Storm in the sky for airlines

A jet plane of Air Asia flying from Indonesia to Singapore disappeared from the radar midway . Any one can be touched by his daughter message on twitter ‘papa come back I need you’. But the plane could  not be tracked for days. In the times when Man has accessed the path to Mars and may soon land there it is shocking that in aviation we do not still know how to track it fast? The Airbus 320air plane was carrying161 people including crew and likely to reach Singapore on 8.20 AM while it vanished at 7.24 AM over the java sea. The airline had a clean accident free record and operating in different countries so far without any mishap. The pilot was experienced and the plane was serviced in November only. Sudden weather change and a cumulous cloud thick enough with turbulence was encountered on the way .Pilot asked for change in altitude to avoid the fierce storm as he was flying at 32000 and wanted to go to 38000. It was denied by the Indonesian control perhaps due to the reason that similar condition prevailed in higher level as some reports put the trouble upto 40000ft. There was no distress or emergency call or signal from the aircraft. After this last contact the plane perhaps plunged in the sea as reported by some sources. Air Asia is operating 169 Airbuses and the plane has safety record of 0.4 accidents. The airline is considered the world’s best low cost airline.

This is third time in current year that three accidents have taken place. First was Malaysian airline plane MH370 which was flying from Malaysia to China but on the way disappeared. Worldwide search has been carried out by all countries in the region but no trace of this plane has been found. It remains the biggest mystery of aviation that a large plane 777 carrying 227 people is still untraced. The twinjet plane uses fly by wire technology and computer controlled and designed. It is 242 ft in length and still found nowhere. Second air disaster pertains to Mh 17 that was carrying 298 passengers and was shot down above Ukraine. Third one is concerning Air Asia that has also its head quarters in Malaysia.

Two disasters of Malaysian airlines in March and second in July were in quick succession. Now the third one in Asia is adding a new dimension to discussion if there is some cultural factor like metric system and imperial system being followed in different parts of the world. This was the cause of Korean airline accidents earlier but in two cases above the same cannot be definitely stated. As far as Ukraine incident is concerned it was nothing to do with airlines as it was due to war zone activity and the plane should have been warned not to overfly the area.

Whatever trouble in the sky the plane AB777 is considered safe and the pilots were experienced. The air traffic is not still more dangerous that road or sea yet it is most unpardonable as no error can go unpunished. Today aviation is safe and such incidents do shake the passenger confidence yet these are rare occurrences and in this case as in one year in quick succession Asian regtion has faced it the situation seems worth pondering to creatge more tracking system and Pilot Tower communication.

I too faced two air accidents during my tenure in aviation but in both cases it was luck that favored us as there was no loss of human life. An Air France plane overshot the runway and crashed. Although the plane was written off yet passengers were safe and even cat was found in good shape. Another plane coming from Chandigarh landed on belly as the under carriage was not opened and this could have resulted in fire but our fire fighting system worked in time and passengers were saved. One of the passengers happened to be my friend Bishen Singh Bedi, ace bowler who thanked all of us but above all Wah Guru. I too thanked God and when many people saw me on TV channels attributing good escape to Bhagwan they asked me how I have developed faith in God as they always thought I am atheist. I told them that there are things which are beyond man and one remembers Him when such miracles take place.

----Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India

Modi rewriting politics of Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is undergoing historic change and Modi has transformed the debate in the valley. High turnout of 72% may be for him and as some claim against him but Modi wins to prove democracy and faith of Kashmir in ballot against bullet of terrorists. In spite of gruesome terror attack in Uri and other places people hvae virtually declared war on terrorism through electoral process. Being sharp observe of change process Modi did use the words that I have borrowed from him and one national English paper used it at mast head of editorial as the thought of the day.

Jammu –Kashmir has 87constituncies and at present National Conference have 28, Congress 17 PDP 21, 11BJP and 10 others. From all calculations after winning half of the seats and greater number of votes BJP is making its mark in the state first time. BJP was at rank four in the results. In this phase of election there are148 candidates including CM. There are 64 crorepatis and 9 criminally charged candidates in the race. The 2014 elections in the state are most crucial trials of Indian democracy and the leadership of Modi.

Already terror attacks have gone down as in 2001, 996civilians 2020 terrorists and 536 army personnel were killed but in 2010 it had come down to 47 civilian, 232 terrorists and 69 army personnel killed. It clearly shows decline in violence and now is the time to make Kashmir totally free from terror by strong action and establishing a government of the people.

This is crucial election as it  is also a trial of Modi’s charisma in a very difficult situation since Pakistan and terrorists are all out to disturb the process and separatist have already given a call to boycott elections. So far Modi has scored that even in valley there is record voting and there is no one bothered about separatist call. In last election there were protests and lathi charge on the crowd. But the elections so far have gone very peacefully and the great achievement is that crowds are coming out cheerful and showing their cards in spite of biting chill. First time after 1983 a Prime Minister could address a huge gathering in Sher- e- Kashmir stadium in Srinagar. Modi dared the detractors and terrorists who had held out threats by attacking at  Uri and killing people. No trace of fear was visible and long queues with sizable number of women were seen even much before the opening of the polling office.

The success of polls in Kashmir with record voting is a proof of Modi’s popularity. Some skeptics point out that huge voting is against Modi to stop him. I do not contribute to this theory of defeatism and negative thinking. Common man is as cunning as politicians are to think of defeating someone like this. To me it appears clear that there is visible zest and cheer in the air and it signifies positive vibes for the change and new vision. Modi has already won as the voting proved that J&K has voted already for democracy and rejected terrorism or separatism. It has sounded death knell of Huriyat kind of hatred for India. It is also victory of BJP as from number four rank in J&K the party is sure to emerge as number one or two in the coming results of elections. It is also message to world that popular vote shows India rightly claims it as willing accession and not forced one.

Strangely this concedes with another feather in Modi’s cap as news of more than two hundred countries’ readers of Time magazine choosing him as most popular leader of the world. No leader of the world has struggled so much and in such a short period after becoming the leader of the country reached the apex of international glory. These magnificent feats not only add prestige to him and the nation he represents but also it bestows on him a heavy load of responsibilities to bring change in the destiny of common man.

------Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India

Is fight against corruption again a losing battle?

The phenomena of corruption is all pervasive in the contemporary scene in India and many leaders charged with corruption are still holding to power with the result that fight against corruption is becoming day by day losing battle. No doubt India has the best chance in current regime for eliminating this malady as the government is being ruled by a Prime Minister who is not only honest but also keen to ensure that all those who work with him maintain high standard of integrity. He is not only himself spotless virtually absolved by 12 years fault fighting investigation against him before he captured power in Delhi but also determined to root out the deep seated disease. Unlike his predecessor he is both strong with solid majority to back him in the legislature and decisive. Nevertheless the phenomena is so widely sunk in the functioning of the government and corporate sector that it seems to be a very arduous task ahead of the country to free itself from this all engulfing sickness. My pessimism has been set lose  by the exposure in case of Director CBI’s conduct in cultivating close relations with people who are neck deep in corruption enquiries. The very agency that is supposed to play a key role to uproot the corruption is not above suspicion. The director has entertained at his home dozens of such accused and even fifty times or seventy times in last few months. Although the director has questioned the authenticity of list and also demanded the source of information yet the facts as reported point the needle of suspicion on his conduct.

When Supreme Court also joins him to find the source instead of ordering investigation based on material produced the whole matter seems to be again taking its own slow course of delay and death. Jan Lok Pal bill was proposed in 1968 by then law Minister Shanti Bhushan and the passage by Lok Sabha.  It was supposed to be final answer to the need to curb corruption. But Rajya Sabha could not pass it and since then it has been tabled in the house again 11 times till 2013 and has cost the nation Rs 28billion. Still it is hanging fire and not finally out. This shows how entire system of legislature, judiciary and executive are hampering the fight against corruption.

The crusade of Ram Deve for bringing back black money from abroad and Anna Haare for Lok Pal bil took their toll and entire struggle as well as sacrifice has gone waste till I write this column and now even the agencies that are going to implement it are looking tired and wearisome.

There are good stories I hear that Modi helped a young boy in Assam who could not get his passport to join his employer in Kuwait and was threatened that unless he pays bribe he will not get it and yet he received passport within a few day when he wrote to Modi on his becoming the Prime Minister. But how many boys Modi will help and how many people can write to him and will get answer? The attitude of people can be described in  a typical answer you get when talking of corruption in public  ‘All are corrupt so what if a particular leader is also corrupt?’ How long even convicted leaders will fight elections from jail and win? There is need to unleash an attitude of social boycott of such tinted leaders and corporate managers. There cannot be complete eradication of corruption unless we bring a social revolution. Why Anna Hazare is silent and inactive but he is very much needed even if Lokpal Bill is passed the attitudes will remain the same.

Bus Stop

First Passenger: I want to go to IPL matches but am not sure if Government will permit this and my ticket may  go waste.

Second Passenger: Don’t bother even Government is interested to watch the matches so they will find a way for their own entertainment.

-----Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman Airport Authority and Ex Chairman of Management Development Institute (MDI)

Natwar’s masterpiece of history and literature

There  is a buz about  political controversy surrounding Sonia Gandhi’s abdication of opportunity to become the Prime Minister of India as mentioned in Natwar Singh’s book ‘One life is not enough’.  These episodes claim only few pages whereas the book is an authentic chronicle of events from Jawahar Lal Nehru to Sonia Gandhi besides frequent description of artists like M.F.Hussain and Chinese painters,   writers E.M.Forester to Malyali author of chammeen Thakazi Shivashankar Pillai .This novel was later turned into a movie. Nuggets about R.K.Naryan who authored Guide and that was later made into movie is interesting as Deva Anand sought Natwar Singh’s help for making Narayan agree to allow the movie shooting on the script.

Why I assert that his history is credible appears transparent from his description of Nehru family that was closest to him and he most admired his hero Jawahar lal as well as others of dynasty have been covered with grace and objectivity. In spite of his full throated praise for vision of Nehru to lay the foundation of Indian democracy he finds three major areas where he failed. First failure was the partition of India  that was agreed by him despite disagreement of Gandhi, Jay Prakash Azad, and others. It badly let down Abdul Gufar Khan the frontier great man who felt ditched. The problem of P)artition and Kashmir were the outcome of  two blunders that Jawahar lal committed.  First he virtually surrendered to Mountbatten and   over trusted him. Natwar Singh frankly penned that Nehru and Edwina wife of Governor General were in love that made matters worse as he shared state secrets with her. Second he similarly gave in to Sheikh Abdullah as both he and Mountbatten exploited the trust of Nehru. It was strange that Nehru asked Mountbatten to continue as Governor General of India even after Independence and manage the country by proxy without accountability. The same arrangement was offered to Mohammed Ali Jinah for Pakistan who refused to get into trap. In case of Kashmir despite an able Deputy Prime Minister in Sardar Patel opposing it he went by Abdullah to refer Kashmir matter to United Nations and thus accepted a bilateral matter as in dispute before third party. 

In case of China too Nehru was too emotional to believe that China can invade India. When Chu En ly came before the border war the matter could have been tackled much better but the same was mishandled in the same blind belief that China will not attack. Everyone has pros and cons in one’s actions but Nehru despite vision and intelligence in later years was too dependents on unreliable friends. He also mentions that J.F.Kennedy who hosted Nehru for his ‘soaring idealism’ was greatly disappointed as Nehru was then jaded and tired man. Kennedy remarked that Nehru’s was worst visit of any leader he had hosted. Natwar Singh presents a round of world leaders as he had rubbed shoulders with most of them.

As the narration is not only saga of world events but also a lively collection of sketches of widely varying personalities. Some of the witty anecdotes pertain to artists like when he met M.F.Hussain at a club and the artists borrows his new car for few hours and disappears for days only to tell him later that he went to Kanpur instead. Again he tells about his barging in his house in London and staying there for long and paint in his house. Singh arranges his exhibition but one day the artist disappears as a guard at embassy questioned him at the entrance which annoyed him. When he was made Fertilizer Minster he says wags made fun of him that he was cow dung minister.

This is a readable book full of charm and grace giving glimpses of author’s personal encounter with world leaders in Politics, art literature and life. Many books have recently come about current political scenario but these present mundane pictures of author’s contribution to doing big things but Natwar unfolds a landscape of world events and personalities with exceedingly imitable and literary touch. I have some books written by him, that were graciously presented by him to me, but this is a masterpiece .

Bus Stop

First Passenger: Why Congress Ministers of Himachal are fighting with each other

Second Passenger: They are doing rehearsal to fight BJP.

--Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India

Give dignity and not segregation to Women

Recent spurt of tokenism in the cause of woman empowerment by opening exclusive bank branches or women police thanas has confounded the entire policy to give dignity to the women. When Chidambram goes to Mumbai to open a bank branch for women exclusively what is the message to the country? Are we segregating them from normal banks to say that we are unable to protect them in normal branches? This is the same psychology that has given rise to Talibnisation of women in the world that advocates strict purdha and segregation of women to isolate them from contact with men.I concede that separate toilet for women cannot be disputed as there are differing needs of two sexes. But  Banks must give such atmosphere in their functioning that people do not rot in the long waiting queues and rub each other. It needs better management of the functioning of the banks rather than taking away women in special confined places. Similarly the remedy to give safety in police reporting and attendance is to recruit more women not in constables alone but in higher positions of Inspectors and officers. The remedy to unending rapes stories is to treat women with dignity in each organization and also educate them to occupy larger places of influence in society. In this sector we have failed miserably. Nordic countries have 40% women in legislature and Brick countries like Russia, China and Brazil have more than 50% in the world of work. There are only 11% women in Parliament in India  and a bill for 33% representation is languishing. Even if that is passed the situation is not going to improve as we are not doing enough to enable them to reach influential professions and party organizations.

So far no party has provided a solution to the mindset that we give token allocation of tickets from parties to fight elections. Even the ticket are given to only few such candidates who have god fathers or relations at the top positions in the party. The workers who slog are ignored. Unless merit constitutes our standard for selection the existing stalemate will continue.

It is common knowledge that provison for reservation of 50% women in panchyats posts has hardly met its objectives as most of the representatives are illiterate or semi literate making them dependent on others. If we have to empower women we have to open flood gates of professional education to the women instead of doing lip service by passing laws and making a few exclusive places for them. Look at our attitude as shown in Mamta Banerjii words where she blamed the nation for rising rapes and said” Rising number of men and women mix more than they need to. Earlier a man and women hold hands  if caught would be reprimanded by parents but now everything Is open”. A BJP Minister of Goa wants a full dress and not bikini on the beaches. They forget that they are living in global world where internet and media uncovers the entire world. You cannot take country to anachronistic practices and expect the world to come to you for tourism or business. We cannot live in isolation and segregation like Talibans who enforce same stifling life and exploitation of women which we condemn. Strangely BJP does not realize that Hindu civilization was not  purdah prone and women freely participated in different functions and discussions even in Mahabharata and the dress was not for total camouflaging the body as would be needed by the protagonists of anti-bikini or jeans class. The camouflage of women followed Islamic influence. Let there be freedom and liberty so that women equally go ahead and realize their own best in society. Those who look at women only as object of pleasure or greed should be tackled by effective policing and law and order. If we are unable to enforce law and order we cannot tell the women not to move out as it will be retrograde step and moronic thinking. Remedy lies in more women police and strict punishments for use of force or harassment to women.  They should have freedom to move anywhere at any time. Normal risks are always there even in advanced countries .Taking that cue women must, when enabled and educated, use their own discretition.

Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India 

Judiciary must cure itself

How to get justice for common man when delay has resulted in piling of cases leading to situation that it will take 300years to clear the back log in present pace .The judges must be accountable for their performance and have exemplary conduct. Recently a former Chief justice of High court and judge of Supreme Court Markande  Katju has openly mentioned that Chief justices are reluctant to expose corruption in judiciary and cited  cases of judges who were corrupt but were still favored with appointment by the Supreme court despite adverse reports. Same court told Genral V.K.Singh to be honorable and ‘blow with the wind’. Was that function of highest court to do this? The case of High court judge Dinakaran is well known as he was accused of disproportionate wealth and other charges but was finally let off as he resigned although a committee was set up that had evidence of his being guilty. Two other judges faced impeachment but could resign and get out. The resignation should not have been accepted and in one case the impeachment failed as Congress member abstained from Parliament .We have generally reposed faith in higher judiciary but some notable cases have cast doubts about the equity and justice meted out by superior courts and that has led to the question of how judiciary functions and is views itself. The result is a compromise formula of Judicial Accountability Commission.

The present system is collegiums that consist of five judges including Chief Justice responsible for appointments of judges is virtually a club. In other words the judges appoint judges and there is a club of five whereas the system followed by them and norms are secret and not known to other judges also. This appears a very clandestine functioning in a democracy. Recently the court also turned down an RTI plea asking judges to reveal their own assets. What is so holy about the judges that an honorable citizen of the country cannot have information about their assets and working? No where in the world this system prevails and there is no provision in the Indian constitution providing what the court itself has evolved and is following. In UK Queen appoints judges after proposal of the Prime Minister and in US too it is the President who appoints the judges and finally it is ratified by the senate. US has gone through this phase when President Jafferson had to get rid of some of them but now the system is so clean that evaluation of their performance is regularly done. It is exemplary case of checks and blances in the Constitution. US constitution  has enabled it to keep the institutions of judiciary, executive and legislature in fine balance and ensuring no one transgresses its limits. Unfortunately Indian Constitution that needs extensive revision in view of past experience does not provide any system. President was supposed to appointment judges on advice of the cabinet and before 1993 executive appointed judges. Even then there were fine judges with few exceptions and it met with problems when it was distorted in emergency. Consequently a change was done. Due to question raised in typical cases it is again being reviewed and the commission is the outcome of deliberation that has led to parliament enacting the present law.

Instead of in- breeding of judges without accountability the present system the commission will consist of CJI and two senior most judges, the law minister and leader of opposition in addition two eminent persons nominated by the Prime Minister in consultation with CJ and opposition. There is predominance of judges in this system also but not unquestioned inbreeding as there are other equally eminent and responsible representatives of government and opposition on the board.It certainly takes away the monopolistic hold of Supreme court but is it not democracy where we function with participation of different institutions? The court might still try to annul it but fair system as it is needs to be tried and tested.

The highest court must set also norms for trial courts as cases dragging on for years and in some cases people die but cases are not decided. It is a shame for Indian democracy that there are more under trials in the jails than convicts. The judiciary need to be free but also accountable for their performance and conduct to the nation through the representatives of people and this is precisely the purpose of setting up the commission which has been unanimously voted by Parliament of India. People must have faith that if they go to court they will get justice and protection without delay. This is minimum expected from egalitarian regime.

Bus Stop

First Psssenger-Has Modi’s speech about cleanliness made any impact in Himachal?

Second Passenger: Yes now on special occasions people have started giving garbage baskets as gifts.

Prof N.K.Singh former chairman International Airports Authorty of India 

Perils of writing the truth in Media

Biggest problem a columnist in a news paper faces it how to access truth and report it. Often truth is inaccessible due to unconscious bias as one nurtures beliefs and attitudes over years from early age. But most dangerous bias stems from motivated writing with a view to strengthen own self belief or expected gains by serving a section. During last six months before the elections to Lok Sabha and after, there had been complete misreporting or prejudiced reporting by the English and foreign media. Foreign respected journals like Economist wrote ‘Modi may become PM but he should not  It was based on wrong reporting of communal charge as in the incidents under question Supreme court monitored SIT had cleared him. I wrote to the journal that they have misrepresented the truth but they refused to publish it and later when I appealed they conceded. Back home almost all English media wrote what they thought in their left centered and hyper secular approach. They thought Modi can never become PM and pointed out party differences and election outcome that may not go in his favor.Some found him neglecting his wife or mother and continued to play the stories.  Prevailing opinion in almost entire English media was that India will get fractured verdict.  I wrote in this column that Modi has become a tornado and the outcome will be a surprise. Finally I forecast in March and April that Modi will become PM and he will have the support of 289 to 303 legislators. All survey and papers had forecast fractured mandate and uncertainty of forming government. Many readers ask me now how could I anticipate this as at that time no survey or paper wrote this. My answer is simple- one should look at events and available data without any bias. In this case I was not in favor of BJP but I made effort to cleanse my mind of my association and loyalties and focus on impartial reading of facts as were available. I asked many of my critic friends as to why they don’t see straight into eyes and responses of masses? Why do we see with colored glasses? For example one of my critic columnists was deeply connected with a political party in a state next to Himachal. He could only tell me what he wished to see and not what is there. His assessment was colored and I told him it was wrong. Later he admitted his misreading.

It is heartening that many columnists who presented distorted picture have confessed that they were wrong. Recently a senior columnist Dileep Padgaonkar accepted in editorial of Times of India ‘We goofed’. One Indian columnist quoted Pakistan papers to criticize Modi and is repentant. But even now a new problem has cropped up. Modi has closed the sources of information leakage and he does not speak unless needed. Consequently there are no stories or informal letting out of the tidbits. So we have stories of his dress making, his designers and his control on colleagues. The worst part is communalizing the individual misdemeanor like a Shiv sena man pushing down a chapatti on a cook who made bad food. The event turns national attack on a community which is obviously not intended but it is disservice to journalism to give it such a color. Similarly clashes in some parts are being reported in partisan manner and this is one area where not only neutrality but graceful silence should help in stopping the spread of violence. Look at Gaza conflict that has its human side of destruction but at the same time it is linked to a question-Should a tiny state surrounded by many of 22 Arab states die quietly? It cannot destroy others but it is most vulnerable. There should be effort to stop violence on both sides. But most of the media has to prove that it is secular and that means it should condemn Israel. Media must stand for the values of truth, courage and peace. Here the problem is that most of our left-cantered colleague intellectuals and writers too hold similar bias and would like to propagate anti-Hindu stance masquerading as secularism. Secularism must stand of equality of treatment and not preferential treatment of any religious groups. The basic question in our writing for media is how to ensure we stand for values and not personal predilections.  Above all the question is how to deal with open threats and pressure from those in authority. I know this might mean losing privileges or gains or even sometimes friends but it is sacred duty of scribes to write that which approximates truth. Urdu poet Hali wrote very aptly:

Hamna kehte the Hali chup raho /rast goyi main hai ruswai bahut ( Was I not telling you Hali  that keep quiet/ Truth telling would spell troubles for you))

Bus Stand

First Passenger: These days every housewife wants to go to expansive places. What to do if my wife asks me?

Second Passenger: Take her to Petrol Pump!

------Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India.

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Now Modi is turning a Tarnado in Politics

“No one can stop an idea the time for which has come”, said Napoleon. But no one anticipated and no one knew last year that the time for Modi has come.His constant and whirlwind rallies throughout India attended by millions  of people have become his symbol of public dialogue in free flow style. He aptly remarked in his massive rally that he seeks to find solutions to the problems of masses whereas his opponent is seeking to find ways to stop him only. No doubt there is not much to say with the opponents and only thing they harp is to invoke 2002 riots in spite of the fact that highest judiciary has cleared him. Some time they find his errors and blame his lack of knowledge as if the job of Prime Minister has to be a post of Dean Research of a university. They have nothing substantial to beat him.Some time they say he is giving wrong picture of Gujarat as it was already developed which is a laughable statement as the data speaks otherwise on most of the indices that are acknowledged by foreign journals too.  Last year I was waiting that his opponents would make all efforts and clandestine plans to rid of him. All conspiracies have failed and for that matter he is too clever as any other simpleton would have fallen in some trap. No one will believe that Government that rated various states on power supply last minute cancelled the conference to announce it as Gujarat was emerging at the top. Can we shun the truth so that limit and that also not a political party but government that under oath, is constitutionally expected to be fair to all. Obviously there is appalling fear in declaring him good. Europe, England and even US finally gave in to his achievement and established contacts with him on his terms. That is why he says ‘Desh ko nahin jhukne doonga’.

There have been many pre-poll surveys before announcement of elections and he is emerging on the top . There may be many who would doubt some paid ones while there is massive paid news against Modi but he directly communicates to masses in his huge rallies where people even pay to attend. I am inclined to believe  Chetan Bhagat, who owns the outcome of his  own survey covering almost million  respondents and it is not possible to cheat easily on net voting inspite of the fact that there are limitations of all surveys. He has done four surveys starting from 13January to 3^rd March.His results are BJP60% (75%) AAP 36%(21%) and Congress 4%(4%). These are January figures whereas brackets show the latest March figures. It is because of Modi wave that BJP is rising by 15% and AAP going down by 15%.

In terms of ideology and vision Modi has made sea change in BJP’s original religion focus to parity of sarva dharma by asserting that he will treat everyone equally and national interest and Constitution will be the religion. His right of the centre vision is meant to bring more jobs and investment to grow at faster rate. AAP has no ideology and Congress seems to have lost its glorious principles mauled by scams and minorityism. It pains me personally to see the decline of ethos of Congress as I have still large number of their top leaders close associates dear to my heart but one cannot shun truth and this failure to see truth is lethal for congress.

I am looking at phenomena of change as a social scientist without fear or favor to any political party. I wish if we all look at the transition in these high inflation and depressing times and see coming storm of change and transformation, we will find hope in Narender Modi as a leader of the nation. Modi might proclaim et ala Faiz “ Yon hi hamesha ulajhati rahi hai zulum se khalaq / na unki rasm nai hai na apni reet nai/ Yon hi hamesha khilaye hain hamne aag main phool/ na unki har nai hai na apni jeet nai’

Bus Stop

President Himachal Pradesh Congress

Dear Sukhvinder ji.

Thanks for your message about holding Intellectual department of Pradesh Congress meeting and your efforts to diagnose the massive and historical failure in Himachal to lose all seats in Parliamentary elections. We cannot take shelter behind the central leadership as all over the performance is bad but we had the government in power that won election a year back  and a high confidence that claimed from house top that we shall win all seats. How the leaders failed to notice Modi wave and failed to counter it with good governance rather than indulging in nepotism and favoritism leading to public discontent especially with the hope of good governance by Modi sarkar.

Vichar Vibhag first time started a Website that was opened by you. We had ten meeting in Dharmshala,Mandi, Joginder Nagar.Nahan , Solan and Shimla. We constituted the organization in all districts as none was in existence earlier. We planned to hold seminars on Roads , Health and education and also started a survey of blocks and working of grass root organization as was known to you. This was to counter the good governess blitzkrieg from Modi that had to be met with equal good governance in which we failed, even to hand down some work done  and as no one took interest and we had to go dormant.

 I regret to say that the Government and its head our Chief Minister never cared to consult us or even to acknowledge that there is any such wing of the party. He never met us when he had meetings with all other departments and organizations. In fact the indifference to intellectual input or wide consultation within party, the government displayed high arrogance and know all style. Even the leaders became in accessable after election and their cell phones are found by the workers only switched off. All tickets in the constituency were allotted to favorites or relations with clear policy of creating a party within party. Government ruled with arrogance and nepotism.

My personal loyalty to almost dozen of former Central Ministers and respect for Gandhi Nehru tradition only kept a weak link as there was totalitarian one man rule in Himachal.

I had personal experience in central government at top during the Prime Ministership of Rajiv Gandhi  and with UN as expert,and was available to the state to render badly needed help for aviation and airport development but no one bothered except Madam Vidya Stokes who once asked me to help the state but later could not proceed further. Vichar Vibhag time and again tried to stress that grass root is not functioning and we need to pay all out attention to it that needed complete cooperation of Government with the party as inter group problems were too many and CM never bothered to resolve them except to enhance his own tribe’s interests. It functioned as personal party of CM and not Congress party. Our Survey reveals that 50-60% opinion leaders believe that block and booth is getting day by day weakened and groupism is gaining ground.

Considering this we remained silent spectators although a lot of help and support could be garnered but no word of encouragement or advice was available nor there was any interactive and free discussion. The prevailing impression was that one man can do magic but ground situation was completely different that was not known to higher up in absence of free and frank talk and mutual help.

Now since you have reminded we will hold the meeting soon in Shimla. I will again plead that party must bring radical changes in Government and local units of party to regain the strength as we have still time to recover.

With best wishes and regards

Prof N.K.Singh

Former Chairman International Airports Authority and ExUN Adviser

Chairman Pradesh Vichar Vibhag

Pradesh Congress committee

Rajiv Bhavan Shimla

6/6/2014

Copy for information and action to –Smt Sonia Gandhi

Congress could draw roadmap for recovery instead of acting frivolous

Recent revolts brewing in Assam, Maharashtra, J&K and Haryana besides other places should alert Congress. Massive and historical defeat of Congress in the election to Parliament should compel it to stand up again from the fall and make all efforts to learn from its mistakes. Unfortunately the party that had glorious history of fighting for independence of India has been reduced to sycophant’s shrine and stuck in the marshes of frivolity.

The debate of private secretary of P.M. or Vedik is totally frivolous and not a serious national issue. Any PM entitled to select his own staff and the way he did is logical since TRAAI had made an illogical law preventing its head to join Government after two years but join private sector. It should be other way round to prevent a chief from entering into understanding for personal gains with private parties; one of the Chiefs after completing two years is working with Radia.  Congress wasw islolated inthis needless fight. Again Vedik is private person and Government has clearly disowned him. He has met Sayad but got nothing substantial that a journalist would have liked to do. A mere hello meeting with tea has no significance unless Government doubts his motivation and it has right to question him. Kashmir separatist have gone to Pakistan and met anybody that is not on record. These issues are of completely frivolous and party should focus on major problems. Modi has done unthinkable feat of demolishing all caste and regional leaders except in Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

Let us agree that today the party does not have leaders of the stature of Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and Azad besides numerous other stalwarts. No one can take the place of Gandhi family as no one worth the salt is capable to replace them.  As the situation stands today, Gandhi family is not there because they need party but the party needs them and without them the party will be doomed as no one can fill the vacuum. It has happened as for almost five decades it failed to groom new leaders and was sunk in the culture of mutual backslapping or slavery to higher authority without entering into fearless debate and dissent. Now those who think they can replace the dynasty are totally sold to an illusion that is nothing but mirage. Time has come that Sonia Gandhi should take the command and deal with restructuring party for new challenges deftly and strongly. No doubt Rahul has failed to prove his mettle but he can be trained by professional experts rather than murky political coterie. Antony report is another washout as there are neither substantial findings nor remedies suggested in his report. One expected that being an honest man he will come out with truth but he too has done a white wash. Some media reports have aptly summed up his conclusion ‘Rahul is right but his decisions were wrong’. Such absurdity cannot salvage Congress.

Congress high command should take three bold decisions immediately. First to deal with revolts it should fix the accountability and Sonia Gandhi had clearly held the respective state leaders will be held accountable for results. Even now nothing is known about Assam and Maharashtra leaders.

Second step needed immediately is to select competent –not yes men- as spokespersons. Why only unknown quantity is pushed into dealing with media when senior and able persons are available? Alongside this two deputies of Rahul should be selected from the top most brains in the party to assist him.

The party organization in states, districts and blocks should be revamped. Today Congress is smeared with faction fights and it is for high command to sort it out and not allow it to simmer always making the party dysfunctional with inner quarrels. One can take lesson from BJP as how it settled its internal dissensions before elections to fight with unity but nothing in the Congress was done. Simple dictate to remain united will not do, the central leadership will have to act. Unfortunately inaction after the debacle is frustrating to cadres and that is igniting revolts.

It is a reality that Modi government has come with solid majority and leadership of Modi is dynamic. They will certainly try to change the course for better days. There is no use making noises unnecessarily. Many Congress leaders think it is better to watch and wait and organize themselves rather than wasting energy in fighting with majority by making noises on any frivolous issues. India needs a strong opposition and Congress should wait for their chance till they come back, and play role of stronger opposition.

--Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India

Increase fares and reform railways, Mr Minister

A forward looking Railways budget has been proposed and before the budget government announced fare increase that was due since long.  165years back the steam engine puffed out of Mumbai station at a speed of 30KM per hour and today our best trains Shatabdi and other such sister services run at a speed that matches the pre second war speed of European trains. I travelled in China’s bullet at 300KMH speed and Japanese trains are doing much faster. We continue to slog at speed as slow as some trains run at a speed less than 50km per hour. Modi’s launching a semi bullet train between Delhi and Agra is a step forward. No doubt institution of Railways is old and covers 64000KM carrying 25 million passengers each day. It offers cheapest train fare in the world. Advantages of high speed are many that more frequency enables rush clearance and there is no waiting. Safety is assured due to advanced systems replacing the existing fixed signal system of India. Precious time is saved. Reforms must begin at the earliest in this sector.

I often travel between newly established Amb station of Himachal to Delhi. The overnight train takes ten hours but it costs hardly six hundred in A/C second class compartment which provides sleeping bed with linen. Travel in a Volvo overnight bus costs double of it, without sleeping facility. But worst part of train is coaches need to be modernized and cleaned properly. Due to small crowds the stations in himachal are clean but larger ones are bad. Once you reach Delhi the real ordeal is to get out of station. As many trains reach different plat forms there is only one bridge to connect passengers to exit platform. It is virtual stampede and many detraining passengers have reported losing cash at the hands of pickpockets in the mêlée. A book seller told me that some security personnel and pickpockets have some understanding. It badly needs escalators but seniors and children face the mobs in climbing the stairs of only bridge. There are no lifts. The only escalator is at the end at first platform only for climbing down or for those coming in and it is never found working. The station is full of garbage and crowds pushing each against other. Going out of the main gate is ordeal when you pass hundreds of men and women sleeping on the ground and when outside taxi drivers start pestering and there is virtual scramble for bodily lifting you to any one of the standing vehicles. Once you are out you face worse situation on return journey. The entry to old Delhi station is nondescript as wrong signage are shown, finally one learns that you have to take a u turn after going farther from the majestic old building. Through a side road you drive inside to the porch of the station. What a glorious entry to the capital !New passengers and drivers, who do not know this labyrinthine  entry to the Capital’s station, face unlimited problems as sometime they are dropped wrongly at distant spots. At the entry there is only one X-ray machine and in the name of security everyone tries to squeeze in the baggage through it. The waiting room is absolute unkempt and its toilets are running ankle deep water and when I complain the keeper expresses helplessness. There are no escalators or lifts and senior citizens plod through the stairs counting each step and going out of breath. Dirty platform is littered with people sleeping on the ground, stray dogs freely moving and rats gnawing at the crumbs or passenger baggage. It stinks and some ladies have stuffed their scarf to their noses. The train is being cleaned and only half an hour before the departure it opens. Still I find compartment not clean as many leftovers are there. When I complain to conductor he shrugs his shoulders and says these men are contractor workers and what could he do ?.This is great outsourcing by the Railways!

Mr Minister many of these things can be easily remedied by strict supervision and management of plat forms to bring new service culture. I am sure this will form part of our PM.s good governance to set these things right.

Equally important matter is concerning policies. Speed and safety are uppermost in my mind but equally I want to remind you that politicizing of train connections and opening new lines is bane of India’s administration. Mamta, Lalu, Nitish and Bansal in past took care of their own home states and there was no Railway Minister from Himachal or North east. But top most priority must be given to connecting all corners of India and Himachal as well as north east deserve priority that no one has bothered to give so far. It is high time now PM fulfills his promise to connect all part of the country as he said while opening Shri Shakti train service. In budget or post budget these are priorities for Government.

Bus Stand

First Passenger: Why Himachal people are excited about Rail Budget even when fares go up?

Second Passenger : They are waiting for Bullet train one day .

------Prof NKSingh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India

Making Brand India International

We are living in an era when transforming changes are going on and we need to reflect on the future direction of nation that had lost the course in last few decades. India of tomorrow has to be efficient and global in outlook. At the same time it has to keep in touch with its roots and culture. This synthesis that is the core of Modi thinking constitutes basic fabric of building blocks that would create the future of the country.

We are witnessing a thrust to efficiency and productivity of working of the government already. Ministers are ready at 9AM and when they go to office many of their staff are missing as the old habits die hard. There is no doubt a lot more input is needed from all the members of cabinet and the staff for the government to deliver the promises it has made to the public. No longer laid back culture of reaching office in the afternoon or whenever one finds convenient is acceptable as the boss himself sets the pace by starting his work early in the morning. Return of activism in leadership and enunciating the clear directions of goals can motivate all the members of the team. In fact Modi is working as if a hardworking CEO of an organization that is determined to turnround the organization is working relentlessly and handing down the decisions in an earlier culture of slow and indecisive environment in the government. Take the case of Ganga restoration originally 20,000 crores were allocated but for last ten year only paltry sum of 900 crores could be utilized due to sheer lethargy and lazy style of working of the government. In the meantime drains and filth continued to pore in the sacred river which has become virtually a drain itself. More than ten years back when I first time went to Varanasi for work I found drains running into river and I took many pictures to file a PIL but later I came to know already some have been filled. Nothing came out of it. Most astounding fact is that no meeting of the board that had to monitor the work took place and at the top of it Prime Minister who was heading the project himself did not attend single meeting in 10 years. One can imagine how things will move and how the decks will be cleared.

But the thrust on Ganga cleaning is the Indian message to the world for conservation of environment and culture of the country that the sacred river represents.

There is complete emphasis on technology and high tech working with all the Ministries preparing PDF of their projects and monitoring it . The fact that all tenders will go on line shows that it is going to usher in transparency that was missing all along in the working of Ministries. There is open working in public domain and no clandestine functioning allowed by sheer use of technology itself and monitoring the work through e governance.

If Steve jobs could come to an Ashram in India and learn the importance of intuition that helped him to innovate and give the world new vision of computer age why it is not possible for India to retain its core culture and also be global?

First time  I introduced Yoga and prayer for MBA students in Fore School of management, New Delhi  that I founded, critics laughed at it as it seemed anachronistic to them. But I maintained our credo ‘  We are more Indian and yet we are more International’

When Japan was transforming itself from rubble of devastation left by World War II, they adopted a new slogan to address to western world and it was “Your technology my culture”. This is precisely what Modi seems to be attempting in turning Brand India international. Japan is an example of how culture and tradition can be assimilated with modernity and science. That is why they have Zen, Ikebana, Tea ceremony, Geishas and Haiku while using world’s best technology and innovation in their country. Friedman in his book World is Flat calls it glocalisation when local culture assimilates high technology of the global significance. In order to redeem our pride as a nation we should welcome this synthesis of culture and global operation as new package to be marketed in the world. We must build brand India and globally export it.

President Himachal Pradesh Congress

Dear Sukhvinder ji.

Thanks for your message about holding Intellectual department of Pradesh Congress meeting and your efforts to diagnose the massive and historical failure in Himachal to lose all seats in Parliamentary elections. We cannot take shelter behind the central leadership as all over the performance is bad but we had the government in power that won election a year back  and a high confidence that claimed from house top that we shall win all seats. How the leaders failed to notice Modi wave and failed to counter it with good governance rather than indulging in nepotism and favoritism leading to public discontent especially with the hope of good governance by Modi sarkar.

Vichar Vibhag first time started a Website that was opened by you. We had ten meeting in Dharmshala,Mandi, Joginder Nagar.Nahan , Solan and Shimla. We constituted the organization in all districts as none was in existence earlier. We planned to hold seminars on Roads , Health and education and also started a survey of blocks and working of grass root organization as was known to you. This was to counter the good governess blitzkrieg from Modi that had to be met with equal good governance in which we failed, even to hand down some work done  and as no one took interest and we had to go dormant.

 I regret to say that the Government and its head our Chief Minister never cared to consult us or even to acknowledge that there is any such wing of the party. He never met us when he had meetings with all other departments and organizations. In fact the indifference to intellectual input or wide consultation within party, the government displayed high arrogance and know all style. Even the leaders became in accessable after election and their cell phones are found by the workers only switched off. All tickets in the constituency were allotted to favorites or relations with clear policy of creating a party within party. Government ruled with arrogance and nepotism.

My personal loyalty to almost dozen of former Central Ministers and respect for Gandhi Nehru tradition only kept a weak link as there was totalitarian one man rule in Himachal.

I had personal experience in central government at top during the Prime Ministership of Rajiv Gandhi  and with UN as expert,and was available to the state to render badly needed help for aviation and airport development but no one bothered except Madam Vidya Stokes who once asked me to help the state but later could not proceed further. Vichar Vibhag time and again tried to stress that grass root is not functioning and we need to pay all out attention to it that needed complete cooperation of Government with the party as inter group problems were too many and CM never bothered to resolve them except to enhance his own tribe’s interests. It functioned as personal party of CM and not Congress party. Our Survey reveals that 50-60% opinion leaders believe that block and booth is getting day by day weakened and groupism is gaining ground.

Considering this we remained silent spectators although a lot of help and support could be garnered but no word of encouragement or advice was available nor there was any interactive and free discussion. The prevailing impression was that one man can do magic but ground situation was completely different that was not known to higher up in absence of free and frank talk and mutual help.

Now since you have reminded we will hold the meeting soon in Shimla. I will again plead that party must bring radical changes in Government and local units of party to regain the strength as we have still time to recover.

With best wishes and regards

Prof N.K.Singh

Former Chairman International Airports Authority and ExUN Adviser

Chairman Pradesh Vichar Vibhag

Pradesh Congress committee

Rajiv Bhavan Shimla

6/6/2014

Copy for information and action to –Smt Sonia Gandhi

Three Culprits of Kashmir Imbroglio

Omar Abdulla, The Chief Minister of Jammu Kashmir has recently announced that if the Union Government tinkers with the article 370 without consent of State Government, Kashmir will not be part of India. He said ‘Either J&K wil not be part of India or article 370 will exist’.It was a shocking statement in response of Minister of State In PM office Dr Jatender Rana making a suggestion that the process of discussion about this article need to be started. Earlier Narender Modi had also said it and there was sharp reaction from Kashmir leaders. Why India has fallen in this mess and who is responsible for it?

Article 371 was inserted in Indian Constitution at the instance of Shiekh Abdullah and Jawahar LaL Nehru the then Prime Minister of India.Historical Background of the article related to relative local freedom granted by the British to Indian states who were paying yearly fee  in return for British patronage and defense. British interfered in the states whenever they liked but left most of the local matters to the ruler. The original folly was committed by Mahraja Hari Singh who wanted to delay the accession of Kashmir and remain a King of the autonomous state. He dreamt of Kashmir being Switzerland without realization the geopolitics. In the instrument of accession it  was mentioned as was being done earlier with British that except defence foreign affairs and communication etc all matters will require the concurrence of the state government for making laws applicable to them. This instrument was the basis  of the section 370 of Indian Constitution.

While three culprits Hari Singh, Jawahar lal Nehru and Shiekh Abdulla are responsible to perpetuate this anomaly on India when out of 465 states of erstwhile Rajas were merged except one i.e. Kashmir. Junagarh had declared allegiance to Pakistan but when the state faced virtual embargo from neighboring territory the ruler ran away to Pakistan. Similarly Hyderbad and Goa had been brought into integration by using show of force. A great job was accomplished by Sardar Patel. When bringing this special provision made Sardar Patel and Dr. B.R.Ambedkar dissatisfied with the provision Nehru had removed the Kashmir Port folio from Patel and brought in Gopalaswamy Aiyyangar, an Indian administrative  officer who worked with Maharaja of Kahmir as his Prime Minister, to draft this and execute the section. Patel offered to resign but as usual Gandhi ji was brought in who prevailed on him to put up with it. The dissent of Dr Ambedkar was very forceful in what he told Shiekh Abdulla “ Mr. Abdullah you want that India should defend you, India should develop Kashmir and Kashmiris have equal rights as Indian Citizen of India but you don’t want Indian citizen to have any rights in Kashmir, I am law Minister of India and I cannot betray the interest of my country”. Such bold and honest Politicians also existed in those days.

Step by step the interest of the country was sacrificed and the main culprits were Shiekh Abdulla and Jawarlal Nehru. Every other state merged with India and Kashmir had a suspended relationship and was also allowed to have its own flag in 1952 by Nehru.The orginal flag showed three triangles depicting Jammu,Ladakh and Kashmir which have been changed. Nehru assured that this is a temporary arrangement and will wither away . But after more than five decades about 135 laws including RTI Act, Human Rights Commission,  Welfare legislation, Indian Penal Code , Prevention of corruption are not applicable in the state and there is  rampant corruption in the state. Even the provision of Permanent Resident rules of the state are subject of great debate .Neither outsiders can buy property nor they can settle there. But more than this if the daughter of state subject marries to Indian citizen she cannot inherit property from her parents. While high court annulled this,  a  state legislation was brought to fortify it. That too not succeeding, the government is using its discretition to grant PR status to a person or not. My wife who was born in Jammu laments that she  has no right on her state.This is perpetual injustice to citizens.

If Modi government back tracks from its resolve it would be great set back to the process of integration of the state. In fact it is leading to terrorism and encouragement to all anti national elements in Kashmir. No one gains from this except those who want status quo for retaining their hold on the land.

It is high time that Modi Government sets the ball rolling to clearly enunciate the pros and cons and educate Kashmiris on  how much they are losing. Time has come process of change to begin with debate and education.

 Time to redeem the honour and economy of the Nation

Turbulent , frustrated and anguished masses in the country are already writing new script of Indian politics and that is why we are witnessing 70%voting in areas far flung  where it used to be merely in 40%. Over all 10% increase in voting is sign of change. One thing is clear that young people have come out in droves to bring a sea change in Indian politics.  That always was the case with youth but they knew no change is possible and had become indifferent. Now the transformation of the fortunes of the country appears possible due to many developments following Anna’s crusade and especially the rise of Narender Modi who has virtually swept the country with his mission to win masses and change the face of India  rather than fight  negative battles of defeating targeted persons as followed by AAP and others. AAP came close on the heels of Anna’s crusade, generated hope  of change but its leader Arvind Kejariwal demolished his own party due  to his high ambition to quickly rise to the top although professing that he does not want to be a Prime Minister. He has totally lost his credibility by telling lies and even in violation of his public swearing by his children announcing that he would not take support of both BJP and Congress, formed Delhi government after his conditions were accepted by Congress.  It was clear that he was seeking power at any cost and his mask of honesty and transparency had vanished. In 49 days he left on one point in his not bothering about rest 18 in his agenda. We thought he was different but he was like other greedy politicians who indulged in double speak and while posturing simplicity was hood winking the masses. One Congress leader remarked aptly “We exposed him completely by offering support and proved his lack of will to govern but only agitate”. A taxi driver who had voted for him said “ Ham sabne uspe vishwas kiya par unhon ne to hamen dhoka diya”. No wonder later he received slaps from his own men. Now he is fighting Narender Modi in his epic battle of negative politics.

Indian politics changed a lot after Anna’s crusade and public anger got consolidated. 2014Elections have provided a way to express it as both Anna’s fast and AAP drama did not succeed and now masses are eyeing a decisive and credible leader who can give them good governance. Electorate is fed up with indecisive, unimaginative and weak leadership of the country. Sanjay Baru’ book accidental Prime Minister and Parakh’ narration of coal scandal went only to reveal how mafia and scams were perpetuated by a proxy leader. The tragedy is that even senior editors of respected media stand exposed when the details are given as how they were manipulated for what is euphemistically called paid news. What more is left in the nadir of degeneration of our political and media nexus when the country faces unparalleled economic and developmental challenges.

In this context Narender Modi stands as the beacon of hope and has promise to deliver since he has track record of excellent performance in his own state. There are critics who donot accept Gujrat performance. Data is positive overall but laet me illustrate it with Power problems. In 2003 the state electricity board was incurring loss of 2500crores. Today it is in profit of 550 crores whereas all the states are floundering in this vital area. There was more than 30% loss in transmission as in most of the states in India but he controlled it and stopped the theft by establishing 5 Police stations only for eliminating thefts. The state is now providing three phase power to 18000villages  round the clock. It is benefitting farmers and industry. He promoted even salt desert as tourism spot and roped in Amitabh Bachan that branded it and resulted in increased employment and control of border areas as tribals lived there but without much resource. What else is good governance?

By all accounts Modi in my assessment if likelto get support of over 290 members in new house. Old Politics is out and new politics is in. It is not politics of capitalism or socialism or secularism but politics of humanism, good governance and economic reconstruction.

Bus Stop

First passenger: Some wives have complained to Police that their husbands donot pay attention and watching Modi speeches till mid night.

Second Passenger: Many opponents will now charge him for human right violations!

--Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India 

Air of Varansi

Air of Varanasi – Whiff of Ganga breeze

The air of Varanasi  smells of change and hopes. I have been going there for years but now last four days at the city showed strange aroma of expectancy and verve amongst citizens. Last year I took my 200 students to clean the Ganga Ghats and the Mayor who was present was surprised to see that tones of garbage was collected by my students whereas Government cleaners had already done their job in the morning. Moving in the lanes of the city in the morning Kachodi and alusabzi breakfast was being served in stalls. I heard a lot about Pan Banares wala propagated by Amitabh Bachan but did not dare to taste it as I feared strong intoxicants in it. I spoke to Pan walas and chaiwalas. They seem to be suddenly empowered as if Modi is elevating every chaiwala . This was a brilliant strategy of Modi to engineer a connect with aam aadmi as once a Chaiwala can become a Prime Minister. There could not bigger achievement of democracy and the elite crowd who thought they only have claim to occupy high post got a fitting reply. Meeting and talking to cross section of people in the streets hotels and ghats one could experience near total support for Narendr Modi.

I was concluding an International Seminar on socio-technical frontiers of global management and 400 participants, scholars, teachers and students, had come to realize that a country to make significant stride in economy needs climate of trust and decisive leadership. Every one seemed to be the campaign manager of Modi. Young students of MBA seemed to enthusiastic to see the change. I talked to a section of Muslim community too while some were showing restraint and reservation yet some were very clear that if business grows they too will benefit and above all Varanasi had no poor record of communal riots. It is a city of harmony. Amit Shah who established party office was also going round seeking support of all sections including Muslims.

It was surprising that some of the boatmen who had not seen  Modi did say ‘ Sahab sunte hai acha aadmi hai usiko vote Karen ge’. What is better indication of a wind in favor of Modi. As far as Kejriwal is concerned there seemed to be no impact as even the crowd in his rally was reported to be from outside the area. The fact that other parties are closing their flanks also went in favor of Modi as public saw it as a sign of fear amongst these parties.

Back In Delhi there is prevailing mood of disgust with the way Kejriwal left the job and ran for fighting Lak Sabha and with his candidates reluctant to fight  Salman Khurshid, Pilot and others there is sense of demoralization and disappointment with a good party that gave up its agenda of anti-corruption and following the path of Anna Hazare with all compromises and telling lies even on oath. The problem is that once Kejriwal loses his credibility, which is already at low ebb, the party will have to recover in 2019 or vanish in thin air.

Bus Stop

First Passenger: Many people are claiming to member of BAAP what is this party?

Second Passenger: I heard some one is calling his party Bhartiya Aam Aadmi Party.

--------Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India

Two Puzzling Political leaders of India

Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal are most talked about and sought  after leaders besides Narendra Modi, who is not discussed here and stands in another class. I liked Rahul and Arvind but they are becoming a puzzle to me day by day . Tome a leader presents a clear vision of the future of the country but here both are painting a fuzzy picture.

Let us first take Arvind who came to power in Delhi on the support of Congress and has fought relentlessly against corruption. For long he has been agitator and street fighter. Even after forming Government he has not adopted a new role of governance and is continuing the old love of agitation .His history of leaving revenue service and joining social movement , first  under the shadow of Aruna Roy whom he discarded and joined Anna Hazare. The duo played significant role in bringing the lime light to the need to eliminate corruption from the country as it was a major road block in economic and social growth of the country. Soon he got out of Anna’s fold whom he paid lip sympathy of being a Guru, and set up a political party called AAP. I still tried to tread in his foot steps ,as I thought  for him there was no option but to meet the political force with the same force. I was convinced that he is honest and simple. His dropping red lights and muffler clad poor looking face was theatrically a picture of a lamentable aam aadmi. It turned out that he was not simple. He was mastermind in creating agitation on the spur of the movement and also throwing smoke of rumors and false promises to lure public. He made promises for getting votes and failed to implement them as he himself gave time limit of a week and three weeks to many of his promises. When it came to honoring he made one or the other excuse and even compromised with declared assertions thus bringing down his credibility. But the greatest weapon he had was to defame others or to create atmosphere of dislike for other leaders by painting them black. After his fiasco of Dharna on Rail Bhavan, his support to rabble-rouser Bharati, his unlawful Minister of law and politics of riots or secularism et al Congress left him undistinguishable from others. When he found he is facing protests of contract workers teachers and students all round he developed a strategy to distract public by releasing list of corrupt leaders whom they would like to defeat. Now it became clear to me that he wants to win 2014 at any cost. It was height of sensationalism but media fell for it and he played the game. When he faced internal revolt he tried to blame others especially BJP for trying to destabilize him. In reality he himself wants to be thrown out so that he can fight 2014 election on sympathy vote. A clever game of hitting others below the belt and defying the normative and ethical behavior that  he should have leant from Anna. I am, therefore, confused where to place him: a ruthless anarchist or a self centered reformer.

Rahul on the other hand is innocence personified; he is not cheat or power snatcher masquerading as reformer. But he is a babe in the woods. Recent Interview on a channel at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan revealed that he neither understands the nuances of state craft nor his ideology is any different from Congress high welfare dole distribution. The interview, Economist succinctly put it,’he might be regretting it already’.   That is why he thought three gas cylinders can get those votes whereas fewer than 2% will benefit without any gratitude. He has all the good intentions: internal democracy, systems change and removing corruption etc but when it comes to implementations he is lost. On pertinent question of system allowing former CM of Maharashtra and Himachal to take action why he is failing, he had no clear answer. Where there is system he is not even getting it implemented. Again joining Lalu Prasad he fumbled but said that is an idea and not an issue. To me it sounded like his famous ‘poverty as state of mind’ adage. He did not give any indication of macro policy or system change ideas but confined to giving tickets to young and a day later his Party gave all tickets to old people for Rajya Sabha.He should have ducked the question of 84 riots but he set out a controversy.  He means well but he has no way to get things done in the party or government except once in  a while barging in Press club and throwing the ordinance for protecting criminal legislators to dust bin. I wish he succeeds and learns the rope of governance which can be learnt as I know having taught a lot of such youngsters, but he seems to be a gentleman who has not met his right mentor. I am puzzled on what is his future agenda for action.

Bus Stand

First Passenger: Why AAP people are always stuck on television?

Second Passenger: They are watching how AAP is turning into FLOP.

----Prof N.K.Singh former Chairman International Airports Authority of India