalist representative and indirectly those journalists become a part of the political system, like the corporate world.
So the question arises who is running the country and whether it is being competently run at all.
Sadly, no one can he held responsible because our constitution tends to protect the executive and the legislature.
On one hand a single page of charge sheet changed the face of the Rajiv Gandhi government. Today, a charge sheet of more than 5,000 pages still awaits action against the people involved in the Radia case. The UPA government has not been taking effective action and enforcing stringent measures against any of the corruption cases brought to light in its rule.
February 18, 2011
The dynasty and its slaves are at it again
Young prince Rahul Gandhi was in the south of France for his birthday in 2009. This was fine because after all those visit to dalit huts with no electricity he preferred to be in more glamorous climes. His party men and women did the requisite obeisance and celebrated by arranging feasts for dalits all over the UP in the name of the Prince. In Chennai Congress party members adoringly poured milk over large colored portraits of the prince to wish him happy birthday. This sort of nonsense used to go on before the Emergency when everyone fell over themselves in singing ‘Indira is India’ and building temples in her name. No matter how much the prince may say he wants to change his party to a more democratic rather than dynastic mode, it can never happen as long as he chooses abroad while minions in his party grovel in India celebrating with their noses in the mud. Let us see whether he publicly chastises such ridiculous behavior and punishes the people who arranged such programmes or pretends he does not know anything about it.
January 29, 2011
India in the new millennium
THE BEGINNING of new millennium was seen by Indians as an emergence of new opportunities, new hopes, new realities and above all better governance. We did witness sparks of everything but without any stability. There is less than two years when we would complete the first decade of the new millennium with hopes, opportunities and realities shattering.
Political opportunism has reached its nadir and all political parties are mute to people’s aspirations and frustrations. None of the political leaders, irrespective of party affiliation, has appeared to be sane in his thinking process that could help in nation building, thereby, meeting aspirations of the people at large. What we have witnessed in the recent past is that every political party has more respect for its party flag than the national tricolour. Else, we would have not found streets full of blood, be it in Ahmedabad or Jammu or Srinagar.
The so-called Indian growth story was so contagious that we did not know that it would soon culminate in price hike of foodgrains, fuel, fruits and vegetables. When an average Indian is burdened with meeting his ends, taking care of his family and health, our political masters draw strategies as how to win the impending elections by dividing the nation by resorting to every dirty trick they have in their kitty. And we, who take pride in identifying ourselves as the elite citizens of the third largest democracy watch helplessly. A few thousand politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, journalists, musclemen and power fixers control the democracy in the name of Republic of India.
There has been no efforts on the part of political leaders to bring an element of people’s participation in the nation building process where the entire system agrees not to politicise a few issues that would give fillip to national development by rising above regional compulsions.
Could there be a way LK Advani, Sonia Gandhi, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Prakash Karat, Mulayam Singh Yadav, N Chandrababu Naidu, Ram Vilas Paswan, Mayawati, Jayalalitha and M Karunanidhi, where all of them would agree on just five issues that can be in the interest of the people of India? At least, let the new decade not go waste in putting the nation into the orbit of real people-oriented growth where no one throws a spanner.
Political opportunism has reached its nadir and all political parties are mute to people’s aspirations and frustrations. None of the political leaders, irrespective of party affiliation, has appeared to be sane in his thinking process that could help in nation building, thereby, meeting aspirations of the people at large. What we have witnessed in the recent past is that every political party has more respect for its party flag than the national tricolour. Else, we would have not found streets full of blood, be it in Ahmedabad or Jammu or Srinagar.
The so-called Indian growth story was so contagious that we did not know that it would soon culminate in price hike of foodgrains, fuel, fruits and vegetables. When an average Indian is burdened with meeting his ends, taking care of his family and health, our political masters draw strategies as how to win the impending elections by dividing the nation by resorting to every dirty trick they have in their kitty. And we, who take pride in identifying ourselves as the elite citizens of the third largest democracy watch helplessly. A few thousand politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, journalists, musclemen and power fixers control the democracy in the name of Republic of India.
There has been no efforts on the part of political leaders to bring an element of people’s participation in the nation building process where the entire system agrees not to politicise a few issues that would give fillip to national development by rising above regional compulsions.
Could there be a way LK Advani, Sonia Gandhi, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Prakash Karat, Mulayam Singh Yadav, N Chandrababu Naidu, Ram Vilas Paswan, Mayawati, Jayalalitha and M Karunanidhi, where all of them would agree on just five issues that can be in the interest of the people of India? At least, let the new decade not go waste in putting the nation into the orbit of real people-oriented growth where no one throws a spanner.
January 19, 2011
India waits for Wikileaks to name Swiss account holders
ALLEGATIONS THAT there are billions of dollars in black money stashed away in Swiss banks by Indians might be proved if one believes the Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who has promised to disclose the names of 2000 account holders, who have Swiss bank accounts.
It is generally believed that a number of Indian industrialists, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats have deposited around 1500 billion dollars of ill gotten money in Swiss bank accounts. In fact information about some of these big names is known to the Indian government and in a recent move, the government was forced to reveal some of these names to the Supreme Court, although the government did so under the condition that the same should not be made be made public.
The reason being that this information was classified as it was given by countries like USA and Germany under a confidential clause. However, the moot question is, if the government of India knows the names of such wrongdoers, who have looted the country and still are doing so, then why there has been no action against them?
Don’t name the corrupt in public, but atleast take action on the basis of this information and stop this loot, the people are demanding. However, it seems that many in power and those close to them are happy with the way things are going on and this could be due to obvious reasons.
Now coming to the much anticipated revelations promised by Assange, the whole of the country is waiting to know if some Indian names will also be exposed by his website. Recently, the Nira Radia tapes also exposed the unholy nexus between politicians, corporates, Indian bureaucrats and even the media and this lead to the ouster of a union cabinet minister.
It is quite possible that Wikileaks expose could also cause a similar upheaval in Indian politics and hit some bigwigs. The common man in India burdened by rising prices, lack of opportunities and general apathy of government and administration is imploring the Wikileaks silently and in the heart of hearts to come out with names of such corrupt Indians.
However, they know that even if these names are revealed, it would be tough to get these corrupt people convicted as they are not only powerful and rich but could also hold the strings of law themselves.
The entire nation knows the fate of Bofors scandal, where the government and the CBI used all its resources to ensure that the case never came to conclusion and despite clear cut evidence of wrongdoing none of the corrupt could be brought to book.
India is a country, where a person might be jailed for accepting a bribe of Rs 20 but if the amount is Rs 20 crores or Rs 200 crores, then the circle of justice just gets inverted. The bigger the crime, the lesser is the chance of getting caught and even less of being convicted.
Recently, a former CVC of India was quoted as saying that corruption is a highly paying activity with a very low risk attached to it. It is time that this risk is multiplied and those, who break the law are made to pay for it.
It is being hoped by the people of India, particularly the poor, who account 70 per cent of the population that billions of rupees that really belong to them are brought back from the Swiss banks. If the UPA government in the centre wants to redeem itself, then it should take cognizance of the Wikileaks revelations seriously, whenever the same are made.
If any Indian name is revealed by the site, then the Congress lead government should immediately order an inquiry and take action against those, who have stashed away national money in Swiss bank accounts.
This money in Swiss banks has been looted from the people of India and if it is brought back to the country, the entire foreign debt can be paid off and even after that a huge amount of spare cash would be left behind for development.
But, who will do this. Does the Indian government and politicians have the strength of character and will to change the very rules of the game and put fear into the minds of those, who have been stealing from the people of India.
We are waiting for Wikileaks to release the list.
It is generally believed that a number of Indian industrialists, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats have deposited around 1500 billion dollars of ill gotten money in Swiss bank accounts. In fact information about some of these big names is known to the Indian government and in a recent move, the government was forced to reveal some of these names to the Supreme Court, although the government did so under the condition that the same should not be made be made public.
The reason being that this information was classified as it was given by countries like USA and Germany under a confidential clause. However, the moot question is, if the government of India knows the names of such wrongdoers, who have looted the country and still are doing so, then why there has been no action against them?
Don’t name the corrupt in public, but atleast take action on the basis of this information and stop this loot, the people are demanding. However, it seems that many in power and those close to them are happy with the way things are going on and this could be due to obvious reasons.
Now coming to the much anticipated revelations promised by Assange, the whole of the country is waiting to know if some Indian names will also be exposed by his website. Recently, the Nira Radia tapes also exposed the unholy nexus between politicians, corporates, Indian bureaucrats and even the media and this lead to the ouster of a union cabinet minister.
It is quite possible that Wikileaks expose could also cause a similar upheaval in Indian politics and hit some bigwigs. The common man in India burdened by rising prices, lack of opportunities and general apathy of government and administration is imploring the Wikileaks silently and in the heart of hearts to come out with names of such corrupt Indians.
However, they know that even if these names are revealed, it would be tough to get these corrupt people convicted as they are not only powerful and rich but could also hold the strings of law themselves.
The entire nation knows the fate of Bofors scandal, where the government and the CBI used all its resources to ensure that the case never came to conclusion and despite clear cut evidence of wrongdoing none of the corrupt could be brought to book.
India is a country, where a person might be jailed for accepting a bribe of Rs 20 but if the amount is Rs 20 crores or Rs 200 crores, then the circle of justice just gets inverted. The bigger the crime, the lesser is the chance of getting caught and even less of being convicted.
Recently, a former CVC of India was quoted as saying that corruption is a highly paying activity with a very low risk attached to it. It is time that this risk is multiplied and those, who break the law are made to pay for it.
It is being hoped by the people of India, particularly the poor, who account 70 per cent of the population that billions of rupees that really belong to them are brought back from the Swiss banks. If the UPA government in the centre wants to redeem itself, then it should take cognizance of the Wikileaks revelations seriously, whenever the same are made.
If any Indian name is revealed by the site, then the Congress lead government should immediately order an inquiry and take action against those, who have stashed away national money in Swiss bank accounts.
This money in Swiss banks has been looted from the people of India and if it is brought back to the country, the entire foreign debt can be paid off and even after that a huge amount of spare cash would be left behind for development.
But, who will do this. Does the Indian government and politicians have the strength of character and will to change the very rules of the game and put fear into the minds of those, who have been stealing from the people of India.
We are waiting for Wikileaks to release the list.
Wikileaks info on hidden accounts likely to reveal Indians
WHERE POLITICAL stalwarts failed to deliver, a dynamic journalist, Jullian Assange has succeeded. The political parties in India have been trading charges over the money stashed in overseas tax havens like Switzerland and Germany, however none appear sincere in their approach.
Ruling UPA has time and again offered tall promises to bring back black money stashed away but never appeared genuine in approach. On the other hand opposition too seems hollow in this regard. Now as they are in opposition, they are raising this serious issue, however when they were in power for six years, they did little to catch the booty.
Julian Assange, a man who has been in limelight for leaking strategically important political and diplomatic cable across the world through his web portal, Wikileaks is once again all geared up to ruffle Indian feathers. According to recent developments, Assange has received two CDs containing 2000 names from the world of business and politics. Any time in near future, the list will be made public and is expected to create havoc in many countries, especially in India where influential people are plundering government coffers bypassing laws of the land easily.
Rudolf Elmer, a former bank employee who worked with a Swiss bank in the past has handed over CDs to Assange at the Frontline club, London on January 17, 2011. The list contains information on “high net worth individuals and corporations and many elite rich and famous people. Many leading politicians, bureaucrats, corporations and other famous personalities are supposed to face heat once data comes out in public domain.
Some reports say that anywhere around $5.7 trillion are stashed in tax havens by rich and influential Indians, the money is mostly amassed flouting law of the land and through illegal means, crime, smuggling, bribe and extortion. According to 2007 exchange rates, the money comes to voluminous Rs 285 lakh crore.
The money, if used properly can address many social issues, it can facilitate in constructing world-class roads across the country, taking power to every rural household, providing drinking water in all villages and towns, constructing houses for 30 crore families, providing Rs 8 crore to every village of the nation; and to build a school, a primary health centre and many more.
But who cares, the people who can bring about a change in the society are all engaged in tall talking and trading barb with critics. The corrupt are still roaming free, nothing concrete has happened to people like Suresh Kalmadi, Ashok Chavan, A Raja, Yeddyurappa, many generals and colonels and bureaucrats. Those who can restructure the system are napping or have become a mute spectator to all the ills happening under their nose.
Ruling UPA has time and again offered tall promises to bring back black money stashed away but never appeared genuine in approach. On the other hand opposition too seems hollow in this regard. Now as they are in opposition, they are raising this serious issue, however when they were in power for six years, they did little to catch the booty.
Julian Assange, a man who has been in limelight for leaking strategically important political and diplomatic cable across the world through his web portal, Wikileaks is once again all geared up to ruffle Indian feathers. According to recent developments, Assange has received two CDs containing 2000 names from the world of business and politics. Any time in near future, the list will be made public and is expected to create havoc in many countries, especially in India where influential people are plundering government coffers bypassing laws of the land easily.
Rudolf Elmer, a former bank employee who worked with a Swiss bank in the past has handed over CDs to Assange at the Frontline club, London on January 17, 2011. The list contains information on “high net worth individuals and corporations and many elite rich and famous people. Many leading politicians, bureaucrats, corporations and other famous personalities are supposed to face heat once data comes out in public domain.
Some reports say that anywhere around $5.7 trillion are stashed in tax havens by rich and influential Indians, the money is mostly amassed flouting law of the land and through illegal means, crime, smuggling, bribe and extortion. According to 2007 exchange rates, the money comes to voluminous Rs 285 lakh crore.
The money, if used properly can address many social issues, it can facilitate in constructing world-class roads across the country, taking power to every rural household, providing drinking water in all villages and towns, constructing houses for 30 crore families, providing Rs 8 crore to every village of the nation; and to build a school, a primary health centre and many more.
But who cares, the people who can bring about a change in the society are all engaged in tall talking and trading barb with critics. The corrupt are still roaming free, nothing concrete has happened to people like Suresh Kalmadi, Ashok Chavan, A Raja, Yeddyurappa, many generals and colonels and bureaucrats. Those who can restructure the system are napping or have become a mute spectator to all the ills happening under their nose.
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